The latest addition to the Princess Cruise line, a ship capable of accommodating 4,300 guests, has embarked on a 10-day Mediterranean cruise from Rome.
The inaugural season of the Sun Princess began with a round-trip journey from Rome, touching Naples and Sicily in Italy; Crete and Athens in Greece; Kusadasi in Turkey; Mallorca and Barcelona in Spain, as stated in the news release dated February 28 announcing the launch of the new vessel.
"This is an historic day as our new Sun Princess sets sail on her inaugural voyage, and our guests get to experience our sensational, next-level, Love Boat firsthand. The ship is a magnificent showcase of advanced design, technology and craftsmanship, with elevated spaces and experiences all focused on taking the Princess vacation experience to a new level," said John Padgett, President of Princess Cruises.
According to the Princess Cruises Page for the ship, the Sun Princess boasts 21 decks and stretches over 1133 feet. It features a multi-tiered multipurpose glass-enclosed dome housing a pool and stage for shows including acrobatic performances created with Cirque Eloize. A range of shops are available onboard such as a fine jewelry boutique and a lounge dedicated to fine timepieces among others. For entertainment enthusiasts, there's the versatile Princess Arena which can be configured differently to accommodate various acts and audiences. Additional attractions include the Sea View Terrace, two-story Lotus Spa, or entertainment spaces designed specifically for families and children.
Monika Best from Nova Scotia, Canada - who holds the distinction of being the most travelled guest on this maiden voyage marking her 141st sailing aboard a Princess ship - praised the new vessel in her statement in the February 28 news release announcing its first journey. "The Sun Princess is absolutely gorgeous, and guests are going to love her. The architecture is unbelievable and the amenities on board are next level especially the glass dome at the front of the ship which is incredibly stunning. Princess is evolving and looking more toward families and generational cruises, which I think is absolutely wonderful because more and more families are cruising together," said Best.