Norwegian Star
Dawn · refurbished 2025 · Northern Europe & Fjords, Mexican Riviera & West Coast
Built in 2001, Norwegian Star is a Dawn-class ship with 91,740 GT and capacity for approximately 2,348 guests, placing it among the current fleet's mid-sized ships. It lacks the large attractions found on newer ships, but its smaller size allows a wider choice of ports and longer itineraries, including 10- to 11-night voyages around Iceland, Scotland, and Norway. In summer 2026, its main schedule will be one-way cruises between Southampton and Reykjavik, with some sailings including an overnight stay in Reykjavik. In winter, it will move to San Diego for Mexican Riviera cruises. It underwent refurbishment in 2024–2025, so its interiors remain well maintained for its age. This ship suits travelers who prioritize destinations over onboard activity.
Current position (external site)View on VesselFinder (IMO 9195157)External site. Position information has not been checked by Cruise Atlas.
For travelers from Japan
A guide to public baths, Japanese food and language support, payment in yen, smoking, dress codes and power outlets, based on available official and other sources. Details may vary by itinerary and season. Check the official website for current information.
Similar facilities, such as a thermal suite
Japanese food at extra cost
Some Japanese language support
English text in preparation.
Official: confirmed by the cruise line or another official source / Secondary source: confirmed by other sources / Estimated: inferred by Cruise Atlas / Not stated: no information found in official sources
At a glance
What is included and what costs extra
- Meals (main restaurants)Included
- AlcoholExtra charge
- GratuitiesExtra charge
- Wi‑FiExtra charge
- Specialty diningExtra charge
- Shore excursionsExtra charge
The base fare includes meals at complimentary restaurants only. Choosing More at Sea, which is included with many fares, conditionally adds unlimited drinks, Wi-Fi, several visits to paid restaurants, port credits, and other benefits.
- Extra chargeDrinks (one beer)$7-12
- Extra chargeSoft drinks and water$3.50
- Extra chargeDrink packageMany fares include More at Sea, with conditional benefits such as unlimited drinks for guests aged 21 and over, Wi-Fi, and dining at paid restaurants.
- Extra chargeWi‑FiWith More at Sea, a set amount of free Wi-Fi is included. Starlink was introduced in 2024.
- Extra chargeGratuities (automatic service charge)$20-25/day (varies by stateroom category)
- Extra chargeSpa (60 minutes)About $150-$200
- Extra chargeLaundryNo self-service laundry; use the paid laundry service. Fill-a-bag plans are available.
- Shore excursionsShore excursions are purchased individually from NCL's shore excursion program. They cost tens to hundreds of dollars, depending on the content. On Iceland and Northern Europe itineraries, nature-sightseeing tours are the main offerings.
Prices are shown in the onboard currency; no currency conversion is applied.
Boarding, atmosphere, and links
- Japan departures: No
- Home ports: Southampton (United Kingdom; Northern Europe and Iceland routes), Reykjavik (Iceland), Lisbon (Portugal), San Diego (United States; West Coast and Mexican Riviera routes), Tampa (United States; Caribbean routes)
- Departure ports: Southampton, Reykjavik, Lisbon, San Diego, Tampa
- All ages
- A mid-sized ship launched in 2001. Instead of the flashy attractions found on large new ships, it offers a calm environment for relaxing. Freestyle cruising provides a relaxed dress code.
- Sailings mainly depart from and return to Europe and North America, with many English-speaking passengers. There are many scenic itineraries, such as Iceland and the Norwegian fjords, and a calm clientele centered on adults stands out.
A conventional-fuel ship that entered service in 2001. With each refurbishment, it maintains the engines and hull (ship's body) to improve efficiency. NCL Group has set targets of expanding shore-power connections and achieving net zero by 2050.
Ship character
- • Northern Europe, Iceland, and fjords
- • Port-focused travelers
- • Adult-only trips
- • 10-night-plus long itineraries
- • Travelers seeking the latest onboard attractions
- • Families prioritizing play areas
- • Travelers limited to short itineraries
Cruise stories and videos on external sites
5 linksThese are articles and videos by other publishers, not Cruise Atlas. Their content is their own and has not been reviewed by us. Links open in a new tab.
