Majestic Princess

Princess Cruises reveals the name of its new Royal-class ship

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Princess Cruises reveals the name of its new Royal-class ship

Princess Cruises announced the name of its fourth Royal-class ship – the Sky Princess will be the sister ship to Royal Princess, Regal Princess and Majestic Princess. The ship will debut on 2019 on a series of Mediterranean voyages. Highlights include; a soaring central Piazza-style atrium, Princess Live! entertainment venue, the relaxing adults-only Sanctuary, Camp … Read more

Big plans for Australian cruisers for Princess, P&O, Carnival and Cunard

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Big plans for Australian cruisers for Princess, P&O, Carnival and Cunard

This week was a massive week for Carnival Corporation with the brand announcing it would be transferring the Golden Princess to P&O, the larger Ruby Princess to be moved Down Under, Carnival Cruise Line will be sailing two ships full-time in Australia and there will be a fourth ship built for luxury line Cunard. With … Read more

Princess Cruises announces basketball legend Yao Ming as new ambassador

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Princess Cruises announces basketball legend Yao Ming as new ambassador

Princess Cruises has announced its new ambassadors for the inaugural sailing of its newest ship, the Majestic Princess.

Basketball legend Yao Ming and his wife Ye Li have been chosen by the line for the ship’s first sailing from Shanghai. The ceremony, which will be held on July 9 is the start of official celebrations.

“It is a great honour that Yao Ming and Ye Li have graciously accepted our invitation to officially name Majestic Princess and serve as the Inaugural Cruise Ambassadors at our celebration welcoming our newest ship to China,” said Jan Swartz, Princess Cruises president.  “Yao Ming is globally recognised for his success in China and the United States, truly embodying the ‘East meets West’ spirit of our international cruise line.”

Yao Ming and his wife, Ye Li, were both born in Shanghai and were both team members of China’s national basketball teams. Yao Ming is an icon, one of the world’s best-known athletes, a global ambassador of basketball, an eight-time NBA All-Star, and most recently, an inductee into the NBA Hall of Fame.

The couple started The Yao Foundation after the devastating earthquake which destroyed much of the Sichuan Province in 2008. The foundation built 23 schools and now currently focuses on providing sports education to school-aged children.

“We are honoured to serve as the Inaugural Cruise Ambassadors for Princess Cruises and officially name the new Majestic Princess,” said Yao Ming. “I’m inspired that Princess Cruises also cares so deeply about youth development in China and appreciate their support of our foundation.  We look forward to enjoying a future holiday aboard Majestic Princess, China’s newest cruise ship.”

Majestic Princess is currently sailing on her “Silk Road Sea Route” – a 49-day journey from Rome to Shanghai, retracing the ancient Chinese maritime Silk Road trade route. During the voyage, she will have visited a total of 22 ports including Athens, Dubai, Cochin, Singapore, Port Klang, and Xiamen before her arrival at Shanghai Wusongkou International Cruise Terminal. Majestic Princess will begin her first homeport season in Shanghai on July 11.

In 2018, two 14-day Grand Asia voyage sailings between Shanghai and Singapore, will be available to guests throughout the world on Majestic Princess. These sailings will visit Japan, South Korea, Vietnam and Thailand, including spending more time ashore on the late night call in Hong Kong. The first voyage departs Shanghai on February 25, 2018, with the second departing Singapore on March 11, 2018.

Princess Cruises will also call Australia home from September 2018 to March 2019. Majestic Princess will sail itineraries from Sydney and Auckland on voyages from 6 to 13 days in length, and will call in ports at destinations including New Zealand, Tasmania, Fiji and other islands in the South Pacific.

 

 

 

Ovation of the Seas versus Majestic Princess

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Ovation of the Seas versus Majestic Princess

It’s been billed as the battle of the big ships. In 2018, Australia will have two newly built mega liners – and Cruise Passenger has road-tested both.

Next September, Sydney’s newest and biggest premium ship will sail triumphantly into the harbour.

Majestic Princess will be just 17 months old, and her arrival will rejuvenate the Premium class with fantastic Michelin-starred dining and the biggest fashion mall at sea.

Eight weeks later, the ship some say will be her biggest competitor, Royal Caribbean’s Quantum class Ovation of the Seas – choc full of the latest technological gadgets like robot barmen, iFly simulators and luxurious sky loft suites – will tie up at the Overseas Passenger Terminal.

So which one will win Sydney’s heart?

Majestic Princess is causing a stir because she has many of the attributes of a luxury ships – without the steep price tag.

