I not too long ago had the chance to take a look at Solar Princess, the most recent and largest cruise ship from Princess Cruises. The cruise line invited me on as a visitor for 5 days to take a look at every thing that this new ship has to supply.
Whereas I used to be on the ship, I wrote about my first impressions of Solar Princess you can learn right here. Now that I’m dwelling from the cruise, listed below are 12 issues that I liked about this new cruise ship from Princess.
The Dome
Let’s begin on the prime of the ship, the place the Dome is situated. Within the above picture, you may see the Dome and the place it’s situated on Solar Princess.
This accomplished enclosed space affords unbelievable views and cozy loungers and it’s going to be actually widespread on sea days. Princess will even have reveals at night time on this space including to the ship’s distinctive leisure.
There’s a pool that’s partially indoor and open air. You may swim from outdoors to contained in the Dome.
The Piazza
For individuals who have sailed on Costa’s two new ships, you’ll be accustomed to the format of the Piazza. This open round space permits for higher leisure with stadium-like seating on three flooring.
On my cruise, there was every thing from a silent disco, to Zumba, to recreation reveals, and even a juggler within the Piazza. It truly is the heartbeat and middle of the ship.
Spellbound
Spellbound by Magic Fortress is Princess Cruises’ latest Extraordinary Expertise. When on my cruise, I used to be in a position to get a sneak peek of this space and the wonderful expertise that it affords.
The value is $149 per particular person and features a particular dinner (I didn’t get to pattern this half) and entrance into Spellbound. There are a number of rooms in Spellbound together with an intimate theater for shut up magic.
There’s a bar with distinctive drinks that aren’t discovered anyplace else on the ship. Every part is included (together with drinks) within the $149 price ticket and you’ll keep right here so long as you need. In addition they have a pleasant choice of non-alcoholic cocktails for individuals who don’t drink. I attempted them they usually had been scrumptious.
I’d undoubtedly suggest to e book an earlier time for Spellbound. This enables you time to get pleasure from and discover this wonderful space that’s not like anything you could find at sea.
I didn’t go into an excessive amount of element on Spellbound as a result of I don’t need to smash the entire surprises right here. You’re greatest off entering into understanding somewhat, however not every thing. You’ll perceive when you’re onboard. It’s by far the very best themed house I’ve seen on over 75 cruises.
Gown code for Spellbound is “Cocktail Apparel”, one thing to pay attention to if you’re reserving this expertise.
Crew
I can’t say sufficient good issues in regards to the crew on Solar Princess. The group that works at Crooners, Wirat, Farral, Nino, Pleasure, April, and Mashael had been nothing wanting very good. Critically, pay them a go to in case you have a cruise booked on Solar Princess.
In every single place I went on the ship, the crew was pleasant and I overheard many passengers complimenting the workers on the wonderful job they had been doing.
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The Eatery
The Eatery is the buffet on board Solar Princess and it’s situated off of the Piazza, this can be a change from the normal location by the pool deck. I believe having it on this space works so significantly better because the Piazza is the heartbeat of the ship.
On the very again of the Eatery, it turns into specialty eating within the evenings. Nevertheless, for breakfast and lunch, it affords the identical meals as the remainder of the buffet however often isn’t as crowded. That is the place I went every morning as a result of it was a lot simpler to discover a desk, and often quieter.
Foremost Eating Room
The principle eating room is three flooring however with a singular twist to deck 8. On deck 8, the principle eating room is Americana Diner and it’s for individuals who need to get out and in with out having an extended dinner.
I ate right here one night time and we had been out and in in 45 minutes. The meals parts are somewhat small so don’t be afraid to order multiple factor if you’re hungry. It’s such a terrific possibility for those who don’t desire a drawn-out dinner after an extended day in port.
For individuals who need conventional cruise eating, you may have that on decks 6 and seven. Deck 6 is for set occasions (early and late) with deck 7 for anytime eating.
It doesn’t matter what you’re in search of, there’s an possibility for you on Solar Princess.
Meals
Since we’re on the subject completely different locations to eat, let’s speak in regards to the meals. There’s a very nice number of meals choices on board, from complimentary to specialty. I wasn’t the one one impressed by the meals high quality on the ship.
Stewart Chiron, America’s most quoted cruise skilled, mentioned the next in regards to the meals on Solar Princess throughout my crusing: “Unequivocally, the meals high quality and choices aboard Princess Cruises’ model new Solar Princess has reached its highest degree since its founding in 1965.”
This was my eighth cruise on Princess and it has by far the very best meals within the fleet. From finger meals choices by the pool to Alfredo’s and Umai Teppanyaki, I liked each meal that I had.
After all, Solar Princess additionally has the Princess staples, Crown Grill and Sabatini’s.
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Cabins
Since it’s Princess Cruises’ latest ship, it has the very best cabins of their fleet. I stayed in a regular balcony cabin on deck 14. From the 55″ TV to extra energy retailers than you may ever use, it was a pleasant, comfy cabin.
It amazes me how some new cruise ships nonetheless are nonetheless not placing energy retailers on either side on the mattress. On Solar Princess, all sides had a number of energy retailers and the cabin actually had every thing you wanted. There was loads of storage, a great bathe, and naturally, the Princess Luxurious Mattress.
I’ve a video of my cabin in my first impressions piece that I linked to initially of this text, for these are you .
Wake View Terrace
Certainly one of my favourite elements of the ship is the decrease aft part. There a pool with glass partitions that overlooks the ship’s wake, a bar, and loads of loungers. It was by no means that crowded throughout my cruise since you do need to go a bit out of your strategy to get right here.
There’s additionally elevators right here with glass partitions for unbelievable views of the ship’s wake.
Elevators
I hardly ever take elevators on cruise ships, they’re usually simply too crowded for me and I benefit from the train from taking the steps. On Solar Princess, they’ve “sensible” elevators the place you push the ground you need to go to and it tells you which ones elevator to take.
Despite the fact that the ship was close to capability, there was by no means a line and I often had all of it to myself, or with simply 2 or 3 others. This new system works extremely nicely and each cruise ship ought to do what they did on Solar Princess.
Excessive Ceilings in Elements of the Ship
A number of areas of the ship, together with the on line casino, have excessive ceilings that basically open issues up and make them really feel much less crowded and extra comfy. The excessive ceilings within the on line casino additionally assist a bit with the nasty odor of cigarette smoke.
Princess Reside!
Princess Reside! is extra open and has extra seating than those discovered on Royal class ships. It makes this house so significantly better for trivia, bingo, and different actions.
Different Distinctive Options on Solar Princess
For individuals who like to buy, there are by way more retailers on the ship than another Princess ship.
The Sanctuary has been moved from the entrance to again of the ship.
Whereas there isn’t any basketball/sports activities courtroom, there’s a ropes course and different actions for households and youthful cruisers on the highest deck.
The Friends Providers Desk has been moved away from the Piazza space and is now in an space fully by itself on deck 6.
There are two completely different locations off of the Piazza to get espresso. There’s the Worldwide Cafe and Espresso Currents.
I actually loved my 5 days on board Solar Princess, it’s a terrific ship with an superior crew.
Solar Princess is presently crusing cruises in Europe however might be repositioning to Florida this fall for cruises to the Caribbean. You may see costs for these cruises right here.
