Star Princess

Most of you already know this about me: I’m easy to impress. I don’t need anything fancy to have a great time, and honestly? Carnival has always done me right. I’ve had some amazing cruises with them, made tons of memories, and I’ll definitely keep sailing with Carnival.

Buuuut… Carnival’s parent company has a whole lineup of cruise brands, and that’s how I ended up on what might be my new favorite line: Princess. I’m not ready to say it’s my #1 just yet — which obviously means I’ll need another cruise to make sure. 😉

I just got back from a travel conference on the gorgeous, brand-new Star Princess, sister ship to the Sun and Sky Princess. She’s stunning. Picture this: 4,300 passengers, 30 bars and restaurants, all the bells and whistles, and a vibe that’s family-friendly… but not family-focused.

What does that mean? Basically, Princess welcomes families and has great childcare, teen lounges, and kid activities — but you’re not going to find mini golf, roller coasters, splash parks, or hot tubs full of little ones. Kids are around, but not everywhere. If you like a calmer atmosphere with the option to hide from chaos, this could be your perfect match.

The Packages: Are They Worth It?

Princess offers two main add-on packages: Princess Plus and Princess Premier. Here’s the quick breakdown:

Without a Package You’ll still pay:

• Gratuities (about $28/day per person)
• Drinks that run $12–$15 each
  Just taking care of gratuities + three drinks a day can hit about $350 for the week.

Princess Plus ($65–$70/day per person) You get:

• Up to 15 drinks/day (up to $15 each)
• Water bottles, fancy coffees, sodas
• Two casual dining meals per person (Italian restaurant + Irish pub)
• Wi-Fi for one device
• Gratuities included
  ≈ $420 for the week

Princess Premier ($100–$105/day per person) You get:

• Unlimited drinks up to $20
• Water bottles, fancy coffees, sodas 
• Room service delivered anywhere on the ship (OceanNow)
• Unlimited casual + specialty dining
• Wi-Fi for up to four devices
• Gratuities
• Three professional photos (I’m a sucker for ship photos, so this one got me)
  ≈ $630 for the week

If you like an upgraded experience or enjoy a few drinks, the packages are 100% worth it.

Let’s Talk Food

Food can make or break a trip — I hear that all the time. We love the main dining room: warm meals, four courses, a drink, great service. We only made it twice this trip because we didn’t reserve ahead, but even with no reservation, we were seated in minutes.

The food? Tasty.

The splurge night? Steak AND lobster. Yum.

Grab-and-go options were everywhere.

My go-to: the taco/nacho bar — I got pork nachos more than once.  My husband’s obsession: the build-your-own ramen bowls in the buffet. Daily visit. No shame.

The buffet also had a section with salads, sandwiches, and desserts already boxed up to take to your room. Loved that. And I found this cute little outdoor spot on Deck 9 with comfy chairs, sunshine, and one of the best hamburger grills on board.

The Tech = Chef’s Kiss

The ship’s technology is next level. You can literally track people in your travel party down to their lounge chair. You walk up to a bar with your medallion clipped on, don’t even take it off, and the bartender already sees your name and package.

Walking back to your room? Five feet from the door, the door handle glows green and unlocks. Magic.

Small Touches That Made a Big Difference

These might be tiny, but they mattered:

• Stages that rise from the floor
• A massive TV screen that lowers from the ceiling
• Huge three-story sliding panels that transform the space for a violinist or a DJ
• A soft powder-and-lavender scent after housekeeping cleaned the bathroom
• Lounge chairs about three inches higher for people who struggle with low seating (genius!)
• Cozy rooms with plenty of storage
• Our ocean-view room had a cute bay-window seating area — perfect for staring at the water

The Sanctuary

On the Sun and Star Princess, the Sanctuary Collection suites include a pool, hot tubs, and breakfast/lunch options in an adults-only area. On other Princess ships, you can reserve a lounge chair there for $20 for half a day or $40 for a full day. Peace, quiet, and total relaxation.

My husband and I are both military veterans, and Princess gave each of us $50 in onboard credit after we submitted our veteran verification ahead of time. I thought that was such a thoughtful touch — love to see companies honoring service.

And then… the moment we pulled away from port, the ship’s horn played the iconic 1980s Love Boat tune. I swear, it was the cutest, most nostalgic thing ever. At that moment, it really was the Love Boat — and I fell completely in love.