sky princess cruise ship refit

• Princess Cruises

Booking before a refit - Sky Princess

By wowzz , July 13, 2022 in Princess Cruises

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We are considering a 14 night Med cruise on Sky Princess, leaving Southampton on April 1st 2023.

However,  I see that after this cruise,  there is a hiatus of three weeks before the next cruise commences. I assume this is for a dry dock, refit etc.

I have heard anecdotal tales that in the last few days of such a cruise, contractors will be on board,  carrying out preparatory work, such as removing carpets,  soft furnishings etc.

Has anyone had any experience of this ? And what are your thoughts in general about taking a cruise immediately prior to a refit.

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1 hour ago, wowzz said: We are considering a 14 night Med cruise on Sky Princess, leaving Southampton on April 1st 2023. However,  I see that after this cruise,  there is a hiatus of three weeks before the next cruise commences. I assume this is for a dry dock, refit etc. I have heard anecdotal tales that in the last few days of such a cruise, contractors will be on board,  carrying out preparatory work, such as removing carpets,  soft furnishings etc. Has anyone had any experience of this ? And what are your thoughts in general about taking a cruise immediately prior to a refit. TIA

This dry dock was scheduled August 2021, as the routine, 2 year dry dock.  Being a newer ship, it should not be a refurbishment.  You should not see interruptions.

• 6 months later...

With apologies to @wowzz  for resurrecting this thread from the depths of CC, I thought it might be useful to revisit this one as the refit window is getting closer.

I’m actually booked on a May cruise on Sky, and was curious to know whether there is more information available on the refit scope - I saw on another thread that there is a suggestion Bistro Sur La Mer is to be removed, for example, and replaced with Crooners (as someone who loves Crooners on Regal, this makes me happy, although I was looking forward to a new dining venue).

Anyone with insight, I’d love to hear it - for the benefit of anyone booked ‘either side’ of the refit!

Absolutely no insights, but an additional query… as well as the changes to

Bistro sur la Mer I’ve also heard suggestions that the Crown Grill Bar will be rebranded as Wheelhouse. Hubby and I have only sailed on Sky Princess so

don’t know the plus sides of Crooners and Wheelhouse but will definitely miss Bistro. 

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Sky Princess

Cruise line Princess Cruises

• Southampton (England)
• Fort Lauderdale (Port Everglades, Florida)
• Port Canaveral (Orlando, Florida)

Sky Princess current position

Sky Princess current location is at North East Atlantic Ocean (coordinates 49.22266 N / -4.07787 W) cruising at speed of 12.5 kn (23 km/h | 14 mph) en route to Cherbourg. The AIS position was reported 4 minutes ago.

Current itinerary of Sky Princess

Sky Princess current cruise is 7 days, round-trip Spain France . The itinerary starts on 08 Apr, 2024 and ends on 15 Apr, 2024 .

Specifications of Sky Princess

•   Itineraries
•   Review
•   Wiki

Sky Princess Itineraries

Sky princess review, review of sky princess.

The 2019-built Sky Princess cruise ship is the 4th Royal-class vessel in the Princess Cruises fleet, together with the fleet mates Royal Princess (2013), Regal Princess (2014), Majestic Princess (2017), Enchanted Princess (2021) and Discovery Princess (2022). From the same class is also the P&O UK liner Britannia (2015).

The vessel (IMO number 9802396) is currently Bermuda- flagged (MMSI 310780000) and registered in Hamilton .

History - construction and ownership

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 .

The 3600-passenger ship Sky Princess is among the largest cruise ships sailing the seas. The vessel was built at Fincantieri shipyard, Italy and has 19 decks. Sky Princess features an impressive number (16) of bars and restaurants and a luxury spa. The ship offers unique features to her guests, such as a glass-enclosed walkway over the ocean known as the SeaWalk.

Decks and Cabins

Sky Princess staterooms (1834 total, in 38 categories) include 1438 cabins (80% of all) with step-out balconies. The ship also has 36 wheelchair-accessible and no Oceanview-category cabins. The largest are the 2-Room Sky Suites (950-1010 ft2 / 88-94 m2 plus 700 ft2 / 65 m2 terrace).

The boat has 18 decks , of which 15 are passenger-accessible and 10 with cabins.

Sky Suites (new cabin category) are Princess Cruises first staterooms for 5 people and with 270-degree top-deck views. These are also the fleet's largest cabins and with the fleet's largest balconies. Both Sky Suites are located midship on Sports Deck 18 (portside and starboard). Each Sky Suite has a wraparound terrace and provides a private view of the outdoor "Movies Under the Stars" theatre (fleet's biggest outdoor LED screen).

Shipboard dining options - Food and Drinks

There are many for-fee dining options onboard Sky Princess, but guests who would rather not pay are offered enough quality and variety to satisfy. Those who prefer tradition will choose between the three main dining rooms: Allegro, Concerto and Symphony.

Horizon Court and Horizon Bistro are the buffet options, providing a more casual vibe. Passengers who want to have lunch in their swimsuits can take a burger from Trident Grill or a slice at Prego Pizzeria. Indoors, Alfredo's features delicious calzones, salads and thin-crust pizza. Allegro Dining Room is the only option for free dinner with traditional set dining. Passengers can eat at 5:45 p.m. or 8:15 p.m. Allegro's menus are diverse and offer a soup or salad course, an appetizer, pasta and an entree. There is also a special dessert menu.

