News Article

Grand Princess At A Glance


Grand Princess debuted in 1998 as the largest cruise ship afloat, and continues as one of the most innovative vessels sailing today. The vessel epitomizes Princess' cruising philosophy, providing passengers with an unstructured, customized approach to cruise travel, coupled with outstanding service. Grand Princess passengers have a wide range of entertainment, dining and activity options, enabling them to enjoy a complete escape from everyday life. Here are just some of the features that set Grand Princess apart:

Movies Under the Stars -- Grand Princess' new giant Times Square-style LED screen launches an expansion of this popular feature, which debuted earlier this year on Caribbean Princess. Designed to take full advantage of the balmy tropical weather, this unique, 300-square-foot screen will screen up to three movies daily, including kids movies, first run hits, and late night movies. Passengers will also be able to bask in the glow of the tropics without missing a moment of major sporting events, such as NFL Monday Night Football and other can't-miss programming. Special lounge chair cushions and blankets make for comfortable viewing, and Princess' hallmark poolside service will be available to enhance the experience with free popcorn, a variety of drink specials and movie nibbles.

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 experience with an assigned dining time, tablemates and wait staff. Among the ship's many other options are a 24-hour restaurant and two acclaimed alternative eateries -- Sabatini's for an authentic trattoria experience featuring favorite Italian fare with a focus on seafood, and the Sterling Steakhouse, a perfect choice for meat lovers featuring special cuts of beef from the famous "Sterling Silver" brand cooked to order.

"Tie the Knot" Weddings at Sea -- Princess' unique wedding-at-sea program offers couples the unusual opportunity to be married at sea by the ship's captain. Princess is the only major cruise line to conduct such wedding ceremonies at sea. The program also offers a Wedding Cam in the ship's dedicated wedding chapel that enables "virtual" guests to join the happy couple by watching the proceedings on their computer at home. The live image updates every 60 seconds on Princess' website, www.princess.com.

Ultimate Balcony Dinner/Breakfast -- Passengers can take advantage of the balmy Caribbean climate with a special meal delivered right to their own private balcony. Grand Princess passengers can enjoy a the Ultimate Balcony Dinner -- a full evening featuring a hosted cocktail party, fresh flowers, champagne and a deluxe four-course meal featuring delicate sweet lobster tail for $50 per person. For those who want start the day with a romantic meal, the Ultimate Balcony Breakfast includes Cuban specialty pastries, fruit salad served in a pineapple half, chilled marinated shrimp with papaya relish, warm egg and tomato pie with cheese gratin and a half bottle of French champagne, all for $25 per couple.

Three Show Lounges -- Unusual in the cruise industry, Grand Princess houses three main show lounges -- Princess Theater, Vista Lounge and Explorers Lounge -- which present an ever-changing array of entertainment choices, including Broadway-, Las Vegas- and cabaret-style productions.

Lotus Spa. -- Passengers can pamper themselves at the state-of-the-art spa, complete with a swim-against-the-current lap pool, fitness facilities and classes, a beauty salon and a full range of revitalizing treatments.

Playtime -- Grand Princess offers game fans the "Voyage of Discovery," arcade area featuring a variety of video games. Meanwhile, golf lovers can try their skills at Princess Links, a golf center with a nine-hole putting course and a simulator featuring the opportunity to "play" many of the world's most famous courses.

Family Programs -- Junior passengers will enjoy their exclusive two-level children's and teen's centers, fully equipped with games and diversions for ages 3-17. Professional youth counselors organize a full schedule of activities to keep toddlers, pre-teens and teens occupied throughout the cruise. The ship also features two family suites, made up of two adjoining cabins with two bathrooms that can house up to 10 people.

Skywalker's -- Night owls can dance the night away at the ship's trademark "Skywalker's Nightclub," a lounge set high atop the rear of the vessel and accessible only by a glass-enclosed, moving "skywalk." This dramatic space becomes an observation lounge during the day.

Balconies -- More than 700 cabins feature this ultimate Princess trademark, a passenger favorite. A private veranda on Grand Princess is perfect for enjoying the sea air, having an al fresco meal or watching the sights go by.