So what's new with the Sapphire???

[islandran]

Anyone heard anything new about the Sapphire and how it's coming along?

[Richard Stein]

Per the second story on this website the sea trials are over. It leaves Japan on May 24th, will be christened in Seattle by Alaska's governors wife on June 10th and all cruises are a go. I go on June 13th.

Horizon, 9/5/04, Sapphire Princess, 6/13/004 ?
Zuiderdam-2003, Constellation -2003, Infinity-2002, Vision of the Seas-2002,
Mercury-2001, Norwegian Sky-2000, Horizon-2000, Ryndam-1999, Grand Princess-1999, Westerdam-1998, Grand Princess-1998, Oriania-1997
1985-1996-3-HAL, 1-RCCL, 2-NCL, 11-Princess, 1-Royal, 1-Cunard

[srphnx]

She looks good for her scheduled debut, being Christened my Alaska's first lady wife of the Governor there. The reviews on the Diamond continue to be strong as such bookings on Saphire are strong and rates not very discounted.

Life is at it's best when your address floats
<FONT color=red>Alaska</FONT>
Diamond Princess 05/04 ~~ Mercury 06/02
Rhapsody o.t. Seas 05/98 ~~ Legend o.t. Seas 09/95
<FONT color=red>Mexican Riviera</FONT>
Diamond Princess 12/04
Diamond Princess 11/04 ~~ Diamond Princess 04/04
Sea Princess 01/02 ~~ Vision o.t. Seas 04/02<FONT color=red>
West Coast-Baja Mexico</FONT>
Ecstacy 09/01
<FONT color=red>Eastern Carribean</FONT>
Century 12/97
<FONT color=red>Western Carribean</FONT>
Century 9/96

[dorotha]

I have a new commputer and lost my favorites! Anyone have the link to the shipyard? Thanks--I love visiting it! http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

[Richard Stein]

Dear Srphnx: Those of us who booked early, last december and are many time repeaters got a very good rate on the Sapphire first cruise. I booked a BE guarantee and got upgraded to a BA. Rate was so low they did not put it on my final cruise documents. I was on the first cruise of Regal in 91, hope I get similar treatment on this ship. Will have elite status for next cruise.

Horizon, 9/5/04, Sapphire Princess, 6/13/004 ?
Zuiderdam-2003, Constellation -2003, Infinity-2002, Vision of the Seas-2002,
Mercury-2001, Norwegian Sky-2000, Horizon-2000, Ryndam-1999, Grand Princess-1999, Westerdam-1998, Grand Princess-1998, Oriania-1997
1985-1996-3-HAL, 1-RCCL, 2-NCL, 11-Princess, 1-Royal, 1-Cunard

[kadao]

dorotha - http://www1.cncm.ne.jp/~mmatsuo/S-Prinecess.html

We are going on the pre-inagural on June 11. Can't wait http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_cool.gif

NCL SEA 6/19
http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=000080&cdt=2004;6;19;16;00;00&timezone=GMT-0600

Sapphire Princess 6/11
http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=000080&cdt=2004;6;11;16;00;00&timezone=GMT-0600

[APH]

Just found this press release on the website:

5/19/2004

PRINCESS TO OFFER UNPRECEDENTED NUMBER OF DINING OPPORTUNITIES ON SAPPHIRE PRINCESS
Four Main Dining Rooms Will Feature Different Themes and Menu Items

New Princess Concierge Service Combines Dedicated Staff with Computer Technology for Easy Dining Reservations

Expanding the concept of personal choice dining even further, Princess Cruises introduces a number of dining options with an innovative twist -- themed main dining rooms aboard Sapphire Princess. The ship, which debuts in June, will offer guests five main dining rooms to choose from-- one traditional seating dining room and four smaller restaurants for those choosing Princess' Anytime Dining option. These four dining rooms each feature a unique theme and menu -- Vivaldi (Italian cuisine), Sterling (steakhouse), Santa Fe (Southwestern) and Pacific Moon (Asian).

Diners in these four dining rooms will have the option of ordering from each restaurant's themed dishes in addition to each day's menu. Guests who choose the traditional dining room won't be left out of the culinary fun either, as they will have a changing array of dinner options including items from the themed restaurants specialty menus.

"Sapphire Princess is bringing our customers what they have come to expect from Princess Cruises, exquisite dining options." said Rai Caluori, Princess' senior vice president of hotel opertions. "Our unconventional approach to dining is one of the key offerings that separates us in the minds of our passengers. We have listened to them and are delighted to offer them a myriad of options."

"The smaller venues will operate just as our Anytime Dining rooms always have, but with more choices and themed décor," noted Caluori. "And this concept brings us a further step away from the vast dining halls found on many other lines' ships of similar size."

The new specialty dining rooms will offer an array of tastes to tempt passenger taste buds. Each will offer a series of dishes including a specialty bread and dessert. In the Vivaldi dining room, which specializes in Italian fare, diners can enjoy dishes such as Farfalle alla Scoglio, Ossobuco or Cannoli for dessert. In the Sterling dining room menu items include Prime Rib, New York Steak and All American Apple Pie. The Pacific Moon dining room will feature a variety of Asian favorites including Sushi, Five-Spice Mandarin Duckling, and bamboo steamer baskets with Dim Sum, Pot Stickers and Spring Rolls. In the Santa Fe dining room, guests can choose table side prepared Guacamole, Sizzling Fajitas, Fried Catfish with Roasted Corn Relish and Kahlua Rice Pudding.

These new choices will be featured along with Princess' signature dining experience -- Trattoria Sabatini, the line's enormously popular alternative Italian restaurant which offers a special eight-course menu for a nominal charge of $20. Passengers can also choose the 24-hour Horizon Court restaurant as well as a variety of other options for snacks and quick poolside meals.

Passengers can make reservations for any of the ship's dining rooms and Sabatini's through the Princess Concierge Service. This recently added service is staffed by dedicated onboard concierge representatives using a new computerized reservation system, this high level of service will enable passengers to easily plan their dining choices through a special telephone number or in person at each dining venue. "Princess Concierge Service will make it easier than ever for passengers who wish to plan when and where to dine -- whether for one night or the full cruise," added Caluori. "Passengers positive response to the system has lead us to add this to add this to our newest vessel."

The new dining room configuration is another innovation in Princess' acclaimed Personal Choice Dining® program, designed to give passengers the ultimate in choice -- and the only program to offer both traditional and restaurant-style seating options in its main dining rooms.

Princess' long history of culinary innovation includes pioneering the concept of 24-hour dining at sea and debuting a number of new alternative restaurant concepts. In recent years, the line has introduced a popular premium steakhouse option, sea-going sushi bar, the first Southwestern and Cajun-style restaurants at sea, and was the first line to have all its ships inducted into the prestigious Chaîne des Rôtisseurs gastronomic society.

Sapphire Princess and its sister ship, Diamond Princess, were built by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) in Japan. The two 116,000-ton, 2,670-passenger vessels debuted in June and March 2004, respectively. Sapphire Princess will join her sister ship in Seattle offering seven-day round-trip Alaska Inside Passage cruises.


Yummmm...sizzling fajitas!

Andrew.

Oceana - Feb 2004
Golden Princess - July 2003
Dawn Princess - Feb 2002
Dawn Princess - Jan 2001
Grand Princess - Jan 2000
Majesty of the Seas - Jan 1999

[dorotha]

Thank you, Kadao! Isn't she lovely? http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif