Cruising With Honey Magazine - Launching January 2024
By Cruising With Honey - 20:24
Sun Princess comes alive! Live from Fincantieri Shipyard, Italy
By Cruising With Honey - 15:42
Sun Princess Shipyard visit, Fincantieri, Italy
Princess Cruises
In an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour, Cruising With Honey was one of the first to step aboard the 175,000 tonne Sun Princess at Ficantieri Shipyard, Monfalcone, Italy. Read about the latest updates, the history and the future of the largest ship most innovative Princess ship – the first LNG powered ship for the line.
A 24-hour Flight to See the Sun
Hard hat on? Check. Steel capped boots? Laced up. Bubbles of excitement building up? Absolutely. As I stood alongside, looking up at the currently-under-construction Sun Princess at the shipyard, I couldn’t wait to board this enormous ship so she could reveal all her secrets – before anyone else could!
Sun Princess 3.0
The name Sun Princess has a long and beloved history. Images of the ‘Love Boat’ automatically spring to mind, with “exciting and new” cruise adventures. The Sun Princess, which is currently under construction, is set to debut in early 2024. She’s the third vessel to be given the name Sun. Here’s a look back at the impact of this iconic legacy.
Come Aboard, Sun’s Expecting You!
Launched in 1974, the first MS Sun Princess sailed until 1988. At that time, Sun Princess had the largest number of balcony cabins and had the first 24-hour cafe for the cruiseline. For fans of the TV Show, The Love Boat, the Sun Princess features in several episodes and in the original 1976 movie. For many people, the Sun Princess inspired and motivated people to take their first cruise.
After she was retired from service, a second Sun Princess was launched in 1995 and was in operation until 2020. When she was built, she was the largest ship in the world and also featured on the revival of The Love Boat TV show. One of the biggest claims to fame for Australia is that she was the largest ship to ever cross underneath the Sydney Harbour Bridge when she entered Sydney Harbour for the first time in October 2007 - amazingly with only a vertical clearance of approximately 2.5m!
Now, in 2023, the ship currently under construction that also has the name Sun Princess emblazoned on her hull, is the first in the Sphere Class for Princess Cruises and will accommodate 4000 guests.
That’s a Whole Lot of Shipyard!
But, before I could get onboard, I was ushered to the site office WATCH HERE to meet some of the people behind the magic and hear all about the build.
First up, Head of Communications and SVP Princess Cruises Vicki Johnson who welcomed the media and introduced Captain Genaro Arma who would be leading the next stage of construction.
“You are literally the first to step on board who aren’t construction workers or who aren’t on the project, so this is a real special treat,” Ms Johnson said.
“Let me remind you, it is a construction zone. First, they start with the outside of the ship, and once she is sea-worthy and able to move, she transitions to a different part of the shipyard so they can start working on the interior,” she said.
Next, Captain Arma, spoke about the milestones of the build, noting that Sun Princess was in the “early stages of her life”, but jokingly added “she floats, which is good thing.”
“Sun Princess is our first LNG vessel – actually the first one ever built here in Fincantieri – and the largest vessel built here in this shipyard as well as the biggest for our fleet,” Captain Arma said.
“She is what we call ‘dual-power’ as she can use diesel engines as well, but our main goal is to use LNG.
“This is a big step forward, a sustainable ship by all means. I can guarantee, no other ship right now, has all the options that Sun Princess has, to be so sustainable. It’s a big step forward for the entire industry.”
A video presentation was then given by Director of New Build and Guest Experiences and Product Development Richard Parker WATCH HERE followed by a rundown of the cabin categories WATCH HERE
And then, donning my hard hat and steel capped boots, I was heading onto the bus to take me to see the Sun! I might have been just a little excited when I arrived. Shipyard Arrival Live
Here Comes The Sun
As I made my way through the different public areas, escorted by passionate engineers and designers, the ship’s features were unfolding, piquing my imagination.
