Your Cruise Holiday

A magical cruise holiday during which you will experience the delights of Mexico and the Caribbean on board Norwegian Star.

First, you will fly out to Mexico for 6 nights in Riviera Maya, one of Mexico's most exciting regions.

Norwegian Star offers an impressive itinerary for the next part of your holiday. You'll experience some of the most memorable ports of call in the Caribbean.

Norwegian Star, Cruise Ship, Full Board

Everything about Norwegian Star is true to the spirit of Norwegian Cruise Line Freestyle Cruising®. It's all about the freedom to choose - where you stay on board, where you'd like to eat and how you'd like to spend your time.

There are no hard and fast rules on this cruise ship. Instead, you'll find a laid back atmosphere, a choice of 17 dining options, 10 bars and lounges and a fabulous range of facilities to keep you and the family happy and amused, day after day, after day.

Lifestyle on board your Norwegian Cruise Line Cruise ship

Staterooms on Norwegian Star have a contemporary style and all the creature comforts you need. You can choose from a wide range of accommodation.

You'll find the same level of comfort and choice elsewhere on your cruise ship. For example, her bars each offer a distinct atmosphere and experience for you to choose from, including champagne and caviar, Bavarian style beer and sausage - and everything in between.

Daytime cruising on Norwegian Star

There's no shortage of things to do on your cruise ship. In fact you may need more than one cruise holiday to enjoy all the experiences available on board!

Norwegian Star's fabulous range of facilities include:

• Three pools - outdoor, indoor and one for kids
• Six hot tubs
• Barong Spa & Fitness Centre
• Jogging/Walking Track
• Basketball/Volleyball Court
• Two Golf Driving Nets
• Galleria Shops
• Card Room & Library
• Internet Cafe
• Separate Kids' and Teens' Clubs
• Video Zone - games arcade

Your evening cruise entertainment

You set the pace on Norwegian Star. There are plenty of quiet places where you can sit and drink while you watch the world go by or enjoy quiet conversation to the sound of a grand piano.

If you've got energy to burn, you can bop until you drop in the Carousel Lounge and Night Club or whirl your partner around the dance floor in the Spinnaker Lounge. There's also an impressive three-tier theatre featuring Broadway and Las Vegas-style shows, a cinema showing all the latest movies and a casino with Blackjack, Poker, slots and more.

Dining on Norwegian Star

There's no strict dress code on your cruise ship so you can leave the tux at home. It's entirely up to you where you want to eat each evening and you've got 17 different venues to choose from - serving everything from tapas and Tex-Mex to French, Italian or all-American cuisine.

If you like dinner to be a special occasion, the Aqua Main Dining Room is as fine a dining experience as you'll find in any smart city restaurant. Among its culinary delights are a selection of light and healthy choices for anyone watching the calories.

Alternatively, head for the Versaille Main Dining Room where the delicious menus are created by your cruise ship's award-winning chefs, members of the world-famous gourmet society Chaine des Rotisseurs.

Riviera Maya

This 120-kilometer slice of northeast coner of the Yucatan Peninsula from just a few kilometers south Puerto Morelos up to Punta Allen within the Sian Kaan biosphere reservation, offers up a seemingly endless coastline of stunning white sand beaches and an absurdly blue sea, ancient temples and exceptional diving opportunities. The sands are backed by low-lying jungle to give you that tropical feel as the palms sway gently in the breeze, with the emphasis on the simple pleasure of kicking back and relaxing.

Famed for scuba-diving and snorkelling due to the spectacular Great Mayan Barrier Reef, there are amazing coral formations and tropical sponges, to be seen with the reef a natural refuge for a multitude of marine creatures. But the fun doesn't end here! There is no area in the world with as many underground cave formations and cenotes as the Riviera Maya. Cenotes are natural fresh-water pools found only in this part of the world, with access to vast undergound cave systems.

Travel to Tulum and admire the splendor of this mayan cliff-edge city overlooking the Caribbean sea, make sure you bathe on one of the best beaches of the world with it’s sugar white sands.

Try and also squeeze in a visit to Xcaret and Xel-Ha Eco Parks, to swim in underground rivers, see butterfly pavilions and archaeological sites. Where else in the world can you get all this?

Once in Riviera Maya, take the opportunity to visit one of the new 7 wonders of the world located a few miles away, Chichen Itza, Go and gawp at this amazing ruins of this stepped pyramid, the most iconic mayan temple of this ancient civilization, the Mayas.

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New Orleans City Tour

Your professional, Virgin Holidays Cruises licensed tour guide will meet you at the port and direct you to an awaiting coach for your private City Tour. Your tour begins at Jackson Square with some French Quarter history and continues along Esplanade. This elegant French Avenue lined with large, Victorian houses leads you from the French Quarter to City Park.

Before you arrive at City Park, you will stop at St. Louis #3 Cemetery, where you will learn about the above ground burial system, the misfortunes that took the lives of many in early New Orleans and also the culture of the jazz funerals.

City Park's many attractions, including the New Orleans Museum of Art, a sculpture garden, botanical gardens, an amusement park and more, are nestled among the shadows of the largest collection of ancient oak trees. Stone foot bridges cross lagoons in this picture-perfect setting in 1,300 lush acres.

