Star Princess Coastal Hits and small misses

[TLC535]

I hope I haven't completely bored everyone... do you want me to keep going?

 

Not bored at ALL...she looks just like I remember her & can't wait to board in 13 days :D:D

as far as I am concerned you can just "keep 'um coming" for the next 2 weeks :p;)

 

Seriously...

[srpilo]

Good work !!!

 

 

 

Thanks for sharing :)

Srpilo

Edited April 16, 2015 by srpilo

[gnatz007]

Sorry been slacking today. Geesh Work is killing me... I need another cruise! Here is some more before I head home for the evening and can post even more pics!

 

Dining towards the back of the Horizon Court:

 

 

My twelve year old son thought he was sooo cool ordering fancy dinner items from the menu. Rommel was cracking up, but played the part to the T, treating him so awesome. Helping him with decisions and explaining what each item was. Mom and Dad just sat back and enjoyed the show!

 

 

Son just loved it on the bridge. (So did Dad, so I was always happy to oblige and go up there with him.)

 

 

I kept telling my kids that on California cruises you often see Dolphins, Whales, etc. Sure enough on the first day out of SF, there was a massive pod of Dolphins. Besides these guys we saw several other pods, some sea lions, and whales. I tried to get pictures of whales but they were much more difficult to get.

 

 

We woke up a little early and caught Ensenada before the Carnival ship arrived. I hadn't been to Ensenada before, and we actually enjoyed it more than expected.

 

[gnatz007]

The tug boat Imagination came in after us. (I'm just kidding those that were on the Imagination. I am sure it was a fantastic cruise for you). I was impressed by how close their captain came to our stern as he pulled in around us to the dock. (BTW, I have lots of pictures from Ensenada, I dont know if you folks are interested in those since this is more about the Star... just ask if you want to see them and have never been there before)

 

 

In Long Beach, we didn't do much other than see the Queen Mary and the Scorpion Sub. I won't bore you with pictures of those unless you really want them. I'm a history dork, so I eat that stuff up ;)

 

 

Was fun to see our modern day Star, from the back of the beautiful Queen Mary .

 

 

Mom and Son needed a rest before our Long Beach sail away. Since the muts chairs were all setup, it was an excellent place to soak up the warmth and rest their feet.

 

 

Oh.. Here is a cool thing that happened on our cruise since they reversed the itinerary. Because Long Beach was the first US port after Ensenada, and only our third day into the cruise, they required us to go through Customs. While a pain for some, since they had to empty the ship, for us it was great. We had an 11 hour drive home on Sunday, but since Customs was all taken care of Day 3 of our cruise, exiting the ship on the final sunday was a breeze. We walked right off, went the one block to our car and were on our way. No lines, no hassles.

[gnatz007]

The Boys getting ready to take us out. My youngest son LOVED seeing them on the bridge. Maybe next cruise I will try and get a Ultimate Bridge tour lined up behind the back of the much more money conscience wife!

 

 

Princess 50th Anniversary Flag.

 

 

Ooooh the amazing sunsets...

[paddingtonbear]

ummmmm Cronut!

 

 

Oh my goodness! The food! My DH is going to get chubby on our 12 day cruise! : )

[Northender]

Ensenada pictures; bring them on.:D

[rdsqrl]

Would love to see some QM and Scorpion photos -- especially the latter. Who doesn't love a submarine?

[gnatz007]

Ensenada pictures; bring them on.:D

 

You bet. I would be happy too.

[gnatz007]

Would love to see some QM and Scorpion photos -- especially the latter. Who doesn't love a submarine?

 

You bet. Coming up...

[Auntiejo]

Thanks so much for this thread! Boarding the Star on Sunday and can't wait!! Quick question....how do you access the top of the bridge "wings?" I can't remember. Also, was access open during sail away out of SF? I know it's kind of subject to weather conditions (mainly wind), right?

[gnatz007]

Thanks so much for this thread! Boarding the Star on Sunday and can't wait!! Quick question....how do you access the top of the bridge "wings?" I can't remember. Also, was access open during sail away out of SF? I know it's kind of subject to weather conditions (mainly wind), right?