- Personal blogEnglishOur First Norwegian Cruise on the Norwegian Star: A Real Family Spring Break Review
destinationsbyamy.com · Link checked Oct 5, 2026
- Personal blogEnglishCruising through Europe with Katie & Joe - Alaska Travelgram
alaskatravelgram.com · Link checked Oct 5, 2026
- YouTubeEnglishBoarding a 25 Year Old Cruise Ship! | Norwegian Star Vlogs | Ep 1
youtube.com · Link checked Oct 4, 2026
- Personal blogEnglishAffiliate links disclosedNorwegian Star Cruise Review
robertahill.com · Link checked Oct 5, 2026
- Personal blogEnglishAffiliate links disclosedNorwegian Star Review: The Good Bad and the Ugly
coupletraveltheworld.com · Link checked Oct 4, 2026
Sources
- Officialncl.com
- Encyclopediaen.wikipedia.org
- Officialncl.com (2)
- Officialncl.com (3)
- Secondary sourcecruisedeckplans.com
- Secondary sourcenorwegiancruiselineblog.com
- Secondary sourcethetravel.com
Source: Wikipedia “Norwegian Star” (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Cabins by category
| Cabins | Size | Occupancy and beds | Features | Links |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Inside Stateroom An approximately 13 m², compact, windowless category at the lowest price. As the ship entered service in 2001, it is narrower than newer ships. ADA-accessible cabins are available. 383 cabins / Decks 4-10 | from 13 m² (140 ft²) | 2-4 people 2 twin beds (convertible to a queen). A Pullman bed is used for 3-4 guests. | Accessible | Check on the cabin overview page |
Oceanview Stateroom A cabin with a window, approximately 15 m². Depending on the location, some types have partially obstructed views. 250 cabins / Decks 4–8 | from 15 m² (161 ft²) | 2-4 people 2 twin beds (convertible to a queen). Add a Pullman bed for 3-4 guests. | WindowAccessible | Check on the cabin overview page |
Balcony Stateroom Approximately 15 m² inside with a balcony of about 3–5 m². There are many cabins to choose from, making them easy to select. Smoking is prohibited, including on balconies. 368 cabins / Decks 8-11 | from 15 m² (161 ft²) | 2-3 people 2 twin beds (convertible to a queen). A sofa bed is used for 3 guests. | Balcony | Check on the cabin overview page |
Club Balcony Suite (Mini-Suite) Approximately 21 m² inside plus a balcony of about 5 m². It is more spacious than balcony cabins, with a smaller price difference, making it a popular category. 107 cabins / Decks 9-11 | from 21 m² (226 ft²) | 2-4 people 1 queen bed + sofa bed | Balcony | Check on the cabin overview page |
Penthouse / Family Suite A suite group added around Deck 12 during the 2010 refurbishment. Balcony availability varies by type, and there are also 2-bedroom suites for families. Decks 11-12 (added during 2010 refurbishment) | 27–46 m² (291–495 ft²) | 4–6 guests King or queen bed + sofa bed. Two-bedroom types have 2 bedrooms. | WindowConcierge | Check on the cabin overview page |
Garden Villa / Owner's Suite The highest class onboard. Garden Villas have approximately 212 m² of interior space and more than 300 m² of private terrace, making them famous oversized suites within NCL. Only 2 cabins. Uppermost part of Deck 12 | 53–212 m² (570–2,282 ft²) | 4–6 guests A king-size bed in each bedroom (Garden Villas have multiple bedrooms) | BalconyConcierge | Check on the cabin overview page |
Approximate figures from official and reliable sources. Cabins vary by ship, category, and sailing.Links generally lead to official pages; some have not been verified.
Families, adults-only areas, and practical information
- • Splash Academy / Entourage — Splash Academy for ages 3-12 and Entourage for ages 13-17 are available. Basic use is free of charge.
- • Video Zone — A corner with a collection of arcade games. Each game is charged individually.
- • Spice H2O — An adults-only sun deck at the stern, created in the 2018 refurbishment. A relaxing space with the sea as a backdrop.
- • Star Club Casino — A casino of about 900 m², added in the 2005 refurbishment. It has slot machines and table games.
- Onboard currency
- USD
- Gratuities
- Charged automatically to your onboard account after boarding as the Discretionary Service Charge. Prepayment is also possible. A separate 20% service charge is added to food and drink purchases such as drink packages, specialty restaurants and the spa.
