Extreme Ship Makeover – Princess Cruises’ Style
April 23, 2011 by Cindy Bertram
Filed under Cindy's Inside Cruise Track, Featured
In the cruise industry we see new ships launching each year, but cruise lines don’t ignore their existing ones. Upgrading fleets, well beyond the traditional dry dock maintenance, is another critical part. And one of the most fun, innovative makeovers currently going on right now is onboard Princess Cruises’ Grand Princess.
Grand Princess – Extreme Makeover
Crane View of Skywalkers Nightclub Removal (April 21)
The Grand Princess makeover is being done in just 24 days, with completion by May 4. 1400 workers are involved working round the clock. They’re adding many of the new trademark features Princess Cruises is known for.
What is involved in this transformation? The ship’s atrium is being converted into the Piazza, a Vines Wine Bar and International Café is being added, and a new feature, Leaves Tea Lounge and Library are also parts of the additions.
Perhaps the most dramatic change is the removal of Skywalkers Nightclub. Removing it will provide greater fuel efficiency for the ship and will improve Grand Princess’ operational performance.
Grand Princess is also going to have some new restaurants onboard – The Crown Grill, Princess Cruises’ Classic steakhouse and seafood restaurant, as well as Alfredo’s, a new pizzeria with open kitchen. A quick note about Alfredo’s – the Grand Princess will be the first ship in the Princess fleet to have this new pizzeria and as far as the name? Alfredo’s is named after Princess Cruises’ Master Chef. Crooner’s Martini Bar will also be added and a new nightclub, the One5 debuts on Deck 15.
See the Ongoing Transformation via Photos and Videos
Underside View - Removal of Skywalkers Nightclub (April 21)
You don’t have to wait until May 5 to follow and view pats of the transformation. Princess Cruises has a daily video journal hosted by Cruise Director Martyn Moss, who’s covering highlights during the process. Martyn is sharing some of the fun, behind the scenes footage of what is going on. And you can find this by going to Princess.com/granddrydock.
When the Grand Princess sets sail on May 5 out of Ft. Lauderdale, she will be doing a transatlantic cruise over to Southampton for her summer and fall European itineraries. The Grand Princess will then be a ship with new dimensions, features and upgrades. State of the art features are no longer just for brand new ships, but ones being done onboard the Grand Princess after she goes through an extreme ship makeover. And Grand Princess is definitely a ship to consider for your next group.
