Why Is American Star Cruise Line Expensive?
Why Is the American Star Cruise Line Expensive?
In the summer of 2007, the 100-passenger American Star debuted. The ship is very similar to its sister ship, The American Spirit. But it has a few more modern features, such as flat-screen satellite TV and DVD players in every cabin.
From Maine to Florida, the American Star offers a selection of six, seven, and fourteen-night cruises. There are numerous American star cruise reviews you should check to know more about this cruise line.
These ships were specifically designed to fit into small coves and ports along the East Coast, and their huge cabins, balconies, and lounges have set the bar for the US Coastal fleet.
Size (in tons) | 97 |
Number of Cabins | 48 |
Number of Cabins with Verandas | 27 |
Number of Passengers | 100 |
Number of Crew | 26 |
Passenger/Crew Ratio | 3.8 to 1 |
Year Built | 2001 |
Cabin Comfort & Amenities | 5 |
Ship Cleanliness & Maintenance | 4 |
Public Comfort/Space | 4 |
Dining Options | 3 |
Children’s Facilities | 0 |
Decor | 3 |
Gym & Spa Facilities | 2 |
Enjoyment | 4
|
Sister Ships | · American Glory
· American Independence · American Spirit |
How Much American Star Cruise Cost?
The current Cruise on the American Star is a 7-day, 7-night round-trip Great Rivers of Florida tour. From USD 3794 onwards, there are a variety of options available (double occupancy rates).
Facilities Of American star Cruise Line
The four East Coast ships of American Cruise Lines were all constructed in the line’s own shipyard in Salisbury, Maryland. They’re a little boxy on the appearance, but inside they’re spacious and comfy, with a simple, nice, if a little bland, design.
The main salon is surrounded by floor-to-ceiling windows, and there are enormous windows all over the place for taking in the views. The ships are essentially identical, right down to the carpet patterns and furniture, save for their different sizes (the elder Glory is about half the size of the still-small Spirit, Star, and Independence).
The ships’ shallow draughts allow them to navigate minor rivers straight into the middle of town, where port facilities may appear to be more suited to a kayak than a cruise liner; in one port, we actually tied the ship’s mooring lines to a tree in a park rather than the typical iron bollards. This idea of keeping things simple is carried over to the boardroom.
Forget about using electronic identification cards to board or disembark; the crew simply knows who you are. Rather than waiting for established sailing hours, ships frequently sail as soon as everyone has returned aboard.
In the very rare cases where the ship does not dock, a small boat suspended from the stern can be utilized to tender passengers ashore. It’s also utilized for bird-watching trips on rare occasions.
These cruises are popular with folks who are concerned about seasickness because the itineraries always hug the shore and there are rarely any waves or motion. The unstabilized Glory, Spirit, and Star still bounce around when hit by waves, but the newest ship, Independence, corrects that problem with the addition of Rolls-Royce stabilizers, allowing it to navigate waters that the other ships can’t, at least comfortably.
Because Independence was supposed to be released in the summer of 2010, unless otherwise stated, all details in this review refer to Glory, Spirit, and Star.
Cabins
The cabins are what set American Cruise Lines apart from its coastal competitors. Rather than the closet-like boxes common on similar-size American ships, these cabins are on average 225 square feet larger than most regular mega-ship accommodations, and roughly twice the size of Blount Small Ship Adventures’ major regional competitor.
The enormous picture windows that actually slide open, as well as the narrow but usable balconies, make the cabins comfortable, clean, and attractive, not to mention bright (you get one or the other). However, the decor isn’t really stylish, just like the public rooms. Each cabin has a huge writing desk, ample storage, bedside tables, a hairdryer, and a satellite TV with approximately 20 channels.
The bathrooms are spacious, and the water pressure is superb. Cabins on the older Glory are slightly smaller than those on the Spirit, Star, and Independence, particularly on the lower deck’s forward end, where the bow’s curvature reduces square footage.
Each ship provides a number of staterooms for lone travelers (a rarity these days) as well as at least one wheelchair-accessible cabin. In addition, each ship contains an elevator that allows wheelchair-users to access the entire ship.
Dining Options
The single dining room on each ship is located on the lowest deck, all the way at the stern, and has three sides of windows. Early-risers coffee and muffins are brought out in the main room at 6:30 a.m., and breakfast is normally served from 7:30 to 9 a.m. Lunch is normally served at 12:30 p.m., just after the shore tour ends. The dinner begins at 6:30 p.m., after a cocktail hour at 5:30 p.m.
Public Areas
Passengers have plenty of legroom thanks to three public lounges and plenty of open deck space. The main lounge sits in the foreground, just beneath the bridge, and has towering windows on three sides, providing excellent views.
It is the ship’s social hub and a good venue for playing board games or conversing with shipmates during the day because it hosts the nightly cocktail hour and the evening lecture. Smaller parties can socialize before dinner or play bridge without being disturbed in the two smaller, cabin-style salons near the central stairs.
All three lounges have the same modest, subdued colors and utilitarian, unpretentious furniture, making them all appealing without being sensational. A small deck with a few chairs and tables is located just ahead of the main lounge, allowing you to have a drink while watching the sunset.
There are sports awnings, plastic-webbed sun couches, and tables and chairs on each ship’s top deck, which is covered in AstroTurf-like material. This deck is ideal for reading and conversing on bright, sunny days, with the shoreline frequently visible.
Pool, Fitness & Spa Facilities
Only a single exercise bike and a Stairmaster are available for use in the gym. The majority of passengers exercise by stepping ashore and wandering about the towns on their own.
Bottom Line
The facilities provided by American Star Cruise are the reply to the question of why it’s expensive. There are numerous American star cruise reviews you can check to know about more facilities.