Posted on Friday, August 17, 2012 by Peter Knego
MV ROYAL PRINCESS (3) under construction at Fincantieri’s Monfalcone shipyard. Courtesy of Fincantieri.
The first in a new generation of ships built for the Carnival Corporation, the 3,600 passenger ROYAL PRINCESS was floated out of its graving dock at Fincantieri’s Monfancone, Italy shipyard on August 16. A “pre-christening” was officiated by “madrina” Victoria Nash, daughter of veteran Princess Captain Nick Nash. Ms. Nash, who was actually christened on board the first (1984-built) ROYAL PRINCESS in 1996 during a ceremony that used that ship’s (now sailing as Phoenix Seereisen’s ARTANIA) bell. The two day “floating out” process began when the madrina cut a ribbon that released an influx of water into the dock.
Alan Buckelew, Chairman and CEO of Princess Cruises, stated, “The original ROYAL PRINCESS left our fleet some time ago, but we wanted to bring the spirit of that much-loved ship, also a prototype design, to the new ROYAL PRINCESS and who better to do that than Victoria, who has grown up into a beautiful young lady who will now have a special connection with both vessels.”
“Captain Nash was presented with the ship’s bell from our original ROYAL PRINCESS following its decommissioning, and we are delighted that he has very generously offered this bell to be placed aboard our new ROYAL PRINCESS, in honor of his daughter,” added Buckelew. “Thank you Nick, for this wonderful gift.”
A video of the float-out ceremony is available by clicking this link: ROYAL PRINCESS Float Out
The ROYAL PRINCESS is scheduled to debut in June of 2013. Among the special features found on board will be a greatly expanded atrium, ; a dramatic over-water SeaWalk, a top-deck glass-bottomed walkway extending more than 28 feet beyond the edge of the vessel; plush private poolside cabanas that appear to be floating on the water; the new Princess Live! television studio; a pastry shop; a special Chef’s Table Lumiere, a private dining experience that surrounds diners in a curtain of light; and balconies on all outside staterooms. The ship’s 2013 maiden season will include cruises on the line’s signature Grand Mediterranean itinerary throughout the summer, followed by Eastern Caribbean cruises beginning in the fall.
More information and video previews of the ship are available at www.princess.com/royalprincess.
Additional information about Princess Cruises is available through a professional travel agent, by calling 1-800-PRINCESS, or by visiting the company’s website at www.princess.com.
Kenneth Eden
August 18, 2012 at 5:39 am
Peter
She is a biggy indeed. Imagine over 1,000 balconied staterooms.
I wonder just how much of the former ROYAL PRINCESS’ spirit will be noticed, if at all, on this new one, afterall, the Godmother was Princess Diana and the ship itself had a marvelous, Princess Di’s portrait is on board the ARTANIA, a name very remeniscent of P&O, perhaps?
A perusal of the ARTANIA at Pheonix Reisen sight reveals a ship still lost in time, the interior decor is that of the 1980′s ROYAL PRINCESS, former Princess fabric selections, baby boy, blue baby girl pink, typical of Princess decor back then.
I’ll be sailing the new RP next fall, and am eager to compare this exciting new class to the Solstice Class, which I am a big fan of. Wonder if the new class will see itself with Cunard? MMMMMMMMMMMMM
.
Andy
August 19, 2012 at 8:25 am
I will sail on ARTANIA in a week and I am very excited to learn a little about the ROYAL PRINCESS’ spirit.
It is true, that Phoenix only slightly changed her identity. If this is caused by the intention, to keep her glory and popularity of the last 28 years or by a limited range of investment into her modernization is not relevant in the end.
Although many “modern” passengers already call her an oldie with her birth in 1984 (which is also mine), I hope that she is not too modern for my tastes. To me, the rule was always “the older the better”. And beside wonderful ships like (TS)ALBATROS, MONTEREY, QE2 and SAPPHIRE, which I loved very much, there is still a selection of “real” ships in service, that belong to a generation prior to ROYAL PRINCESS. But there is always a time, when you need to get used to something new.
I am sure you understand what I mean (from a perspective 30 years later)
ToRo
August 19, 2012 at 1:23 pm
Another abysmal maritime floating condo goes to sea. I miss the lines of the old liners. Why hasn’t someone thought of designing ships like the old liners and deck them out with old world charm. I am one who is not going on any cruise ship that looks like at any moment is going to roll over and do a S.S. Poseidon imitation. Give me a ship like the Normandie, the beloved and much missed S.S. France/Norway, the Queen Mary, the Olympic or beloved Mauretania.
