These touch screens were convenient and very easy and intuitive to use. As with many older ships, I dont think the cabin had enough outlets. While it would have been nice to set foot on the continent and to have a longer visit, I was also looking for a comfortable and budget friendly option to see this part of the world, especially as a solo cruiser. My favourite thing about the theatre is that there is a walkway on either side, this means that you dont have to climb over people to get out if you decide to sit on the side and need to go to the toilet mid-show. I had my birthday dinner here and it was excellent, though as always, way too much (great) food. My sister, Alice, and I are travelling together in an inside cabin as well. Nice to hear about your visit to Vancouver. Towering icebergs floating in a pristine sea. These are the newest deck plans for Sapphire Princess Plaza deck. Can't wait! I couldnt believe how much floor space was given up to exercise. The food was lackluster. I did not try streaming movies or music. To access the nightclub you go up a travelator which I think is cool. To book a Princess cruise, find all the upcoming Sapphire Princess cruises, and to see the most recent cruise deals go to https://www.princess.com/. So that has been a fun thing to navigate. Class: Grand Guest Capacity: 2,670 Tonnage: 115,875 Inaugural Cruise: May 16, 2004 Christener: Nancy Gore Murkowski, former First Lady of Alaska Number of Crew: 1,100 Length: 952 feet Height: 205 feet Beam: 164 feet (including bridge wing); 123 feet (excluding bridge wing) Draft: 28 feet Number of Decks: 18 Guest Staterooms: 1,337 (890 outside/447 inside) total: We hadnt been planning to do any specialty dining because I find the Princess food in the main dining room to be just as good, and included, but ultimately decided to try out Stirling Steakhouse one night. Get Sapphire Princess price drops 250,000+ people have entered their email. It made meal time feel more intimate and it was fun to have a choice of dcor to pick from each day. Embarkation went very smooth. The bathroom wasnt large but was certainly spacious enough for one person. Cabin size ranges from 158 to 182 square feet. By The seats in the internet caf were hardly ever used and the library was often empty. I Took a Traditional British Cruise with Fred Olsen (Entertainment, Food & Ship Review). Some rough seas. Cruise Line Guide, Has Sapphire Princess Been Refurbished? I was always able to find spots to enjoy peace and quiet. I like to focus my traveling lens on history, art, architecture, nature, cruising, and soft adventures with a touch of luxury. On some cruise ships/lines it can be difficult to find a spare sun lounger or place to swim. Im very, very excited to be back cruising and hope to keep people in touch and along for the journey! Sabatinis Italian Trattoria Specialty dining restaurant serving up delicious Italian dishes. Overview. Around the single sink there were three shelves to store my personal toiletries and a long shelf under the sink. Ive been to Vancouver but its always been for concerts so my trips have mostly focused on downtown but Ive always wanted to visit Granville Island. I also used it for any on board charges for drinks, excursions, etc. This was a good spot for looking at the scenery but it was also quite windy. Thank you for posting a live review! I was able to fill out all the necessary information to get into the green check in lane without too much difficulty. If you want to buy internet on a cruise you have a number of options, you can either purchase a package (available by the MB or minute/day) which you can use on your phone/tablet/laptop. And since it was covered, it was a good spot to see the scenery during rainy/snowy periods. I am not a big-time cruiser, but I have been on at least 10 of them and the food was the worst that I have had. He was unable to communicate on number of our question, and he referred us to their Customer Service Dept. I thought it was cool that Princess offers this for free. The beauty salon part of the ship is HUGE. I booked this cruise last minute and did not have very many cabin options available to me. Gently curving staircases take you from deck 5 up to decks 6 and 7. If not, passenger one wouldn't be able to get Plus/Premier. These money never showed up on my credit card. It wasnt very busy but the staff was friendly. In 2019 I did a Caribbean cruise with Celebrity and Scandinavia with Princess. Mrs. XBGuy booked the Whale Watching tour--outstanding--and what I assume is the same Brown Bear Expedition that you are on although at the time it was called a "Bear Search." 