The Sapphire becomes a Diamond, once again!

Not since the shipyard fire on 10/1/02, has the Sapphire been referred to as a diamond, but the time has come. She is currently the most modern and up to date ship in the Princess Fleet! Having emerged from a multi million dollar drydock that has revitalized her, she is now the Diamond of the fleet!

There are so many public areas that were transformed.

The Atrium was gutted and transformed into The Piazza which includes:

> The International Café – Open 24 hours. At 5:30 am they put out pastries, yogurt, fruit, egg sandwiches & light fare for breakfast. This is followed at 11:30 by sandwiches, salads, soups, & desserts, all of which are delicious, by the way. The soup changes daily with the sandwiches and salads remaining the same for the voyage. The menu changes again at 11:30 pm to lighter snacks. All the food is complimentary.

> Coffee Bar featuring specialty coffees & teas – for a fee. If you want just regular coffee you must go up to deck 14.

> New Atrium Bar – very fresh looking with about 8 bar stools and plenty of seating at the nearby tables & chairs, with views out the windows.

> Alfredo’s Pizzaria – Serving delicious Neapolitan style pizza, in 5 varieties:

~ Capricciosa – Mozzarella, artichoke hearts, mushrooms, prosciutto, black olives & olives.

~ Romana – Mozzarella, anchovies, capers, black olives, basil

~ Tarantina – Mozzarella, mussels, bay shrimp, roasted garlic, capers, basil, oregano.

~ Sapphire Princess – Mozzarella, cherry tomotoes, parma ham, shaved parmesan

~ Vegetarian – Sliced tomatoes, mozzarella, grilled zucchini, sun dried tomatoes, roasted bell peppes, mushrooms, red onion, avocado & basil.

I can attest that they are all very good and the staff very welcoming! Beers and wines are available by the bottle or the glass.

> Vine’s Wine Bar– Offers a variety of wines from around the world by the bottle or the glass. Much to some people’s disappointment, there is no sushi at this venue, as on some other Princess ships.

The whole Piazza area has all new marble floors, replacing the carpeted and mosaic tile floors (which were beautiful as well).

The Internet Café got a new entrance. Inside is a coffee bar with specialty coffees, as well as snacks, such as pastries, cookies and sandwiches, depending on the time of day.

The Shore Excursions Desk, the Captain's Circle Desk, andthe Future Cruise Sales Desk, got moved to deck 6, between the casino and the Princess Theater.

The new Library also got moved to this area and is much smaller than when it was located on deck 5, in the Atrium. Though it looks pretty, two aspects of it are lacking. The bookcases have frosted glass doors, so you cannot read the titles unless there is a staff member present to open the cases. Those hours are limited. Also, there is no table for puzzle making, though there are still available. This is unfortunate, as the community puzzle table was always a pleasurable pass-time on Princess.

The most surprising part of the renovation, to me, was the Casino. Missing, are about about 10 gaming tables and about 1/3 of the slot machines. I do not know if the existing machines are new or old, as I do not play slots. It is so empty, it resembles a bowling alley!

I have heard different stories about the Casino renovation. One story was that it was to be moved to a smaller location on a different deck, but those plans fell thru at the last minute.

It received new carpeting with an African theme on it. It's odd, since the walls are all Asian themed. With the large “trees”, camouflaging the poles, it looks like “Asian meets Africa in the Enchanted Forrest”! :eek: :D It’s quite comical. Someone dropped the ball on the theme of this cavernous room.

The Photo area got updated with face recognition software on about 18 self serve screens, enabling guests to view their pictures.

There were many new carpets throughout the public areas of the ship, as well as new upholstery (Wheelhouse Bar, parts of Explorer’s Lounge, etc.). The Princess Theater received new upholstery & Carpeting, I was told.

The gym got new flooring and all new equipment and weights. The Spa got a make over as well.

The outside decks, and pool decks got updated with new flooring and tilework. There is now a large screen above the outdoor Neptune Pool for “Movies Under The Stars”.

