We first sailed on Solar Princess just a few weeks after the ship launched. Since its inaugural season within the Mediterranean, the vessel has obtained a number of updates. So, we hopped again onboard to see how the ship was totally different. We’ve got returned and share all of the Solar Princess adjustments so you already know what has improved and the place the ship nonetheless falls quick in our newest cruise overview.
All of the Solar Princess Modifications
Higher – New Restaurant Areas
Among the many Solar Princess adjustments, the cruise line has relocated a number of of the eating places to new places. These adjustments make full sense as these venues now have extra acceptable properties.
One knock we had on the ship earlier this 12 months was the situation of two specialty eating places. The Catch by Rudi and the Butcher’s Block by Dario had been behind The Eatery (buffet) on Deck 9.
This made no sense to us as a result of these are each upscale, upcharge venues. The venues didn’t really feel intimate, nor did they supply the ambiance that the eating places deserved.
Properly, we’re joyful to say that the eating places now have their very own devoted areas on Deck 7. The venues haven’t obtained a lot of a makeover concerning décor although. Nonetheless, we like that The Catch took the place of the comfy Signature Restaurant and The Butcher’s Block took the place of the Crown Grill (which additionally relocated).
In keeping with the a number of restaurant relocations, the Americana Diner moved to the again of The Eatery. This new eating idea debuted on Solar Princess as an informal, sit-down restaurant providing a brand new menu of all-day favorites. We had been a fan of the meals however needed to admit that this restaurant fashion felt misplaced on the prime of the luxurious three-story most important eating room.
With the Butcher’s Block by Dario now residing subsequent to the ahead elevators on Deck 7, throughout from Princess Dwell, Princess Cruises’ basic steakhouse moved down the corridor. The Crown Grill restaurant is now aft on Deck 7, changing the previous Reserve Assortment restaurant. Whereas we did like the brand new design of the Crown Grill’s former location, this new location feels upscale and fashionable too.
To perform these swaps, Princess Cruises eradicated the eating rooms for the Reserve and Signature-class staterooms, combining them into one venue on the third degree of the principle eating room. In reality, they eradicated these classes of staterooms altogether, which we’ll get to in a bit.
In the case of the principle eating room, the 3-story Horizons Eating Room is now the Soleil Eating Room (Deck 6), Eclipse Eating Room (Deck 7), and The Sancturary Restaurant (Deck 8).
Higher – Up to date Restaurant Menus
Together with altering out a number of of the restaurant places, a few of the restaurant menus have obtained updates too. Specifically, The Catch by Rudi’s menu is bigger, providing extra choices for starters and entrees. So, followers of this restaurant on different Princess cruise ships can take pleasure in basic favorites.
One other change we had been glad to see was the enhancement of the Butcher’s Block by Dario menu. This meat-centric eating idea nonetheless boasts a number of programs of assorted cuts of beef. Nevertheless, the menu now consists of additions equivalent to an oyster appetizer and a Caesar salad course. Friends additionally now have two choices for dessert, with the addition of a tiramisu.
The sushi restaurant on Solar Princess was within the means of getting a makeover throughout our earlier crusing. Now, Makoto Ocean, in partnership with Chef Makoto Okuwa, is full. This restaurant boasts an improved menu together with barely up to date seating and décor. Now, company can go for a multi-course, signature sushi dinner expertise or choose from a revamped a la carte menu.
Not but full throughout our final crusing, we had been capable of expertise Love by Britto on this cruise. Situated on Deck 17 aft, this upscale specialty restaurant seamlessly combines unbelievable views with equally Instagramable plates on its 5-course menu. This cozy restaurant is right for a celebratory dinner together with your family members.
The one draw back is that the Princess Plus or Princess Premier packages don’t cowl the restaurant.
Moreover, the principle eating room menus have additionally modified to replicate the ship’s new 7-night Caribbean itineraries. However company don’t have to fret about different eating places. Staples just like the Crown Grill and Sabatini’s nonetheless boast their typical dishes that Princess cruisers have come to like.