First stop was Deck 7 and the Piazza WATCH HERE, which is the heart of any ship. With a focus on light, the Piazza is a “cutting-edge entertainment space inspired by the terraces of Santorini.” I was imaging myself stepping aboard, ready to sail, and being dazzled by this space.
As we walked through the Retail space WATCH HERE images of boutique brands, jewellery stores and other shops materialised. While I’m not a big shopper on cruise ships, I’m a big ‘window-shopper.’ I could easily see myself walking along Deck 7, peering in the brightly-lit window displays.
Everything was very fascinating, but it wasn’t until I arrived at where the main dining room, Horizons was being built that my excitement went up a gear. The three-level restaurant - another first for Princess - is going to be very, very impressive. WATCH HERE
The space will be open and flexible and feature different dining options. For instance, the upper level (deck 8) will be more casual. A decorative sculpture will be installed that will stretch from deck 6 to deck 8 in the middle of the void. The three decks will each have their own personalities and offer different dining experiences and range in levels of formality.
There was so much more to see, and time was running out. Moving outdoors to Deck 8, it was here that I could grasp the enormity of Sun Princess and what she’ll look like in a port or to other ships as she glides along the sea. Spanning 21 Decks she was huge! I stood in what will be the infinity pool (aft Deck 8) craning my neck up to see right to the top. WATCH HERE
It’s no secret, my favourite spot aboard a ship is the aft, getting lost in those mesmerising wake views. I stood for while, wishing I had a time machine to transporting me forward a year to be in the very spot, somewhere in the Mediterranean sea.
On and on we walked, checking out the Princess Live theatre, the outdoor cabana deck, the casino and so much more.
Is Sun Princess Worth the Glowing Hype?
I could write thousands more words, but I’ll try to sum up my thoughts in a just one: Iconic.
Okay, here are a few more. Sun Princess – keeping in mind she is still under construction – will be a game-changer to the industry, combining all the things Princess cruises is known and loved for by millions of loyal Princess guests.
For me, Princess’ hallmarks are a focus on innovation, style, food, evolution and joy, while still keeping the traditional features that highlight the essence of a cruise voyage. She has kept all the attributes that cruisers need to make a cruise sacred; ensuring you’re enjoying a relaxing holiday where YOU are the main character.
Sun Princess will elevate the cruise experience, without moving too far that she becomes an amusement park.
As I disembarked after the whirlwind tour, my senses a little overwhelmed, I thought to myself that I couldn’t wait to sail on her when she was completed, as Sun Princess had definitely left her mark on me. Funnily enough, I had cheekily left my mark on her.
In a year or so, I’ll return to Deck 8, port, mid ship to run my fingers over this space. It’ll be covered with paint and art, but I’ll know that a little piece of Cruising With Honey will remain there forever.
* Cruising With Honey was a guest of Princess Cruises and was hosted during her stay in Venice. All views are her own.
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Facts and Figures
Inaugural Season: 2024
Guests: 4,300
Guest Rooms: 2,150
Number of decks: 21
Length: 345m
Gross Tonnage: 175,500 GT
Powered by Liquid Natural Gas
Built: 2023 by Fincantieri, in Monfalcone, Italy.
Dining Options
More than 29 bars and restaurants, including
● Main Dining Rooms, including Horizons Dining Room
● Sabatini’s Italian Trattoria
● Alfredo’s Pizzeria
● Crown Grill and BarWheelhouse Bar
● World Fresh Marketplace featuring The Bakery
● International Café
● Ultimate Balcony Dining
● 24hr Room Service + OceanNow® delivery
Showrooms and lounges
● The Dome
● Princess Theatre
● Princess Live!
● Princess Arena
Highlights
Sun Princess is not only the newest Princess Cruises ship, it’s also the largest Princess ship to ever be built.
● Sun Princess is more than twice as long as the Melbourne Cricket Ground, and
weighs more than three times the Sydney Harbour Bridge.
● She is also the first Princess Ship, and one of 11 new vessels in the Carnival
Corporation fleet, to be powered by Liquid Natural Gas (LNG). This is the first of
many steps towards greening our fleet of ships into the future.