I rather stay moored than go out to sea in these ugly behemoths. The only lines that look like ships are the Disney Cruise ships… but I’m in no mood to be at sea with all those kiddies screaming at Tinker Bell or Cinderella out at sea.
Hank
August 19, 2012 at 6:38 pm
The QUEEN MARY 2 has lines that look like a ship. Its lines aren’t as graceful as the QE2′s, but QM2′s lines are definately more graceful than most cruise ships. Also, QM2 is an ocean liner. Therefore, QM2 has a strong hull for ocean voyages. I also like the lines on the cruise ships EUROPA and EUROPA 2.
Kenneth Eden
August 20, 2012 at 4:02 am
Andy
You should feel right at home on the ARTANIA. Reisen group tends to leave their ships as is, and they usually take ones that are in most ways classics as their other ships have proven to be.
The ARTANIA, being self-classed, by that I mean, my own word, one of a kind, as there were no sister ships, she was an inigma unto herself, and with great pride for Princess Cruises, and of course, of Princess Di.
I beleive the ROYAL PRINCESS was Princess’ first ship used for ’round the world cruises. Timely as she is, she packs design from her era with style and elan.
Outside she haad grace and style, and looked and still looks like a regal ship, her stack tiara like.
Peter Kohler
August 20, 2012 at 7:52 am
Nice to see a line like Princess stay true its traditions, the new ROYAL PRINCESS is an instant classic in the timeless Princess tradition, her lines summing up all we have come to associate with the line’s heritage of…
having the absolute worst looking cruise ships on the High Seas, bar none.
Before long, we will harken fondly back to the Shopping Trolley class….
Deborah D
August 20, 2012 at 12:16 pm
I totally agree with ToRo…none of the ships out there today look like a cruise ship to me.
Allan J.
August 20, 2012 at 1:17 pm
I was ARTANIA in the spring … you are going to be surprised in many places. Phoenix went upscale and did a variety of modernizations on the ship. The new restaurant, bar etc. are very startling and very nice euro designs. Other places are more traditional Princess.
As for the Princess Diana portrait P&O took it with them. Just about the only thing they took. Phoenix had contacted the Palace or someone in the UK asking for an official portrait to replace the one that was there and they were turned down. So as of the spring Diana was missing from the ship although the cruise director said he was determined to get one aboard and re-start the tradition of having a single white rose sitting in front of the portrait.
Hard to tell from the pictures but the new RP looks like a dog so far. What’s with the funky bow design and the name looks too low and too small on the bow. I will withhold judgement till can get a good look of her out of the dock and away from the yard but so far it looks like she will do nothing to advance the look of the cruise ship.
At least Princess remembers they have had ships with the name before…..
Kalle Id
August 20, 2012 at 2:37 pm
I would argue that while the new Royal Princess doesn’t look that spectacularly good, it’s still a notable improvement to the Grand Princess aesthetic the company have been using since the late 1990s. The new ship looks much more solid and ship-like than the random curves of the previous generations.
Kenneth Eden
August 21, 2012 at 5:08 am
As a member of the Captains Circle, repeaters, started and continued from Sitmars Circolo, I get weekly updates on the new ROYAL PRINCESS, which highlight every phase of the new build, from computer generated to actual real works in progress, all in a video format, and this new ship in and out will be sectacular to be sure.
I too feel the name is rather low on the bow. As for the bow shown above, it may be the angle of the photo. The ship is much more steamlined and swoopy.
Anybody can get a pic or poster of Princess Diana on the internet. I like the idea of the single white rose and honoring Di’s memory.
A few critisism I do have and I have seen it in what I receive from Princess, ceiling height. Too low, as this seems to be a Princess tradition and seems to be on the new RP in the public spaces, AND a tiny pools and severe lack of outdoor sunning space.
I do think this ship may allow for a more upscale experience than rincess offers on its other ships.
One note I got from a huge tome Princess sent me, and it is odd, I will not attempt to quote. Its with the towels – apparently in staterooms concierge class and above will receive terry cloth towels. What does one get below concierge level?????
Greg
August 21, 2012 at 3:06 pm
Princess is not Princess anymore. They are now Carnival owned, hence all their new ships will be protypes of Costas,Carnivals, etc etc..
They are making all the ships this way so that they can transfer them at any season to one of the other 100 of the lines that Carnival owns..
