grand princess christmas cruise

• Princess Cruises

Live from the Grand Princess, Dec 20-30th, Christmas cruise

By Coral , December 21, 2021 in Princess Cruises

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Life from Grand Princess - December 20 - 30th

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Sabatinis - sorry for glare.

Princess lunch on 2nd day:

Princess dinner - 2nd night formal night:

Crown Grill and a few more Christmas trees:

Following.  Thanks for including us. 

Kenosha Cruiser

Thanks for doing this live thread on the Grand Princess. The Christmas decorations look beautiful, also thanks for posting pictures. We will be on the Grand for the first time in May doing Alaska. Glad to hear the ship is in great shape. Have a wonderful time on your Christmas cruise! 

Cheers - Ken & Darlene

Thank you, T. I am so happy to be “sailing” with you!

Princess Patters for first 2 days.

Internet speed is pretty decent for a ship:

ChangeOrder

1 hour ago, Coral said: Princess Patters for first 2 days.    

Thank you! I'm watching for your posts eagerly, and appreciate you taking the time to post this for us.

Host CJSKIDS

Thanks for doing the live from and I hope the rest of your sailing is amazing!

gardenbunny

With that capacity it must seem empty!  Enjoy the peace and quiet. 🎄 🎄 🎄  I think the decorations look very nice.  Love the house display

We are doing NYE on Enchanted out of FLL.  Hoping for low capacity also.

47 minutes ago, gardenbunny said: With that capacity it must seem empty!  Enjoy the peace and quiet. 🎄 🎄 🎄  I think the decorations look very nice.  Love the house display We are doing NYE on Enchanted out of FLL.  Hoping for low capacity also.

I absolutely LOVE the capacity. I know Princess isn't thrilled with it. It seems weird to see the crew put hundreds of chairs out by the pool in the morning and then get them ready for Movies Under the Stars knowing that even if every passenger is out there, they would still have extra chairs. They seem to be going all out in regards to stuff like this.

In other ways - things are cut back. There is just one show at night and the ship is shutting down early. The buffet closes early, pizzeria closes early, burgers by the pool is closing earlier than normal. I really don't think anyone is complaining. International Cafe is still open and room service.

I hope you have an amazing cruise on the Enchanted! I think I heard there are 1500 expected next week on the Grand's New Years Eve cruise.

travelin.sisters

thank you! if you have time could you list the captain & cruise director please, we are (hopefully) sailing her to Hawaii on the 4th

Tuesday report - Day at Sea. The weather was probably 50's which was perfect for me. I had breakfast and lunch in the dining room. I did go to the casino for the first time in my life on a ship as it is smoke free. I gambled all of $10 and it went way too quick and I realized this was not for me. I am envious of everyone who gets casino offers and have come to the conclusion that I never will.

I read a book for most of the day. I had to move from area to area. I tried the covered pool area and could not get comfortable in the chairs out there. I later moved to Wheelhouse Lounge and then they started a presentation in there. Eventually I went to a port talk on SFO. In the covered pool area - there was a group of kids with their parents and grandparents making gingerbread houses. They were all having a blast and were enjoying virgin chocolate banana drinks while making the houses. It seemed like the kids were eating as much candy as they were putting on their creations. I did take a picture but won't post it because kids are involved. They had origami snow flake activity (or something like that) in Sabatini's when I was in Wheel House Lounge.

I did stop by the Captain Circle Host and Future Cruise desk after I found it. It is in the Crown Grill area. I would never have found it if the shore excursion office hadn't pointed me in the right direction. I did get 2 FCD and asked if I made the cut off for Most Traveled Lunch. I did not - I was close..... Thankfully my friend did make it so I can go as his +1. The Future Cruise Consultant (Bernadette) helped me extend a date on something - so I was thankful for her.

Everywhere I go - staff are constantly making the ship shine. IMO - nothing needs to be done but they are polishing chrome around elevators, painting exterior parts of the ship on the promenade, etc... I am not exaggerating that this ship is in excellent condition and looks amazing.

We went to the aft dining room tonight and had excellent wait staff. I think their names were Jeff and Mark. We decided to see if we could get this wait staff each night and they set us up with a set dining time at one of their tables.

I had a garden salad, beef tenderloin and then splurged and had the Norman Love dessert AND bananas foster. I wish they made the bananas foster and other items table side like they used to but they are not due to COVID.

Tomorrow is SFO and it is supposed to rain. Since I have been to SFO many times and my traveling friend lived there up until recently - we decided to play it by year. If it is just sprinkling - we will venture out but if it is raining - it will be a ship day.

I am enjoying having a mini-suite to myself! 

Tonight's dessert menu, dessert pictures and tomorrow's Patter:

42 minutes ago, travelin.sisters said: thank you! if you have time could you list the captain & cruise director please, we are (hopefully) sailing her to Hawaii on the 4th  

I will get this for you tomorrow. I am looking at my paperwork in my cabin and can not find either name on anything they have given me.

1 hour ago, travelin.sisters said: thank you! if you have time could you list the captain & cruise director please, we are (hopefully) sailing her to Hawaii on the 4th  

Captain is Mariano Manfuso and Hotel Manager is Michelle Castigliono. Still need to find CD's name.

1 hour ago, Coral said: Captain is Mariano Manfuso and Hotel Manager is Michelle Castigliono. Still need to find CD's name.

thank you for taking the time to look this up...have fun in SF or on the ship tomorrow

14 hours ago, Coral said:   While the ship is decorated for Christmas - it is not as decorated as my previous Christmas cruises. This is my 3rd Christmas at sea, all have been to Mexico.  It is decorated but just not to the extent.  

First of all, thanks for this live from.

Another thread said that Princess was doing their own Xmas decorating instead of hiring an outside company as in the past. This may be why there are less decorations than usual.

4 hours ago, caribill said:   First of all, thanks for this live from.   Another thread said that Princess was doing their own Xmas decorating instead of hiring an outside company as in the past. This may be why there are less decorations than usual.

There was always a Christmas tree on the funnel - I don't see one.

The trees are decorated so much different this time - I am not surprised if they did their own this time.

victory2020

The cruise director we had in October was British, late 30s - early 40s with shorter hair. He was hilarious & put on really funny shows with DJ Lovely. Cannot find his name in our paperwork. Hope he's still onboard.

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The Best Holiday Cruises Are With Princess!

