Princess Cruises’ newest ship Sky Princess completes sea trials

Princess Cruises newest cruise ship Sky Princess has arrived back at the Fincantieri Shipyard in Monfalcone, Italy after spending six days at sea undergoing sea trials.

During sea trials, a new ship’s systems and equipment are tested to ensure they work properly, they include a series of manoeuvres to test the propulsion, steering and navigational equipment.

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With everything working as it should, the ship is now back at the shipyard for further exterior and interior finishing in preparation for her 7-day Mediterranean and Adriatic maiden voyage on October 20, 2019.

The 3,660-guest cruise ship is one of two in the Princess fleet (the other being the 2020-due Enchanted Princess) with the largest balconies in the fleet, new entertainment areas, and dining options and a redesigned sanctuary.

The two ships are an evolution of sister ships Royal Princess, Regal Princess and Majestic Princess. Sky Princess and Enchanted Princess will be different in four keys ways though.

Two ‘Sky Suites’ will have the largest balconies at sea and will be centrally located on the top decks. Measuring 1,012 square feet (starboard side Sky Suite) and 947 square feet (port side Sky Suite) the balconies will provide a private vantage of the top deck Movies Under the Stars cinema screen, offering 270-degree panorama views and sleeping up to five guests. They will feature two bedrooms, two bathrooms and a dining area with skylight as well as a host of exclusive amenities.

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New entertainment concepts include the jazz lounge ‘Take Five’, a redesigned Vista Lounge, an enhanced Princess Theatre and the recently announced production show ‘Rock Opera’, featuring avant-garde inspired costumes, a musical soundtrack spanning classic rock, musical theatre and opera, as well as songs performed in English, Spanish, Latin, and sign language.

More than 25 dining venues and bars including the World Fresh Marketplace and speciality restaurants Bistro Sur La Mer (French bistro), Crown Grill Steakhouse and Sabatini’s Italian Trattoria will feature aboard both ships.

And last but not least, a redesigned Sanctuary area (the spa-inspired top deck retreat reserved for adults) will feature an enhanced, contemporary design including twice as many private cabanas as its sister ships, as well as new lounge furniture and the option for guests to indulge in a spa treatment.

Sky Princess will sail a short season in the Mediterranean before heading to the Caribbean.

The Princess Cruises fleet will continue to expand with the launch of Enchanted Princess in 2020, and three additional ships arriving in 2022, 2023 and 2025. Two of these will be Princess’ new LNG-powered mega ships in excess of 170,000 gross tons.