The Royal Princess docked in Sydney before the sun rose. I took another opportunity to say goodbye to my home away from home for the past two weeks as I walked through the atrium and made my way to the deck where the city lay before me.
Embarking on a thrilling odyssey from Auckland, New Zealand, tracing the picturesque New Zealand coast, circumnavigating its southern tip, and venturing onwards to Tasmania, Melbourne, and finally Sydney, each stop was a gateway to a new adventure, a fresh discovery, and a treasured memory.
My stateroom was right by the forward elevators, making it easy to find my stateroom and orient myself to the dining rooms, customer service desk, and theatre.
Catherine, Princess of Wales, is the ship's godmother. Near the ship's service desk are photos of the ship's christening, the broken champagne bottle, and the dress she wore on the day she christened the ship.
With a capacity to accommodate 3,560 passengers and a crew of 1,346, the Royal Princess exudes a serene atmosphere and boasts tasteful decor, leaving a lasting impression on all who step aboard.
There were several sea days, and the list of things to do is long: freshwater pools and whirlpools, a sports court and jogging track, a driving range and putting green, a fitness center, Lotus Spa & Salon, shops, casino, Movies Under the Stars, Watercolor Fantasy fountain and light show, lots of entertainment including Original Broadway-style shows, and The Voice of the Ocean singing competition.
The Beach House teen lounge, youth activity center, and Discovery at Sea programs are for younger kids and teens.
The dining options are excellent. Reservations are easy to make, and the selection of included and specialty dining is vast. It is easy to say the food was excellent because it was! I ate at the three main dining rooms: Allegro, Concerto, Symphony, and one specialty restaurant, Sabatini's, for some of the best Italian I have ever eaten, and International Cafe, the buffet on the Lido deck.
The rooms are also tastefully decorated with subdued colors and lots of storage space for your possessions. Cabins range from 160 square feet for inside rooms to 300 square feet for mini-suites.
I always headed to breakfast early and enjoyed the quiet before Zumba in the atrium, shore excursion meetings in the theatre, and activities led by crew members.
Every day we were in port, I took a shore excursion. I was very impressed with the organization of many people who got passengers on the proper adventure and bus.
It was my second Princess Cruise, and I was very impressed with the ease with which I moved about the ship, the friendly and professional staff, and the decor.
I had a great time, met many amazing people, and enjoyed many activities. I highly recommend Princess Cruises to others looking for an adventure and fun getaway.
For more information about Princess Cruises, click here.
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