The Sapphire becomes a Diamond, once again!

[Ahhh]

Last time I was on the Sapphire, the Savoy was just one of the regular dining rooms. Is it now a designated STEAKHOUSE?

 

You are correct, it is one of the regular dining rooms. When the Sapphire was first launched in 2004, in addition to the International Dining Room, there were four smaller dining rooms, that still exist. They were Pacific Moon (Asian), Santa Fe (Mexican/Southwest), Vivaldi (Italian), & Sterling Steakhouse (Steaks/chops).

 

The concept of "Steakhouse" at that time was much different than it is now. There was no Sterling Steakhouse, let alone a Crown Grille, as those came later.

 

Each of the four, smaller dining rooms, had it's own unique menu, reflecting the decor. Because it was not well received (most long-term cruisers resist change :eek:;)) that concept was later changed, so you could also order off the International Dining Room menu, as well.

 

This new concept was changed again, perhaps because of logistical reasons. It's this third concept which is available today: You can order off the main menu in each of the five venues. In addition, the four smaller venues have a specialty dish unique to that particular venue (i.e. an Asian dish in Pacific Moon).

 

Although it is known as The Savoy, or Savoy Dining Room, I believe the original signage still says "Savoy Steakhouse". I may be wrong :o, but I believe I am correct. There was talk of enlarging the Vivaldi and making what was left of the Savoy into the Crown Grille, but that did not happen in this recent dry dock. David

[ibfern]

Thanks for your review, it sounds like some great improvements were made. You know that the Sapphire was originally the Diamond Princess!

[Sassy's Mom]

Looking at booking the Sapphire for an Alaskan cruise in August, 2013. Where are the "real" best mini-suites? I plan on trying to have TA ready to book as soon as the itineraries are released and would like to secure several rooms close together if at all possible.

[VOR]

 

Although it is known as The Savoy, or Savoy Dining Room, I believe the original signage still says "Savoy Steakhouse". I may be wrong :o, but I believe I am correct. There was talk of enlarging the Vivaldi and making what was left of the Savoy into the Crown Grille, but that did not happen in this recent dry dock. David

 

That is in the deckplans in the cruise atlas, along with expanding the International by removing the wakeview and some other spaces aft. It looked to be a big chuck of work, probably just too much for the 20 or so days they had in Victoria.

[Ahhh]

That is in the deckplans in the cruise atlas, along with expanding the International by removing the wakeview and some other spaces aft. It looked to be a big chuck of work, probably just too much for the 20 or so days they had in Victoria.

 

I never got a definitive answer as to why the those plans never happened. It's odd, as I look at my 2011-2012 Cruise Atlas, the dining room names are reversed for the Sapphire. What is the date on your cruise Atlas? Mine also shows the Sanctuary, but does not show that the basketball court got moved to the roof deck of Skywalkers. I forgot to mention that it is surprisingly not too windy up there, as the smoke stack apparatus blocks much of it. There are great views from up there also!

 

 

They do need to put some sort of sound buffer between it and Skywalkers though, as the thumping sound distracts from the sereneness of the lounge during the day.

 

 

Thanks for your review, it sounds like some great improvements were made. You know that the Sapphire was originally the Diamond Princess!

 

Yes, I make reference to that in my heading, and also my first statement about the shipyard fire in 2002. The Sapphire caught fire and much the interior was damaged badly, delaying the launch. Princess decided to change the name of it with the Diamond, which was not far behind it in construction.

 

By the way, I was wrong about the signage at the Savoy. It now simply says "Savoy Dining Room". David

[ibfern]

That is in the deckplans in the cruise atlas, along with expanding the International by removing the wakeview and some other spaces aft. It looked to be a big chuck of work, probably just too much for the 20 or so days they had in Victoria.

 

I was on the ship Oct 8 last year and they were working on it the whole cruise. They completed the Sanctuary and the sport courts during my cruise, they definitely did not do all the work in Victoria!

[RickEk]

They do need to put some sort of sound buffer between it and Skywalkers though, as the thumping sound distracts from the sereneness of the lounge during the day.

 

Yes, I make reference to that in my heading, and also my first statement about the shipyard fire in 2002. The Sapphire caught fire and much the interior was damaged badly, delaying the launch. Princess decided to change the name of it with the Diamond, which was not far behind it in construction.

 

David

 

Yes, we were on the Sapphire's voyage prior to the drydock and thought the noise from the sports court was a bit loud in Skywalkers.

 

And to be accurate, it was the original Diamond Princess hull that caught fire in the Mitsubishi shipyard in Nagasaki.

http://www.cruisecritic.com/news/news.cfm?ID=652

[Astro Flyer]

Ahhh...thanks for all of the helpful info about your cruise.

 

I get much more useful info from informative reviews such as yours. Cruising should be fun & there are very few things that I can think of that could 'ruin' a cruise. Hopefully we'll see other helpful reviews from you in the future.

 

We sail the Sapphire on the 3rd & thanks to your objective review know more about the changes since we sailed the Sapphire last May...thanks!

[ibfern]

Yes, we were on the Sapphire's voyage prior to the drydock and thought the noise from the sports court was a bit loud in Skywalkers.

 

And to be accurate, it was the original Diamond Princess hull that caught fire in the Mitsubishi shipyard in Nagasaki.

http://www.cruisecritic.com/news/news.cfm?ID=652

 

Wasn't the last cruise a Mexico cruise? We were on the splendor in Cabo with the Sapphire the first week in Jan. I wanted to go home to the Sapphire instead of the splendor the whole time!

