Cruisematic

The best time to book a specialty restaurant is on the first night of the cruise. Usually few do and it makes for a very relaxing and great start to any cruise. Also the wait staff is not worked as hard on the first night with typically so few diners and so they are particularly attentive. 
 

Don't tell anyone one else about this observation because it might spoil it for us on our cruise next month if we find the restaurant full on the first night. Just keep it to you and your friends and all will be well. 

We were on the Ruby in July and had no complaints about the MDR. Portions were at times smaller than in the past but overall comparable. Still better than my experiences on Celebrity, not that Celebrity was bad. Would do either again in a heartbeat.

Whether it is in the dining room or just around the mid deck during the formal night festivities, the traditional decorum is not shared by all. I am making an observation over 4 formal nights on B2B Star Princess ending last week. This has been a progressively loosening standard over my 29 Princess Cruises. Not a deal breaker for me. Just a diluted tradition that will likely continue to fade into history.

Go to deck 7 or to the top observation decks. I like to be able to move from port to starboard as the boat spins at the glaciers. Nothing more frustrating than being on your balcony and hearing a roar from the other side of the ship as the glacier calves.

My only compliant with the Star last week was the beds being wore out. If you find this is a problem, you can solve a sagging bed by layering one or two deck towels under the mattress. We did this and were fine. When we swapped cabins on our 2nd leg of a B2B I found folded sheets already under the mattress to fix the sag.

The food was fine as usual. The singers were very good. Saw a great mentalist show. Specialty 50th anniversary desserts were nice too. Loved the cruise. Bought 6 FCCs. Im all in.

Sign up for the Princess bus transfer from Anchorage to Whittier. Scenic ride and reasonably priced.

I just got off of the Star last week and I saw all manor of dress on formal night including t-shirts and various states of casual wear. No one I witnessed was turned away. 95 percent followed the basic rules. 5 percent don't care. I don't think Princess wants to make a scene or take the time to police this, especially when the dining room entry is crowded.

Who knows what time the first transfer bus is expected to leave Seatac for Canada Place? I thought I remembered it being about 9 AM.

I have sailed both of these ships and would do either again. Even have a future cruise credit with X. I have to say the I have to go with Princess for the food overall, although both are good. Bread and ice cream no comparison. Bathrooms are better on X and the entertainment is a wash generally for me. The kids program on Princess was used more by our son who grew up cruising. Probably depends on the staff members and how he got along with the other playmates. Not a problem either brand.

1993 The old Star Princess out of San Juan, 5 stops including the Mayreau private island stop, which was the best. The sailing boat excursion to Palm Island was unforgettable. Almost like the south pacific.

One quick comment on obtructed view cabins. Often there are walking platforms outside these rooms where crew members have access for a variety of reasons. Make sure you keep the curtains drawn at all appropriate times or you may be exposed to the casual glance of a worker who rarely makes it to any of the other shows on board. Been there.

We are from Canton And leave in 2 weeks for B2B Island Princess Alaska. Great to have been in GA for the last 25 years and at least 25 more to come, with the near annual cruise to paradise to break up the relentless I-75 and 400 traffic jams we regularily endure.