The latest ship within the Princess Cruises fleet has just lately debuted. At almost 178K gross tons, with a passenger capability of 4,300 at double occupancy, Solar Princess is the cruise line’s largest ship so far. With a number of new options and plenty of returning favorites, it’s definitely an evolution for the model and essentially the most elegant Love Boat to set sail. This new Sphere-Class vessel is extra trendy and complicated with extra connections to the ocean; but, it’s nonetheless distinctly Princess.
Loyal Princess cruisers will acknowledge acquainted favorites just like the centrally-located Piazza, in addition to Crown Grill and Sabatini’s specialty eating places. Different returning favorites embrace Crooners, Bellini’s, Good Spirits at Sea, Alfredo’s Pizzeria, and the Worldwide Cafe to call just a few. Nonetheless, there are a number of new options and facilities which might be discovered ONLY on Solar Princess. So, we share what makes Solar Princess completely different from the remainder of the fleet.
What Makes Solar Princess Completely different from the Remainder of the Fleet
Largest Ship within the Fleet
We’re large followers of mega-ships, so it’s no shock that we actually appreciated many features of this new Princess ship. Because the largest ship within the fleet, Solar Princess options 21 complete decks with extra open areas, 2,157 complete staterooms, and a number of other new venues and facilities interesting to multi-generational teams. Additionally it is the primary LNG ship within the Princess fleet.
The extra measurement allowed the model to fully redesign inside and exterior areas to modernize and improve present Princess favorites in addition to introduce new ideas for the cruise line.
Spellbound by Magic Citadel
Talking of latest ideas, maybe our favourite addition to Solar Princess is Spellbound by Magic Citadel. This immersive and mystifying expertise, open to solely 90 company every evening, features a particular dinner and entrance by means of the oddly out-of-place black door discovered midship on Deck 8.
We gained’t spoil all of the enjoyable, however behind this innocent-looking door is probably one of many best-themed experiences at sea with distinctive cocktails, illusions, sleight of hand, and even a possible ghost sighting. All of this magic and thriller prices $149 per particular person.
Sensible Elevators
Whereas many inns on land characteristic clever elevators, this innovation has only recently debuted on cruise ships and we’ve had blended experiences. Fortunately, the expertise works seamlessly on Solar Princess. All company must do is choose a deck and an elevator can be assigned to them.
When the elevator arrives, it is going to take you (and the opposite company additionally assigned to the elevator) to your required locations with none fumbling with elevator buttons. Throughout our crusing on Solar Princess, this course of was fast and environment friendly, typically giving us an categorical experience with few stops.
Three-Story Eating Room
One space on Solar Princess that noticed a grand redesign was the primary eating room. Now, the separate eating rooms are merged into one elegant, 3-story venue. This new Horizons eating room options gorgeous aft views and a three-story sculpture.
Except for the eating rooms being mixed into one multi-story venue on Solar Princess, every deck does supply a distinct eating setup. The biggest of the three eating rooms is on Deck 6. This restaurant is reserved for company preferring conventional eating. Deck 7 is for company who go for versatile eating and may make reservations within the app between 5 PM and 9 PM.
No matter whether or not you select conventional or versatile eating, company can get pleasure from the identical new principal eating room menus.
Americana Diner
The third stage of the primary eating room is a singular expertise that you simply gained’t discover on most up to date cruise strains. Americana Diner is an informal restaurant that has a completely new all-day menu, serving breakfast gadgets all day. Open for brunch and dinner, the menu options traditional consolation meals, like ribs, rooster wings, and sandwiches, together with omelets, pancakes, and extra. You gained’t need to miss the rooster and waffles cocktail right here, both.
No reservations are wanted to dine right here; nonetheless, the menu does keep the identical throughout the cruise.
Whereas Princess Cruises is rolling out fleetwide eating adjustments beginning in September, it’s unclear if the “walk-in”-designated restaurant will characteristic the same all-day menu or not.
Subsequent-Degree Piazza
Princess Cruises’ iconic Piazza has been taken to the subsequent stage on Solar Princess with the introduction of the Sphere. This 9-story glass construction permits for extra pure gentle and a extra inviting area. The ground-to-ceiling glass provides wonderful ocean views on all three decks of the Piazza, and even contains the SeaWalk on Deck 9 on the starboard facet.