Follows the complete list of Sky Princess restaurants and food bars.

• Symphony Restaurant (midship location; offers “Anytime Dining” for Dinner; with “Wine Cellar” area serving “Wine Maker’s Dinner” for $40, capacity 12 guests)
• Alfredo’s Pizzeria (121-seat; the largest complimentary pizzeria at sea)
• Concerto Restaurant (forward Dining Room; offers “Anytime Dining” 5:30 p.m. -10 p.m.; serves “Wine Maker’s Dinner” package for $40)
• Allegro Restaurant (aft Dining Room; offers formal dining and two fixed dinner seatings at 6 pm or 8:15 pm; “Chef’s Table Lumiere” private dining for $115, 12 guests)
• OceanFront is a specialty seafood bar with a la carte menu (sushi, sashimi).
• Crown Grill (160-seat steakhouse/seafood restaurant, reservations recommended; on select days serves British Pub Lunch, complimentary)
• Salty Dog Grill (Deck 5) and Alfredo's Pizzeria (Deck 7/fleet's largest) are self-serve complimentary fast food venues. The rustic Salty Dog Gastropub is a new venue where passengers can watch sporting events, gather over small bites and drinks, and partake in Ernesto Burger by chef-partner Ernesto Uchimura (founding chef of the original Umami Burger and owner of the new LA-based restaurant and bar, Electric Owl).
• Calypso Cabana (food bar offering picnic baskets, desserts, champagne and wine packages)
• World Fresh Marketplace (self-service buffet restaurant, complimentary); Horizon Buffet (indoor sitting) and Horizon Terrace (outdoor seating)
• Swirls Bar (ice cream)

Sabatini’s Trattoria (a la carte-priced specialty restaurant on Deck 7) offers a 3-course Italian/seafood menu. Sabatini’s is open between 6 pm - 11 pm, and reservations are recommended. This space blends the spaciousness of a contemporary setting with classic Italian accents, featuring handmade pasta courses (via partnership with celebrity chef Angelo Auriana) which are prepared daily. Sabatini’s Trattoria also offers “Sabatini’s Bites” during wine tastings.

Bistro Sur La Mer (cover charge US$35 per person) was an authentic Parisian bistro with a fine dining dinner menu featuring French cuisine by Michelin-star chef Emmanuel Renaut. In 2023, La Mer was replaced with "The Catch by Rudi" - Princess Cruises' first seafood-dedicated restaurant (introduced on Enchanted Princess) via partnership with celebrity chef Rudi Sodamin, who is also the Head of Princess Culinary Arts (onboard dining program).

• The menu is predominantly of seafood dishes based on the freshest catch (sustainably sourced seafood from the current itinerary's ports of call) but also includes surf-and-turf options (including prime beef steaks), as well as vegetarian dishes, gourmet appetizers and desserts.
• The specialty dining experience features creative and engaging food presentations, distinctive settings, and guests being welcomed at the tables with a cocktail crafted by Rob Floyd/celebrity mixologist and liquid chef).
• The menu features "The Daily Catch" items (showcasing the freshest sustainably sourced seafood from local ports of call), international fusion influences (playful twists on seafood favorites like Asian-fried calamari), Rudi Sodamin's contemporary interpretations of classic dishes (like lobsters with garlic butter crust), and signature inventions from his personal repertoire (like Towering Trio, Whole Dover Sole). The Seafood Trolly is a true feast as the dish is piled high with fresh lobster tails, shrimps, oysters, mussels, and other seafood.
• The Catch by Rudi's wine selection is carefully curated to pair with seafood. The waitstaff is knowledgeable (sommelier instructed) to offer recommendations for white, red, rose, and sparkling wines from various coastal wine-growing regions.

The Catch by Rudi's cover charge is US$39 pp and is also included in the Princess Premier package (premium add-on).

Shipboard entertainment options - Fun and Sport

The bulk of performance action takes place in the 2-level Princess Theater (decks 6 and 7). This is the ship's main show lounge with palladium-style seating and grand-style evening show productions.

Theatre lounge doesn't offer tables or drink holders, so if you order one preshow or come with a drink, you'll have to hold it. The entertainment program is excellent and varied, with a beat that is quite innovative. In addition to the production shows, the Princess theatre hosts other acts including vocalists and instrumentalists.

In comparison to Royal-Class Princess ships, Sky Princess has the new Wakeview swimming pool (aft-located) plus 2 deep-water top deck swimming pools and Retreat Pool (adults-only), also more Jacuzzis (including 2 cantilevered, over the deep-water pools). The expanded Sanctuary area offers new design and twice as many private cabanas as the sisterships. Vista Lounge is also redesigned. Princess Live is a new cafe serving quick bites, specialty teas and barista-made coffees.

Follows the complete list of Sky Princess lounges, clubs and other entertainment venues for kids, teens and adults.

