| PRINCESS CRUISES |
| SEA PRINCESS |
SEA PRINCESS
TOUR AND
COMMENTARY
page 1
TOUR AND
COMMENTARY
page 1
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Entering service in 1998, SEA PRINCESS is one of four near-
identical Sun-class ships built by Fincantieri in Italy. (Her
owner, Princess Cruises, also includes two somewhat larger
ships, CORAL PRINCESS and ISLAND PRINCESS, in the
class). The lead ship in the class, SUN PRINCESS, was the
largest cruise ship in service when she entered service in
1995. However, now at 77,000 tons and with a passenger
capacity of 2,016, these ships no longer rank amongst the top
20 cruise ships in terms of size.
In 2003, SEA PRINCESS along with her sister OCEAN
PRINCESS were transferred to Princess’ UK-based affiliate,
P&O Cruises where she operated as the ADONIA. However,
after Carnival Corporation acquired both companies and added
the Vista-class cruise ship ARCADIA to the P&O fleet, SEA
PRINCESS was returned to Princess.
SEA PRINCESS is Princess Cruises primary entry into the
British cruise market. Princess is the fourth largest cruise
operator in the UK and has marketed fly-cruise holidays there
for some time. In 2005, it deployed SEA PRINCESS to
Britain in order to provide cruises directly from Southampton
to the Mediterranean and to Scandinavia during the summer.
Her fleetmate, the mega-cruise ship GRAND PRINCESS, has
also been operating out of the U.K. during recent summers but
her Around-Britain cruises are targeted at Americans who fly
to the UK to join the cruise.
The ship is marketed in Britain as offering “American-style
luxury” and “American-style no-problem service.” What this
translates to is an informal ambiance that is still cosmopolitan.
The line strives to offer passengers more choices so that they
can tailor their holidays to meet their own desires. It is not
traditional and not regimented. However, it is more restrained
than the experiences offered by Carnival Cruise Line and Royal
Caribbean International. No shock and awe, more emphasis
on luxury. Think in terms of an upscale American resort.
Because the ship is targeted to the British market, there have
been some adjustments in the food and the entertainment to
appeal to British tastes. However, the overall cruise concept is
the same as throughout the Princess fleet. The line seeks to
provide friendly service with a can-do attitude. The lifestyle is
casual but with an element of sophistication.
identical Sun-class ships built by Fincantieri in Italy. (Her
owner, Princess Cruises, also includes two somewhat larger
ships, CORAL PRINCESS and ISLAND PRINCESS, in the
class). The lead ship in the class, SUN PRINCESS, was the
largest cruise ship in service when she entered service in
1995. However, now at 77,000 tons and with a passenger
capacity of 2,016, these ships no longer rank amongst the top
20 cruise ships in terms of size.
In 2003, SEA PRINCESS along with her sister OCEAN
PRINCESS were transferred to Princess’ UK-based affiliate,
P&O Cruises where she operated as the ADONIA. However,
after Carnival Corporation acquired both companies and added
the Vista-class cruise ship ARCADIA to the P&O fleet, SEA
PRINCESS was returned to Princess.
SEA PRINCESS is Princess Cruises primary entry into the
British cruise market. Princess is the fourth largest cruise
operator in the UK and has marketed fly-cruise holidays there
for some time. In 2005, it deployed SEA PRINCESS to
Britain in order to provide cruises directly from Southampton
to the Mediterranean and to Scandinavia during the summer.
Her fleetmate, the mega-cruise ship GRAND PRINCESS, has
also been operating out of the U.K. during recent summers but
her Around-Britain cruises are targeted at Americans who fly
to the UK to join the cruise.
The ship is marketed in Britain as offering “American-style
luxury” and “American-style no-problem service.” What this
translates to is an informal ambiance that is still cosmopolitan.
The line strives to offer passengers more choices so that they
can tailor their holidays to meet their own desires. It is not
traditional and not regimented. However, it is more restrained
than the experiences offered by Carnival Cruise Line and Royal
Caribbean International. No shock and awe, more emphasis
on luxury. Think in terms of an upscale American resort.
Because the ship is targeted to the British market, there have
been some adjustments in the food and the entertainment to
appeal to British tastes. However, the overall cruise concept is
the same as throughout the Princess fleet. The line seeks to
provide friendly service with a can-do attitude. The lifestyle is
casual but with an element of sophistication.
The center of SEA PRINCESS is the Grand
Plaza, a multi-story atrium. The shops,
various lounges and the two main dining
rooms radiate off from this central hub.
Plaza, a multi-story atrium. The shops,
various lounges and the two main dining
rooms radiate off from this central hub.
Looking down from the top, the Grand
Plaza looks like a late 20th century
Manhattan hotel. This is as close as SEA
PRINCESS comes to shock and awe and
gives a somewhat misleading first
impression about the ship.
Plaza looks like a late 20th century
Manhattan hotel. This is as close as SEA
PRINCESS comes to shock and awe and
gives a somewhat misleading first
impression about the ship.
One of the onboard boutiques.
| The Library. |
Production shows and revues are done in
the Princess Theatre (above) while
comedians, magicians and other more
intimate performers appear in the Vista
Lounge (below).
the Princess Theatre (above) while
comedians, magicians and other more
intimate performers appear in the Vista
Lounge (below).
The size of The Monte Carlo Casino was reduced when the ship
sailed as the ADONIS for P&O. It has not been restored to its
original size in deference to the fact that British passengers have
shown less interest in shipboard casinos than American
passengers.
sailed as the ADONIS for P&O. It has not been restored to its
original size in deference to the fact that British passengers have
shown less interest in shipboard casinos than American
passengers.
PUBLIC ROOMS In order to achieve the goal of
"big ship choices, small ship feel", Princess divides
the public space on its large ships into numerous
small venues. By do doing, Princess can present
more options in entertainment and leisure activities
and thus satisfy a wider variety of tastes. In addition,
dividing the ship in this way allows for more intimate
venues, which prevents passengers from feeling
overwhelmed by the large number of passengers
onboard.
"big ship choices, small ship feel", Princess divides
the public space on its large ships into numerous
small venues. By do doing, Princess can present
more options in entertainment and leisure activities
and thus satisfy a wider variety of tastes. In addition,
dividing the ship in this way allows for more intimate
venues, which prevents passengers from feeling
overwhelmed by the large number of passengers
onboard.
Right. The internet cafe in
SEA PRINCESS is an elegant
and well-equipped room. As
part of its Scholarship-at-Sea
program, Princess is now
offering computer lessons and
cooking demonstrations as well
as other "stimulation for the
mind." Shipboard activities
also include various sports and
a children's program.
SEA PRINCESS is an elegant
and well-equipped room. As
part of its Scholarship-at-Sea
program, Princess is now
offering computer lessons and
cooking demonstrations as well
as other "stimulation for the
mind." Shipboard activities
also include various sports and
a children's program.
Entertainment choices on SEA PRINCESS include a nightclub
(above) and the Crooners Bar (below).
(above) and the Crooners Bar (below).