LIVE from the STAR

[SFParrtHd]

Hi - well its been a busy few days, sorry I haven't posted sooner. I will try and get some pictures soon or email them to LARGIN.

 

Our trip into SF went very quickly and smoothly, not much traffic, but we did leave early enough. Boarded right at noon. I will try and go through what I remember quickly and then try to post more later.

 

Most of the work is done. MUTS is up but not working. Word is it will be functional the middle of our cruise. The International Cafe is done, however there is NO GELATO - the one thing I was looking forward to. Thankfully, there is still wonderful ice cream to be had in the dining room. The Plaza/Atrium is very nice, all new tile flooring. Vines is here and the Patessiere is still here also. Internet Cafe/Library also on this deck. A little crowded, but still functional.

 

We are in an aft suite and the decks have been redone-taken out those blue pads and replaced with "wood" decking. Per our stewart, it took 2 days to clean up 2 suites. All the rooms have been cleaned and some have new carpeting.

 

The one thing we don't like, and this has nothing to do with the re-fit, is the Vista Lounge. Its not a inviting and comfortable as others we have been in. The seats are very close together with the tables which makes it very difficult to get in and out. Also the dreaded "pillars". The new menus are here and most of the dishes are the same or similar to what we have had in the past. Portions are a little smaller, which is a good thing.

 

There are still things that haven't been done, but they are mostly "small" stuff - menus for the suites, odds and ends.

 

Sorry this seems so scattered - I will try and post tomorrow and be more clear:) . Dona

[bdjam]

Thanks for the news! Anything up with Crown Grill?

[Cruisin Sal]

Is there a Chef's Table?

[Travelrd]

thanks for your posting;)

[vickie_bernie]

thanks for posting a live thread, we have been patiently anticipating word from the Star.

 

Did they have a seafood buffet the first night in the Horizon? It is a highlight of all our Caribbean trips and was just hoping it made it's way to the Start.

 

Have a great trip, can't wait to be on her in a few weeks.

[crusdiva]

Dona,

I hope you are having a wonderful time. :)

 

Thanks for taking the time to post all of this great information. I don't find your post scattered at all, but maybe that's just my brain. :D

 

Isn't the Piazza great? I can't wait to see the changes.

 

I love that the suites now have wood decking, I hope that's how it is in all categories but somehow I doubt it.

 

Can't wait to hear more.

[catmand]

Thanks for the thread

I am going to bring the lap top. No perks, Do we just buy a package of time somewhere? Wireless all parts of ship, cabins? Thanks

[cruzinchris]

Thank you so much for taking time out of your cruise to post live from the Star. DH and I were on the last Alaskan voyage prior to drydock and are eager to find out exactly what was accomplished. Our first cruise with Princess was on the Star in March, 2002 - first time she sailed to the Mexican Riviera - and we've been back on this lovely ship twice. We'll have to sail on her again just to see the enhancements for ourselves :D but will enjoy hearing from others in the meantime.

 

Bon Voyage!

Chris

[Colo Cruiser]

Thanks for the updates. ;)

[mii]

Hi Dona and Bob: you go girl keeping us informed about the Star. As BDjam mentioned I am also curious about the Crown Grill. Hey you were not scattered at all. Very much informed of what is new on the Star. Thanks for doing a "Live from". Now young lady just keep that ship ship-shaped for us who are getting on after you get off.;)

 

Marilyn

[LARGIN]

Thanks kids for the post...

My sister has friends on the same cruise and sent me this info..

 

Taking the first cruise after dry dock is not a good decision.

 

1. Whole new crew

2. Even though it was docked for two days, it took them 2 hours to get the gangway set up. Quick check in and long wait to get on ship.

3. Dinner takes 2-2.5 hours!!!

4. Printing press was broken when we got on. No Princess Patter until 9:00 pm that night. They come at night for the next day.

