Worth every penny
Star Princess Cruise Review
Contributor Level:
Purser
Cruises: 2-3 cruises
Review: 1
Helpful Votes: 36
7 Night Alaska Inside Passage With Tracy Arm Fjord (Seattle Roundtrip)
Sail date: September 08, 2019
Ship: Star Princess
Cabin type: Suite
Cabin number: C748
Traveled as: Couple
Reviewed: 4 years ago
Review summary
Older smaller ship shows age but is a wonderful cruise. Highly recommend this line it was an elegant reminder of quiet cruising.Embarkation
we had VIP. check in it was not crowded, or rushed at all. We arrived at appointment time and boarded immediately.
Ship experiences
Food and Dining
The food was good and many times very good. Average rating because there was not much effort to provision in port for more local food. I was surprised by the general lack of fish and crab. Crab shack on this ship is in the steakhouse, good but not great. Overall dining staff were on top of everything, they are attentive and very professional in club class first rate indicative of the fine dining atmosphere.
Food at international cafe was very good for a quick decent bite that isn’t junk food. Coffee was ok, flavored syrup is in heavy use. I prefer actual chai tea not chai tea flavored syrup. Coffee left unflavored or unsweetened was bitter and dark, and I like strong coffee so this was more over roasted bitter.
Did Horizon buffet twice for lunch good variety, everyone should find something. Never saw lobster tails as seen on youtube 🙂.
Onboard Activities
This is an old ship and isn’t as big as the mega-ships (ugh they are horrendous) subsequently there isn’t a big action packed experience. It was enough to keep you busy. The enrichment programs are great and what sets this kind of cruise apart. We weren’t looking for a frat party, this was definitely a more laid back ship so we enjoyed the chance to just chill.
Service and Staff
Staff were very friendly and attentive, nice people to mix with. They work really hard but always had a good attitude.
Club class Dining staff was fabulous. Bartenders were quick and friendly.
Not sure about the cabin steward most questions received a who to call or where to go rather than service.
We wanted port valet were directed to the service desk. They explained the paperwork would be dropped off that night.
He should know these things, it was basic cabin service.
I thought all main dining room meals were available in suites but we only received breakfast. Standard looking dinner room service in the book not MDR. He didn’t explain much of anything so average not concierge.
Ship Quality
Being a “smaller” ship it was fairly easy to get around with most things centrally located. The strange and slow (really slow) elevators made navigating a little bit of tetris but is manageable.
Cabin / Stateroom
ALL. ABOUT. THIS. BALCONY.
The room itself is large with the sitting area and wet bar. Bed was great very comfortable but the pillows were awful. The pillow menu is very limited with few alternatives to feather (too hot too flat). Normal shaped foam pillows would be a needed option.
The bathroom had a leak above the toilet in some kind of fixture (fan?). It would drip on your head and overnight make the marble floor cold wet and slippery . The cabin Stewart just emptied it, cleaned the mess and left (3 times) before Maintenance fixed it.
Not a ton of drawer space for heavy Alaskan cruise sweaters, closet was generous but oddly compartmentalized.
Now, the reason we booked this room......the balcony.
Heaven and the only place I really wanted to be. The position of this room is close enough to the water without making spray. Being aft we were fully sheltered from wind and rain. Very comfortable chaises with thick padding, a warm flannel throw and the passing scenery made this possibly the best location on the ship. No one below us and neighbors who never seemed to be out it was quiet.
The table for 4 allowed many nice rooms service breakfasts and cocktail get togethers.
This was the reason for the cruise to see it all and we did
Ports of call
Meh.
Crowded, touristy.
Tracy’s crab was really good but a mob scene being so close to the ships.
Thumbs Up
0
Beautiful place, we did the Deadliest Catch excursion which was soooo much fun and a bonus to see more nature of the area.
That left no time to see this port, but friends on board really enjoyed the town.
Long dock to shuttle to get to a cruise ship town.
We skipped it and did the train instead.
Disembarkation
VIP was great, we were able to have a sit down breakfast (got up early to do so) before we left. Waiting area was not crowded bars and cafe still open. BTW used the bev package up to the last minute for mimosa to dull the post vacation depression.