If you’ve ever tried to write a trip report, you know how easy it is to fall behind. That’s especially true on a ship like Star Princess where there is so much to see and do.
At a certain point, you almost have to throw up your hands and acknowledge you’re not going to get to everything.
In the first segment of this trip report, we talked about embarking on the Star Princess in Barcelona.
I’ve received a lot of messages from readers asking for details about specific areas of the ship, so I’ll break out a few of those here.
My Crown Grill Experience
I’ve always been a fan of the Crown Grill steakhouse. (Then again, anyone who knows me would say I’m a fan of steakhouses, period!) Since my first Princess cruise on Ruby Princess over a decade ago, I’ve always thought the value was there for the amount of food you get and, more importantly, the quality.
That first Crown Grill experience was back in 2014, and the cost was $25 per guest. Obviously, everything has notched up since then, though pricing is outpacing inflation.
Right now, if you do not have the Princess Plus or Premier package, the Crown Grill will set you back $60 per person on Sun Princess and Star Princess. (On other ships in the fleet, the price is $55.)
Before I talk about the dining experience, let me just say that I’m by no means a food expert and recognize that tastes are subjective.
I had a window table in the back corner, giving me a great view of the sunset. Since I made my reservation right when they opened, I was able to ask for that spot specifically.
The place filled up pretty quickly so if you want a certain location, make sure you line it up in advance or make an early reservation.
I started with the shrimp cocktail and the French onion soup, two classics that are hard to mess up. The shrimp were chilled perfectly and locked together on the plate.
There were only three of them, but they were on the larger side. The French onion soup was solid with a thick layer of melted cheese on top. (And really, isn’t that everybody’s favorite part?) They brought a couple of bread selections to the table, which were perfect for dipping into the soup.
For the main course, I went with a medium rare steak, and it came out exactly as ordered. It was well seasoned with a nice crust.
My side was creamed spinach, which can go either way. The presentation was interesting, a green blob on an oval plate. It probably would have been better suited for a bowl, but if that was my only issue, I’d say they did pretty well.
Dessert was the baked Alaska, a throwback item that still stands the test of time. The last time I had it was on Carnival Luminosa in Alaska, so oddly, it brought back memories. It’s funny how food can trigger a specific memory or emotion.
Service-wise, everything was timed perfectly, allowing me to be in-and-out in about 50 minutes. Most people like to linger over dinner here, but since I was dining solo, this pacing worked out perfectly. Having the Princess Premier package, I was able to walk out when I finished as opposed to having to wait for a bill.
Another thing I received a lot of questions about was the Americana Diner. So a few nights later, I decided to switch things up and try the more casual venue.
After a day ashore in Gibraltar, headed to the restaurant — located on Deck 9 aft — to see how it compared to the main buffet and other evening dining options.
Americana Diner
Americana Diner pulls double duty. During the day, it operates as a breakfast and lunch buffet which actually opens at 6 a.m., which is an hour earlier than The Eatery. It’s a solid option for early risers or anyone looking to skip the morning rush.
At night, the space transitions into a sit-down venue with table service. The buffet line turns into a hot bar, where chefs prepare meals to order. The service was attentive and efficient, and the room felt relaxed after a long day exploring Gibraltar.
The space was well-lit without being too bright, and there were ocean views stretching across the aft windows. You can also opt to dine outside, overlooking the ship’s wake.
The Eatery tends to draw bigger crowds, especially at breakfast and lunch. People couldn’t stop talking about the sticky rolls they serve in the mornings.
I’m not one for super-sweet foods to start the day, but plenty of passengers swore by them, so I think next time we’ll have to check them out.
For dinner, I kept it simple with a Caesar salad, chicken wings and fries. The wings were flavorful, though they came absolutely drenched in sauce, almost buried under it. Everything was tasty, but I definitely would have preferred less sauce.
What I appreciate is that the restaurant doesn’t lean too hard into the “Americana” theme. The menu is straightforward, sort of Cracker Barrel meets sports bar, and it works.
My server was friendly and quick, and I was in and out in about 30 minutes, which was ideal after a full day ashore.
Finding Quiet Spaces on Sea Days
Following a few busy port days, I started looking for places to unwind and catch up on some work during sea days.
Since I work remotely, finding a spot to get things done while onboard is important to me.
I’m the kind of person who cannot work in my stateroom to save my life. The second I sit down in there, I’ll start scrolling through photos or find a movie to watch, and suddenly the morning is gone.
If I want to get anything done, it means finding a space that is on the quiet side and, if the weather’s decent, outside.
Going into this sailing, I was a little worried about finding a space that would allow me to work. When I did the transatlantic on Carnival Celebration a few years ago, it was tough finding spaces that met my particular requirements. Despite that ship being big, it held so many people that every corner felt not only occupied but busy. I feared that might prove to be the case here, too.
I’m happy to say that on Star Princess, there were plenty of quiet places that were perfect. Whether you were looking to work, relax, or just watch the water go by, there were no shortage of options. Off the top of my head, I can name at least half a dozen.
Some of my go-tos were the Sea View Terrace, The Dome, the International Café, the back corner of Americana Diner, and Deck 21 above the sports court.
That last one has a small overlook with an open surface that doubles as a spectator spot if you have friends playing pickleball.
Depending on the time of day, the open seating around The Piazza also worked well, but it was often used for performances, trivia, and guests vs officer events.
Which brings me to this: If I could suggest one improvement, it would involve adding a designated workspace similar to what Norwegian Cruise Line on many of their ships, usually somewhere near the Starbucks. Something with a bar-height surface and USB-C outlets would prove popular, guaranteed.
I realize that many guests have no interest in working on vacation. But in the modern world, a whole lot of people find themselves unable (maybe even unwilling) to fully escape their jobs.
When the weather was nice, I also worked on the open spaces on Deck 9 or grabbed a shaded chair at The Wake on Deck 8, overlooking the infinity pool. The point is that despite the number of people on board, there was always somewhere to go, and that surprised me in the best way.
Looking back on the past few days, what stood out most to me was how easy it was to settle into a rhythm on Star Princess.
Between the food, the sea views, and the open spaces, the ship never felt crowded or rushed. I could find a quiet spot when I wanted one, a good meal when I was hungry, and a reason to stay outside just a little longer.
So far, this is turning out to be the kind of cruise where you don’t have to plan much. Everything you need seems to fall into place on its own. And I’m more than okay with that.
Want to know anything about Star Princess? Let me know!