[Ahhh]

Ahhh...thanks for all of the helpful info about your cruise.

 

I get much more useful info from informative reviews such as yours. Cruising should be fun & there are very few things that I can think of that could 'ruin' a cruise. Hopefully we'll see other helpful reviews from you in the future.

 

We sail the Sapphire on the 3rd & thanks to your objective review know more about the changes since we sailed the Sapphire last May...thanks!

 

Thank you for your kind words. This was more of an informative review of the transformation, rather than a review of my cruise, which I am currently writing, and will post soon. In it I will cover the food and service aspects of the voyage, among other things.

 

Like you, there is not much more I would rather do than cruise, and nothing has ever ruined one for me. I believe the key is being flexible, with a positive attitude.

 

And to be accurate, it was the original Diamond Princess hull that caught fire in the Mitsubishi shipyard in Nagasaki.

http://www.cruisecritic.com/news/news.cfm?ID=652

 

 

Yes Rick, thank you for catching my mistake. I meant to say the Diamond caught fire and the name was changed to Sapphire. My other mistake in my postings was my reference to the name change of the dining rooms being reversed in my Cruise Atlas. I was visualizing it upsidedown :o. David

[VOR]

I was on the ship Oct 8 last year and they were working on it the whole cruise. They completed the Sanctuary and the sport courts during my cruise, they definitely did not do all the work in Victoria!

 

I know, I sailed on her in Dec.

 

The change discussed here would take the international Dining room off line though, and they cannot do that while they operating.

 

It does not require a dry dock, but likely does require 2 weeks out of service.

[Indycal]

I was on HAL's ms Oosterdam in Ensenada, Mexico, on Feb 17, 2012 and took these pictures of the Sapphire Princess, she is a beauty!!

 

[Indycal]

Three more:

 

 

[nclrocks8899]

Three more:

 

 

nice pics cant wait to be on her march 10th

[fathercop]

I've really enjoyed the photos and reviews. Thank you.

[grandmaa]

Thanks for the photos...we sail in March..cannot wait to see all the improvements!

[Canadianknight]

Thanks for the info!

 

Love the Sapphire... dying that we have to wait until May 2013 for our next sailing on her! Really want to see all these changes!

 

Pity the Crown Grill didn't go in. I'm curious why that (the the deletion of the Wake View) didn't happen... considering both alterations are on the ship's deck plans in the new Atlas.

 

Also curious to see how many less tables there are in the casino. I didn't think there were that many to begin with? Just so long as there are still a bunch of blackjack tables I'm happy. :)

[RickEk]

Wasn't the last cruise a Mexico cruise? We were on the splendor in Cabo with the Sapphire the first week in Jan. I wanted to go home to the Sapphire instead of the splendor the whole time!

 

Yep... we saw you too. And hey, just wondering... why did the Splendor (and the Spirit) go back to sea and then return the next day? Just to open the casino and shops? We stayed anchored all night.

 

Sapphire Princess - Mexico - New Year's 2012 292 by RickEk, on Flickr

 

Yes Rick, thank you for catching my mistake. I meant to say the Diamond caught fire and the name was changed to Sapphire. My other mistake in my postings was my reference to the name change of the dining rooms being reversed in my Cruise Atlas. I was visualizing it upsidedown :o. David

 

No worries... the whole name swap thing is confusing.

[ibfern]

Yep... we saw you too. And hey, just wondering... why did the Splendor (and the Spirit) go back to sea and then return the next day? Just to open the casino and shops? We stayed anchored all night.

 

We laughed at that, clearly they wanted to open the bars and casino (humongous compared to the Sapphire) and all the stores. We were wondering if the Sapphire stayed anchored. So I guess they did not open the stores and casinos while they stayed anchored?

 

Did I tell you how badly we wanted to jump ship off the Splendor and sneak onto the Sapphire? :D

[Pamster]

Purely speculation' date=' but I wonder if the timing of the new smoking policy had anything to do with opening up more "floor" space for smokers.[/quote']

 

Maybe they'll close it in add a few couches and ashtrays and put all the smokers in there? ;-)

[RickEk]

We laughed at that, clearly they wanted to open the bars and casino (humongous compared to the Sapphire) and all the stores. We were wondering if the Sapphire stayed anchored. So I guess they did not open the stores and casinos while they stayed anchored?

 

Did I tell you how badly we wanted to jump ship off the Splendor and sneak onto the Sapphire? :D

 

Actually, I really didn't notice... :p but I suppose so... We got back late to the ship, but I did notice how looooong the tender lines for the Carnival ships were in the afternoon. :eek: We cut through and boarded our tender immediately.

[Sassy's Mom]

Those of you who have sailed on the Sapphire, can you please tell me where the steakhouse is? I've searched and searched the deck plans (pre and post stateroom classification change dates) and can't find it. :(

 

Have I turned into my husband and can't find what is directly in front of me? :p

[CRUZGAL53]

It is right next to the Horizon Court

[CRUZGAL53]

Those of you who have sailed on the Sapphire' date=' can you please tell me where the steakhouse is? I've searched and searched the deck plans (pre and post stateroom classification change dates) and can't find it. :(

 

Have I turned into my husband and can't find what is directly in front of me? :p[/quote']

It is next to the Horizon Court

[grandmaa]

They convert part of Horizon Court for Sterling Steak house in the evening..in the back portion of the HC eating area at the back elevators. We get on today and will confirm again.