Overview........................................ ...................Page One
Amenities, (Pools, Spa, Shops etc).....................Page Two
Bars, Lounges, Nighttime Entertainment..............Page Three
Dining..................................................................Page Four
Accommodations.................................................Page Five
Amenities, (Pools, Spa, Shops etc).....................Page Two
Bars, Lounges, Nighttime Entertainment..............Page Three
Dining..................................................................Page Four
Accommodations.................................................Page Five
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GRAND PRINCESS
TOUR AND COMMENTARY
TOUR AND COMMENTARY
| GRAND PRINCESS |
| PRINCESS CRUISES |
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CONTINUE WITH THE
TOUR
AMENITIES IS NEXT
CONTINUE WITH THE
TOUR
AMENITIES IS NEXT
GRAND PRINCESS is a landmark ship in the modern
cruise industry. While not the first ship to exceed 100,000
gross tons, when GRAND PRINCESS debuted in 1998,
her size and radical new design made clear that a new era in
cruising had begun. For a short time, she was the largest
passenger ship in the world as well as the most expensive,
costing approximately $450 million dollars. Although she
has been eclipsed in size and cost by subsequent ships, the
basic design of this ship has proven so successful that seven
subsequent ships have been based on the design and two
more are under construction.
Of course, as time has gone on, there have been
improvements and new amenities incorporated into the
subsequent Grand-class ships. Thus, while they are similar,
they are not identical. Indeed, the atmosphere of GRAND
PRINCESS is as reminiscent of SEA PRINCESS - - the
last ship of the preceding class and completed around the
same time as GRAND PRINCESS - - as it is of CROWN
PRINCESS, which went into service nine years after
GRAND. One perhaps unintended result of this is that the
various Grand-class ships have their own character with
their own followings.
According to Princess Cruises: “The vessel epitomizes
Princess’ cruising philosophy, providing passengers with an
unstructured, customized approach to cruise travel, coupled
with outstanding service. GRAND PRINCESS passengers
have a wide range of entertainment, dining and activity
options, enabling them to enjoy a complete escape from
everyday life.” Indeed, choice is at the heart of the
Princess approach. Passengers are given several
entertainment, dining and activity options so that they can
tailor their holiday to meet their own tastes.
In order to be able to have options, GRAND PRINCESS
like her sisters is divided into numerous venues. There are
three main show lounges, three main dining rooms, four
swimming pools (plus one for children), and numerous
smaller bars, lounges, dining venues and other amenities. In
addition to providing options, dividing the ship this way
prevents passengers from feeling overcrowded, which is
important in a ship with a passenger capacity of 2,600.
The most prominent feature of GRAND’s exterior is the
raised section overhanging the ship’s stern. Although this
section resembles a spoiler on a race car, it serves no
purpose other than to provide a dramatic site for the ship’s
nightclub. Perhaps because of criticism that it looks like the
handle on a shopping cart, this feature has been
discontinued in the later ships of the class.
Also, the more recent ships in the class have one more deck
of passenger cabins than GRAND. As a result, GRAND
has a lower gross tonnage but is somewhat better
proportioned than her younger sisters.
GRAND’s interior décor is sophisticated. However, as
above, it is more like the restrained sophistication of SEA
PRINCESS than the elegant sumptuousness of CROWN.
However, this is only a question of degree. All three are
luxurious ships.
For the last few years, GRAND has spent her summers in
Europe, most recently sailing out of Southampton England
on around-Britain cruises and on cruises to the Norwegian
fjords. These voyages have attracted primarily American
passengers. In the winter, GRAND does Caribbean
cruises. Her homeport for these cruises was Galveston,
Texas for several years and the ship has a considerable
Texas following. However, this winter, she will be sailing
from Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
GRAND PRINCESS is a diesel electric ship. Electricity is
provided by six Siemens generators which are driven by
GMT v-16 diesel engines. In addition to providing the
power for the lights, air conditioning and other amenities, the
electricity from these generators power two Siemens
electric motors each of which turns a fixed pitch propeller.
The ship has two rudders.
