This was to be my long awaited retirement celebration and a checkmark on my bucket list, and my fourth cruise with Princess.

I paid around $800 for three of us to fish for King Salmon in the “Salmon Capital of the World” and out of six aboard, there were two rock fish and one whopper of a flounder - not whopper as in big but rather whopper as in the size of that hamburger that Burger King sells. I understand it is fishing and not catching, but when I spend that much money, I expect more than a four hour boat ride.

Next day, another $600 for whale watching with no chance to get a decent photograph. The food on the Horizon Deck was disappointing and the selection seemed to repeat a lot. We ate at both the Crown Grill & Sabatini’s during the cruise and both were disappointing for different reasons. At the Crown Grill my wife’s meal was served cold. When brought to their attention they brought her a replacement - also cold. At Sabatini’s the food was sadly lacking. The clams were scarce and anorexic when found. The entree was served in something that looked like freezer paper tied T each end with twine - very bland. The dessert’ were offered as a sampler and while attractive, three out of four were quite unimpressive - one was good. The ship seemed to be in need of repair - at least cosmetically. The mattress on each bed slanted to the side that wasn’t right against the wall, presumably from people sitting on that side of the bed while entering and exiting. The crew, from our Stateroom Steward to the highly visible, outgoing and friendly Captain were the saving grace aboard the Star Princess on our cruise and the ONLY reason it deserves two stars rather than one.