Worse – The SkyDeck Sports activities Courtroom
Poor Park19, the outside deck that by no means was. Princess Cruises made an enormous splash saying this outside sports activities deck for multi-generational households over a 12 months in the past. Whereas not probably the most superior outside house, we had been excited to check out some new options just like the Sea Breeze Rollglider and the Coastal Climb ropes course.
We should always have identified there have been points with these points of interest throughout our crusing in March. Whereas we often noticed sports activities crew members upstairs, none of them had been ever testing out the tools. I even provided myself as a take a look at dummy in the event that they wanted extra assist.
Nevertheless, we had been stunned to study lastly that each one the points of interest had been being nixed by the cruise line.
The RollGlider regarded just like the observe for Bolt rollercoaster on Carnival cruise ships. Besides, company would hold beneath the observe. The 2-story ropes course resembled related ropes programs on different cruise strains as nicely. So, we aren’t certain how all of the certifications fell aside.
With that being mentioned, Princess Cruises nonetheless hasn’t enhanced this space. A lot of the observe for the RollGilder is gone, and the obstacles and challenges from the rope course have been eliminated. Nevertheless, most of the assist options and constructions stay.
It’s but to be decided what is going to come of this house. On condition that Princess Cruises had months to develop another design or further options for this space, it was disappointing to search out that the SkyDeck had no new choices.
We suspect Solar Princess will ultimately characteristic a sports activities courtroom for pickleball and basketball like lately introduced for Star Princess.
Whereas this isn’t a deal breaker for us, we will see how households is likely to be let down.
Worse – The Solar Princess Signature Leisure
Like many crusing on Solar Princess, we take into account ourselves conventional cruisers. Whereas now we have come to understand the versatile eating choices, our nighttime routine continues to be the identical – dinner and a present.
On our first Solar Princess cruise, none of the cruise strains’ leisure within the Enviornment or the Dome was prepared. The cruise line promoted 4 signature productions within the Enviornment, the principle theater, and an extra collection of Cirque Éloize reveals within the Dome.
Fortunately, among the many Solar Princess adjustments since our final crusing was the debut of some leisure choices.
Throughout this quick crusing, we had been capable of see one present in every venue.
Whereas we loved each productions, they actually didn’t stay as much as the hype.
On Evening 2, Viva La Música blasted its means on stage. With a choice of predictable Latin-inspired songs and some distinctive musical preparations, the playlist was nothing we hadn’t heard in different related revue reveals. And whereas Princess Cruises claims that the Enviornment is probably the most technologically superior theater at sea, there was nothing revolutionary or distinctive integrated into the present.
Really, the stage felt too small for the manufacturing. Whereas the present was excessive vitality, and the viewers was engaged, I definitely wouldn’t e-book a cruise on Solar Princess due to the leisure. In reality, the present we had been most trying ahead to, Vallora, A Pirate Quest, is already being reimagined.
We did benefit from the present in The Dome extra, Artbeat by Britto. This Cirque Éloize manufacturing took to the sky on the final evening of the cruise when our media group attended a particular exhibiting.
We actually loved the present and the way in which it utilized the options of this house. It boasted aerial acts and different acrobats, with sufficient story and variety in music to maintain us .
However, for others who want to expertise this roughly 25-minute present on income sailings, they might want to attend an hour or extra to snag one of many 250 seats on this leisure venue.
Even with two reveals an evening, The Dome just isn’t an ample measurement for the ship’s visitor capability. We’d be upset if we booked a cruise on this ship and needed to wait hours in line simply to see manufacturing reveals. Maybe, a reservation system is required.
Higher – The Sanctuary Assortment on Solar Princess
Changing the previous Reserve Assortment and Signature Assortment stateroom classes, the brand new Sanctuary Assortment debuts with Solar Princess’ Caribbean season. That is the cruise line’s try to supply an unique ship-within-a-ship expertise to company staying in suites and choose different staterooms.
Just like choices like MSC Yacht Membership, Movie star Cruises’ The Retreat, or NCL’s The Haven, company staying within the Sanctuary Assortment have entry to personal areas of the ship. These embrace an unique restaurant and sundeck.
