C
cruiser4me
Guest
Whats the star like? is it big? whats it look like on the inside?how are the rooms?
M
mosbornian
Guest
Hi Wes,
Can't believe nobody has replied to your request yet....I was a 1st timer on Star 7/27/03 sailing. I am in my late forties with husband and younger children. I actually got to go on a vacation WITHOUT them. I LOVED it. I was like a kid running up and down the wide stairways. Breakfast every morning in the Versailles dining room. Maria La Portia from Romania was wonderful to me. Also Norman from Jamacia. Staff may rotate dining rooms, though. Beware the BINGO monster. You get sucked in and you'll spend hundreds if you go everyday and also buy those "Crack-its" (like Lotto scratchers). The entertainment at bingo was great, though, with the cruise director staff, they're very funny. Avoid the trinket sales initially on Fanning Island. Buy as you're leaving, the prices will be lower and you can haggle. The $10 I spent on bike rental was well worth it. I didn't go far, but I got some great pictures while tooling around in my swimsuit. Do Not eat anything sweet (fruit OK) on Fanning because when you return to the ship the Chocohalic buffet will be under way. Change quickly (no bathing attire allowed) and pile it up. Shows were wonderful, Comedian David Naster gets you laughing til you cry, and don't begrudge the "upcharge" for certain resturants. You can't eat at Benihana for $10 (reserve Tepanyaki room early, only seats 12 at the grill). If you like soda buy the card. Otherwise iced tea, coffee, & juice are included. Get to the craft offering early (different types of lei's). If you arrive "on-time" or alittle late supplies are gone (orchids, kukui nuts, ribbon). If you're not saavy about getting better sightseeing tours OFF the boat, try to take some the ship offers. I stuck with my group and ended up disappointed because once off the ship nobody would make up their minds. Oh, I brought 4 large bottles of Aqua-fina bottled water on board with me. With ice provided In room twice daily, it was very refreshing. Also, take a box of ziplock baggies for storing extra chocolate buffet items or ferreting a sandwich off on a day-trip (a no-no, but so what?). If you like alcoholic drinks, you will pay, but there are occasional "free" offerings of potions in different places on board. Don't believe the negative reviews. I could go on forever......have fun!
Can't believe nobody has replied to your request yet....I was a 1st timer on Star 7/27/03 sailing. I am in my late forties with husband and younger children. I actually got to go on a vacation WITHOUT them. I LOVED it. I was like a kid running up and down the wide stairways. Breakfast every morning in the Versailles dining room. Maria La Portia from Romania was wonderful to me. Also Norman from Jamacia. Staff may rotate dining rooms, though. Beware the BINGO monster. You get sucked in and you'll spend hundreds if you go everyday and also buy those "Crack-its" (like Lotto scratchers). The entertainment at bingo was great, though, with the cruise director staff, they're very funny. Avoid the trinket sales initially on Fanning Island. Buy as you're leaving, the prices will be lower and you can haggle. The $10 I spent on bike rental was well worth it. I didn't go far, but I got some great pictures while tooling around in my swimsuit. Do Not eat anything sweet (fruit OK) on Fanning because when you return to the ship the Chocohalic buffet will be under way. Change quickly (no bathing attire allowed) and pile it up. Shows were wonderful, Comedian David Naster gets you laughing til you cry, and don't begrudge the "upcharge" for certain resturants. You can't eat at Benihana for $10 (reserve Tepanyaki room early, only seats 12 at the grill). If you like soda buy the card. Otherwise iced tea, coffee, & juice are included. Get to the craft offering early (different types of lei's). If you arrive "on-time" or alittle late supplies are gone (orchids, kukui nuts, ribbon). If you're not saavy about getting better sightseeing tours OFF the boat, try to take some the ship offers. I stuck with my group and ended up disappointed because once off the ship nobody would make up their minds. Oh, I brought 4 large bottles of Aqua-fina bottled water on board with me. With ice provided In room twice daily, it was very refreshing. Also, take a box of ziplock baggies for storing extra chocolate buffet items or ferreting a sandwich off on a day-trip (a no-no, but so what?). If you like alcoholic drinks, you will pay, but there are occasional "free" offerings of potions in different places on board. Don't believe the negative reviews. I could go on forever......have fun!
M
mosbornian
Guest
Oh, the rooms are OK. I roomed with an older lady and we had a large handicapped room. Don't worry about the room, you won't spend much time in it if you are out enjoying the cruise.
J
Jordi
Guest
Hi,
Its the first time to send a message. My husband and I are taking the holiday (xmas 2003 cruise on the STAR booked on deck nine with a balcony with two post days to Oahu and trying to arrange for two days in Maui. However, now are concerned about the info I am seeing re: the port of call experiences, food etc .we are celebrating 30th wedding anniversary want it to be special with that special guy sooo is crusing the islands the best way to go. This will be our 12th cruise so we love the experience but are now wondering it we should postpone to research more about the various options. Thanks for your responses
Its the first time to send a message. My husband and I are taking the holiday (xmas 2003 cruise on the STAR booked on deck nine with a balcony with two post days to Oahu and trying to arrange for two days in Maui. However, now are concerned about the info I am seeing re: the port of call experiences, food etc .we are celebrating 30th wedding anniversary want it to be special with that special guy sooo is crusing the islands the best way to go. This will be our 12th cruise so we love the experience but are now wondering it we should postpone to research more about the various options. Thanks for your responses
M
mosbornian
Guest
Jordi,
The food is great, no wait, the food is wonderful! Deck 9 is perfect. The post days you are planning sound great, especially if you go to another island. Don't worry, enjoy!
The food is great, no wait, the food is wonderful! Deck 9 is perfect. The post days you are planning sound great, especially if you go to another island. Don't worry, enjoy!
G
GregR
Guest
The star is a great ship. We sailed over last Thanksgiving. Just beware that the Fanning Island portion takes up the majority of the cruise. (Monday 1:00 PM to Friday 1:00 PM). This doesn't leave much time left over for the quick sampling of the Hawaiian Islands. Combine the cruise with a weeks stay on one or two of the islands and it will be a great trip. A fantastic and detailed review of this cruise is located at <www.orcatekweb.com> . Also check the reviews on this site.
S
star7228
Guest
Jordi,
I wouldn't worry. I am also sailing on the Xmas 2003 Star cruise with my husband, it'll be our honeymoon, and I am very excited. There will always be positive and negative reviews on every ship, but I've found much more good than bad. And it often seems that the people who don't like the ship, don't like one particular aspect of it. And some people prefer traditional cruising, so they might not like the Star.
The one thing I have heard is that if you want to see just the islands, it's probably better to do a land trip. But taking a cruise is so romantic, and a great way to spend your anniversary. I know we are looking forward to the a relaxing and romantic honeymoon on the Star, rather than a stressful and too-busy land trip where we're trying to see everything and forget to just spend time together!
I wouldn't worry. I am also sailing on the Xmas 2003 Star cruise with my husband, it'll be our honeymoon, and I am very excited. There will always be positive and negative reviews on every ship, but I've found much more good than bad. And it often seems that the people who don't like the ship, don't like one particular aspect of it. And some people prefer traditional cruising, so they might not like the Star.
The one thing I have heard is that if you want to see just the islands, it's probably better to do a land trip. But taking a cruise is so romantic, and a great way to spend your anniversary. I know we are looking forward to the a relaxing and romantic honeymoon on the Star, rather than a stressful and too-busy land trip where we're trying to see everything and forget to just spend time together!
G
GregR
Guest
I will try again with a "clickable" reference <http://www.orcatekweb.com> . Very good, complete and accurate review. They even have the menus!
