Star Princess Review w/ Photos!! 3 Day Pacific Coastal

[flyawayca]

My husband and I took the repositioning 3 day Pacific Coastal cruise on the Star Princess May 9th. This was our first Princess cruise and our 8th cruise overall. (For those who have signatures turned off we have sailed Carnival, RCCL, and NCL)

 

Although this isn't a normal cruise I wanted to write a review so people could see some pictures of the ship and have a chance to ask any questions they may have :)

 

We boarded the ship in Vancouver, BC Canada, we had one stop in Victoria, BC then had a day at sea. On the 12th we disembarked in San Francisco. Right before this cruise we took a 5-day Pacific Coastal on NCL to Vancouver. We sailed on this ship to get back home. Why fly home when you can cruise home??? :D

[flyawayca]

After disembarking the NCL Pearl we headed to our hotel. We stayed at the Hampton Inn Downtown. Great hotel at a good price. The hotel is within walking distance to everything. They also offer free shuttle service to local attractions (including Canada Place and Stanley Park) and free breakfast in the morning.

 

After checking in to our hotel we walked to Stanley Park. It is beautiful there.

 

 

 

 

After walking Stanley Park we walked by the Olympic Cauldren.

 

 

 

Later that night we went to Gastown. There we ate at The Flying Pig. I highly recommend this place! Excellent service, great food, plus they have local brews on tap. Awesome!

 

And while you are in Gastown check out their steam clock!

 

[flyawayca]

This is a gorgeous ship. I love how elegant it looks. I also like the setup. It was different than what I am used to. It seems there are stairways all over leading to all sorts of random places. It was interesting. Since it was a 3 day cruise I don't think I even had a chance to discover them all.

 

I have to admit I didn't feel like I brought nice enough clothes for this short cruise. People were really dressed up. I was thinking short cruise, no formal night, jeans works. I thought wrong. Not that I wasn't allowed anywhere, I was. I just personally felt under-dressed. Going from NCL to this one day to the next was quite different.

 

Why does Princess still require you to wear you life jackets at the muster drill? This surprised me. I have never had to do that before. I like how it's indoors, the whole outside Carnival thing drives me crazy. But why life jackets? Then it lasted a long time. Having just got off NCL I think their drill was 5 minutes tops, this one was long. But anyway, once it was over the fun could begin!

 

Here are some pictures from around the ship:

 

 

 

 

There were stages all over this ship. It was pretty neat being in different rooms with different stages watching different shows.

 

 

 

[Woobstr112G]

Glad you enjoyed your short cruise. Pictures are very nice.....:):):)

 

Bob

[flyawayca]

Some more pictures from around the ship...

 

The Sanctuary looked really nice... but $40 a day??? That seems crazy to me. Do people actually pay for this? It was empty during our entire cruise, but it wasn't exactly warm outside so maybe that was why. I don't think I could pay that.

 

 

 

The atrium on this ship was beautiful. They would have street performers here randomly throughout the day. It was pretty neat.

 

 

 

 

 

 

They had a lot of art on this ship. I love art so I always like to go to the galleries and watch the auctions although I don't but any. I've been to art auctions on other ships but I have never actually seen anyone buy anything. Well this was a completely different story. It seemed like everyone bought everything. It was crazy.

 

[flyawayca]

Princess hands down has the BEST food I have ever had on a cruise ship. I felt I got every pennies worth that I paid. Quality and great tasting food everywhere we went. Buffet and in the main dining. Amazing. I was so impressed. Now I know why Princess costs more, they are not stingy with the food.

 

The only thing I wish was different was the setup of the buffet. It was way to small for as many people that were there. Other than that, Princess wins the food contest in my eyes.

 

Here is the buffet (one side of it, the same setup can be found on the other side of the ship)

 

 

 

This was the cafe. Just like what you will find on RCCL but WAY better! The food here was awesome. It was hard not eating here instead of the dining room! haha. Get the "egg mcmuffin" (not sure what it's actually called) here in the morning. Yum!! This is where we went before disembarking our last morning, no lines and great breakfast!

 

 

The pizza was good on the ship as well. It doesn't look like I got a picture of that area or the grill, but check them out!

[flyawayca]

I got distracted by food. My review is so out of order. :o

 

I do have more pictures of the ship. And pictures of our cabin. I may as well finish the ship pictures first.

