We’re again from three full days testing out the whole lot Star Princess has to supply. From eating, to leisure, and new experiences, we made positive to cowl each sq. inch of this 175K gross ton ship. After 100 cruises on the biggest cruise ships on this planet, we share the place Star Princess shines—and the place she falls quick—in our sincere cruise evaluate.
What It’s Actually Like on Star Princess
The most important ship within the Princess Cruises’ fleet, Star Princess options 20 decks of actions, eateries, bars and lounges, and outside areas. She debuted this previous summer time with the identical up to date structure as her sister ship, Solar Princess. However Star Princess has some distinctive updates and enhancements to set her aside as properly.
Catching Some Rays on Star Princess
Maybe probably the most noticeable replace on Star Princess is the expansive sports activities deck on Deck 19.
This Skydeck affords an outside area with included actions for the entire household. The additional-large sports activities court docket boasts two regulation pickleball courts. There are additionally two basketball hoops, ping pong, cornhole, and shuffleboard. There’s even a small splash pad and jogging monitor. The cruise line has added a shaded seating space as properly.
The remainder of the outside areas on Star Princess stay the identical as these of her predecessor. There are two foremost swimming pools on Deck 17, with an expansive sundeck one stage above with loads of loungers. There are additionally a number of scorching tubs together with close by bars and informal eating.
One of many progressive options of the outside areas is discovered additional ahead. The Dome is an air-conditioned solarium. With comfortable loungers and dwell leisure, it is a superb escape from the Caribbean warmth. Later within the day, the Cascade Bar serves up signature cocktails you received’t need to cross up.
Additional ahead is the Sea View Terrace. This multi-deck area affords some shelter from the weather, which will probably be excellent in Alaska. It options a few scorching tubs, a bar with a definite menu, and loads of loungers. There’s additionally a pool that may transition from the outside Sea Terrace to the indoor Dome, relying on the configuration.
Whereas smaller, the Wake View Terrace had a uniquely chill vibe. Down on Deck 8, this tucked-away area has an infinity pool overlooking the ship’s wake. With the close by Wake View Bar, it was another choice for catching some solar throughout our crusing.
For this quick three-day Bahamas cruise, Star Princess was at double occupancy. So, the pool decks have been vigorous, however not crowded. With a bit looking, you possibly can discover loungers at one of many a number of pool areas.
Complimentary Eating on Star Princess
Star Princess boasts over 20 meals and beverage choices. With solely 3 days, we did our greatest to slot in as a lot meals and drinks as potential. Sure, we all know, it’s a robust job.
Princess Cruises has thoughtfully designed Star Princess to make sure you are by no means removed from grabbing one thing scrumptious to eat. Complimentary eating is accessible on a number of decks.
A definite characteristic of this class of ship is the situation of the buffet. The Eatery on Star Princess is positioned on Deck 9. That includes fairly normal alternatives for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, the meals is on par with main cruise line buffets.
Breakfast contains each cold and hot gadgets, continental alternatives, and even a {custom} omelet station. Lunch and dinner are equally arrange. Sizzling entrees and aspect dishes, carving stations, a salad bar, and different worldwide delicacies can be found.
Through the morning and afternoon, the Americana Diner is an extra buffet all the way in which aft on Deck 9. At night time, this venue turns into an off-the-cuff sit-down restaurant. The Americana Diner serves up basic consolation meals, together with breakfast for dinner.
On the Deck 9 outside promenade, there are further meals stands. You’ll be able to seize a slice of Detroit-style pizza, some frozen yogurt, or a freshly made burger.
With the buffet now in the course of the ship, up on the pool deck are fast grab-and-go stations. This contains Lido Slice, chopping up pizza that outshines the competitors.
The Lido Grill sears up custom-made smashburgers. The Princess Signature burger was significantly better than the comparable providing on Sapphire Princess, which I had simply had just a few weeks earlier. To not point out, there are {custom} salads at Lido Greens, and tacos, quesadillas, chips, and salsa at Lido Tacos.
Again indoors, the Worldwide Café stays among the finest 24-hour cafes at sea. Whereas this model on Star Princess affords a extra choose menu than different Princess Cruises ships, what we sampled was contemporary and scrumptious.
