Princess Cruises Star Princess

Lotus Spa, Salon and Fitness Center

The ship’s spa facilities are located on Deck 15 forward, in a horseshoe shaped space that wraps around the (outdoor) Lotus Pool. The spa is operated by Steiner Leisure, a company that manages spa services on many cruise ships, and prices are in line with their prices on other cruises, somewhat higher than is charged at most quality resorts. But prices were discounted on port days, and other specials or multiple appointments also availed discount for one-off treatments not on the regular menu.

Services offered included massage—seaweed, hot stone, bamboo, herbal poultice, etc. ranging $155 for the 50-minute Exotic Lime and Ginger Salt Glow with Massage to $259 for the 100-minute Seaweed Massage or 50-minute Couples Massage. Facials, acupuncture and salon services for men and women were available.

The spa also had a Thermal Suite, a communal relaxation area with thermal grottos, aromatic steam rooms, saunas, heated ceramic benches and mist fog showers. A pass to use the facilities throughout our seven-day cruise was $99, but (unadvertised) day passes were also available.

We sprang for a massage on Star Princess, a special offered late in the cruise—60 minutes for $119 ($99 for a massage focused on three body areas for 20 minutes each, and $119 if hot stones were thrown in). The treatment was handled by a Thai masseuse, and although her technique was not—perhaps—by the book, it was an excellent massage that left us both relaxed and restored after days of hauling about luggage and gear. Though we didn’t care for the sales pitch for various beauty products at the conclusion, we wouldn’t hesitate to book another treatment with her. Only caveat: Our treatment room had a vent that flooded the room with white noise; our treatment should have been one of the quietest parts of the ship, but the steady drone of ventilation noise was at odds with that.

Sports and Fitness

Located past the Lotus Spa, the ship’s fitness room offers a decent variety of weight and cardio equipment by Star Trac, TuffStuff and Precor—we even found a First Degree Fitness rower. The facility was busy most days, especially while at sea, and waits for some of the cardio equipment were not uncommon. The facility didn’t seem large enough for the number of passengers on our itinerary.

There was a good selection of fitness classes available. Free sessions included daily stretching and abs workouts, while Pilates, Balance (Yoga), and Spinning classes were $12 each ($30 for three); the four-session Body Sculpt Boot Camp was $120. Personal training sessions were priced $45 for a 30-minute express exercise session, $85 for 60 minutes; a package of three 60-minutes sessions was $209. Body composition analysis was $35 ($50 for a couple) and nutritional consultation was $85 (for one or two).

Sports Court

Perched on Deck 19, the ship’s highest level, this basketball court should be the spot for breezy games. Unfortunately we didn’t find any games or free throw sessions announced in the ship’s newsletter. Shuffleboard courts were just outside.

Lawn Court

Hidden behind the Movies Under the Stars screen on Deck 16, a spread of artificial grass in an industrial setting is the spot for lawn games—bocce ball, croquet and golf putting. We scoured the ship’s newsletter for tournaments but none were announced.