• The Piazza Atrium (3-deck open floor area; features live performances entertainment and lobby Bar Piazza)
• Princess Fine Arts Gallery; Photo Gallery & Shop; Limelight photo studio; Platinum Studio
• International Cafe (24-hour specialty coffee bar and patisserie)
• Vines Bar (wine/seafood/sushi bar)
• Gelato (the largest ice cream bar at sea)
• Library (with Internet stations); Internet Cafe (24-hour)
• Princess Sky Theatre (2-level musical and show productions; hosts workshops, seminars, game shows)
• Celebrations Shop; Calypso Cove Shop; Essence Shop; Meridian Bay Shop; Facets Shop
• Club 6 Disco & Bar; Churchill’s Lounge & Bar (cigar bar); Bellini’s Bar; Crooners Lounge & Bar; Princess Live Lounge; Vista Lounge; Concierge Lounge (Suite guests only); SkyLight Bar; Seaview Bar
• Princess Casino (gambling lounge and bar)
• Wheelhouse Bar (piano bar during the day and an English pub nightly)
• Lotus Spa complex; Beauty Salon; Fitness Center (with Aerobics Studio)
• Wedding Chapel
• Movies Under the Stars (LED screen outdoor cinema)
• The Game Lounge (Video Games Arcade); Teen Center; Youth Center; Remix Disco & Lounge (teen club)
• The Sanctuary (adult-only sundeck / open-air relaxation complex)
• SeaWalk (glass-bottomed cantilevered walkway, 18 m/60 ft long)
• Fountain Pool area; Retreat Pool area
• Princess Sports Central - Center Court (volleyball, basketball, European football); Tennis Tables, Game Lounge virtual gaming, The Greens golf nets, Golfing Cage, Laser Shooting; Jogging Track
• "Take 5" (located on deck 6 midship-portside) is world's only jazz theater at sea. The new jazz-themed bar lounge features a chic setting, live performances by renown jazz musicians (including iconic female singers), hand-crafted premium cocktails (developed by Rob Floyd/master mixologist), guest performers, late-night themed parties, daily enrichment programming (with engaging speakers and workshops). Custom media content is displayed on lounge's TV screens.

On the sisterships Enchanted and Sky, Princess Cruises introduced the exclusive "Jim Henson’s Inspired Silliness" - a 30-min live production show themed on Jim Henson’s hilarious puppetry works. James Maury Henson (1936-1990) was a US puppeteer, animator, cartoonist, actor and filmmaker best-known as the creator of "The Muppets" (TV show created in 1955). The cruise company's new production show (hosted at Princess Theater) includes singers and dancers, high-tech visuals, comedy acts and professional puppetry. The show starts with a video introduction by James Henson's son (Brian) and features new puppets from Henson’s Creature Shop plus newly designed characters.

The Experience Center (Deck 18 aft-starboard) has max capacity 6 people and no age restrictions. This is ship's Escape Room hosting the "Phantom Bridge" game that combines physical and virtual/digital elements for unique puzzle-solving experiences at sea. The attraction is part of Princess Cruises' onboard enrichment program (Discovery at SEA) and offers interactive (real-world + virtual) adventure gaming experiences with 700+ different outcomes. Phantom Bridge's gaming sessions last 23 min each and allow passengers to navigate the virtual cruise liner, watch as the generated simulations change, uncover the clues and solve puzzles (current game's mystery). The implemented technologies include a physical steering wheel and touch-screen surfaces (in the room), projection mapping, top-notch sound-, lighting- and digital effects, hidden physical elements (throughout the ship).

Itineraries

Sky Princess itinerary program starts with an inaugural Mediterranean cruise season in Europe. The program includes all 10 voyages with 8 different itineraries. The inaugural cruise was scheduled for October 20, 2019.

The 7-night maiden voyage (October 20) is a one-way Adriatic and Mediterranean cruise itinerary from Piraeus-Athens to Barcelona, visiting the ports Kotor Montenegro, Corfu Greece, Messina Sicily (Italy), Naples Italy. In November 2019, the ship offers a Transatlantic repositioning cruise (Nov 17 - Dec 1) from Europe to Florida-Caribbean (14-day crossing from Barcelona to Fort Lauderdale).

The Caribbean cruise program is based on 7-day roundtrips from homeport Fort Lauderdale (starting December 1, 2019).

Summer 2020 the ship spends in Northern Europe, being homeported in Copenhagen (Denmark) , Warnemunde-Rostock (Germany) and St Petersburg (Russia) . Baltic Sea cruises are priced between USD 2300-2800 pp. Fall 2020 the liner is homeported in NYC New York for 7-day "Canada and New England" cruises (priced ~USD 1000-1100 pp).

Sky Princess - user reviews and comments

Photos of sky princess.

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Other Princess Cruises cruise ships

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Sky Princess Wiki

The vessel's powerplant includes four Wartsila marine diesel engines (model 46F, 2x 12V and 2x 14V) with combined power output 62,4 MW (83,700 hp). The propulsion system is based on two azipods with combined power output 18 MW (24,000 hp).

The ship has Fincantieri Monfalcone yard/hull number 6268, volume 145281 GT-tons, DWT-deadweight tonnage 11772 tons, LOA length 330 m, beam 38 m (max width 47 m/including the Navigation Bridge's wings), max draught 8,6 m.

