Sea Princess
View Ship Itineraries

Passengers: 2,016
Crew: 875
Tonnage: 77,000
Length: 856 feet
Draft: 26 feet
Registry: Great Britain Entered Service: 1998
Decks:  15

Best For People Who Want
The extensive fitness and entertainment facilities of a large ship, elegant decor, multiple dining choices, top-notch shore excursions, water sports (Caribbean sailings); extensive spa/fitness facilities; balcony cabins and large suites; facilities for disabled. On Alaska cruises, Princess' pre- and post-cruise shore excursions are unbeatable, with stays at the cruise company's private lodges.

Should Be Avoided By People Who Prefer
Casual evening attire; separate teen facilities. Revenue generating activities such as art auctions are constantly pushed. Not recommended for singles traveling alone.

Onboard Experience
The 77,000-ton Sea Princess has been marketed exclusively in the U.K. until recently.  She is sister ship to Dawn and Sun Princess. Step into the Grand Plaza atrium with gleaming marble floor and brass staircases and you'll know this will be a classy cruise experience. A refined atmosphere without being staid, the tempo can be as upbeat as you like yet intimate enough for romance. With a high ratio of passengers to space and superb design, there are no lines or crowds. The layout of public rooms is superb, with the majority located on Promenade Deck.  Two Princess Cruises’ programs make this ship a favorite. 

Personal Choices dining means that you may opt for traditional assigned seating in one restaurant, or dine when and with whom you want in another.  Horizon Court, the Lido restaurant, is open 24 hours per day as is the Pizzeria.  And, “Movies Under The Stars” is a wonderful opportunity to watch first-run films at night on deck.

Decor
Sea Princess is our pick for one of the most beautiful ships afloat. Sophisticated and elegant, the Princess ships are each adorned with a $2 million art collection that enriches the pale beech paneling, soft lighting and enormous windows with ocean views.

Cuisine
Princess has raised the level of cuisine to a much higher level in all restaurants, with pasta and beef our favorite dishes, while deserts and coffee could use a bit of work. Don't miss the pizza made to order in the ships' pizzeria. There's an ice cream bar, but this comes with a charge, a big gripe with Princess' passengers. The Sterling Steakhouse features special cuts of Angus beef from the famous Sterling Silver 8 brand. Passengers choose their own prime cut of beef from a presentation tray, and watch as the chef cooks their selection. There is a $15.00 charge for this dining alternative open from 6:00 to 10:00 p.m.

Restaurants
Princess again scales down the feeling of a large ship with two main dining rooms, elegant and beautifully designed with etched glass partitions and hand painted panels. Dining choices onboard include a 24-hour restaurant, patisserie, hamburger and hot dog grill, sushi bar and 24-hour room service. You'll also find an Italian-style pizzeria with multiple varieties made from scratch. The Grill restaurant is adjacent to the pool for casual breakfast and luncheon buffet. It is transformed into the Sterling Steakhouse between 6:00 and 10:00 p.m. with special table settings of decorative linens, fine cutlery and table lanterns. (Reservations are recommended as seating is limited to 70. The charge for this dining alternative is $15.00). 

Personal Choice Dining offers passengers the choice of two dining styles; traditional cruise dining with a set dining time (6:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m.) and the same waiter and tablemates each evening, or new restaurant style seating allowing passengers to dine when and with whom they like. With restaurant style dining, each party will be seated at their own table rather than with other passengers, as they would at a restaurant on land. Restaurant style seating is offered in the dining rooms between 5:30 p.m. and midnight. (Regardless of which dining style is chosen, a gratuity of $10.00 per person per day is automatically applied to shipboard accounts for dining and cabin staff. Passengers may add or reduce this amount at any time, if they so choose.)

Entertainment
Two showrooms feature Broadway- and Las Vegas-style entertainment and there are a half-dozen lovely bars and lounges.  The casino has table games and 165 slot machines.  On the Riviera Deck, Princess’ popular “Movies under the Stars” let you lounge on deck watching first-run movies.  Sea Princess’ library is beautiful, with lounge chairs overlooking the sea, and fully stocked.

