We are back from three full days testing out everything Star Princess has to offer. From dining, to entertainment, and new experiences, we made sure to cover every square inch of this 175K gross ton ship. After 100 cruises on the largest cruise ships in the world, we share where Star Princess shines—and where she falls short—in our honest cruise review.
What It’s Really Like on Star Princess
The largest ship in the Princess Cruises’ fleet, Star Princess features 20 decks of activities, eateries, bars and lounges, and outdoor spaces. She debuted this past summer with the same updated layout as her sister ship, Sun Princess. But Star Princess has some unique updates and enhancements to set her apart as well.
Catching Some Rays on Star Princess
Perhaps the most noticeable update on Star Princess is the expansive sports deck on Deck 19.
This Skydeck offers an outdoor space with included activities for the whole family. The extra-large sports court boasts two regulation pickleball courts. There are also two basketball hoops, ping pong, cornhole, and shuffleboard. There is even a small splash pad and jogging track. The cruise line has added a shaded seating area as well.
The rest of the outdoor spaces on Star Princess remain the same as those of her predecessor. There are two main pools on Deck 17, with an expansive sundeck one level above with plenty of loungers. There are also several hot tubs along with nearby bars and casual dining.
One of the innovative features of the outdoor spaces is found further forward. The Dome is an air-conditioned solarium. With comfy loungers and live entertainment, it is an excellent escape from the Caribbean heat. Later in the day, the Cascade Bar serves up signature cocktails you won’t want to pass up.
Further forward is the Sea View Terrace. This multi-deck space offers some shelter from the elements, which will be perfect in Alaska. It features a couple of hot tubs, a bar with a distinct menu, and plenty of loungers. There is also a pool that can transition from the outdoor Sea Terrace to the indoor Dome, depending on the configuration.
While smaller, the Wake View Terrace had a uniquely chill vibe. Down on Deck 8, this tucked-away space has an infinity pool overlooking the ship’s wake. With the nearby Wake View Bar, it was another option for catching some sun during our sailing.
For this short three-day Bahamas cruise, Star Princess was at double occupancy. So, the pool decks were lively, but not crowded. With a little searching, you could find loungers at one of the several pool spaces.
Complimentary Dining on Star Princess
Star Princess boasts over 20 food and beverage offerings. With only 3 days, we did our best to fit in as much food and drinks as possible. Yes, we know, it is a tough job.
Princess Cruises has thoughtfully designed Star Princess to ensure you are never far from grabbing something delicious to eat. Complimentary dining is available on several decks.
A distinct feature of this class of ship is the location of the buffet. The Eatery on Star Princess is located on Deck 9. Featuring pretty standard selections for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, the food is on par with major cruise line buffets.
Breakfast includes both hot and cold items, continental selections, and even a custom omelet station. Lunch and dinner are similarly set up. Hot entrees and side dishes, carving stations, a salad bar, and other international cuisine are available.
During the morning and afternoon, the Americana Diner is an additional buffet all the way aft on Deck 9. At night, this venue turns into a casual sit-down restaurant. The Americana Diner serves up classic comfort food, including breakfast for dinner.
On the Deck 9 outdoor promenade, there are additional food stands. You can grab a slice of Detroit-style pizza, some frozen yogurt, or a freshly made burger.
With the buffet now in the middle of the ship, up on the pool deck are quick grab-and-go stations. This includes Lido Slice, cutting up pizza that outshines the competition.
The Lido Grill sears up custom-made smashburgers. The Princess Signature burger was much better than the comparable offering on Sapphire Princess, which I had just had a few weeks earlier. Not to mention, there are custom salads at Lido Greens, and tacos, quesadillas, chips, and salsa at Lido Tacos.
Back indoors, the International Café remains one of the best 24-hour cafes at sea. While this version on Star Princess offers a more select menu than other Princess Cruises ships, what we sampled was fresh and delicious.
