I loved the Star Princess

[RMM34667]

I really loved the Star. I thought the staff was the happiest crew I've ever encountered. You did not meet a crew member on the elevator or in a hallway where they didn't ask if you had a good day or needed anything. Our Service was great. Room Steward Joseph was always around if you needed anything, but never intrusive. We had anytime dining but sat more often with Nuno, Blaze and Peter than anywhere else. And truly missed them when sat elsewhere. They were awesome, as was Eva. She really knew how to get things moving when they were not.

 

Didn't catch too many shows since we never got our timing with dinner/show quite right. Spent ALOT of time in the casino which was not kind to us. But Niko did come introduce himself and buy a few drinks which was appreciated.

 

Caught a few movies I've been wanting to see at MUTS (True Grit and Life as We Know it).

 

Ports were GREAT. I did miss Aruba because I was pretty sick during the night. Was SO SO afraid of informing Medical that I was sick. But I had every intention of letting them know. But then I slept for about six hours and woke up OK. I stayed in my room for the rest of the day and was feeling great by the morning of Bonaire. Bonaire, Grenada and Dominica were so different. My first time at each and would go back to each port.

 

The chair hogs were out in full on this cruise and we NEVER got to sit in a lounge by the pool. So many sat empty with the towels and other stuff reserving them. Princess really needs to enforce their policy and not leave it up to guests to inforce it for them. My only complaint for the entire cruise it there.

 

Loved non smoking nights in the casino. It was the only night you could get your pick of the slots. I smoke but on those nights I just popped into the sports bar if I wanted to smoke. It was empty on those nights.

 

I suddenly wish I was about 15 years older and did not have to work tomorrow. Otherwise I would have been looking to book the next 10 days. Well some day I will get there!

 

I will watch for where the Star is going and if ever possible I will sail it again!

[bamelin]

Sounds great! I am on the same cruise april 13! How was the food?

[RMM34667]

Sounds great! I am on the same cruise april 13! How was the food?

 

I thought the food was great! It was often very difficult to decide because there were many choices. I had more red meat in 10 days than I normally would eat in 6 months. But the Prime Rib and Lamb were very good.

 

Have a great time. I so wish I could jump back on a do it again!

[rcacace]

Do you happen to remember how many days the most traveled cruiser had? Sometimes they post it in the daily Patter.

[Coolmama_1]

Thanks for the review. Sounds like you had a great time.

[kruiser54]

I have read lots of post about "I wish Princess would have a non-smoking policy".

I wish they would enforce the "no saving deck chairs" rule before they change any other policy.

We were on the Star for our very first cruise ever a few years back and it was a great ship and a wonderful cruise to Alaska so deck chairs were not a problem on that one but our Hawaii and Caribean cruises were rediculous. You had to get up before sun up to even get a lounge with a view of the pool.

Glad you loved it.

EB

[Whoo]

Thanks for your review! I'm looking forward to cruising to Hawaii on the Star!

[bobalink]

Thanks for sharing your thoughts on the Star Princess. It is always good to hear that a crew is happy!

 

I have never experienced an unhappy crew on Princess. They are always so kind and helpful!

 

We will be boarding the Star Princess in 91 days! Yes, I AM counting! :D

 

Cheers!

[RMM34667]

Do you happen to remember how many days the most traveled cruiser had? Sometimes they post it in the daily Patter.

 

I do not know. But I saved all the Patters and will look through tonight.

 

It seemed everyone we had talked to had MANY MANY cruises under their belt. One couple we sat with on two occassions had done 35 cruises, but not all on Princess. To me it was a great crowd and I met so many wonderful people.

[AmberTeka]

Sounds great! I am on the same cruise april 13! How was the food?

 

I was on that cruise. I thought the food was good. Not great, but consistently good. Except for, of all things, the new Turkey Pot Pie. It was large..and delicious. I had a lot of seafood..shrimp and such. All were well cooked and good. I had one steak..the Rib Eye..and it was tender and good. I wish..they would oil their baked potatoes and bake them with a crisp skin...but they don't. Desserts were very good. The Baked Alaska had real meringue on it.

 

On the Horizon deck..I ate lunch there on day. They had Chicken Rice..Fried Chicken..rolls with black olives baked into them ( delicious!), boiled potatoes, vegetables....and everything was good. Seasoned right and tasty.

 

I had one hamburger there. It was OK. I did not care for the pizza.

 

The Salad section was good. The Thousand Island Dressing was quite good I thought. It did not taste like battery acid as it can when made in large lots. There were at least two types of lettuce..tomatoes..cauliflower..olives ( not pitted) grated cheese, bacon bits, broccoli, croutons..........I was impressed. Princess had the nicest and best tasting salad bar I have ever eaten at on any cruise. I would highly recommend at least one visit. The layout in the buffet is nice. You seldom wait for long under their section system. Staff people circulate with coffee in the morning and iced tea at lunch. They were very visible and kept tables cleanned...quickly.