There was talk of other dry dock plans for the ship that did not happen. For lack of funds, time, or other reasons, Sterling Steakhouse is still on deck 14; the Wake-view Bar is still intact, as well as the Savoy Steakhouse Dining Room. Crown Grille was not put in.

Some balconies, if not all, got new furniture.

The Sapphire has not moved to Anytime Entertainment yet, like some ships, but some of the lounge acts were performed twice in one night, and repeated the following. I understand the full change will occur the end of March.

For those of you booked on the Sapphire, the whole ship sparkles and all the crew are rightly proud. The Sapphire is definitely the Diamond of the fleet!

Thanks for the review. The Sapphire is one of my favorite ships. :)

Thanks for the review! I can't wait to sail on her in three weeks! I just hope that the beds are not as hard as rocks as the last time I sailed on her last year. I thought I would break my back!

It is really good to hear about her "transformation." I loved her before, and have a funny feeling that I will love her even more after our sailing.

Thank you for taking the time to detail everything.

Thank you for the details! As a huge fan of the Diamond, I can only imagine how much more I'll love the Sapphire next month! :)

Only 2 more weeks before I see the updates...thanks for sharing. :)

Is there a charge for the Pizza? Can you customize the pizza's or are they pre-made?

Any Photos of the ship since dry dock? I know there were a few photos on the flikr page, but I was hoping someone from the last Hawaii cruise would post some of their own. Thanks for the information!

Is there a charge for the Pizza? Can you customize the pizza's or are they pre-made?

Pizza's are hand made, and you can custom order, to a degree. Though they are complimentary, we always left a tip for the server.

I am sure someone will be posting photos of the changes to the ship soon.

"There was talk of other dry dock plans for the ship that did not happen. For lack of funds, time, or other reasons, Sterling Steakhouse is still on deck 14; the Wake-view Bar is still intact, as well as the Savoy Steakhouse Dining Room. Crown Grille was not put in."

I have never been on the Sapphire Princess, but I sailed on the Ruby Princess and really enjoyed dining at the Crown Grille. I'm disappointed that part of the renovation was scrapped. How does the Sterling Steakhouse compare? I'm sailing on the Sapphire in August.

"There was talk of other dry dock plans for the ship that did not happen. For lack of funds, time, or other reasons, Sterling Steakhouse is still on deck 14; the Wake-view Bar is still intact, as well as the Savoy Steakhouse Dining Room. Crown Grille was not put in."

 

I have never been on the Sapphire Princess, but I sailed on the Ruby Princess and really enjoyed dining at the Crown Grille. I'm disappointed that part of the renovation was scrapped. How does the Sterling Steakhouse compare? I'm sailing on the Sapphire in August.

For what it's worth, we've had better meals at the Sterling Steakhouse than at the Crown Grill. The ambiance is better in the Crown Grill (because it is a separate venue and not portioned off the Horizon Court), but out of the 3 meals we've had there, only one was satisfactory. All our meals in the Sterling Steakhouse have been outstanding. YMMV

I have never been on the Sapphire Princess, but I sailed on the Ruby Princess and really enjoyed dining at the Crown Grille. I'm disappointed that part of the renovation was scrapped. How does the Sterling Steakhouse compare? I'm sailing on the Sapphire in August.

We did not go to Sterling Steakhouse on this sailing, but I have been in the past, and enjoyed it as much as I have the Crown Grille, as far as food and service. Part of the Horizon Buffet seating area is partitioned off with curtains (very aft, starboard side). The food was quite good as I recall, though I would prefer a designated restaurant, such as the Savoy Dining Room, on deck 5. Try it. I don't think you'll be disappointed. One of the best features of the Sapphire, and Diamond, are the four smaller dining venues, in addition to the larger, International Dining Room. They are more intimate and feel like a restaurants.

The Sapphire has always been one of our favorites. We will be on her again in September. And was on her last May.:o

And to compare her to the Ruby, my gosh.:eek:

For what it's worth, we've had better meals at the Sterling Steakhouse than at the Crown Grill. The ambiance is better in the Crown Grill (because it is a separate venue and not portioned off the Horizon Court), but out of the 3 meals we've had there, only one was satisfactory. All our meals in the Sterling Steakhouse have been outstanding. YMMV

We actually have also. Our meals (and service) have been better at Sterling than Crown Grill.

