h20skibum

How about we add some information about the Captains that have been posted to the Star. This from the Princess news release on December 15, 2023. Santa Clarita, Calif. (December 15, 2023) – Princess Cruises announced the two captains who will serve as masters of the line’s second, sensational Sphere Class cruise ship, Star Princess, during an official keel laying ceremony in Monfalcone, Italy. Captain Gennaro Arma, who currently serves as the newbuild site lead for the construction of both Sun Princess and Star Princess, will be master of the 17th Princess ship when she debuts in summer 2025, bringing her into service from the shipyard. When Captain Arma is on leave, Commodore Nick Nash will take over the navigation and leadership of Star Princess. “It is my privilege to introduce and congratulate the masters of the stunning new Star Princess,” said John Padgett, Princess Cruises president. “Captain Arma and Commodore Nash have remarkable histories with Princess, and will provide great experience and excellent leadership on our newest vessel.” Commodore Nick Nash, a 33-year veteran of Princess Cruises, was promoted to the rank of commodore of the line’s global fleet in 2020. He currently serves as captain of Enchanted Princess, having navigated the ship out of the Fincantieri shipyard for the first time. Commodore Nash first joined the company in 1989 and was promoted to staff captain in 1997. In 2002, he became captain and has been at the helm of many Princess vessels. Commodore Nash also has served as President of the Nautical Institute and after two years now serves on the council. He was awarded the United Kingdom’s Merchant Navy Medal for meritorious service in 2018. He is a Chartered Master Mariner, a Fellow of The Nautical Institute, The Royal Institute of Navigation, The Royal Geographical Society and a Younger Brother of Trinity House. Captain Gennaro Arma has always been passionate about the sea. He began his career with Princess Cruises in 1998 as a Cadet and moved up the ranks achieving his first command as Captain of Sea Princess in 2015, where he navigated the ship on two world cruises. He took the helm of Diamond Princess in 2018 and in 2020 and was honored with the recognition of Commander of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic, the highest of the orders of the Italian Republic, and selected among the 20 most influential Italian characters of the year by Vanity Fair in December 2020. Arma has also received the title of Magister of Amalfi Civilization for the Byzantine New Year, the Emanuela Loi award for courage, and the Assarmatori prize from the Italian maritime association awarded by the Minister of Transportation. He most recently served as captain of Discovery Princess. He was born in Sorrento, Italy, where he lives with his wife Mariana and his son Diego. Star Princess makes her debut in August 2025, with cruises on sale now. Additional information about Princess Cruises is available through a professional travel advisor, by calling 1-800-PRINCESS (1-800-774-6237) or by visiting the company’s website at www.princess.com.

I guess they need to start somewhere to gauge the demand. If enough pay it, they will keep that price.

There was this video of the Keel laying on December 11, 2023.

Wonder what lessons they learned from the first build? I wouldn’t be surprised to see some aft facing balconies.

Post some photos. We are booked on Deck 11 on the Sphere. Port side for us.

Princess shared this video of the different cabin categories. IMG_0702.mp4

Saw this on Harry’s trip report, and thought it was funny. For all the cat lovers.

A race to the Stars? Two ships, with the name Star, with inaugurals in August, 2025? Looks like Royal Caribbean gave more notice of their delayed inaugural sailing, according to this…… Delayed by 2 weeks While we're working hard on completing our newest Icon Class ship, Star of the Seas, and after a review of the work that remains to be done, we're unfortunately forced to delay the ship's delivery date. As a result, we must cancel our inaugural 7-Night Eastern Caribbean & Perfect Day August 17th, 2025 sailing. We're truly sorry for the impact that this delay has had on your clients vacation plans. The time and effort your clients took to plan their cruise is important to us, so we've put together some alternate options that we hope will work for your clients and those in their party. Option 1: Automatically move to the NEW Star of the Seas inaugural sailing departing on August 31st, 2025. This is the first ever Star of the Seas sailing, and we want your clients to be a part of it!

Traveled to my old hometown today, and we met my sister and her husband for lunch. I think if I lived there, I would be at this place every day. They have about 15 different craft beers, but I wanted something different today. Started off with a nice margarita. Actually, all their drink prices were pretty reasonable. And, I couldn’t believe how cheap their lunch specials were. A half Cuban sandwich with your choice of sides (I picked homemade chips) for $7. Good food and drink.

Dani, so nice you all could get together. Hopefully a ceasefire soon. That’s what happens when you give it up for lent. Glad to hear nothing was broken. Take care.

I used to be an expert at folding fitted sheets, but I am no longer allowed to do them. My method involved using a large floor fan to get the sheet billowing, so it would easily fold. Well, one day I was doing that, when Susan came home and yelled “WHAT ARE YOU DOING.” It startled me, and that’s when…. The sheet hit the fan!

For the views, then I am all for the upper decks. But, when I want to log a few miles on the track in the morning, deck 5 is better because you don’t have some wandering coffee sippers to slow you down. Or, at least you have more space to avoid them. That track on VV looks narrow.

Safe travels home. Thanks for doing this. I may want to look at these, but it would have to be at least 7 days for us.

Those top deck tracks give a whole new meaning to….. Against the wind We were runnin' against the wind We were young and strong, we were runnin' against the wind That is one advantage to Royal’s Oasis class tracks.

It is good that he didn’t break anything. A friend of mine fell in the shower, and broke his shoulder last fall. His friend he was visiting in Michigan was able to drive him back to PA, but he had to get back to Michigan before winter to retrieve his car. Hope Charlie heals quickly.

That’s not right! Whenever I have asked for new tags, I have gotten them. Maybe things have changed, because we now opt to walk off with our luggage. That is the one, and only time we see the inside of an elevator.

Restraining myself from a comment on their sign. 😂

I saw that. Near gale force winds right now.

You all talking about cruises has me window shopping again. I know I probably shouldn’t, because we have those bigger trips scheduled this summer. With our week in Myrtle Beach, Utopia cruise, week at Disney($$$$$), and our Sun cruise, I am getting overloaded with planning. Not only cruise prices are insanely high, but so are excursions. I keep looking at that Bella cruise, but prices are up on it, and it is 3 weeks after we get off the Sun. To do that one, I would have to either drive back to PA, then fly back to Florida a couple weeks later, or just stay in Florida for those three weeks. Decisions, decisions.

Daryl spent the night at our house. He is here for repair of a small leak, so he is ready for his summer adventure. He was happy to be back in the water this morning. 😁

That’s what I thought too, because it has always been moored whenever we have been to Aruba. Then I read that it was spotted at some other ports. It was in St. Lucia a couple days ago, and then moved to Barbados.

She seems to be doing well, but the worry never stops. She finished all the chemo and radiation, and finished the three vaccines in the clinical trial at Cleveland Clinic with no adverse reactions. She has another follow up with them next month. All bloodwork has been in the normal range, which is a good sign. We hold our breath at every appointment, until results are back.

Sorry to read this. I wish I knew how they come up with their estimates. Had a friend that the doctors said she had six months. She had twelve good years after that. Hope things go well for you friend and her husband.