All suites are a part of the Sanctuary Assortment, along with a number of mini-suites and premium balconies. These cabins obtain (most of) the identical facilities as nicely.
Essentially the most outstanding improve when reserving into the Sanctuary Assortment is entry to the Sanctuary Membership aft on Deck 18. Beforehand, this space was a for-fee house that each one company may buy entry to, with a piece reserved for company staying in Signature suites.
Now, the whole deck is reserved just for these staying within the Sanctuary Assortment. This posh sundeck gives a pool, whirlpool, bar, a number of seating choices, an unique menu of poolside bites, and loads of house to absorb the solar.
One other perk is a personal restaurant. Aft on Deck 8, changing the previous Americana Diner, is the Sanctuary Restaurant. Providing breakfast, lunch, and dinner, this restaurant boasts enhanced menus. We dined right here on the primary evening of our cruise, and the meals was definitely an improve from the principle eating room on Solar Princess.
All company staying within the Sanctuary Assortment additionally obtain the cruise line’s Premier Package deal as a part of the cruise fare. This add-on package deal makes your trip extra inclusive with the Premier beverage package deal, limitless specialty eating and informal eating, limitless Max WiFi, and crew appreciation, amongst different perks.
Nevertheless, solely company in one of many eighty suites onboard can entry the Suite Lounge on Deck 16. This small house gives a bar, unbelievable ocean views, day by day hors d’oeuvres, and first-class service.
Whereas Princess Cruises’ new Sanctuary Assortment doesn’t supply all of the facilities of competitor cruise strains, like butler service, we loved our expertise and suppose it’s undoubtedly well worth the improve.
The place Solar Princess Nonetheless Shines
Whereas there have been a number of Solar Princess adjustments between our two sailings, there are nonetheless loads of locations the place the ship retains its authentic glow. The pool deck gives loads of house with a central pool and informal eating choices, and the huge Sea View terrace sundeck extends all the way in which ahead on the ship.
We get pleasure from a number of of the informal eating choices across the ship as nicely. The Worldwide Café, midship on Deck 9, continues to be among the many greatest cafes at sea. Open 24 hours a day, it gives candy treats, savory bites, and signature coffees.
Additional, Alfredo’s Pizzeria serves a few of the greatest pizza at sea. We lastly obtained to pattern a few of the new award-winning pizzas from champion pizzamaker Tony Gemignani. Let’s simply say we will see why the New Yorker and Cal Italia pizzas have obtained such accolades.
Spellbound by Magic Fortress stays my favourite upcharge expertise at sea. Whereas expensive, it delivers a really distinctive and immersive evening of illusions and spirits. We slipped into the parlor for an additional go to this crusing and may attest that our second time was simply as mesmerizing and magical as our first. Though, we nonetheless can’t touch upon the dinner portion. Maybe we’d like a 3rd go to to actually expertise all of it?
Together with the manufacturing reveals, there may be loads of stay music and occasions occuring all through the ship. We’re large followers of O’Malley’s Irish Pub, and we aren’t alone. This is without doubt one of the hottest venues, providing acoustic guitar music, loads of beer, and a unbelievable time.
The Piazza can also be house to a number of actions you don’t need to miss. Whether or not it’s dance events, sport reveals, or cirque performances, it’s the hub of any Princess Cruises’ ship.
On Solar Princess, the Piazza has been redesigned to supply higher sightlines. Friends can discover a spot within the tiered seating areas surrounding this 3-story open venue.
Different energetic spots embrace Crooners for some distinctive cocktails and piano music and Princess Dwell for sport reveals, trivia, and comedy units. This lounge has a greater setup and vibe than different ships now we have sailed on within the fleet.
Thus, like many fashionable mega-ships, Solar Princess gives quite a lot of issues to do, see, eat, and revel in. It’s true that some areas are too small for a ship of this measurement. But, with some pre-planning, company will be capable of benefit from the onboard eating, actions, reveals, and nightlife.
Given there may be a lot to like about this ship, you may see Heidi and I onboard one other crusing sooner or later or maybe on her sister ship, Star Princess, when she debuts.
Feedback
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