STAR OF THE SEAS

 After officially boarding Star of the Seas, what better way to kick off our newest adventure than with a wonderful lunch at Chops Grille! From the moment we arrived, the service was outstanding, the atmosphere had great vibes, and the people made us feel right at home. The food was absolutely wonderful—from fresh seafood and delicious hamburgers to perfectly prepared steaks, there was something incredible for everyone at the table. It was the perfect way to begin our journey aboard Star of the Seas, surrounded by great food, great service, and great people. Chops Grille was out of this world and definitely earns two big thumbs up from Thumbs Up Buttercup! 👍👍 

 What a wonderful evening at Izumi! We had the opportunity to sit around the hibachi table, where dinner became so much more than just a meal—it was an experience. From the entertaining chef and incredible staff to the great people sharing the table with us, the atmosphere was fun, welcoming, and full of energy. We enjoyed multiple types of delicious food prepared right in front of us and spent about an hour and a half to two hours simply eating, laughing, and enjoying the show. Great food, great entertainment, wonderful people, and outstanding service made Izumi Hibachi another memorable part of our adventure. Two big thumbs up from Thumbs Up Buttercup! 👍👍 

 Day two aboard Star of the Seas brought us to Hooked Seafood, the specialty seafood restaurant located inside the incredible AquaDome—and what an awesome place to enjoy dinner! From the moment we sat down, we enjoyed wonderful seafood, outstanding service, and an absolutely beautiful view through the windows while dining. The location and atmosphere make Hooked a truly special experience aboard Star of the Seas. Our meals were fantastic, but as always, it was the amazing staff and crew who made the evening even more memorable. Thank you to everyone at Hooked for taking such great care of the Thumbs Up Buttercup family. Triple thumbs up 👍👍👍 to the staff, the crew, the food, the views, and the entire Hooked experience! 

 Day three aboard Star of the Seas was a beautiful day at sea, and for our specialty lunch, we headed back to Izumi Hibachi & Sushi and WOW, what a meal! We were lucky enough to have the same amazing chef who took care of us on our first evening, and once again, he knocked it out of the park. His great attitude, sense of humor, and ability to keep everyone laughing made the entire experience so much fun. And don't let the word “lunch” fool you Izumi really kicks it up a notch! This wasn't a small midday meal; it was a full-fledged dinner experience served at lunchtime, with plenty of delicious food and an awesome atmosphere. Great food, great entertainment, lots of laughs, and another wonderful experience aboard Star of the Seas. Izumi, you did it again—two big Thumbs Up Buttercup thumbs up! 👍👍🦆🚢 

 After an awesome lunch at Izumi, the Thumbs Up Buttercup adventure continued on Day Three aboard Star of the Seas as we made our way to Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen for dinner—and what a remarkable Italian dining experience! From the delicious food and wonderful atmosphere to the outstanding staff and team who took such great care of us, the entire evening was absolutely fantastic. And just when we thought it couldn’t get any better, the desserts and after-dinner drinks put the perfect finishing touch on an already incredible meal. Great food, great people, great service, and another unforgettable evening at sea. Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen was definitely a PLUS-PLUS experience and gets a huge two thumbs up from Thumbs Up Buttercup! 👍👍🇮🇹🦆 

 As Day Three aboard Star of the Seas began winding down after a fantastic day at sea and two incredible meals, Thumbs Up Buttercup decided it was time for a little theater! We headed in to see Back to the Future: The Musical, and what a remarkable show it was! Of course, there were a few tweaks to make everything work in a cruise ship theater environment, but the production stayed remarkably true to the spirit, story, and excitement of the Back to the Future movie. The cast, directors, production team, technicians, and crew did an absolutely awesome job bringing this classic adventure to life at sea. Royal Caribbean, you hit this one right on the mark! And the big question—would Thumbs Up Buttercup go see it again? Most definitely! Another incredible experience and a huge two thumbs up! 👍👍 Great Scott, what a show! ⚡🚗🎭 

 After spending Day Four docked in beautiful Cozumel, Thumbs Up Buttercup headed back aboard Star of the Seas and discovered what we think is one of the ship’s hidden gems Pier 7 Specialty Restaurant! Tucked away from many of the other restaurants, Pier 7 has a laid-back California surfer vibe that immediately makes you feel like you’ve found your own little getaway. The staff was fantastic, the chefs did an awesome job, and the atmosphere was simply out of this world. Finger foods, great meals, good drinks, and a relaxed setting made for an incredible experience. Best of all, it wasn’t overly busy, which made this hidden gem even more enjoyable. Would we do Pier 7 again? ABSOLUTELY! If you’re sailing aboard Star of the Seas, put Pier 7 on your must-do list. Great food, great drinks, great people, and another huge two thumbs up from Thumbs Up Buttercup! 👍👍🦆🌊 

 After our fantastic dinner at Pier 7, Thumbs Up Buttercup had to move and move quickly! We rushed from the back of Star of the Seas all the way to the front of the ship and into the incredible AquaDome to catch TORQUE, and WOW…what a show! We’re not going to give away all the surprises, because this is one you need to experience for yourself. From spectacular high dives from seemingly impossible heights and diving boards to dancing, aerial and tightrope-style performances, and even motorcycles racing around inside a cage, there is something happening everywhere you look. The talent, athleticism, timing, and production are absolutely remarkable. One piece of advice: get your reservation as soon as you can once you’re onboard! There can be a waiting list, and you do not want to miss this experience. TORQUE is exciting, unbelievable, and easily one of our must-see events aboard Star of the Seas. Triple thumbs up from Thumbs Up Buttercup! 👍👍👍 This show is a CAN’T-MISS! 

Day five aboard Star of the Seas brought Thumbs Up Buttercup back to one of our favorites Chops Grille, this time for dinner! After an amazing lunch here on day one, we were excited to see if dinner could live up to that experience, and once again, Chops did not fail us. The food was absolutely wonderful, the staff was outstanding, and the atmosphere made for another fantastic evening aboard this beautiful ship. From beginning to end, Chops Grille delivered the quality and service we have come to love. Would Thumbs Up Buttercup return? Absolutely, without a doubt! Chops Grille remains number one in our book. Two BIG thumbs up! 👍👍

Day six aboard Star of the Seas, and Thumbs Up Buttercup decided one dinner just wasn’t enough! Our second dinner of the evening took us to Giovanni’s, and once again, it was very, very good. We indulged ourselves in a wonderful variety of Italian cuisine, and just like before, the amazing staff at Giovanni’s did not disappoint. Great food, great service, and great people made for another memorable experience. This visit was also a little bittersweet, as we learned that a few of the waiters and supervisors we’ve gotten to know will be heading home to their home countries after this cruise. To each of them, Thumbs Up Buttercup wishes you safe travels, a wonderful reunion with your families and friends, and all the very best during your well-deserved time at home. Thank you for taking such wonderful care of us you’ve earned two BIG thumbs up! 👍👍