Star Princess Inaugural Season Med Sailing!
I had the pleasure of sailing on Star Princess in October on her second-ever voyage, and I can honestly say… I came home genuinely impressed. This sailing ran from 15th–22nd October, round-trip from Barcelona, calling into Malaga, Gibraltar, Cartagena and Marseille. I was on board with a group of fellow travel agents and Princess representatives, and it gave me the perfect opportunity to experience the ship properly , not only as a passenger, but as a professional who wants to understand every detail for my clients. First Impressions: From the moment I stepped on board, Star Princess felt different. Fresh, elegant, modern, yet relaxed and very welcoming.
The Journey Begins: Dublin to Barcelona
We flew from Dublin to Barcelona with Aer Lingus, on one of their newer aircraft, very comfortable, very smooth, and exactly what you’d expect with Aer Lingus.
Barcelona remains one of my favourite cruise ports in Europe. It’s incredibly easy to navigate, and one of the simplest embarkation experiences you’ll find anywhere.
Although the terminal was extremely busy that morning, the boarding process was surprisingly fast and efficient. We were also given Medallions on arrival. The Medallion is Princess’ wearable technology that replaces cruise cards and makes everything from cabin access to ordering drinks effortless. Once you’ve used it, you won’t want to go back!!
My Stateroom (cabin!)
I stayed in a balcony cabin, and I loved it.
The décor is light, modern and calming, with beautiful
neutral tones.
I loved the bed…quite possibly the most comfortable bed I’ve ever slept in !!
Thoughtful details really stood out:
· Proper hairdryer in the cabin
· Excellent storage
· Lovely spacious balcony
· Motion-sensor night lights in the bathroom and footlights around the bed
· Fresh, modern bathroom with a fantastic shower and quality toiletries
The overall feel is quietly luxurious, very well designed and very comfortable.
Dining – genuinely brilliant
Food on this ship genuinely surprised me, and I say that as someone who cruises a lot.
We did an insider behind-the-scenes tour with the Food & Beverage Director, Carlos, and what impressed me most was their commitment to fresh produce. Almost everything on board is made from scratch. Even fresh bread must reach the table within 15 minutes of baking. The kitchens were spotless, the processes meticulous, and the pride in quality was very clear.
Highlights
· Main Dining Room (Aurora) – Beautiful space, excellent food.
· International Café – Outstanding pastries and coffee.
· Buffet – High quality, great variety, plenty of seating.
· Speciality Dining (included with Princess Premier)
o Catch by Rudi – Exceptional for seafood lovers
o Love by Britto – Gorgeous food and presentation
o Crown Grill – A superb steakhouse experience
o UMAI Teppanyaki – My personal favourite. Phenomenal food and brilliant entertainment. The chefs were such good fun.
· Spellbound – A hidden speakeasy-style cocktail and magic experience. A paid experience, but worth it as it was such great fun and very memorable.
· Good Spirits Cocktail Class – Also an extra cost but lots of fun!
If you enjoy speciality dining, I would strongly encourage upgrading from Princess Plus to Princess Premier. The value is exceptional when you consider the number of dining experiences included, along with an upgraded drinks package, other advantages
Ship Design & Atmosphere
Star Princess is a large ship, but she never feels crowded; the layout is very clever.
· The Dome – One of my favourite spaces. Peaceful during the day, magical at night with candlelight concerts and live music.
· Infinity Pool at the Aft – My absolute favourite spot on the ship. Chilled, beautiful views…and the sunsets from here are unforgettable. My camera roll is full of them!!
· The Piazza / Atrium – Stunning design and constant entertainment.
· Irish Bar – O’Malley’s – Always lively, always buzzing, with great live music and atmosphere.
· Evening Shows – High production, excellent performances.
· Spa – Lovely, pretty decent value, and very peaceful.
· Self-Service Launderettes – A brilliant feature and something I really love about Princess. Extremely convenient, especially for longer cruises.
One thing that really stood out was their elevators. The technology is outstanding, with little to no wait for a, which is almost unheard of on a large ship.
I must say I was really impressed with how well thought out this ship is for those with limited mobility too.
Ports & Weather
October turned out to be a great time to sail, average temperatures around 17-22°C.
Malaga and Cartagena were my favourite stops.
Malaga was a wonderful surprise, walkable, relaxed, beautiful shopping, and full of character. Cartagena was equally impressive, and probably my biggest unexpected highlight of the itinerary.
Final Thoughts
Star Princess offers outstanding food, excellent service, clever and elegant design, beautiful public spaces, a calm and premium atmosphere, and something that truly works for every age group. For a ship of her size, the quality of the dining alone places her among the very best I have personally experienced. If you are curious about Princess Cruises, or if you are looking for a ship that combines relaxed luxury with fantastic facilities, Star Princess is absolutely one to consider. And yes, I am officially a fan!!
If you would like help finding the right Star Princess sailing for you, or if you are starting to explore your next cruise holiday, I would be delighted to guide you through the options and tailor something truly special. Feel free to get in touch with me anytime and let’s start planning your next adventure, contact me at rachael.higgins@mytc.com
