Southern Hospitality on Norwegian Star

Addressing complaints about increasing bottlenecks of air service into crowded Florida and Caribbean ports, Norwegian Cruise Line decided, in the words of Executive Vice President Bruce Nierenberg, “to take the ship where the people live.”

And so the new “Texaribbean” cruise made its debut from the port of Houston in late May aboard the Norwegian Star, a renamed and renovated version of the Royal Viking Sea. The classic, mid-size vessel, which also sailed as the Royal Odyssey for now-defunct Royal Cruise Line, will offer year-round, seven-day sailings into the western Caribbean from Houston.

Nierenberg cited more plentiful nonstop air service into Houston as one reason for the change. Also, a nonstop flight between Houston and Los Angeles takes less than three hours.

While Houston’s commercial port is the second largest in the U.S. in tonnage, this is the first time a cruise ship has been based there.

Everything went smoothly aboard the shakedown cruise. The itinerary gives veteran Caribbean passengers some variety with two new ports and several new shore excursion options.

The Norwegian Star sails every Sunday and will visit the Yucatan port facility of Calica for an overnight. This offers passengers the option of taking in a night excursion to Xcaret ($35), which has a nature center and re-created Mayan village with a folkloric show, or a night on the town in Cancun ($36). A day excursion to Xcaret ($49) may include a dolphin encounter (with surcharge fee) or a snorkel/swim along an underground river; guests then return to the ship, which has repositioned during the morning to Cozumel. Shore excursions to the Mayan ruins at Tulum or Chichen Itza will also return to Cozumel.

After spending all day in Cozumel with numerous beach, snorkeling and scuba options, the Norwegian Star sails during the night to Roatan in the Bay Islands of Honduras, popular as a diving destination. A daylong visit there includes options for swimming, snorkeling, diving, island tours, relaxing at the beach or interactions with bottle-nosed dolphins. The itinerary includes two days at sea on the return trip to Houston.

Among the new public rooms is an 86-seat Bistro alternative restaurant, carved out of a corner of the dining room but with a totally different decor and an Italian/Continental menu. It’s free to passengers but requires an advance reservation on board.

But perhaps the biggest change for fans of the Royal Viking Sea/Royal Odyssey are the two new sports bars aft on the promenade deck, filled with TV monitors showing satellite sports broadasts.

The casino has been expanded, but the ship has not forgotten the family market. There is a new children’s facility called Kids Korner, with youth counselors.

The passenger density of the vessel has increased tremendously, with most outside cabins furnished with upper and lower berths plus a queen-size sofa bed (much more comfortable than it looks).

Big spenders looking for the top accommodations could opt for the owner’s suites and penthouse suites on the penthouse deck, from $1,899 to $2,499 per person, double occupancy. Each provides a private balcony, two lower beds that can be converted to queen-size, a separate sitting area, tub and shower, TV with VCR and small refrigerator.

Standard cabins have two lower beds, tub and shower (or shower only, depending on the cabin) and view windows or portholes in outside cabins. Third, fourth and fifth passengers in a cabin travel for a discount, with children under 2 sailing free.

The 28,000-ton ship carries 848 passengers, based on double occupancy. The seven-day cruise, based on per person, double occupancy, begins at $699 per person. Air fare and port charges are extra. Passengers can get air fare from the West Coast for $199 round-trip when booking a cruise.

A recent pre- and post-cruise option is a dude ranch visit in Bandero, Texas, at prices from $489 to $1,029 depending on the number of nights and guests.

To get a free color brochure about the Texaribbean cruises on the Norwegian Star, see a travel agent or call the line at (305) 436-4000.

Slater and Basch travel as guests of the cruise lines. Cruise Views appears the first and third week of every month.