We first sailed on Solar Princess just a few weeks after the ship launched. Since its inaugural season within the Mediterranean, the vessel has obtained a number of updates. So, we hopped again onboard to see how the ship was completely different. We’ve got returned and share all of the Solar Princess adjustments so you recognize what has improved and the place the ship nonetheless falls quick in our newest cruise overview.
All of the Solar Princess Adjustments
Higher – New Restaurant Places
Among the many Solar Princess adjustments, the cruise line has relocated a number of of the eating places to new areas. These adjustments make full sense as these venues now have extra acceptable houses.
One knock we had on the ship earlier this yr was the placement of two specialty eating places. The Catch by Rudi and the Butcher’s Block by Dario have been in the back of The Eatery (buffet) on Deck 9.
This made no sense to us as a result of these are each upscale, upcharge venues. The venues didn’t really feel intimate, nor did they supply the ambiance that the eating places deserved.
Nicely, we’re pleased to say that the eating places now have their very own devoted areas on Deck 7. The venues haven’t obtained a lot of a makeover relating to décor although. Nonetheless, we like that The Catch took the place of the comfy Signature Restaurant and The Butcher’s Block took the place of the Crown Grill (which additionally relocated).
According to the a number of restaurant relocations, the Americana Diner moved to the again of The Eatery. This new eating idea debuted on Solar Princess as an off-the-cuff, sit-down restaurant providing a brand new menu of all-day favorites. We have been a fan of the meals however needed to admit that this restaurant fashion felt misplaced on the prime of the luxury three-story most important eating room.
With the Butcher’s Block by Dario now residing subsequent to the ahead elevators on Deck 7, throughout from Princess Stay, Princess Cruises’ traditional steakhouse moved down the corridor. The Crown Grill restaurant is now aft on Deck 7, changing the previous Reserve Assortment restaurant. Whereas we did like the brand new design of the Crown Grill’s former location, this new location feels upscale and fashionable too.
To perform these swaps, Princess Cruises eradicated the eating rooms for the Reserve and Signature-class staterooms, combining them into one venue on the third degree of the primary eating room. In actual fact, they eradicated these classes of staterooms altogether, which we are going to get to in a bit.
In relation to the primary eating room, the 3-story Horizons Eating Room is now the Soleil Eating Room (Deck 6), Eclipse Eating Room (Deck 7), and The Sancturary Restaurant (Deck 8).
Higher – Up to date Restaurant Menus
Together with altering out a number of of the restaurant areas, among the restaurant menus have obtained updates too. Particularly, The Catch by Rudi’s menu is bigger, providing extra choices for starters and entrees. So, followers of this restaurant on different Princess cruise ships can take pleasure in traditional favorites.
One other change we have been glad to see was the enhancement of the Butcher’s Block by Dario menu. This meat-centric eating idea nonetheless boasts a number of programs of assorted cuts of beef. Nevertheless, the menu now contains additions corresponding to an oyster appetizer and a Caesar salad course. Friends additionally now have two choices for dessert, with the addition of a tiramisu.
The sushi restaurant on Solar Princess was within the strategy of getting a makeover throughout our earlier crusing. Now, Makoto Ocean, in partnership with Chef Makoto Okuwa, is full. This restaurant boasts an improved menu together with barely up to date seating and décor. Now, company can go for a multi-course, signature sushi dinner expertise or choose from a revamped a la carte menu.
Not but full throughout our final crusing, we have been capable of expertise Love by Britto on this cruise. Positioned on Deck 17 aft, this upscale specialty restaurant seamlessly combines improbable views with equally Instagramable plates on its 5-course menu. This cozy restaurant is good for a celebratory dinner together with your family members.
The one draw back is that the Princess Plus or Princess Premier packages don’t cowl the restaurant.
Moreover, the primary eating room menus have additionally modified to replicate the ship’s new 7-night Caribbean itineraries. However company don’t have to fret about different eating places. Staples just like the Crown Grill and Sabatini’s nonetheless boast their typical dishes that Princess cruisers have come to like.
