New to Princess...have questions...

[rianvi]

I am sure these have been asked before and they maybe silly but I could use some help. Sailing on the Star Princess Feb. 07. Have sailed with Celebrity 3x and Carnival once years ago. Are there laundromat areas on ship? You have to pay for ice cream? Are the soda cards worth it? I understand one of the pools is covered. Do they have the outdoor movies yet? We decided to stick with traditional sitting-late. Is Sabitinis and the steakhouse worth dining at? and when should we make reservations for them? Do you have to pay to use the lap pool? What time is good to arrive at the Port Everglades? Thankyou in advance for any responses and any other suggestions are appreciated.

Peace, Anna:)

[chrysalis]

I am sure these have been asked before and they maybe silly but I could use some help. Sailing on the Star Princess Feb. 07. Have sailed with Celebrity 3x and Carnival once years ago. Are there laundromat areas on ship? Yes You have to pay for ice cream? Not at lunch, dinner or at the buffet between about 3:30 and 4:30 Are the soda cards worth it? Depends on how much you drink...they work out to be about $3.90 per day I understand one of the pools is covered. Do they have the outdoor movies yet? We decided to stick with traditional sitting-late. Is Sabitinis and the steakhouse worth dining at? Yes and when should we make reservations for them? As soon as you can Do you have to pay to use the lap pool? No What time is good to arrive at the Port Everglades? Before the ship sales, but the day before is best.Thankyou in advance for any responses and any other suggestions are appreciated.

Peace, Anna:)

 

enjoy your cruise

[Cruisin' Chick]

I am sure these have been asked before and they maybe silly but I could use some help. Sailing on the Star Princess Feb. 07. Have sailed with Celebrity 3x and Carnival once years ago. Are there laundromat areas on ship? You have to pay for ice cream? Are the soda cards worth it? I understand one of the pools is covered. Do they have the outdoor movies yet? We decided to stick with traditional sitting-late. Is Sabitinis and the steakhouse worth dining at? and when should we make reservations for them? Do you have to pay to use the lap pool? What time is good to arrive at the Port Everglades? Thankyou in advance for any responses and any other suggestions are appreciated.

Peace, Anna:)

 

Laundry rooms are open for most of the day (I think they're usually closed from about 8pm to 8am) and the machines take quarters, which you can get from the Passenger Services Desk, if the change machine is out of change. You can also purchase detergent in the room. Don't take your iron (against the rules); there's at least one iron in the laundry room.

 

Free ice cream in the dining room at lunch and dinner and in the Horizon Court from about 3:30 to 4:30, maybe longer, with many toppings to add for a sundae. You probably won't see any mention of the HC ice cream anywhere. Don't know why it's a big secret. The ice cream at Scoops is for a charge. Usually late morning and thru the afternoon.

 

I don't remember a covered pool on the Star but am looking at the deck plan and it looks like there is one. There isn't any plan to install Movies Under the Stars (What we call MUTS) on the Star. You don't pay to use the lap pool as far as I know.

 

We have never eaten in the fee-based restaurants so I can't answer that question.

[rianvi]

Cruisin' Chick

 

Thank you for the info. Now we will be fully prepared.

 

Peace, Anna:)

[KKB]

Soda card is worth it if you drink a lot...DH & I shared mine (I just got it all).

Yes, covered pool (glass covered)

Outdoor movies...I believe they have them now

Sabatinis....now, we didn't eat their, but some of our tablemates did, and they felt it was NOT worth the money, that the dining room food was just as good (of course, it may have been the company that was so good!:)

Arriving at port...we arrived the day before, got to port by 11:00, then stood in line for FOUR hours to get on the ship (mass chaos). On our Disney cruise we booked air thru the line, and when you arrive at 3:30, you walk right onto the ship (LOVED that!)! Our first cruise was unusual in that the Star had been in Europe for 18 mos. & the coast guard had to do inspections, but there was a lot of chaos at the port. Others who came later didn't realize the line was all the way around the building, and just walked right in; additionally a medical emergency further up the line had the rest of us at a standstill.

I would love to arrive early & actually get on early sometime!

Happy cruising!

Kristin

[paul929207]

I think sodas cost $1.50 each, so if you drink 3 or more per day, they are worth it.