In April 2016, Princess Cruises (via Carnival Corporation ) signed a shipbuilding order for 2 new liners , scheduled for deliveries in 2019 (Sky) and 2020 ( Enchanted ). These are 4th and 5th Royal-class ships (same-designed as Royal, Regal and Majestic ) constructed at Fincantieri Monfalcone shipyard as part of a previous agreement between Carnival Corporation (shipowner) and Fincantieri (shipbuilder). At that time, Carnival Corp had a total of 16 shipbuilding orders, with scheduled deliveries between 2016-2020. All these new liners are fleet's largest and feature Movies Under the Stars (outdoor theatre), Piazza Atrium, 80% balconied staterooms, new dining venues.

In late-January 2017, Carnival Corporation announced 2 more shipbuilding orders. The new ships were ordered for the fleets of Princess (Royal-class / Discovery Princess ) and Holland America Line (Pinnacle-class / Nieuw Rotterdam ). Carnival had signed an MoA (memorandum of agreement) with Fincantieri to construct both vessels, with scheduled deliveries in 2021 (for HAL, at Marghera yard) and 2022 (for Princess, at Monfalcone yard). By the time when both contracts were finalized (February 2017), Carnival Corporation had a total of 19 new ships scheduled for deliveries between 2017-2022.

The vessel's construction officially started with the steel-cutting ceremony on September 8, 2017. On July 5, 2018, at Monfalcone shipyard was held the keel-laying ceremony, traditionally signifying the start of its physical construction. The process is mainly an assembly of pre-fabricated blocks (modular components) joined together at the yard's drydock facility.

Sky Princess was officially delivered to Princess Cruises on October 15, 2019, at Monfalcone Shipyard. The ceremony was attended by Laura Castelli (France's Deputy Minister of Economy and Finance), Giuseppe Bono (Fincantieri's CEO), Micky Arison (Carnival Corporation's Chairman), Arnold Donald (Carnival Corporation's President and CEO), Stein Kruse (Group CEO for the subsidiaries Holland America, Seabourn, Carnival Australia, Carnival UK), Jan Swartz (Group President of the subsidiaries Princess Cruises and Carnival Australia).

Sky Princess is the 17th vessel built by Fincantieri for Princess Cruises. As of October 2019, Fincantieri built a total of 95 cruise liners (since 1990), of which 68 for Carnival Corporation and 49 being on order or under construction .

Fun facts: It takes 3 million man-hours to build a Royal-class liner. For its construction are used 37,000 tons of steel. For instance, about 12,000 tons of steel were used for constructing the Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles . The paint used for the vessel is 95,000 gallons (360,000 L), which is two times more than the quantity consumed for Golden Gate Bridge (re-painted annually). The electrical cables wiring the whole vessel are long 2484 ml (4000 km) which is enough to link NYC with LA .

The vessel was launched/floated out from drydock on February 14, 2019. On the same day (Feb 14th) was held the keel-laying ceremony for the sistership Enchanted Princess (2021) and the steel-cutting for the 6th/final ROYAL-Class liner Discovery Princess (2022). Sky Princess' float-out was led by godmother Kerry Ann Wright (2nd officer for Princess Cruises) nominated as Madrina by her fellow crew. The ship's 6-day Mediterranean Sea trials were successfully completed in early-September.

Princess Cruises Sky Princess was officially christened on December 7, 2019, in Port Everglades (Fort Lauderdale Florida USA) . The liner has two godmothers (former NASA personnel) - Kathryn Patricia Hire (1959-born, former astronaut, now US Navy Reserve Captain) and Frances "Poppy" Northcutt (1943-born, NASA Apollo Program engineer).

The ship's first commanding officers were Heikki Laakkonen and Michele Tuvo (Captains), Fabio Braccelli and Mladen Ratkovic (Chief Engineers), Terri Cybuliak and Richard Harry (General Hotel Managers), Giovanni Cardile and Brian Whelan (Staff Captains).

Sky Princess refurbishment 2023 review

The ship's first drydocking was in 2023 (2023 (April 19-May 6).

The 16-day project (conducted at Damen Verolme Rotterdam in Rotterdam Holland ) was mainly for regularly scheduled maintenance works and minor technical upgrades. 2023 (April 19-May 6) Rotterdam Holland

It involved ~700 contractor workers in addition to the ship's own ~1200 crew members.

The works included installing a new air lubrication/hull system, underwater hull cleaning and painting, renovation of some staterooms and public spaces. "The Catch by Rudi" (new seafood restaurant) replaced the "Bistro Sur La Mer".

Inaugural itineraries 2019

The following tables show the ship's "Inaugural Cruise" itineraries (by destination) as departure dates, call ports, port times and regions. Prices shown are per person (USD), lowest category Inside Cabin rates based on double occupancy.

7-day "Inaugural Cruise" (Athens to Barcelona) - prices started from USD 1890 pp

14-day Inaugural Transatlantic cruise (repositioning from Europe to Florida-Caribbean) - prices started from USD 1260 pp.

3-day "Sky Princess Inaugural Getaway" (maiden Caribbean voyage)

7-day inaugural Western Caribbean cruise - from USD 830 pp

14-day inaugural Caribbean East/West Adventurer cruise - from USD 1590 pp

7-day inaugural Eastern Caribbean cruise - from USD 800 pp

Princess Ship Completes Drydock in Rotterdam

• May 23, 2023

The Sky Princess successfully completed a routine drydock at the Damen Verolme in Rotterdam earlier this month.

