Name: EUROPE - FRANCE & IBERIA
Brand: Norwegian Cruise Line
Rating: 4.1 (13 reviews)

Overview

From the moment Norwegian Star slips out of Barcelona, the stage is set for 11 unforgettable nights with Norwegian Cruise Line in Mediterranean and Spain. Along the way, you'll visit Motril, Arrecife, Lanzarote, and Porto, exploring a new destination almost every day. With a blend of vibrant ports and tranquil sea days, this cruise strikes the perfect balance between adventure and relaxation. With fares from £1,090 per person, this is a wonderful way to experience Mediterranean and Spain by sea.

Norwegian Cruise Line

Founded in 1966, Miami-based Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL), part of global cruise company Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings (which also owns Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises), is the third-largest cruise line in the world in terms of cruise passengers. NCL has become well-known for its colourful ships featuring a pop-icon style painted hull.

Cruise Itinerary

Day 1

Barcelona

Barcelona, a city defined by its innovative spirit from the architectural wonders of Gaudto the bustling medieval streets of the Gothic Quarter, offers a vivid window into Spains artistic soul. The city benefits from a Mediterranean climate, ensuring pleasant weather perfect for leisurely explorations of its many districts. Cruise lines such as Royal Caribbean and Norwegian utilize Barcelona as a key port, giving travelers the chance to immerse themselves in a blend of modernist architecture and vibrant local life. An intriguing fact about Barcelona is its beach was artificially created in preparation for the 1992 Olympics, showcasing the city's ability to ingeniously reinvent itself while maintaining its historical roots.

Day 2

At sea

Day 3

Motril

Day 4

Cádiz

Journey to Cadiz, where the echoes of ancient civilizations resonate through its cobblestone streets. This maritime marvel boasts a colorful past, once a haven for Phoenician traders and a strategic outpost during Roman rule. Blessed with a Mediterranean climate, Cadiz offers balmy breezes and sun-kissed shores, perfect for leisurely exploration. Unlike bustling tourist hubs, Cadiz exudes authenticity, inviting travelers to savor its laid-back ambiance and discover hidden gems around every corner. As Spain's oldest continuously inhabited city, Cadiz proudly showcases its maritime heritage, including the renowned Carnival of Cadiz, a festive extravaganza dating back over three centuries.

Day 5

Casablanca

We'll try not to mention a certain Hollywood film here, but Casablanca's history is as captivating as its cinematic counterpart. From its humble beginnings as a Berber settlement to its rise as a bustling port city under French rule, Casablanca has been shaped by centuries of cultural exchange and economic prosperity. Today, its modern skyline and vibrant culture reflect its status as Morocco's economic hub. As Humphrey Bogart famously said in the film, "Here's looking at you, kid." Oh. Damn.

Day 6

Agadir

Following a devastating earthquake in 1960, Agadir rose from the rubble to become a vibrant coastal city, offering a wealth of experiences for visitors. Relax on the golden sands of its pristine beaches or embark on exhilarating water sports adventures. Explore the bustling markets of the medina, where you can haggle for treasures and sample local delicacies. Take in panoramic views from the hilltop Kasbah, offering a glimpse into Agadir's rich history. With its year-round sunshine, lively nightlife, and proximity to stunning natural wonders like the Souss Massa National Park, Agadir promises a memorable and diverse vacation experience.

Day 7

Arrecife, Lanzarote

Day 8

Santa Cruz de Tenerife

Day 9

Funchal, Madeira

Day 10

At sea

Day 11

Porto

Porto may be Portugal’s second city, but it takes first place in many cruisers’ hearts. It’s a gastronomic wonderland – with port and tonics, pastel de natas and excellent seafood. It's also full of architectural marvels, including the famous ironwork bridge joining the neighbourhoods of Gaia and Ribeira. You’ll find that both ocean liners and river cruise ships stop at its ports.

Day 12

Lisbon

In the annals of maritime lore, Lisbon stands as a testament to resilience, having weathered centuries of conquest and exploration. Its labyrinthine streets whisper tales of Moorish conquests and Age of Discovery triumphs, each cobblestone a silent witness to the city's rich past. Beneath the warm Mediterranean sun, Lisbon exudes an undeniable charm, drawing travelers seeking an authentic escape from the beaten path. From its vibrant neighborhoods to its serene waterfront, Lisbon offers a glimpse into Portugal's soul, where fado music reverberates through alfresco cafes, and the aroma of freshly baked pasts de nata fills the air, tempting even the most seasoned voyagers.

Day 1

Barcelona

Day 2

At sea

Day 3

Motril

Day 4

Cádiz

Day 5

Casablanca

Day 6

Agadir

Day 7

Arrecife, Lanzarote

Day 8

Santa Cruz de Tenerife

Day 9

Funchal, Madeira

Day 10

At sea

Day 11

Porto

Day 12

Lisbon

2298

Passengers

1031

Crew

2001

Launched

2021

Last refit

91740t

Tonnage

294m

Length

32m

Width

25kts

Speed

Decks

USD

Currency

Norwegian Star

As one of our mid-size ships, Norwegian Star® offers a wide range of incredible amenities in a relaxed atmosphere.