Thanks for the info, we will be on her on March 10. How was the weather in the ports you got to stop at? Did you do any swimming - if so was the water cold?

Thanks,

Tammy

Thank you for the very detailed information about the "new" Sapphire Princess.

How was the weather in the ports you got to stop at? Did you do any swimming - if so was the water cold?

Hi Tammy. The weather for this voyage was mostly cool, to cold, most of the time, with rocky seas the whole way over. The weather in the ports was warmer, in the mid - upper 70's. The water at Waikiki Beach and Kalapaki Beach, Kauai, was not as warm as I am used to in Hawaii, but some people did go in. I personally like warm water when I am swimming. We did not stop on the big island and I do not know what the water was like in Lahaina. David

I've had excellent food & service in both the CG & Sterling's & for me the difference is that the CG had more choices & was a wood paneled dining room. I'll probably try Sterling's when we sail soon to see if things have changed since our last time. I think that the different experiences by others are due to those who are cooking & serving that day and not due to how they're set up by Princess.

I think that the different experiences by others are due to those who are cooking & serving that day and not due to how they're set up by Princess.

That is so true, and why one shouldn't judge a cruiseline, or it's food, by just one sailing. Some chefs are better, of different than others, as well as wait staff. We had a new pastry chef on board and his desserts were consistantly the best I've had on any of my 61 sailings :D. Good thing I'm active :eek:!

We did not go to Sterling Steakhouse on this sailing, but I have been in the past, and enjoyed it as much as I have the Crown Grille, as far as food and service. Part of the Horizon Buffet seating area is partitioned off with curtains (very aft, starboard side). The food was quite good as I recall, though I would prefer a designated restaurant, such as the Savoy Dining Room, on deck 5. Try it. I don't think you'll be disappointed. One of the best features of the Sapphire, and Diamond, are the four smaller dining venues, in addition to the larger, International Dining Room. They are more intimate and feel like a restaurants.

Thank you for your suggestion. We definitely prefer the atmosphere of a "designated restaurant" such as the Crown Grille but we will check out both the Sterling and the Savoy. I didn't realize there were as many dining choices as you listed. Thanks again.

"There was talk of other dry dock plans for the ship that did not happen. For lack of funds, time, or other reasons, Sterling Steakhouse is still on deck 14; the Wake-view Bar is still intact, as well as the Savoy Steakhouse Dining Room. Crown Grille was not put in."

 

I have never been on the Sapphire Princess, but I sailed on the Ruby Princess and really enjoyed dining at the Crown Grille. I'm disappointed that part of the renovation was scrapped. How does the Sterling Steakhouse compare? I'm sailing on the Sapphire in August.

Hi! I see you are on the August 4th sailing and the 3 day land tour prior to cruise.....we are doing the same....are you on the land tour doing Anchorage, Mount McKinley, and Denali? That is the one we are on.....can't imagine how beautiful Alaska is going to be.....

Thank you for your suggestion. We definitely prefer the atmosphere of a "designated restaurant" such as the Crown Grille but we will check out both the Sterling and the Savoy. I didn't realize there were as many dining choices as you listed. Thanks again.

Yes, both are wonderful, for different reasons. I think the Savoy is the most romantic of the nightime dining venues on the ship ;). You'll see what I mean when you are on board.

Each of the 5 dining venues (not counting Sterling & Sabatini's) has the same menu each evening, with each of the smaller venues having a specialty dish of it's own, as well. If you eat at 'off hours', you should have no problem experiencing them all. Talk to the Matre 'd and inquire as to the best times to eat, and not have to wait.

It sounds like the new Piazza is great and very much like the one Piazza on the Grand. It is too bad that they didn't do all the renos that were originally planned though, I wonder what the issue was in the end.

Thats a shame they did not add the Crown Grill. :(

Our first Sapphire sailing is in April.

I'm just grateful for the IC. :D

Pat

You mentioned that they switch to lighter fare after 11:00. What can one expect to find late night?

Karen