Cruise-Australia.net
Discover Cruising at its Best!
With Reuben Goossens
Cruise’n’Travel Journalist / Cruise Reviewer
Princess
Cruises
Sun
Princess
Sun Princess is 856ft long, 106ft wide,
she accommodates 1,950 passengers
The 77,000-ton 1995 built Sun Princess was built at
a cost of A$400 million and has cruised in many parts
of the world. Over the years, she has acquired a faithful following amongst cruise
enthusiasts. She has now been stationed in
Sun Princess has proven to be a ship that has not
only all the amenities of a fine cruise liner, but is a ship of great style and
sophistication! Prior to
heading for
Sailing the South Pacific Sun Princess has replaced
the popular 30,200-ton Pacific Princess, which has successfully pioneered
premium cruising for Australians since 2002.
Public Rooms
A colourful Atrium Staircase
The Sun Princess at 77,000-tons may
be big, but she certainly does not feel big. The main reason for this is that
Princess Cruises has not used the extra space to cram in more people, but they
have created more intimate lounges and other public facilities. She offers a
variety of restaurants, theatres, bars, swimming pools and so on. You could
call her a big ship with a small ship feel.
Public
rooms and facilities on Sun Princess is organized around a four-deck atrium,
which is delightfully decorated with light timbers, chrome and glass, and
connected by two glass elevators. At the entrance level on Plaza Deck are the
Marquis Dining Room, reception area, shore excursions desk, and Patisserie for
a la carte coffee and confections.
Atrium
Ascending
to Emerald Deck one finds the shops, logo goods, liquor, perfume, jewellery and
sundries as well as the Regency Dining Room. Both single-level dining rooms
face aft with views over three sides of the ship. While large, they are divided
into smaller areas by serving stations and banquettes.
Princess Theatre
Promenade
Deck features a wide, wraparound promenade deck, protected from the weather by
her overhanging decks. The interior of Promenade Deck is devoted to public
rooms. The Princess Theatre is located forward, which is a sloped down toward
the state and is used as the show lounge and movie theatre. It has excellent
sight lines with traditional theatre style seating complete with small trays
for drinks. Just aft is the Wheelhouse Bar, which has that clubby feel with its
dark-panelling and decorated with paintings of past P&O and Princess ships.
Then
there is the Atrium Lounge and bar followed by Rendezvous, which is the ship's
most intimate wine. Shooting Stars is the ships disco, which is fitted with an
excellent sound and light system and it is an effective space for late-night
dancing.
The
ship's library offers a good selection of books, maps and other reading
material. The photo gallery is long and well lit. The Vista Lounge is located
aft of Promenade Deck, and this room is the ship's secondary show lounge. It does
feature the largest dance floor onboard and has a stage for various cabaret
acts.
Dinning
Sun
Princess offers “Personal Choice Dining,” wich
is available in the various dinning facilities. The Regency Dining Room offers
fixed sittings for dinner at 1745 and 2000, whilst breakfast and lunch there is
an open sitting. The identical Marquis Dining Room is open for dinner from 1730
until 2200.
Horizon Court
The
ship's buffet restaurant is located in the massive
Verdi’s Pizzeria
Verdi's
Pizzeria, is decorated with tile floors and tables
with wrought iron chairs. It is open for lunch. In the evening it becomes a
casual Italian trattoria offering a variety of menus
specialising in pastas.
Sun
Princess offers a free 24-hour service offering a range of menus of cold and
hot items, which are delivered promptly to the cabin.
Accommodation
Cabins, be they inside, with an ocean view or with a
private balcony, are highlighted with light timber textures and pastel soft
furnishings. All twin beds can be made up as a queen sized bed. Cabins are well
lit, which is especially good for inside cabins. There is ample wardrobe and
drawer space, as well as a deck/vanity table with a chair. In addition there is
a safe and refrigerator, television with satellite and onboard broadcasts.
Bathrooms are adequate and Princess provides a range of toiletries from
Princess' spa. 70% of outside cabins have a private balcony.
Ocean-view Twin/Double bedded cabin
One of the
spacious Suites
All
suites include large balconies with dining tables, chairs and sun lounges, as
well as bathtubs with whirlpools and a lounge separated from the bedroom.
Pools - Spa & Fitness facilities
On the
main pool deck there are two central pools a third is a splash pool located
just behind the fitness center. Pools are surrounded
by spacious decks, which are serviced by the outdoor Splash Bar. For sun
lovers, there are ample sun lounges. The topmost passenger deck, Sun Deck, is
divided into two portions. The aft portion of Sun Deck is available for sports
activities such as shuffleboard, basketball and paddle tennis. Other
recreational features include a golf simulator and quoits.
The
Lotus Spa has an Asian themed decor, and offers a vast variety of treatments
both for men, women. The gym features the latest equipment and weights. The
room has piped music and TV screens. In addition there is a special carpeted
space for yoga, aerobics and Pilates. Extra charges apply to specialised
alternative dinning, the Spa and several other activities, such as Pilates.
Wheelhouse Bar
The
The following are
just a few of Sun Princess vast range of facilities.
· Over 400 staterooms include balconies
· Wrap-round promenade deck
· 24-hour buffet/bistro with 270-degree view over bow
· Poolside hamburger grill and ice cream bar
· Pizzeria and premium steakhouse
· Wine and caviar bar
· Patisserie
· Four-storey atrium lobby with ocean views
· Two show lounges
· Spa with ocean-view gymnasium
· Sports court and jogging track
· Four swimming pools
· Bay view listening library
· Computerized golf centre
· Lavish casino
· Gallery of shops
· Business centre
Sun Princess is truly one of Princess Cruises
“superliners”
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