Thread: Changes for the Sapphire and the Star

Exciting New Reasons to Come Onboard

Take a closer look at Sapphire Princess^® and Star Princess^®!
The Star Princess recently enjoyed extensive drydock revitalizations that brought new life to existing venues and added sizzling new hotspots, while upgrades on the Sapphire Princess are currently underway.
Sapphire Princess:
One thing's for sure - if you've got an upcoming cruise on Sapphire Princess, you're in for a treat!

• Our popular European-inspired Piazza is one of the newest highlights, re-energizing the ship's former atrium. Designed to include the International Café and Vines, our elegant wine bar, the Piazza is a unique gathering place where passengers can grab a fresh panini, a soothing cup of coffee, or a flavorful glass of wine as they enjoy charming street performer-style entertainment. Plus, just around the corner our exciting new restaurant, Alfredo's Pizzeria, awaits. Serving fresh Neapolitan-style pizza that is hand-stretched and baked-to-order, this delicious new offering is sailing in popularity after a successful debut on Grand Princess earlier this year.

• In addition, we are proud to introduce Movies Under the Stars^® to Sapphire Princess. The long-awaited addition of a giant poolside movie screen showcasing feature films, concerts, awards shows and more has passengers abuzz, and the Sapphire Princess crew stands ready and waiting to provide cruisers with warm, fleece blankets and complimentary popped popcorn to enhance their experience under the night sky.

• Sapphire Princess will now include The Sanctuary, a tranquil retreat exclusively for adults and one of our signature features. Onboard, passengers are now indulging in the enhanced comforts of this peaceful oasis, as Serenity Stewards attend to their every need, offering refreshing beverages, light snacks, pre-loaded MP3 players, and the cooling mist of an Evian atomizer to help cruisers rejuvenate on balmy days.

• We are also relocating and upgrading several venues on Sapphire Princess, such as the Art Gallery, Internet Café and library. Plus, new flat-screen TVs are being brought in to improve the viewing experience in staterooms and public areas alike.

Star Princess:
Star Princess already boasts many of our signature features and instead focused its drydock on repairs and replacements to help modernize onboard venues and maintain the ship's high-quality performance.

• Hot and cold water pipes were replaced, furniture was restored and the Neptune Pool was refurbished, just to name a few updates!

• However, Star Princess couldn't get away without adding a couple of fresh features, such as the new bocce field at Princess Links, where passengers can grab a golf club and practice their swing or play bocce ball with fellow cruisers. Movies Under the Stars received a complete screen and sound overhaul, and our elegant steak and seafood restaurant, the Crown Grill, was added to replace the Sterling Steakhouse.

As the Consummate Host, our top priorities are ensuring the comfort and safety of all our passengers onboard. We are dedicated to providing you with the most memorable experience possible, and by scheduling regular drydock revitalizations, we can continue to make this happen. Upcoming drydocks for 2012 are scheduled for Golden Princess, Dawn Princess, Sea Princess, Ocean Princess and Emerald Princess. 2013 will see Pacific Princess, Island Princess, Diamond Princess, Coral Princess and Sun Princess getting the royal revitalization treatment.

Is the Sapphire out of her drydock yet? I want to see a deck plan.

I just checked the Princess.com site and they have updated deck plans on their site:
Sapphire Princess Deck Plans : Princess Cruises

I can tell because the International Cafe is new. And the Sapphire is out of dry dock and now on its way to Hawaii per the bridge cam Wednesday night.

Patty, why does the website say Crown Princess in the map part of the screen?

I can't tell you how annoying it is that the Sapphire was docked 4 weeks and during that time, no website deleted her deck plan to put up a new one by February 4. Do people really think they can't somehow get copies of her new deck plan before the remodel is completed? I am sitting here wondering when anyone will update the website to show she now has everything that the Grand class ships got International Cafe, Vines, Crown Grill, the Sanctuary, a MUTS screen, etc. Everywhere I look, I still see the grand plaza - now the piazza - and Sterling Steakhouse.

Originally Posted by Smart Traveler

Patty, why does the website say Crown Princess in the map part of the screen?

I don't understand what you're talking about. When I clicked on my link, it brings up the Sapphire Princess website.

As for what various websites are showing, maybe they just haven't updated. I know before I went on the Golden Princess, I had googled the ship and one site came up with deck plans. But they had the old ones, which were at least a couple years old. It's probably the case whenever there's renovations on any ship.

Originally Posted by Smart Traveler

Patty, why does the website say Crown Princess in the map part of the screen?

Originally Posted by cruisin' chick

I don't understand what you're talking about. When I clicked on my link, it brings up the Sapphire Princess website.

As for what various websites are showing, maybe they just haven't updated. I know before I went on the Golden Princess, I had googled the ship and one site came up with deck plans. But they had the old ones, which were at least a couple years old. It's probably the case whenever there's renovations on any ship.

Patty, screen shot here of what Andrea is talking about Crown & Sapphire... (it won't finish loading for me this morning)

Have you tried this link again this morning: Sapphire Princess Deck Plans : Princess Cruises

I'm getting a properly labeled Sapphire Princess deck plan. I didn't see the previous version discussed above, however.