The Norwegian Star cabins to avoid are the lifeboat-obstructed oceanviews on deck 8, deck 8 aft rooms directly above Bliss Ultra Lounge, deck 5 rooms under the casino and main dining rooms, and deck 11 cabins beneath the pool deck and Garden Cafe. For most travelers, the sweet spot is a midship balcony on deck 9 or 10, with cabins above and below and a view that clears the lifeboats.
Free: get the printable cabin cheat sheet: 7 spots to check on any ship before you book →
Norwegian Star launched in 2001 as the first ship of what is now called the Dawn class, and she is a mid-sized ship of about 91,700 tons carrying roughly 2,350 guests at double occupancy. Her 2026–27 schedule is a ship of two halves: Mexican Riviera cruises from San Diego through the winter, with Panama Canal sailings from Miami, then a long summer and early-fall season from Southampton covering the British Isles, the Baltic and the Norwegian fjords. Late 2027 brings Mediterranean and Iberian sailings from Lisbon and Barcelona before she heads to South America and Antarctica from December 2027. That variety changes which cabin works best.
Norwegian Star cabins to avoid at a glance
| Location | Why it can be a problem | Who should skip it |
|---|---|---|
| Deck 8 midship obstructed oceanviews | Lifeboats hang outside the windows; some rooms see mostly hull and boats | Anyone sailing for the scenery |
| Deck 8 aft | Directly above Bliss Ultra Lounge, the late-night club on deck 7 | Early sleepers |
| Deck 12 suites | Share the pool deck and sit below the deck 13 sports deck and specialty restaurants | Suite guests who want calm mornings |
| Deck 5 cabins | Below the casino and the Aqua (forward) and Versailles (aft) dining rooms on deck 6; some sit beside the theater | Light sleepers |
| Deck 11 cabins | Under the deck 12 pool area, Garden Cafe and Spice H2O | Anyone who hates early chair noise |
| Forward cabins on high decks | Most motion on the North Sea and Atlantic legs | Seasickness-prone guests |
Deck plans change after dry docks, so confirm the venues around your cabin on NCL’s current plan before you pay a deposit.
Noisy Norwegian Star rooms to avoid
Deck 4 and deck 5: the lowest cabins
Deck 4 is the lowest passenger deck and holds only oceanview and inside cabins. It is quiet for the most part, and it moves less than anywhere else on the ship. The trade-off is the forward end, where anchor and thruster noise can be heard on port mornings. Deck 5 is busier. It shares space with the lower level of the Stardust Theater, and directly above it on deck 6 are the Aqua dining room forward, Versailles aft, La Cucina, Le Bistro and the Star Club Casino. Expect service traffic at mealtimes and some noise from the casino above at night.
Deck 7: the entertainment deck nobody sleeps on
Deck 7 holds no cabins at all. It is the heart of the evening, with the top level of the Stardust Theater, Ginza with its teppanyaki and sushi bars, the Atrium, Proof Whiskey Bar, the shops and, at the back, Bliss Ultra Lounge. Bliss replaced the old Spinnaker Lounge during the 2018 refit and is the ship’s late-night club. Every cabin on deck 8 sits above some part of this deck.
Deck 8 aft above Bliss
The aft-facing balconies and penthouses on deck 8 have the best wake views on the lowest balcony deck. They also sit right over Bliss. On a party-heavy Mexican Riviera week, that is a real issue. The same aft layouts on decks 9 and 10 look out over the same wake with cabins on both sides, which is the simple fix.
Deck 11 under the pool deck
Deck 12 is the main pool deck, with the Oasis Pool, hot tubs, Topsiders Bar and the Garden Cafe buffet, plus Spice H2O, the adults-only area added in 2018. Cabins on deck 11 below it can pick up lounger dragging and early buffet setup. Deck 11 also holds the Mandara Spa, so some rooms here are close to spa traffic too.
Deck 12 suites and the sports deck
Norwegian added a block of suites, including penthouses, on deck 12 during a 2010 refit. They share the deck with the pool and buffet, and deck 13 above holds the jogging track, Splash Academy, sports deck, Cagney’s Steakhouse and Moderno Churrascaria. Check exactly what sits above your suite before you book.
Obstructed views and lifeboats
NCL sells a small group of obstructed oceanview cabins midship on deck 8, where the lifeboats hang in front of the windows. Guests on the Cruise Critic forums describe the view as a maze of lifeboats with daylight through the gaps. Within that group, forum members rate the rooms nearest the stairs and lifts, such as 8116 and 8616, as the ones to avoid, and prefer 8112 and 8612. These rooms are fine if you want a cheap room with some natural light. On a Norwegian fjords or British Isles cruise from Southampton, they waste the scenery.
