Star Princess has set sail after a 3-week drydock that dramatically transformed several spaces on board, including turning the ship's atrium into a vibrant street café-like piazza, adding Princess Cruises' signature adults-only retreat called The Sanctuary, and installing a 300-square-foot Movies Under the Stars poolside screen. These features, which have been enthusiastically enjoyed by passengers on Princess Cruises' newest vessels, have inspired an expansion to other ships in the fleet, and Star Princess is the first to be revitalized with these favorite elements.Star Princess' updated piazza-style atrium will now feature an array of dining and entertainment opportunities including the specialty coffees, freshly baked goods, paninis, salads and tapas of the International Café. It will also introduce an expanded Vines wine bar concept, which will feature more than 30 wines by the glass, a selection of artisan meats and cheeses, plus a wine shop where passengers can purchase their favorite bottle.
On the top deck of the ship, passengers can now relax in the tranquil environment of The Sanctuary (pictured above), Princess' signature adults-only retreat featuring plush padded lounge chairs and the services of dedicated Serenity Stewards. Along with enjoying refreshing beverages and light snacks, visitors to this exclusive space can also receive a massage in one of two private cabanas.
Princess' trademark Times Square-style Movies Under the Stars poolside screen is now in place and will show a variety of films, concerts and special events daily. And in the evenings it becomes an outdoor theater with specially covered lounge chairs and cozy blankets, where moviegoers can enjoy free popcorn, plus other snacks and beverages.
Additional changes made during the drydock include a new Internet Café and library area, enhancements to the onboard boutiques, the addition of LCD flat screen televisions in all staterooms, and a variety of other cosmetic updates.
Star Princess is the first of three ships to receive these updates. Caribbean Princess and Golden Princess will also receive similar transformations in subsequent drydocks, in January and April of 2009, respectively. Caribbean Princess and Golden Princess will also receive additional enhancements including a new Crown Grill steak and seafood restaurant, a new casino area and six additional suites.
More info: CruiseDiva.com profiles Princess Cruises.
All true on the new signature features. Service on the 12 day cruise to South America on January 5, 2010 was inconsistent. Only After the NoroVirus reached epidemic proportions did the Capt announce that we had a problem and use only the cabin restrooms. The shore tendering took over two hours to return to ship on both occasions. Internet cafe was like dial up at 75 cents a minute. Wifi was not much better. Food was OK to good. Specialty restaurants were excellent. (You pay extra, but worth it. The Sanctuary is $20 a day extra. Overall the rooms were excellent and service in the state rooms was incredible. I would go again. The line needs to get their problems solved. Room for improvement. The vast majority of stall was excellent. A lot of unhappy people on this cruise mostly because of the tenders and illness. I waited one and one half hours in pouring rain on the dock in a block long line to return to ship.
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