ONBOARD THE STAR PRINCESS -- The Star Princess isn't just a sister to last year's Sun Princess. It's basically a twin.
Aside from some minor layout adjustments and new shows, the two Princess Cruises ships offer many of the same amenities and spaces. What is newest on the Star isn't physical; it's the ship's itineraries.
The Star Princess will sail in Alaska next summer, a marquee region for Princess and the Sphere class' first season there. It will put one of Princess' two largest ships -- the Star and Sun can each accommodate 4,300 passengers -- and its newest hardware in the state.
"We know who we are in Alaska probably better than we do in any other market, and we have an opportunity to build on our strengths," said chief commercial officer Jim Berra. "Part of that building process is bringing Star to Alaska."
The Star's new entertainment options include candlelight concerts and an original circus-themed variety show, "Illuminate."
Like its sister, the Star offers refined spaces, like a glass dome over arena seating on the top deck and the line's first ship-within-a-ship concept, the Sanctuary Club, with a pool deck for guests over age 15.
A candlelight concert under The Dome. Photo Credit: Teri West
Travel Leaders Network president Lindsay Pearlman said an elevator in the space that connects passengers directly to the Sanctuary Club's restaurant and accommodations enables them to "never leave the back of the ship."
The Sun's speakeasy, Spellbound, also makes a return on the Star. The charming venue transports guests to a magic-infused hideaway created by the team behind Magic Castle, a private club for magicians and magic enthusiasts in Hollywood, Calif. Spellbound's footprint is the same on the Star Princess, but it now has Vaudeville-inspired décor and does not include dinner.
Guests may barely notice the other differences from the Sun -- design modifications such as additional seating at certain bars or slightly altered dining venue layouts.
Vaudeville-themed décor in Spellbound, the Sun Princess' speakeasy. Photo Credit: Teri West
Spaces for comfort
The Star feels classy and simple and is the perfect space to relax after a day in port, said Kristen Volz, a Florida-based Travelmation independent contractor.
Princess president Gus Antorcha said the cruise line knows its sweet spot is guests over 50, and its goal while expanding the fleet is to continue to satisfy those customers rather than rewrite the script.
"Star really embodies that direction we're going, which is it's elegant, it's beautiful, but it's approachable," he said. "It's comfortable. It's not edgy. We're not trying to be edgy, not trying to be hip. It's not us."
Star Princess passengers relaxing in the Piazza, the ship's atrium. Photo Credit: Teri West
It's well suited for some guests -- such as families with older teens -- who are seeking a comfortable ship where onboard entertainment is more of an accessory to the vacation, Volz said. It is also good for international travel filled with busy days in port, she added. Once back onboard, those guests will enjoy the relaxing atmosphere where they will not feel obligated to catch every piece of programming available, she said.
"With Princess, I feel like I have permission to just be," Volz said.
Pearlman envisioned guests finding favorite spots and spending most of their time onboard there. That may be the entertainment and dining surrounding the midship atrium, the Sanctuary Club or The Dome.
"You may forget about other areas and just kind of stick with what you're comfortable with," he said. "And I think that would work really well, because it's a big ship."