Cruise

The Sky’s The Limit with Sky Princess

by Olivia Balsinger

Princess Cruises lines couldn’t have named the latest vessel in her fleet, the Sky, any more suitably. At 19 stories high, towering over the seas as a moving spectacle, the sky truly is the limit for this striking ship. And, true to Princess form, Sky is top-of-the-line in innovation and ingenuity, designed with passenger ease at the forefront. Furthermore, precision in the design process was paramount for the ship – in fact, it took an estimated three million labour hours and 37,000 tons of steel to build the boat, the 18th in Princess’ fleet. Sky Princesses’ maiden voyage began in Trieste, Italy in mid-October 2019. It brought her to Fort Lauderdale in early December of the same year, where she was christened in her naming ceremony. Sky Princess is unrivaled in her amenities, design, and surplus of activities. Let’s take a closer look at what the newest Princess ship offers passengers:

Accommodation

With 1,830 guest staterooms aboard Sky Princess, its no wonder there is an eclectic diversity in her accommodation offerings. The ship boasts two Sky Suites, both of which feature the cruise industry’s largest balconies at sea, measuring 1,012 square feet (starboard side Sky Suite) and 947 square feet (port side Sky Suite). Even better, these furnished balconies provide a private and stunning vantage point for the ship’s Movie Under the Stars screenings. Their size also makes them perfect for entertaining—and with 270-degree panorama views, the suites are ideal for hosting private parties and large family gatherings. Even more, guests in the Sky Suites have extra services such as a “suite experience manager” and are grated enticing special privileges, such as choosing which film shall be played on the ship’s gigantic screen.

“We’ve led the way on many innovations in the cruise industry, evolving to meet the needs of today’s vacationer and of all of our new stateroom innovations, we’ve never seen such immediate demand as we are for these Sky Suites,” said Jan Swartz, Princess Cruises president. “Our global fleet offers one of the highest percentages of balcony staterooms in the industry, across all cabin categories, and now we’re eager for the arrival of the industry’s largest balconies at sea, inviting guests to relax privately or host their very own en-suite celebrations in style.”

In addition to these two gems, there are 44 suites with private balconies and 374 Mini-Suites with private balconies. Also, the ship boasts 311 deluxe balcony cabins, 753 balcony cabins, and six deluxe ocean view cabins spanning 19 decks. All Sky Princess accommodation comes standard with either a queen or two twin beds, a television entertainment system, and a private bathroom with a shower.

Food and Drinks

Trust us – you’ll never use the words “hunger” and “Sky Princess” in the same sentence – in fact, there are over 25 restaurants, and bars on board!

The ship’s vast array of cuisine fits any taste buds – from grabbing a slice at Alfredo’s Pizzeria to winding down with a glass of vino at Vines Wine Bar, Sky brings together all of the traditional outlets of her sister Princess ships, with new and innovative additions, as well. The famous Sabatini Italian Trattoria is a go-to for conventional Mediterranean dishes while the Bistro Sur La Mer, dedicated to inspired French cuisine created by the acclaimed Emmanuel Rena, is the choice for classic French favorites such as Filet de boeuf poelé (beef filet mignon.)

For those looking for a dose of English pub culture, The Salty Dog is the choice for fish and chips with a beer. Additionally, the Sky is home to a World Fresh Marketplace, which includes The Pastry Shop, Slice Pizzeria, and Swirls ice cream (we highly recommend tasting the mint chip!). Each day, the three main dining rooms – Estreslla, Cielo, and Spoleil – are open daily for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Additionally, Princess Cruises has just unveiled an enhanced beverage menu featuring globally inspired signature cocktail offerings created by master mixologist Rob Floyd. My personal favorite? A Mint Divine, a creation made from Bombay Sapphire gin, ginger beer, cucumber, lime juice, simple syrup, and fresh mint.

Activities Onboard

A common misconception about cruise ships is that they are exclusively for the elderly or have limited options for activities, especially on sea days. Nothing can be further from the truth, especially aboard the dynamic and family-oriented Sky Princess.

Those who’ve always secretly craved fulfilling their pop star dreams can try out for Voice of the Ocean, which brings TV’s most popular singing competition to the high seas and a live audience. The process to Princess stardom begins with blind auditions, mentor sessions, the iconic “I Want You” chairs and ultimately concludes with a finale performance where passengers vote on the winner.

For those who would prefer to be dumbfounded by talent from the comfort of their theatre seat rather than showing off their vocal range, Princess Sky has plentiful alternative productions. Crafted by some of the world’s top directors and choreographers, Princess Sky spectacles utilize the destinations she visits to craft imaginative and inventive shows. They often incorporate Broadway classical songs, popular hits, along with original numbers performed by a talented cast.

Throughout the day and night, Princess Sky’s stunning open-air poolside amphitheater is a lively center for activities – from the premiere of feature films, to live concerts or sporting events, there is no shortage of opportunity to be both an onlooker and a participant. Even better, all of the featured movies include cozy fleece blankets and unlimited supplies of fresh-popped popcorn – essentials to enjoy a cinema under the stars!

The Sky Princess also boasts plenty of aquatic options for those hoping to exercise by swimming laps or float and suntan, pina colada in hand. Between two deep-tank pools on the lively top decks, an infinity-style Wakeview pool and bar on the ship’s aft end, and plenty of spa hot tubs, the choices are endless for aspiring mermaids and mermen.

Princess MedallionClass

Another innovative addition to Sky Princess is the MedallionClass – a complimentary key all passengers are given to be connected anywhere onboard the ship. So what is this seemingly magical contraption anyway? According to Princess Cruises, “Ocean Medallion is a first-of-its-kind wearable device that elevates every moment before, during, and after your Ocean Medallion Vacation. From on-demand food and drinks, interactive gaming, custom entertainment, and smart navigation, Medallion makes cruising simpler, and more personal and enjoyable than ever.” On such an immense ship, the complimentary OceanMedallion, with its leading-edge technology and personalized service through enhanced guest-crew interactions, helps organizes passengers and give them a service that is seamless and personalized.

Though the cruising industry is ever-changing and new ships are continually being christened, Princess Cruises stays true to the company values of maintaining a superior sailing experience for guests while incorporating ingenuity and innovative technology, prioritizing comfort and ease. Trust us when we say, with Sky Princess, the sky truly is the limit.

www.princess.com