 

This right here is why this ship is so great for cool weather cruising like Canada and Alaska. Indoor swimming pool!

 

 

 

Here is the gym:

 

 

 

The casino:

 

 

 

 

Half court basketball:

 

[flyawayca]

Okay, I couldn't get this done as quickly as I thought.

 

Tomorrow I'll finish up my pictures of the ship, pictures of our cabin, and pictures of our stop in Victoria, BC and Butchart Gardens. Plus my reviews and opinions about the ship and our experience. :D

 

If anyone has any questions just let me know!

[Colo Cruiser]

Thanks for your review and the great photos.

 

We have sailed on Princess over 50 times and have never been required to wear our lifejacket. We bring them to the drill and at one point they direct you to try it on. But thats it.

[shredie]

 

We have sailed on Princess over 50 times and have never been required to wear our lifejacket. We bring them to the drill and at one point they direct you to try it on. But thats it.

I'm sure that's what OP meant, trying it on. Princess really does have the longest muster drills! (But I guess I'll appreciate that the day my ship decides to sink!)

 

I haven't been on the Star yet, and I'm looking forward to more of the review.

[Cali_Mum]

Great pix and am enjoying the review...we will be on the star next year, this is getting us more excited for it!

[IECalCruiser]

Looking forward to more of your review. It is always interesting to see a comparison of cruise lines.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums mobile app

[quiltlady]

We're going to Alaska on the Star on Friday, and was directed to your review by one of the members on our thread. We're so enjoying it. We are fairly fresh off the Grand, her sister ship, having taken her to Hawaii in February/March. And from your pictures, they're almost exactly the same, except for the Skywalker, which has been removed from the Grand. Love having Princess in San Francisco. Perhaps when the new terminal opens, some other lines will come also. Anyhow, thanks again.

[Northender]

We will be on the Star next year to Hawaii. I am looking forward to the rest of your review and the pictures of your cabin, etc.:):)

[pusywillow]

Looking forward to the rest of your review. I'll be on her soon!

 

Sue

[RetiredNTraveling]

Nice review & pictures. We have sailed on the Star and enjoyed it immensely.

[partybarbie]

Great review and pictures. We board the Star on June 3'rd. She's one of our favorite ships. I like that you are contrasting this with your NCL cruise. It's confirming for me why I love Princess. I love dressing up!:D

[tgmg00a]

Thanks for taking the time to post this. Looking forward to your cabin and overall thoughts on the trip. My DW and I are leaving on the Star on 6/14 for Alaska and I can't wait. A couple of questions if you have the time.

 

1. Where you Anytime Dining or Traditional? If Anytime any issues with the a wait?

2. How was the ride from BC to San Fran?

3. What was your favorite meal?

4. Any tips you would pass along for those sailing soon?

 

Thanks again for taking the time and posting the great pictures.

[Jasperdo]

Excellent review. Wonderful pictures. Thanks for sharing.

[peacelovemickey]

Awesome pics and descriptions! Can't wait for more pics...

 

Thanks

[Jasperdo]

1. Where you Anytime Dining or Traditional? If Anytime any issues with the a wait?

I can help answer the Anytime Dining question. My wife and I were on the Star for 15 days in March. We never had to wait for a table for two in Anytime Dining. This was the first Princess ship we've been on that we were seated immediately every time we went to AT. A few nights there would be a bit of a line to get up to the podium. But we were never handed a buzzer and told to wait in the Piazza. We were very pleased with Anytime Dining on the Star. A world of difference from our experience on the Coral Princess.

[calikid50]

Great review! Sailing the Star in November; looking forward to more pics and info!

[Working 2 Cruise]

Lovely review! Thank you!

[flyawayca]

I'm sure that's what OP meant, trying it on. Princess really does have the longest muster drills! (But I guess I'll appreciate that the day my ship decides to sink!)

 

I haven't been on the Star yet, and I'm looking forward to more of the review.

 

Yes thank you, that's exactly what I meant. On Carnival, NCL, and RCCL we have never had to bring our life jackets with us to the muster drill. The staff just showed us how to use it. It wasn't the end of the world but it just took up more space in the area we were assigned to.

[flyawayca]

Great pix and am enjoying the review...we will be on the star next year, this is getting us more excited for it!

 

You will really enjoy it! Though we had an issue (I'll get to it in my review) I do think they have something really good going on with Princess.