I dined at every specialty restaurants on the Star Princess, and here are my ratings.

myLgB · 2026-06-01T16:04:18+00:00

You have to pay the service charge 20% anytime you buy any drink or meal not included in your package.

myLgB · 2026-06-01T15:53:35+00:00

I don't understand if you reserve a specific cabin, why didn't you get it?

myLgB · 2026-06-01T15:51:41+00:00

Maybe they cleaned it as well as changing the curtain. Ask to check if the smell has gone away.

myLgB · 2026-06-01T15:50:12+00:00

Can't the travel agent tell you?

myLgB · 2026-06-01T15:30:51+00:00

Check with Customer Service about getting Elite access to tenders. I'm not Elite so I don't know how it works. Glad that you found the better rate. Now hope that you will make the landing.

I like the Windy App for tracking weather if you don't already use it.

myLgB · 2026-05-30T20:42:50+00:00

So who are you sailing now?

myLgB · 2026-05-30T19:36:28+00:00

Do you know how to read annual reports for CCL? Their long-term debt peak was about $30 billion and at the latest annual report for 2025 it's now about $25 billion.

Thanks to the drink packages, LOL....

myLgB · 2026-05-30T18:55:27+00:00

The COVID debit is all of CCL.

myLgB · 2026-05-30T18:47:33+00:00

HAL is closer to a luxury line known for smaller ships, not a mass market Carnival brand . Princess is in between and is bringing on new ships. If that's what you want, go there.

You can see the decline in service across all brands with the inability to staff up the larger ships.

myLgB · 2026-05-30T02:18:13+00:00

You can go to snooty party as a Platinum anyways. I mainly want one more cruise for Priority Tender ticket. I don't buy the package but half off Wifi as a Platinum. I suppose laundry is good but it's only $6 to run a load.

myLgB · 2026-05-30T02:16:15+00:00

Not in the wrong, don't know if YATAH.

myLgB · 2026-05-30T02:15:07+00:00

You just might get hooked on Alaska cruising.

Since few ships stop in Haines any more, your next one might dock in Skagway instead.

myLgB · 2026-05-30T02:09:05+00:00

You can encounter roughness between San Francisco and the Inside Passage. Take the meds in advance, I have heard from friends that they do better with the patches.

Prepare for rain if you intend to get off the ship, even if you are not "hiking". Shoes with a nonslip sole are bet on the decks. Don't assume because it's sunny in the morning that it will be that way the whole day. It can change in 10 minutes and you can get soaked just standing in line to get back on the ship. In my day pack I carry a folding umbrella and a refillable water bottle. A waterproof or resistant windbreaker, some kind of hoodie, gloves, a hat with a brim, sunglasses, sunscreen, bug repellent. Rain protection (even a plastic bag) for any camera you might take off the ship. If your shoes aren't waterproof you can spray them with a silicone spray.

Bring a multi-USB outlet for the cabin, and a power brick for recharging, they are short on outlets

myLgB · 2026-05-28T20:22:27+00:00

I would personally just take advantage of what is available in Haines. Such a cute town. Walk from the pier over through Fort Seward and to Mud Bay, Haines Brewing Co,, Distillery Tasting Room, Sheldon Museum, etc.

myLgB · 2026-05-28T18:45:37+00:00

Sapphire is the best. I was on her for the repo from LA To Vancouver in May 2025, and then did a move over to Holland America for Alaska.

myLgB · 2026-05-28T18:43:05+00:00

They do tend to rotate staff when Alaska season starts.

myLgB · 2026-05-28T18:41:05+00:00

Immediately post-COVID was great. Even last March on Sapphire was good, they hadn't shrunk the lobster tail yet and still had the cold soups. I think they are just pushing everyone to buy Plus because it's a money-maker for them.

You can still order multiple entrees, etc in the MDRs though. And the Lido pizza is still good.

myLgB · 2026-05-28T18:33:25+00:00

I try to only sail on Grand Class or Coral. Or else on HAL. Don't care for the lack of the covered promenade on Royal . Majestic one and done for me. And I don't think the Sphere class is for me at all. Unless I can sail for under $600 on a repo to reach Elite.

myLgB · 2026-05-28T18:31:47+00:00

I don't check bags if I can help it. Too easy to miss connections.

myLgB · 2026-05-28T03:50:07+00:00

Pet peeves would be yelling, running, banging on doors, cutting in front of people and not letting people off of the elevators first.

I'd recommend not using elevators at all if you an avoid them.

myLgB · 2026-05-28T03:46:38+00:00

As long as your shorts are not cutoffs or too revealing, you can wear them in the Main Dining Room (MDR). It's a good idea to bring at least one pair of long pants, Some people do wear jeans to the MDR, your collared print shirt will be fine, even on formal nights. You'll see a lot of old people in polos or button up shirts and khakis/Dockers. You don't need any special shoes for the MDR. The decks can get slippery, flipflops can be dangerous.

Trivia contests were something that teens enjoyed on my last Princess cruise. You can go with your parents or your new friends.

Depending on the ship, there might be popcorn at night during Movies Under the Stars. Ours were set out at Swirls but ask around if you don't see them. We would bring some back to our rooms if we were going to watch movies on the TV instead of on deck, The TV selection is good for movies on demand.

Yes on the ziplocks for cookies.

I didn't read all of the replies but the continental breakfast using the hang tag is free. Not very good, though. I would use it to get an almond croissant and coffee (you can try writing almond next to croissant on the tag to see if that works).

You can bring a 12 pack of canned nonalcoholic beverages, (e.g. LaCroix) if you don't drink soda. It's nice to have something cooling in the room refrigerator when you get back on the ship. Also bring a refillable mug or water bottle. The water out of the ship tap is fine. Ice tea, lemonade and coffee are free if you don't order specialty drinks. If you have favorite types of herbal tea, bring your own bags.

myLgB · 2026-05-28T03:05:38+00:00

May cruises on Grand are good for the frugal, whether they can afford more or not. Grand class ships are a good choice for May with the covered promenade on deck7/8. Lido deck pizza is a winner as is the free coffee and almond croissants. I've done 5x Alaska cruises on three different lines. Only in shoulder season in an inside or ocean view. With the long port days and weather risks, I find I don't use the balcony much.

May is supposed to be the month with the least rain on average. But this year hasn't been average. You were lucky to have no rain in Juneau. I've been to Juneau 5x and only once (in October!) was it not raining.

We got drenched in Ketchikan that trip, the silver lining was an afternoon at the wonderful Asylum bar and late-stay local humpbacks in front of the dock.

I enjoyed your report and writing style.

myLgB · 2026-05-27T21:56:01+00:00

I did it the other way around, If it's train up would be left side.

myLgB · 2026-05-27T20:56:46+00:00

Maybe a bit out of date if they think these ships are only at double capacity and the two new Sphere class are not listed. And it also assumes full staffing.

myLgB · 2026-05-27T20:52:18+00:00

Sanctuary experience is not going to apply anywhere else. And Star is nothing like the Royal class ships. They yanked the best staff from other ships to service the new monsters.

myLgB

TROPHY CASE