Star Princess 3/19(yes that Star) Review

[sunshine426]

Boy it sounds like when you got handed lemons, you went looking for the tequila and salt!!!

 

Way to make the best out of a bad situation.

Laughing all the way to the bar!!! But it was Mr. Sunshine and Strep who were knocking back the tequila on the beach. Indie and I were off expanding our cultural knowledge (and buying Corona's for a buck)

[sunshine426]

Hi thanks for your review and for the positive side of life. By the way I am going on the Baltic trip in August and have your room L234. How is the room, I have a concern that its on the Lido deck and also that its in front, could be bumpy. What was your experience. Thanks for your feedback.

We loved this cabin and the location. Since there are really only a limited number of cabins on the Lido Deck you hear very little foot traffic in the hallways, and you are just down the hall from the pizza place. P for port, P for Pizza, P for parents cabin, was how I remembered how to get back to my cabin. You have great views from your balcony, although it is smaller than balconies on the caribe deck.

As for motion, yes I have heard that can be a concern. None of my group has much trouble with motion sickness, although Strep was wearing her sea bands. We had a smooth passage so I can't attest to the motion. Certainly the seas might be a bit rougher on the Baltic. Anyway, we thought it was a great cabin. Plus, Mr. Sunshine liked to watch the action on the bridge.

[sunshine426]

Fantastic report. I am happy to hear that Princess took good care of you and your family. I missed the report on when they sounded the alarm and how they handled the situation during the fire. If you could elaborate a little on that I would be interested in reading it.

 

Have you booked your next Princess cruise yet?

Ssbeagle, I bumped my firsthand acct of the fire to page 1. Don't know how long it will stay there. My 15 minutes of internet fame are long gone. If I knew how to post a link to it, I would have.

 

We did put a deposit down on a future cruise Friday night. Have already gotten an email from Princess that they received it, so yes we will be cruising again. I would go tomorow if I could.

[Mooncastle]

I hope this helps.

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=322167

[Tater1800]

Sunshine,

I don't know what plan was used to disembark the ship but you got the better deal.

 

Like you, we heard the announcement on Thursday night about the flights on Friday morning. With all the people sent downtown and those on the port side we expected to be near the last. We did gather a few of our belongings into a pile just in case. Friday came with the announcement to check the mail. I found an empty box. Our neighbors also had an empty box so we decided to dress for breakfast. Guess what we found at 6:30 with a departure time of 7:30 and flight at 10:00! Never mind neat packing, we got to go! The bags are almost packed and I hear, "Where is my Drivers License?" Ever tried to board a plane or go through customs without proper ID? We are about to!!! The purser’s desk said to use the cruise card and birth cert, etc. Getting off the ship was a treat. Some had not checked their luggage so all of it and hundreds of people crowded the gangway. It took nearly an hour to leave the ship. Next came customs. Remember the problem with the ID? After a lengthy explanation we were cleared to board the bus. Now this was fun! Remember Barney on the small motorcycle with lights and siren? I have never had a police escort before. We get to the airport at about 8:30. Almost home! Wrong! After standing in line for nearly an hour the line stalls. We are told that the plane is full. The carnival rep takes our info and proceeds to book the next flight, 4:00pm. This is OK because there is mention of a meal. Remember how we missed breakfast? After booking, we board another bus and off we go to Margaritaville. The food was poor and I didn't see Jimmy Buffet. I did get a good look at the ship. What a mess! We had about an hour to eat because of the flight at 4:00. Back at the airport around 2:00 our luggage is checked and I do mean checked. We received a boarding pass. I am excited now! We have just enough time for some duty free (booze) shopping and catch the flight. 4:00pm comes and goes. The gate isn't staffed and hey, "Where is the plane?" Finally a Carnival rep comes and tells us that the flight is delayed. We finally board the plane around 7:00pm after another round of "No ID". We sat on the plane for another hour. The reason had something to do with weight and balance of the plane. I was sure they would have us get off the plane to be weighed like the comedian suggested.;) We cleared ATL customs around 11:00pm. There were no connecting flights so we were sent to a hotel.

On the way out I checked for a Saturday flight. We were confirmed but I wasn't sure I believed it. Saturday morning we were back at the airport. We checked our luggage and received our boarding passes. Now I am really excited! Remember the ID problem? Our boarding pass is marked for extra security. We had the usual check along with a full "patdown". The flight to Birmingham was uneventful. We had first class seats but I was disgusted, tired and didn't want free drinks. Terri found her ID in the clothes she wore to muster. We will cruise again in the Fall.

