Norwegian Cruise Line, Norwegian Star, UK and Ireland Review

Norwegian Star, UK and Ireland

Lengthy queues as everyone turned up at same time so why was there a requirement to choose an embarkation time.
Had to keep carry on luggage with us as staterooms not ready until after 3pm.
Alcoholic drinks not served in Southampton nor Belfast due to "UK law". Not available until 9pm after leaving Southampton & midnight after leaving Belfast. No compensation nor refund offered by Guest Services on board - just given a case ref number to quote when emailing head office. Only one advisory notice seen in Southampton and a tannoy announcement made night before arrival in Belfast. No one could explain this "law" so believe it to be that NCL didn't want to pay the tax even though we get charged port taxes & fees. Subsequent communication with Miami Head Office has resulted in a refund of a proportion of the "Free at Sea" cost.
Stateroom well equipped with different plug sockets, USB ports and a clever DND sign outside. Spacious bathroom with good size shower with door rather than curtain.
Open dining allows you to turn up when you like but, unless you ask to be seated in a specific server's area, you don't get to form a relationship with the crew. Evening food of an adequate standard but sadly lacking in much of the way of vegetables. Breakfast in the main dining room not very good - items often cold (poached eggs on a couple of occasions for example), bagel too hard to cut/bite and a lack of advertised choices.
Tannoy announcements regarding tender tickets very intrusive & too early in the morning.
Lack of entertainment variety : three brought-on acts did two nights each in the theatre but the cast shows were of a good standard. Shame one was curtailed early due to technical difficulties and thought it could have been rescheduled for the last afternoon at sea day as nothing else was going on in the theatre.
Security seemingly unwilling to deal with a "rowdy" guest who had clearly had too much to drink. Bar staff continued to serve even though he was stumbling around, annoying other guests who were trying to enjoy the musicians and shouting loudly during their performance.
Guests without transfers / excursions on last day were only given choice of two disembarkation times which again led to queues snaking half the length of the ship and then back & forward four times on the outside walkways. Same as on embarkation - too many people given the same time and un-necessary queueing which unfortunately resulted in one guest collapsing in the heat.