With new terraced seating, company can get pleasure from a number of occasions, events, and dwell music all through the cruise right here. Different fashionable venues, just like the Crooners Bar, Bellini’s, Alfredo’s Pizzeria, and the Worldwide Cafe, mix seamlessly into this central hub of exercise as effectively.
Transformational Theater
The normal cruise ship theater has additionally been fully reworked on Solar Princess. The Princess Area is essentially the most technologically superior Princess Theater design, that includes three completely different configurations.
The brand new design considerably resembles that of Movie star’s Edge Class with a round, central stage. Nonetheless, this in-the-round theater takes it one step additional with a semi-moveable seat design to maximise sightlines for the completely different stage setups much like Virgin Voyages.
Sadly, the reveals weren’t prepared throughout our crusing. However they embrace: Vallora, A Pirate Quest; Stage Struck; Viva La Música; and Fiera!.
The Dome
One other modern new leisure area that you will see solely on Solar Princess is the Dome. This one-of-a-kind glass-enclosed construction, perched on the prime of the ship all the way in which ahead, transforms all through the day. Through the day, its a solarium of kinds with terraced seating and an indoor-outdoor pool extending into the attractive forward-facing Sea View Terrace.
At evening, the area comes alive with leisure that includes acrobatic performances created in partnership with Cirque Éloize. Once more, these reveals weren’t prepared for our crusing however embrace: Blue, Come Fly Away, and Artbeat.
You additionally gained’t need to miss the cascading waterfall with particular lighting results both.
New Reveals
As talked about above, the Princess Area and the Dome will each finally characteristic a number of distinctive and/or reimagined manufacturing reveals not discovered on every other ships within the Princess fleet.
Three reveals within the Princess Area are fully new productions. Vallora, A Pirate Quest follows the heroine ‘Vallora’ by means of a pirate journey set to an 80’s soundtrack. Stage Struck celebrates musical theater and Viva La Música is a Latin live performance with loads of Latin hits and dancing.
Moreover, there’s three specifically created reveals within the Dome that includes acts comparable to aerial hoops, aerial poles, bungees, Cyr wheel, silks, and extra.
New Buffet – The Eatery
On Solar Princess, you gained’t discover the standard cruise ship buffet. As a substitute of the same old World Contemporary Market (or Horizon Court docket) situated close to the pool deck, Solar Princess shifts this eating area right down to Deck 9. The Eatery is the brand new buffet which connects to the out of doors promenade deck. Don’t fear– there’s nonetheless meals choices up on the Lido.
Not solely does the Eatery have a brand new location, the idea has been enhanced as effectively. It’s now a full-service meals corridor the place company are served all alternatives. We liken this to the Galley on Virgin Voyages.
Whereas it will get blended opinions, we personally like not having to the touch utensils that hundreds of different palms have additionally touched previous to consuming. Although, the venue itself is moderately small for a ship of this measurement.
Reimagined Outside Areas
What can’t be debated is that Solar Princess options a number of elegant and alluring out of doors areas. Some new, some reimagined, however there’s positively more room to take in the solar and ocean breezes.
On Deck 9, there may be the Promenade, which is analogous to NCL’s Waterfront nevertheless it doesn’t circle the entire deck. Nonetheless, there’s out of doors seating for the Eatery and Alfredo’s, together with different comfy seating choices to simply loosen up. There’s additionally quick-service counter stations to seize some meals and drinks.
The Wake View Terrace on Deck 8 exudes seashore membership vibes with a shocking infinity pool. However maybe our favourite out of doors area is the Sea View Terrace. Ahead of the Dome on Deck 17, this partially-protected area has all the things you want for the final word sea day— whirlpools, an indoor-outdoor pool, a number of cozy loungers, a bar, and improbable forward-facing views.
First Sanctuary with a Pool
The Sanctuary is one other unique area that has been elevated on Solar Princess. In actual fact, it’s the first Sanctuary within the fleet to characteristic a pool. This massive and alluring area additionally features a bar, loads of loungers and seating choices, and whirlpools.
Truly, Solar Princess can also be ushering within the brand-new Sanctuary Assortment. Friends reserving Sanctuary Assortment lodging, together with the designated 80 Signature Assortment Suites, 123 Mini-Suites, or 12 Premium Deluxe Balconies can get pleasure from unique entry to the ship’s top-deck retreat space. These company will even obtain the Princess Premier bundle.
