Saturday, April 20, 2024

Grand Princess Cruise Ship Review First-hand Expert Review

grand princess cruise

Grand Princess is a Grand-class cruise ship owned by Princess Cruises. It was built in 1998 by Fincantieri Cantieri Navali Italiani in Monfalcone, Italy, with yard number 5956, at a cost of approximately US$450 million. She was the largest and most expensive passenger ship ever built at the time. Grand Princess was the flagship in the Princess Cruises fleet until the new Royal Princess took that title in June 2013.

Top 10 Grand Princess Cruises

I enjoyed a fruit and vegetable carving demonstration during my sailing. Although not as large as the Discovery Princess, the line’s new ship, the Grand still has the signature amenities – the Sanctuary, Movies under the Stars, and aft pool. The staterooms saw upgrades with larger flat-screen TVs and the addition of Luxury Princess beds. Although launched before 2000, the vessel is one of the cruise line’s smaller ships. On the upper level of the Conservatory, which houses the Calypso pool, passengers will find free arcade basketball and two Ping-Pong tables; tournaments are held occasionally. This is the closest thing the ship has to an arcade, but gaming systems are available in Camp Discovery.

Oceanview (OY)

Scrumptious dining choices are featured on the Grand Princess, where exceptionalis combined with an unforgettable gourmet experience. Specialty restaurants include Sabatini's Trattoria, the Crown Grill and Crab Shack. There are lots of casual eateries as well, such as Horizon Court Buffet, Alfredo's Pizzeria and Trident Grill.

Grand Princess Stateroom Review

grand princess cruise

As one of the jewels in Princess Cruises fleet, the ship boasts a passenger capacity of approximately 2,600 guests. Grand Princess passengers can opt for cruises and cruise tours to Alaska in the summer. Princess is the only cruise line with captains authorized to perform onboard wedding ceremonies.

You can also purchase USD 3 ice cream sandwiches, such as the Mint Paddy or Cookie Colada. On the Lido deck, Prego Pizzeria offers a grab-and-go pizza by the slice. Da Vinci and Botticelli Restaurants are located on deck 6, with no access between them.

Other Dining Options

Princess ships also offered afternoon tea, which was complimentary. Attend at least one tea ritual if you’re a fan of finger sandwiches, scones, and tasty treats. Tea drinkers might enjoy the Leaves Tea Lounge, which shares its space with a small library. Located on the Promenade deck, you can enjoy a specialty tea with a book, jigsaw puzzle, or daily puzzle. On the last night of the cruise, the buffet included complimentary sushi, something you usually get at a specialty restaurant.

grand princess cruise

Perfect for celebrating an anniversary or milestone, or just making your cruise vacation even more amazing. To remember the occasion a photo with the executive chef and a handwritten copy of the special menu is included. Enjoy an endless selection that changes throughout the day to satisfy the most discriminating palate.

Grand Princess Activities

With an overwhelming world of choices, we understand you may need some personal assistance to plan your perfect vacation. From finding the right destination to choosing the best departure date, we're here to help. Plus, our experienced travel consultants have access to exclusive vacation deals to make sure you get the best value for your time and money. Princess Cruises is a USA-based passenger shipping company headquartered in Beverly Hills CA. A former subsidiary of P&O Princess Cruises (1977-founded), in 2003, the company merged with Carnival Corporation - the world's largest cruise shipowner. Among Princess Cruise Lines Ltd's assets is the Caribbean private island resort Princess Cays (on Bahamas Eleuthera Island's southern end), located approx 80 km (50 mi) from Nassau.

Sun Deck

Carnival ruled negligent over Ruby Princess cruise with COVID outbreak - USA TODAY

Carnival ruled negligent over Ruby Princess cruise with COVID outbreak.