2 of 11. You reserve a specific lounge chair for a fee for the whole day or a half day. The price was expensive (as most places on the waterfront will be) but not as bad as others and was still a reputable hotel and walking distance from both the SkyTrain and the cruise terminal. International Dining room This large dining room can only be reached via the aft elevators or by using the aft stairs from deck 7. This post was made from a video that I filmed onboard the Sapphire Princess. The Medallion is a gizmo the customer need to hang around the neck to unlock cabin door, and Princess ability to monitor and record all of the purchases (certain food, bottled water, alcohol, shore excursion purchase or removal, etc. features.Princess uses the stateroom type and location for its category codes. Announcing Our 2023 Cruisers' Choice Award Winners! No problem at that point, things happen. Large Private balcony. 36 Things You Are Getting Wrong About Cruising Cruise Myths Busted! I used my sea days to catch up on blog writing and posting on social media. Dance the night away, enjoy casino gaming or relax and rejuvenate body and mind at the Lotus Spa. Having an inside pool is great if it is cold outside, or too hot. Splash pool Another smaller, circular, outdoor pool with surrounding deck space. We live in Cochrane just outside Calgary and are doing the 14 day Voyage of the Glaciers on the Sapphire in September. As with every cruise, I always appreciate being waited on and all of the Princess personnel did a fantastic job with that. As for my husbands criteria, he doesnt really have any except he HATES to fly (were working on it before we fly to Rome next year) so Vancouver at least is only about an hour or so in the air. I will see you on the ship. Every Princess ship is a destination in itself with wide-ranging amenities, elevated culinary experiences and delightful activities. Outside you will also find the Promenade Deck that encircles the whole ship and is good for stretching your legs or just relaxing in the shade on a deck chair. Calypso Reef and Pool and Bar Large pool with two hot tubs and lots of lounge chairs in a glass covered conservatory. Have a great cruise! Prices are cruise only, per person, double occupancy, and are provided by our partners. Zumba is free and I went to it each sea day. I would say that at least 1 out of every 10 employees we dealt with either had an attitude or simply showed no sign of interest in the passenger's satisfaction. = video available). Cheers to another wonderful Princess cruise! Service and food were outstanding. Balcony size ranges from 46 to 89 square feet. Ive never known anybody to order a whole pizza but apparently, thats allowed (yum)! Sapphire Princess cruise ship deck plan has 1339 staterooms for up to 3214 passengers served by 1100 crew. Headed down the Drake Passage toward the Antarctic Peninsula. Internetcaf -This is the spot to go to get all your internet and Medallion questions answered. We had about two and a half days of decent weather that allowed for scenic cruising and one day of high winds and waves which precluded any scenic cruising. In the front, a set of stairs continues the promenade space up to deck 8. I have never seen a slice of gluten free bread that did not turn brown when toasted, but I have now. Grand Princess (Grand Class) - Dry dock 2019 (Portland, Oregon) We also have a backpack to use during our excursions. All of the wait staff I interacted with were attentive and eager to please and worked quite hard. Copyright 19952023 The Independent Traveler, Inc. Amazing, Funny & Totally Awesome Cruise Photos. At Alfredos I could get a freshly made, hot, straight from the oven, individual sized pizza that had the perfect crispy crust that I love. As for my husbands criteria, he doesnt really have any except he HATES to fly (were working on it before we fly to Rome next year) so Vancouver at least is only about an hour or so in the air. We were on the recent 32 day voyage, Buenos Aires to LA, it's a great ship and crew! From sumptuous dining to captivating diversions, discover the many riches of this gem. Note that my passport was collected and kept by the Princess staff at check in and was returned to me toward the end of the cruise. You will be able to leave a comment after signing in, Copyright 19952023 The Independent Traveler, Inc. Day 5 Planned Dock at Punta Arenas from 7 AM to 6:30 PM. AlfredosPizzeria This restaurant is one of the included dining venues aboard ship. This will mark my husbands first ever cruise. You can also get a variety of specialty coffees here for an extra charge. We went for a walk along the waterfront and got some amazing views before heading back to our hotel. 