Star Princess Impresses From Bow to Stern

I just 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 that you may learn right here.

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

Adjustments 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 house for youths to play. It’s a terrific dimension 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 favored the stations they added between the Eatery and Americana Diner on Star Princess. There’s tons of house and was by no means crowded in any respect. It’s good 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 instances cruise traces add a non-smoking part that’s a part of the primary 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 youths.

I actually wasn’t certain what to anticipate stepping into. Whereas households do journey on Princess, they carry far lower than the mainstream cruise traces. My son has cruised on 5 totally different cruise traces, 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 capable of 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 scale of the membership, it was a lot larger than the membership on one of many largest cruise traces that we sailed on final 12 months.

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

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

The employees in Firefly Park had been nothing in need of wonderful, they remembered by son’s title each time they noticed him. In addition 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 personal island that we stopped at throughout 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 house on board Star Princess. Spellbound comes from a partnership with the Magic Fort and Princess and is just discovered on one different cruise ship (Solar Princess).

Princess made just a few adjustments to this house, however I’ll simply discuss one among 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 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 among the best I’ve seen.

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

In case 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 among them remembered me from a earlier cruise. 

From our room steward to those that labored in specialty eating places, they actually know methods to ensure you have a terrific cruise.

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

Meals

Meals could 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’s so good and you’ll want to come hungry while you dine there.

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

My son liked going to the Worldwide Cafe every evening 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 chew if you’re 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 instances. 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 in case you’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 just gained’t discover on every other class of ships on this planet.

Throughout the day, it’s a quieter spot to chill out in a local weather managed setting.  At evening, 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 you’ll want to arrive early.

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

Remaining 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 at all times actually favored this class, simply thought they want just a few tweaks, which Princess has finished.

I like how the buffet is off of the Piazza as an alternative 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 a terrific 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 aside from each different cruise line. From having the ability to observe 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 favor it any day over a standard key card.

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