I think all these new ships are ugly, but this is what happens when an American company has a monopoly of the cruise industry..
I saw a recent photo of the original love boat “the Pacific Princess” on this site and she is so graceful….
my one wish is that some company would get with the program and stop building these massive lego ships and go back to solidly built smaller ships with style ..and elegance..again its all about a monopoly and how much they can cram into a ship to make money..
I miss Sitmar and older P&O, the Australian P&O have two of my other favourites that originally were ordered by Sitmar, the shapes like dolphins, they still look timeless…
this is when Italy still knew how to design a ship…..
Greg
August 21, 2012 at 3:09 pm
As for a picture of Lady Diana, why doesnt Phoenix ask Prince William for an honorary photo, Im sure he would supply one..
Maybe as a slap back at Princess why dont they call her Lady Diana, then get an honorary photo from the royal family??
I think that would be one awesome gesture….
Kenneth Eden
August 22, 2012 at 5:54 am
Ah, Carnival hater. Shame on you. My, Carnival has grown to 100 cruise lines overnight?
A condo is a flat or apartment, usually, there are exceptions. Most provide ownership of the actual living space the floors, walls and interior fittings, most do not allow ownership of the land and most usually offer air space. We had a condo in an 18th century brownstone in Boston on the Charles, heavenly. If you use the term condo, first check the meaning of the word
Want a sea going condo? Check out Residensea and Four Seasons.
Peter Kohler
August 22, 2012 at 7:25 am
Greg, I got a chuckle out of your reference to “Lego ships”. When I was a boy and ardent ship buff and Lego lad, I was terribly frustrated that one, of course, couldn’t build ocean liners out of Legos… where were the sineous curves of hull, swish funnel shapes and raked masts in any number of Legos that real ships had back then? I am utterly convinced that modern ship designers shared my Lego frustrations at formatative years and decided the solution wasn’t different Lego shapes but to reshape the Ocean Liner to suit abrupt, boxy blocks. And there result is now for all to see in ships like ROYAL PRINCESS.
Shawn Dake
August 22, 2012 at 10:19 am
The original ship’s bell was apparently used as the christening bowl for young Victoria Nash when she was baptized aboard the first ROYAL PRINCESS. It’s good to be Captain.
Kenneth Eden
August 23, 2012 at 4:09 am
Peter Kohler
Funny, I tried to build ships with legos as well. Too boxy for ships back then, maybe they could work with the new mega box ships of today!
Ikea is planning hotels of all things in Europe – will one have to assemble the bed?
Kalle Id
August 26, 2012 at 1:38 pm
It seems have been fortunate enough to be born during the era when legos already had enough curvy bits to make believable ship models of the ships that were current when I was young. Today’s new ships would of course be even easier (the MARINA’s aft part looks like it’s built out of legos anyway!).
bruce
August 27, 2012 at 5:50 pm
I read somewhere that this latest Princess ship is an example of their new more space-efficient design. As I can see from the images, there are minimal curves to the superstructure and stern and a graceful forcastle are all now considered ‘wasteful’. I’m not looking for a long forcastle and graceful bow like ships of the past but this ship looks like an apartment block w/a tug boat bow. Every year, I find myself losing more and more of my facination w/passenger ships as they become more unattractive. I wonder if anyone will miss these mass-produced floating boxes when their commercial service comes to an end?
Hank
September 5, 2012 at 12:36 pm
Well, I will miss several. I have already mentioned several. QM2 (although there are plans for about a 40 year life), EUROPA, and EUROPA 2. Let’s add a few others I will miss when they are gone. P&O’s lovely ORIANA, and the also nice AURORA. Holland America Line’s S class which includes: STATENDAM, VEENDAM, MAASDAM, and RYNDAM. and Holland America Line’s R class: ROTTERDAM, VOLENDAM, ZAANDAM, and AMSTERDAM. The ships for those companies still reflect their heritage. The old PRINSENDAM also is more pleasing to the eye than most modern day ships. The Royal Carribbean ships look very pleasing. Although the OASIS OF THE SEAS and ALLURE OF THE SEAS is too much for me. Celebrity Cruises ships look great. Although classic ocean liners will always be the best. The other day I got a longing for the SOUTHERN CROSS, despite the fact that I never saw here except in photos and never set a foot on her. It seems the 1980-2000 era was the last era when classic cruise ships earlier. By 2005, the number dropped dramatically, and now with SOLAS 2010, it has continued to drop. Classic International Cruises still uses traditional ships though. They have the former STOCKHOLM,the twin sisterships PRINCESS DANAE, and PRINCESS DAPHNE, FUNCHAL, and ARION. If I am not mistaken I think that the twin DANAE and DAPHNE are the only classic passenger ship class to have more than one of the class still around.