Holiday Celebrations at Sea

A variety of holiday activities on board offer fun for the whole family. Don’t forget to pack your festive outfits and take part in the holiday cheer! Enjoy games & activities including:

• Stanley breakfast event – wear your family pajamas
• Storytime with Stanley
• Holiday family fun fair
• Holiday themed PJ party
• Ugly sweater party
• Gingerbread house making*
• Santa gift giving
• Snow in the Piazza
• Family snowman building competition*

*Subject to availability

Christmas Cruises

Take a Christmas cruise with Princess

White Christmas

Regardless of where you're sailing, it actually snows in the Atrium of your decked‐out Princess ship. And of course, Santa visits each of our ships for gift giving — we offer cookies for him, and carrots for his reindeer. Experience the Christmas tree lighting and mingle with Kris Kringle as Yuletide Carolers sing joyful classics onboard your ship. And our very own Stanley the bear joins in on the fun for holiday storytime and breakfast event. Don't forget to pack and wear your family holiday matching pajamas!

View Holiday cruises

Baby It's Cold Outside...

But it’s warm and toasty onboard a Princess ship! Enjoy Christmas on a cruise ship as you sip eggnog, compete in a magical gingerbread house‐making contest, snowman building competition or design a special keepsake ornament. Revel in the Ugly Sweater party (don't forget to pack it!), Holiday Family Fun Fair, and countless joyful activities await you on your holiday cruise.

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year

The most wonderful time of the year should be wonderful for everyone. That’s why Princess, voted the best cruise line for multigenerational families (Portholes) offers the best Christmas cruises for families and guests of all ages. Kids can go play in our youth and teen centers, where they’ll enjoy fun holiday parties (and you’ll enjoy evening kid-sitting for a nominal fee so parents can celebrate a festive night out too!). Then the whole family can reunite for a stress-free Christmas dinner, feasting on a delicious banquet while cherishing each other’s company.

Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, and New Year's Cruises

The Best Thanksgiving Cruises

Enjoy lovely autumn décor, take part in a Turkey Calling Contest, and add a special message to our annual Tree of Thanks in the ship's Atrium.

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Thanksgiving Dinner

Leave the cooking to Princess, and join us for an elaborate traditional holiday feast in the dining room, complete with all the trimmings.

Thanksgiving under the Stars

What would Thanksgiving be without football? Watch the games on our Movies Under the Stars ® outdoor big screen.

Hanukkah Cruises

The Festival of Lights burns brightly with a menorah‐lighting ceremony, themed crafts, festive décor and special events, like a reading of Sammy Spider's First Hanukkah on the first night of Hanukkah.

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Hanukkah Traditions

Enjoy traditional Hanukkah delicacies specially prepared by our professional chefs, such as potato latkes and gefilte fish. You can even pre-order kosher meals!

New Year's Cruises

Take a New Year's cruise. Count down and count your blessings on the biggest night of the year with a special New Year’s Eve dinner followed by a midnight celebratory Champagne toast.

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The Best Holiday Cruises — All Year Round

Mark the beginning of the Lunar New Year, with time–honored traditions for an immersive experience. Our Chinese New Year celebrations include symbolic red decorations that adorn the Piazza, mythological Lion Dancers thrill spectators, and much more.

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Love, life’s sweetest reward, is celebrated with hearts and flowers and special touches throughout the ship. Onboard, you can make a card for your sweetheart, send a singing telegram, renew your vows, watch themed Movies Under the Stars, and so much more.

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Celebrations of hope and springtime abound during this holy period. Onboard, you can participate in a Seder service, sit down with family for a traditional Easter dinner, and enjoy special visits from the Easter Bunny, and a candy egg hunt.

View Easter & Passover cruises

What’s the #1 travel gift moms want? A Mother's day cruise. Celebrate and pamper mom onboard with a relaxing spa treatment, a specially-themed balcony breakfast, complimentary sparkling wine and a rose at dinner, and much more.

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Watch the big game on our giant Movies Under the Stars screen, complete with grilled burgers and craft beers on deck. Treat your special dad to a hand–cut steak cooked to order at the Crown Grill. Celebrate the day with a whiskey tasting at the Wheelhouse Bar. It will be a Father’s Day he never forgets!

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Halloween on a Princess cruise ship promises more treats than tricks. Delight in spooky décor while carving pumpkins in the Princess Piazza. Ghostly grown-ups can attend our Halloween Fright Night Party, while little pumpkins can enjoy a costume parade, scavenger hunt, and, of course, lots of candy!

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Grand Princess

Cruise line Princess Cruises

• Vancouver (BC Canada)
• Los Angeles (Long Beach-San Pedro, California)
• Brisbane (Queensland Australia)
• Sydney (NSW Australia)
• Melbourne (Victoria Australia)

Grand Princess current position

Grand Princess current location is at North Pacific Ocean (coordinates 21.30213 N / -157.86533 W) cruising en route to HONOLULU. The AIS position was reported 18 minutes ago.

Current itinerary of Grand Princess

Grand Princess current cruise is 25 days, one-way from Sydney to San Francisco . Prices start from USD 1529 (double occupancy rates). The itinerary starts on 02 Apr, 2024 and ends on 27 Apr, 2024 .

Specifications of Grand Princess

•   Itineraries
•   Review
•   Wiki

Grand Princess Itineraries

Grand princess review, review of grand princess.

The 1998-built Grand Princess cruise ship is the 1st Grand-class Princess Cruises liner, with sisterships Crown ,  Diamond , Caribbean , Golden (now Pacific Adventure) , Emerald , Ruby , Star (now Pacific Encounter) and Sapphire .

The vessel (IMO number 9104005) is currently Bermuda- flagged (MMSI 310327000) and registered in Hamilton .

History - construction and ownership

Princess Cruises is a USA-based passenger shipping company headquartered in Beverly Hills CA. A former subsidiary of P&O Princess Cruises (1977-founded), in 2003, the company merged with Carnival Corporation - the world's largest cruise shipowner. Among Princess Cruise Lines Ltd's assets is the Caribbean private island resort Princess Cays (on Bahamas Eleuthera Island's southern end), located approx 80 km (50 mi) from Nassau .

When debuted in 1998, the 2600-passenger ship Grand Princess was promoted as "the biggest, the fastest cruise vessel in the world, the most advanced... the grandest cruise liner on the ocean." The boat did actually spend a year as the biggest-fastest at sea, but she is now dwarfed by many others which are bigger, faster, newer and more technologically advanced. Over a decade later, the main vessel design which anchors Princess' most popular class still holds its own thanks to a massive refurbishment in May 2011. The multi-million dollar overhaul of Grand Princess included a full transformation of the ship's atrium into the much jazzier Piazza (a newfangled addition represented by the fleet's most recent vessels that combines theatre in the round with food and drink outlets). Grand eventually got her own version of The Sanctuary, a popular adult-only sun deck that was released on Crown Princess in 2006.

