Sapphire vs diamond

[Sidney24]

Would appreciate comments from those who have cruised on both ships.

 

Any difference besides the lack of the Japanese baths on Sapphire.

 

thanks

[Darcy15]

Sapphire now has kettles in the cabins - yay! :)

 

I have sailed on both ships and prefer the Sapphire

 

..no particular reason really, just my favourite ship of all

 

Spent 28 days aboard Sapphire round the South Paciific - and had absolutely the best time :D

 

Haven't been on Diamond since her refit so don't know much about the Japanese extras

[Colo Cruiser]

Didn't the Diamond have a major refit with the Asian theme?

Don't think the Sapphire had these added?

There is an excellent thread here on CC with great photos of the Diamond and all the new additions.

 

Here it is....

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2024323&highlight=diamond+refit

Edited January 14, 2015 by Colo Cruiser

[cruisequeen4ever]

I have been on both, but the Diamond cruise was before it became Asian themed. Hubby and I LOVE the Sapphire! It has the redesigned Horizon Court with separate pastry section and Alfredo's Pizzeria, which we really enjoyed. Both are great ships, though, and the pics on CC displayed the Diamond as absolutely gorgeous after its Asian transformation.

 

 

Sent using the Cruise Critic forums app

[love2relax]

I've been on both, but not since the refit.

We did not enjoy the Diamond nearly as much as the Sapphire, even though they are "sister" ships. We had many problems with food and bad tasting mixed drinks on the Diamond. There were several service issues came up as well. It was our first cruise on Princess, and I really thought of never cruising with them again, since it was nothing like some of the other cruiselines we had been on.

But we kept an open mind, and have never had a bad cruise on Princess since. With the exception of the Grand, the Sapphire is our second favorite ship, even though we only took a 4-day cruise on her.

Edited January 15, 2015 by love2relax

[jetstarjordan]

I have been on both Diamond twice since the refit and got off Sapphire after 16 days on Tuesday. The key differences:

 

Sapphire:

Deck 5

Features:

International Cafe - which is an amazing place for late night snacks and well snacks in general

Vines- If having a glass of wine pre dinner is important this is the place to be

Alfredos - A FREE (Yes you heard that right) Pizzeria where it is literally the best pizza at sea

 

Deck 6

Features:

An enlarged casino with some very interesting new Chinese games

A better designed shore excursions desk area

 

Deck 14

Features:

The side of Horizon Court that is used at night for Sterlings Steakhouse is converted to The Crab Shack or The Hot Pot experience dependant on the night

 

Deck 15

Features:

An additional aft facing pool thats very deep! - This pool is also on the Diamond but forms part of Izumi

 

Diamond

 

Deck 6

Features:

A smaller casino

Additional Oceanview cabins

 

Deck 7

Features:

Kai Sushi

 

Deck 15

Features:

Izumi Japanese Baths

 

Other than those features listed above both ships are identical including the mentioned upgraded buffets and all the TVs have been upgraded to ondemand etc etc

 

Keep in mind Sapphire will be going into dry dock in Singapore in 2 months however nothing dramatic is planned. So she will be slightly fresher.

[bcnvcanada]

I have been on both, the Diamond this fall, loved the changes.

PLEASE NOTE THAT THE SAPPHIRE WILL UNDER GO A MAJOR

WORK WHEN IT ENTERS THE SHIPYARDS in Sinapore in early

spring. Since it is loaned out to a major Chinese company

for several months each year, it will be interesting to see

the changes in the Sapphire.

[Bizziecruzer]

Hi all - here's an interesting and not too well known fact. Originally the Diamond was the Sapphire and vice versa - During their builds the "original Diamond" caught on fire and so to enable the ship builders to deliver the "Diamond" on time they swapped the names so that the original Sapphire became what we know as the Diamond today. The original Diamond was obviously repaired and later launched as the Sapphire.:)