Activities
In the lavishness of the Riviera Deck, or work on your handicap at the ship's computerized golf center. For your daily dip, pick from four pools, including one specifically designed for lap swimming. At the aft open-air sports deck you can play basketball, volleyball, badminton, even paddle tennis. The ultra-deluxe, glass-walled health center overlooks the ocean. Relax in a library with listening chairs for books-on-tape or music. Even as you go about the business of pleasure and relaxation, you can still keep in touch with the office using onboard phone, fax, and computer services, while your kids find all the fun they can handle at the ship's child and teen centers. 

Most Americans are unfamiliar with Sea Princess since she’s been marketed only to residents of the U.K. since entering service.  She is a sister ship of  Dawn and Sun Princess and as such, a lovely vessel indeed. 

Personal Choices dining offers terrific flexibility and choices.  You may opt to dine in one restaurant where seating is assigned another, which is come whenever you please and sit with whomever you please.  The Sterling Steakhouse has an extra charge for dining on steak and the Horizon Court lido café is open 24 hours per day.

Public Rooms 
First impressions mean a lot. Boarding the ship you’ll enter the beautiful Grand Plaza atrium. The Sea Princess has two entertainment areas with the Princess Theater being the formal theater and the Vista Lounge being a more casual multi-purpose facility.  We love Entre Nous Wine Bar for pre- or post-dinner cocktails.
 
Activities 
In the lavishness of the Riviera Deck, or work on your handicap at the ship's computerized golf center. For your daily dip, pick from four pools, including one specifically designed for lap swimming. At the aft open-air sports deck you can play basketball, volleyball, badminton, even paddle tennis. The ultra-deluxe, glass-walled health center overlooks the ocean. Relax in a library with listening chairs for books-on-tape or music. Even as you go about the business of pleasure and relaxation, you can still keep in touch with the office using onboard phone, fax, and computer services, while your kids find all the fun they can handle at the ship's child and teen centers. 

Entertainment
Two showrooms feature Broadway- and Las Vegas-style entertainment and there are a half-dozen lovely bars and lounges.  The casino has table games and 165 slot machines.  On the Riviera Deck, Princess’ popular “Movies under the Stars” let you lounge on deck watching first-run movies.  Sea Princess’ library is beautiful, with lounge chairs overlooking the sea, and fully stocked.

Cabins 
You'll find generous standard cabin amenities aboard Sun Princess: color TV with movies and CNN; hair dryers; terry cloth robes; safes; mini refrigerators; beds that convert from twin to queen size. Princess designed this ship to meet the desires of today's passengers by constructing 400 cabins with private balconies, spacious at 178 square feet. They are a trade off if cabin size is important, reducing your actual living space to 151 sq. ft. But these are the ships' most popular staterooms so book them early.

Mini-suites with two rooms are among the largest aboard any ship: 374 sq. feet, including balcony and large marble bathroom. Those opting for a standard outside cabin, sized at 178 sq. feet, will feel quite comfortable while inside staterooms are smaller, sized from 135 to 148 sq. ft. In the standard outside and inside cabins, closet space is miniscule, so pack lightly. You'll find self-operated washers and dryers on all cabin decks - they're always crowded, but it's a great way to meet other cruisers.

Attire
Plan on two formal evenings on seven to 14-night cruises. The rest of the evenings are designated smart casual. Many men opt for dark suit instead of a tux while women don dressy pants, short or long dresses. During the daytime, the "uniform" is shorts, sneakers, T-shirt/polo shirt and baseball cap.

Tipping
A charge of $10 per person per day (including children) is automatically added to your stateroom account for dining and stateroom personnel. This applies to all passengers, whether or not they choose traditional or personal choice dining. The amount may be increased or lowered at the Purser's Reception desk during the cruise.

Copyright Anne Campbell, 2008  All rights reserved.