The Star Princess is one of four of the Grand Class Ships: The Grand Princess, the Golden Princess, and the Sapphire Princess are her sister ships. The bronze plaque on board the Star states she was built in the Fincantieri Monfalcone Shipyard, Cantieri Navali, Italy. She is hull #6051 launched in 2002 at a cost of $450 million, and she is exquisite. Her length is 951 feet; beam is 159 feet including the bridge wing; her tonnage is 109,000 and her draft only 26 feet. Her maximum speed is 24 knots and she has Bermuda registry. The Star has 18 decks, 1,301 cabins and eighty percent of her outside cabins have balconies. She has 28 wheelchair accessible cabins (18 outside, 10 inside). There were 2,800 passengers on board with a crew of 1,200 which is a great passenger to crew ratio. Her crew is listed as British and Italian reflecting the origins of Princess --- The merger of Sitmar Italian Line and P&O British lines.
Star Princess has the same elegant all white exterior of her sister ships. There are four swimming pools and nine whirlpool spas; there are three main dining rooms: the Amalfi, the Capri and the Portofino (all in the same lustrous maple wood paneling with brass and etched glass wall sconces. The ceilings are studded with tiny twinkling star lights. There are gold gilt ceiling moldings, elegant draperies of blue and gold and all table linens are the lovely "Fili d'Oro." There are seven other dining venues including the Horizon Court Buffet (24 hour service) Tequila's (southwestern style with reservations and a nominal charge) Sabatini's Trattoria (fine upscale Italian dining, reservations required and a nominal fee) and Prego's Poolside Pizzeria and the Trident Grille.
The Star Princess, like her sister ships, is easily spotted in port or on the seas, due to the unique rear "spoiler" high over her stern, which houses the Skywalkers Night Club (deck 17) accessible by a moving walkway (Skywalk). This vision of space has a raised dance floor and lots of chrome trim. The ceiling is starred and the carpeting has planets comets and asteroids. From up here in the day time cruisers can look down on the Sports Deck and the ocean.
Gala Deck 4 has the medical center.
Plaza Deck 5 forward has a Laundromat and cabins. Midship are the Art Gallery, Reception and Tour offices, the Lobby Bar, Library and Card Room and on board shops. Toward aft is the Capri Dining Room and the Galley.
Fiesta Deck 6 forward is the Princess Theater (with stairs to the theater), Shooters Bar, the Video Arcade, the Grand Casino, the Reception Desk, Boutiques and the Portofino Dining Room, the Galley and the Amalfi Dining Room aft.
Promenade Deck 7 forward is the Princess theater balcony with wheelchair access ramps and the last three rows reserved for passengers with limited mobility. The last row had room for wheelchairs and seats for companions. Excellent! When going toward midship there is the Promenade Bar, the Internet Cafe, Tequila's alternative dining, the lovely wedding chapel and the Boutiques. These venues are arranged along a serpentine corridor. Toward aft is the Explorers Showroom, the Wheelhouse Bar, Sabatini's Trattoria and the Photo Shop (there is excellent photography on board with formal and black and white sittings available). All the way aft is the Vista Lounge with an intimate design and stage. All seats here have a great view of the stage.
Emerald Deck 8, Dolphin Deck 9, Caribe Deck 10, Baja Deck 11 and Aloha Deck 12 are all staterooms and there are Laundromats on every deck.
Lido Deck 14 has staterooms forward. Toward midship are Neptune's Reef and pool area, Mermaid's Tail Bar, Prego Pizza, Trident Grill and the Conservatory. Midship are the Calypso Reef and Pool. Aft are the Horizon Food Court & Terrace and the Outrigger Bar.
Sun Deck 15 forward has the Gymnasium with many types of exercise machines, the Oriental Lotus Spa and Current Pool. Here Vincent enjoyed the whirlpool and Mary the current pool, whose temperature was perfect! This area is decorated with an Asian theme with murals, a statue in lotus position and a huge gong resembling a bell. It is very beautiful especially in the morning. Midship are the Tradewinds Bar and Princess Links with Putting Green and Golf Course Simulator. Aft is the Fun Zone and Off Limits the teen area.
Sports Deck 16 forward is Center Court, the Jogging Track and the top deck of Fun Zone and Off Limits.
Sky Deck 17 is the Skywalkers Night Club suspended high above the ship.
This ship has very simple, clean lines of design and lovely unique art work. There is interesting original art work in every stairwell, but the ship itself is a design jewel or STAR.
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