Kenneth Eden
September 6, 2012 at 5:29 am
The DAPHNE was originally built in 1955 as a cargo ship, PORT SYDNEY. Kareagoris Line, owned by wealthy Greek shipping interests, hence, Kareagoris family, bought PORT SYDNEY and her sister, rennovated them beyond all recognition, and named them DAPHNE and DANAE, and they were both spectacular in their day, competing in the upper crust market, with the likes of Royal Viking Line and Norwegian America Line/Cruises. Funny how these lines have vanished, and the ships live on, although it is up in the air about SAGA RUBY, nee VISTAFJORD, fate.
Two class syatem on DAPHNE/DANAE – never knew of it, never happened when I sailed Saphne as Costas DAPHNE.
John Cant
September 6, 2012 at 7:46 am
Kenneth, I agree. Working for Costa at that time, there was not a 2 class system on these ships. They were beautiful ships and a joy to sell to prospective passengers.
Clive Harvey
September 6, 2012 at 1:31 pm
Kenneth, no, it was not Karageorgis that acquired those Port Line cargo ships and had them rebuilt into the de luxe cruise ships, Daphne and Danae; it was J. C. Carras.
hank
September 6, 2012 at 7:27 pm
No, that’s not what I meant by class. I was talking about the fact that I think they are the only pair of classic liner sister ships where both of the pair are still with us. Until 2010, we had the SAGAFJORD & VISTAFJORD. But now, the only example of classic identical sisterships that I can think of is the DANAE and DAPHNE.
Clive Harvey
September 7, 2012 at 1:16 am
Oh my, I am being pedantic!! Sorry Hank but Sagafjord and Vistafjord were not sister vessels. They were fleet mates that shared many similarities but they most certainly were not sisters.
Sagafjord was built in France and entered service in 1965 whilst Vistafjord was built in Britain and entered service in 1973. They were both of similar tonnage, length and breadth but Vistafjord was the larger, she also had an additional deck. Vistafjord’s forward superstructure was also markedly different from that of her older fleet mate.
Sagafjord and Vistafjord were no more sister ships than Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth.
Kenneth Eden
September 7, 2012 at 3:50 am
hank
Classic, Liner sisters, almost a tongue twister!
I will never forget the balconied cabins, the balconies were huge, I was unfortunate as to not to have been able to afford a balcony way back then.
On one Alaska cruise with DAPHNE, the crew caught halibut off the stern and it was prepared for dinner that night – wonderful memories.
David L. NYC
September 7, 2012 at 10:26 am
I respectfully request to differ with your view, Clive, that the beautiful Vistafjord and Sagafjord were not sister ships. I see them as sister ships that at one time belonged to the same line and had some aesthetic similarities in common. They were not, however, twin sisters.
Hank
September 7, 2012 at 12:33 pm
Alright, well then, the PRINCESS DAPHNE and PRINCESS DANAE are the only classic pair of sisterships left and the SAGAFJORD and VISTAFJORD were similar fleet mates.
Kenneth Eden
September 8, 2012 at 8:51 am
How ’bout “step sisters?” Lots of near twin ships would fit that term.
Will the next generation – the one after PACIFIC PRINCESS be a true sister ship?
And, since the new RIVIERA has added extra height to its ceilings, over those found on her “sister” MARINA, as well as 700 other improvements, accoding to Oceania, are they truly sisters?
If “Tina” is flat as a board, and her maternal twin sister “Gina” had breast augmentation and dyed her hair, are they still considered identical sisters?
Andreas Wahl
September 9, 2012 at 1:33 am
Having just returned from my first cruise on ARTANIA (actually, it were two 6 day-journeys in a row, a little Norway and Western Europe), I come to the conclusion that she is indeed a fine ship – with large open deck spaces, nice lobby and a beautiful classic restaurant Vier Jahreszeiten. Nevertheless, I definitely prefer the design of the 60s, 70s and also the more classic designs of other 80s ships like FAIRSKY, EUROPA, ASTOR or NIEUW AMSTERDAM with cabins downstairs, a promenade deck on medium level and the lifeboats on top level. Also, many parts of the ship are still original – in a negative way. The cabins, including the suites, and several parts of the open areas obviously need renewal.
