Star Princess Cruises Reviews

Thursday 24th May 2012

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Princess Cruises

Star Princess

Maybe Too Many Days At Sea?

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Maybe too many days at sea?	15 of 17 people found this review informative

Reviewed By: Pollitt, Stockport on 22nd Feb 2012
Cruise Line: Princess Cruises	Times cruised before: 6-10
Cruise Ship: Star Princess	Sailed: February, 2012
Destination: South America	Age: 65+
Cabin: Balcony

Obviously I have to take responsibility for the too many days at sea. But when your booking you seem to overlook such details. We sailed from Valparaiso to Rio de Janeiro. Embarkation was fairly straight forward, although just dumping your luggage at the quayside seemed a bit odd, but it got to the cabin before we did. At check in they keep, well Star Princess did, your passport. I didn't like it but I suspect that's it. I would recommend that you take a copy of the important page of your passport with you, when you go off ship. The Star Princess is a fairly large vessel, and the Horizon Court, Lido deck, can get very busy at breakfast and lunch, although you can always use the restaurants. In addition to the tea, coffee and water, they also serve a delicious lemonade, free, plus orange juice at breakfast. We had a balcony cabin which was fairly spacious with adequate hanging/storage space plus a safe. The bathroom was 'cosy' with not enough room for 'rudies' in the shower. We had opted for anytime dining, which seems to work quite well. Although there's nothing to stop you booking traditional dining and using anytime, well, anytime. The entertainment was very good and varied. The ships company was excellent and there is music to be found all over the ship. The only show we didn't like was Two Gauchos, who were a bit like Cannon and Ball with drums, very noisy and not very funny. Drinks, I stuck to Grolch, which seemed to me to be the best option. Although with the 15% gratuity, which you can't get out of, came to just under $7, which for 3/4 of a pint seems a bit expensive, The main gratuity, $11;50 per person per day was cancelled without any bother. The crew are very friendly and seem vary happy. You do catch them laughing and joking with each other, which I believe is a good sign. Many have been with Princess for a number of years. The excursions. Before I comment on the excursions it is obvious that if you use a Princess organised tour you will be getting the very best operators and they will be as safe as they can be, and with the added advantage that the ship will not leave without you. To be fair we didn't do too many, but these are our experiences. Punta Arenas: The ship's trip to the penguins was priced at $79. We walked out of the port gate and got a taxi for $20 plus $14 dollars entry fee to the penguin colony. Be aware that the last 38K of this excursion is over rough roads. Ushuaia: The only trip off the ship that we did here, was the catamaran through the Beagle channel $65. This was very good, but it was timed for the afternoon, which stopped us going on 'The train to the end of the World', independently. The station is about five miles outside the town centre. Both these trips are available locally and they are a lot cheaper than the ship excursions. Say what you like about Princess, they do know how to charge. The Falkland Islands: There is a local shuttle to the penguins at $25 return. There is also a free shuttle to the museum. The museum entry fee is £3, it's very small, but well worth a look. We just walked round Stanley, it was a very nice day, so it was easy. Later we popped into the Globe pub, we did intend to have something to eat but it was very busy and they only seemed to be serving fish and chips, so we just had a drink. If you pay in GBP you seem to get a better deal. One American was told. "That'll be £5 or $15! Some people took the 'City tour' laid on by Princess, and they are still in shock. But if you want to see the local tip, the antique shop and a garden full of gnomes for $79 then this is for you. Buenos Aries: We had booked the city and Tango tour for $139. The beginning of the tour wasn't inspiring. First stop was the Recoleta cemetery where Eva Peron is buried, then La Boca. We had about a half hour stop there and it's ok. What rescued this tour was the lunch and show. The lunch, three courses, was excellent, with wine. This was followed by a incredible show. Another group had taken a local tour for $25 and all they got was the dancers at La Boca, as we did, it's no where near as good. Monte Video: Again we had booked a city tour in the afternoon $50. So in the morning we took the free shuttle to the leather shop. You don't have to go into the shop, but we felt it would be rude not to. The shop is in the Plaza Independencia the centre of town. From there we walked the pedestrianised streets back to the ship, catching the Port Market on the way. The city tour in the afternoon was ok, just! Some of my do's and dont's: If your booking a balcony and travelling from Valparaiso, DO try and get a cabin on the port (left) side of the ship. That way you can see glacier alley and Cape Horn from your bed. DON'T under any circumstance take the local road train in Ushuaia. It takes too much time, is cramped, dirty and smelly, and you end up looking at poor housing. Do take some decent toilet paper with you, biodegradable of course, the stuff Princess provides is small and flimsy and it doesn't take to much to push your fingers through it. At least it stops you biting your nails.
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Overall Rating

15 of 17 people found this review informative

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Comment by Mackem Kev, East Boldon (10 Apr 12 20:17) about this REVIEW

Good and very informative review. Especially liked the comment about the toilet paper! I'm thinking about doing the same cruise in february next year so I'll certainly bear in mind your comment about cabins on the port side.

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Comment by Pollitt, Stockport (11 Mar 12 11:56) about this REVIEW

In addition to the review. We had a balcony on Baha deck, which was fine. The balconies on the two decks below are overlooked, so you have little privacy.

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Comment by lawrance, Halifax (27 Feb 12 22:29) about this REVIEW

yes jeff a very good and true report of the cruise.We were on it too.Thourally enjoyed it. P C Lawrance Halifax

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Comment by Hamnett, Manchester (23 Feb 12 10:38) about this REVIEW

Nice one! I enjoyed the bit about biting your nails! I hope that you enjoyed the fijords of Chile. For others thinking about a similar trip I thoroughly reccomend it. My tip would be to visit an estancia in Uruguary if you get the chance.

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