New dining options and upgraded cabins greet passengers on Mediterranean cruises
Passenger sailing on Princess Cruises’ Crown Princess this summer will be delighted and surprised by her recent facelift that includes additional culinary options and upgrades in cabins, public rooms and the Lotus Spa.
The ship debuted in 2006 and a dozen years later it was time for a facelift. One of the most noticeable changes is the new signature logo on her bow, but of more interest to passengers will be the increased array of dining options, including:
- The Salty Dog Grill (formerly Trident Grill) offers a variety of signature Princess burgers made with 100 percent all-beef patties and buns freshly baked on board and new Street Tacos made with grilled chipotle-lime chicken or roasted sweet potato-green chile. For an extra charge, you can sink your teeth into “The Ernesto” burger from Chef Ernesto Uchimura in tempting varieties, including chili cheese and bacon & cheese accompanied by lots of fries. Hot dogs round out the menu offerings at the new on-deck dining venue.
- Slice (formerly Prego Pizzeria) features West Coast and East Coast pies such as the signature classic Neapolitan-style pizza and a new Deep Dish Focaccia layered with marinara, meatballs and cheese, California Artisanal Toast including Cali-Avocado or Caprese, as well as Sliced Stromboli, an East Coast take on an Italian calzone filled with deli meats and cheese.
- Coffee & Cones (formerly Sundaes Ice Cream Bar) offers treats of gourmet ice-cream sandwiches, complimentary ice cream cones and specialty coffee on the top deck, serving New Grounds Crafted Coffee.
- The Mix (formerly Mermaid’s Tale) is the ship's poolside bar, which has been refreshed with brightly lit surroundings to create a festive atmosphere for guests celebrating the day or catching up with friends and family.
In addition to expanded dining choices, other upgrades include:
The comfy Princess Luxury Bed is now available in every stateroom. The line is proud of this bed, which was developed by Princess Cruises in collaboration with board-certified sleep expert, Dr. Michael Breus and renowned HGTV designer Candice Olson.
Club Class Mini-Suites – this new premium stateroom category provides VIP amenities and exclusive dining and priority embarkation.
Camp Discovery Youth & Teen Center, for cruisers ages 3-17, has been upgraded to provide more fun for that group.
Consumerism
Boutiques bring big profits to cruise lines and more of them are upgrading shops to increase traffic. The Crown's Shops of Princess have been upgraded with brands such as Effy Fine Jewelry and new products to choose from, featuring a collection of Princess branded athletic wear and logo apparel displayed in a newly designed Logo shop.
The Casino, another profit center offering passengers plenty of ways to try their luck from slots to tables.
Spas bring big bucks, too, especially with today's overpriced (in my opinion) treatments. And the Lotus Spa & Fitness Center offers a great way to pamper yourself for a price.
More details about Crown Princess sailing in the Mediterranean for the upcoming summer 2018 season can be found at princess.com/europe.
Expect to find more improvements of Princess ships as the Santa Clarita, California-based company continues to promote its multi-year, “Come Back New Promise” – a $450 million-dollar product innovation and cruise ship renovation campaign. The plan includes partnerships with award-winning Chef Curtis Stone; engaging entertainment inspired shows with Broadway-legend Stephen Schwartz; immersive activities for the whole family from Discovery and Animal Planet that include exclusive shore excursion to onboard activities; the ultimate sleep at sea with the award-winning Princess Luxury Bed and much more.
Three new Royal-class ships are currently on order with the next new ship, Sky Princess, under construction scheduled for delivery in October 2019.
