News Article

Diamond Princess At-A-Glance


The 116,000-ton, 2,670-passenger Diamond Princess launches a new ship design for Princess, incorporating Princess' trademark design philosophy -- including an abundance of balcony cabins, flexibility in dining and entertainment options, Princess' renowned service and a variety of intimate spaces -- and giving the ship all of the choice of a large ship with the feel of a much smaller vessel.

What's New

Personal Choice Dining -- Only Princess offers this innovative approach to dining, enabling guests to dine how, when and with whom they want. Passengers may choose either the restaurant-style Anytime Dining option that allows them the same flexibility found in shoreside establishments, or the Traditional Seating experience with an assigned dining time, tablemates and wait staff. Sapphire Princess offers five main dining rooms -- one larger room dedicated to traditional seating, plus four more intimate Anytime Dining rooms (which can also accommodate traditional seating when needed.) The ship also offers a 24-hour buffet, 24-hour room service, a variety of poolside snacks, and two alternative dining options -- Sabatini's Trattoria and the premium Sterling Steakhouse.

Club Fusion -- The latest in seagoing high-tech entertainment venues, the multi-function Club Fusion serves as a dance club, theater and gaming room. With 42 high-definition video screens mounted on columns around the room, state-of-the-art lighting and sound, and table-top slot machines, this space offers passengers a variety of ways to enjoy their leisure time at sea. A dramatic spiral staircase leads to the intimate Wake View Bar below, the perfect gathering place for pre-dinner cocktails for passengers eating in the International Dining Room.

Princess Concierge Service -- Passengers can make reservations for any of the ship's dining rooms and Sabatini's through the new Princess Concierge Service, which debuts on Diamond Princess. Staffed by dedicated onboard concierge representatives using a new computerized reservation system, this new level of service will enable passengers to easily plan their dining choices through a special telephone number or in person at each dining venue.

Princess' Largest Internet Cafe -- Featuring 29 computer stations, Diamond Princess' Internet Cafe will become the largest such facility in the Princess fleet, and one of the largest at sea. The cafe not only offers passengers more space for surfing the web or sending email back home, but also serves up coffee and pastries for those who work up an appetite while on line. In addition, the ship's atrium will offer wireless Internet access for passengers who bring their own laptops.

New Shows Debut - Two new production shows will debut on Diamond Princess. Continuing the line's longstanding tradition of developing elaborate original productions which offer some of the most unique entertainment options at sea, the two new shows, "Piano Man" and "Undercover" make full use of the ship's technically advanced Princess Theater. The energetic new offerings represent diverse musical choices, treating passengers to, respectively, the melodic sounds of keyboard luminaries or the excitement of the shadowy world of spies through secret agents movies and television shows.

Environmental Systems -- Diamond Princess will operate with diesel and gas turbine propulsion, allowing for efficient and environmentally sound operation. The gas turbines are located in an unusual place -- the ship's funnel -- which opens up extra space on lower ship decks. A further key feature will be the incorporation of the latest environmental concepts. These will include low emission power generation systems and the latest low emission waste treatment technology.

Skywalkers Lounge -- Diamond Princess will take Princess' trademark Skywalkers disco/lounge concept a step further with a 35 percent larger room plus new 125-foot wide balcony that provides commanding views over the aft end of the ship where passengers can enjoy stargazing, or an al fresco break from the action inside.

Personal Choice Features:

Lotus Spa -- Passengers can pamper themselves at the ship's state-of-the-art spa, featuring Asian-influenced decor and treatments based on ancient therapies and rituals. The center's lineup of massages, body wraps, facials, and other relaxing services provide passengers with the opportunity to refresh body, mind and spirit during their cruise. Fitness offerings include a swim-against-the-current pool, full gym and a selection of classes from yoga and Pilates to aerobics and pulse cycling.

Sabatini's Trattoria -- Imagine having a favorite neighborhood Italian restaurant with attentive waiters who present your first course the moment you sit down -- and follow that with a tantalizing parade of dishes, one right after another, with an emphasis on fine seafood. This is the dining experience at Sabatini's, a favorite alternative restaurant with Princess passengers, available for a nominal $20 per passenger charge.

Wedding Chapel - Unique in the cruise industry, Princess' wedding-at-sea program is the only one that allows couples to be married in international waters by the ship's captain. The bride and groom may choose from several different wedding and reception packages, and can share their happy day with loved ones at home through Princess' unique live "Wed Cam" on www.princess.com.

Balconies -- More than 70 percent of the ship's cabins will be outside and more than 75 of these will feature the luxury of a private balcony. Princess pioneered the concept of affordable balcony cabins and will continue to offer more standard rooms with balconies than any other cruise line.