2 During the entire ship journey, Princess announced few times, safe practices such as hand washing and keeping social distance. Ive never struggled to find a seat on a Princess cruise which isnt something I could say about other cruise lines! While they do have gluten free breads and ONE kind of gluten free desert per day, the bread was stale. So fun fact - I am a management consultant and I was just assigned a new client NINE business days before I left for our cruise. In a few minutes, the cook here will whip up a fresh burger, a pulled pork sandwich or tacos, along with an order of fries. Sapphire Princess Photos. If I want to go up or down less than ten flights of stairs I always try to walk. These type of performances can normally be seen in the evenings at dedicated venues around the city during Carnival time, but our ship left too early to be able to catch one. Just move your mouse over any stateroom and a pop up will appear with detail information, including a full description and floor layout, and a link to pictures and/or videos. You can also access Skywalkers via two sets of outdoor stairways from deck 16. Access the best of Getty Images with our simple subscription plan. 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, Dining on board a Princess cruise ship is a joyful celebration and our specialty restaurants always deliver an extraordinary experience. Will follow along. We split a fantastic bottle of 2021 Mission Hill Ros the crab and artichoke dip. Covermore have denied our claim for the extras we are claiming (flights, hotel and taxi fare. Even if you didnt want to swim, this space provided a warmer and sunny spot to lounge regardless of the temperatures outside. Do Cruises Get Cheaper Closer To The Sailing Date? Stateroom (cabin) categories on this deck, Cabin: D110 Ship: Golden Princess - Members only, Cabin: D201 Ship: Star Princess - Members only, Cabin: D209 Ship: Golden Princess - Members only, Cabin: D214 Ship: Golden Princess - Members only, Cabin: D220 Ship: Grand Princess - Members only, Cabin: D222 Ship: Caribbean Princess - Members only, Cabin: D223 Ship: Grand Princess - Members only, Cabin: D226 Ship: Grand Princess - Members only, Cabin: D307 Ship: Sapphire Princess - Members only, Cabin: D309 Ship: Star Princess - Members only, Cabin: D317 Ship: Caribbean Princess - Members only, Cabin: D317 Ship: Star Princess - Members only, Cabin: D318 Ship: Grand Princess - Members only, Cabin: D321 Ship: Sapphire Princess - Members only, Cabin: D327 Ship: Diamond Princess - Members only, Cabin: D411 Ship: Caribbean Princess - Members only, Cabin: D526 Ship: Golden Princess - Members only, Cabin: D717 Ship: Star Princess - Members only, Cabin: D729 Ship: Grand Princess - Members only, Cabin: D736 Ship: Star Princess - Members only. I used the Medallion App to check in before my cruise. Shuffle Board and Deck Chess -Areas with two marked shuffle board courts and a large chess board painted on to the outside deck. Note that during my cruise this pool was closed but the hot tubs were open. And by that I mean my poor husband basically has been packing by himself. The destinations we visit come to life with our Festivals of the World celebrations and Discovery at Sea programs like Shark Week. Indulge your appetite whenever you wish on board Princess. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Very intimate and popular area to sit and listen to piano player/singer. As my husband has never been on a cruise it was up to me to pick one out. Because we were tired and worn out from the embarkation experience, we went right to sleep and I did not notice problems with our room when we arrived. What Is A Princess Cruise to Antarctica Really Like? We got some OBC with our booking which we put towards our most expensive excursion which was really helpful. Churchills Cigar Lounge Cozy, closed door escape for anyone that smokes. 2023 Getty Images. I really appreciated the captains full transparency, always letting us know what was happening next and why the schedule was changing, yet still giving us the best experience possible while maintaining the overall schedule. Princess makes great pizza. Oceanfront- Offering a variety of Medallion accessories for purchase. Photo: Courtesy of Christie's. 1. I mostly fly with Westjet and had received a gift card at my bridal shower last year. It looks like its a play on the "I love this boat" slogan. . Streamline your workflow with our best-in-class digital asset management system. Terrace pool Most of this deck is cabins except for the very back where there is a small outdoor pool with a deck and deck chairs. Get expert advice, insider tips and more. Drdarkknight, Wednesday at 06:25 AM in Princess Cruises, "Thank you for doing a live from while on your cruise. Its a