According to the Dutch shipyard, the Princess Cruises vessel spent a total of 16 days in the facility undergoing regular maintenance, in addition to technical upgrades.

The scope of work included installation of class certified parts for a new air lubrication system and a full hull painting program, Damen said.

A total of 1,200 crew members and 700 contractors worked around the clock to complete the project, which the shipyard called a logistical challenge.

Following the successful drydock, the Sky Princess resumed service on May 5.

Spending the summer in Northern Europe, the 2019-built vessel is presently offering a series of cruises departing from Southampton, England.

The program includes itineraries to Western Europe, the Norwegian Fjords, the Mediterranean, the Baltic and more.

In May, for instance, the ship is offering a seven-night cruise to Scandinavia, in addition to a special 14-night cruise to Iceland and Norway.

Also sailing roundtrip from Southampton, the two-week cruise features visits to Akureyri, Isafjord and Grundarfjordur in Iceland, as well as Skjolden, Olden and Alesund, in Norway.

Following its summer program in Europe, the Sky Princess is set to return to North America in November.

Starting on Nov. 25, the vessel offers a series of itineraries to the Caribbean and the Bahamas departing from Princess’ cruise terminal in Port Everglades, Florida.

Fourth in a series of six ships known as Royal Class, the Sky Princess originally entered service in 2019.

Built by the Fincantieri shipyard in Italy, the 141,000-ton cruise ship was followed, in 2020, by the Enchanted Princess – which also completed a drydock recently.

After arriving in Europe in March , the 3,660-guest vessel underwent routine work at a facility of the Fincantieri Shipyard in Palermo, Italy.

A third ship also spent time at a shipyard recently, as the Sapphire Princess visited the Vigor Shipyard in the U.S. West Coast for regular maintenance in April.

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Sky Princess® Cruise Ship

Taking sea travel to new heights..

• Christener: Captain Kay Hire and Poppy Northcutt
• Guest Cabins: 1,830
• Number of Decks: 19
• Tonnage: 141,000
• Length: 1,083 feet
• Height: 217 feet

Sky Princess®, the newest addition to our fleet, elevates the distinctive, contemporary design and luxurious attractions of our renowned Royal-class ships to even loftier heights. You can look forward to our most exciting entertainment venues yet, our newest dining choices and award-winning chef partnerships, as well as more staterooms than ever to relax in. And that’s just the start!

Reach for the Sky

On December 7, 2019, Princess Cruises honored two pioneering women of the U.S. Space Program: Captain Kay Hire, and engineer Poppy Northcutt, who served as the godmothers, and officially named Sky Princess. Captain Hire began her 30-year NASA career as a mechanical systems engineer, helping to launch more than 40 space missions. Then, as an astronaut, she logged 700 hours in space, flew over 12 million miles, and orbited the earth 475 times. Poppy Northcutt served as the first female mission control engineer when NASA made history with its mission to the moon. When the crew of Apollo 13 became stranded in their service module, it was her team’s calculations that brought them home safely – a feat of heroism that earned the entire mission operations a Presidential Medal of Freedom Team Award.

Your Vacation – Effortless. Personalized.

Make your vacation truly yours on a Princess MedallionClass® cruise that features next-level technology, now on all ships. Enjoy fast, reliable Wi-Fi, TrulyTouchless™ experiences, food and drinks delivered wherever you are and so much more.

Learn more about Princess MedallionClass | Learn more about MedallionNet® Internet  

Accommodations

From the moment you step aboard, we want you to feel welcomed and right at home. And with attentive service from a friendly staff that knows what hospitality means, you’ll find your Princess® ship truly is your home away from home.

Photos, floor plan diagrams, amenities, and furnishings represent typical arrangements and may vary by ship and stateroom.

Unparalleled Service & Our Largest Balcony

Most luxurious accommodations at sea, mini-suite with exclusive vip touches, add an element of luxury to your stay, spectacular views from your room, front row seat for beautiful scenery, a room with an expansive view, our most affordable option, for guests with limited mobility.

The Finest Dining at Sea

Embark on a culinary journey aboard Sky Princess that showcases dishes inspired by the over 380 destinations Princess visits, made from scratch using only the freshest ingredients. Michelin-star chefs, a master mixologist and a master sommelier enhance the Princess commitment to delivering exceptional dining experiences for every palate.

Watch Video: Introducing Sky Princess' Culinary Journey

Dining Options

Indulge your appetite whenever you wish on board Princess®. Every hour, our chefs are busy baking, grilling and sautéing great-tasting fare from scratch. Princess offers unparalleled inclusive dining options throughout the ship with a wide range of culinary delights to suit any palate, from endless buffet choice to gourmet pizza, frosty treats, decadent desserts and much more. 1

Dine My Way℠

Dine when, how and where you like.

Alfredo’s Pizzeria

Hand-tossed pizza, hot out of the oven.

World Fresh Marketplace

International Café

Sip and snack around the clock.

The Salty Dog Grill

Ocean Terrace Sushi Bar

Celebrate seafood.

Slice Pizzeria

Afternoon Tea

Celebration of tasty teas and divine desserts.

A Sweet Treat from Italy

Specialty dining.