She is proudly premium – but with great food, big musical shows for entertainment, a huge spa called The Enclave and specially designed luxury beds.

Her 1,000 square metres of shopping mall is home to Prada, Couch, Cartier, Gucci,  Bulgari…the list goes on.

She takes 3,600 passengers on 19 decks. For the premium Class, she is a game changer.

But Ovation of the Seas is a game changer, too. She is supposed to be in the “contemporary” class of ships, but in reality she is pushing into Premium.

She carries 4,905 passengers, has 18 dining options including a Jamie Oliver and a gastronomic restaurant called Wonderland.

But the biggest ticks for the Ovation – especially among those with kids –  is ripcord by iFly, a sky dive simulator, a circus school and dodgem cars.

Our verdict

Both these ships represent the best in new-style cruising – great food, terrific places to see and entertainment and activities you won’t find anywhere else. You can’t beat the value.

If you’re a couple and love to relax on a sophisticated and luxurious vessel, go for the Majestic Princess.  No-one does New Zealand like Princess, for instance, and they’ve just started immersive food and cultural cruises across the ditch that sound fabulous.

But if you have kids, the Ovation of the Seas is hard to beat for fun and value.

Who has what

Majestic Princess

Launched 4 April 2017

Total passengers – 3560

Crew – 1346

No of cabins – 1780 including 36 suites with private balconies.

Number of decks – 19

Food

Five specialty restaurants – Harmony (Classic Cantonese restaurant with Michelin chef Richard Chen) La Mer (also a Michelin chef), Crown Grill (traditional but brilliant), Chef’s Table and Ultimate balcony dining.

In addition, there’s Alfredo’s Pizzeria, Chopsticks Noodle Bar, Lobster & Dim Sum Bar, an international café, World Fresh Marketplace including the Bakery – Five bars from Wake View Bar to SeaView Bar.

Activities

A covered pool club, karaoke, the SeaWalk, Vista Gaming lounge with 16 mahjong tables,  casino, private gaming room, sports centre for basketball, tennis, volleyball, a miniature putting green, driving  cage, football, ping pong tables, internet café and library

Entertainment

Movies under the stars, musical productions at Princess Theatre, Princess Live with featured guest entertainers and BIG musical shows.

Additional amenities

Princess luxury bed

Onboard activities for kids from 3 – 17 years of age – three youth and teen centres.

Lotus Spa

 Ovation of the Seas

 Launched 17 April 2016

Total passengers  – 4905

Crew – 1500

Number of cabins – 2091 including 1572 with balconies.

Number of decks – 18

Food

Number of restaurants – 18 with 6 main dining rooms and 6 signature restaurants. Including Jamie’s Italian (family favourite!), Wonderland (amazing food and service with a surprise!) and Izumi Japanese cuisine (brilliant and fresh). There are also 8 casual cafes including the Kung Fu panda noodle shop.

Activities

There are some great and technologically advanced activities like the sky diving simulator, iFly, the North Star, a viewing platform, the SeaPlex which has a roller rink and dodgem cars as well as the FlowRider, a surf simulator.

Entertainment

Kids can entertain themselves with stars from Dreamworks films. There is also an Adventure Ocean youth centre for children of all ages. Two70 is a multi-level room which fuses entertainment with technology. You’ll see dancers perform while there are moving robotic LED screens displaying beautiful imagery as well as floor to ceiling windows which transform into projectors. There is also Spectra’s Cabaret which blends lives performances with experiential cinema with music from contemporary pop culture.

Additional amenities

The Vitality Spa and Fitness Centre offers a range of activities and treatments to soothe the body and soul. The Fitness Centre has state-of-the-art facilities like TRX machines. Guests can take Beach Bootcamp classes or calmer workouts like Pure-Form Pilates. At the Vitality Spa, passengers will be able to indulge in massages, wraps, facials or acupuncture.

So which one would you pick? Tell us below to WIN a Cruise Passenger apron!

How you can book on the Majestic Princess

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Majestic Princess ship

It’s the news that’s been kept under wraps for weeks – with ‘dummy’ bookings at the Overseas Passenger Terminal and all communications claiming The Majestic Princess was China bound. But this week, Princess Cruises revealed the brand new US$600 million 19-deck mega liner will become the newest Princess to join the Aussie fleet. She will … Read more

Majestic Princess coming to Australia in 2018

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Majestic Princess

Princess Cruises has announced it will be sending the brand new Majestic Princess to Australia on September 15, 2018. She will be homeported in Sydney for the 2018/19 wave season!

