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, modifications 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 read 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 modifications on Star Princess from the primary ship within the fleet, Solar Princess. The addition of a sports activities court docket on the highest deck was a lot wanted and is a superb house for youths to play. It’s an important measurement and has every part from basketball to pickleball to cornhole.

One of many greatest complaints I had on Solar Princess was the shortage of self-service drink stations within the Eatery (buffet). I actually preferred the stations they added between the Eatery and Americana Diner on Star Princess. There may be tons of house and was by no means crowded in any respect. It’s excellent 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 traces add a non-smoking part that’s a part of the principle 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Since my spouse and 5 12 months outdated son got here with me on the cruise, we had been enthusiastic about getting first hand expertise of what Princess provides for youths.

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

Firefly Park is the children 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 every part that the membership provides.

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.

In addition to little crafts they made (together with a cruise ship), they gave him this swishy ball after we picked him up one evening that he nonetheless performs though we’re house.

To say that he liked the Firefly Park can be an understatement. He usually walks actually gradual anyplace he goes. The final evening 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 youngsters will get pleasure from.

The employees in Firefly Park had been nothing in need of superb, 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 children space on Princess Cays, the cruise line’s personal 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 house on board Star Princess. Spellbound comes from a partnership with the Magic Fortress and Princess and is barely discovered on one different cruise ship (Solar Princess).

Princess made just a few modifications to this house, however I’ll simply discuss 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.

In the course of the crusing, I had the chance to take a seat down and speak with the president of Magic Fortress, Erika Larsen. In our quick dialog, I used to be in a position to see her love and keenness for magic and it’s one of many the reason why this house is so distinctive. This isn’t only a magic venue, it was created by essentially the most unique magic membership on the earth.

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

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 the right way to be sure to have an important cruise.

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

Meals

Meals might 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 it would be best to come hungry if you dine there.

Although cruise traces, together with Princess, are shifting to extra paid specialty eating, I assumed there was nonetheless an excellent 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 chunk if you’re hungry.

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

One function I want the Princess app had was eating instances. We couldn’t discover anyplace 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 the event you’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 just gained’t discover on another class of ships on the earth.

In the course of 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 it would be best to arrive early.

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

Closing Ideas

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

I really 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’re within the Piazza.

There was an important 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 with the ability to observe the place your loved ones is on the ship always to your cabin door mechanically unlocking as you stroll as much as it, I’d want 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.