SAPPHIRE PRINCESS Enters Drydock
SAPPHIRE PRINCESS arrived today at the Victoria Shipyards drydock in British Columbia to begin a dramatic, four-week transformation. The drydock continues a multi-year fleet wide renovation process that has brought Princess Cruises’ signature features to most of its ships.
“It’s been an incredible process over the past few years to retrofit these popular features onto our earlier-introduced ships, but we know our passengers appreciate that they can now find their favorite amenities on virtually any vessel in our fleet,” said Jan Swartz, Princess Cruises executive vice president.
According to the release; “When SAPPHIRE PRINCESS re-enters service again on February 4, passengers will be able to enjoy a brand-new Piazza atrium with the International Café and Vines wine bar, plus the new Alfredo’s Pizzeria. On the top decks, passengers will enjoy poolside movies on the new giant Movies Under the Stars screen, and an opportunity to relax in the ship’s ‘pocket of tranquility,’ the adults-only ‘Sanctuary.'”
Other changes will include: Alfredo’s Pizzeria – introduced last year aboard Grand Princess — the sit-down pizzeria Alfredo’s will expand to its second location on SAPPHIRE PRINCESS.
Movies Under the Stars – SAPPHIRE PRINCESS will be the final Princess ship to introduce Movies Under the Stars on board. The giant poolside movie screen will showcase feature films, concerts, awards shows and sports events, and passengers can enjoy their viewing on padded loungers under warm, fleece blankets.
The Sanctuary – SAPPHIRE PRINCESS is also the final ship to receive The Sanctuary, a tranquil retreat exclusively for adults. Added prior to drydock, the new Sanctuary space has already received an enthusiastic welcome from passengers enjoying the enhanced comforts of this peaceful oasis.
Also part of the renovation are several relocated and upgraded venues, including the Art Gallery, Internet Café and Library, and the Photo-Video Gallery. New carpet and upholstery will be installed throughout the ship, and staterooms will feature new flat-screen televisions.
The newly renovated SAPPHIRE PRINCESS will debut on February 4 in Los Angeles when the ship will depart on a 14-day Hawaiian Islands cruise.
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It’s a shame, in my opinion, when cruise lines do this to older vessels. It’s nice to go on and experience things not found on others. Vive la difference!
I agree that this is somewhat of a tempest in a tea pot for some of us, seeing the older vessel get a new corset and kitten heels, all for the sake of dernier cri.
However, is it better to see the old gals sold, even – god forbid – sold and scrapped, rather than get gussied up and ready for new seas and longer years of life with the current owners, to delight new and past passenger?
One of the most famed redos, although not by her original owners, was the France/Norway.
Sequins and a nip and tuck have worked for Cher, and I say that with love, and I feel it the best way to go for older ships.
Kenneth, while I agree with your sentiment, perhaps given her final demise, the France/Norway wasn’t the best analogy!
When we travel on different ships, we expect to see a something new. The Princess ships are begining to look like they are all made from the same cookie cutter. What happened to innovation? Give those of who love to cruise something different rather than a copy of all the other ships we have been on. We have to change lines to get a fresh new look.
I’m glad to see that Princes is keeping up with the times and updating their ships. My first cruise will be on the Saphire Princess on March 24 and I’m looking forward to the trip.
I spent 2 weeks on this beauty June 2009. She and her crew were quite fantastic then and hopefully even better when reboarding her March 31, 2012 for 7 night costal California. My expectations are high.