 

From above the outside swimming pool head forward. Really easy to get to and very obvious. On the SF sail away we were at the stern of the ship, so I don't know if it was open (but I am guessing that it was). All of the other sail away's it was open. I am guessing for wind and rain they would keep it closed. We had pretty decent weather so no problems.

[gnatz007]

Here are some of the requested Ensenada pictures. (there are still many I haven't had a chance to go through)

 

Shopping on one of the many side streets.

 

 

 

Armed guard that was watching over an armored truck. They were picking up cash from one of the many corner pharmacies. We shuffled along pretty quick. If someone wanted to hit them, I wanted nothing doing... We actually felt very safe in Ensenada (as well as the several other mexican cities we have been in... as long as you stay in the touristy areas.) We also found the people extremely helpful and courteous.

 

 

 

 

I dunno... I just thought it looked like fun...

[gnatz007]

There are some shops right on the dock. The prices were more expensive than in town, and personally I thought the people in these shops were a little more rude, or less pleasant and friendly than the people in town. Do yourself a favor and take the walk into town to shop.

 

 

On to Russian Sub pics and the Queen Mary..

 

Who wouldn't want an ice cold war, leninade on a hot day! I actually didn't drink any, but my son said it was good.

 

 

Forward Torpedo Tubes

 

 

 

 

All of the sleeping quarters were tight. Almost as tight as the inside cabins on the Star!

 

[gnatz007]

Even the Captains quarters were very tight. No Red October Ramius cabin here.

 

 

 

 

Officers mess

 

 

 

[gnatz007]

 

 

Geesh, getting a photo through the periscope was a challenge!

 

 

 

The Family was running out of patience for the history dork..

 

[gnatz007]

Queen Mary pics...

 

 

 

 

 

More tomorrow.... I need a little sleep ;)

[Auntiejo]

From above the outside swimming pool head forward. Really easy to get to and very obvious. On the SF sail away we were at the stern of the ship, so I don't know if it was open (but I am guessing that it was). All of the other sail away's it was open. I am guessing for wind and rain they would keep it closed. We had pretty decent weather so no problems.

 

Do you mean Lido Deck - same deck as the 2 main pools? Or the deck above?

[gnatz007]

Do you mean Lido Deck - same deck as the 2 main pools? Or the deck above?

 

Sorry, higher, Sun Deck. Notice how it wraps around the front? it then steps up onto the top of the bridge.

[lolane1]

Thanks for the review. Love, love, love the photos.

 

I am recently off the Crown and a seagull made his home on my aft balcony rail for 30 minutes. He even tolerated my opening the door and walking within two feet of him for photos. And, this is the best, he left me one giant present! Fortunately, the steward had it all cleaned up after nightly turn down.

 

And now, thanks to those photos, I have to go to lunch. :D

[gnatz007]

Thank you all for the nice comments.

 

Here is one more of the Queen Mary, and then I will get back to more Star Photos...

 

 

Back to our regularly scheduled program!

 

 

 

 

When we arrived in San Diego we woke up to find the Crown Princess had parked next to us. This is the first time I had seen her. Pretty cool...

 

[gnatz007]

Behind us, was the USS Ronald Reagan! I love history, and especially love Military ships. I so appreciate all those that have fought for my freedom's. I never go a day without thinking about our military men and women who have given so much for me to enjoy the time I get to send with my family. Thank you!

 

 

The Beautiful Sisters!

 

The Crown as we were leaving later that evening.

 

 

[gnatz007]

In San Diego we went to the Zoo. It had been A LONG time since I had been to the SD Zoo. It was fantastic! Definitely go, if you have never been.

 

 

 

 

 

Pilot pickup boat. I always loving watching them pickup the pilots from the ships. I think in another live, I want that job!

 

[partybarbie]

Loving all of your pictures, but the tiger is my favorite! Thanks for taking the time to post all of these. I love the Star Princess too!

[Colo Cruiser]

Great shots. :)