 

The crew was pleasant. The staff at the Passenger Information Desk was very helpful. Ditto the young ladies who managed the Internet Lab. It was a low stress atmosphere. Laid back.

 

Breakfast was always good. No bacon police. I had the omelet several times. Very good. We also ate Breakfast in the MDR. It was very good.

 

We did anytime dining this time..as we did not want to eat at five thirty. It worked out well. We ate with a large table every night..and every night except one..everyone lingered over coffee to chat a bit. Then..I would run into them on the ship and it was fun catching up on their ship adventures. I am now converted. We will be Anytime Diners from now on. We also liked the freedom of picking your time...although we never were later than 6:30pm.

 

The International Cafe was a nightly stop. I would get a few slices of cheese and a few slices of their nutbread to take to the room. I miss that.

 

 

Room Service, which i used because I felt ill, was great. The Burger arrived hot and tasty..the fries were hot...it was as good as a commercial burger.

[RMM34667]

Room Service, which i used because I felt ill, was great. The Burger arrived hot and tasty..the fries were hot...it was as good as a commercial burger.

 

Just curious.. what day did you feel ill? I got pretty sick over night on our second sea day. I had the mussels and pasta that night for dinner. I still wonder if it was the food or somthing more. Thank god I only lost a day. By the morning we docked in Bonaire I was fully recovered.

[1 HappyCruiser]

Did they have lobster claws at the buffet in the first night?

[RMM34667]

I didn't go to the buffet on the first night so I don't know if they did, sorry.

 

I just looked through my Patters (I only have 8) but I didn't see anything about the most traveled passengers, sorry again.

 

I don't see any menus around tonight and no one seems to want to cook for me. I guess if I'm going to eat tonight it will be a sandwich. (And my bed is NOT MADE..) what is up with that.

[AmberTeka]

I didn't go to the buffet on the first night so I don't know if they did, sorry.

 

I just looked through my Patters (I only have 8) but I didn't see anything about the most traveled passengers, sorry again.

 

I don't see any menus around tonight and no one seems to want to cook for me. I guess if I'm going to eat tonight it will be a sandwich. (And my bed is NOT MADE..) what is up with that.

 

Tell me about it. What a rude return to the real world. I had to get my cat at the Vet's. My cat, a former feral cat, was in no mood to be gotten. It took about five staff members to get her caged, and then she followed me around the house and bit me if I even tried to touch her. My husband, her only love, was greeted with kitty kisses and much affection. She knows that he had no part in boarding her..it was just mean old me.

 

then I had to do grocery shopping as I was the only cook in the house. Then I have to put the groceries up. Imagine.

 

Then I sort a mountain of laundry we seem to have created. Then did load after load. Finally finished.

 

Then my DH comes home with our other critter. He is a little terrior and he is glad to be home. After dinner, he helps sort the laundry. We Finish it all! Hoo Ray!

 

And then I sort the mail, and Princess had TWO brochures in my mail. TWO. So I read them and dream a little..and It is Good to be home...( and the clothes are now all washed, sorted and put up and ..with the ones for the laundry sorted and ready to go) I think..again..that It is good to have a home to come home too..after the poverty we saw on some islands..and it is good to read the brochures and start dreaming again. Maybe in the fall..........

 

And tomorrow I have to finish filing my Income tax. Have too. Ugh. I had better keep those two brochures close and handy, in case end of cruise depression sets in.......

[sunsetbeachgal]

The Most Traveled on this cruise had somewhere around 950 nights, or thereabouts! The second most traveled was only 10 or 20 night behind the first. Unbelievable---more power to them both! :)

[RMM34667]

Tell me about it. What a rude return to the real world. I had to get my cat at the Vet's. My cat, a former feral cat, was in no mood to be gotten. It took about five staff members to get her caged, and then she followed me around the house and bit me if I even tried to touch her. My husband, her only love, was greeted with kitty kisses and much affection. She knows that he had no part in boarding her..it was just mean old me.

 

then I had to do grocery shopping as I was the only cook in the house.

 

Then my DH comes home with our other critter. He is a little terrior and he is glad to be home.

 

And then I sort the mail, and Princess had TWO brochures in my mail. TWO. So I read them and dream a little..and It is Good to be home...( and the clothes are now all washed, sorted and put up and ..with the ones for the laundry sorted and ready to go) I think..again..that It is good to have a home to come home too..after the poverty we saw on some islands..and it is good to read the brochures and start dreaming again. Maybe in the fall..........

 

then I washed clothes. And washed clothes. And washed clothes.

 

LOL, I'm only 1/2 unpacked. But laundry will have to wait for the weekend. 9 hour work day 1 1/2 (x2) hour commute and a long wait till my next vacation. I'm going to start looking for Med cruise for spring 2013. So back to just dreaming for me. And SAVING SAVING SAVING I now know what I want out of my retriement. CRUZIN'