Tuesday, March 12, 2024
Princess Cruises marked a significant milestone as the Sun Princess, the cruise line’s most extensive ship to date, embarked on its initial journey from Rome. This travel adventure introduces the 177,882-gross-ton vessel, capable of hosting 4,314 passengers in double occupancy settings, signifying the debut of the cruise line’s Sphere class. Notably, it’s the pioneering ship within the fleet to utilize liquefied natural gas, aligning with Carnival Corp.’s initiative to diminish emissions.
This represents a notable size escalation from the Royal-class ships, such as the Discovery Princess (2022), Enchanted Princess (2020), and Sky Princess (2019), each approximately 145,000 gross tons and accommodating around 3,660 passengers. The Sun Princess will not anchor at Port Everglades until October, engaging in a series of European travels, beginning with a 10-night Grand Mediterranean cruise.
John Padgett, President of Princess Cruises, heralded the inaugural sailing as a historic event, highlighting the ship as a paragon of modern design, technology, and artisanship. The vacation experience aboard is elevated through sophisticated spaces and amenities designed to enhance the Princess travel experience.
Among the highlighted features is The Dome, a geodesic, glass structure atop the deck, inspired by Santorini’s terraces, offering multi-level relaxation areas beside an indoor/outdoor pool. By evening, this area transforms into a vibrant entertainment venue featuring Cirque Éloize’s acrobatic performance.
The Piazza, the ship’s spherical three-story atrium and a novelty for the Sphere class, presents panoramic sea views and versatile entertainment options through its central LED screen.
The Sun Princess name, familiar to fans of the cruise line, continues a legacy dating back to ships operational from 1974-1988 and 1995-2020, with a nod to its appearance in “The Love Boat” series.
New culinary experiences include 30 food and beverage venues like Spellbound by Magic Castle, Kai Sushi by Makoto, Love by Britto, and The Butcher’s Block by Dario, among others.
Additionally, the ship caters to younger guests with Park19, a family activity zone featuring unique attractions such as the Sea Breeze ride and Coastal Climb climbing structure.
Following its European voyages, the Sun Princess will commence its travel from Florida on October 14, with itineraries covering the Eastern and Western Caribbean through March 2025.
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