little tucked away but the space is absolutely massive. Over 700 balconies, world-class gourmet dining and engaging entertainment options are just the beginning of your sea-going adventure. In the video, I talk a little about my Princess cruises and show you all areas of the ship mentioned in this post. I didnt know if I would be able to see penguins since all the ship excursions and the private tours were fully booked far in advance. However, I chose the Montevideo and Carnival Performance offered by Princess because it gave me a chance to see some of the unique Murga Carnival performances and costumes for which Montevideo is famous. To get on the Lift, there was a wooden platform where me and my wife stood, those two local tour operators had already took the lift before us and went up the mountain, leaving us behind at the mercy of two non-English speaking lift-operators. Courtesy Princess Cruises. My milestone birthday came and went, and I was not able to celebrate with a long planned trip to the white continent. I was able to get a good last minute deal for solo travel which made the cruise very affordable (not in the tens of thousands of dollars). Why did I chose the Sapphire Princess cruise to visit Antarctica? Star Deck A set of outside stairs from deck 16 take you to this higher, outdoor observation level. Onboard Activities. You can see where the Sapphire Princess currently is through its bridge cam at https://www.princess.com/bridgecams/. (29 April - 10 May) By Drdarkknight, 9 hours ago in Princess Cruises Followers 2 Drdarkknight 26 May 2, 2017 Calgary, Canada #1 Posted 9 hours ago After. Public Areas on deck: Fiesta Churchill Lounge & Bar (18 pictures in photo gallery.) Have a heart Princess, Lack of proper oversight of customer experience, This was my second Princess cruise, a 16 day cruise to South America and Antartica. In fact, one little guy or gal came right up to our boat and started, what can best be described, as dancing. Lotus Spa pool This adult only pool and two hot tubs is open to everyone, not just those using the spa. All were decorated in colorful costumes, fancy headdresses and face paint. Food is not available here, but you can order room service to be delivered to your table through the Medallion app. For me, this was gourmet, foody type food that I love to try food that stimulated my senses and titillated my taste buds. Suite Reserve Collection Mini-Suite Balcony Oceanview Interior Two Bedroom Family Suite Wheelchair-Accessible Diagram Virtual Tour Panoramic Tour Truly Luxurious Accommodations at Sea Just move your I wrote an e-mail on 1/18/2023 (prior to the start of Journey) to them about Shore Excursions, they NEVER responded! We are from Victoria. I have written before in more detail about the entertainment on Princess cruises so if you are interested in learning more, please check out this post: The explorers lounge is one of the busiest places on the ship during the evening. Sabatinis is the other specialty restaurant on board the Sapphire Princess (and will also cost an extra fee). You'll also notice all signage in Chinese as well as English. It was also a good spot to catch the sun set. Crooners Bar Very intimate and popular area to sit and listen to piano player/singer. You can buy my downloadable PDF quilt patterns at my Quiltripping Etsy Shop. Actual Cruised to nearby San Antonio, Chile during the night and spent the day refueling and restocking the boat. #14. Make sure you subscribe so you dont miss anything. We serve dishes made with the freshest ingredients, and our menus reflect regional flavors from around the world. You will need to make reservations to eat here. After months of reading nonstop Live reports from all over the world it is finally time for me to start my own! There isnt an extra charge to go to Alfredos so I would definitely recommend it if you are cruising with Princess. Since the International Caf is open late, this is also the go to spot for a late night snack or for one or two of their good cookies. The Sapphire is finishing drydock in Portland this week and is sporting a new touch on the seawitch livery. I love Princess cruises and the Sapphire Princess is a gorgeous ship. Concerts, sporting events, and movies are shown on a big outdoor screen throughout the day. a variety of Medallion accessories for purchase. You will find diagrams, pictures and information about that cabin category including square footage and Here you can get burgers, hotdogs etc. We do have Princess Plus. Disclaimers about ship ratings: A ships Health Rating is based on vessel inspection scores published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Some snow. Can't wait to embark tomorrow. We cancelled our