Grand Princess Cruise 2011- Page 1: Southampton - Simplon Postcards

We had only travelled on two Princess cruises in the past, Sea Princess in the Caribbean in 1999 and Star Princess to Mexico in 2002. Despite this we had been elevated to Elite status in the Princess Captain's Circle due to the numerous P&O cruises undertaken. This provided fast check-in, priority tender boarding. free internet, free minibar, numerous discounts and various other benefits way in advance of what we receive on P&O.

Princess ships are very conservative in design, on a par with old-style Holland America. Holland America have been brightening up their ships in recent years and since Grand Princess had just been given a major upgrade, I was interested to see the results. Whilst significant alterations have been made to the atrium areas and on Deck 16, the overall style has not been changed. The signature Princess turquoise and pale wood still prevails everywhere and given the condition of carpets and furnishings have pretty well been replaced like with like. This is not an exciting ship and no areas have the 'wow factor' that one might expect on a Celebrity, Royal Caribbean or even newer HAL design.

We arrived in Southampton the day before departure and watched Independence of the Seas on her cruise at 16:30 on 20th October. Grand Princess sailed on time at 16:00 from the Mayflower terminal on the 21st October, turning off the container terminal before heading down Southampton Water, following P&O semi-sister ship Ventura which had been berthed in the Ocean Cruise Terminal. By the following morning we had overtaken Ventura after covering 300 miles at 21.5 knots. It was announced that due to expected poor weather the first stop Cadiz would be replaced by Malaga, with the ship continuing at over 21 knots to reach the more distant port by 10:00.

Dinner on the first evening was adequate but pretty average, and not up to recent P&O, Cunard or RCI fare. Subsequent meals were generally much better. We had chosen to be sociable on an eight seat table on the second 8:30pm sitting in the Botticelli restaurant. However this did not seem to be a popular choice since many places throughout the restaurant were unfilled and we ate alone on the first night, the restaurant being less than half full. Some consolidation of tables was promised for the second night, and we were joined by an interesting couple with whom we shared the rest of the cruise. On the third night we were also joined by a welsh couple who completely freaked out when they discovered there was an employee of HM Revenue & Customs on the table. We did not see them again. The other two dining rooms Da Vinci and Michelangelo now offer anytime dining with many 2-person tables. One restaurant offered a waiter service breakfast each morning. These were very ordinary. We prefer to eat alone at breakfast and there were plenty of tables for two. However these tables were often very close to other tables. Why do people specifically choose a table for two (the default is to put people on shared tables) and then try to make conversation with those on the adjacent table? If determined to bore people with their views on the previous night's show, surely they should choose to share a large table?

Princess offer separate 'behind the scenes tours' of both the ship's operations and the galleys. At $195 and $150 per person respectively we decided not to bother.

Unlike many other cruise lines, this is not a 'quiet ship', since the cruise staff make frequent, lengthy and irritating announcements throughout the ship just to advertise events listed in the daily news sheet PrincessPatter.

The recent remodelling of the ship involved the removal of the ugly 'pram handle' Deck 17 across the stern. The large Skywalker's bar and nightclub which it housed has been replaced with the One5 bar on Deck 15, itself replacing a video arcade and 'cyberstore' (whatever that was). As Elite passengers we could get canapés and cheap cocktails in One5 between 17:00-19:00. At the forward end of Deck 16, games and teen areas have been replaced by the Sanctuary, an extension of the Spa area below where one can lie on beds an drink cucumber juice for $10 per half day. The only remaining area for younger passengers is behind the Spa on Deck 15. Such passengers are obviously no longer a Princess target market.

The other area where substantial changes to the layout have been made is in the atrium area with the new Alfredo's Pizzeria, International Cafe, Vines Wine bar all on the lower level Deck 5, with various offices (tours, Captain's Circle, etc) moved elsewhere. The Promenade Lounge & Bar on Deck 7 level of the atrium is now Crooners Bar. The adjacent Stirling Steakhouse has been enlarged and renamed the Crown Grill, and extended over the space previously the port side corridor and wedding chapel (moved to deck 15). Limelight (another bar?) also on Deck 7 is now the Leaves Tea Lounge & library (previously where the pizza restaurant has been created).

The atrium on Grand Princess is a modest affair across just three decks 5-7. Previously the lowest level was mainly service desks and the wedding chapel with just a small cafe which was usually quiet. This level now has the International cafe, Alfredo's Pizzeria, Vines wine bar and the Bar Piazza. It has become one of the busiest parts of the ship and it is hard to imagine how the ship managed without it. Indeed, such is its success that the cafe in particular is now too small.

Alfredo's Pizzeria is a new addition on the lower atrium level Deck 5. It replaces the wedding chapel which has been moved to Deck 15 aft.

On Grand Princess we travelled in balcony cabin C317, Deck 10 on the port side. A comfortable enough cabin but with bland old-style Princess decor. Wi-Fi is available in all cabins.

We arrived in Southampton the day before our departure on Grand Princess and were in time to see Independence of the Seas leave on a cruise from the City Cruise Terminal. It is strange how this giant ship does not look large to me anymore. Most other ships now just seem small.

Ventura left the Ocean Cruise Terminal at Southampton shortly before Grand Princess and we followed her along Southampton Water. By the following morning Ventura was some way behind and we increased our lead throughout the day.

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	Grand Princess Princess Cruises Page 1: Southampton - Friday 21st October 2011 Sea Day 1 - Saturday 22nd October 2011 Sea Day 2 - Sunday 23rd October 2011 This page is under construction
	This page is one of a series showing mainly shipping and other transport images from a 14 night cruise on Grand Princess in October2011 from Southampton to the Mediterranean. We travelled in balcony cabin C316, Deck 10 on the port side. This page covers embarkation and departure from Southampton and the first two sea days.

	Sections on this Page Grand Princess Images Grand Princess - Open Decks Grand Princess - Atrium Grand Princess - Alfredo's Pizzeria Grand Princess - Explorers Lounge Independence of the Seas Ventura Other Shipping Ships on this Page:- Grand Princess Independence of the Seas Ventura Cruise Itinerary:- 1: Fri 21st October 2011 - Southampton dep:1600 2: Sat 22nd October 2011 - sea day 1 3: Sun 23rd October 2011 - sea day 2 4: Mon 24th October 2011 - Malaga 1000-2000 Malaga substituted for Cadiz 5: Tue 25th October 2011 - sea day 6: Wed 26th October 2011 - Alghero 900-1700 7: Thu 27th October 2011 - Civitavecchia 700-1900 8: Fri 28th October 2011 - Livorno 700-1900 9: Sat 29th October 2011 - Cannes 700-1700 10: Sun 30th October 2011 - Barcelona 900-2000 11: Mon 31st October 2011 - sea day 4 12: Tue 1st November 2011 - Gibraltar 700-1600 13: Wed 2nd November 2011 - sea day 5 14: Thu 3rd November 2011 - sea day 6 15: Fri 4th November 2011 - Southampton arr:700	Associated Pages Cruise Ships Ocean Liners UK Excursion Vessels World Ferry Fleets Simplon Postcards. Home Page Simplon Postcards - Recent Updates - Simplon Postcards facebook page References Click on images for more details - www.overviewpress.co.uk - info@overviewpress.co.uk Contacts Princess Cruises Home Page - www.princess.com
Other Grand Princess Pages:- Southampton - Sea Day 1 - Sea Day 2 - Malaga - Sea Day 3 - Alghero - Civitavecchia - Livorno - Cannes - Barcelona - Sea Day 4 - Gibraltar - Sea Day 5 - Sea Day 6 - Southampton - Search the Simplon Website