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Why Go?
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 Part of Princess' Grand class
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Asian-influenced Lotus Spa and fitness center
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Great choice for family groups
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Tie the knot: wedding Web cam in Hearts & Minds chapel
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Editor's Picks: Best Cruise Ship Sun Decks
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Itineraries and Ports of Call: Cruise to Nowhere • Mexican Riviera • South America & Antarctica • U.S.A.
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Star Princess Review
Editor's Note: Star Princess has just emerged from a September dry dock with a boatload of new features, including the Piazza, an energetic space that offering entertainment, on-site bakery, Internet cafe, and wine and sushi bar; the Sanctuary, an adults-only area that boasts padded lounges, shady and sunny areas; the for-fee Crown Grill, whose menu blends seafood and steakhouse fare (replacing the existing steakhouse on Star Princess); and seven new suites each with sitting room, walk-in closet and shower/tub combo.
The third of a trio -- sister ships are Grand Princess and Golden Princess -- Star Princess flat out aims for America's mid-market passenger. The ship is big and offers the pluses -- mostly pluses -- and occasional minuses of its size with a wide variety of onboard features that appeal to just about anybody. At the same time, it offers passengers a choice of a traditional cruising experience or a contemporary one -- or even a smattering of elements of both.
New on this ship, which closely follows Grand's and Golden's precepts, is the first developed-from-scratch Lotus Spa, the Asian decor and concept of which Princess is gradually enfolding throughout the fleet. Also debuting on Star Princess is technological capability at the Hearts & Minds wedding chapel that enables transmission of special ceremonies on the Internet (so folks at home can watch) as well as an expanded youth facility that's currently the cruise line's largest. One other difference is that as a result of the expansion of Kids Zone and Off Limits, there is no virtual reality center on this vessel.
For the most part the staff on Star Princess handles its passengers well enough though we found service to be mediocre, fairly consistently, whether it was the dining room or cabin stewards. Be prepared for lines, particularly at embarkation and disembarkation, which were equally horrific in terms of "hurry up and wait" and rude direction.
Ultimately, though, Star Princess, like its siblings, offers something for virtually every type of cruise traveler -- as long as being part of the masses is no big deal.
Read Complete Star Princess Review
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Princess Ships: Caribbean Princess • Coral Princess • Crown Princess • Dawn Princess • Diamond Princess • Emerald Princess • Golden Princess • Grand Princess • Island Princess • Pacific Princess • Royal Princess • Ruby Princess • Sapphire Princess • Sea Princess • Star Princess • Sun Princess • Tahitian Princess
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