The Worldwide Café may be very common, particularly early within the morning and mid-afternoon. Nonetheless, Star Princess boasts two further espresso retailers. You’ll be able to seize espresso-based drinks and chilly brew coffees at Espresso Currents on Deck 7. There’s additionally a choose menu of pastries and desserts.
Up on Deck 17, there may be Espresso & Cones for a caffeine repair, only a few steps from the pool. Nonetheless, no meals gadgets are included right here, apart from soft-serve ice cream later within the day.
Specialty Eating on Star Princess
As visitors of Princess Cruises on this preview crusing, we had the Princess Premier bundle. Thus, we had limitless specialty eating, together with informal eating. So, we by no means had an opportunity to eat in the principle eating room.
Whereas the pizza on the Lido deck is best than most cruise traces, it’s important to strive Alfredo’s Pizzeria on Deck 9. That is the very best pizza at sea. Whereas the usual menu is a part of the bundle, we wouldn’t blame you when you upgraded to the award-winning alternatives by pizza chef Tony Gemignani. Belief us, they’re definitely worth the upcharges.
Different informal eating on the ship contains pub favorites at O’Malley’s. To not point out, with the Princess Premier bundle, you get free OceanNow supply and room service. Thus, you’ll be able to order meals and drinks delivered on to you all through the ship.
Throughout this crusing, we dined at three specialty eating places. The Crown Grill is Princess Cruises’ steakhouse. This American-style steakhouse sears up favorites like a crab cake and a juicy medium-rare filet. The menu has been up to date since our final go to, which means there have been fewer choices to accommodate Heidi’s choosy palate.
Then again, the refreshed menu at Sabatini’s was maybe our greatest expertise at this Princess signature venue. This Italian restaurant now boasts new menu gadgets in partnership with Frescobaldi.
The burrata was a wealthy and light-weight starter. My antipasto plate was equally satisfying. The table-side topped hen parmesan is an American-Italian basic that didn’t disappoint. The veal chop Milanese was a breaded, bone-in veal chop that rivals something present in Boston’s North Finish. For dessert, the chef handled us to 3 scoops of gelato, together with what we had already ordered.
On the final night time of the cruise, we dined at The Catch by Rudi. This seafood-centric restaurant affords a big selection. From fried calamari to shrimp cocktail to freshly caught fish, that is among the freshest seafood on any cruise ship. I went with the ocean and shore that includes a daring filet and a lobster tail.
Whereas the starters and entrees are properly executed, the standout right here is likely to be dessert. With wealthy endings like Chef Rudi’s Salzburger Nockerl, be sure to go away some room.
On an extended voyage, there are many different specialty eating places you received’t need to cross up both. There’s Umai Teppayanki, providing a Japanese-style steakhouse. Or, you’ll be able to dine at one of many solely scorching pots at sea the place you grow to be the cook dinner. If that’s not sufficient, there’s additionally Makoto Ocean in partnership edomae-style sushi grasp Makoto Okuwa.
A singular pairing of artwork and meals is accessible at Love by Britto. In partnership with Rudi Sodamin, this newly expanded area affords a culinary combine that’s as scrumptious as it’s visually beautiful.
Additionally distinctive to Solar and Star Princess is the Butcher’s Block by Dario. From the “World’s Most Well-known Butcher”, this venue affords a multi-course tasting menu with choose cuts of the best beef. The cruise line has tweaked the menu since our final go to; there may be now a vegetarian possibility for many who will not be followers of purple meat, like Heidi.
Grabbing a Drink on Star Princess
We simply sailed on the similarly-sized Norwegian Aqua and weren’t impressed with its beverage program. So, it was a welcome deal with to step on Star Princess with its well-curated and crafted bar menus.
The ship has over 200 cocktails to select from, so you’ll by no means go thirsty. Most of the drinks are coated by the $15 allotment within the Plus Beverage bundle, and primarily all drinks by the glass are beneath the $20 restrict for the Premier Beverage bundle.
Whereas we don’t essentially care about movie star spirits, the thoughtfully crafted menus from mixologist Rob Floyd positively elevated the nighttime expertise.
Certainly one of our favorites is Good Spirits at Sea. The worldwide menu affords handcrafted cocktails from around the globe. At night time, you’ll be able to study extra about these specialty drinks as you watch grasp bartenders expertly put together choose drinks.
