Princess Cruises'
Royal Princess has a few twists that separate her from her competition. One is the SeaWalk, a see-through observation pathway that arcs out from the starboard side of the ship. You can see the ocean below you through the clear flooring—but you can also look right into some staterooms beside it. The ship also adds an in-house TV studio that's used for the daily briefings by the cruise director and her staff, plus an unusually bright and clear screen over the pool deck that enables movie viewing even during daylight hours.
Although there are well-stocked kids' clubs for three different age groups, many of her perks are geared toward couples and romance, including private spa cabanas in the adults-only Sanctuary deck section. Other than the top decks, there isn't much space to promenade and take in the sea air, and navigating the ship requires heavy use of elevators, which in some areas have replaced stairs entirely. Another welcome addition: Most cabins have small walk-in closet areas.
3,560 passengers 141,000 tons
Godmother: Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cambridge
Inaugural cruise: June 16, 2013 (U.K.), October 29, 2013 (U.S.)
1,083 feet long
217 feet high
19 decks
155 feet wide
28 feet draft
22 knots service speed
Passenger Staterooms
1,780 total staterooms
1,438 with balcony (all outside staterooms feature a balcony), including:
36 suites 314 mini suites 358 deluxe balcony 730 balcony cabins
342 inside cabins
780 additional/upper berths
36 wheelchair accessible staterooms (1 suite/6 mini suites/22 balcony/7 inside)
Booking: 800/774-6237,
www.princess.com
