Star Princess Cruise Ship Review from a teen: Adults love it, teens can deal with it.
Updated: Apr 30
Hi I am Liam a 13 year old 7th grader and cruising offers me a unique way to explore the world, but not all ships cater equally to every type of traveler. The Star Princess cruise ship promises a luxurious and relaxing experience, but if you are traveling with teens, you might find that the ship’s design and amenities lean heavily toward adult guests. This review dives into the strengths and weaknesses of the Star Princess, focusing on how well it serves families with children and why it feels like kids/teens were an afterthought on this journey.
The Adult-Focused Atmosphere
From the moment you step aboard the Star Princess, the vibe is calm and sophisticated. The ship’s design features elegant lounges, quiet libraries, and upscale dining rooms that cater to adults looking for a peaceful escape. The onboard entertainment includes Broadway-style shows, wine tastings, and adult-only pools, which create a relaxing environment for grown-ups.
The ship’s cabins also reflect this focus. Many staterooms are designed with couples or solo travelers in mind, offering luxurious amenities but limited space for families. While there are family cabins available, they are fewer and often less convenient in location compared to the rest of the ship.
What Adults Will Love
Quiet and Relaxing Spaces: The ship has several adult-only areas, including pools and lounges, where noise levels are kept low.
Fine Dining Options: Multiple restaurants offer gourmet meals with diverse menus, perfect for food lovers.
Entertainment for Adults: Evening shows, casinos, and bars provide plenty of options for grown-up fun.
Teens’ Facilities Feel Secondary
While the Star Princess does offer some activities for children, these feel like an afterthought rather than a core part of the experience. The Teens’ club is small and often crowded, with limited hours that don’t always match parents’ schedules. The play areas lack the excitement and variety found on other family-friendly cruise ships.
The pool areas for kids are limited and often overshadowed by the adult pools. This can make it difficult for families to find a comfortable spot where both kids and adults can enjoy themselves without feeling separated.
Challenges for Families
Limited Kids’ Activities: The teens’ club has fewer options and shorter hours than expected.
No arcade: this is a staple of where teens like to hang out
Very limited games: We had to organize our own games
Small Play Areas: Play spaces are cramped and not very engaging for older children or teenagers.
Pool Space Issues: There was no kids pool while adult pools dominate the deck.
Teens club that no one used
Dining and Food Options for Teens
Food is a big part of any cruise experience, and the Star Princess offers a range of dining choices. However, the menus often focus on sophisticated flavors and presentation, which may not appeal to younger palates. While there are kid/teen-friendly options, they are limited and sometimes feel like an afterthought compared to the extensive adult menus.
Families might find themselves needing to request special meals or rely on simpler dishes from the buffet, which can be hit or miss in quality. This lack of dedicated kid-friendly dining spaces or menus can make mealtime less enjoyable for children.
Excursions and Activities
The Star Princess offers a variety of shore excursions, but many are designed with adults in mind. Activities like wine tours, historical walks, and spa days dominate the options. While some family-friendly excursions exist, they are fewer and often require extra planning.
Onboard, the activities for teens minimal compared to the adult-focused options. This means parents may find themselves juggling between enjoying adult activities and managing bored teens.
Final Thoughts on the Star Princess Experience
The Star Princess cruise ship offers a refined and relaxing experience that suits adults very well. Its elegant design, quiet spaces, and sophisticated entertainment make it a great choice for travelers seeking calm and luxury. However, if you are traveling with Teens or children, you may feel that the ship does not fully meet your family’s needs.
Teens’ facilities, activities, and dining options feel secondary and limited. Families might struggle to find engaging spaces for children or convenient options that make the cruise enjoyable for all ages. The Star Princess seems designed primarily for adults, with kids included more as an afterthought. I found myself missing Royal Cariabbean and the endless activities to are there, from soccer/dodgeball tournaments, to the dance parties. Princess still have a lot of room to improve.
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