All Prices

Customer reviews

Reviews

Excellent Ship great staff

A beautiful ship with plenty of top class entertainment and activities if you want them . Good choices are first class and the itinerary on t hi s cruise was just what I wanted

Norwegian Cruise Line Norwegian Viva

Reviews

The scenery made up for the shortfalls of the actual cruise experience

It was largely what we were expecting - re: accommodation and entertainment. We thought the food offerings were not very good. As it was an Alaskan cruise we were expecting at least a salmon and crab evening. I thought the buffet would be a bit like the Las Vegas offerings but standard was pedestrian. However, food cooked well and presented nicely. Enjoyed being able to eat in three speciality restaurants and our favourite was the French restaurant - that we really liked. Staff on board all brilliant. Entertainment very loud so we avoided the shows after the first night. Evening music in the main bar was excellent when it was a guy called Randon, otherwise not so good. Port side tours were good. Organisation and communication excellent - never felt left to find out important information for ourselves - daily newspaper listing all activities. Very impressed with that. We would probably not choose an American cruise company again. We are definitely European and our cultures seem so different!

Norwegian Cruise Line Norwegian Jade

Reviews

Great Getaway on Norwegian Getaway

Fantastic round trip cruise from New York up to Halifax. The entertainment was good and the cruise co-ordinator made sure everyone was having a great time. We missed the Beatles bar that Epic had and there wasn't quite the same amount of choices when it came to watching tribute bands/entertainment, but Staff were really friendly and accommodating and did their best to make our trip an enjoyable one. The stops were really interesting and we saw plenty of wildlife - would definitely go back to Boston as a separate trip too as we simply didn't have enough time to see everything. Gave us a taste of that side of America and Canada and we would definitely recommend the cruise and the location. Just booked our 4th cruise with Norwegian around the Med and back on Epic so looking to compare our last few trips and see what has changed.

Norwegian Cruise Line Norwegian Getaway

Reviews

Less than impressive, NCL could do much better

British Isles, France, Netherlands and Belgium 11-night cruise Having had more than 35 cruises across several cruise lines (including Holland-America, Celebrity, Royal Caribbean, P&O, Marella and others), this for me was one of the worst. The quality of main dining-room meals at dinner was poor with a sluggish service to match (often two-and-a-half hours for a three-course serving). So the service was so poor that towards the end of the cruise, I gave up and decided to eat in the buffet! Very many of the on-board activities seemed aimed at extracting as much money as possible from guests. And the entertainment was hit-and-miss. A good British magician/illusionist but a less-than-funny comedian. Edinburgh and Dublin were good destinations, but both involved time-consuming tenders as well as transport from harbour to city centre. Docking at Belfast, too, was a bus or taxi ride from the city centre, or even the Titanic Exhibition (which was one of the highlights of the cruise for me).

Norwegian Cruise Line Norwegian Sky

Reviews

Cruise from port of Jacksonville

Had another fantastic cruise with Norwegian, great staff, entertainment, brilliant food, with a disappointment in the Bahamas. So as typical Norwegian, staff and food fantastic, the shows are brilliant, however our 1 island stop was a disaster with everything on the Island closed for Good Friday. Everyone was boarding taxis to the town centre and getting there to find everything closed, so felt a bit of a rip off with none of the drivers saying so. Went to Norwegian's private island for the first time also which was amazing definitely would return there. All in all it was a great cruise with a great company in Norwegian.

Norwegian Cruise Line Norwegian Gem

Reviews

A mixed experience

The cruise was from Auckland to Sydney with ports in NZ and Tasmania en route. The ship itself was smaller size and older but very nicely refurbished. Weather was mainly fine en route except for 2 very rough days in the Tasman sea. I am a single traveller and the Norwegian website would not allow me to book the 3 speciality restaurants as encouraged pre embarkation. The package of Freedom at Sea was dining time and table size as required daily so there were no pre booked tables for singles. The meetings for the 35 or so sole travellers were at 5 pm every day which didn’t really suit me. Similarly the fitness classes tended to be very early morning too. The two main restaurants were fine in terms of food quality but the menu was rather repetitive. The speciality restaurants offered variety of choice. I avoided the buffet as even though staff were encouraging passengers to sanitise their hands, many just walked past and ignored them. I have been on larger ships where buffet items were served rather than hundreds of people using the utensils. The staff were invariably pleasant and helpful with the exception of some excursion staff who yelled instructions at people patronisingly and made the waiting experience needlessly stressful. My main concern was the lack of any dress code at all save that men must wear long trousers in the French restaurant.In the lounges and at dinner, many passengers had not even changed from daytime casuals and shorts ,caps and t shirts were considered acceptable. I guess this was just the wrong cruise line for me as I had made an erroneous assumption that it would be like Olsen. The vast majority of passengers were American and Canadian who perhaps prefer a more informal atmosphere. The entertainment on this American owned liner was very poor indeed to my mind though seemingly enjoyed by others. Two poorly choreographed and screechy song and dance shows plus Mr Penguin, a magician and an unfunny comedian. The lounge entertainment was dire too with the exception of Leon , an excellent young entertainer. So I chose this cruise for the itinerary but the anything goes atmosphere on board just didn’t suit me. Norwegian have some great cruise routes but the onboard experience was disappointing and I would be very hesitant to travel with NCL again.

Norwegian Cruise Line Norwegian Spirit

Reviews

First time, probably last

Ship was spotless and crew were fabulous. Entertainment lacklustre, food only OK. Itinerary 8 out of ten, however port timings disappointing. Booked complete package including hotels and transfers, these were all very good. Also had more at sea which worked very well for us, very good value for money overall

Norwegian Cruise Line Norwegian Spirit

Reviews

Alaska and the Inside Passage

This was our 5th cruise with NCL (all on different ships) and whilst we had a good time, we were slightly disappointed with the Joy. The food was not as good as we have had on previous NCL cruises and the entertainment on offer was decidedly "underwhelming"

Norwegian Cruise Line Norwegian Joy