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OK - Here it is.

Embarkation could not have been easier. Note, FLL now has the rental
car center with all companies located right there at the airport now.
No shuttle buses to the car rental companies any more. Although, please
take note, that if you are returning your car the morning of a cruise,
the shuttle bus provided from the airport to the pier, does not leave
until 12 PM. It was 11 AM, so we took a cab.
We were on our balcony by 11:45. PAINLESS.
We had a Category VS suite. AFT of course. St Johns suite on the
Dolphin deck. This trip was bittersweet, as Dad was supposed to be with
us, in our VS cabin. He loved the suites. I felt him with us more than
once. We were a group of 10, in 4 cabins. We ranged from age 9-72. The
AC minisuite gets a thimbs up as well.
The ship was in great shape, a little worn, but absolutely nothing to
complain about. The layout was a hair different than Grand P. I noticed
the skywalker disco wasn't as high up on Star. The kiddie pool, which
was tiny, but made a GREAT tanning spot, was located aft, on the top
deck, and a dunking pool was added there as well.
We love being aft. The aft pool, the buffet is aft, and our dining
room, the Amalfi was aft as well. As a matter of fact, besides going to
the theater, I never made it all the way up front.
Our dining arangements were very screwed up. We wanted a table for
10, traditional dining, late seating. I told my TA over and over. I
even called Princess myself before we left. This was important to us.
But, of course, we were all given different seating times and dining
rooms. So, I was about the 5th in line to see the Maitre Di at 2PM. He
told me he was sorry that 2nd seating was full, but he would give us a
table for 10, reserved Personal Choice dining, at 8:30 PM. Sounded good
to me.
On the 3rd day, we went to lunch in the dining room, and realized that
the service we were getting at lunch far exceeded our personal choice
waiters. We were finally treated like royalty in the dining room, and
desperatley wanted this for dinner as well. I went back to the Maitre
Di. We are all Captains Circle members, and we all insisted that our
arrangements be changed. And they were. We were happily switched to 2nd
seating, traditional dining. And the service was excellent, our waiters
were Fab. Note - the Personal Choice waiters are DIFFERENT than
traditional. It's not just dining at what ever time you want. It's the
service that is different as well. Different Strokes.
We never had any trouble finding pool lounges were we wanted them. We
like the top deck by the shuffle board courts. The main pool was a
little crowded of course, but while the ship was in port, this area was
heaven.
San Juan was San Juan. We got off the ship for a bit and did the
street market, and bought some rum. Pulling out of the port at midnight
was absolutely beautiful. It was awesome seeing the fort all lit up.
St Thomas, we did our usual jewelery shopping, and for the first time
went to Meagans Bay. It was BEAUTIFUL. LOVED IT. Highly recommended.
Tortola was ok. The shops were expensive, think Grand Cayman. We took
the ships excursion to Virgin Gorda, THE BATHS, and loved it. Worth
every penny, and everyone should do this. Just a bit too short. I would
recommend taking the early tour, and stay on and take the late tours
boat back. Many people did that on our trip. We didn't, but next time I
would think about it. Gorgeous.
I stayed on the ship for Princess Cays. We tendered out just to see if
all was fixed from the hurricanes, and it was, even better than before.
But I needed my empty main pool, so back onto the ship I went.
The only shows we went to were the comedians, and they were OK. Not
great, but Ok.
The buffet food was great, as was all the food on the ship. The room
service was always on time, and correct.
The casino was a bit small, but by the end of the week I was up about
$225, so no complaints there.
Room steward was perfect. Although, we had to ask for the towel
animals.
Disembarkation was smooth and swift, breakfast ended at 9 AM. It was
very very sad though.
THUMBS UP
Please feel free to ask any questions.
Shaz

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In article <1112150093.167746.196760@f14g2000cwb.googlegroups.com>,
shaz <shazinz@aol.com> wrote:

> On the 3rd day, we went to lunch in the dining room, and realized that
> the service we were getting at lunch far exceeded our personal choice
> waiters. We were finally treated like royalty in the dining room, and
> desperatley wanted this for dinner as well. I went back to the Maitre
> Di. We are all Captains Circle members, and we all insisted that our
> arrangements be changed. And they were. We were happily switched to 2nd
> seating, traditional dining. And the service was excellent, our waiters
> were Fab.

Good for you!!!

--
Charles

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"shaz" <shazinz@aol.com> wrote in message
news:1112150093.167746.196760@f14g2000cwb.googlegroups.com...
> On the 3rd day, we went to lunch in the dining room, and realized that
> the service we were getting at lunch far exceeded our personal choice
> waiters. We were finally treated like royalty in the dining room, and
> desperatley wanted this for dinner as well. I went back to the Maitre
> Di. We are all Captains Circle members, and we all insisted that our
> arrangements be changed. And they were. We were happily switched to 2nd
> seating, traditional dining. And the service was excellent, our waiters
> were Fab. Note - the Personal Choice waiters are DIFFERENT than
> traditional. It's not just dining at what ever time you want. It's the
> service that is different as well. Different Strokes.


Shaz, I think it is because the waiters are much too hurried with people
arriving at all different times, that they are not able to give the same
individual attention that you get in the traditional dining room..I noticed
that on the Star and the Caribbean Princess...There is a constant bustle and
rush in the Personal Choice dining room..The only time I did not mind PC was
on the Golden Princess, where the same table for two was kept for us in a
nice nook near the entry way of the dining room at 6:30 PM each night and we
had a great waiter who was never rushed.