Decks and Cabins

Most Grand Princess staterooms (1301 total, in 34 grades) are 170-ft2 balcony cabins (502). Almost 80% of the ship's outside staterooms have private step-out balconies. Wheelchair-accessible cabins are 27. The largest accommodation is the Grand Suite (615 ft2 / 57 m2, with terrace sized 115 ft2 / 11 m2).

The boat has 16 decks , of which 13 are passenger-accessible and 8 with cabins.

Shipboard dining options - Food and Drinks

Grand Princess passengers choose between open seating and two assigned dinner seatings; breakfast and lunch in all Princess restaurants are open seating. Alternative dinner venues include the reservations-only Sabatini’s Italian and Crown Grill restaurants (both with cover). All Princess Cruises Lido buffets are open around the clock. The Wheelhouse Bar serves a pub lunch, and a grill and pizzeria offer casual snack choices. The ice cream bars and patisseries charge for premium ice cream and specialty coffee. A wine bar offers extra-charge artisan cheeses and evening snacks. Chef’s Table and Ultimate Balcony Dining options are also available, as is afternoon tea and room service.

Follows the complete list of Grand Princess restaurants and food bars.

• Michelangelo Restaurant (ship's aft Dining Room; dinner only - offers “Anytime Dining” between 5:30 p.m. -10 p.m.)
• Crown Grill (160-seat steakhouse/seafood restaurant, reservations recommended; on select days serves British Pub Lunch, complimentary)
• Da Vinci Restaurant (ship's forward Dining Room for Breakfast 7-9 a.m., Lunch 12-1:30 p.m., Afternoon Tea 3:30-4:30 p.m.; features “Anytime Dining” for Dinner between 5:30-8 p.m. or 8-10 p.m.)
• Botticelli Restaurant (dinner only aft Dining Room; with 2 fixed seatings at 5:45 and 8 p.m.)
• Sabatini’s Restaurant (Italian specialty restaurant; reservations recommended). The officially named "Sabatini’s Italian Trattoria" restaurant debuted on Grand Princess in 1998. Today, it is available fleetwide. In 2017, Princess Cruises announced the restaurant's fleetwide enhancement via a partnership with celebrity chef Angelo Auriana. Among the upgrades are new interior design and updated menu (with antipasti and handmade pasta dishes by Chef Auriana). The transformed Sabatini’s debuted on Caribbean Princess in April 2017.
• Trident Grill & Prego Pizzeria (self-service, complimentary fast food bar)
• Alfredo’s Pizzeria (complimentary)
• Horizon Court (self-service buffet restaurant, complimentary)
• Sterling Steakhouse (specialty restaurant)

In April 2024 Princess Cruises announced that starting September 14th (2024) fleetwide would be introduced 3 distinct main dining/dinner table service options – Traditional, Reservable, and Walk-in Anytime. By the new program (introduced with Sun Princess) on each ship are allocated 3 separate dining rooms - one for Traditional dining (offering early and late dinner seating), one with Reservable times, and one for Walk-in Anytime (open-seating). The new options are integrated with the OceanNow service, allowing anything to be ordered anytime, and delivered anywhere onboard.

Shipboard entertainment options - Fun and Sport

Grand's piazza is magnificent. Its wide range of entertainment makes the versatile spot a popular destination where guests never know what they'll see. The best vantage point is from a Piazza seating, or opt for a table in adjoining lounges like the International Cafe and the wine bar Vines. 

Beyond the piazza, there are production shows in Princess Theatre, first-run movies in Vista Lounge, daytime music poolside by Calypso Band, and the many activities prepared by the cruise director's staff. Passengers can also enjoy the nighttime strains of Rosario Strings in the Grand Atrium, the individual performers and comics in Explorer's and Vista Lounges, the country band in Wheelhouse Bar, and the action in One5, a sophisticated venue that replaced the Skywalker's disco. 

Follows the complete list of Grand Princess lounges, clubs and other entertainment venues for kids, teens and adults.

• The Piazza Atrium (3-deck open floor area; features live performances entertainment and lobby Bar Piazza)
• Princess Fine Arts Gallery; Photo Gallery & Shop; Platinum Studio
• International Cafe (24-hour speciality coffee bar and patisserie)
• Vines Bar (wine/seafood/sushi bar)
• Internet Cafe (24-hour)
• Princess Grand Theatre (2-level musical and show productions; hosts workshops, seminars, game shows)
• Snooker’s Lounge & Bar (smoking lounge and sports bar)
• Calypso Cove Shop; Essence Shop; Meridian Bay Shop; Facets Shop
• Princess Grand Casino 
• Leaves Tea Lounge & Library (speciality teas room and library)
• Crooners Lounge & Bar (live music; also used for seminars)
• Explorers Lounge & Bar (disco/show lounge; hosts karaoke, comedy, game shows and art auctions)
• Vista Lounge & Bar
• Wheelhouse Bar (piano bar during the day and an English pub nightly)
• Explorers Lounge & Bar (hosts dance classes and quizzes, after 7:30 pm becomes Disco Nightclub)
• Scoops Bar (Sundaes Ice Cream Bar, complimentary)
• Al Fresco’s Bar; Sea Breeze Bar
• Grand’s Lotus Spa complex; Beauty Salon; Fitness Center (with Aerobics Studio)
• Hearts & Minds (Wedding Chapel)
• Movies Under the Stars (LED screen outdoor cinema)
• Video Games Arcade; Teen Center; Youth Center with Paddling Pool and outdoor playing areas
• The Conservatory (recreation area); The Sanctuary (adult-only open-air area); The Oasis relaxation area
• Calypso Reef & Pool area; Neptune’s Reef & Pool area
• Sports Court (volleyball, basketball, European football); Shuffleboard, Deck Chess; Princess Links mini-golf course
• The One5 Lounge & Nightclub.

Itineraries

Grand Princess itinerary program is based on 15-day Hawaii and 7-day Mexican Riviera cruises with departures from Californian homeports ( Los Angeles and San Francisco ). In the summer, Grand Princess sails in Alaska leaving out of Vancouver BC  (Canada).

