Derek got up very early on Sunday morning to take a walk. He got to see our ship,
The Star Princess, come in to port. Emilie, on the other hand, knows how to enjoy a vacation and slept in a bit.
The ship has 17 stories (and a few more below the waterline) and holds 2,600 passengers. We boarded the ship about noon, via a tower of walkways.
We had heard bad things about long lines and grumpy employees at embarkation. But everyone was efficient and friendly. Except for some passengers. Obviously, a few people had never attended kindergarten. So they didn't know about things like standing in line and taking turns.
It is always exciting to board a cruise ship. This one had a huge, beautiful atrium. Sort of like the lobby in a very grand hotel. With those 17 levels, there are lots of elevators. That's what is behind the swirling silver foliage--a glass elevator.
We went to our cabin first. They are usually small, but adequate, with plenty of storage. We went for the least-expensive option, but were upgraded to a room with a window.
Our stateroom was ready when we boarded. That is amazing when you remember that the previous group of passengers only left the ship at about 9:30 that morning. Each room steward is a combination housekeeper, delivery man, and mother: they clean the room, bring you ice and the ship's newspaper, and even turn down the bed at night. Once he realized I liked to take naps and had long hair, our steward made sure to pop in to make the bed AGAIN after my nap and to leave extra towels. We got so spoiled. Somehow, our bed at home has not learned to make itself twice a day. Nor have chocolates appeared on the pillows.
The first order of business, after dropping our hand luggage in the cabin, was to explore the ship. It was really beautiful. The inside pool was warm and sunny, with beautiful mosaic decorations. We hung out here a lot: read, sun, and gaze out the windows.
The mosaics are glittery and colorful. Derek already looked relaxed and happy.
Just a few steps away from the pool (and the cushy lounge chairs) is the food: pizza, hot dogs, hamburgers, french fries, a bar. We had our first meal at the buffet. There are stations for soup, salad, bread, lunch meats and cheeses, fruit, dessert, ethnic foods (varying every day: Chinese, Japanese, Italian, etc.), and carved meats like turkey and roast beef.
And thus begins the endless food extravaganza that is cruising. Food is included in the price of the cruise, although soda pop, alcohol, and fancy coffee is not. You could truly eat 24 hours a day. The buffet is always open, there is room service, poolside snacks, and four meals a day served in the dining rooms. (Yes, there is afternoon tea, just in case you feel a bit peckish before dinner.)
The service in the dining room is as lavish as in our cabin. Two waiters serve 4-8 tables. We chose "Traditional Dining," which meant we ate at the same time, with the same waiters and the same tablemates, each evening. Our waiters learned what we liked to drink and had it waiting for us, just like our own personal staff might do. We were never able to empty our glasses of water and tea. New silverware was brought for each course and the table was crumbed before dessert. The level of service was beyond anything I have ever experienced on land, except possibly at the old Pump Room in Chicago. No fancy restaurant in D.C. or Chicago lavished as much care on its diners as even a basic cruise ship does. When we got back to shore and I had to use the same fork for salad and entree it was such a rough return to reality! Here is a typical menu. Depending on your web browser, you may be able to click to see it larger.
You can order as many courses as you like, or two things from one course. Or, if you like, two servings of the same thing. This first night, Emilie chose the melon appetizer, cream of mushroom soup, prime rib, and something chocolate for dessert. Derek had the spring roll, tortelleni soup, and pan-fried
barramundi (which is a kind of fish), with cheesecake for dessert. For some reason, we forgot to take a picture of the dessert menu. There were always 5 or so choices, including cheesecake, a sugar free dessert, and house-made (ship-made?) icecream.
Amazingly, we managed to waddle off after dinner to watch comedians or stage shows, or to do a little dancing. There was live music in the various small bars around the ship: oldies, ballroom, Latin, country, classic rock, big band. Derek was a very good sport about dancing. On the other hand, he figured he would never see any of these people every again, even if we did look silly. There were several serious ballroom and swing dancing couples, ranging in age from mid-twenties to perhaps mid-eighties. It was almost as fun to watch them as it was to dance!
There were two formal nights on the cruise.
Emilie got a new dress just for the occasion.
Derek brought his tux. Isn't he handsome?
Of course, if you didn't want to dress up, you could eat at the buffet or order room service. We dressed up and even had pictures take by the ship's photographers. The photos are just one way the cruise line parts you from your money. Alcohol and duty-free shopping are two others.
The second formal night:
The food is even fancier on formal nights. Derek had lobster, which the waiter even removed from the shell for him:
Emilie had Beef Wellington. It was tastier than it was photogenic. And, amazingly, it was served as requested: genuinely well-done.
I can't decide which is cuter, the swirl of duchesse potatoes or the tiny bowl made out of yellow squash!
Next time: more fine dining and a behind-the-scenes tour.
