I not too long ago had the chance to take a look at Solar Princess, the latest and largest cruise ship from Princess Cruises. The cruise line invited me on as a visitor for 5 days to take a look at the whole lot 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 residence from the cruise, listed below are 12 issues that I cherished about this new cruise ship from Princess.
The Dome
Let’s begin on the prime of the ship, the place the Dome is positioned. Within the above picture, you may see the Dome and the place it’s positioned on Solar Princess.
This accomplished enclosed space gives unimaginable views and comfy loungers and it’s going to be actually well-liked on sea days. Princess may also have reveals at night time on this space including to the ship’s distinctive leisure.
There’s a pool that’s partially indoor and outside. You may swim from outdoors to contained in the Dome.
The Piazza
For individuals who have sailed on Costa’s two new ships, you can be conversant in the structure of the Piazza. This open round space permits for higher leisure with stadium-like seating on three flooring.
On my cruise, there was the whole lot from a silent disco, to Zumba, to sport reveals, and even a juggler within the Piazza. It truly is the heartbeat and middle of the ship.
Spellbound
Spellbound by Magic Citadel 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 superb expertise that it gives.
The worth 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 wherever else on the ship. The whole lot is included (together with drinks) within the $149 price ticket and you’ll keep right here so long as you need. Additionally they have a pleasant number of non-alcoholic cocktails for many who don’t drink. I attempted them and so they have been scrumptious.
I might undoubtedly advocate to e book an earlier time for Spellbound. This enables you time to take pleasure in and discover this superb space that’s not like the rest you’ll find at sea.
I didn’t go into an excessive amount of element on Spellbound as a result of I don’t need to spoil all the surprises right here. You’re finest off entering into figuring out a bit of, however not the whole lot. You’ll perceive when you’re onboard. It’s by far one of the best themed area I’ve seen on over 75 cruises.
Gown code for Spellbound is “Cocktail Apparel”, one thing to be aware of 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 have been nothing wanting very good. Significantly, pay them a go to in case you have a cruise booked on Solar Princess.
In all places I went on the ship, the crew was pleasant and I overheard many passengers complimenting the employees on the superb job they have been doing.
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The Eatery
The Eatery is the buffet on board Solar Princess and it’s positioned off of the Piazza, this can be a change from the standard location by the pool deck. I believe having it on this space works so a lot better for the reason that Piazza is the heartbeat of the ship.
On the very again of the Eatery, it turns into specialty eating within the evenings. Nonetheless, for breakfast and lunch, it gives 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.
Essential Eating Room
The primary eating room is three flooring however with a novel twist to deck 8. On deck 8, the primary eating room is Americana Diner and it’s for many who need to get out and in with out having a protracted dinner.
I ate right here one night time and we have been out and in in 45 minutes. The meals parts are a bit of small so don’t be afraid to order multiple factor if you’re hungry. It’s such a fantastic possibility in the event you don’t desire a drawn-out dinner after a protracted 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 searching for, there’s an possibility for you on Solar Princess.
Meals
Since we’re on the subject totally different locations to eat, let’s discuss 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 professional, stated 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 stage since its founding in 1965.”
This was my eighth cruise on Princess and it has by far one of the best meals within the fleet. From finger meals choices by the pool to Alfredo’s and Umai Teppanyaki, I cherished each meal that I had.
In fact, 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 one of the best cabins of their fleet. I stayed in an ordinary balcony cabin on deck 14. From the 55″ TV to extra energy retailers than you may ever use, it was a pleasant, snug 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 the whole lot you wanted. There was loads of storage, a superb 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
One in every of my favourite components 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 should go a bit out of your approach to get right here.
There’s additionally elevators right here with glass partitions for unimaginable 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 of them elevator to take.
Regardless 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 properly and each cruise ship ought to do what they did on Solar Princess.
Excessive Ceilings in Components of the Ship
A number of areas of the ship, together with the on line casino, have excessive ceilings that actually open issues up and make them really feel much less crowded and extra snug. 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 area so a lot better for trivia, bingo, and different actions.
Different Distinctive Options on Solar Princess
For individuals who like to buy, there are by much more outlets on the ship than some other 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 utterly by itself on deck 6.
There are two totally 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 fantastic ship with an superior crew.
Solar Princess is at present crusing cruises in Europe however shall be repositioning to Florida this fall for cruises to the Caribbean. You may see costs for these cruises right here.