This was our first time on the Star Princess. It was in dry dock at the end of 2014. During that time, the laundry rooms were "updated" with a machine that dispensed tokens when you swipe your cruise card. The chosen amount is charged to your onboard account and no more need for quarters to operate the machines. Just insert a token into the washer or dryer. Very convenient! What took them so long to switch over to this method? The washer takes 30-35 minutes and dryer run about 40 minutes per token.
We boarded the Star at Pier 27 in San Francisco. The line was LONG to enter the terminal. At one point, the line was all the way out to the sidewalk on the Embarcadero. We finally got into the terminal only to be crowded into a small area trying to fill out health forms before going upstairs to check in. It would have helped to have more flat surfaces against the walls to fill out the health forms. Once upstairs the Platinum, Elite, and Suite lines moved quickly. We didn't wait too long in the waiting room before boarding.
I like that Princess has cabins ready when you board so you can go straight there to drop off your carry-ons. Other cruiselines don't open up cabins until about 1:30 pm. We got settled in and went to the Horizon Court for lunch. Luggage was delivered to our cabin while we were out. The muster drill was postponed a half hour. 4 different muster stations on deck 7. We were in the Vista Lounge.
A736 conveniently located to Terrace Pool, Horizon Court, and to aft elevators. Aft elevator goes straight up to the Skywalker Lounge on Deck 17. You can hear the lounge chairs being dragged in the early morning as they are being set up. Very little traffic at this end of the passageway.