The ship’s cocktail bar, Crooners, on Deck 8 off the Piazza, has been redesigned. The piano is in a brand new location, opening up the area and providing you with extra alternatives to benefit from the drinks and music right here. Additionally off the Piazza is Bellini’s on Deck 7. Sure, the menu options champagne and bubbly, plus different distinctive cocktails. No matter you do, it’s important to strive one of many Tiramisu Assortment cocktails.
The aforementioned O’Malley’s Irish Pub shouldn’t be removed from the Piazza on Deck 7. This bar is residence to dwell music and a collection of ales and lagers. Given its recognition, Princess Cruises added much more seating and tables when in comparison with its sister ship, Solar Princess. Nonetheless, even with the additional seating, it would be best to arrive early to seize a pint and a seat to benefit from the performances.
The Wheelhouse Bar returns to the Sphere class ships as properly. With nautically impressed drinks, just like the Painkiller, it’s the supreme place for a pre-dinner or post-dinner drink.
Out on the pool deck, we have been shocked to seek out some distinctive choices on the completely different poolside lounges. If you’re followers of drinks with a kick, then the Spicy Mango Margarita is a must-try on the Sea View Bar. On the Wake View Bar, cocktails just like the Dragon Fruit Refresher pair completely with the aft views. And whatever the bar, a 24K Margarita is all the time a positive guess, now perfected with Matthew McConaughey’s Pantalones tequila.
In case you take pleasure in sampling varied specialty drinks with distinctive taste profiles and elements, Star Princess is likely to be your new favourite ship.
Enhanced Leisure on Star Princess
One factor we love about Princess Cruises is its conventional strategy to nighttime leisure. Star Princess’ nighttime schedule was predictable, together with a sport present or problem and a efficiency in the principle theater. In between, dwell music is accessible all through a number of venues.
The Piazza on Decks 7, 8, and 9 is the heartbeat of the ship. The distinctive Sphere design in the course of the ship makes this area extra vibrant. Letting in loads of pure gentle, the views from the assorted decks add a brand new dimension to this area. Regardless of the occasion, yow will discover an important place to look at the motion on any of the three decks.
Insider tip: There are outside viewing areas on Deck 7 close to the Sphere, making for some nice movies and photographs.
No matter you do, you don’t need to miss the Celestial Champagne Soirée– a dynamic and digitally enhanced model of Princess’ iconic waterfall champagne toast.
However, the principle characteristic of the night is the manufacturing exhibits and headliners in The Enviornment. Star Princess’ foremost theater is residence to 2 new signature productions.
In Meridian, you step aboard the Celestial. This musical love story is crammed with journey in a critique of excessive society and particular person freedoms. Meridian is unquestionably Princess Cruises’ most technologically superior theater present, working at barely over an hour. It’s a step in the best path, that includes an immersive stage, set items, and costumes. Nonetheless, we did suppose the plot borrowed fairly just a few parts from the film Titanic.
The opposite new present within the Enviornment is Illuminate: A Spectacle of Pleasure. With a extra slimmed-down set than Meridian, this circus-themed present featured an aerialist duo/power performers, a number of singing and dancing numbers, and loads of clowns. This 45-minute manufacturing is on par with what you’d discover on different cruise traces, however nothing progressive.
Up on Deck 17 within the Dome, Star Princess options the Princess Cruises Candlelight Live performance Sequence. Internet hosting quite a lot of musical performances, the Dome transforms right into a tranquil, glowing haven for dwell music. Whereas we wouldn’t essentially take into account this a present, it’s a relatively distinctive dwell music expertise. Given the dimensions, these candlelight concert events positively match the area higher than the earlier cirque-style exhibits that debuted on Solar Princess.
One of many Most Immersive Areas at Sea
Maybe one in every of our favourite experiences at sea, Princess Cruises introduces an enhanced model of Spellbound by Magic Citadel on Star Princess. This reimagined speakeasy transports visitors to the golden age of magic, paying homage to the legendary Cardini.
This new iteration differs from the unique by providing contemporary themed areas, together with a whimsical ticketing sales space, the mysterious Inside Circle, the enchanting Cardini Bar, a behind-the-curtain Backstage space, and the grand Peacock Theater. The Cardini Bar additionally options an unique new cocktail menu with magical twists.