The International Café is very popular, especially early in the morning and mid-afternoon. However, Star Princess boasts two additional coffee shops. You can grab espresso-based drinks and cold brew coffees at Coffee Currents on Deck 7. There is also a select menu of pastries and desserts.
Up on Deck 17, there is Coffee & Cones for a caffeine fix, just a few steps from the pool. However, no food items are included here, except for soft-serve ice cream later in the day.
Specialty Dining on Star Princess
As guests of Princess Cruises on this preview sailing, we had the Princess Premier package. Thus, we had unlimited specialty dining, including casual dining. So, we never had a chance to eat in the main dining room.
While the pizza on the Lido deck is better than most cruise lines, you have to try Alfredo’s Pizzeria on Deck 9. This is the best pizza at sea. While the standard menu is part of the package, we wouldn’t blame you if you upgraded to the award-winning selections by pizza chef Tony Gemignani. Trust us, they are worth the upcharges.
Other casual dining on the ship includes pub favorites at O’Malley’s. Not to mention, with the Princess Premier package, you get free OceanNow delivery and room service. Thus, you can order food and drinks delivered directly to you throughout the ship.
During this sailing, we dined at three specialty restaurants. The Crown Grill is Princess Cruises’ steakhouse. This American-style steakhouse sears up favorites like a crab cake and a juicy medium-rare filet. The menu has been updated since our last visit, meaning there were fewer options to accommodate Heidi’s picky palate.
On the other hand, the refreshed menu at Sabatini’s was perhaps our best experience at this Princess signature venue. This Italian restaurant now boasts new menu items in partnership with Frescobaldi.
The burrata was a rich and light starter. My antipasto plate was equally satisfying. The table-side topped chicken parmesan is an American-Italian classic that did not disappoint. The veal chop Milanese was a breaded, bone-in veal chop that rivals anything found in Boston’s North End. For dessert, the chef treated us to three scoops of gelato, along with what we had already ordered.
On the last night of the cruise, we dined at The Catch by Rudi. This seafood-centric restaurant offers a wide selection. From fried calamari to shrimp cocktail to freshly caught fish, this is some of the freshest seafood on any cruise ship. I went with the sea and shore featuring a bold filet and a lobster tail.
While the starters and entrees are well executed, the standout here might be dessert. With rich endings like Chef Rudi’s Salzburger Nockerl, make sure to leave some room.
On a longer voyage, there are plenty of other specialty restaurants you won’t want to pass up either. There is Umai Teppayanki, offering a Japanese-style steakhouse. Or, you can dine at one of the only hot pots at sea where you become the cook. If that’s not enough, there’s also Makoto Ocean in partnership edomae-style sushi master Makoto Okuwa.
A unique pairing of art and food is available at Love by Britto. In partnership with Rudi Sodamin, this newly expanded space offers a culinary mix that is as delicious as it is visually stunning.
Also unique to Sun and Star Princess is the Butcher’s Block by Dario. From the “World’s Most Famous Butcher”, this venue offers a multi-course tasting menu with select cuts of the finest beef. The cruise line has tweaked the menu since our last visit; there is now a vegetarian option for those who are not fans of red meat, like Heidi.
Grabbing a Drink on Star Princess
We just sailed on the similarly-sized Norwegian Aqua and were not impressed with its beverage program. So, it was a welcome treat to step on Star Princess with its well-curated and crafted bar menus.
The ship has over 200 cocktails to choose from, so you will never go thirsty. Many of the drinks are covered by the $15 allotment in the Plus Beverage package, and essentially all drinks by the glass are under the $20 limit for the Premier Beverage package.
While we don’t necessarily care about celebrity spirits, the thoughtfully crafted menus from mixologist Rob Floyd definitely elevated the nighttime experience.
One of our favorites is Good Spirits at Sea. The global menu offers handcrafted cocktails from around the world. At night, you can learn more about these specialty drinks as you watch master bartenders expertly prepare select beverages.