The good news is that the deck 9 balconies above are clear. Posters who have sailed midship on deck 9 say the boats are tucked in below and they look straight down at the water. Lifeboat noise is mainly a daytime issue, when crews lower boats for tendering or drills.
One more thing to note: Sail Away or guarantee fares let NCL assign the room. If a guaranteed oceanview turns out to be one of the deck 8 obstructed rooms, you will have no grounds to complain, so book a specific cabin if the view matters.
Small cabins and family rooms
- Inside and oceanview cabins: these are on the small side by modern standards, a sign of the ship’s 2001 design. Three or four people sharing an inside cabin will find storage tight.
- Family oceanviews on deck 8: these sleep more guests, but deck 8 is also where the obstructed oceanviews are, so check the view before you book a scenic itinerary.
- Connecting cabins: great for families, but couples should avoid them, as the connecting door carries sound.
- Rooms by lifts and stairs: convenient, but busier, especially on decks 8 and 9 near the entertainment deck.
Seasickness on Norwegian Star
At around 91,700 tons, Star is noticeably smaller than NCL’s newer ships, so she feels the sea more. During her 2024 dry dock at Damen in Brest, both of her stabilizers were replaced, which should help on rough crossings. Even so, the North Sea on Baltic and fjord sailings, the Bay of Biscay on repositioning legs and the transatlantic crossings can all bring swells.
The steadiest cabins are midship on decks 4 to 9. If you want a balcony, a midship deck 9 room is the best compromise between a clear view and low motion. Avoid high forward cabins and forward-facing penthouses if you are prone to seasickness.
Best cabins on Norwegian Star by budget
Inside cabins
Choose an inside on deck 9 or 10, midship and away from the lifts. You get cabins above and below and the least motion for the lowest price.
Oceanview cabins
A deck 4 oceanview is quiet, stable and good value, especially on San Diego weeks where you will be ashore most days. Avoid the forward end and the obstructed rooms on deck 8.
Balcony cabins
Midship balconies on decks 9 and 10 are the best all-round choice. On Mexican Riviera sailings, that gives you a private outdoor spot for warm evenings. On Southampton cruises, it gives you the fjords and the Scottish coast.
Suites and Garden Villas
Aft penthouses on decks 9 and 10 have the best wake views without the Bliss noise of deck 8. Forward penthouses are impressive but move the most. The top suites are the Garden Villas on deck 14, very large multi-bedroom suites with private outdoor space, best for groups. For current prices across all these grades, see our 2027 cruise deals roundup.
How Norwegian Star compares with her sister
Star’s sister is Norwegian Dawn, which followed in 2002. They share the same layout, so most of the same cabin rules apply on both. The differences are in refits and itineraries. Star’s 2018 refit gave her Bliss Ultra Lounge, Spice H2O, the Sky High Bar and new cabin and public area finishes, and her 2024 dry dock focused on engineering work, stabilizers and hull repairs rather than new venues.
Compared with NCL’s newer ships, Star is smaller, simpler and much easier to get around, but she has no race track and no Waterfront-style outdoor promenade. If you want those, look at a Breakaway Plus ship such as Norwegian Escape, or browse the newest NCL ships you can book. For fleet-wide advice, see our guide to 16 Norwegian Cruise Line cabins to avoid and our wider list of 13 cruise cabin locations to avoid at all costs.
FAQs
What are the worst cabins on Norwegian Star?
The obstructed oceanviews midship on deck 8, the deck 8 aft rooms above Bliss Ultra Lounge, deck 5 rooms beneath the casino and dining rooms, and deck 11 rooms under the pool deck.
Which deck is best on Norwegian Star?
Deck 9 or 10 midship. Both have cabins above and below, clear views over the lifeboats and less motion than the higher decks.
Where does Norwegian Star sail in 2026 and 2027?
She spends winter 2026–27 on Mexican Riviera cruises from San Diego, with Panama Canal sailings from Miami, then sails from Southampton from spring to early fall 2027. Late 2027 brings Mediterranean sailings and a South America and Antarctica season from Buenos Aires and San Antonio.
Is Norwegian Star good for seasickness?
She is a mid-sized ship, so she moves more than NCL’s giants, but her stabilizers were replaced in 2024. Book midship on a low or middle deck, ideally decks 4 to 9.
Has Norwegian Star been refurbished?
Yes. Her biggest refits were in 2010, when deck 12 suites were added, and 2018, when Bliss Ultra Lounge and Spice H2O arrived. Her 2024 dry dock in Brest was mainly technical work.