You will tour the Lakefront before continuing on to the second most famous street in New Orleans - St. Charles Avenue, the oak-lined avenue of American elegance. Following the streetcar route, the first public transportation system in the United States, you will access the Uptown area. Here you will see Tulane and Loyola Universities, the Audubon Zoo and Audubon Park.

Upon returning to the French Quarter we will disembark the coach for you to explore at your own pace. We have also included a voucher for café au lait and beignets, a special New Orleans treat. You will also have free time in which to redeem your voucher and your guide will be available to assist you with lunch recommendations, attraction information and directions. Later in the afternoon you will be transferred back to the Norwegian Star.

All taxes and driver and guide gratuities have been paid for by Virgin Holidays Cruises.

4 Star Occidental Grand Flamenco Xcaret

A fantastic choice for an exciting family holiday, the Occidental Xcaret has a beautiful man-made cove beach, it is also adjacent to Xcaret Park. Couples too will love the resort's relaxed atmosphere and incredible range of amenities, including 11 restaurants and 10 bars, catering to every taste and occasion. There are also 5 swimming pools to choose from, tennis courts and organised activities, including ecological and cultural hikes to get you acquainted with this area of outstanding beauty. At night, the fun continues with live music, shows and disco dancing!

Where is it?

Connected to Xcaret Park by boat and overlooking the Riveria Maya on Mexico's Caribbean side. Transfer time from Cancun airport: 1 hour 10 min. Playa del Carmen is 10 min away. Transfer time from airport: 1 hour 10 min.

Eats and drinks

11 restaurants, 5 of which are à la carte, including Le Buffet, Sonora Grill (steakhouse), Los Olivos (Italian), La Hacienda (gourmet Mexican). Also D'Oriental (Asian), El Pescador (seafood), La Piazza (pizzeria), Paco's Tacos and El Lago (serving snacks and light meals). Beach Club also serving snacks and light meals. 10 bars.

Entertainment

Daily activities programme. Nightly entertainment. Disco. Weekly manager's cocktail party.

Fun and games

3 swimming pools, including 2 huge freeform pools with Jacuzzis plus a children's pool, spa*, fitness centre and solarium. Water sports with scuba-diving and deep-sea fishing*. 2 paddle courts, 2 tennis courts, 2 shuffle boards, archery and mini-golf. Supervised kids' club (4-12 years) with separate pool, clubhouse, buffet restaurant and daily activities. Ecological and cultural hikes*. Golf nearby*.

Handy stuff

Exclusive waiting service for drinks. Laundry/dry-cleaning service*. Babysitting (on request*).

Room info

769 rooms in 15 buildings. All rooms with balcony/terrace, air-conditioning, satellite TV, mini-bar (replenished every other day with soft drinks, bottled water and local beer), safety deposit box, iron and board, and hairdryer. Deluxe Rooms are spacious and richly decorated, with 1 king-size or 2 double beds sleeping max 3 adults or 2 adults and 2 children (under 12 years). Non-smoking rooms on request.

Room upgrades are also available please ask our consultants for details

Additional Information

DRESS CODE: In all menu-style restaurants, men are required to wear long trousers and shirts with sleeves (short sleeves acceptable). No beachwear or sandals.

*Denotes local charge.

All Inclusive

All meals, snacks, soft and alcoholic drinks, including premium brands. Wine served with lunch and dinner. All activities and entertainment detailed above unless otherwise stated.

Your Cruise Itinerary

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Q. Are all transfers provided?

Yes all transfers are provided. We will transfer you from the airport to hotel, then on to the port and back to the airport after your cruise.

Q: What time will my transfers be?

Your transfer times will be confirmed on your travel documentation issued approximately 7-10 days prior to your departure.

Q: Will my hotel have tea and coffee making facilities in the room?

As you can imagine, all hotels vary between the services and equipment offered, to enquire why not contact us where we will be happy to assist.

Q: Will my luggage be transferred from the hotel and to the cruise ship?

Yes all your transfers will have space for your luggage. On arrival at Cancun airport you'll need to reclaim you luggage at the luggage carousel. You will always travel with your luggage, however, we recommend that you keep your passports, tickets and any other essentials on your person.

Q: What happens with my luggage when I arrive at the cruise port?

Your luggage will be off loaded from the vehicle, you'll then need to pass this to one of the porters, they will then get arrange for this to be put on the ship for you and will be waiting outside your cabin later in the evening.

Q: When will I be able to board the cruise ship and access my cabin?

Embarkation normally starts from 12 midday, and you should be able to access your cabins from around 3pm however the ship will let you know when they are ready.

Q: What Currency is used on board Norwegian Star?

The currency used is $ US Dollars

Q: What Currency is used in Mexico?

The currency used is $ US Dollars

Q: What type of electrical plug socket is needed for appliances?

Most plugs in Mexico are the same as in the US; two flat prongs. Some have a third, circular prong for earth, and adapters can be sought for these too if the plug you want to connect to doesn't have the third (earth) prong socket.