This was our second cruise. The first cruise was on Holland America's Maasdam. So this is our comparison. We found the Star Princess way below our expectations. We had heard that they were a very good cruise line but were disappointed in several areas. While the ship is beautiful and newer than Maasdam the food was horrible, the dining experience was way below what we expected. The formal nights were nothing special - the food was ordinary and the only change was a single candle on the tables. We got "bumped" from the early sitting when we requested stand-by for the late sitting and ended up with the dining around anytime which I think is disastrous. There were long lines (waiting up to an hour for seats). If I want to wait on lines I'll go to a restaurant. After complaining to the maitre d we were assigned a table at our time in one of the "dine around" restaurants but were still disappointed that we never got to see the main dining room.

Charges were made for ice cream, bottled water, and special coffees which we found ludicrous. Holland America served for no extra charges. Actually the only "on board" bargain was the internet. Everything is way over priced and tips of 15% are added onto everything. Even when I went to get a bottle of water at the bar the bar tender reached into the refrigerator and charged me not only for the water but also 15% - for reaching into the refrigerator.

Asking for the robe and slippers from the cabin steward was a nuisance and the in cabin mini bar would only get filled if you called room service. Yet no where in the cabin does it say this - we found out in conversation with other passengers. And room service for breakfast was only continental breakfast. Not good for the mornings when we had a very early shore excursion. Read more