Thanks for the interesting review...We have yet to visit Virgin Gorda and it
sounds like it will be a must, next cruise.
Glad you had such a good time!
--Jean

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"shaz" <shazinz@aol.com> schreef in bericht
news:1112150093.167746.196760@f14g2000cwb.googlegroups.com...
> OK - Here it is.
>
> Embarkation could not have been easier. Note, FLL now has the rental
> car center with all companies located right there at the airport now.
> No shuttle buses to the car rental companies any more. Although, please
> take note, that if you are returning your car the morning of a cruise,
> the shuttle bus provided from the airport to the pier, does not leave
> until 12 PM. It was 11 AM, so we took a cab.
> We were on our balcony by 11:45. PAINLESS.
> We had a Category VS suite. AFT of course. St Johns suite on the
> Dolphin deck. This trip was bittersweet, as Dad was supposed to be with
> us, in our VS cabin. He loved the suites. I felt him with us more than
> once. We were a group of 10, in 4 cabins. We ranged from age 9-72. The
> AC minisuite gets a thimbs up as well.
> The ship was in great shape, a little worn, but absolutely nothing to
> complain about. The layout was a hair different than Grand P. I noticed
> the skywalker disco wasn't as high up on Star. The kiddie pool, which
> was tiny, but made a GREAT tanning spot, was located aft, on the top
> deck, and a dunking pool was added there as well.
> We love being aft. The aft pool, the buffet is aft, and our dining
> room, the Amalfi was aft as well. As a matter of fact, besides going to
> the theater, I never made it all the way up front.
> Our dining arangements were very screwed up. We wanted a table for
> 10, traditional dining, late seating. I told my TA over and over. I
> even called Princess myself before we left. This was important to us.
> But, of course, we were all given different seating times and dining
> rooms. So, I was about the 5th in line to see the Maitre Di at 2PM. He
> told me he was sorry that 2nd seating was full, but he would give us a
> table for 10, reserved Personal Choice dining, at 8:30 PM. Sounded good
> to me.
> On the 3rd day, we went to lunch in the dining room, and realized that
> the service we were getting at lunch far exceeded our personal choice
> waiters. We were finally treated like royalty in the dining room, and
> desperatley wanted this for dinner as well. I went back to the Maitre
> Di. We are all Captains Circle members, and we all insisted that our
> arrangements be changed. And they were. We were happily switched to 2nd
> seating, traditional dining. And the service was excellent, our waiters
> were Fab. Note - the Personal Choice waiters are DIFFERENT than
> traditional. It's not just dining at what ever time you want. It's the
> service that is different as well. Different Strokes.
> We never had any trouble finding pool lounges were we wanted them. We
> like the top deck by the shuffle board courts. The main pool was a
> little crowded of course, but while the ship was in port, this area was
> heaven.
> San Juan was San Juan. We got off the ship for a bit and did the
> street market, and bought some rum. Pulling out of the port at midnight
> was absolutely beautiful. It was awesome seeing the fort all lit up.
> St Thomas, we did our usual jewelery shopping, and for the first time
> went to Meagans Bay. It was BEAUTIFUL. LOVED IT. Highly recommended.
> Tortola was ok. The shops were expensive, think Grand Cayman. We took
> the ships excursion to Virgin Gorda, THE BATHS, and loved it. Worth
> every penny, and everyone should do this. Just a bit too short. I would
> recommend taking the early tour, and stay on and take the late tours
> boat back. Many people did that on our trip. We didn't, but next time I
> would think about it. Gorgeous.
> I stayed on the ship for Princess Cays. We tendered out just to see if
> all was fixed from the hurricanes, and it was, even better than before.
> But I needed my empty main pool, so back onto the ship I went.
> The only shows we went to were the comedians, and they were OK. Not
> great, but Ok.
> The buffet food was great, as was all the food on the ship. The room
> service was always on time, and correct.
> The casino was a bit small, but by the end of the week I was up about
> $225, so no complaints there.
> Room steward was perfect. Although, we had to ask for the towel
> animals.
> Disembarkation was smooth and swift, breakfast ended at 9 AM. It was
> very very sad though.
> THUMBS UP
> Please feel free to ask any questions.
> Shaz
>
I'm glad to hear you have a good time at the Starr Princess. I like all the
Princess Cruises.
--
Met vriendelijke groeten,
en behouden vaart toegewenst.

Leo,
http://www.ljschoutens.nl

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Shaz,

We all recall your poignant pre-cruise posts. Thanks for returning to tell
us about your "bittersweet" cruise experience. It's wonderful to hear it
turned out so well for you and your family and that you felt your Dad along
with you.

Congrats on being assertive in making sure that all-important dining
experience was "just right." We've have had good luck on Princess with
making a special arrangement within PC for a standing reservation at a
certain table with the same waiter/assistant and tablemates. It's nice to
know you succeeded by taking the alternative tack of insisting on the move
to traditional.

We'd do a repeat on the Star any day. Glad you enjoyed it, too!

Diana Ball
near Houston, TX

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Shaz
Welcome back and glad to know you enjoyed your cruise.

SUNNY

S'nd I
XXX

(* _ *)

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