The ship’s cocktail bar, Crooners, on Deck 8 off the Piazza, has been redesigned. The piano is in a new location, opening up the space and giving you more opportunities to enjoy the drinks and music here. Also off the Piazza is Bellini’s on Deck 7. Yes, the menu features champagne and bubbly, plus other unique cocktails. Whatever you do, you have to try one of the Tiramisu Collection cocktails.
The aforementioned O’Malley’s Irish Pub is not far from the Piazza on Deck 7. This bar is home to live music and a selection of ales and lagers. Given its popularity, Princess Cruises added even more seating and tables when compared to its sister ship, Sun Princess. Still, even with the extra seating, you will want to arrive early to grab a pint and a seat to enjoy the performances.
The Wheelhouse Bar returns to the Sphere class ships as well. With nautically inspired drinks, like the Painkiller, it is the ideal place for a pre-dinner or post-dinner drink.
Out on the pool deck, we were surprised to find some unique offerings at the different poolside lounges. If you are fans of drinks with a kick, then the Spicy Mango Margarita is a must-try at the Sea View Bar. At the Wake View Bar, cocktails like the Dragon Fruit Refresher pair perfectly with the aft views. And regardless of the bar, a 24K Margarita is always a sure bet, now perfected with Matthew McConaughey’s Pantalones tequila.
If you enjoy sampling various specialty drinks with unique flavor profiles and ingredients, Star Princess might be your new favorite ship.
Enhanced Entertainment on Star Princess
One thing we love about Princess Cruises is its traditional approach to nighttime entertainment. Star Princess’ nighttime schedule was predictable, including a game show or challenge and a performance in the main theater. In between, live music is available throughout several venues.
The Piazza on Decks 7, 8, and 9 is the heartbeat of the ship. The unique Sphere design in the middle of the ship makes this space more vibrant. Letting in plenty of natural light, the views from the various decks add a new dimension to this space. Whatever the event, you can find a great place to watch the action on any of the 3 decks.
Insider tip: There are outdoor viewing spaces on Deck 7 near the Sphere, making for some great videos and photos.
Whatever you do, you don’t want to miss the Celestial Champagne Soirée– a dynamic and digitally enhanced version of Princess’ iconic waterfall champagne toast.
But, the main feature of the evening is the production shows and headliners in The Arena. Star Princess’ main theater is home to two new signature productions.
In Meridian, you step aboard the Celestial. This musical love story is filled with adventure in a critique of high society and individual freedoms. Meridian is definitely Princess Cruises’ most technologically advanced theater show, running at slightly over an hour. It is a step in the right direction, featuring an immersive stage, set pieces, and costumes. However, we did think the plot borrowed quite a few elements from the movie Titanic.
The other new show in the Arena is Illuminate: A Spectacle of Joy. With a more slimmed-down set than Meridian, this circus-themed show featured an aerialist duo/strength performers, several singing and dancing numbers, and plenty of clowns. This 45-minute production is on par with what you would find on other cruise lines, but nothing innovative.
Up on Deck 17 in the Dome, Star Princess features the Princess Cruises Candlelight Concert Series. Hosting a variety of musical performances, the Dome transforms into a tranquil, glowing haven for live music. While we wouldn’t necessarily consider this a show, it is a rather unique live music experience. Given the size, these candlelight concerts definitely fit the space better than the previous cirque-style shows that debuted on Sun Princess.
One of the Most Immersive Spaces at Sea
Perhaps one of our favorite experiences at sea, Princess Cruises introduces an enhanced version of Spellbound by Magic Castle on Star Princess. This reimagined speakeasy transports guests to the golden age of magic, paying homage to the legendary Cardini.
This new iteration differs from the original by offering fresh themed spaces, including a whimsical ticketing booth, the mysterious Inner Circle, the enchanting Cardini Bar, a behind-the-curtain Backstage area, and the grand Peacock Theater. The Cardini Bar also features an exclusive new cocktail menu with magical twists.