Hank, didn’t you forget MARCO POLO and DISCOVERY on your missing-list? Aren’t they the two oldest original passenger ships still in service (Daphne and Danae excluded, as already mentionned)? I had the joy to see both of them on the ARTANIA cruise, MARCO POLO in Bergen, and DISCOVERY in Flam. Apart from that, I met VESTERALEN, SPLENDOUR OF THE SEAS, COSTA FORTUNA, OCEANA, BRAEMAR, BALMORAL, SAGA SAPPHIRE, LIRICA, ALBATROS and AMADEA.
@Peter, it seems we only slightly missed each other
Although I am a regular client of Phoenix Reisen, I am not sure if I will sail on ARTANIA again. I prefer ALBATROS and also ships like ASTOR or DELPHIN.
At last, a quite disturbing experience was the “traffic jam” in Geiranger Fjord, where already three ships were anchored, when we arrived. 9000 passengers on a single day in a 300 people-village, that’s a point when you have to be critical of mass tourism in the cruise sector…
Kenneth Eden
September 9, 2012 at 6:24 am
Andreas
A nice account of the ARTANIA. It does go to show that although some measures are taken to refit and doll up an elderly cruise ship, often areas are not given the full treatment, if at all.
Many of the newest mega ships are placing the main dining room on lower decks, due to stability I assume, and locating other public spaces low down as opposed to placing everything way up, as was the case for a while.
One area that has gone by the wayside to a very sad degree, the promenade deck. Yes, there were ships built in the ’80 and 90′s that lacked them, however today the trend has been getting farther away from the real 360* prom. Thankfully Holland America and Cunard Line adhere to the promenade deck tradition, although it is lacking on the QUEEN VICTORIA.
When Royal Viking Line was building the ROYAL VIKING SUN, now PRINSENDAM, the SUN was previewed to us passngers during a cruise, and it expressed that it cost much more money to provide the prom deck, and to allow for a rounded stern during construction. How things have changed.
Shawn Dake
September 9, 2012 at 11:39 am
The PRINCESS DAPHNE and PRINCESS DANAE were sister ships as built in 1954 and 1955 as Port Line refrigerated cargo ships and as rebuilt in 1975 as passenger ships. As for the oldest passenger vessel still in service that title goes to the ATHENA built in 1948 as the STOCKHOLM and currently sailing for Classic International Cruises in a drastically rebuilt state. With the SAGAFJORD and VISTAFJORD I have always referred to them as near-sisters, although I kind of like the idea of “step-sisters” as suggested above. In today’s environment with similar hulls being used by different companies under a corporate parent umbrella, there are a lot of ugly step-sisters out there and few Cinderellas.
Greg
October 4, 2012 at 2:06 pm
Royal Princess #3, really Royal #2 was a transitional ship right??ex Tahitian Princess, etc ..wasnt built new as the Royal Princess. I do remember the Royal Princess 1 coming to Vancouver, i saw her for the first time on a really rainy day in Vancouver, I snuck out of work in West Vancouver and saw her go under the Lions Gate Bridge. I cant beleive how time flies, she was an awesome ship to say the least. When I first saw the renderings of the new Royal it looked really ugly to me, nothing new, the Carnival stamp is on all of them, but much to a bit of suprise the new Royal looks okay, more Celebrity looking..I just dont understand my they have to be so big..
My big question that I still have unanswered is how are these new era ships in the water, are they smoother than lets say the old Pacific love boat or the old Regal princess??or are they the same feel in the ocean…
Kenneth Eden
October 5, 2012 at 5:25 am
Greg
We sailed from Cape Liberty, which is a spit of land directly across from Manhattan and just north of Newark in February, on the CELEBRITY SILHOUETTE. For all intents and purposes, the SILHOUETTE is huge, maybe a touch sleeker than other mega ships.
She sailed beautifully out and back, in the dead of winter, with the Atlantic a boil and winds roaring some days, rollers and swells galore on some days, and the ship was steady during the entire 12 night cruise. Our balcony never had any spray, the ship deflected it away from the hull.
The public rooms were calm, and even the Lawn was not affected by blowing spary. Of course, other weather conditions may have different effects winter or summer. The pools were sloshing!
Royal Caribbean and NCL will sail their big cruisers from New York and Cape Liberty during the coming winter season, so they probably sail quite well.