Floating in heaven
Whether its the cuisine, the bars, the sun decks, the entertainment, the cabins or the ports of call, the end product for the passenger is sheer class and quality. And that can only happen when sheer class and quality have gone into the preparation.
The size of this floating five-star hotel makes you gasp. Gleaming white and more than 950ft long, it towers 195ft above the sea.
But once on board, the awe of size is replaced by the joy of being cosseted in unblemished and majestic luxury.
I was apprehensive about boarding such a huge ship, with a population more than double that of the Somerset village where I grew up. Would we all be jammed in?
The answer was an emphatic "no!". With five pools and seven whirlpool spas, passengers aren't all crowded around one pool or vying for a stretch of open water in it. Whenever we strolled around the outside decks there was ample space – more than 122,000 square feet of it – had we fancied lying in the sun on one of the loungers.
The star of the pools is Movies Under The Stars. This giant screen was clear even in daylight, but beneath the twinkling night sky it made going to the movies a whole new experience, whether you watched from the pool, deck or hot tubs. This attraction is being added to the whole fleet.
Another innovation is an area known as The Sanctuary, an adults-only pocket of tranquility on the uppermost forward deck. In a green, leafy area, guests can lounge in the sun or shade, sip cool healthy drinks, unwind in one of the two hot tubs, swim in the "against-the-tide" pool, have a massage and be attended to by the aptly named "serenity stewards".
The five restaurants were particularly impressive. There was no "first" or "second" sitting – you dined when you wanted and with whom. Guests could ask for a table for two one night or a table with friends another night.
My favourite eaterie was the Crown Grill, with superb food and excellent service. The atmosphere was relaxed but at the same time oozed class. Top quality meat is flown to the ship from Argentina, Australia and America.
One of the three other impeccable restaurants offered first and second sittings, ensuring that those who prefer this can still enjoy it. Brilliant idea! Give the guests what they want!
For casual dining, there's a 24-hour restaurant and pizza, burger and ice cream bars, plus 24-hour room service. In just a week, the ship's galley uses 28,767 bread rolls, 68,920 eggs, 338 gallons of ice cream and 10,068 slices of pizza.
With a 750-seat theatre, two cabaret-style lounges and 12 other lounges and bars, plus the sumptuous Lotus Spa and a casino, there's always somewhere new to go. Talking of gambling, there's even a wedding chapel ...
As well as a nine-hole putting course there's a golf simulator for the keener student which offers the chance to play the worlds great courses under the guidance of a pro. And a very well-equipped sports deck provides the means to burn off all those calories. There are also centres for teens and younger passengers.
The accommodation on offer could not be faulted. Our state room had a big, comfy bed, chairs, a fridge, walk-in wardrobe and well equipped en suite. The balcony had two chairs and a small table – ideal for watching the sun set and sipping something cold.
The Scandinavia and Russia cruise that we enjoyed started and finished in Copenhagen and took in Stockholm, Helsinki, St Petersburg, Tallinn, Gdansk and Oslo.
Passengers could enjoy a full day in St Petersburg. We took the opportunity of attending the the Opera and Ballet Company at the St Petersburg Conservatoire and enjoyed a breathtakingly beautiful production of Swan Lake. Not the original ending, but the fact that in this production everything ended happily typified the whole cruise experience. We toured the city and were very glad to have the benefit of an escort. We would never have seen so many sights had we ventured out on our own.
Old Town in Tallinn, the capital of Estonia, was very pretty and hilly. We could spend as much as six hours ashore, and it only took a few minutes by taxi to reach the walled city of cobbled streets and turreted buildings. The cruise offered a variety of guided excursions, but we opted to find our own way around. Everything was geared for the tourist kroon – cafes, bars, and gift shops.
Gdansk in Poland surprised us with its beauty. At the city's entrance are two large photos showing its flattened state after the ravages of the World War II. But the city has been restored using the original bricks and is striking. The area by the river was reminiscent of Welsh Back in Bristol, with its moored boats and waterside shops and businesses.
The only visa we needed to get was for Russia. Allow plenty of time to have an application processed, there are lots of forms.
The attractions on land were many and varied, but we were always happy to return to the regal surrounds and luxury of the Crown Princess.
This wasn't my first cruise, but after tasting what the Princess has to offer I certainly hope it won't be my last. Their standards are majestic, their ships palatial.
RICHARD Hudd and his wife Alison enjoyed a cruise courtesy of Princess Cruises (www.princess.com; 08453 555 800).
In 2009, Crown Princess will be sailing from Southampton to the Norwegian Fjords, Iceland and Greenland with fares starting at £1,169 for a 12 night-round trip.
Emerald Princess, one of Crown Princess's sisters, will offer the same 10-night cruise of Scandinavia and Russia that the Hudds joined with prices starting at £1,079 per person. Prices include return airfares to Copenhagen, accommodation, meals and entertainment on board. The cruise starts a round trip in Copenhagen which takes in Stockholm, Helsinki, St Petersburg, Tallinn, Gdansk and Oslo.
Grand Princess will undertake 14-night round-trip cruises to the Mediterranean from Southampton with fares starting at £1,099 (with free car parking or coach transfers available), and on some departure dates third and fourth passengers can travel for free. The same ship will be sailing seven-night short breaks to Iberia and Scandinavia with fares from £599.
The latest luxury superliner, Ruby Princess, makes her debut next year sailing the line's signature 12-night fly-cruise around the Mediterranean and Greek Isles with inclusive flights from £1,329.
The smaller 670-passenger Tahitian Princess offers the same luxury with cruises to Northern Europe, Scandinavia and Russia as well as a 32-night West African adventure, and same-sized Royal Princess will offer a selection of cruises to the Holy Land and Egypt as well as cruises to the Black Sea, with fares starting at £1,199.
Princess Cruises also offer cruise holidays all over the world – America and Australasia, for example.
Comment on this story