Spellbound by Magic Citadel is without doubt one of the most immersive and interactive themed areas on any cruise ship. Beginning at 6 PM every night time, Spellbound has six showtimes to permit extra visitors to expertise the magic. For $45, visitors obtain two signature cocktails and a fascinating magic present. Nonetheless, a key distinction from the unique Spellbound idea is that dinner service is not included.
Upgrading to the Sanctuary Assortment
Returning on Star Princess is The Sanctuary Assortment. This ship-within-a-ship options entry to a prime deck retreat space, together with a number of further high-end facilities designed to boost your voyage.
The Sanctuary Membership sundeck is positioned all the way in which aft on Deck 18. This refined, upscale area affords poolside tapas, cozy furnishings, and personalised service. It additionally includes a resort-style pool, scorching tubs, and cabanas obtainable for hire. The Sanctuary Membership Bar shakes up signature cocktails, just like the cool and crisp Backyard Collins and the refreshing Blueberry Basil Smash.
When reserving a Sanctuary Assortment stateroom, you additionally get entry to the Deck 8 Sanctuary Restaurant. With open seating, visitors can dine when they need. This restaurant serves a rotating menu, with a few upscale choices not obtainable within the different two foremost eating rooms.
Together with an opulent stateroom expertise, the Princess Premier Package deal is included with the Sanctuary Assortment, which rounds out the enchantment of this distinctive expertise.
Staterooms on Star Princess
Whereas Princess did give us entry to the Sanctuary Membership sundeck and restaurant, we didn’t have a Sanctuary Assortment cabin. We stayed in a deluxe balcony stateroom. Cabin 10128 is ahead of the ahead elevators on the port aspect of the ship. This cabin is similar to what we stayed in on Solar Princess.
The Sphere-class has probably the most spacious lodging within the fleet. All entry-level balcony cabins are deluxe, providing a loveseat and about 235 sq. toes of residing area.
Together with the separate seating space, our class DE balcony cabin provided loads of storage, together with a full closet and an extra storage space with cabinets.
As well as, the toilet bathe includes a glass door, as an alternative of a bathe curtain. Nonetheless, the bathe continues to be a tad slim. Our queen mattress was positioned subsequent to the entryway, with our loveseat and desk nearer to the balcony.
There have been a number of USB, USB-C, and energy retailers scattered all through the room. With USB and retailers subsequent to the mattress, in addition to two areas close to the desk, it was simple to cost all of our units.
The balcony, too, was bigger than anticipated at round 35 sq. toes and featured two chairs and a small desk. Thus, we had loads of room to benefit from the ocean views.
Much like newer ships within the fleet, Star Princess cabins characteristic gentle wooden finishes and pops of nautical blue colours. The rooms really feel inviting, fashionable, and upscale.
Our First Impressions of Star Princess
Our three days and nights on Princess Cruises’ latest mega-ship have been filled with bespoke cocktails, beautiful eating, and quite a lot of actions and leisure. To not point out, among the most immersive and magical experiences at sea.
Princess Cruises targets cruisers in search of an elevated cruise expertise that’s vigorous, however not outlandish. And we imagine Star Princess shines by providing a curated collection of well-themed bars, eating places, and public areas.
With the Premier Package deal, you could have your selection of eating venue and primarily all cocktails by the glass. The intimate venues get you nearer to the motion, whether or not it’s a dwell theater efficiency, musical act, or your fellow cruisers competing in one of many cruise line’s signature actions. And the outside areas are tailor-made to your temper, whether or not it’s an upbeat sailaway get together or tranquil vibes and wake views.
Star Princess shocked us with its numerous venues, participating crew, and small touches that separate it from different ships carrying over 4,000 visitors. Whereas it may not have the flashy sights, over-the-top onboard amusements, or the very best foremost theater leisure at sea, it nonetheless delivers loads of wows. Personally, we have been most impressed by the enhancements made to the meals and beverage choices.
We solely wished we had extra time onboard to really expertise all of it. Add aggressive pricing on prime of all of the onboard choices, and Star Princess may simply be the right ship to your subsequent cruise trip.
Ought to we hop onboard a Star Princess Alaska crusing in 2026?
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