Sea Princess

Princess Cruises

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The Verdict

A remnant from another century, this older Princess ship has a relaxed, comfortable atmosphere without too much flash.

Size (in tons) 77000
Number of Cabins 975
Number of Cabins with Verandas 410
Number of Passengers 1950
Number of Crew 900
Passenger/Crew Ratio 2.2 to 1
Year Built 1998
Last Major Refurbishment 2009
Cabin Comfort & Amenities 4.0
Ship Cleanliness & Maintainence 4.0
Public Comfort/Space 5.0
Dining Options 4.0
Children's Facilities 4.0
Decor 5.0
Gym & Spa Facilities 4.0
Enjoyment 4.0
 

Summary

Typical Per Diems: $100-$190

Sea Princess Caribbean, from Barbados (Jan-Apr). Panama Canal, from Barbados (Apr). Alaska, from San Francisco (May-Sept). Hawaii, from San Francisco (Sept).

Here's the scoop on Sea Princess: She'a just like all the other Princess ships, only less so. Being among the line's oldest vessels (along with her sister ships Dawn Princess and Sun Princess, which aren't currently sailing from North America), she's among the vessels that led the way toward the design Princess has used ever since: a bit plain Jane: comfortable, quiet, un-flashy, and (so far) aging gracefully. Light color schemes predominate, with lots of beiges, and their layout is very easy to navigate. By the end of the first day, you'll know where everything is.

Cabins

Though cabins are divided into some 28 categories, there are actually fewer than 10 configurations -- for the most part, the category differences reflect location (midships versus aft, and so on), and thus price. More than 400 cabins boast private balconies, though they're small at about 3*8 1/2 feet. And that leads to our main point: The staterooms on Sea Princess are cramped. Standard outside cabins, such as categories BC and BD, are 178 square feet including their balconies, while Carnival's standards, by comparison, are nearly 186 square feet without balconies. On this ship, what little balcony space you gain is deducted from your room. Inside cabins clock in at 135 to 148 square feet. All cabins have minifridges, safes, TVs, and hair dryers, and 300 will accommodate third passengers in upper berths.

Six suites sprawl out over 678 square feet of space and include robes to use while aboard and minibars stocked once on a complimentary basis with soda, bottled water, beer, and liquor. Suite guests also get a slew of perks highlighted in the "Service" section. The 32 minisuites (365 sq. ft.) are really nice, with a separate bedroom area divided from the sitting area by a curtain. Each has a pullout sofa, a chair and desk, a minifridge, two TVs, a walk-in closet, and a whirlpool tub and shower in a separate room from the toilet and sink.

Nineteen cabins are wheelchair accessible.

Dining Options

Sea Princess's two dining rooms have an intimate feel, their expanse broken up by dividers topped with frosted glass. There are also two alternative dining venues. The sit-down pizzeria (no extra charge) on Dolphin Deck is open approximately 11am to 2:30pm and 7pm to 1am for casual dining, with tables seating two, four, and six. Sorry, no takeout or delivery. The Sterling Steakhouse ($15 per person) is set out of the wind just outside the Horizon Court, overlooking the main pool, and is open from 6 to 10pm. On Alaska sailings, the steakhouse is moved inside adjacent to the 24-hour Horizon Court buffet restaurant, which is an ultracasual option for all meals, including sit-down bistro-style dinners from 11pm to 4am.

Public Areas

Sea Princess has a decidedly unglitzy decor that relies on lavish amounts of wood, glass, marble, and collections of original paintings, statues, and lithographs. The one-story showroom offers good lighting and sound and unobstructed views from every seat, and several spaces in the back are reserved for wheelchair users. The smaller Vista Lounge also presents entertainment, with good sight lines and comfortable cabaret-style seating. The elegant, nautical-motif Wheelhouse Bar is done in warm, dark-wood tones and features small bands, sometimes with a vocalist; it's the perfect spot for pre- or post-dinner drinks.

There's a dark and sensuous disco; a bright, spacious casino; a wine bar selling caviar by the ounce and wine, champagne, and iced vodka by the glass; and lots of little lounges for an intimate rendezvous.

Pool, Fitness & Spa Facilities

Sea's pool deck is well laid out, with three adult pools (one of them in the stern), one kids' wading pool, and hot tubs scattered around the Riviera Deck, along with a 300-square-foot LED movie screen for showing feature films, sports events, and other entertainment. Three spacious decks are open for sunbathing.

The ship's gym is appealing, and though it's on the small side for a vessel of this size, it's actually roomier than the ones on the much larger Grand-class ships. Aerobics, stretching, and meditation classes are held in the spacious aerobics room, and the nearby spas offer the usual massages, mud treatments, and facials. The teak Promenade Deck provides space for joggers, walkers, and shuffleboard players, and a computerized golf center called Princess Links simulates the trickiest holes at some of the world's best golf courses.