- Payment
- Cashless onboard
- Voltage
- Many ships have both North American-standard 110V-range and European-standard 220/230V-range outlets.
- Formal nights
- Because of the Freestyle concept, no mandatory formal nights are scheduled. There is a "Dress up or not" night that encourages guests to dress up if they wish, but participation is free.
- Medical facilities
- Every ship has a 24-hour medical center, with about 1 to 2 doctors and 2 to 3 nurses on staff depending on ship size. Consultation and treatment costs are not included in the fare and are billed separately to your onboard account (an itemized statement for insurance claims can be issued). Travel insurance is recommended.
- Bringing items onboard
- At embarkation, you may bring up to 1 bottle each of wine and champagne (Other alcohol, beer, and drinks such as water and soda are not allowed). A corkage fee applies when opened in restaurants, bars or cabins ($15 for a 750 ml bottle, $30 for a 1.5 L magnum). Holders of a drinks package (including Free at Sea) are exempt.
- Mobile and connectivity
- Offshore (as a guide, 12 nautical miles or more from land), your home carrier's roaming can be used through Cellular at Sea (an onboard base station, displayed under names such as "cellularatsea"), but both calls and data tend to be expensive. Switching to airplane mode and using Wi-Fi calling (WhatsApp, FaceTime Audio, etc.) over the onboard Wi-Fi is offered as a cheaper alternative.
- Japanese support
- Staff —Menus —Announcements —
Dining
A complimentary main dining room at the stern, distinguished by an ornate French-style interior accented with gold.
Hours: Breakfast, lunch (on full sea days), and dinner 17:30-21:30
Another complimentary main dining room amidships, with a more contemporary interior than Versailles.
Hours: Dinner only: 17:30-21:30
A complimentary buffet available throughout the day, with outdoor seating.
Hours: Breakfast 7:00-10:30, lunch 11:30-15:00, dinner 17:00-21:30
A complimentary pub open 24 hours. Burgers, french fries, and more are available late into the night. Bowling lanes and games are on site.
Hours: Open 24 hours
A complimentary restaurant serving Asian dishes from various countries, such as sushi, stir-fried dishes, and noodles. The attached teppanyaki room has only 12 seats and is charged separately.
Hours: Dinner: 17:30-21:30
A paid steakhouse at the top of Deck 13, with a calm atmosphere and white tablecloths.
- Filet mignonIncluded in the set-menu price
- Crab cake (appetizer)Included in the set-menu price
NCL's classic French restaurant on Deck 6, the most formal restaurant on the ship.
- EscargotIncluded in the set-menu price
- Grilled beef filetIncluded in the set-menu price
A paid Italian restaurant offering appetizers, pasta, seafood, meat dishes, and Italian desserts.
- Various pasta dishesIncluded in the set-menu price
- TiramisuIncluded in the set-menu price
A show-style meal in which chefs cook at the teppanyaki grill in front of guests. Seating is limited, so early reservations are needed.
- Teppanyaki course (steak, chicken, shrimp, fried rice)Fixed-price course meal
A Brazilian-style steakhouse with an all-you-can-eat salad bar and assorted grilled meats carved at the table by servers.
- All-you-can-eat skewered meat (a server comes to your table to carve it)Included in the set-menu price
- Salad barIncluded in the set-menu price
Facilities and activities
In addition to the main pool, there are several pools, including a children's pool, and several jacuzzis.
An adults-only sun deck at the stern, created in the 2018 refurbishment. A relaxing space with the sea as a backdrop.
The approximately 1,000-seat, three-story main theater offers production shows free of charge.
A casino of about 900 m², added in the 2005 refurbishment. It has slot machines and table games.
A spa offering massages, facials, and salon services. Use of the thermal suite costs extra.
A gym equipped with cardio machines and weights. Basic use is free of charge.
A multifunctional court for basketball and volleyball, plus a golf practice net.
A loop track on the deck that can be used for walking and running in the morning and evening.
Splash Academy for ages 3-12 and Entourage for ages 13-17 are available. Basic use is free of charge.
A corner with a collection of arcade games. Each game is charged individually.
A dance and nightclub lounge added during the 2018 refurbishment.
A bar newly installed on the upper deck during the 2018 refurbishment, where guests can enjoy a drink while looking out over the sea.