[gopher's girl]

Wow. Jim and Terri - that sounds like a far more stressful way to go, and it wasn't like you tried to make it stressful. Glad you are safe too.

[sunshine426]

ok, I confess, everytime we checked our mailbox on friday and did not see a piece of paper with our flight, we all cheered. we weren't ready to end our Jamaican holiday.:D On another note, Strep is back at school in Knoxville, a tornado touched down abt 10 miles from her house. Wind knocked down a huge tree in their front yard. She said that if Princess ran her school, they would offer her a tuition reimbursement and 25% credit for her books!!LOL

[sailinsal]

You related your memorable cruise is such an entertaining fashion! It was such fun reading and relating to traveling with your darling(literally) daughters. We had the same pleasure and I really mean fun with our daughter when she was 22 and working lst year out of college on Caribbean cruise of ten days,,,,,,she went snokeling,,,,,, ripped her foot open and was then the hit of the ship, she was hanging out with the social crew, she was on crutches and wheel chair and feted at each show, etc., then she did Mediterrean cruise with us at age 25 and she was just as vivacious in talent show, and met up with a fella she then dated for a couple years when he was off the ship,,,,he was in a quartet on ship..........so it was great to read your antics of strep and Indy. Never be sorry you took this trip,,,,,,,,,,memories last a lifetime and yours are terrific,,,,,,Mr. Sunshine is so pround his gals in black,,,,,,at the dinner...........yes thanks for the review........sailinsal

[sunshine426]

Once again awakened at 3am by sirens!! Muster station our own basement as tornadoes in our area. Indie and Strep no longer under our roof, but Mr Sunshine, myself and one big yellow dog headed downstairs.

I told Mr. Sunshine this was getting to be a habit.

[gopher's girl]

Sunshine -

Hoping that everything is fine. Guessing that since post was made after 3 am that tornadoes left you untouched.

[AlexsDogPound]

Truly an outstanding review given the circumstances. One question though, do you give nicknames to everyone all the time or only on vacation?

[sunshine426]

Truly an outstanding review given the circumstances. One question though, do you give nicknames to everyone all the time or only on vacation?

"Strep" normally known around the house as "Bear", Indie I call sunshine as well, but no, only for review purposes do I make up nicknames.

 

I found writing the review a somewhat "healing" process. Can now just put the vacation that we will always talk about behind us. Time to plan another cruise!!!!!!

[OntarioCruiser4227]

"Strep" normally known around the house as "Bear", Indie I call sunshine as well, but no, only for review purposes do I make up nicknames.

 

I found writing the review a somewhat "healing" process. Can now just put the vacation that we will always talk about behind us. Time to plan another cruise!!!!!!

Sunshine.

Thank you for your wonderful account of the fire. I too was on the Star Princess during the fire. We also tried to make the best of our cruise after the fire. We put on our best clothing and managed to have a wonderful dinner at Sabatini's. As we did not purchase and pictures from our first formal night, we went to the Atrium to take some of our own pictures. This is also the time I proposed to my girlfriend! So at least something good came of the cruise!

 

You mentioned in a previous post that you took some pictures of the damage to the ship. If you could forward these, I would love to add them to my scrapbook.

dnashgmha@hotmail.com

 

Thanks

OntarioCruiser

[ssbeagle]

Thanks for the info on the fire. I can imagine how frightening it must have been. We booked on another cruise line when we heard our sailing was cancelled. We were fortunate to get a cabin on such short notice. It's amazing how people will still throw stuff over the rails to land on balconies. We had so much garbage on our balcony that I complained about it. Someone had thrown an ice cream cone over and it landed straight in the middle of our balcony. Can you imagine what might have happened if it was a cigarette or something like that?

 

You write very well, Sunshine. Maybe we'll see your story in print in Reader's Digest. Thank you for taking the time to tell us all about it.

[sunshine426]

Ontario Cruiser, A fellow passenger actually sent me some great shots, he had a much better camera, and actually took a shot of the fire before he left his balcony, so If I can find them I'll send them on to you. Are you looking for any shots in particular?

 

Congratulations on your engagement. I bet you will always remember this trip, now for two reasons!

[alibail]

Ontario Cruiser, A fellow passenger actually sent me some great shots, he had a much better camera, and actually took a shot of the fire before he left his balcony, so If I can find them I'll send them on to you. Are you looking for any shots in particular?