Worse – The SkyDeck Sports activities Court docket
Poor Park19, the outside deck that by no means was. Princess Cruises made a giant splash asserting this outside sports activities deck for multi-generational households over a yr in the past. Whereas not probably the most superior outside house, we have been excited to check out some new options just like the Sea Breeze Rollglider and the Coastal Climb ropes course.
We should always have identified there have been points with these sights throughout our crusing in March. Whereas we often noticed sports activities crew members upstairs, none of them have been ever testing out the tools. I even supplied myself as a check dummy in the event that they wanted extra assist.
Nevertheless, we have been shocked to study lastly that each one the sights have been being nixed by the cruise line.
The RollGlider appeared much like the monitor for Bolt rollercoaster on Carnival cruise ships. Besides, company would dangle under the monitor. The 2-story ropes course resembled related ropes programs on different cruise traces as effectively. So, we aren’t positive how all of the certifications fell aside.
With that being mentioned, Princess Cruises nonetheless hasn’t enhanced this space. A lot of the monitor for the RollGilder is gone, and the obstacles and challenges from the rope course have been eliminated. Nevertheless, most of the assist options and constructions stay.
It’s but to be decided what’s going to come of this house. Provided that Princess Cruises had months to develop an alternate design or extra options for this space, it was disappointing to seek out that the SkyDeck had no new choices.
We suspect Solar Princess will finally function a sports activities court docket for pickleball and basketball like not too long ago introduced for Star Princess.
Whereas this isn’t a deal breaker for us, we are able to see how households is perhaps let down.
Worse – The Solar Princess Signature Leisure
Like many crusing on Solar Princess, we think about ourselves conventional cruisers. Whereas we have now come to understand the versatile eating choices, our nighttime routine continues to be the identical – dinner and a present.
On our first Solar Princess cruise, none of the cruise traces’ leisure within the Area or the Dome was prepared. The cruise line promoted 4 signature productions within the Area, the primary theater, and a further sequence of Cirque Éloize exhibits within the Dome.
Fortunately, among the many Solar Princess adjustments since our final crusing was the debut of some leisure choices.
Throughout this quick crusing, we have been capable of see one present in every venue.
Whereas we loved each productions, they actually didn’t stay as much as the hype.
On Evening 2, Viva La Música blasted its means on stage. With a choice of predictable Latin-inspired songs and some distinctive musical preparations, the playlist was nothing we hadn’t heard in different related revue exhibits. And whereas Princess Cruises claims that the Area is probably the most technologically superior theater at sea, there was nothing modern or distinctive included into the present.
Really, the stage felt too small for the manufacturing. Whereas the present was excessive power, and the viewers was engaged, I actually wouldn’t guide a cruise on Solar Princess due to the leisure. In actual fact, the present we have been most trying ahead to, Vallora, A Pirate Quest, is already being reimagined.
We did benefit from the present in The Dome extra, Artbeat by Britto. This Cirque Éloize manufacturing took to the sky on the final evening of the cruise when our media group attended a particular displaying.
We actually loved the present and the best way it utilized the options of this house. It boasted aerial acts and different acrobats, with sufficient story and variety in music to maintain us .
However, for others who wish to expertise this roughly 25-minute present on income sailings, they might want to attend an hour or extra to snag one of many 250 seats on this leisure venue.
Even with two exhibits an evening, The Dome will not be an ample measurement for the ship’s visitor capability. We might be dissatisfied if we booked a cruise on this ship and needed to wait hours in line simply to see manufacturing exhibits. Maybe, a reservation system is required.
Higher – The Sanctuary Assortment on Solar Princess
Changing the previous Reserve Assortment and Signature Assortment stateroom classes, the brand new Sanctuary Assortment debuts with Solar Princess’ Caribbean season. That is the cruise line’s try to supply an unique ship-within-a-ship expertise to company staying in suites and choose different staterooms.
Just like choices like MSC Yacht Membership, Celeb Cruises’ The Retreat, or NCL’s The Haven, company staying within the Sanctuary Assortment have entry to non-public areas of the ship. These embrace an unique restaurant and sundeck.