Posted: Wed, 25 Oct 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]

Exciting events like talent shows, theme nights, and treasure hunts encourage new friendships and family togetherness. From rejuvenating spa treatments and the tranquility of a top-deck retreat reserved just for adults to our state-of-the-art fitness centers, you’ll find all the elements to come back new. Pick up a game, compete against fellow guests for bragging rights, or start your own dream team. An extraordinary treat for both gastronomes and gourmet novices. The Chef’s Table is a perfect culinary journey for any special occasion. Indulge in an extravagant multi-course dinner created and hosted by the ship’s executive chef.

The Promenade deck has the classic wraparound circuit, often removed on newer vessels, for those who love to walk laps. While Princess refurbished the vessel in 2019, the abundance of wood remained, giving it a traditional and, dare I say, outdated décor. In the off-season, the ship repositions via Hawaii and Tahiti to Melbourne, Australia. However, you can also find the odd itinerary along the Pacific Coast and to Mexico. So, whether you board in San Francisco, Vancouver, or Sydney, here’s what you’ll expect onboard. Around the ship, Princess refreshed the pools, added the Ocean Medallion, and new venues such as the Salty Dog Grill and Slice Pizzeria.

The placement of this forlorn outdoor space -- so near to The Sanctuary, one of the grandest and most exclusive spaces -- seems almost inappropriate. Grand Princess has more than a dozen bars; some are rarely crowded, while others force passengers to wait several minutes for their orders to be taken. Watering holes in central locations -- mainly the Piazza and the Deck 7 promenade area -- are generally the most frequented. The stunning multi-level, Piazza-styled atrium boasts a variety of venues, including shops, the International Café and Vines, a wine and seafood bar for sushi, tapas and fabulous choices by the glass. Register with Cruise.com to get access to exclusive rates, discounts and special offers.

Packages are available, and appointments are available for anyone wanting professional photos. Cameras and camera equipment are also for sale, and the staff offer photography seminars. Cruisers on Grand Princess can also choose to walk several miles around the ship's promenade deck as part of Princess' On Deck for the Cure program, which raises money for cancer research.

Grand Princess was the first of the Grand-class cruise ships debuting in 1998, and christened by Olivia de Havilland. These suites are for larger families or groups traveling together and include special suite-only benefits and two bathrooms connected by a large living room, which leads to an expansive private balcony. During the inaugural season, many popular actors participated in shipboard live performances. Among those were Al Martino, Lorna Luft, Bob Anderson, Rita Moreno, Red Buttons.

Otherwise, a one-time access fee of $14.99 USD per person per voyage will apply for OceanNow® delivery and a $5 USD room service fee will apply for each order placed by stateroom phone. ▲3rd/4th berths available in select cabins.†Guests may call for room service delivery or order through OceanNow® in the Princess® Cruises app at any time of the day or night. Guests with the latest Princess Plus and Princess Premier packages enjoy OceanNow® and room service delivery with no charge. Otherwise, a one-time access fee of $14.99 USD per person per voyage will apply for OceanNow® delivery and a $5 USD room service fee will apply for each order placed by stateroom phone. Trivia carries over into the nighttime with more intricate offerings like a Sherlock Holmes murder mystery, where passengers had to identify song clues. Other game shows include Passenger Feud (the at-sea version of Family Feud), Majority Rules (the most popular answer wins), Who's the Cuckoo?

On the second-to-last night of our sailing, there was also a balloon-drop party in the atrium where passengers danced to music from the ship's band amid the sounds of popping balloons. Surrounding you with deluxe accommodations, a spacious Suite with balcony includes all the amenities of a Reserve Collection Mini-Suite, plus incredible premiums. Enjoy more living space, a sofa bed and separate seating areas, and wonderfully enhanced amenities that range from priority embarkation and disembarkation to a mini-bar setup in suite and so much more. The buffet isn't the only space where there are traffic flow issues.

Mini-Suites include a separate sitting area with sofa bed, premium bathroom amenities and two flat-panel televisions. For families or groups needing a little extra space, Mini-Suites offer an appealing and affordable option. Beyond the piazza, there are production shows in Princess Theatre, first-run movies in Vista Lounge, daytime music poolside by Calypso Band, and the many activities prepared by the cruise director's staff.

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