Semi-live aboard Star Princess to HI

[satxdiver]

We had received notice from Princess that the Star repositioning from Vancouver would be arriving 10:00 AM and boarding would not begin until 2:00 PM.  This was attributed to new speed limits when approaching the port.  The ship actually arrived at 7:30 AM and we were on the ship by 11:30.  Boarding was light due to everyone thinking they could not board until 2:00 PM.  We were able to have lunch in the MDR.

 

The formal nights are November 6, 13 and 17

Captain Mariano Manfuso

CD Micca Reitano

Aloha representatives Roz and Jim Lowry

Naturalist Lecturer Don Hellstern

Elite laundry turnaround is 48 hours. (381 elite aboard)

Captain’s Circle Party November 13

 

The four day crossing of the Pacific was not bad with no great rocking of the ship.  The ship ran 21+ knots all the way arriving in Hilo on time.  We had all Princess excursions due to an abundant amount of OBC.  In Hilo we had the Hilo’s Waterfalls & Gardens Experience which turned out very nice.  We were on a large tour bus with a buffet lunch provided. 

 

Next port was Honolulu from 7:00 AM to 11:00 PM.  We had been to Oahu several times by air and had spent a lot of time in Honolulu including mandatory visit to Pearl Harbor so we opted for a trip to the other coast which was interesting.  We did the Oahu’s North Shore 8:15 – 2:45 never have visited there.  Again we were on a large tour bus with the driver as the tour guide.  He had a really deep voice so that he was very easy to understand.  Again lunch was provided this time at a small outside restaurant with excellent shrimp.   Many pax went to Pearl Harbor and later that evening to a luau.  All evening dining was in the two midship MDRs on ATD.  Since many were not on the ship, we walked right in being seated immediately at a two top.  The room was never crowded the time we spent there.  We had TD second seating in the aft MDR on deck 6 at a 4 top set for the two of us.

 

Kawai was the only island of the four we visited that we had never been to visit.  We had the Waimea Canyon, Waialua River & Fern Grotto trip.  We boarded the usual tour bus just after being allowed to leave the ship and returned just before the ship departed.  Our first visit was to the overlook of the Waimea Canyon which Mark Twain called the Grand Canyon of the Pacific.  The overlook took 2 hours to get there where we were greeted with the wild chickens.  The canyon was indeed fantastic. 

 

Last port call was Maui where we had to tender to the dock in Lahaina.  Since we had been here before and had a rental car that we drove to Hana.  A very nice drive but not one we need to do again and had been to the top of the mountain as well as having rode a bicycle down one time. We opted to stay in Lahaina which had changed a lot since our last visit.  Hilo Hattie provided a free shuttle to the store in a shopping center and we walked back to the ship.  Ms diver did manage to find a few things in Hilo Hattie that she was not able to live without of course.  On the way back we found a very good Mexican Restaurant to eat lunch.  Being from the close vicinity to the Mexican border it was a welcome change after the more bland ship fare.

 

I believe that in all four ports we did not have any later arriving pax back to the ship nor did we leave anyone that I am aware in the four ports. 

 

Anyone with questions about the cruise, I will try to answer them before the end of the cruise on the 19^th.    

[satxdiver]

We have a mini just in front of the aft elevator bank port side.  The room was clean and we had an excellent steward, Edwin who kept it clean.  Internet signal strength in the cabin was fairly strong with good response for an older satellite support.  We have been going to the evening lounge in Skywalkers which on this cruise is for elite only.  I still do not like the change in drinks offered at $6.50.  I miss my Chairman of the Board.  Warning to those that like that martini, in Crooners they put bitters in the drink but not in other venues. 

 

Entertainment:

Explorers Lounge Pinnacle

Wheelhouse Bar Prestige Quartet, Danilo Gomes

Crooners Daniel Oliver

Skywalkers DJ Lovely

Piazza Makani E (Hawaiian), Adagio Strings, Serena Dixon (pianist)

Ukulele Masters with Kimo

 

Cabin problems:

When we boarded and that night attempted to take a shower, the hot water was really hot and turning the mixer valve did not have any effect so we called the PSD.  A plumber worked on it the next day and now the water is simply hot but the mixer still does not work. 

 

One of our neighbors stopped up the toilet system and late one night we did not have flushing service but the ship plumbers fixed it in a few hours the next morning.

 

We had a bedside reading lamp burn out one night.  The room steward replaced the bulb the next day.

 

The pax on this cruise are definitely members of the senior group with a lot of canes, walkers and carts.  There are few younger pax (under 60) aboard and only a small group of children (~10).  It appears that the old folks home is on the ship.  We had heard that the number of medical emergencies and deceased pax was greater than on other cruises and I can see why.

