Just returned yesterday from the Star. In my signature line I have the rankings of some previous cruises listed...on a scale from 1 to 10. I don't even know how to rank this last cruise. It was so superior to any experience that I've ever [emphasize EVER] had that I guess I will have to denote it as another CC member said before I left as 10+.

We flew jetBlue from LAS to LGB the night prior, on time and enjoyable with the TV to watch (albeit a short flight). We stayed at the Marriott Courtyard Longbeach which is an $20 w/tip cab ride from LGB airport and also $20 w/tip from the hotel to the pier. The desk staff is very friendly and personable. The hotel itself tries to feel updated, but doesn't quite make it. It was clean and served the purpose, but felt outdated. We would not stay there again, but by no fault of the employee's.

We left the hotel at 1030 so that we could meet our friends that stayed overnight at the LAX Sheraton. They were shuttling to the port with an estimated arrival time of 11AM. We met up and went through the metal detectors in the warehouse feeling building. We then walked to the VIP check-in on the right side of the building. Check-in took about 10 minutes for the 5 of us and then we waited in a tacky roped off area with two rows of cheap plastic chairs...picture a choir like set up facing the churchgoers. Orange juice, water, and cookies were brought out. Simone introduced herself and advised that a butler, not our butler, would be taking us to the villa shortly. Indeed a butler arrived and he escorted us to be the first of the new passengers on-board. We were given champagne upon entry and then we boarded an elevator that unfortunately did not accept the 14th floor key, so we had to go to an alternate elevator. Read more