● Sun Princess also features the first three-story dining venue - Horizons Dining
Room. The venue will have stunning wake views and unparalleled natural light,
giving the room a modern, formal feeling.
● The Dome, a cutting-edge entertainment space, is the first of its kind
indoor-outdoor venue, inspired by the terraces of Santorini.
● The Signature Collection suite accommodation, taking our remarkable amenities to another level. Signature Collection Suites include access to the Signature Lounge and signature Sundeck, which is an exclusive area of The Sanctuary.
5 Reasons to Take a Mekong River Cruise aboard Emerald Harmony
By Cruising With Honey - 13:10
5 Reason to Take a Mekong River Cruise aboard Emerald Harmony
I’m convinced time moves at a faster speed when you’re on holiday. As I sit here, sipping my last cocktail aboard Emerald Harmony, the last week has been such a relaxing, eye-opening discovery – but it’s gone past so quickly. Luggage is packed and it’s time to sadly bid goodbye to the crew.
If my livestream, photos and updates haven’t convinced you to explore the Mekong with Emerald Cruises, I thought I would compile my 5 Reasons to Cruise aboard Emerald Harmony. Enjoy!
1 – The Ship
2 – The Crew
3 – The Food
The food and beverage offerings on a cruise is very important to me. Cruising means that I don’t have to cook or prepare or clean up. The quality, variety of every meal was spectacular. The fresh fruit, local delicacies and made-to-order meals surprised me every day.
4 – The Excursions
5 – The Mekong
I know now why the Mekong is referred to as MIGHTY and MAJESTIC. I do hope that you can have your own Emerald adventure one day soon.
Emerald Harmony - Majestic Mekong Day 5 - Sa Dec Wet Markets
If you’re squeamish, don’t go to wet market in Sa Dec, Vietnam.
Me, I’m a little squeamish, but I also have an insatiable appetite for curiosity, and to explore the sights, smells and sounds of a foreign was exciting.
As tourists, we often forget that we can be intruders into people’s every-day life. Sac Dec markets is where the locals come to sell and buy their produce, this is their world. And, remembering this will ensure that you act respectfully. I mean, don’t we expect the same at home?
Market Meanderings
It was hot and sticky and chaotic, but I followed our tour guide walking together as a group to ensure no one got run over! There were overloaded motorbikes whizzing in and out of the narrow lanes, beeping their horns to alert the foot traffic get out of the way.
The tantalising colours were beguiling, but there was time to explore all that later as the first stop was inside. Undercover in the humidity, was ever conceivable fruit and vegetable imaginable. Piled high in bright mounds, the produce was as fresh as it could get. Loud voices made exchanges of money for food in the labyrinthian laneways. Fascinated by chillies of every colour and shape, the kind vendor offered me some to try. I politely declined, not knowing if the heat would be too intense.
The sacks of rice caught my eyes and it reiterated to me that we were in the rice bowl of the world!
Tubs of live fish, many species I’d never seen before. Eels, prawns, crustaceans and frogs. There was a delicacy that our tour guide was super eager to show the group, and huddled around her to see what the big surprise was. She pointed at little, pink skinned animals piled high on a platter.
“Can anyone guess what these are?” Yup, they were rats.
Now before you cast any judgement, this food source was a) a necessity in time of war and starvation and b) a delicacy in their culture. Look, I’d never eat one, but it was fascinating, nevertheless.
Do you know what I loved the most? Meeting the vendors, exchanging a few words and being greeted with the largest smiles. I’d highly recommend always taking the time when you’re in a new city to visit the markets. It will always give you an authentic experience.
Street Food on Board
I Want Candy
Glorious Sunsets
Armed with packets of the coco-nutty goodness, I watched the glorious sun set as we slowly cruised back to the Emerald Harmony. The golden rays bounced off the surface of the water and onto my cheeks as kites danced in the sky. This would be the memory of the majestic Mekong that will live in my heart.
