More from the Star

[Kooma]

We're just back from the Star also and I see quite a few good reviews already posted so I thought I would try to add some information that others aren't covering. We opted to have the balcony dinner and have dinner at Sabatini's. We had the balcony dinner on our cruise last year on the Caribbean Princess and enjoyed it so much we knew it had to be part of our cruise this year also. Our dinner this year was a little different in terms of food and the server, but was equally enjoyable. If you want a romantic way to celebrate a special occasion on board, this is a great way to do it. Please be advised to make your reservation as soon as you decide on the day and time because the evening we had ours booked, there were two others and there are only so many available service people. Because of our cabin location, Lido deck front, we actually had the manager of room service serve our meal. He told us that he normally doesn't actually do the serving but because the two other dinners were located in the back of the ship, he was called to duty. Oh and while I'm talking about the cabin, we agreed that Lido deck is a great location. We were in cabin 218 on the port side of the ship. Since Lido is where the Horizon Court buffet is located, it was just a short walk in the morning to go to the buffet, pick up breakfast and coffee and bring it back to eat on our balcony. It's also very close to the pizza (which I had every day on the cruise, sometimes twice! Yum-mo, to quote Rachael Ray!) Since we were located in the front of the ship, we didn't get the traffic and noise of people getting off the elevator and making their way back to the pool, buffet, etc. Our balcony was covered, which is nice for privacy, but you don't get a lot of sun, if that's what you're looking for. Back to the dinner, the server comes in, kind of takes over your balcony to set up. A photographer comes in, takes a couple of shots. You're served the cocktail of your choice and appetizers - there were about 6 or 8 canapes - very tasty. The server comes back with a split of champagne and salads. We chose the surf and turf option for dinner and had a really lovely filet and lobster tail. I will have to say that at the dinner on the Caribbean, we were served the largest lobster tails I think I have seen; these were average, at best. Dessert was a chocolate mousse creation that was delicious. All in all, a lovely dinner in beautiful weather under the stars as the ocean whooshed by. What's not to like??

 

Sabatini's is an experience in Just Eating. You are served 8 appetizers, ranging from gnocchi to a tiny Sevruga caviar canape. Each of these is served as a different course - not all at once. Small pizzas are served next; soup course next. A salad was supposed to be offered, but somehow we missed that. Pasta course and then the main course (I believe). By the time we got to the main, it was all we could do to eat a few bites of it. I don't think this year was as good (in terms of the food) as last year on the Caribbean and the servers seemed to be in kind of a hurry, which wasn't at all the case last year. We actually took pictures of each of the courses because we knew we wouldn't remember them and wanted to show our friends back home. When we downloaded the pictures, we couldn't believe how much food we had had!

 

I also thought I would describe the unusual excursion we opted for at Cozumel. Since we couldn't get to Ocho Rios because of the weather, we missed the zip lining excursion we were really excited about :mad:, but we had decided to try the sweat lodge in Cozumel. I was kind of anxious about it because I am claustrophobic, but having read a couple of reviews about it, decided to give it a try. We met our guide at the dock and it turned out that we were the only 2 people in the morning tour. He really made us feel welcome and assured us that having 2 or having a whole group of 12 is not an issue for them. That's one of the reasons he doesn't give the cruise ships a minimum for participation. He believes that if we are there, we are meant to be there at that time and it is not his choice to make to limit the number of participants. If you are getting a sense of this already, it is a very spiritual kind of experience. (On a side note- this guy was gorgeous! He told us his background was Mexican, Russian, Polish, so picture a kind of blonde surfer guy with a Spanish accent. I know, I know, not very spiritual of me!! :o ) After a very informative trip to the location traveling through the jungle - he explains the whole history of the sweat lodge and Mayan culture on the way- we arrived at the location. You're asked to "grab" a hammock and relax while he tells you more about the experience. You're then taken, in swimsuits, to an outdoor firepit where there are logs and herbs burning. Our guide, Alexa, gave us an explanation of what the meaning of the four directions (north, south, east and west) are and you pay homage to each of them. Then into the temezecal, or the lodge: a low round brick building that you have to crawl into. There is a firepit in the center and the guide controls the amount of steam that is produced by dropping water on it with herb branches. The cloth door is closed and you are sitting in complete darkness as she guides you through the process of "detoxification", both physical and emotional. The temperatures reach 140 degrees by the end of the hour or so that you're inside. When that part of the process is complete, you're taken outside and led to a cenote, which is a 147 ft deep pure water "hole" in the earth, about 10 or 12 ft in diameter. Our gorgeous guide (and I'm sorry that I can't remember his name) held my hand (I also can't swim!) and we jumped into the water together. What an experience! You float around the cenote for a bit while your body temperature cools down. Going back and relaxing once again in the hammocks, you're given fresh fruit and rice milk to replace your electrolytes. A totally cleansing experience. We (my guy and I) agreed that you really have to go into it with an open mind.

 

 

As for the rest of the cruise, I would be happy to answer questions regarding the ship(s) and our activities and other dinners. We had Anytime dining and ate in both the Capri and the Portofino. We saw a comedian one evening and spent quite a bit of time giving our money away in the casino. We danced in Skywalkers and checked out several different pool/deck areas. We had a couples massage in the spa (not recommended by me.) We fully participate in the formal evenings- we both enjoy dressing up and "going back to the prom." We shopped in Cozumel, Grand Caymans, and Princess Cays. All-in-all another wonderful time, way too short. There are distinct differences in the ships and I would have to say that if this were our first cruise, instead of the Caribbean, we might have seriously considered a different cruiseline. The differences in the ship's personnel was that noticeable to us. We did luck out and have another absolutely wonderful steward, Jack. It's amazing how much effect the right steward can have on your perception of the cruise.

 

Anyway, bon voyage to all who are sailing in the future. Remember, it's a CRUISE! Enjoy it and don't sweat (no pun intended! :D ) the small stuff.