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 because the 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 which you can learn right here.

Let’s check out the totally 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 superb area for teenagers to play. It’s an amazing measurement and has every thing from basketball to pickleball to cornhole.

One of many greatest complaints I had on Solar Princess was the dearth 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 good if 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 principle on line casino. Many instances cruise strains add a non-smoking part that’s a part of the principle on line casino however smoke simply flows proper into the non-smoking aspect.

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

Firefly Park

Since my spouse and 5 12 months previous son got here with me on the cruise, we had been enthusiastic about getting first hand expertise of what Princess presents for teenagers.

I actually wasn’t certain 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 totally different cruise strains, and this was his first on Princess Cruises.

Firefly Park is the children membership for kids 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 every thing that the membership presents.

The very first thing I observed was the dimensions of the membership, it was a lot larger than the membership on one of many largest cruise strains that we sailed on final 12 months.

Moreover little crafts they made (together with a cruise ship), they gave him this swishy ball after we picked him up one night time that he nonetheless performs regardless that we’re dwelling.

To say that he liked the Firefly Park can be an understatement. He usually walks actually gradual wherever he goes. The final night time after 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 imagine it’s an space most children will take pleasure in.

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

One other good shock was the children space on Princess Cays, the cruise line’s personal island that we stopped at through the cruise. It had a spot for teenagers 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 Fortress and Princess and is just discovered on one different cruise ship (Solar Princess).

Princess made a couple of adjustments to this area, however I’ll simply speak about one in every of them. Afterall, somethings are finest loved if you expertise them firsthand. They added a desk with 4 chairs for close-up magic proper if you stroll in. This was a lot wanted because the bar might 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 the most effective I’ve seen.

Throughout the crusing, I had the chance to sit down down and speak with the president of Magic Fortress, Erika Larsen. In our brief dialog, I used to be in a position to see her love and fervour 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.

When you love sleight of hand, card methods, 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 every of them remembered me from a earlier cruise. 

From our room steward to those that labored in specialty eating places, they actually know tips on how to ensure you have an amazing cruise.

I’d additionally like to offer a particular shoutout to Farral who works at Crooners, he’s the most effective on board Star Princess.

Meals

Meals will be extraordinarily subjective, all of us have totally 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 might be remiss if I didn’t point out Butcher’s Block by Dario. The meat there may be so good and it would be best to come hungry if you dine there.

Despite the fact that cruise strains, together with Princess, are transferring to extra paid specialty eating, I assumed there was nonetheless a great quantity of complimentary meals (included in your cruise fare) throughout the ship.

My son liked 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 all the time 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 if you simply need one thing informal.

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

Dome

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

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

Tip: There isn’t a ton of seating right here so it would be best to arrive early.

The Dome goes to be extraordinarily common when the ship sails to Alaska subsequent summer time. It is possible for you to to look at the glaciers with out being outdoors within the chilly.

Last Ideas

I might 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 all the time actually appreciated this class, simply thought they want a couple of tweaks, which Princess has accomplished.

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

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

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

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