We liken this to Princess Cruises’ try at a ship-within-a-ship idea like NCL’s The Haven or MSC’s The Yacht Membership, but not as cohesive.
New Teppanyaki and Scorching Pot Experiences
Within the title of maintaining with the competitors, Solar Princess can also be the primary ship within the fleet to debut a Teppanyaki expertise. Umai Teppanyaki is offered solely on Solar Princess. As followers of those Japanese-style steakhouses, we will verify that this model at sea is simply as scrumptious and entertaining.
Nonetheless, what’s distinctive and fully new within the cruise trade is the Umai Scorching Pot expertise. This cooking method permits company to arrange their very own Asian-inspired delicacies. With boiling broth, cruisers mix veggies, meat, and noodles for a filling and enjoyable communal meal. Our mates vouched that it was top-notch as effectively.
After all, each the teppanyaki and scorching pot eating experiences do include an up-charge like several specialty restaurant does.
Extra Specialty Eating
Talking of specialty eating places, loyal Princess company can be pleased to listen to that they’ll get pleasure from much more choices on Solar Princess. With essentially the most celeb collaborations so far, this ship options the brand-new Makoto Ocean, Love by Britto, and The Butcher’s Block by Dario.
The Butcher’s Block by Dario is an 8-course meal that includes a number of signature cuts of beef, together with a tomahawk and t-bone. Makoto Ocean is in partnership with Makoto Okuwa, Grasp of Edomae-style sushi. And, Love by Britto can be an intimate eating expertise aft on Deck 17 providing improbable wake views alongside an “artistically-presented” 7-course meal created by Rudi Sodamin.
These new additions, in conjuction with favorites like Crown Grill, Sabatini’s, and The Catch by Rudi, are certain to please all of the foodies on the market.
Sea Breeze Rollglider
The Sea Breeze rollglider is one other innovation that you will see solely on Solar Princess. Not solely is that this attraction a primary for Princess Cruises, nevertheless it’s additionally a primary within the cruise trade as an entire. Sadly, it wasn’t open but for us to expertise throughout our March 2024 crusing on the ship.
Sea Breeze is impressed by hand gliding and can take company excessive above the ship to get pleasure from panoramic views. With an overheard observe that spans an excellent size of the ship, company can soar above the open ocean or a port of name on this electrical experience that reaches as much as 11 miles per hour.
Whereas we have been instructed that this exercise can be complimentary, it’s nonetheless unclear if it is going to be first-come first-served or use a reservation system as soon as the experience lastly opens.
Different Park19 Firsts
Sea Breeze isn’t the one new attraction in Park19 on Solar Princess. This sports activities deck is certainly geared in direction of attracting extra households and multigenerational teams with a ropes course, splash pad, and extra in additon to the standard sports activities courtroom.
The Internet is a 2-story ropes course designed to problem company with parts like cargo nets and steadiness beams. Coastal Climb is a climbing construction for teenagers with a small slide and a lookout space from the highest. There’s additionally the Splash Zone for the little ones situated on this similar space.
To not point out, youngsters and adults alike will love the hammock grove! This makes an awesome spot for mother and pop to relax whereas the children are having fun with the opposite parts of Park19. Or maybe, a spot to relaxation after an invigorating jog across the observe.
Cabana Deck and Staterooms
Just like the Havana Deck on some Carnival cruise ships, Solar Princess debuts the Cabana Deck. Positioned on Deck 9 midship, this unique lounge area is reserved for these staying in choose Cabana staterooms (Cabana Deck Mini Suites). Right here, company have unique entry to cozy lounge furnishings and whirlpools away from the crowds.
Now, the Cabana staterooms are additionally fully new and located solely on Solar Princess. These mini-suites characteristic the same inside setup to different staterooms on the ship however have a singular personal cabana that leads out to the balcony. The cabana space incorporates a patio-style couch and its personal tv, offering the proper transition between the indoor and out of doors areas.
Different Stateroom Enhancements
Moreover the brand new Cabana staterooms, Solar Princess provides a number of different stateroom enhancements. Among the many 2100+ staterooms are 80 Signature Assortment Suites. Together with the premium lodging, these company can get pleasure from an unique restaurant, lounge, and solar deck.
Solar Princess can also be the primary within the Princess fleet to supply no obstructed view cabins and extra connecting cabins than every other Princess ship.
