Hollie-Rae Merrick feels regal on Royal Princess
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Walking the corridors of Royal Princess I can’t help but think I’m retracing the steps of a duchess.
On a special day last year, the world’s attention was turned on this very ship in Southampton. And when the then heavily pregnant Duchess of Cambridge launched Princess Cruises’ latest vessel, the brand’s prominence in the UK market hit an all-time high.
Kate told staff she was eager to return to the ship for a further look around, so I was keen to see what the fuss was all about.
Royal Princess is one of the vessels that continues to push the boundaries of cruising; the subtle-yet-glam design, a vast array of dining options, and cutting-edge facilities such as the SeaWalk and Princess Live – the first TV studio at sea – distinguishing it from others.
Before joining the ship in Istanbul for my first cruise I was a bit unsure about whether I’d feel claustrophobic, considering the thousands of people on board (3,560 to be exact). But it was the sense of space that surprised me most – the ship never seems full and despite the many guests, staff still manage to remember you and your coffee order.
When designing Royal Princess, the cruise line was keen to create a sense of continuity through the brand’s fleet – to make repeat customers feel like they are ‘returning home’. It’s the modern style of the ship that impressed me, with the grand Piazza – which is larger than those that have come before – and the shops and bars that surround it creating a real wow factor, although they also provide lots of temptation to spend money!
This ship is perfect for multi-generational families and is full of new twists such as the SeaWalk, a glass walkway that hangs off one side of the ship 16 decks up. It took several glasses of limoncello before I plucked up the courage to cross – and even then I only made it halfway. It was night-time too, so I couldn’t even see the sea below.
Glass bridges aside, a cruise is brilliant for relaxation, especially if you spend a good few hours in The Lotus Spa and the Enclave – a thermal spa complete with its own pool and hot tub.
The adult-only pool area and sundeck are also perfect for parents or singletons wanting to escape the chaos and noise of family life. The Sanctuary, a private area at the front of the ship (it features on all the ships in the fleet except Ocean Princess and Pacific Princess), is the place for pure serenity and relaxation. The only slight drawback is that from time to time you can hear the films being played on the Movies Under the Stars screen.
It comes at a premium – $15 for half a day and $25 a day, and can only be booked on board – but it’s worth every penny. But clients be warned – do it on day one and you’ll want to do it everyday. I’d recommend booking the Sanctuary for any sea days – sun, relaxation, comfy loungers and waiter service are the perfect combination. The healthy meal options available are also very welcome, especially after a few days of over-indulgence in the well-stocked (and yummy) buffet.
It’s accepted that you might put on a few pounds when you take a cruise, but when the food is this good, it’s pretty impossible to say no. Well, that was my excuse anyway. Sabatinis (cover charge $25) has to be one of the best Italian restaurants at sea. The Tuscan-inspired menu is four courses of absolute delight – my favourite was a simple pasta dish that I am desperate to have again.
The Crown Grill (cover charge $25) is a meat-lover’s dream. Just picture a tray of meat cuts – from porterhouse and fillet to rump and sirloin – being brought out to the restaurant for your selection.
Food is definitely a focus on this ship, with 16 different dining options. Many are new to the fleet such as the Ocean Terrace Seafood bar (à la carte pricing) and seafood restaurant Crab Shack (cover charge $20).
The modern staterooms offer everything you need and the balconies are just big enough for a couple of chairs and a table.The decor is neutral and modern, but has a really warm feeling to it with brown and beige tones. There is one grand suite, 40 suites and 306 mini suites as well as 1,434 inside and outside staterooms.
As one of the newest ships around, Royal Princess is perfect for keen cruisers in search of modern fun. This ship is a complete all-rounder so is also a great option for new-to-cruise clients.
Next year, Royal Princess will sail seven-day Eastern Caribbean round-trip cruises from Fort Lauderdale until April, before returning to Europe for 11-day Scandinavia and Russia cruises from Copenhagen until the end of September. The end of the year will be spent in New York, sailing four seven-day Canada and New England cruises.
Book it: An 11-night return cruise from Copenhagen calling at Oslo, Aarhus, Berlin, Tallin, St Petersburg, Helsinki and Stockholm on Royal Princess starts from £1,593.