prepaid ($840) Falkland Island (02/11/2023) shore excursion same day, the Shore Excursion desk told us that the amount will be credited to us. There are 16 passenger decks, 7 with cabins. Though less far reaching than a 2012 makeover, the two-week dry dock did see the addition of a new kids' club -- Camp Discovery -- and Club Class Mini Suites, as well as new carpeting and furnishing. Ive only been in cruise ship gyms when filming tours like this. (29 April - 10 May). Taxes, fees and port expenses are not included. An all around win-win in my book. Fine Arts Gallery Showing new art for the art auctions at sea. We finally left the dock sometime around 11PM or midnight. The typical Princess passenger is about 50 and relatively well-traveled. #29. in . Wow what an amazing day this was! We had an amazing eight course dinner with wine pairings and had a great time. He came, I discussed the incident at-length, showed him the video clips of the lift operation. Tap into Getty Images' global scale, data-driven insights, and network of more than 340,000 creators to create content exclusively for your brand. Drdarkknight was awarded the badge '"Live from."' and 5 points. Only problem is you can only use two of them at once. Cabin size ranges from 158 to 182 square feet for category E and below. For breakfast, you can also put out a paper menu with your choices on your cabin door knob the night before and breakfast will be delivered the next morning at the time you chose. Im sure this will change to a digital version soon though. Horizon Court andCaf Buffet restaurant that is open all day. The Wheelhouse Bar Big but cozy lounge space that has a pub feel, where you can get a drink and watch musical performances. The ship had 4 main dining rooms and the food did not disappoint. ig but cozy lounge space that has a pub feel, where you can get a drink and watch musical performances. Even heading to the bathroom - which was a bit of a jaunt - was super cool as you walked through a bit of an art gallery. The Prego Pizzeria freshly cooks pizza and it is available either by the slice or the whole pizza! During the day the space is mostly used by people having a cup of tea or coffee and relaxing. #3. Balancing a tray of drinks or plates as the ship was pitching back and forth as we were sailing through high waves took a lot of skill. From my room steward to the waiters and waitresses to the attendants on deck, service was always given with a smile. All content and opinions in this post are my own. This ship is well staffed with friendly people and the cruise director and his assistant were the greatest. We raised 5000 which is amazing, I definitely wont be doing it again though. There were also large bottles of hand soap and lotion from the Lotus spa by the sink. Sapphire Princess was built in 2004 and refurbished in 2018, shes the sister to Diamond Princess and carries around 2600 passengers. I suggest bringing a multi port power strip. Our reasons are as follows: 1. But we arent going to think about that. My husband and I also just bought a house and are taking possession June 1 so when it rains (all good things) it definitely pours. My husband and I had debated booking a hotel near the airport or near the cruise terminal and he ultimately decided cruise terminal so we settled on the Coast Coal Harbour Hotel. One of the best things about sea days is that afternoon tea was served in the Pacific Moon Dining Room. I Took a Northern Lights Cruise Heres What I Packed (Clothes, Accessories & More). Posted: March 5, 2023 On March 30, 2022, we booked Princess cruise tour H304/ 19 days from 1/30 to 2/20/2023 includes flight times, for (Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay and Chile). You can I will be on Crown Princess for a 11 day Inside Passage from Vancouver on June 2 so look forward to your report. The Getty Images design is a trademark of Getty Images. They offer cheese, pepperoni, and a daily special pizza that you can get by the slice. The Chefs Table is offered only a few times each cruise to 10-12 guests per sitting and does cost extra. Another thing you might notice is that there isn't a main dining room, or rather what would be the MDR is split into five dining rooms (instead of Princess' typical two) -- which has the effect of cutting down on the cruise ship banquet ambience of big restaurants, but creating a more intimate dining experience. I am a retired PhD chemist and traveling the world is one of my deepest passions which continues to add to my ever growing quilt of life experiences. We had a lovely day of scenic cruising through the Straits of Magellan instead which I much preferred. With this sour experience, we will not travel Princess again.