Norwegian Star first launched in 2001 and is one of the older ships in the Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) fleet. With a capacity of around 2,300 passengers, it’s noticeably smaller than ships like Epic or Prima, but it still offers NCL’s trademark freestyle dining and relaxed, casual atmosphere.
I sailed Norwegian Star on a challenging North Sea itinerary from Tromso through the fjords of Norway, down to Edinburgh, then Orkney, Shetland, the Faroe Islands, and around Iceland. The route was spectacular but the weather was some of the most difficult I’ve experienced at sea, which shaped my impression of the ship.
This overview gives you a sense of what Norwegian Star is like, who it suits best, and what to expect on board.
Norwegian Star
Homeports: Northern Europe in summer, repositioning itineraries in spring/autumn
Key Facts about Norwegian Star
- Launched: 2001
- Refurbished: 2018
- Passenger capacity: ~2,348
- Crew: ~1,000
- Length: 294m
- Decks: 14 (11 for passengers)
Cabins and Accommodation
The design of Norwegian Star’s cabins shows its age compared to newer NCL ships, but they remain comfortable enough for most travellers.
- Inside and Oceanview: Basic layouts, without the quirks of the Norwegian Epic.
- Balcony cabins: Provide outdoor space but are smaller than on newer vessels.
- Suites: Some Haven-style accommodations were added later, but not on the same scale as Epic or Prima.
I had an Oceanview cabin on a low deck. It was functional and fine for sleep, but it felt dated in style and had one feature I wouldn’t choose again: a connecting door to the next cabin. Even though it was locked, I could hear my neighbours’ conversations and movements, which made me quite self-conscious.
On the positive side, NCL did not charge a large single supplement for this sailing, which made it affordable for me as a solo traveller.
Dining on Norwegian Star
Norwegian’s freestyle dining was in place, but the options felt thinner than my experience on other Norwegian ships.
Dining Options on Norwegian Star:
- Main Dining Rooms: Versailles and Aqua are the traditional sit-down restaurants.
- Buffet: Garden Cafe which was always busy with increasingly limited options as the cruise progressed.
- Casual: O’Sheehan’s 24-hour Bar & Grill was reliable for late-night or quick meals.
- Cagney’s Steakhouse (classic NCL steakhouse)
- Teppanyaki (Japanese hibachi)
- Le Bistro (French)
- La Cucina (Italian)
- Moderno Churrascaria (Brazilian barbecue)
The buffet often felt overcrowded, especially on sea days, which may have been made worse by the fact that bad weather forced passengers indoors more often. I found myself increasingly drawn to the main dining rooms for breakfast and lunch as the buffet was so busy.
Entertainment and Activities
Norwegian Star offers a good range of entertainment for its size, but the weather on my itinerary meant outdoor options were often closed.
- Theatre shows: Broadway-lite productions in the Stardust Theater.
- Bars and lounges: Multiple smaller venues, but less variety than Norwegian’s bigger ships.
- Pools and outdoor decks: Closed frequently due to cold and stormy weather.
On warmer itineraries, the pool deck and outdoor spaces would add more variety, but on my sailing, everyone crowded into the interior lounges and buffet.
What’s the Vibe Onboard?
My North Sea sailing had a very international crowd, with a large Australian contingent who were among the friendliest passengers I’ve met on a cruise. The smaller size of the ship and the bad weather meant people were often in shared spaces, which made for more social encounters.
One downside: this itinerary had more tender ports than any other cruise I’ve taken, and the process was frustrating. Passengers had to line up early each morning to collect a tender ticket, which felt old-fashioned and inconvenient. This should be handled by the cruise line’s app.
Who Norwegian Star is Best For
- Couples and friends looking for a smaller, more traditional cruise ship.
- Solo travellers who can sometimes benefit from lower supplements.
- Experienced cruisers wanting a Northern Europe or repositioning itinerary.
- Less ideal if you want lots of outdoor activities or a wide range of dining options.
Does Norwegian Star have Studio cabins?
No, Star predates NCL’s solo studio design. Solo travellers can often get deals when they book inside or oceanview staterooms.
Does Norwegian Star have freestyle dining?
Yes. There are no formal nights, and you can choose when and where to dine.
Is Norwegian Star family-friendly?
Yes, but the facilities are more limited compared to newer NCL ships like Prima.
Final Thoughts
Norwegian Star is an older ship and it shows in its design and dining, but it still delivers the NCL freestyle experience. On my cold-weather North Sea itinerary, the lack of outdoor space was noticeable, and the tender process was inconvenient. However, the friendly atmosphere, boosted by lots of Australians on board, and the affordability for solo travellers made it a worthwhile trip.
If you want a smaller ship with character and you don’t mind fewer bells and whistles, Star is worth considering, especially for Northern Europe routes.