Dining on board a Princess® cruise ship is a joyful celebration and our specialty restaurants always deliver an extraordinary experience. They are among the best at sea – or anywhere. We serve dishes made with the freshest ingredients, and our menus reflect regional flavors from around the world. You'll find our specialty restaurants are the perfect place to celebrate any occasion. 1

A Dazzling Dining Adventure

French bistro-style fare with a modern twist, timeless steakhouse traditions, a private breakfast with a view, ship highlights.

On every Princess ship, you'll find so many ways to play, day or night. Explore The Shops of Princess, celebrate cultures at our Festivals of the World or learn a new talent — our onboard activities will keep you engaged every moment of your cruise vacation. 1

Take a Stroll into the European-style Piazza

Pools (Retreat, Wakeview, Top Deck)

So many cool places to unwind.

Vista Show Lounge

Top notch entertainment & crafted cocktails.

The Shops of Princess

Tax and duty-free shopping.

Vegas Style Casino

For novices, casual players, or high rollers.

Vines Wine Bar

Wines from around the world.

Princess Live! Café

Live acts and spirited gatherings.

Princess Theater

Broadway-style productions at sea.

Live Jazz & Craft Cocktails

Activities & entertainment.

Movies Under the Stars®

A reel treat day or night.

Original Musical Productions

Great venues large and small.

Discovery at SEA Programs

Discover even more with discovery™.

Art Gallery & Auctions

Art lovers rejoice—enjoy exquisite art aboard.

Sports Court

Get in the game with a variety of activities.

MedallionNet® Wi-Fi

The best wi-fi at sea.

Music & Dancing

Dazzling entertainment every day and night.

Featured Guest Entertainers

At night, the stars shine bright on our stages.

Good Spirits At Sea

Good spirits, good stories, joyful rejuvenation.

Revitalize and refresh body, mind and soul with Princess®. 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.

Experience the Ultimate Night of Sleep at Sea

Greater tranquility just for adults, go ahead, be pampered – you deserve it, a host of ways to get an energizing workout, luxuriate in our largest-ever thermal suite, kids, teens & family.

From family-friendly stateroom options to enriching youth and family programs, quality time is time well spent. Onboard activities spark curiosity and fuel creativity while excursions ashore engage and inspire!

Explore the Treehouse

Step into the lodge, hang out in the beach house, quality time together.

1 Activities, dining and entertainment options vary by ship and are subject to change. Photos represent typical arrangements and may vary in detail or configuration.

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• Arts and Crafts Classes *
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• Center Court
• Dancing Classes
• Deck Parties
• Disco and Dancing
• Fitness Center
• Fitness Classes *
• Hot Tubs (9)
• Hydrotherapy Pool *
• Internet Café *
• Jogging Track
• Lotus Spa & Salon *
• Platinum Studio *
• Princess Sports Central
• Solo travelers Get Togethers
• The Enclave *
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• The Greens Mini Golf
• Ultimate Ship Tour *
• Wine Tasting *
• The Sanctuary *
• Children's Outdoor Area
• Teen Lounge
• Youth Center
• Comedy Shows
• Movies Under the Stars
• Outdoor Movies
• Princess Casino *
• Princess Live!
• Princess Theater
• Vista Lounge
• Bar - Pool Bar *
• Cielo Dining Room - American
• Estrella Dining Room - American
• Soleil Dining Room - American
• World Fresh Marketplace - Casual
• Churchill's - Clubby Bar *
• Bellini's - Cocktail Bar *
• The Mix - Cocktail Bar *
• International Café - Coffee & Pastries *
• Princess Live! Café - Coffee Bar *
• Take Five - Coffee Bar *
• Salty Dog Grill - Fast Food
• Gelato - Gelato *
• Chef's Table Lumière - Gourmet *
• Alfredo's Pizzeria - Gourmet Pizza
• Swirls - Ice Cream
• Sabatini's Trattoria - italian *
• Piazza Bar - Lobby Bar *
• The Pastry Shop - pastries
• Slice Pizzeria - Pizza
• SeaView Bar - Pool Bar *
• Ocean Terrace Seafood Bar - Seafood *
• La Mer - Specialty *
• Crown Grill - Steakhouse *
• Vines - Wine Bar *

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Sky Princess by Princess Cruises

Cruise Line

Princess Cruises

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About the Ship

Taking sea travel to new heights.

Sky Princess®, the newest addition to our fleet, elevates the distinctive, contemporary design and luxurious attractions of our renowned Royal-class ships to even loftier heights. You can look forward to our most exciting entertainment venues yet, our newest dining choices and award-winning chef partnerships, as well as more staterooms than ever to relax in. And that’s just the start!

Ship Specifications

• Launch Year 2019
• Language en
• Currency USD
• Crew count 1346
• Deck count 15
• Cabin count 1782
• Large cabin count 1782
• Wheelchair cabin count 38

accommodation

entertainment

health fitness

World Fresh Marketplace

Whenever you visit, you’ll find plenty of well-balanced options to choose from. Stop by for breakfast and visit our gourmet pancake station, or enjoy one of our unique hot cereal offerings. At lunch, look for handcrafted sandwiches, regionally inspired dishes and soups, as well as our carvery selections. For dinner, there’s everything from international favourites, comfort foods, customised stir-fry or pasta, plus a multitude of fresh fruit and salad choices.

