Princess Cruises
Princess Cruises
Independent Expert Reviews by Professional Travel Journalists
UK cruise passengers have been pushing the boat by taking advantage of the strong pound/dollar exchange rate on board Princess Cruises’ ships.
Because Princess is a US company, the currency on board is dollars, giving Brits additional financial muscle when cruising in either the Mediterranean, Caribbean or Alaska.
For example, the $20 supplement for a 12 course Italian gala dinner in the sophisticated surroundings of Sabatini's trattoria perched high at the rear of new mega ship Emerald Princess works out at around £10 - a fraction of the price charged for a similar gourmet experience in the UK.
Beer, wine and cocktails all work out at half the dollar rate charged due to the favourable exchange rate.
The savings make splashing out on a rejuvenating treatment or massage in the calm surroundings of the Lotus Spa far less of a drain on the wallet.
The 3,000-passenger Emerald Princess, with its eight bars, 12 restaurants and cafes, four swimming pools and Movies under the Stars film screen on deck, offers a quality American-style cruise experience with the kind of high standards of service you come to expect when visiting the US.
Emerald is one of a trio of vast new vessels being deployed by Princess, alongside Crown Princess and Ruby Princess, which enters service in November 2008 running seven-day Western Caribbean sailings from Fort Lauderdale in Florida.
The clever design of these ships means that they are divided into many separate areas, creating the impression of sailing on far more intimate vessel. A large proportion of the cabins also have balconies, a real sight-seeing benefit when visiting a variety of different ports of call.
Flexible dining means avoiding queues for the three main restaurants. Even at busy times, passengers are provided with pagers to let them know when their table is ready.
Six of the line’s fleet of 15 modern ships will be operating in Europe next summer, including Sea Princess and Grand Princess both offering departures from Southampton, Emerald Princess in the Med, Crown Princess sailing to St Petersburg and the Baltics from Copenhagen and boutique-style vessels Pacific Princess and Royal Princess offering off the beaten track itineraries in the Black Sea, Mediterranean and Scandinavia.
Princess is also one of the biggest cruise operators in Alaska and the leading line for British passengers – many of whom have never taken a cruise before - going in search of glaciers, stunning scenery and wildlife.
So if it’s a “big ship choice with a small ship feel” kind of cruise holiday you are looking for with understated yet ultra-modern ships, then Princess is for you.