Spellbound by Magic Castle is one of the most immersive and interactive themed spaces on any cruise ship. Starting at 6 PM each night, Spellbound has six showtimes to allow more guests to experience the magic. For $45, guests receive two signature cocktails and a captivating magic show. However, a key difference from the original Spellbound concept is that dinner service is no longer included.
Upgrading to the Sanctuary Collection
Returning on Star Princess is The Sanctuary Collection. This ship-within-a-ship features access to a top deck retreat area, along with a host of additional high-end amenities designed to enhance your voyage.
The Sanctuary Club sundeck is located all the way aft on Deck 18. This refined, upscale space offers poolside tapas, cozy furniture, and personalized service. It also features a resort-style pool, hot tubs, and cabanas available for rent. The Sanctuary Club Bar shakes up signature cocktails, like the cool and crisp Garden Collins and the refreshing Blueberry Basil Smash.
When booking a Sanctuary Collection stateroom, you also get access to the Deck 8 Sanctuary Restaurant. With open seating, guests can dine when they want. This restaurant serves a rotating menu, with a couple of upscale options not available in the other two main dining rooms.
Along with a luxurious stateroom experience, the Princess Premier Package is included with the Sanctuary Collection, which rounds out the appeal of this unique experience.
Staterooms on Star Princess
While Princess did give us access to the Sanctuary Club sundeck and restaurant, we did not have a Sanctuary Collection cabin. We stayed in a deluxe balcony stateroom. Cabin 10128 is forward of the forward elevators on the port side of the ship. This cabin is very similar to what we stayed in on Sun Princess.
The Sphere-class has the most spacious accommodations in the fleet. All entry-level balcony cabins are deluxe, offering a loveseat and about 235 square feet of living space.
Along with the separate seating area, our category DE balcony cabin offered plenty of storage, including a full closet and an additional storage area with shelves.
In addition, the bathroom shower features a glass door, instead of a shower curtain. However, the shower is still a tad narrow. Our queen bed was located next to the entryway, with our loveseat and desk closer to the balcony.
There were several USB, USB-C, and power outlets scattered throughout the room. With USB and outlets next to the bed, as well as two locations near the desk, it was easy to charge all of our devices.
The balcony, too, was larger than expected at around 35 square feet and featured two chairs and a small table. Thus, we had plenty of room to enjoy the ocean views.
Similar to newer ships in the fleet, Star Princess cabins feature light wood finishes and pops of nautical blue colors. The rooms feel inviting, modern, and upscale.
Our First Impressions of Star Princess
Our three days and nights on Princess Cruises’ newest mega-ship were packed with bespoke cocktails, exquisite dining, and a variety of activities and entertainment. Not to mention, some of the most immersive and magical experiences at sea.
Princess Cruises targets cruisers looking for an elevated cruise experience that is lively, but not outlandish. And we believe Star Princess shines by offering a curated selection of well-themed bars, restaurants, and public spaces.
With the Premier Package, you have your choice of dining venue and essentially all cocktails by the glass. The intimate venues get you closer to the action, whether it is a live theater performance, musical act, or your fellow cruisers competing in one of the cruise line’s signature activities. And the outdoor spaces are tailored to your mood, whether it is an upbeat sailaway party or tranquil vibes and wake views.
Star Princess surprised us with its diverse venues, engaging crew, and small touches that separate it from other ships carrying over 4,000 guests. While it might not have the flashy attractions, over-the-top onboard amusements, or the best main theater entertainment at sea, it still delivers plenty of wows. Personally, we were most impressed by the enhancements made to the food and beverage offerings.
We only wished we had more time onboard to truly experience it all. Add competitive pricing on top of all the onboard offerings, and Star Princess might just be the perfect ship for your next cruise vacation.
Should we hop onboard a Star Princess Alaska sailing in 2026?
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