Crown Grill

Timeless Steakhouse Traditions

With a rich wood décor and a theatre-style kitchen, it’s no wonder Crown Grill was named among the “Best Cruise Ship Steakhouses” by USA TODAY. Featuring premium aged beef and fresh seafood items, this speciality restaurant offers an intimate dining experience in a classically elegant setting and an open kitchen where chefs prepare and cook to order top-quality cuts of beef, chops and seafood.

Additional charge applies.

Sabatini's Italian Trattoria

Unique, handmade pasta courses, prepared fresh daily and treasured family recipes curated by our Italian chefs across the fleet inspire the menu at our acclaimed Italian speciality restaurant. 

International Café

Sip and Snack Around the Clock

Open 24-hours a day, the International Café located in the Piazza is the place for an ever-changing array of small bite meals, treats and gourmet beverages. Grab a freshly baked croissant to start your day, snack on pies and quiche or choose from a wide variety of salads and sandwiches at lunchtime, and indulge in decadent desserts in the evening. Coffee and tea fans will love the New Grounds Crafted Coffee menu featuring a variety of speciality espresso-based drinks made from a custom blend of coffee beans, as well as iced tea fusions.

Alfredo's Pizzeria

Named for our Master Chef Alfredo Marzi, this charming restaurant offers gourmet pizzas with an open kitchen and dining bar, where you can watch as your personal pizza is crafted by hand and served straight out of the oven.

Salty Dog Grill

While you're enjoying the fresh air on the top deck, treat yourself to one of our 100% handmade gourmet burgers, including our Princess Burger or Triple Smoked Burger.

Slice Pizzeria

Our top-deck pizzeria features a bold new look that sets the stage for tempting toppings and classic favourites. Try a slice of our award-winning signature Neapolitan-style pizza. Go simple and delicious with just cheese, or mix it up with a variety of toppings that change daily.

Afternoon Tea

Celebration of Tasty Teas and Divine Desserts

Afternoon tea is a treasured tradition whether it’s a special occasion, an intimate moment for two, a mother-daughter tea party or just quiet time for reflection. Enjoy a wide selection of teas, or coffee if you prefer, served by attentive waiters in our dining room. The setting is elegant, with a delicious selection of tasty treats: freshly prepared finger sandwiches, cookies and cakes.

A Sweet Treat from Italy

Get a taste of “la dolce vita” at Gelato, our gelateria on board. (Fun fact: gelato isn’t ice cream. While it’s creamy, it has less butter fat and fewer calories.) Our gelato is the real deal, produced fresh each day using the best ingredients and traditional recipes. Choose from a variety of classic flavours which you can enjoy by themselves or in combination with a choice of toppings.

Chocolate Journeys

Indulge Your Chocolate Fantasies

There are few foods that inspire as much passion as chocolate. Our pastry chefs channeled their love of chocolate into handcrafted treats designed exclusively for our Chocolate Journeys℠ programme. These sweet creations combine premium quality chocolate with unique flavours and artful designs and can be found throughout the ship.

Ocean Terrace Sushi Bar

Celebrate Seafood

The Ocean Terrace Sushi Bar is ideal for those who love to feast on the bounty from the sea. Inspired by the breathtaking view of the ocean, the sushi bar will tempt with premium seafood rolls and sashimi in a casual but elegant setting overlooking the spectacular Piazza. A la carte pricing makes it easy to pick and choose.

Additional charge applies. Menu items may vary by ship and are subject to change.

Chef's Table Lumiere

A Dazzling Dining Adventure

An extraordinary treat for both gastronomes and gourmet novices, the Chef’s Table Lumiere is a perfect culinary journey for any special occasion. Indulge in champagne and hors d’oeuvres, followed by an extravagant multi-course dinner created and hosted by the ship’s executive chef. Perfect for celebrating an anniversary or milestone, or just making your cruise holiday even more amazing.

Limited capacity, reservations required. Additional charge applies.

Bistro Sur La Mer

French Bistro-style Fare with a Modern Twist

Savour casual French bistro-style dining with a modern twist at Bistro Sur La Mer, created with Chef Emmanuel Renaut, who holds the prestigious title of “Meilleur Ouvrier de France” (Best Craftsmen of France) and Chef of the Year by Le Chef, and whose Flocons de Sel restaurant has received three Michelin stars. Chef Renaut has created a tantalising menu, showcasing authentic French dishes crafted with the Chef’s signature flair.

Ultimate Balcony Dining

A Private Dining Room with a View

Choose a luxurious breakfast or experience the “ultimate” romantic dinner at sea: a sumptuous multi-course meal, including succulent lobster tail and juicy steak, your beverage of choice, hors d’oeuvres, all served right on the privacy of your own balcony by our dedicated waitstaff. Treat yourself to this unparalleled indulgence and savor food, views and memories that will never be forgotten.

Additional charges apply.

24-Hour Room Service

From Breakfast in Bed to a Late-Night Snack

We offer 24-hour complimentary room service when you want to enjoy a quiet moment in your cabin eating a delicious club sandwich or maybe that slice of chocolate fudge cake you can’t forget. Treat yourself to breakfast in bed, or stay in for an intimate dinner, and perhaps even cocktails, in the comfort of your stateroom. 24-hour room service is just a phone call away.

