Royal Princess: Talking with the Captain and Hotel Manager; Reviews

This week we talk to two of the people who are responsible for running Royal Princess, Princess Cruises' newest ship.

Captain Dino Sagani is a veteran Princess captain. We spoke with him about Royal Princess from a nautical perspective. He explained that the ship is not just innovative in its passenger amenities but also as marine technology. Among other things, Royal Princess is more fuel efficient and has more safety systems than previous cruise ships. Our conversation with Captain Sagani is at http://www.beyondships2.com/royal-princess-captain.html

We also spoke Hotel General Manager Dirk Brand. On a cruise ship, the hotel department provides just about everything that makes up the guests' cruise experience including the accommodations, the dining, and the entertainment. Mr. Brand not only has manged Royal Princess' hotel department since the ship went into service but he was at the shipyard creating that department. Thus, he is in a unique position to talk about what the cruise experience on Royal Princess is all about and to point out some of the new features and amenities guests will encounter onboard. http://www.beyondships2.com/royal-princess-hotel-general-manager.html

One feature that has been enhanced on Royal Princess is The Sanctuary. This is an adults-only retreat dedicated to pampering and relaxation. There are Sanctuaries on the other Princess ships. But like many things on Royal Princess, this one is larger and has more features than those on the earlier ships. We gave it a try and our review is at http://www.beyondships2.com/royal-princess-sanctuary.html

Another enhanced venue is Alfredo's Pizzeria. Most cruises ships have a pizzeria but not like this one. Indeed, Alfredo's is so different from the type of pizzeria that guests expect to find on a cruise ship that Royal Princess has another pizzeria that is designed to meet such expectations. Alfredo's is a sit-down restaurant that serves gourmet, authentic Italian-style pizza. As discussed in our review, it is quite amazing. http://www.beyondships2.com/royal-princess-alfredos.html

Talking with the Captain and Hotel Manager of Grand Princess; Restaurant reviews; Photos of Celebrity Eclipse

            Clearly, the biggest thing to happen to Grand Princess in recent years is the massive refurbishment that Princess undertook last Spring.  Reportedly, Princess spent $80 million to transform Grand Princess into a new ship.

            Accordingly, when I spoke with the two people who are directly responsible for providing the cruise experience on Grand Princess, her Captain and her General Hotel Manager, the conversation focused on the refurbishment (often referred to as the “drydock” by those onboard).  What was done?  And perhaps more importantly, how has it affected the cruise experience that Grand Princess offers?

            Captain Roger Bilton, first went to sea in 1979 and has been with Princess since 1989.  Hotel General Manager (a position formerly called “Passenger Services Director” at Princess) Adam Gorst has been with Princess three years longer, joining after graduating from hotel school.  Thus, both men have a substantial experience at sea.

            It is difficult to see how anyone could dislike what Princess has done to Grand Princess.  The public areas of the ship are comparable to any in the Princess fleet and Princess is a first rank cruise line.  However, what I found interesting was these two men’s insights into how the changes have affected the ship both nautically and from a hotel perspective.

            My conversation with Captain Bilton and Mr. Gorst is posted at http://www.beyondships2.com/grand-princess-captain-hotel-manager-interview.html

            Two major changes made to Grand Princess were the addition of two new specialty restaurants.  Accordingly, I have posted reviews of both venues.

            Alfredo’s Pizzeria is a concept that debuted on the new Grand Princess.  It is an informal venue located in the ship’s new Piazza complex.  I found it an ideal place to relax after returning to the ship from a morning ashore on one of the Caribbean islands. You can sit by one of the large picture windows and enjoy the sunshine, the view and of course, the food.  More at http://www.beyondships2.com/grand-princess-alfredo-pizzeria-review.html

            The refit also gave Grand Princess the Crown Grill steakhouse.  Yes, Grand Princess had a steakhouse before the refurbishment.  But the Crown Grill is a much more upscale venue with a wider menu.  The concept first debuted on Crown Princess and was so successful that Princess has been adding to its ships ever since.  My review covers both this new Crown Grill and the original Crown Grill on Crown Princess, which I revisited a week after sailing on Grand Princess.  It is posted at http://www.beyondships2.com/grand-princess-crown-princess-crown-grill-review.html

            For a change of pace, I have also posted a new photo essay on Celebrity Eclipse, a personal favorite of mine ever since attending her naming ceremony in 2010.  The third ship in Celebrity’s Solstice class, Eclipse is based in the UK most of the year.  However, in the winter she sails from Miami to the Caribbean.  This photo essay shows this charming ship enjoying the sunshine.  http://beyondships.com/Celebrity-Eclipsephoto-Caribbean.html