 

Thursday night, 11/14, we were in Skywalkers at the elite exclusive lounge when the Captain announced that there was a medical emergency on deck 5 cabin.  Today I had noticed that the ship was now running at 21 knots whereas before the ship had been sailing at 17 knots.  The Captain announced that the ship had increased speed to get to Ensenada quicker due to a medical emergency.  We will be arriving a day early to Ensenada.  We have not told yet how that will impact our cruise.   

[hpeabody]

Hi to you and Debbie 🙂  Thanks for this semi-live from.

[caribill]

Thanks for the report.

 

Although you indicated the evening lounge was just for elites, I assume those in full suites could also attend.

[Colo Cruiser]

9 hours ago, satxdiver said:

We have been going to the evening lounge in Skywalkers which on this cruise is for elite only.  

So they banned Platinum and Suite guests? 

[rocklinmom]

We are booked on the Star in minisuites in your same area (near the aft elevators and stairs). Hoping they get the plumbing and hot water issues resolved by June! 

[satxdiver]

3 hours ago, Colo Cruiser said:

So they banned Platinum and Suite guests? 

 

Platinum is not included.  It is billed as the "exclusive Elite Lounge" and there is a sign at the entrance stating the same.  Several nights there has been a crew member checking cards at the entrance but not all nights.  It is from 4:30 to 6:30 every night except the Captain's Circle Party.  I would assume that suite pax are allowed but do not know.  Whether this is for this cruise only or it is fleet wide is a good question.

[riffatsea]

Hmm? Suite guests are supposed to be able to access the "elite" lounge before dinner.

Maybe there were sooo many elites on this cruise that the ship changed this?

From full suite benefits on Princess site:

• Exclusive Elite Lounge with complimentary hors d’oeuvres on select ship

Edited November 16, 2019 by riffatsea

[JF - retired RRT]

@satxdiver riff above had a good thought...how many Elites are on your cruise?

[Colo Cruiser]

27 minutes ago, satxdiver said:

 

Platinum is not included.  It is billed as the "exclusive Elite Lounge" and there is a sign at the entrance stating the same.  Several nights there has been a crew member checking cards at the entrance but not all nights.  It is from 4:30 to 6:30 every night except the Captain's Circle Party.  I would assume that suite pax are allowed but do not know.  Whether this is for this cruise only or it is fleet wide is a good question.

I have always seen that sign.

I doubt they blocked any Suite or Platinum guests from entering.

Especially if the door is unattended at times.

There would be a coup and spilling over to CC.

[I Love Cruising 3]

36 minutes ago, Colo Cruiser said:

I have always seen that sign.

I doubt they blocked any Suite or Platinum guests from entering.

Especially if the door is unattended at times.

There would be a coup and spilling over to CC.

If you have the money they'll happily serve anyone, no matter what their level. 😊

Edited November 16, 2019 by I Love Cruising 3

[redtees]

We'll be renting a car on Maui.

I understand there are no shuttles.

Is it easy to flag a cab or Lyft to the car rental agencies?

[wallyj]

Last time I was on Princess and the ship stopped at Lahaina which is a tender port, all the car rental companies had thier shuttle vans to take you to the rental location.

 

 Many newbies make the mistake when renting a car for Maui and stating the location as the airport which is far from Lahaina and no shutttles to take you there. You would need a taxi or other means of transport to get you there. Also Maui has the most number of rental cars in the state, you would think Honolulu but Honolulu has a lot of public transportation options. Rentals companies have been known to be sold out on cruise port days so if you are thinking of a rental car for Maui, you should make a reservation else you can be disappointed with no cars left.

[satxdiver]

14 hours ago, wallyj said:

Last time I was on Princess and the ship stopped at Lahaina which is a tender port, all the car rental companies had thier shuttle vans to take you to the rental location.

 

 Many newbies make the mistake when renting a car for Maui and stating the location as the airport which is far from Lahaina and no shutttles to take you there. You would need a taxi or other means of transport to get you there. Also Maui has the most number of rental cars in the state, you would think Honolulu but Honolulu has a lot of public transportation options. Rentals companies have been known to be sold out on cruise port days so if you are thinking of a rental car for Maui, you should make a reservation else you can be disappointed with no cars left.

 

While waiting for the Hilo Hatties free shuttle, I saw the Hertz van pull up to take pax to the Hertz rental counter.

[satxdiver]

On 11/15/2019 at 5:22 PM, hpeabody said:

Hi to you and Debbie 🙂  Thanks for this semi-live from.