 

Paul

[jimcradd]

We just came off the Carribean Princess saturday and sailed on the Star last year. I think Sabitini's is definitely worth trying. It is a lot of food though as they give you a little of everything on the menu and then you choose your entre. Sterlings was good, but i have had better steaks. I would say try it.

 

We actually went and made reservations the day we got on the ship for both. They started taking reservations at 1:00 and the person on Sabitinis was able to make the reservations for both so you may be able to do the same on the Star.

 

As for the soda card. The only thing you need to be aware of is that it is only good for fountain drinks not cans. So, if your preference is for a can of soda I wouldn't bother with the card. Otherwise as stated previously if you drink at least 3 a day it is probably worth it.

[Pam in CA]

Outdoor movies...I believe they have them now

...Arriving at port...we arrived the day before, got to port by 11:00, then stood in line for FOUR hours to get on the ship (mass chaos). On our Disney cruise we booked air thru the line, and when you arrive at 3:30, you walk right onto the ship (LOVED that!)! Our first cruise was unusual in that the Star had been in Europe for 18 mos. & the coast guard had to do inspections, but there was a lot of chaos at the port. Others who came later didn't realize the line was all the way around the building, and just walked right in; additionally a medical emergency further up the line had the rest of us at a standstill.

Some incorrect information. The Star Princess does not have the outdoor movies (MUTS). Embarkation is normally very quick and smooth so that if you get there early, you're in your cabin within 15 - 20 minutes of embarkation starting. What you experienced was definitely not the norm.

[Cruisin' Chick]

Some incorrect information. The Star Princess does not have the outdoor movies (MUTS). Embarkation is normally very quick and smooth so that if you get there early, you're in your cabin within 15 - 20 minutes of embarkation starting. What you experienced was definitely not the norm.

 

I agree with Pam. It has never taken us four hours. On our last cruise, we didn't even have a line to get to the check in counter when we arrived at 12:15 in San Pedro. We were immediately escorted up to an available clerk.

 

On your cruise, it was probably a problem with the previous cruise's disembarkation, which may not even be the fault of the cruiseline but may be due to a delayed or slow immigration/customs process (that happened on our last cruise, disembarkation didn't start til about 8:30am).

[lucky ziggy]

dont go go on carnival i just got off on oct22 lousy cruise line go carnival if u want to have fun

[jhannah]

It's a bit of a challenge, lucky ziggy, to get your point without punctuation; but if I interpret correctly you think Princess is a lousy cruise line. May I ask why, specifically, you say that?

[Rob & Beckys mom]

It's a bit of a challenge, lucky ziggy, to get your point without punctuation; but if I interpret correctly you think Princess is a lousy cruise line. May I ask why, specifically, you say that?

 

 

Vegas Jim...you crack me up:D I'm afraid I share your humor, hope to sail with you someday.

 

Jan

[SingerEsq]

Welcome aboard!

 

First, as for Fort Lauderdale, I would suggest getting there no later than 11:00 a.m. Otherwise, I’d wait until after 2 p.m. In September for the CB (and b/c of the advice on this board), we got to FLL around 11, and by 11:45 they had closed the inside waiting area. I guess everyone else had to wait outside and it was HOT and Sunny!!!! We did not get onboard until about 12:45 or 1 … but we did not have to wait in the sun.

(Off topic, Cruisin’ Chick, in San Pedro, I think it depends which pier you’re tied up at. In Feb., we got to SP at 12:15 … but RCI was at the main terminal (which has tons of seating and space). The Island was at a channel (smaller) terminal, which has nothing. We waited about 1 ½ hours in HOT LA sun (and we live here) before we even got to the terminal. Hence, why I was so set on getting to FLL by 11 a.m.!!! --- I guess so not off topic).

 

As for specialty restaurants … I know everything on a cruise ship is supposed to be free (who made up that rule?), but we LOVE Sabatini’s. Be forewarned, it is pretty close to authentic (that is, no spaghetti and meatballs / lasagna dinners) Italian fare, so check the menu before booking (meat and fish are the main entrees). We find the service (at least on our cruises) to be wonderful and we enjoy a 2-hour dining experience. As for Sterlings, it is not the best, but it is not the worst, either. And, I’m sure it varies from ship to ship.

