Fincantieri delivers the cruise line's first purpose-built MedallionClass ship in Italy
By
Rebecca Gibson |
Sky Princess has officially joined the Princess Cruises fleet, following a traditional delivery ceremony at Fincantieri’s shipyard in Monfalcone, Italy on 15 October.
The 3,660-guest Sky Princess is the 18th Princess Cruises ship, the fourth in the Royal class and the first to be purpose-built to offer the line’s new MedallionClass cruise experience. She marks a design evolution from her three existing sister ships – Royal Princess, Regal Princess and Majestic Princess.
Sky Princess will debut several new innovations, including two centrally located Sky Suites with the line’s biggest-ever balconies, a Wakeview pool on the aft deck, the Phantom Bridge escape room, and a Sanctuary with twice as many private cabanas as on Royal Princess and Regal Princess.
Other onboard highlights will include a reimagined Vista Lounge with a full bar, a new café in the Princess Live venue, a couple of deep-tank pools on the top deck, a Retreat Pool, more Jacuzzis than the previous Royal-Class ships and Take 5, which is billed as the only jazz theatre at sea and will host live performances, dance lessons and after-hours parties.
As a MedallionClass vessel, Sky Princess will also be equipped to work with the complimentary Ocean Medallion wearable device, which can be worn or carried by passengers to anticipate their every onboard need and deliver a personalised cruise experience. The fully automated device gives guests access to personalised dining experiences, interactive entertainment and games, wayfinding capabilities, transaction-free payments and expedited embarkation and disembarkation. Other benefits include touch-free access to staterooms, enhanced interactions with crew members and other guests, and the ability to connect to portals throughout the ship to see a real-time overview of shipboard events and activities.
“We wish to extend our sincere gratitude to our long-time shipbuilding partner Fincantieri who delivered Sky Princess to us,” said Jan Swartz, president of Princess Cruises. “As our new flagship in the fleet, Sky Princess represents the absolute best Princess Cruises has to offer our guests by connecting them with what matters most, unique destinations, loved ones, and new friends, while enjoying all the state-of the-art experiences in comfort and style.”
Sky Princess will embark on her maiden cruise on 20 October, sailing a seven-day Mediterranean and Adriatic voyage. The ship will then operate a short season in the Mediterranean before heading to the Caribbean. In 2020, the vessel will return to Europe and homeport in Copenhagen, Denmark to offer cruises to the Baltics and Russia.