In 2020 Grand Princess was scheduled to start a seasonal Singapore homeporting season (December 2020 through March 2021) as the first Princess MedallionClass liner homeported in Asia. However, these plans were canceled due to the Coronavirus crisis.

Grand Princess - user reviews and comments

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Other Princess Cruises cruise ships

• Caribbean Princess
• Coral Princess
• Crown Princess
• Diamond Princess
• Discovery Princess
• Emerald Princess
• Enchanted Princess
• Island Princess
• Majestic Princess
• Regal Princess
• Royal Princess
• Ruby Princess
• Sapphire Princess
• Sky Princess
• Star Princess
• Sun Princess

Grand Princess Wiki

The Fincantieri Monfalcone -built Princess Cruises Grand ship is the company's first Grand-class liner, with (same-designed) sisterships Golden and Star (now Pacific Encounter) . The other (similarly-designed) vessels from this series are Caribbean , Crown , Diamond , Emerald , Ruby , Sapphire .

Ship's inaugural cruise (maiden voyage) started on May 27, 1998. Its godmother was Olivia de Havilland - US actress born in 1916 in Japan, to British parents, most popular for her role in "Gone with the Wind" 1939). Ship's naming ceremony was on September 29, 1998. The liner is a little different than its sisters. The used timber is of darker woods and the interior design is closer to Sun Class ships (smaller-sized).

During the inaugural season, many popular actors participated in shipboard live performances. Among those were Al Martino, Lorna Luft, Bob Anderson, Rita Moreno, Red Buttons. Famous musicians that worked that year were the Canadian band "Mud Sharks" and Dominic Halpin together with his band.

During the ship's drydock refurbishment in 2013, Skywalkers Nightclub was removed from the stern, opening space for the new facilities Crown Grill, Pizzeria, Leaves (tea lounge) and "The One5" (nightclub).

Fun fact is that the Grand ship was a background scene for an episode of UK's "The Apprentice" (TV reality game show).

Cruise Ship Odyssey

Grand princess  (1998 – present), princess cruises.

• June 15, 2023

Once the largest and most expensive cruise ship ever built

Grand Princess  was ordered February 8, 1994 as part of a $2.5 billion expansion program. She was also the namesake of Princess Cruises’ Grand Class Cruising concept, redefining this cruise concept since it debuted in the mid 1990’s. This philosophy provides passengers with unparalleled choices following its credo “what you want, when you want”’.

 In spite of her being the largest cruise ship in the world and of course the new flagship of Princess Cruises she was presented  as a new vessel of the Sun-class although she differed from her “sister-ships” in many aspects.

She was the result of an ongoing race between the leading cruise lines of owning the largest cruise ship. It all started with Norwegian Cruise Lines’ 70,000GRT  Norway  in 1980, the rebuilt liner  France . Although the ideal size for a cruise ship was considered o be around 25,000GT at the time, she became a huge success.  At the end of the 1980’s, Royal Caribbean introduced the Sovereign-class ships, measuring 73,500GRT. Carnival followed with  Carnival Destiny  in 1996, the first passenger ship to surpass 100.000GRT.

And now  Grand Princess  entered service, measuring 107,500 GRT. Her length of 290 meters and draft of just under 8 meters were not that astonishing, but her width of 36 meters was the widest ever for a passenger ship. Her price tag of 450 million USD made her the most expensive cruise ship ever built.   Grand Princess ‘ propulsion consisted of two fixed-pitch propellors giving her a service speed of 22.5 knots.

It was a bit odd Princess Cruises classified her as a her a Sun-class vessel at first, but when an identical ship was launched in 2000,  Golden Princess , both ships would from now on be referred to as Grand-class ships. These first Grand-class ships would become the concept of an extensive series of ships.  Star Princess  entered service in 2002.  Diamond Princess  and  Sapphire Princess  (sometimes referred to as Gem-class) came online in 2004 and were built in Nagasaki, Japan instead of in at the Fincantieri yard in Monfalcone, Italy. On these later vessels the signature Skywalkers Lounge (more about this discotheque later) was moved forward directly behind the funnel. Their original position on the earlier ships above the stern had caused several problems, mostly so on  Grand Princess .

Also in 2004,  Caribbean Princess  was delivered, again built by Fincantieri.  Crown Princess, Emerald Princess  and  Ruby Princess  followed in 2006-2008. With two additional decks and measuring 113,500GRT they were larger than the original Grand class ships and could carry  an extra 500 passengers. A novelty was that The Sanctuary, an adults-only area was added, replacing the Sports Court.

As usual, Carnival Corp. brands not only builds ships in series, but the same design is repeated in ships for different brands. So for P&O Cruises, also belonging to the family of Carnival companies, two ships of the same basic design were built:  Ventura  (2009) and her sister  Azura  (2010).

Back to  Grand Princess , her maiden voyage was planned on May 3, 1998, but Fincantieri faced several technical issues during construction and was still in the process of fitting out so her first cruise from Southampton to Istanbul was cancelled. May 18, she was finally delivered to Princess Cruises and departed from Istanbul for a Mediterranean cruise on May 26. Her naming ceremony took place in New York on September 29. Her godmother Olivia de Havilland, a famous British-American actress born in 1916 who appeared in films like ‘A Midsummer Nights Dream’ in 1935, ‘Gone With The Wind’ in 1939 and ‘The Heiress’ in 1949 did the honours.

Grand Princess ’ public spaces were a bit more severe, darker and classic than those of her fleetmates. Later, this was reverted back to a more light and modern interior making her fit better in the Princess-fleet. Of course, her most striking feature was the Skywalkers lounge and discotheque, placed all aft on top of the ship, 150 ft above sea level and accessible via a glass-enclosed moving skywalk.  Those who didn’t like it that much compared it to a shopping cart handle. It was part of the stern-design by naval architect Giacomo Mortola. He wanted her stern to resemble that of a Spanish galleon, but in all honesty quite a bit of imagination was needed for that.

Apart from being the first cruise ship to exceed 100,000 tons and carrying a price tag of appr. $450 million,  Grand Princess  has an impressive list of firsts, for example

• 710 balconies, at the time the largest number on any cruise ship afloat,
• The largest casino afloat, measuring 13,500 square feet featuring an undersea theme with holographic artwork,
• The first wedding chapel at sea,
• The first cruise ship with three main dining rooms as well as three main show lounges,
• The first virtual reality center at sea with interactive games and a motion-based simulator ride,
• The first Southwestern restaurant at sea, one of three alternative dining venues onboard,
• The first ever telemedicine program at sea linking the ship’s medical staff with the emergency dept. at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles,
• At the time the only ship built with duplicate operational/ technical systems to ensure continued operation even in emergencies.