 

Thanks for the reply.  We hope you are doing well and spending time on the ships. 

[satxdiver]

18 hours ago, JF - retired RRT said:

@satxdiver riff above had a good thought...how many Elites are on your cruise?

 

elite 381

platinum 542

blue 840

most traveled 2356 days. 1758 days, 1095 days

[satxdiver]

We will be arriving in Ensenada at about 2000 hours tomorrow and will be leaving on Monday at 1700 hours for San Pedro.  An evening in Ensenada is now on the itinerary.  Today the ship continues to do 20+ knots in an effort to reach Ensenada quickly to put the medical emergency pax off.  The ocean has been rough with a lot of rocking and rolling making it the worst day on this cruise.  Last formal night tomorrow and instead of lunch in the midship deck 6 MDR they are having brunch from 1000 to 1300 hours.  Menu looks very tempting.  

[Huddler]

Satxdiver:  Have you played in the casino ?  Do they have regular poker tournaments?  What kind of video poker do they offer?  Is the blackjack is 3 to 2 or 6 to 5?  What other card games are available?  Thanks!

[satxdiver]

On 11/17/2019 at 10:24 AM, Huddler said:

Satxdiver:  Have you played in the casino ?  Do they have regular poker tournaments?  What kind of video poker do they offer?  Is the blackjack is 3 to 2 or 6 to 5?  What other card games are available?  Thanks!

 

Sorry I don not gamble and therefore have never spent any time in the casino.  

[BarbinMich]

On 11/15/2019 at 7:33 PM, satxdiver said:

. . . 

Kawai was the only island of the four we visited that we had never been to visit.  We had the Waimea Canyon, Waialua River & Fern Grotto trip.  We boarded the usual tour bus just after being allowed to leave the ship and returned just before the ship departed.  Our first visit was to the overlook of the Waimea Canyon which Mark Twain called the Grand Canyon of the Pacific.  The overlook took 2 hours to get there where we were greeted with the wild chickens.  The canyon was indeed fantastic. 

. . .

We first visited Hawaii on the now-defunct Amer Hawaii Cruise Line in 1997.  The Waimea Canyon on Kauai was certainly a highlight of our visit to that island!  We have returned to Kauai and the other islands (2 in one visit) multiple times since, renting a condo or home in various locales.  The chickens have been running wild on Kauai since Hurricane Iniki struck the island in 1992 and was devastating.  On that 1997 visit damage was still evident as it was in subsequent visits over the years.  In our last stay there about 5 or 6 years ago, we rented a house "up-island"--that is, in the interior of the east side of the island.  The chickens were still there, even in the yard of that house and awakened us every morning earlier than we wanted 😉  Also, a hazard as they ran around on the highways!

[I Love Cruising 3]

1 hour ago, BarbinMich said:

The chickens were still there, even in the yard of that house and awakened us every morning earlier than we wanted 😉  Also, a hazard as they ran around on the highways!

Maybe for the chickens. 

[satxdiver]

We were told the chickens are wild and have no predator on the island.  Therefore they are free to reproduce with no known natural control.  They need a natural predator of the chickens to keep their numbers under control but the problem is that often the predator becomes a problem.  

[RLK33853]

Satxdiver - thanks for the info.  We are doing this itinerary for the 3rd time in January as it is one of our favorites. 

 

On prior cruises to Hawaii we have experienced slow and spotty Internet.  Have they upgraded the Internet service on the Star yet, and if so, is it still spotty due to poor satellite coverage?  Usually we don't care but my father-in-law isn't doing really well and my wife wants to make sure that she is in contact with the family.

 

Thanks again.

[satxdiver]

14 minutes ago, RLK33853 said:

Satxdiver - thanks for the info.  We are doing this itinerary for the 3rd time in January as it is one of our favorites. 

 

On prior cruises to Hawaii we have experienced slow and spotty Internet.  Have they upgraded the Internet service on the Star yet, and if so, is it still spotty due to poor satellite coverage?  Usually we don't care but my father-in-law isn't doing really well and my wife wants to make sure that she is in contact with the family.

 

Thanks again.

 

I used the internet mainly late at night since I spent the evening listening to music.  The connection was available and useable.  At one point I ran an internet connection test and was getting 1 mbps up and down.  A bit slow in today's world but better than in the past.  I was able to read email and respond as necessary.  Unfortunately the Star does not have the new OM satellite service.  We were in a mini just forward of the aft elevator bank.

[cruzrbachoua]

Any pics of the menus?  Even once you get home would be great...