Let’s talk about the new ship first. Star Princess is big, around 4,300 passengers, and on our sailing (the first Alaska cruise of the season out of Seattle) it was slightly over 100% capacity. I can easily see it reaching 4,800 in peak season, which honestly feels like too many people for me.
The ship feels more like a large hotel than a traditional cruise ship. Cabins are everywhere, and moving around often means walking past long corridors of staterooms. Only one deck does not have cabins, which makes navigation a bit unusual compared to older ships.
Most public spaces are inward-facing, so you do not get much of an ocean view unless you are on the upper outdoor decks. Even areas like the spa and gym are centered inside the ship rather than overlooking the sea. The lifeboats also block a lot of the views, and there is no proper promenade deck. You really rely on upper decks for outdoor space.
The design is very modern and hotel-like, with lots of neutral tones and glass, but it does not feel very nautical. It is visually nice, but more “resort hotel” than “ship at sea.”
Food overall was mixed but generally decent:
The buffet (The Eatery) felt repetitive and limited
Crown Grill was solid but lacked atmosphere
Sabatini’s was fine but not worth extra cost unless included
Umami Teppanyaki was fun but very loud and chaotic
Hot pot had good food but poor ambience
Butcher’s Block was enjoyable but overly heavy on meat
We did not try the main dining rooms on this trip.
The itinerary itself was not my favorite Alaska route. The early morning glacier viewing window was too short, and the final stop in Victoria felt more like a technical stop than a real visit. The Alaska ports like Ketchikan, Juneau, and Skagway were still highlights as expected.
Some positives: the cabins were excellent, very modern and comfortable, and probably among the best in the fleet. Excursions were also very good, especially the Zodiac and hike in Ketchikan and the Skagway experience.
Overall, the ship is beautiful and well designed, but the size and layout make it feel less like a traditional cruise experience and more like a floating resort hotel. I enjoyed the cruise, but did not fully love it.
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