On the bridge is a Narcos 66-3D system encompassing five
interswitched workstations, which are located on the main
console and on the bridge wings. Each display station can
be switched from radar to electronic chart and information
displays.
cruise industry. While not the first ship to exceed 100,000
gross tons, when GRAND PRINCESS debuted in 1998,
her size and radical new design made clear that a new era in
cruising had begun. For a short time, she was the largest
passenger ship in the world as well as the most expensive,
costing approximately $450 million dollars. Although she
has been eclipsed in size and cost by subsequent ships, the
basic design of this ship has proven so successful that seven
subsequent ships have been based on the design and two
more are under construction.
Of course, as time has gone on, there have been
improvements and new amenities incorporated into the
subsequent Grand-class ships. Thus, while they are similar,
they are not identical. Indeed, the atmosphere of GRAND
PRINCESS is as reminiscent of SEA PRINCESS - - the
last ship of the preceding class and completed around the
same time as GRAND PRINCESS - - as it is of CROWN
PRINCESS, which went into service nine years after
GRAND. One perhaps unintended result of this is that the
various Grand-class ships have their own character with
their own followings.
According to Princess Cruises: “The vessel epitomizes
Princess’ cruising philosophy, providing passengers with an
unstructured, customized approach to cruise travel, coupled
with outstanding service. GRAND PRINCESS passengers
have a wide range of entertainment, dining and activity
options, enabling them to enjoy a complete escape from
everyday life.” Indeed, choice is at the heart of the
Princess approach. Passengers are given several
entertainment, dining and activity options so that they can
tailor their holiday to meet their own tastes.
In order to be able to have options, GRAND PRINCESS
like her sisters is divided into numerous venues. There are
three main show lounges, three main dining rooms, four
swimming pools (plus one for children), and numerous
smaller bars, lounges, dining venues and other amenities. In
addition to providing options, dividing the ship this way
prevents passengers from feeling overcrowded, which is
important in a ship with a passenger capacity of 2,600.
The most prominent feature of GRAND’s exterior is the
raised section overhanging the ship’s stern. Although this
section resembles a spoiler on a race car, it serves no
purpose other than to provide a dramatic site for the ship’s
nightclub. Perhaps because of criticism that it looks like the
handle on a shopping cart, this feature has been
discontinued in the later ships of the class.
Also, the more recent ships in the class have one more deck
of passenger cabins than GRAND. As a result, GRAND
has a lower gross tonnage but is somewhat better
proportioned than her younger sisters.
GRAND’s interior décor is sophisticated. However, as
above, it is more like the restrained sophistication of SEA
PRINCESS than the elegant sumptuousness of CROWN.
However, this is only a question of degree. All three are
luxurious ships.
For the last few years, GRAND has spent her summers in
Europe, most recently sailing out of Southampton England
on around-Britain cruises and on cruises to the Norwegian
fjords. These voyages have attracted primarily American
passengers. In the winter, GRAND does Caribbean
cruises. Her homeport for these cruises was Galveston,
Texas for several years and the ship has a considerable
Texas following. However, this winter, she will be sailing
from Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
GRAND PRINCESS is a diesel electric ship. Electricity is
provided by six Siemens generators which are driven by
GMT v-16 diesel engines. In addition to providing the
power for the lights, air conditioning and other amenities, the
electricity from these generators power two Siemens
electric motors each of which turns a fixed pitch propeller.
The ship has two rudders.
On the bridge is a Narcos 66-3D system encompassing five
interswitched workstations, which are located on the main
console and on the bridge wings. Each display station can
be switched from radar to electronic chart and information
displays.
ABOVE: The Grand Plaza multi-story atrium
is the ship's lobby. BELOW: The Purser's Desk
resembles a top-quality modern hotel.
is the ship's lobby. BELOW: The Purser's Desk
resembles a top-quality modern hotel.
For several years, GRAND's winter homeport
was Galveston, Texas and occasionally one can
still see a Texas influence. This is the entrance to
the Painted Dessert (sometimes referred to as the
Sterling) steakhouse.
was Galveston, Texas and occasionally one can
still see a Texas influence. This is the entrance to
the Painted Dessert (sometimes referred to as the
Sterling) steakhouse.
The outside promenade on Deck 7 wraps around the ship.
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