[Search for users] [Overall Top Noters] [List of all Conferences] [Download this site]

Conference abbott::cruise_travel

Title:CRUISE TRAVEL
Moderator:XANADU::FAMULARO
Created:Thu Aug 04 1988
Last Modified:Thu Dec 12 1996
Last Successful Update:Wed Jan 01 1997
Number of topics:562
Total number of notes:2834

16.0. "NCL Starward" by VLNVAX::OSTIGUY () Thu Aug 18 1988 16:57

    Hi,
    
    I've been on two cruises, Carnival and the NCL Starward.  I've
    read alot of notes concerning Carnival but none for the Starward.
    I was single on both cruises and went with my twin sister.
    
    I really enjoyed Carnival, it was so much fun!  It was also my
    first so maybe that's why I loved it so much.  When I was on the
    Starward, I got seasick (never on the Carnival).  Starward is a
    bit smaller and the crew said that once we past Jamaica the waters
    get calmer.  I found this to be true although I did get some pills
    from the purser.  
    
    Has anyone else been on the Starward?  I had an okay time but I
    kept wishing I had spent my money on another Carnival cruise instead.
    My next cruise (with husband this time) I may pick one of the
    ships mentioned in this notesfile, or I'm just going to play it
    safe and go with the Carnival.
    
    Anna
    
    
    
T.RTitleUserPersonal
Name
DateLines
16.1Starward PassengerKOALA::FAMULAROJoe, ZKO3-2T43, DTN381-2565Thu Aug 18 1988 17:1823
    Hi Anna,
    
    My wife and I cruised aboard the Starward a couple of years ago.
    It was our first experience on a line other than Holland America.
    There were some pluses and minuses, as you'd find comparing any
    cruise line to another, but all-and-all we had a fantastic time.
    
    The food was excellent, the waiters friendly, itinerary was great
    (Western Caribbean), snorkeling program was lots of fun, entertainment
    was good, and since it was a small ship we seemed to get to know
    some of our fellow passengers much better, everyone looked familiar
    so you'd talk to each other.
    
    On the negative side, the ship was not as well kept up as Holland
    America's ships.  On HA you're hard pressed to find rust anywhere
    on the outer decks.  This was the first thing I noticed on the
    Starward when I came aboard was rust.
    
    Other than that I had no significant complaints and will cruise
    with NCL again in the future.
    
    Joe (who still wears his Starward diving teeshirt to work.)
    
16.2Shift Colors..UnderwayMPGS::WHYNOTSK2 - USNRTue Nov 15 1988 15:3445
    Hello Anna..... 
    
    I hope you're still monitoring this file.
    
    I just found out about it recently and have been anxious to read about
    other peoples experiences.
    
    The wife and I spent our 15 Wedding Anniversary ( I surprised the Hell
    out of her)...aboard the NCL M/s Southward.
    
    If I'm not mistaken, the Starward is slightly bigger than Southward. 
    
    We spent 10 days in the eastern Carribean and only had one night that
    could be classified as rough. The rest was beautiful sailing. I had
    heard that the cruise before we boarded, the ship hit some real rough
    weather and passengers were not allowed topside.
    
    I've been reading a few of the notes and it seems that the consensus is
    for the larger ships. The Seaward is now in operation and rivals the
    Soveriegn of the Seas.  Word is that if you want NON-STOP party
    time..the Carnival ships are the way to go. I found that board the
    Southward, the crowd was at least 20-25 years or more older than we
    were. I can honestly say that our age group (30-35) was in the
    minority. BUT.....We had a ball anyway....
    
    As for being seasick....95% of it is in your mind....Keep your mind
    occupied, enjoy the power of the sea and get plenty of fresh air....If
    your really worried then take the pills.. You don't want to lose one
    day of enjoyment... 
    
    Thing is, if (when) you go again, the seas may be rougher and might not
    even feel 'em.  I went on a fishing trip,.,.got sick as a dog in five
    foot seas....Last month on may Navy Reserve weekend..we were taking 37
    degree rolls...No problem....
    
    Don't let anything stand in your way of going again...The bosslady is
    already priming me to go again.
    
    
    Didn't mean to carry one....
    
    					steve w.
    
    
    
16.3VLNVAX::OSTIGUYMon Nov 21 1988 14:1410
    re .2
    
    
    Yup, I'm still here.   Happy to hear you and your wife enjoyed the
    trip!!!
    
    I wish my husband would surprise me with a cruise too!!!!
    
    Anna