Charges apply on select menu items.

Dine My Way℠

With this new offering, you can customise every aspect of mealtime. Make reservations for the main dining room or speciality restaurants at your preferred time each day. Fit in a formal dinner before a show, or order food and drinks to your poolside perch with OceanNow®. The choice really is up to you.

Cruises onboard Sky Princess

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'The ship can move': Why you should watch next solar eclipses from a cruise ship

Cheers broke out on Holland America Line’s Koningsdam ship when the total solar eclipse began on Monday.

Off the coast of Mazatlan, Mexico, passengers were perched on loungers, reclining on beach towels and lining the railings of Deck 14 with cameras on tripods at the ready. When the sliver of fiery orange that remained of the sun disappeared, a black circle ringed by white light took its place. Passengers applauded the moment they'd been awaiting since the ship departed from San Diego on Friday.

The sunny, 72-degree weather – quintessential cruise weather – gave way to chilly wind and late morning’s best impression of sunset. The horizon line glowed orange in the dusky sky.

Cruise ships can help take guests to the path of totality for eclipses, allowing passengers to get a prime viewing spot and make a vacation of it.

What is a total solar eclipse?

A total solar eclipse occurs when the moon completely blocks the face of the sun as it moves between the sun and Earth.

While the sun is about 400 times bigger than the moon, the moon is roughly 400 times closer to Earth. “In the past, the moon was much closer, and in the future, the moon will be much further away,” said Adam Burgasser, a professor of astronomy and astrophysics at the University of California, San Diego, and director of the Cool Star Lab, who served as an onboard expert during the cruise. “And so we're in a special time, which, of course, lasts for billions of years, where it's set up just right to block out the sun.”

Total solar eclipses take place about every 18 months on average, but the last one visible from the U.S. was in 2017 .

The phenomenon creates a multi-sensory experience, with a cold front moving in ahead of the eclipse. “You block the sun, and it gets cold,” said Burgasser. “It’s actually just that simple. And it's slow enough that the atmosphere can react.”

Plants and animals respond, too: Birds often begin to chirp, plants may close up, and nocturnal will come out. “It’s kind of an all-around-you experience where it's not just the fact that the sun has been blocked that’s so fascinating, but just the effect it has on the entire environment.” Those effects weren’t easily discernible on Koningsdam, though, which was about 150 miles from shore.

Nicole Chaput, a 57-year-old passenger from Calgary in Canada, said partial and total eclipses are “totally different.”

“I heard someone describe it as being partly pregnant,” she said. “You can’t do it. There’s no comparison.”

What makes a cruise a good place to see an eclipse?

Bad weather can wreck even the best-laid viewing plans. If a city in the path of totality has overcast skies, it can be tough to quickly move to an alternate site.

“If you're on a cruise ship and a little bit farther to the east or a little bit farther to the west along the path, there's clear sky, the ship can move,” said Dan Jarrell, who was on the cruise with his wife, Kay, and friends. The Washington, D.C.-area resident has seen solar eclipses with friends during two other sailings, including on Holland America’s Veendam in 1998.

“If you're on land and there's not a road there, you’d better have a tank,” Jarrell said.

That’s where a cruise ship comes in handy. “Having the ability to map out based on what the current weather is where you can catch the eclipse, and having a range over the course of the ocean where you could chase that a little bit is certainly helpful,” Burgasser added.

Capt. Ane Smit, Master aboard Holland America’s Zaandam for the viewing, said the ship can move at a maximum of 20 knots, so the crew needs to scout out the conditions with enough time to move as needed.

“If it's not good enough, we really need to start finding another spot because we are not the quickest vehicle, of course, to be driving around, but we have the luxury of being able to go in any direction without any restriction,” he said. “It’s a pretty wide highway that we have.”

The view of the horizon also allows passengers to “see that shadow coming in and leaving more so than you can in a topographical area,” said Burgasser. Being in the ocean away from city lights is also helpful for seeing stars and other parts of the sky usually only visible at night.

The cruise line also made the practicalities of watching an eclipse easier: eclipse glasses were distributed to guests’ staterooms and Burgasser guided guests through the event via the ship’s speaker system, before and after totality.

More eclipse cruises on the horizon

If you missed your chance to see it this time or want another go, Holland America has more eclipse-viewing opportunities on the books.

“Guests have reacted positively to our 2024 eclipse cruises and with the next full eclipse in 2026 we plan to have three sailings in Europe that will align with the path of the eclipse,” Paul Grigsby, the line's Vice President of Deployment & Itinerary Planning, said in an email. Details have not yet been released.

Other cruise lines offer similar opportunities as well. Princess Cruises' Emerald Princess was near Koningsdam on Monday.

Chaput, the Canadian passenger, said she’s been “chasing” total solar eclipses since seeing her first one in 1991. Monday’s eclipse marked her seventh viewing and second on a cruise ship.

“I think it’s just such an amazing natural phenomenon,” she said. “It’s seeing science in action.”

Contributing: Josh Rivera, USA TODAY

The reporter on this story received access to this sailing from Holland America Line. USA TODAY maintains editorial control of content.  

Nathan Diller is a consumer travel reporter for USA TODAY based in Nashville. You can reach him at [email protected]