Princess Cruises makes return with new ship
Princess Cruises is back to business in Florida after welcoming passengers on board its newest hardware for the inaugural sailing of Enchanted Princess.
The Wednesday sailing from Port Everglades marked the return to the state after nearly 19 months since business shut down during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The new ship is similar to sister ship Sky Princess, which debuted in 2019, and the fifth of six for the cruise line’s Royal Class with the final — Discovery Princess — coming in 2022.
The 3,660-guest, 145,000-gross-ton vessel becomes the third new ship to debut from the port in less than two weeks, following the sailings of Celebrity Apex and Holland America’s MS Rotterdam. Enchanted Princess is set to sail 15 10-night Caribbean voyages from before migrating to Europe.
New Princess Cruises President John Padgett was on hand to welcome new passengers to the ship that was supposed to debut in 2020.
“It was actually 401 days since she’s been complete to now receiving her first guests,” Padgett said.
A lucky Central Florida couple were brought on board before noon Wednesday as the first passengers for the sailing. They were feted with streaming confetti and music, and commemorated with a plaque and medallion to be installed on the ship.
Rick and Sandy Janus, who recently moved to Clermont from Kissimmee, have previously sailed on seven other Princess ships.
“We were on the Sky inaugural and it was amazing. Being on a new ship — I like new things, new houses, new cars, new everything,” Sandy said. “Every one is a little better, a little bigger and a little bit different.”
The line upgraded them to the Sky Suite, the top suite on the ship, and largest in the fleet, with a 1,000-squarefoot balcony that wraps around for 270-degree views, which also comes with its own dedicated service.
“We really would have been just been honored to meet these people, all these executives who make this happen, and just to be the first guests on the ship, that would have been enough for us,” Sandy said. “This is just — nothing like this has happened to us.”
In addition to the Sky Suite, the ship’s offerings closely mirror Sky Princess, including a reproduction of the same two shows “Rock Opera” and “5-SKIES” that debuted on that vessel.
Jazz and bespoke drink fans will be happy to find Take Five on board again while also offering the Good Spirits at Sea Bar, which marries mixed drinks with video presentations on the drinks’ origins.
The ship features 25 bars and restaurants including Bistro Sur La Mer by three Michelin star Chef Emmanuel Renaut, Crown Grill Steakhouse and Bar and Sabatini’s Italian Trattoria, which features something new for the fleet, where travelers can watch the pasta be made.
Like Sky Princess, the ship has 10 pools and hot tubs, the most in the fleet including the infinity Wakeview pool on the aft of the ship.
The ship also features the adults-only area of the ship called The Retreat with its own pool, bar and hot tubs, and the adjacent membersonly section The Sanctuary. Also on board is the Lotus Spa and Fitness Center, a massive fitness center, sports deck, casino, youth spaces and shopping.
Like all 14 ships in the fleet now, Enchanted Princess travelers are given what the line calls Medallion, a wearable, quarter-size fob that acts similar to Disney’s MagicBand. Padgett helped bring the technology to the line in his previous role of chief experience and innovation officer at Carnival Corp., Princess Cruises’ parent company. He had previously worked at Disney, but says its role on the cruise line is much more integrated that what’s offered at the theme park.
“What sets the MedallionClass experience off from anyone else is its personalization and scale,” Padgett said. “We have large ships with all the features and amenities you can imagine but the service itself is personalized and hassle-free because you’re connected with the Medallion to the ship environment where all the technology is fused in.”
The line partnered with a satellite internet provider that allows for maximum coverage across the globe, since the ships travel to multiple continents, Padgett said. That coupled with an intranet installed behind the scenes allows for connectivity not equaled on other lines, he said. It allows for servers to hunt you down with the drink you ordered even if you’re on the move, and to even find other members of your traveling party that have become lost.
The majority of passengers now use their smartphone or tablets, but the ship is rife with touchscreen access married to the Medallion fob that allow you to make changes to your account all over the ship.
“The only thing left to do is have a great experience,” Padgett said.