Star Princess Impresses From Bow to Stern

I lately had the chance to take a three-night cruise to The Bahamas on Princess Cruises’ latest ship, Star Princess.

Princess Cruises invited me and my household to sail on the inaugural cruise out of Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. I walked away impressed by the ship, adjustments Princess made for the reason that first ship within the class, and by the crew.

Whereas I used to be on the ship, I wrote about my first impressions of Star Princess you could learn right here.

Let’s check out the completely different areas of the ship and the cruise that impressed me.

Modifications Princess Made

The cruise line made a number of adjustments on Star Princess from the primary ship within the fleet, Solar Princess. The addition of a sports activities courtroom on the highest deck was a lot wanted and is a good area for youths to play. It’s an ideal measurement and has all the things from basketball to pickleball to cornhole.

One of many largest complaints I had on Solar Princess was the shortage of self-service drink stations within the Eatery (buffet). I actually appreciated the stations they added between the Eatery and Americana Diner on Star Princess. There may be tons of area and was by no means crowded in any respect. It’s excellent while you simply need a fast drink of water.

One other nice change Princess made was including a non-smoking on line casino that’s away from the primary on line casino. Many occasions cruise strains add a non-smoking part that’s a part of the primary on line casino however smoke simply flows proper into the non-smoking facet.

The non-smoking on line casino is on the opposite facet of the Piazza and takes the place of the place a store is on Solar Princess.

Firefly Park

Since my spouse and 5 yr outdated son got here with me on the cruise, we had been enthusiastic about getting first hand expertise of what Princess presents for youths.

I actually wasn’t positive what to anticipate moving into. Whereas households do journey on Princess, they carry far lower than the mainstream cruise strains. My son has cruised on 5 completely different cruise strains, and this was his first on Princess Cruises.

Firefly Park is the youngsters membership for youngsters his age on Star Princess. Since we launched into the ship a day earlier than the cruise for the christening ceremony, I used to be in a position to stroll across the membership, since no children had been in it, and see all the things that the membership presents.

The very first thing I seen was the scale of the membership, it was a lot greater than the membership on one of many largest cruise strains that we sailed on final yr.

Apart from little crafts they made (together with a cruise ship), they gave him this swishy ball once we picked him up one night time that he nonetheless performs despite the fact that we’re house.

To say that he cherished the Firefly Park can be an understatement. He usually walks actually gradual wherever he goes. The final night time once we had been heading to drop him off, we couldn’t sustain with him he was strolling so quick.

It was by far his favourite place on the ship and I consider it’s an space most youngsters will take pleasure in.

The employees in Firefly Park had been nothing in need of wonderful, they remembered by son’s identify each time they noticed him. Additionally they mentioned he was “actually good at Mario Kart”, that’s my boy!

One other good shock was the youngsters space on Princess Cays, the cruise line’s non-public island that we stopped at through the cruise. It had a spot for youths to play and even a small swimming pool for them.

Spellbound

Spellbound is by far my favourite area on board Star Princess. Spellbound comes from a partnership with the Magic Citadel and Princess and is barely discovered on one different cruise ship (Solar Princess).

Princess made a couple of adjustments to this area, however I’ll simply discuss one in all them. Afterall, somethings are finest loved while you expertise them firsthand. They added a desk with 4 chairs for close-up magic proper while you stroll in. This was a lot wanted because the bar may get crowded, particularly with a magician performing there.

Magician and mentalist Mark Gibson was on our crusing and he placed on a 15 minute present within the intimate theater in Spellbound. I’ve seen him carry out earlier than and he’s among the finest I’ve seen.

Throughout the crusing, I had the chance to sit down down and speak with the president of Magic Citadel, Erika Larsen. In our brief dialog, I used to be in a position to see her love and keenness for magic and it’s one of many explanation why this area is so distinctive. This isn’t only a magic venue, it was created by essentially the most unique magic membership on the planet.

In the event you love sleight of hand, card tips, or simply having your thoughts blown, Spellbound is a spot that you’ll take pleasure in.

Crew

I can’t say sufficient good issues in regards to the crew on Star Princess. I wasn’t on the ship greater than quarter-hour earlier than one in all them remembered me from a earlier cruise. 

From our room steward to those that labored in specialty eating places, they actually know how one can ensure you have an ideal cruise.

I’d additionally like to provide a particular shoutout to Farral who works at Crooners, he’s among the finest on board Star Princess.

Meals

Meals may be extraordinarily subjective, all of us have completely different tastes and preferences. Two of my favorites on Star Princess was eating at Crown Grill, the steakhouse on board, and Alfredo’s Pizzeria. They each have my favourite steak and pizza at sea.

Nevertheless, I’d be remiss if I didn’t point out Butcher’s Block by Dario. The meat there may be so good and you’ll want to come hungry while you dine there.

Though cruise strains, together with Princess, are shifting to extra paid specialty eating, I assumed there was nonetheless a very good quantity of complimentary meals (included in your cruise fare) throughout the ship.

My son cherished going to the Worldwide Cafe every night time to get a snack earlier than mattress. It’s open 24/7 and it’s good having a spot at all times open the place you get get a chunk in case you are hungry.

Additionally, Lido Slice on the pool deck is nice for pizza, tacos, burgers and salads while you simply need one thing informal.

One characteristic I want the Princess app had was eating occasions. We couldn’t discover wherever within the app that informed you what was open. Fortunately, Princess left us a paper copy of Princess Patter (each day schedule) in our cabin every day. So if you happen to’re studying this Princess, please add that to the app (it was within the outdated app).

Dome

That is one other one of many distinctive options on Star Princess that you simply received’t discover on some other class of ships on the planet.

Throughout the day, it’s a quieter spot to loosen up in a local weather managed surroundings.  At night time, leisure takes place right here together with the Candlelight Live performance which was cherished by all.

Tip: There isn’t a ton of seating right here so you’ll want to arrive early.

The Dome goes to be extraordinarily in style when the ship sails to Alaska subsequent summer season. It is possible for you to to look at the glaciers with out being exterior within the chilly.

Remaining Ideas

I’d sail on Star Princess once more with out even a second thought. Princess made some good adjustments that made this class of ships even higher. I’ve at all times actually appreciated this class, simply thought they want a couple of tweaks, which Princess has carried out.

I like how the buffet is off of the Piazza as a substitute of being proper off the pool deck. The Sphere lets you look out on the water when you find yourself within the Piazza.

There was an ideal number of leisure on the ship that ranged from manufacturing exhibits within the theater to comic Ken Boyd, who was actually humorous.

The Ocean Medallion units Princess other than each different cruise line. From with the ability to monitor the place your loved ones is on the ship always to your cabin door robotically unlocking as you stroll as much as it, I’d choose it any day over a conventional key card.

With all of that being mentioned, I’ll have extra on Star Princess within the close to future so keep tuned.