5. Buffet the first day for lunch was lousy. Of course, no dining rooms open at lunch.

6. Menus have changed - some good and some lousy.

7. Dishwashing machine broke in buffet so they had to wash by hand.

8. New mattress are like wood - very hard.

[crusdiva]

Thanks kids for the post...

My sister has friends on the same cruise and sent me this info..

 

Taking the first cruise after dry dock is not a good decision.

 

1. Whole new crew

2. Even though it was docked for two days, it took them 2 hours to get the gangway set up. Quick check in and long wait to get on ship.

3. Dinner takes 2-2.5 hours!!!

4. Printing press was broken when we got on. No Princess Patter until 9:00 pm that night. They come at night for the next day.

5. Buffet the first day for lunch was lousy. Of course, no dining rooms open at lunch.

6. Menus have changed - some good and some lousy.

7. Dishwashing machine broke in buffet so they had to wash by hand.

8. New mattress are like wood - very hard.

 

Yikes! Other than that Mrs. Lincoln....

Thanks for the update Larry, I can't wait to hear more - good or bad.;)

[Corvette]

Thanks so much. Do they have flat screen televisions? Going to go to South America on her December 8.

[mii]

Thanks so much. Do they have flat screen televisions? Going to go to South America on her December 8.

 

Yes they do have the flat screen TV's.

 

Marilyn

[twocats]

Love hearing about the Star, springtime cruise for us.

 

Catmand - I forgot to answer you on another thread, but "twocats" means just that I had (:( ) two cats, gone a few years now but never forgotten.

We took a quick trip through your town today on our way to Lowes. I am on the other side of Kirker Pass from you, guess that is why so many of us are interested in the Star leaving from SF.

Have a nice day.

 

Carole

[dchip]

I didn't get to the Headlands to take the pic of you leaving due to a friend's surgery. Hopefully, I will get there on the 21st and you can pretend it was your cruise :eek:

 

Looking forward to reading more whenever you get the time!!

 

Cheers, Denise

[pris993]

Thanks for your post. Hope you have a great time.

 

Wondering how the weather has been on your first few days out?

[Colo Cruiser]

Thanks so much. Do they have flat screen televisions? Going to go to South America on her December 8.[/quote

dup post

[emileg]

Princess published this press release. From reading it I would assume that no renovations and deck switches were made to the casino and Sterling Grill. - Emile

 

http://www.princess.com/news/article.jsp?newsArticleId=na973

 

News Article

 

10/13/2008

 

Star Princess Emerges from Drydock With New Signature Features

Passengers Can Now Enjoy a New "Piazza" with International Cafe and Vines, plus Adults Only Sanctuary and Movies Under the Stars

 

SANTA CLARITA, Calif. (October 13, 2008) - Star Princess set sail this weekend after a three-week drydock that dramatically transformed several spaces onboard, including turning the ship's atrium into a vibrant street cafe-like piazza, adding the company's signature adults-only retreat called The Sanctuary, and installing a 300-square-foot Movies Under the Stars poolside screen.

 

These features, which have been enthusiastically enjoyed by passengers on Princess Cruises' newest vessels, have inspired an expansion to other ships in the fleet, and Star Princess is the first to be revitalized with these favorite elements.

 

Star Princess' updated piazza-style atrium will now feature an array of dining and entertainment opportunities including the specialty coffees, freshly baked goods, paninis, salads and tapas of the International Cafe. It will also introduce an expanded Vines wine bar concept, which will feature more than 30 wines by the glass, a selection of artisan meats and cheeses, plus a wine shop where passengers can purchase their favorite bottle.

 

On the top deck of the ship, passengers can now relax in the tranquil environment of The Sanctuary, Princess' signature adults-only retreat featuring plush padded lounge chairs and the services of dedicated Serenity Stewards. Along with enjoying refreshing beverages and light snacks, visitors to this exclusive space can also receive a massage in one of two private cabanas.

