CRUISE CONTROL
Princess’s Medallion system allows you to organise your whole trip from your wrist
AFTER experiencing my first cruise recently, I admit there’s a certain appeal that’s hard to ignore, especially if you find yourself aboard the Enchanted Princess by Princess Cruises.
I spent the first few days trying to come to terms with the size of the vessel. Enchanted Princess is 330m long and nearly 40m wide with 17 decks, 25 restaurants and three swimming pools, an 800-seater theatre and eight bars. With capacity for 3,660 guests, it never feels crowded and there are people constantly on the move in the main central areas, making them fantastic places from which to people-watch.
There’s lively entertainment every evening but if you prefer a more low-key option there’s the mellow TakeFive jazz bar.
I met many lifelong, dedicated cruisers on my weeklong trip around the Mediterranean and after being chaperoned on excursions — we visited Gibraltar, Tuscany and Genoa on this trip — fed and watered to a five-star standard, I can certainly appreciate the appeal.
Every whim is catered for, with fleets of staff waiting on you hand and foot, offering a level of service in line with a luxury hotel.
Onboard the Enchanted Princess there are certainly some noticeable world-class elements, with its customer service, technology and, maybe more than anything else, incredibly high standard of food the top three.
There is an emphasis on speciality dining and a great choice of restaurants. Expect celebrity chefs, world class seafood and you can even attend cookery demonstrations in the theatre.
Even if you don’t opt for the speciality dining every night, you won’t really miss out because the main general dining area is vast, varied and an incredibly high standard.
IT’S stylish canteen eating, and you won’t see plastic cutlery or paper napkins anywhere on board, not least because Princess is really pushing to be more eco-friendly.
To be fair to the whole industry, it recognises how damaging cruising has been and all brands are making a concerted effort to leave less of a negative impact on the environment.
I was most intrigued by how tech-advanced cruising has become. The Princess Medallion system is an addition that simplifies the whole experience.
Wearing a watch-like fob allows staff to know your name, track and clean your room when you are out and about, and even recall and make your favourite bespoke cocktail without you having to repeat your preferences. It also facilitates ordering of food and drinks anywhere on the ship.
Cocktails by the pool? Simply use the app to order drinks and food anywhere on the ship. Don’t even want to leave your room? OceanNow is the room service delivery.
Opting for the Princess Plus and Princess Premier packages offers additional perks, allowing guests to indulge in up to 15 drinks a day and unlimited food in general dining areas.
The ship’s multiple bars also offer diverse entertainment. O’Malley’s is possibly the liveliest spot on the ship — with great live trad music every night, and a cross section of international and intergenerational cruisers.
There are other bar options like the stylish art deco Crooners, with excellent cocktails and a different pianist every night playing a mix of West End musicals, to 1970s Elton John and Rod Stewart classics.
Your Medallion will be working overtime.
Princess Cruises prides itself on providing a service that leans more towards a high-end hotel experience than a typical cruise and provides a vibrant and energetic atmosphere with a range of activities and entertainment options.
It’s a floating world of its own, offering an extensive but manageable environment for guests to explore. Whether you’re a seasoned cruiser or a first-timer, the Enchanted Princess offers an opportunity to immerse yourself in a unique blend of luxury and comfort while sailing the seas.