Just off the Star - AK - family of five

[sacway]

Haven't unpacked yet, still feeling fine.

 

This was our fifth Star cruise, guess we like this ship. (We have been on about 15-20 cruises total.) Last Christmas we had a new family suite. This time we coughed up the extra for a 2 bedroom suite and very happy for the divided space. Also loved having a fullsize table for in-suite dinners. Due to this excellent space, we mostly stayed in the room, except when over at Cagney's breakfast & lunch.

 

Kids club much better than holiday week.

 

Not a new ship, not a new route, except we'd never been to Prince Rupert.

 

Any q's, happy to reply.

[JMHAM1]

We are booked on the Star in January and it will be our first time on her. We are booked in a BA but are thinking of upgrading. It is my husband's birthday and I am thinking about upgrading to our first suite as a surprise.

 

Do you happen to know if all the cabins had the bliss beds/bedding?

 

I loved those on all the other ships we have been on but this is one of the older ones and I don't think they upgraded all the beds on the ship.

 

If you want to tell what you like best or if there are any good little nooks or secret places we need to hit. Seems like you would be an excellent resource.

 

Do they have the pretzel bread? I loved that on the Gem. Also, is Spinnakers really as bad as everyone said or is that just an issue on the Alaska sailings?

 

I think I have a million questions since the reviews have been quite mixed. Thanks!

[sacway]

yes on pretzel bread, at least I had something like this one day for a snack. only got a couple of bites then the kids wanted the rest.

 

our beds had better bedding than I remember from the past, don't know if it's everywhere on the ship. but it was very very nice.

 

there are lots of nooks on this ship, it all depends on what you like. I have been surprised by some changes, mostly for the better. a lot depends, too, on how various things are going on the ship on the week you are cruising. for instance, this week we had spa specials even on at sea days, so I didn't need to book in advance. other times, it's been book early or else miss out.

 

if you get a suite, even an AJ (the new ones on deck 12) you will get priority boarding, which was handled so smoothly this time, even better than at Christmas. super service from Patrick our concierge, who would drop by our table each morning at Cagney's to check if we needed anything. we only made one mistake which was underestimating how many people would leave the ship exactly the same time at Prince Rupert, and we ended up in a pretty terrible crowd that we couldn't even figure out how to exit to go instead to the concierge lounge for an escort off. there is a concierge in the Star Bar lounge across from Cagney's. I think except for private events the lounge is considered open and available to everyone, and is a good quiet place.

 

One of us is a teetotaler, and in the suite we get a complementary bottle of champagne, we asked for it to be switched out for a bottle of wine (so one of us could drink a glass a night instead).

 

If you like to swim but don't like crowds, there is a small lap pool in the thermal area, you buy a week's pass for $119. many times I have been the only person in this pool.

 

The Star has a true sheltered wraparound promenade deck, Deck 7, it is 1/3 of a mile so a great place to walk. In addition it has a pretty credible jogging track and a pretty good range of exercise equipment. Everything was in working order (I have been on some boats and some cruises where a number of machines have been out of order or where equipment like ping pong paddles were not available) and it seems like for the most part the maintenance of the ship is good.

 

The latest customer service campaign (something about "let me be your HERO" on the buttons the crew must wear) seems to be working, about 99% of the crew was polite, helpful, and appeared in a good mood. The other 1% were a week away from end-of-contract perhaps and having senioritis; I don't know if it's possible to hit 100% happy staff.

[Hikini]

We will be on the Star 2 weeks from today in a suite on deck 12. Who was your butler?

 

Who was the CD and did you like him or her? Is Archie still the assistant CD?

 

Do you remember the names of any of the wait staff in Cagney's? We are hoping that some of the same staff will be in there that we had last time.

 

Glad you had a good time. We watched the Star depart today and it was fun to think that she only leaves one more time without us.:D

[jimswims]

yes on pretzel bread, at least I had something like this one day for a snack. only got a couple of bites then the kids wanted the rest.

 

our beds had better bedding than I remember from the past, don't know if it's everywhere on the ship. but it was very very nice.

 

there are lots of nooks on this ship, it all depends on what you like. I have been surprised by some changes, mostly for the better. a lot depends, too, on how various things are going on the ship on the week you are cruising. for instance, this week we had spa specials even on at sea days, so I didn't need to book in advance. other times, it's been book early or else miss out.

 

if you get a suite, even an AJ (the new ones on deck 12) you will get priority boarding, which was handled so smoothly this time, even better than at Christmas. super service from Patrick our concierge, who would drop by our table each morning at Cagney's to check if we needed anything. we only made one mistake which was underestimating how many people would leave the ship exactly the same time at Prince Rupert, and we ended up in a pretty terrible crowd that we couldn't even figure out how to exit to go instead to the concierge lounge for an escort off. there is a concierge in the Star Bar lounge across from Cagney's. I think except for private events the lounge is considered open and available to everyone, and is a good quiet place.

 

One of us is a teetotaler, and in the suite we get a complementary bottle of champagne, we asked for it to be switched out for a bottle of wine (so one of us could drink a glass a night instead).

 

If you like to swim but don't like crowds, there is a small lap pool in the thermal area, you buy a week's pass for $119. many times I have been the only person in this pool.

 

The Star has a true sheltered wraparound promenade deck, Deck 7, it is 1/3 of a mile so a great place to walk. In addition it has a pretty credible jogging track and a pretty good range of exercise equipment. Everything was in working order (I have been on some boats and some cruises where a number of machines have been out of order or where equipment like ping pong paddles were not available) and it seems like for the most part the maintenance of the ship is good.

 

The latest customer service campaign (something about "let me be your HERO" on the buttons the crew must wear) seems to be working, about 99% of the crew was polite, helpful, and appeared in a good mood. The other 1% were a week away from end-of-contract perhaps and having senioritis; I don't know if it's possible to hit 100% happy staff.

 

Thank you for this information. We just got off the Gem last week and our next cruise is on the Star but not until February. We were in one of the Sc's on the Gem but have decided to check out the Family Suites on Deck 12 for the Star. It is good to know that the concierge, butler, and suite perks still exist with these suites.

 

I am a swimmer and runner and the info on the spa and exercise is really helpful for me. I will be in full swing for my Boston Marathon training so I am going to have to be doing something while I am away.

 

Glad you enjoyed your cruise.

[fergusonvt]

We are booked on the Star in January and it will be our first time on her. We are booked in a BA but are thinking of upgrading. It is my husband's birthday and I am thinking about upgrading to our first suite as a surprise.

 

Do you happen to know if all the cabins had the bliss beds/bedding?

 

I loved those on all the other ships we have been on but this is one of the older ones and I don't think they upgraded all the beds on the ship.

 

If you want to tell what you like best or if there are any good little nooks or secret places we need to hit. Seems like you would be an excellent resource.

 

Do they have the pretzel bread? I loved that on the Gem. Also, is Spinnakers really as bad as everyone said or is that just an issue on the Alaska sailings?

 

I think I have a million questions since the reviews have been quite mixed. Thanks!

 

 

You should go for it! Get the one available on 10 and you will be our neighbors (we are very quiet!). I am having the hardest time not telling DH about it!