You can’t get a better guide for the world’s newest cruise ship that Rai Calouri, executive vice president of Princess Cruises fleet operations.

After all, he helped design the experiences on the Majestic Princess, the latest Royal class vessel that is creating quite a stir in the cruise ship world.

She is in Italy this week but ultimately bound for Shanghai as a purpose build ship for the Chinese market.  But this is a very special ship – an “east-meets-west” cruise ship produced in the Princess mould of international vessel.

Cruise Passenger was on board for her inaugural cruise from Trieste, Italy.  So were Carnival Corporation’s most senior executives.

The Italian Prime Minister turned out for her launch, and the town of Trieste saw her off with thousands of citizens at the dockside.

So what does Rai recommend?

He told us of the 14 must-experience areas of the 19-deck, US$600 million mega ship.

Shopping: We’re talking about serious retail: 11,000 sq feet of Prada, Coach, Cartier, Gucci, Bulgari and more…expect to see more big brands on Princess ships

Harmony: The Chinese restaurant serving up Michelin starred chef Richard Chen. It’s beautiful, stylish design with great food and wine (Princess has stocked Chinese wines and they are delicious!) Rai’s choice: pork belly rib casserole. Cruise Passenger’s choice;  Chilean sea bass.

Karaoke: Sing on the Sea comprises six private suites for serious karaoke.  So break out your Blue Suede Shoes and start practising…

Bubble Tea: It has swept Asia, and it is popular in Australia too.  Prepare to suck it up! Our favourite:  green tea with milk mousse

Mahjong: You can learn to play or toss your tiles with the professionals.  This incredibly absorbing game is a way of life for Chinese players, and at the Vista Gaming Lounge you’ll see all the excitement of a tournament.

Chef’s Table Lumiere: You sit behind a curtain of light while your personal chef provides you with champagne, canapés…here’s a menu from a similar experience on the Royal Princess.

Hors d’Oeuvres in the Galley: includes roast scallop on pea puree, smoked salmon and caviar parcels on pumpernickel, warm buttery provencal mini tartlets and black truffle infusion pizzette with wild mushrooms.

Crispy Sweetbread Stack

Frozen Margarita Sorbet

Roast Lobster Tail & Pancetta Wrapped Noisettes of Lamb

Mille-Feuille of Brie de Meaux (my second favourite bite of the entire cruise)

Chocolate Praline Timbale

Yum! With wine, it costs US$120 pp

Walk on the water:  Some say it’s not for the feint hearted, but the sea walk is your way of walking on water – a glass-bottomed extension of the ship’ deck that allows you to literally take a stroll above the ocean

Paris bistro on the ocean: Created with Chef Emmanuel Renaut, who holds the “Meilleur Ouvrier de France” (Best Craftsmen of France) and Chef of the Year by Le Chef, and whose Flocons de Sel restaurant has received three Michelin stars, La Mer is open bistro dining. Cost: US$35 pp

Fantasy light show: The pool deck contains a stage set for an amazing light and dance show – a first at sea

World Fresh Market: The buffet is dead.  Long live the new individual food stations with everything fresh and made from the bottom up in the Majestic’s kitchens.  The bakery is a feast of cakes and deserts. But don’t worry – the salad bar is just around the corner.

The Enclave: Ok, this is our personal favourite. An amazing spa pool, heated sun beds and FOUR steam rooms with exclusive aromas. You can stay all day for US$39 or buy a cruise pass for the duration.

Seven layer s’mores stack: The Crown Grill is a Princess staple, but in our opinion it’s still the best.  Rai’s favourite is the desert with graham cracker, marshmallow and milk chocolate.  Ours is the French onion soup.

The Hollywood Pool Club: This amazing area is part cabana haven and part enclosed pool.  In chillier climes, you can still rent your own space for the day and have a massage or just chill out! It’s aimed at Chinese guests who don’t like open-air pools and sunshine, but it’s a fabulous respite. Adults only – and at night, it’s a fantastic dance club.

Princess beds: Designed for the best night’s sleep you will ever experience, the mattress is firm for the Asian market where spines are used to hard surfaces.  A cover quickly converts for the western market.  Created for princess by Michael J. Breus, Ph.D., a Clinical Psychologist and both a Diplomate of the American Board of Sleep Medicine and a Fellow of The American Academy of Sleep Medicine, 40,000 new beds are being fitted to the fleet.  And guess what:  you can buy them and the linen online.