 

Princess' trademark Times Square-style Movies Under the Stars poolside screen is now in place and will show a variety of films, concerts and special events daily. And in the evenings it becomes an outdoor theater with specially covered lounge chairs and cozy blankets, where moviegoers can enjoy free popcorn, plus other snacks and beverages.

 

Additional changes made during the drydock include a new Internet Cafe and library area, enhancements to the onboard boutiques, the addition of LCD flat screen televisions in all staterooms, and a variety of other cosmetic updates.

 

Star Princess is the first of three ships to receive these updates. Caribbean Princess and Golden Princess will also receive similar transformations in subsequent drydocks, in January and April of 2009, respectively. Caribbean Princess and Golden Princess will also receive additional enhancements including a new Crown Grill steak and seafood restaurant, a new casino area and six additional suites.

 

Additional information about Princess Cruises is available through a professional travel agent, by calling 1-800-PRINCESS, or by visiting the company's website at www.princess.com.

[SFParrtHd]

Hi - thanks for the questions, at least I know what I forgot to add!

 

Crown Grill - it is done and we are planning on going there 1 night - will let you know. Haven't talked to anyone who has been there yet.

 

Chef's Table - yes they do have it

 

Can't help with the seafood buffet (opps, almost typed BUFFETT, I guess I am looking forward to seeing Jimmy in concert when we return)

 

No wireless in the rooms - just the "hot spots" - they couldn't get it done during dry dock -

 

Flat screens are in all the rooms now. Also all new carpeting throughout the whole ship

 

We tried the Sanctuary today - it was very nice $10 for 1/2 day $20 for the full day. It was very quiet up there, except for a certain "Someone" who fell asleep and started to snore.

 

DCHIP - Denise thanks, would love to see any photos you take.

 

The dining room staff seems a bit "off" - the menus are not printed until late that night and there seems to be some confusion. We lucked out and have 2 very good waitresses - so we are taken care of for the most part.

 

The Captian is Edward Perrin. MD is Luigi Moretti.

 

I must tell you about the scattering of ashes we did. I had contacted Princess about a month ago and asked if it would be possible to scatter my parents ashes. They had been on 30+ Princess cruises and their wishes were to be scattered at sea. After a few years, I felt it was time to honor that and was pleased that I got a response back that yes, we could. Had to be in biodegradable urns and could not scatter ashes, per se. Long story short, the Passenger Service Manager Micheal contacted us when the next day and set it up for yesterday. The cornered off the back of Deck 7 for us and brought Bob and I, our son and DDIL down and let us conduct our little ceremony. I was really pleased at how it was handled and what a great thing for my parents, their last cruise together. We received the co-ordinates of the "scattering". I just have to give an A+ to the way it was handled.

 

So, I think that's about it for now. Will try and check back in. Dona

[LARGIN]

Thanks Dona.. Hope you guys have a great cruise.. We will call tomorrow and check on the "kids"

[bdjam]

I must tell you about the scattering of ashes we did.

Glad to hear that Princess took good care of you. I've heard from others who have done the same thing and they were very impressed with the way Princess handled things for them.

[crusdiva]

Dona,

Thanks for the great reports. Sounds like you're having a wonderful time. The scattering of the ashes sounds very touching and I'm glad they were able to do this for you.

[CruiseKing]

Hi Dona,

Glad to hear you ceremony went well. Great information on the all new Star Princess. I know what some will say but have to ask, who is the CD. I understand there was a change after the dry dock.

[cruzinchris]

Thanks, again, Dona for your updates from the Star. It's sounds like the enhancements are pretty much what we heard during on 9/14-21 cruise prior to drydock:

 

*new carpeting throughout

*Crown Grill

*flat-screen TVs in staterooms

*new bedding

*new dinner menus

*Piazza with International Cafe and Vines

*MUTS

*relocation of Internet Cafe

*general cleaning and sprucing up of the ship

 

The memorial ceremony must have been very touching for your family; thanks for sharing this.

 

Have a fabulous dinner in Crown Grill and a continued fantastic voyage on the Star Princess!

Chris