Sea Princess Cruises

Life aboard Sea Princess
Sea Princess is based in Australia/New Zealand year round, and runs an annual World Cruise. For those wanting just a taste of cruising, or to get out of the office, there are 2-, 3- and 4-night ‘cruises to nowhere’. Here are some of the interesting 2020 itineraries from Australia: Around New Zealand (February); around Australia (March); around the Pacific via Hawaii (April); and around the world (May to August). The 2020 World Cruise of 106 nights departing May 2020 reaches the Arctic region – see the Midnight Sun and Aurora Borealis (hopefully). Embark at Auckland, Sydney or Brisbane. The 2021 World Cruise repeats the 2020 cruise, with the exception of swapping Norway’s Arctic region for Greenland. Sea Princess makes it possible to explore further than the usual ports in Australia and New Zealand. Princess Cruises organises onshore tours that can be booked before sailing or during the cruise. For some voyages pre- and post-cruises tours are available to extend your stay in major ports.

Sea Princess’ recent refurbishments added sporting and whisky bars, Beer and Wine Garden Festival, new coffee outlet, a Movies Under the Stars screen in the main pool area and an adults-only private sunbathing area, the Sanctuary, at the front of the ship. This large resort ship gives the feel of uncrowded luxury, with access to a wide range of public rooms. The interiors are attractive and warm, and the glassed-in upper decks provide plenty of light and connections with the outside world. Sea Princess attracts mostly Australians and some New Zealanders, including a high proportion of seniors, especially in the off season and for longer cruises. Passengers enjoy mingling in a sophisticated setting, with good food and entertainment in an affordable package. The two show lounges feature Australian entertainers, TV, movies and sports games. Sea Princess does not offer flexible dining in the main dining room, rather early and late sittings. Gratuities are included in your fare.

Accommodation
There are six main categories of staterooms - Suites with balcony, Mini-Suites with balcony, Balcony, Oceanview Deluxe, Oceanview, and Interior – and 28 grades, which give a broad choice according to guests’ needs of space and price. All cabins have pleasing décor and reasonable storage space, satellite TV, refrigerator, and 24-hour room service. Fresh fruit (by request), evening bed turn-down, bathroom lotions, and bathrobes (by request) come with every stateroom. Standard cabins are well-designed and functional. Some cabins accommodate a third and even a fourth person. Generally twin beds can be made up into a queen-size bed. Bedding is top quality. There are no interconnecting or single cabins. There are many wheelchair-accessible cabins, and guests with disabilities are well catered for. An in-cabin dining menu is available 24-hours.

Suites and Mini-Suites come with sitting area and desk, convertible sofa bed, full bathtub alongside the shower, Jacuzzi tub, mostly two TVs, a larger balcony, and specialty Ultimate Balcony Dining (extra cost). Full Suites have a larger floor area with dining table in the sitting area, more space for entertaining, wider deck, and more special touches such as DVD/CD player with free library access, one-time complimentary mini-bar, valet and laundry services, Web access at the Internet café, and Disembarkation Lounge. Smoking is only permitted in designated smoking areas, and excludes staterooms and balconies.

Food and Dining
There are two main dining rooms (no Anytime Dining), and dinner is served in two set sittings in each dining room with the same waitstaff and assigned tables and tablemates. Dress code is smart casual, and on cruises longer than three days dress for a formal night for every week of sailing. Breakfast and lunch are provided in an open seating arrangement. (Of course a continental breakfast can be delivered to your stateroom, and there is a stateroom menu.) The alternative eating venue is Stirling Steakhouse (extra charge, reservations) for really good steak and barbecued chicken. Passengers booked in cabins with balconies can order several special, romantic meals to be served restaurant-style on the verandah - Ultimate Balcony Dining (cover charge).

Casual dining is available at Horizon Court buffet all day and informal sit-down waiter service at night. The pizzeria gives an excellent choice, and will also provide room delivery for a small charge. There is a burger and hotdog grill, and take-away food is available at the pool side. For lighter snacks try the ice-cream sundae bar, or the patisserie for coffees and pastries. Chocolate Journeys is the fleet’s latest innovation. Afternoon tea is served daily. There are seven bars and lounges. Coffee, iced tea and milk are available 24 hours a day. Submit special dietary requests well before sailing. Chocolate Journeys is new.

Entertainment
In the evening having two show lounges (both theatre and cabaret style) is a great way to give passengers more entertainment choices. During her 2009 refurbishment additions included a Movies Under the Stars screen in the main pool area for new movie releases, sporting events and concert videos. Adults have their own private sunbathing area, the Sanctuary, at the front of the ship. Add seven bars and lounges, nightclub and dance floors, and the casino, to the list of evening options. Alternatively, just stroll around and shop duty-free, or for a quiet time retire to the Library/Card Room or Internet Café. Weddings are officiated by the Captain.

Princess arranges on-shore tours at ports of call that may be booked before or during the cruise. Daytime entertainment offerings include all the cruise ship standards from ship tours to table tennis, plus a wide range of ScholarShip@Sea enrichment activities (computers, ceramics, dance etc.) for every taste. The gym is well equipped, the sports deck offers many activities, golf enthusiasts practice on simulated courses, and the health spa complex is there for your pampering. Under 18s have their own areas and professional age-group activities.

Explore the decks

15 - Sun 14 - Lido 12 - Riviera 11 - Aloha 10 - Baja 9 - Caribe 8 - Dolphin 7 - Promenade 6 - Emerald 5 - Plaza 4 - Fiesta