To not point out, the entry-level balcony staterooms are all deluxe balcony cabins, which implies more room, storage, and a settee. These cabins even have a brand new and improved lavatory, with trendy finishes and a brand-new bathe design. This sq. bathe setup incorporates a glass door and no extra bathe curtain! We actually appreciated the brand new format and decor of the cabins on Solar Princess.
Largest On line casino within the Fleet
The on line casino on Solar Princess is the biggest within the fleet. To be precise, it has 50% more room and 30% extra machines than the road’s Royal Class ships. To boost the “Vegas-feel”, the peak of the ceilings on this Deck 8 venue are taller. The almost 9,000 sq. foot area options 10’ ceilings, 227 slot machines, and 13 dwell tables.
This additional vertical area definitely makes the on line casino really feel bigger and extra glamorous than the standard casinos on different cruise ships. Nonetheless, we have been fully shocked that the on line casino allowed smoking. Though the ship had solely been crusing for just a few weeks, the smoke scent was already obvious throughout our voyage. That is true even exterior the on line casino itself, particularly within the ahead elevator financial institution.
First Two-Story Spa
For these looking for some rejuvenation throughout their trip, Solar Princess is the primary ship within the Princess fleet to characteristic a two-story Lotus Spa. After all, the spa options your typical therapies and providers like massages, facials, manicures, and extra. There’s additionally the Enclave thermal suite, health courses, and a salon.
Different firsts for Princess embrace a sea salt room within the Enclave, together with the standard hydrotherapy pool, sauna, steam room, experiental showers, and heated stone loungers. There’s additionally the primary IV Lounge which provides varied IV therapies for hydration, vitality, detox, and extra.
New Youth Areas
Whereas Princess Cruises has all the time had youth areas on its ships, Solar Princess options fully redesigned areas for teenagers and teenagers which might be the biggest within the fleet. Firefly Park Youngsters Membership is for these ages 3-7. Neon Grove Tweens Membership is for these ages 8-12, and The Underground Teen Lounge is for these ages 13-17.
These expanded youth areas present loads of area for teenagers of all ages to socialize and have interaction in age-appropriate actions and occasions. With arts and crafts, online game consoles, and a number of other different video games like air hockey and foosball, that is simply one other space the place its evident that Solar Princess is attempting to attraction to households and multi-gen vacationers.
First Visitor Providers Not within the Piazza
Whereas we actually do love Solar Princess, a few of the design and navigational adjustments do have us questioning what have been they considering. Just like different Princess Cruises ships, there are only a few decks the place you’ll be able to stroll from one finish to the opposite on either side of the ship and discovering some places will be difficult.
One among these cases is the relocation of Visitor Providers, which is not within the Piazza. It’s now situated on Deck 6 proper exterior the ahead financial institution of elevators. Whereas this may sound good in idea as increasingly conditions will be dealt with by way of the app, it does create confusion and congestion within the space interfering with company accessing staterooms and Firefly Park.
New Propulsion Expertise
One other first for Princess, Solar Princess has two Azipods for ahead and backward actions and the 4 largest bow thrusters in the marketplace for sideways navigation. These options present higher maneuverability and assist to avoid wasting gasoline. So, whereas the ship is the biggest within the Princess fleet, it has the very best maneuverability and is essentially the most vitality environment friendly.
It was really shocking to listen to this from the Captain throughout our bridge tour, as different cruise strains like Royal Caribbean have had this propulsion expertise on its ships for years.
25 New-to-Sea Retail Manufacturers
Lastly, Solar Princess additionally ups the ante on the subject of purchasing on Solar Princess. This new cruise ship options 25 new-to-sea retail manufacturers. The ship has almost 6,000 sq. ft of devoted retail area unfold over two decks.
The cruise line boasts a line-up of greater than 200 premium manufacturers with merchandise starting from jewellery and watches to cosmetics, clothes, equipment, and the primary Princess-branded merchandise boutique. Some fashionable manufacturers that company will discover onboard embrace Chanel No. 1, Pinko purses, Breitling, TAG Heuer, Clinique, and Pandora Jewellery.
Feedback
Do you could have an upcoming cruise on Solar Princess? Which of those options discovered solely on Solar Princess are you essentially the most keen to take a look at? Drop us an anchor under to share your ideas on this newest Princess Cruises’ ship?