All suites are a part of the Sanctuary Assortment, along with a number of mini-suites and premium balconies. These cabins obtain (most of) the identical facilities as effectively.
Essentially the most distinguished improve when reserving into the Sanctuary Assortment is entry to the Sanctuary Membership aft on Deck 18. Beforehand, this space was a for-fee house that each one company might buy entry to, with a piece reserved for company staying in Signature suites.
Now, your complete deck is reserved just for these staying within the Sanctuary Assortment. This posh sundeck provides a pool, whirlpool, bar, a number of seating choices, an unique menu of poolside bites, and loads of house to absorb the solar.
One other perk is a non-public restaurant. Aft on Deck 8, changing the previous Americana Diner, is the Sanctuary Restaurant. Providing breakfast, lunch, and dinner, this restaurant boasts enhanced menus. We dined right here on the primary evening of our cruise, and the meals was actually an improve from the primary eating room on Solar Princess.
All company staying within the Sanctuary Assortment additionally obtain the cruise line’s Premier Package deal as a part of the cruise fare. This add-on bundle makes your trip extra inclusive with the Premier beverage bundle, limitless specialty eating and informal eating, limitless Max WiFi, and crew appreciation, amongst different perks.
Nevertheless, solely company in one of many eighty suites onboard can entry the Suite Lounge on Deck 16. This small house provides a bar, improbable ocean views, each day hors d’oeuvres, and first-class service.
Whereas Princess Cruises’ new Sanctuary Assortment doesn’t provide all of the facilities of competitor cruise traces, like butler service, we loved our expertise and suppose it’s positively definitely worth the improve.
The place Solar Princess Nonetheless Shines
Whereas there have been a number of Solar Princess adjustments between our two sailings, there are nonetheless loads of locations the place the ship retains its unique glow. The pool deck provides loads of house with a central pool and informal eating choices, and the huge Sea View terrace sundeck extends all the best way ahead on the ship.
We take pleasure in a number of of the informal eating choices across the ship as effectively. The Worldwide Café, midship on Deck 9, continues to be among the many finest cafes at sea. Open 24 hours a day, it provides candy treats, savory bites, and signature coffees.
Additional, Alfredo’s Pizzeria serves among the finest pizza at sea. We lastly received to pattern among the new award-winning pizzas from champion pizzamaker Tony Gemignani. Let’s simply say we are able to see why the New Yorker and Cal Italia pizzas have obtained such accolades.
Spellbound by Magic Fort stays my favourite upcharge expertise at sea. Whereas dear, it delivers a really distinctive and immersive evening of illusions and spirits. We slipped into the parlor for an additional go to this crusing and might attest that our second time was simply as mesmerizing and magical as our first. Though, we nonetheless can’t touch upon the dinner portion. Maybe we want a 3rd go to to actually expertise all of it?
Together with the manufacturing exhibits, there may be loads of stay music and occasions occuring all through the ship. We’re huge followers of O’Malley’s Irish Pub, and we’re not alone. This is among the hottest venues, providing acoustic guitar music, loads of beer, and a improbable time.
The Piazza can be house to a number of actions you don’t wish to miss. Whether or not it’s dance events, sport exhibits, or cirque performances, it’s the hub of any Princess Cruises’ ship.
On Solar Princess, the Piazza has been redesigned to supply higher sightlines. Friends can discover a spot within the tiered seating areas surrounding this 3-story open venue.
Different vigorous spots embrace Crooners for some distinctive cocktails and piano music and Princess Stay for sport exhibits, trivia, and comedy units. This lounge has a greater setup and vibe than different ships we have now sailed on within the fleet.
Thus, like many fashionable mega-ships, Solar Princess provides quite a lot of issues to do, see, eat, and revel in. It’s true that some areas are too small for a ship of this measurement. But, with some pre-planning, company will be capable to benefit from the onboard eating, actions, exhibits, and nightlife.
Given there may be a lot to like about this ship, you would possibly see Heidi and I onboard one other crusing sooner or later or maybe on her sister ship, Star Princess, when she debuts.
Feedback
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