Although she is now a midsize cruise ship, when she was taken into service, in their advertisements  Princess Cruises left no stone unturned when it came to emphasizing just how large their new flagship really was:  Grand Princess  is 53ft/ 16 meters, too wide to cross the Panama Canal, she is 49 ft/ 15 meters taller than the Statue of Liberty, longer than four New York city blocks, she was 60 times more costly to build than the Titanic, one of her engines weighs as much as 57 African elephants and finally, the original famous Princess cruise ship, the Love Boat  Pacific Princess  fits in Grand Princess’ Horizon Court dining and lido areas.

In 2011,  Grand Princess  was thoroughly upgraded. Suites were added, public rooms were refurbished, her atrium revamped, casino remodeled, her boutiques and art-gallery were redone and, a first for Princess, a tearoom called Leaves was added. 

 However, the most important change was the removal of the Skywalkers lounge. It was replaced by a new nightclub on Deck   15, The One5. There were several reasons for the removal of the Skywalkers Lounge. One was fuel-efficiency. The all aft positioned lounge posed a heavy weight on her stern, lifting the bows up when at sea and causing more drag, resulting in higher fuel consumption. Sailing without it would save around 4% fuel. On top of this, inspection revealed that the heavy weight caused structural problems resulting in small cracks in her top decks. This is one of the reasons that instead of steel, on later vessels, aluminium was used and the lounge was moved forward just behind the funnel. This also solved passengers’ complaints that the lounge put the aft sun deck partly in the shade being placed over it.

November 30, 2015 a malfunction of the ships’ switchboard started a fire in the engine room.  Grand Princess  was on her way from San Francisco to Hawaii when the fire started. Luckily, there were no casualties, but two ports of her cruise were skipped because she needed to slow down.  All passengers received a full refunds and repairs were carried out at Honolulu.  

Two years later, on August 9, 2017,  Grand Princess  entered Ketchikan, Alaska with a dead humpback whale folded around her bow. The incident happened during a 10-day Alaskan cruise and no one on board had noticed it. It was not known if the whale was already dead or had been killed on impact.

At the start of the COVID-19 pandenic in February 2020,  Grand Princess  returned for a cruise to Mexico with infected cruise passengers on board. One of them died. Port authorities kept the ship offshore while passengers were tested. 19 passengers and 2 crewmembers were tested positive. Finally, she was allowed to dock in the industrial Port of Auckland. The number of sick passengers rapidly grew, but guests were gradually allowed to disembark. They were taken to hospital if needed or to military bases in the vicinity. At the end of April, already 7 people had died because of the virus.  Grand Princess , after leaving the Port of Auckland stayed in quarantine in the Bay of San Francisco for three weeks before she was allowed to dock in San Franscisco for provisioning. Soon afterwards, when cruising came to a halt worldwide, she too disappeared into lay-up, to be reactivated 18 months later in September 2021.

Grand Princess ‘ facilities and size, after 24 years of service, may not be as spectacular as they were back in 1998, but she is still a much loved cruise ship with a loyal following. Hopefully she will stay around for many years to come!

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The Grand Princess Review: Ship, Venues, And Food

Setting sail on the Grand Princess opens up a world of captivating destinations if it’s your first time on a cruise ship. In this Grand Princess review, you’ll discover its public areas and why cruising on this Grand-class vessel may be suited to you.

Although launched before 2000, the vessel is one of the cruise line’s smaller ships. She is also one of the older vessels in the Princess fleet.

The ship underwent a refurbishment in 2019. The staterooms saw upgrades with larger flat-screen TVs and the addition of Luxury Princess beds.

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Around the ship, Princess refreshed the pools, added the Ocean Medallion, and new venues such as the Salty Dog Grill and Slice Pizzeria.

As one of the jewels in Princess Cruises fleet, the ship boasts a passenger capacity of approximately 2,600 guests. Grand Princess passengers can opt for cruises and cruise tours to Alaska in the summer.

In the off-season, the ship repositions via Hawaii and Tahiti to Melbourne, Australia. However, you can also find the odd itinerary along the Pacific Coast and to Mexico. So, whether you board in San Francisco, Vancouver, or Sydney, here’s what you’ll expect onboard.

Grand Princess Review: First Impressions

Although not as large as the Discovery Princess, the line’s new ship , the Grand still has the signature amenities – the Sanctuary, Movies under the Stars, and aft pool.

While Princess refurbished the vessel in 2019, the abundance of wood remained, giving it a traditional and, dare I say, outdated décor.

The ship received a new Piazza atrium, which often became a central gathering spot for entertainment, dance classes, and live music. It’s an ideal spot to grab a morning latte, enjoy a late-night pizza, or chill to the sound of a piano playing.

Sometimes events are hosted in the Piazza during the day. I enjoyed a fruit and vegetable carving demonstration during my sailing.

The Promenade deck has the classic wraparound circuit, often removed on newer vessels, for those who love to walk laps.

It’s refreshing to have the use of the Medallion app onboard this older vessel. Whether you’re a fan of using a smartphone for everything or not, you can’t help but love the feature that it opens your stateroom door.

Grand Princess Stateroom Review

For our early May Alaska cruise itinerary from Vancouver, we booked an oceanview guaranteed cabin for three. We were assigned a room on deck 5 or the Plaza deck.

At the last minute, the third person opted not to go, so it became a stateroom for two.

However, when we arrived, our steward had lowered the Pullman bed and set up the cabin for three guests. It was later put away to accommodate two comfortably.

The room was dated but comfortable, and had enough storage for our Alaskan adventure. According to Princess’ website, the room measured approximately 165 sq. feet but seemed smaller due to the configuration of the closet.

There was no couch but a small desk instead. Adjacent to that was the usual mini-fridge, ideal for hoarding those late-night snacks.

I appreciated that the bedside lamps had USB plugs to charge our smartphones. Plus, there were other sockets to charge our batteries and use a laptop.

The bathroom was a typical cruise cabin size, small and unfortunately, with a shower curtain instead of the upgrade glass doors.

Our cabin steward kept our stateroom refreshed on a daily basis and provided clean towels when we needed them.

Being an older vessel, the Grand Princess doesn’t have lavish multi-bedroom suites. Its smallest cabins, interiors measure 160 sq. feet, and the largest, the Grand Suite has 730 sq. feet of floor space.

