We have now sailed on a number of of Princess Cruises megaships. So, after all, we needed to be among the many first to take a look at the most recent ship within the fleet, Solar Princess. This new Sphere-class ship boasts a number of new eating places and facilities for Princess Cruises. Maybe our favourite is the immersive Spellbound. Earlier than you splurge on this high-priced ticket, we cowl all the main points of Spellbound on Solar Princess to make sure it’s value it for you.
All the things You Must Know About Spellbound on Solar Princess
What’s in Retailer for Friends at Spellbound on Solar Princess?
Once we stepped previous the ominous black door on deck 8, we have been uncertain what the Spellbound by Magic Fortress expertise would entail. However as soon as inside, the intricate theming and a focus to element overwhelmed us. From the spectacular bar and signature cocktails, to interactive artwork, to the up-close magic, this venue is among the most immersive areas at sea!
It’s robust to clarify all the things that Spellbound consists of with out freely giving an excessive amount of. In any case, we don’t wish to spoil all of the enjoyable for you!
Briefly, Spellbound by Magic Fortress is a novel collaboration between Princess Cruises and the official Magic Fortress in LA. On Solar Princess, Spellbound combines all the things you’re keen on about cruising, together with meals, cocktails, and leisure, throughout a number of areas for a fascinating night of thriller.
The expertise is crafted with an illusive backstory that connects visitors to the unique non-public membership on land.
As soon as past the non-descript door, interactive magical experiences are round each nook. From the spirit of Isabella taking requests on the piano within the Music Room, to smoking cocktails on the Parlor Bar, we weren’t positive the place to look first! The nineteenth century Victorian décor and classic artifacts give the area an genuine but eerie vibe.
Maybe among the finest elements of this experiece is the flexibility to wander and uncover by yourself over the course of the night. So, we recommend making an attempt to see what hidden treasures you’ll be able to uncover previous to being summonsed in your magic present.
Three Distinct Experiences
Whereas everybody’s night at Spellbound will probably be distinctive, there are three distinct experiences to get pleasure from.
First, there’s the multi-course dinner that takes place in a reserved, themed part of the primary eating room. This meal units the tone with uniquely themed dishes that put together cruisers for the spectacles they may witness later. From objects like vanishing shrimp cocktail to bewitched bunny banana cream pie, the menu will take you on a culinary journey.
Sadly, this dinner portion was not up and working but throughout our crusing; so, we will’t touch upon the precise high quality of the meal.
Following dinner, cruisers are escorted to the doorway of Spellbound. Right here, a doorman gives everybody with some historical past earlier than transporting visitors into the Music Room. As soon as inside, visitors work together with ghosts, sip signature cocktails, and luxuriate in sleight-of-hand magic on the Parlor Bar.
We had ample time to look at the artifacts and seize some drinks earlier than being referred to as into the primary occasion.
All the cocktails on the Spellbound bar menu are complimentary, no matter whether or not you have a drink package deal or not. The cocktail menu boasts a dozen cocktails and even a shared martini expertise for 2. You can too request non-alcoholic variations of lots of the drinks.
Thus, we made positive to pattern a number of of the libations, such because the Escape from Houdini’s Chest, the Artemis, and Smoke and Mirrors, to call just a few. Whereas Solar Princess does boast a wide range of bars all through the ship, the cocktails at Spellbound have been amongst our favorites.
We have been summoned for our unique magic present about 45 minutes after getting into. Tucked away behind the bar is a comfy theater simply massive sufficient to suit the 30 of us who have been desperate to see the subsequent act. Right here, all visitors settle in for a extra correct 30-minute magic present that includes the resident magician from Magic Fortress. The present consists of loads of visitor participation and a number of other surprises.
As soon as the present is over, visitors can return to the Music Room and/or Parlor Bar for a nightcap. Or, these wishing to depart are conveniently escorted out a discreet door into the center of the on line casino.
How A lot Does Spellbound Value?
All of this magic and thriller does include a hefty price ticket. Presently, Spellbound is $149 per individual. Although, this does embrace the dinner, magic present, and all drinks on the bar.
Whereas it’s costly, we discovered this expertise to be the best-themed exercise now we have ever skilled on a cruise. Spellbound rivals something you may discover in a Disney theme park. Â
Many cruise traces are launching comparable reserved experiences on their megaships. However in comparison with the choices on Royal Caribbean or Norwegian Cruise Line, Spellbound on Solar Princess affords a dynamic and distinctive night in contrast to the rest at sea.
When Does Spellbound Happen Through the Cruise?
Whereas the schedule may differ based mostly on itinerary, Princess Cruises at present affords Spellbound on each night time of the cruise. There are three set instances, with dinner beginning at both 5 PM, 6:30 PM, or 8 PM.
We advise reserving one of many earlier slots. That approach you will have extra time to benefit from the cocktails and all the interactive parts, as visitors can spend further time within the venue after the magic set.
Nevertheless, the venue does shut at midnight.
How Lengthy Does the Present Final?
With dinner, drinks, and the 30-minute magic present, the complete expertise is a minimum of 2.5 to three hours. This affords sufficient time to pattern some libations together with perusing the Music Room. However, these with earlier reservation instances might simply spend nicely over 3 hours on the venue in the event that they desired.
After our present, we did discover ourselves again on the bar for another spherical of drinks and to debate with associates all the things we had simply witnessed. Â
Given the value tag and all of the intracacies to find, we recommend visitors savor each minute. We wouldn’t recommend skipping out early on any a part of this full night of leisure.
How Many Folks Can Watch the Present?
Given the venue’s measurement and the occasion’s private nature, areas are restricted.
Every showtime has a most capability of 30 visitors. Limiting the variety of visitors at every present ensures everybody can benefit from the comfy environment with out feeling rushed or cramped.
Thus, not more than 90 visitors will be capable of waltz by means of the black door into Spellbound every night time.
Presently, Spellbound is open to visitors 13+ years of age. Nevertheless, the value is identical even for these not consuming alcoholic drinks.
Reserving Spellbound for Your Cruise
Friends booked on Solar Princess could make reservations for Spellbound pre-cruise within the Princess Cruises app. Or, if area continues to be out there, visitors can reserve the dinner and present as soon as onboard the ship.
Who Will Take pleasure in Spellbound on Solar Princess?
Each Heidi and I had a improbable time throughout our mystifying Spellbound expertise. Whereas we weren’t in a position to pattern the dinner, we did benefit from the ambiance, signature cocktails, and all of the magic.
Each nook affords one thing new to find with distinctive artifacts and classic curiosities, a few of which even come to life earlier than your eyes. With loads of seating, pleasant bar servers, and much to discover, it’s definitely a enjoyable night of magic and thriller.
Friends who can let their guard down and succumb to illusions and trickery may have a superb time at Spellbound. It’s really a novel mixture of culinary, mixology, and magic that you just gained’t discover wherever else. Additional, the featured magicians change continuously; thus, no two visits to Spellbound are ever precisely the identical.
We will surely return to Spellbound on Solar Princes to see what different secrets and techniques we will unlock and cocktails we will pattern.
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