 

As for FREE ice cream, I was not even privy to this much-discussed Princess debate until sailing the Island (I don’t eat that much ice cream). Scoops is great for malts and specialty sundaes, etc., during the day. But as others have said, a secret (apparently little-known) place to get FREE (and it tastes "home made") ice cream is the HC around 3 – 4 or so. We found it on the CB … it’s that large buffet restaurant … and they had more than we could consume!

 

As for laundry, my partner thinks I’m nuts, but I would rather have less luggage and do laundry. We always eat late, so I always try to laundry on formal nights around 5:30 – laundry deserted. You can throw stuff in and come back later, or press your shirt, etc. It’s great, esp. on longer cruises. (This last cruise, I got "pop-up" hamper (found that here) to put laundry in – much better than the floor or luggage).

 

Read on, you’ll find lots of stuff …

[NAS-KARR]

IMO Sabatini's is way over publisized. The food is simply so-so and NOTHING to rave about. The 3 to 3 1/2 hours it takes to

serve all the courses (the same lenght as a ball game)is the crowning blow for me.

 

See for yourself.

 

CIAO,

[Cruisin' Chick]

Singeresq, we were probably at the main terminal, but I don't remember. We got to the pier, walked in and were directed toward the counter. We were shocked that there was absolutely no line to check in. Have never seen that before.

[rianvi]

Thankyou everyone for the great information and tips. As always we will be well prepared/informed because of these boards and the wonderful people that use them.

Peace, Anna:)

[Toto2Kansas]

IMO Sabatini's is way over publisized. The food is simply so-so and NOTHING to rave about. The 3 to 3 1/2 hours it takes to

serve all the courses (the same lenght as a ball game)is the crowning blow for me.

 

See for yourself.

 

CIAO,

 

I agree with this statement. To us Sabtini's is highly over rated. The food was OK, but nothing to write home about. Was if fun once? Yes, in fact we have done it twice. Twice was plenty, would never consider dining at Sabatini's again though. (the second time was only at insistance from friends that wanted us all to go as a group)

[momofmeg]

dont go go on carnival i just got off on oct22 lousy cruise line go carnival if u want to have fun

 

I disagree with you-I loved my CB cruise-MUCH better then any of my four Carnival cruises-so go on Carnival if you like-that just leaves more room for me on Princess!!!!!!!

[lake5298]

dont go go on carnival i just got off on oct22 lousy cruise line go carnival if u want to have fun

 

 

For those who went to school.......

 

Don't go (on Star Princess). Go on Carnival. I just got off (Star Princess) on October 22nd. (I think it's a) lousy cruise line. Go (on) Carnival if you want to have fun.

 

 

Equally....... Don't go on Carnival if you want to meet Lucky Ziggy:D

 

 

To Lucky Ziggy....... (translated from English into "yoof speak")

 

lz u r reali wrong star princess is ace n u are sad 2 think not u go n njoy carnival if u want but we r stayin wiv princess coz u r not there

 

Thanks to a teenage daughter, I can understand txt !!!

[sunvalley cruisers]

Lake 5298...you are so funny! :D I had a good chuckle.

[Cruisin' Chick]

this was posted on a Caribbean Princess thread:

#1247

October 28th, 2006, 07:46 AM

lucky ziggy vbmenu_register("postmenu_8178149", true);

Cool Cruiser

Join Date: Nov 2004

Posts: 2

 

 

i was on that boat and didnt like it

[spongerob]

For those who went to school.......

 

Don't go (on Star Princess). Go on Carnival. I just got off (Star Princess) on October 22nd. (I think it's a) lousy cruise line. Go (on) Carnival if you want to have fun.

 

Sure, but he still got credit from his "communications" (don't call it English anymore for fear of causing offense) teacher for getting 75% of the words in the right order and spelling some of them correctly.

 

Actually, if you take out all the spaces in Ziggy's post, it spells a very rude word in Welsh!

[TrisZ]

.......... if you take out all the spaces in Ziggy's post, it spells a very rude word in Welsh!

 

ROTFLOL!!!

[Rolling On The Floor Laughing Out Loud!!]

[Cruisin' Chick]

Sure, but he still got credit from his "communications" (don't call it English anymore for fear of causing offense) teacher for getting 75% of the words in the right order and spelling some of them correctly.

 

Actually, if you take out all the spaces in Ziggy's post, it spells a very rude word in Welsh!

 

Or the words for a Wham song.