Laundry Services

One of the benefits of cruising with Princess is the ability to do laundry. This service is beneficial if you’re booked on an extended itinerary or sailing to Alaska, where you need clothing for three seasons.

With the exception of deck 14, you can find a self-serve launderette on every deck with staterooms. Most decks have the laundry room near the aft, except for deck 5, which is positioned near the bow, opposite cabin P208.

Washers and dryers cost USD 3; you can purchase tokens with your Ocean Medallion.

Dining And Food Options

The Grand Princess cruise ship has three main dining rooms; Da Vinci, Michelangelo, and Botticelli. You will be assigned one of these if you request a set dining time. While the decors vary, the menu remains the same.

Alternatively, you can choose anytime dining where you can eat anywhere, at any time. Interestingly, the Crown Princess dining rooms share the same name.

Da Vinci and Botticelli Restaurants are located on deck 6, with no access between them. I always found this frustrating, as you must go up or down one deck to gain access.

Service and quality of food were good, but Princess tends to stand out above the rest with their presentation of desserts.

Princess Cruises has teamed up with one of the world’s top chocolatiers to create a delectable experience for chocolate lovers on board.

Horizon Court Buffet

The Horizon Court buffet on the Lido deck offers plenty of selection if you prefer something more casual. It offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

On the last night of the cruise, the buffet included complimentary sushi, something you usually get at a specialty restaurant. While it looked great, it didn’t match the fantastic sushi we are accustomed to in Vancouver.

We ate there for breakfast and lunch due to its convenience. There was always lots of selection, including gluten-free, vegan, and vegetation.

Other Dining Options

You can indulge in various chocolate desserts from the main dining room to specialty restaurants and the buffet. And for those who enjoy a good drink, there are chocolate-flavored cocktails and wine pairings to savor.

The Grand has not one but two places to get pizza at sea. Alfredo’s Pizzeria offers a sit-down experience, where thin-crust pizzas are made-to-order. Gluten-free crust is available to those who require it. It costs USD 14.99 to eat here, but waived if you have Princess Plus or Premier packages.

On the Lido deck, Prego Pizzeria offers a grab-and-go pizza by the slice. You won’t have an option for gluten-free here.

The Salty Dog Grill, added during the 2019 retrofit, offers craft burgers, tacos, fries, sandwiches, and hot dogs. Again, it’s a USD 14.99 fee if you don’t have an upgraded package.

You have two choices to get your caffeine fix: the International Café or Coffee & Cones. The International Café has tasty treats, pastries, and wraps if you need a quick bite between meals.

Coffee & Cones, as the name suggests, has soft-serve complimentary ice cream. You can also purchase USD 3 ice cream sandwiches, such as the Mint Paddy or Cookie Colada.

Tea drinkers might enjoy the Leaves Tea Lounge, which shares its space with a small library. Located on the Promenade deck, you can enjoy a specialty tea with a book, jigsaw puzzle, or daily puzzle.

Princess ships also offered afternoon tea, which was complimentary. Attend at least one tea ritual if you’re a fan of finger sandwiches, scones, and tasty treats.

Guests on a Princess Cruises vessel enjoy complimentary room service for continental breakfast. Outside of breakfast, there’s a minimal USD 5 charge (complimentary for Plus and Premier packages).

Crown Grill

If you want an elevated dining experience, consider dining at one of the specialty restaurants. While Princess may not have the best steakhouse across all lines, its Crown Grill steakhouse offers a pleasing menu.

At an affordable price of USD 39, it’s USD 25 cheaper than a steakhouse dinner on a Royal Caribbean ship.

The menu included 14oz rib-eye steak, double lamb chops, grilled jumbo shrimp, and lobster tail. I loved that the meal had a salt menu; the Hawaiian Black Salt was my favorite.

Make sure you leave room for dessert. I recommend the Key Lime Pie Bar or the 7-Layer S’Mores Stack, which are as sinfully delicious as it looks.

Sabatini’s

Slightly cheaper, the cuisine and atmosphere at Sabatini’s will whisk you away to a quaint village in Italy. Here, the handmade pasta and risotto are superb, packed with flavor and the right amount of seasoning.

Since I require gluten-free and lactose-free, I tend to avoid Italian restaurants. However, Sabatini’s was able to cater to my needs. The food was beyond amazing and a place I could have enjoyed for more than one night.

Sabatini’s has its own bar menu. So, you can enjoy a Prosecco cocktail, a classic Italian drink, or Limoncello with your dessert.

Bars And Lounges

On the Grand Princess, you’ll find twelve bars and lounges, each with its own unique ambiance and selection. The Mermaid’s Tail Bar, situated by the pool, serves refreshing tropical concoctions and ice-cold beers, perfect if you need respite from the sun-drenched deck.

Located between two casual food venues, you’ll also enjoy easy access to comfort food.

The Vista Lounge Bar, with its stunning panoramic views, offers a stylish setting to savor your favorite wine, cocktail, or spirits.

If you prefer a more intimate setting, the Wheelhouse Bar exudes a touch of elegance reminiscent of a classic gentlemen’s club. Patrons can enjoy top-shelf spirits like single malt whiskies and aged cognacs.

Since we were cruising to Alaska in early May, guests favored the indoor bars to escape the cold weather outside. Princess provides destination drinks and beers, so in Alaska, why not try an Alaskan beer?

Princess Cruises has elevated its standard drinks packages to Princess Plus and Princess Premier. It’s similar to competitors’ all-in-one, where Wi-Fi, gratuities, and drinks are included.

At USD 80 per day, the Premier package includes drinks up to USD 20. The Plus package costs USD 60 daily, giving you drinks up to USD 15 each.

Guests are limited to 15 beverages a day, and the cruise line bills any amount exceeding the price limit.

Entertainment

The Grand Princess boasts a variety of evening entertainment options typical to what you find on cruise ships. You can expect Broadway-style shows, live music performances, comedy presentations, and solo artists.

The Princess Theater provides two shows per evening so guests can attend, regardless of their dining schedule. Alternatively, the Vista Lounge on deck 7 aft provided entertainment too.

Live music often echoes through the Piazza and plays on the Lido deck in warmer destinations.

Daytime entertainment includes trivia, cooking demonstrations, game shows, and sports events. The onboard shops and casino also hosted events.

Depending on where you’re cruising, you may also enjoy educational lectures about the region’s wildlife and culture. In Alaska, for instance, themed activities enhanced the Alaskan experience.