 

Congratulations on your engagement. I bet you will always remember this trip, now for two reasons!

 

would you mind forwarding them to me as im really interested in this - not sure why.

 

Glad you still had a great cruise despite the upset, and made the best of it!

 

My address is alibail@aol.com if you dont mind.

 

Also if you wish I can stick them up on my site.

[Host CJSKIDS]

Ontario Cruiser, A fellow passenger actually sent me some great shots, he had a much better camera, and actually took a shot of the fire before he left his balcony, so If I can find them I'll send them on to you. Are you looking for any shots in particular?

 

Congratulations on your engagement. I bet you will always remember this trip, now for two reasons!

 

Anyway you could send me the pictures as well? Userspam638477@aol.com. Just take out the spam and that's my very unusual and boring email address!

[OntarioCruiser4227]

Thank you for your kind words sunshine. Yes, this is defiantely a cruise to remember! I was not looking for any particular picture. I have found a website recently though for all of you who have been looking for pictures.

 

I found a website from a Romanian Crew Member with lots of pictures. Warning - Some of this photo's of the damage are shocking.

 

OntarioCruiser

 

http://www.barcagii.com/photos.php?catid=8

[sunshine426]

I would like to get the original photographer's permission before I send the photo's I referenced. I do have pictures that we took from our balcony after the fire that I can easily send to anyone. Karen

[sunshine426]

Hi everyone. OK, my new best friend internet bud says I can send the photo. We'll try to send them out monday or tuesday.

[Host CJSKIDS]

Hi everyone. OK, my new best friend internet bud says I can send the photo. We'll try to send them out monday or tuesday.

 

Thanks, I would love to see your photos as well Karen. We didn't have time to take any photos but if we had, they would have been something.

[cruzegirl]

Sunshine,

Your story was amazing... You had me waiting for the next installment... lol.. You made me laugh and brought me to tears... Don't worry, I'm a sap... But your way of handling it was awesome... Made me want to travel with you... Well, maybe.... lol..... You and your family definitely have a good outlook on life... I'm glad Princess took care of you guys....And your name is sure appropriate..... :D

Cjskids,

How are you doing?? With the smoke inhalation and the fear?? I hope your doing better.... I know how scary that can be.... ;)

[sunshine426]

Cruzegirl, Thanks for the compliment, we had a great time on the Star despite the fire, looking forward to our next cruise, just need to book one!

Carolyn, I know that you lost your camera in the fire, do you want some photo's of the damages on the ship, roped off areas, drained pools etc, or more cheerful ones. Am sending you a pretty scary one of the fire on the balcony,and of the balcony post fire. I know you have seen the ones posted on other web sites.

Alibail, I like looking at photo's as well, and this certainly was a different cruise than typical, so I am forwarding the ones I mentioned above.

 

Now, it is probably time for this thread to make it's way back intothe archives.

[Host CJSKIDS]

Cruzegirl, Thanks for the compliment, we had a great time on the Star despite the fire, looking forward to our next cruise, just need to book one!

Carolyn, I know that you lost your camera in the fire, do you want some photo's of the damages on the ship, roped off areas, drained pools etc, or more cheerful ones. Am sending you a pretty scary one of the fire on the balcony,and of the balcony post fire. I know you have seen the ones posted on other web sites.

Alibail, I like looking at photo's as well, and this certainly was a different cruise than typical, so I am forwarding the ones I mentioned above.

 

Now, it is probably time for this thread to make it's way back intothe archives.

 

Thanks for the photos. It was something to see the fire on our balcony from another view than inside our cabin.

I would love to see some of the other photos as well some cheerful ones. We had taken so many wonderful pictures of our cruise and it's upsettting not to have any of them to look back on. It was our family trip prior to our daughter going to college and I have nothing really to put in the photo album.

Thanks so much for your kind offer, it means the world to me.

 

Carolyn

[sunshine426]

Never go looking thru the archives on a Sunday Night!! The Star Princess Fire was an experience our family will never forget. For those interested: Strep has graduted from college and is doing very well in her career. I think she wishes she had a few more cruises posted, but she did use her Princess Credits from the fire for a fun cruise on the Carribbean Princess a few years ago.

Indie is in graduate school, and sadly, has not been able to spend the time of &&& for another cruise.

Mr Sunshine and I have cruised to Alaska, Mexico and the Carribean since the "Star Fire" . All is well in our world and we are still proud to be Princess Cheerleaders.