Pools And Hot Tubs

While small, the Grand Princess has four swimming pools and eight hot tubs. As the aft, the Terrace pool provides those calming wake views.

Known for its serene atmosphere, you’ll enjoy fewer people than the main pool, and offers a more intimate setting.

One deck up, the Lido is home to two pools and four hot tubs. A giant TV screen next to the outdoor venue offers classic Movies under the stars. Unfortunately, it was a bit too cold to watch an outdoor movie in May.

The other pool is covered, making it an ideal vessel for cold climate destinations like Alaska.

On deck 15, you’ll find the last pool inside the spa, with two additional hot tubs. Adjacent to the pools, guests can enjoy complimentary steam rooms and saunas, which are missing from their newer vessels.

An adjoining fitness center offers all the standard gym equipment and aerobic classes.

If you’re cruising with children, Camp Discovery has a designated area that provides activities for different age groups. Voyagers welcome those from 6 months to two years.

Children 3 to 7 play in the whimsical area called The Treehouse. For ages 8 to 12, the Lodge provides outdoor sports and indoor games such as air hockey and foosball.

Teenagers (13 to 17 years) in The Beach House have a stylish hang-out to enjoy with new friends and listen to music.

Children can enjoy pizza parties, friendly competitions, and dance classes, as well as an arts program, games, and themed events.

Medallion App And Internet

In a world of advancing technology, Princess requires everyone to do everything on an app. Great if you have a smartphone and a working app.

We found the app glitchy at times; sometimes it worked, and other times it didn’t. When it worked, we could order food and drinks, and the crew members would find us onboard.

If you haven’t purchased the Princess Plus or Premier, there’s a one-time Ocean Now activation fee of USD 14.99 t order food and drinks.

The app is one of the easiest to navigate. If you don’t have a cellphone, you can access its features on one of the large LCD screens scattered around the ship.

If you require Wi-Fi, the MedallionNet basic service costs USD 15 per day, per device, for the cruise duration.

However, if you purchased the Princess Plus, you’ll receive Wi-Fi for one device. The Princess Premier package includes Wi-Fi for four devices.

MedallionNet was a bit slow and, at times, didn’t work in some areas of Alaska. While some cruise lines have gone to the faster Starlink, Princess has not.

Princess Patter

The Princess Patter provides you with daily activities, available dining venues, and “what’s going on” around the ship. With the introduction of the Medallion app, Princess, like many other lines, encourages guests to go paperless.

Since so many guests experience problems with the app or the app stops working, I still request my cabin steward leave me a paper copy of the Princess Patter each day.

Final Thoughts

The Grand Princess provides an ideal cruising vessel for those wanting to escape the crowds of a larger vessel. Being an older ship, it offers excellent itineraries at good value for money. You can also read my experience aboard her sister ship, the Crown Princess.

The staff is attentive, and the food is better than average. If you’re seeking a budget-friendly cruise without too many children, consider the Grand.

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Queen Mary 2 Overview

The Queen Mary 2 is famous for making her regular transatlantic crossings from London (Southampton) to New York. During these crossings passengers are welcomed to participate in tons of activities. During the day you can take acting classes hosted by performers from the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art or get some exercise playing a tennis match on the Sports Court. The liner’s piece de resistance is the full-scale planetarium, where you can gaze above as you learn about the mysteries of the universe. At night get ready to break out your dancing shoes when you attend a formal ball. All throughout your cruise you’ll be meet with helpful staff and taste some of the finest food at sea. It’s truly a royal sailing experience. 

• Passenger Capacity: 2,691 (double occupancy)
• Year Built: 2004
• Last Refurbished: 2020

Queen Mary 2 Cruise Destinations

Cunard Line is famous for its transatlantic sailings, but they offer an impressive set of destinations and some fantastic itineraries all over the world. Visit four continents and hundreds of ports-of-call ranging from Tortola, British Virgin Islands to Tallinn, Estonia. Whether it be a historically enriching cruise to Northern Europe, or a tropical Hawaiian vacation, one of Cunard’s three regal ships will proudly be your vessel. 

From Mauritius to Cape Town, immerse yourself in the rugged beauty and special historical, cultural and culinary attractions of a cruise to Africa with Cunard Line.

Delight in the historic treasures and scenic pleasures of the Far East on a cruise through Asia aboard Cunard Line’s world-famous ocean liners.

Fall Foliage will delight you and the quaint history and culture will engage you onboard a cruise to Canada & New England.

Eastern Caribbean

Live the island life with Cunard in the Eastern Caribbean, where the sun is always shining. 

History comes alive when you visit sites like the Colosseum in Rome, Checkpoint Charlie in Berlin and the Hermitage in St. Petersburg. 

Northern Europe

History of royalty, fjords of Norway, and Baltic delights—Northern Europe cruises are an exciting vacation option.

Panama Canal

See man-made and natural wonders on a serene Cunard Line sailing through the revolutionary Panama Canal.

Transatlantic

Enjoy the excellent experience that is a vacation away from the everyday, sailing across the Atlantic and stopping at intriguing ports—try a transatlantic cruise.

Find adventure. Indulge on fine cuisine. Interact with everything from dolphins to wallabies. Travel the world with a World Voyage.

Queen Mary 2 Departure Ports

Traveling across the pond, there’s no cruise line better than Cunard, with more than 150 years of history, this brand makes routine cruises from Southampton to New York City and vice versa. However, they offer more than just transatlantic sailings. You can sail around the world with Cunard from Tokyo to Athens to San Francisco. Call The Cruise Web for a great offer on a Cunard cruise.

Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Dubai is a modern city that people from all nationalities flock towards to indulge in designer clothes, fancy hotels and the high life.

The near perfect days, beautiful scenery, pristine beaches and sparkling water offer the perfect backdrop for any dream adventure in Sydney, Australia.

Hong Kong, Hong Kong Sar, China

One of the world’s most exciting modern cities, Hong Kong offers a true East meets West experience where you can shop for traditional Chinese cure-alls and attend high tea all in the same afternoon.

Singapore, Singapore

Southeast Asia’s most modern city, Singapore, also contains a lot of history and treasures from the past, along with a perfect tropical climate – all making Singapore a wonderful destination year round.

Le Havre (Paris), France

In Northern France, explore Le Havre, a city with modern architecture and one of the most inspiring collections of Impressionist artwork.

Hamburg, Germany

A large city, Hamburg offers visitors an array of attractions. From the old buildings of the past to the vibrant red light district, there’s something for everyone cruising to Hamburg, Germany.

A cruise to Civitavecchia is a chance for you to hop a quick train to Rome and explore the enormous history through ruins, galleries and The Vatican museums.

The possibilities are endless when cruising to or from the City of Angels. Let your inner rock star shine as you explore the many wonders of Los Angeles, California.

Take in the incredible art scene of New York City, expand your cultural horizons in the city’s diverse neighborhoods and marvel at the architectural wonders.

Quebec City, Quebec

It’s easy to be wowed by Quebec City as Old World Europe is mixed with North American cultures alongside breathtaking landscapes and the flowing Saint Lawrence River.

On a cruise from San Francisco you can experience all that the ‘City by the Bay’ has to offer, from its artistic, forward-looking culture to the beautiful coastline.

The cruise port of Southampton features tons of diverse attractions that provide insight into England’s culture and storied past, including fortresses, gardens and national parks.

Queen Mary 2 Deck Plans

Deck eleven, deck twelve, deck thirteen, queen mary 2 staterooms.

Balcony (BB)

Enjoy the view from your private balcony or the comfort of your luxurious interior as you relax in your well appointed accommodation. The Britannia Balcony staterooms have two beds, a shower, living area and balcony.

Balcony (BC)

Balcony (bf).

Balcony (DB)

Balcony (dc), balcony (df).

Balcony (BU)

Balcony (bv), balcony (by), balcony (bz).

Balcony (B3)

Our spacious balcony staterooms include a sitting area with sofa, ample closet space and bathroom with shower. (269 sq. ft.)

Balcony (A1)

Your Britannia Club Balcony offers space to relax, both inside and on your generous balcony. You will also dine in the Britannia Club Restaurant, a private area of the grand Britannia Restaurant, offering you the freedom to choose when you eat each evening. The Britannia Club Balcony staterooms have two beds, a shower, living area and balcony.

Balcony (A2)

Inside (KC)

From organised coffee gatherings to a host of daytime activities, solo travellers will always feel welcome and busy on board. Of course, thereÂ’s something to be said for relaxation too so you will find plenty of personal space both inside and out. The Britannia Single Oceanview staterooms have one bed, a living area and a shower.

Inside (IA)

Relax in complete peace and comfort, cocooned from the stress of the everyday. The Britannia Standard Inside staterooms have one bed, a desk area with seat and a shower.

Inside (IB)

Inside (ic), inside (ie), inside (if).

Inside (HB)

Relax in complete peace and comfort, cocooned from the stress of the everyday. The Britannia Atrium View Inside staterooms have one bed, a desk area with seat and a shower.

Oceanview (KB)

Oceanview (EF)

Gaze upon an ever changing seascape from your large window, which offers lots of natural light in your spacious stateroom. The Britannia Oceanview staterooms have one bed, a living area and a shower.

our Princess Grill Suite is spacious and relaxing. A private balcony and separate seating area offers space to relax and, of course you have exclusive access to the Grills Lounge and renowned Princess Grill restaurant. The Princess Suites have two beds, a bath and shower along with a living area and balcony.

Your Queens Grill Suite is the pinnacle of luxury at sea. A personal butler will see to your every request, a large lounge area offers space to relax and your suite will command the very best views. The Grand Duplexes have a bedroom and two master bathrooms upstairs. Downstairs you'll find a guest bathroom, a living and dining area as well as a balcony.

Your Queens Grill Suite is the pinnacle of luxury at sea. A personal butler will see to your every request, a large lounge area offers space to relax and your suite will command the very best views. The Penthouse Suites have two beds, a bath, a shower, a living area and a balcony.

Your Queens Grill Suite is the pinnacle of luxury at sea. A personal butler will see to your every request, a large lounge area offers space to relax and your suite will command the very best views. The Queens Suites have two beds, a bath, a shower, a living area and a balcony.

Your Queens Grill Suite is the pinnacle of luxury at sea. A personal butler will see to your every request, a large lounge area offers space to relax and your suite will command the very best views. The Royal Suites have a bedroom, bath and shower as well as seperate living and dining areas.

Photo Gallery for Queen Mary 2 Cruise Ship

Get a glimpse at the regal atmosphere that awaits you on a Cunard Cruise among one of their three Queens: Queen Mary 2, Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth in this photo gallery. 

Commodore Club

Queen Mary 2

Winter Garden

Top 10 Queen Mary 2 Cruises

• Queen Mary 2 7 NIGHT Transatlantic CRUISE Departing From Southampton, England (Apr 2024 - Dec 2026)
• Queen Mary 2 7 NIGHT Transatlantic CRUISE Departing From New York, New York (May 2024 - Nov 2026)
• Queen Mary 2 9 NIGHT Transatlantic CRUISE Departing From New York, New York (May 2024 - Oct 2026)
• Queen Mary 2 2 NIGHT Europe CRUISE Departing From Southampton, England (May 2024 - Oct 2026)
• Queen Mary 2 4 NIGHT Europe - Northern CRUISE Departing From Southampton, England (May 2024 - Nov 2026)
• Queen Mary 2 9 NIGHT Transatlantic CRUISE Departing From Hamburg, Germany (May 2024 - Jul 2026)
• Queen Mary 2 2 NIGHT Europe CRUISE Departing From Hamburg, Germany (May 2024 - Jul 2026)
• Queen Mary 2 23 NIGHT Europe - Northern CRUISE Departing From New York, New York (May 2024)
• Queen Mary 2 3 NIGHT Europe - Northern CRUISE Departing From Southampton, England (May 2024 - Jul 2025)
• Queen Mary 2 6 NIGHT Transatlantic CRUISE Departing From Southampton, England (Jun 2024 - Jul 2024)

Learn More About Cunard

Accessibility

Learn about Cunard Line's handicap accessible cruises and accommodations for guests with special needs or disabilities.

Savor variety of dining options aboard Cunard Line cruises, including the Queens Grill, Princess Grill, Britannia restaurant, Queens Room, Todd English, Kings Court, Golden Lion Pub and more.

Entertainment

Enjoy Cunard Line's onboard entertainment, including live music, the Royal Court Theatre, Commodore Club entertainment, Royal Night Theme Balls, Queens Room dancing, karaoke and more.

Onboard Activities

Participate in Cunard Line's onboard activities, including Cunard Insights lectures, Book Clubs, computer lab, duty-free shopping, sports courts, art galleries, dance classes, afternoon tea, deck games, golf simulators and more.

Service & Awards

Learn about Cunard Line's famous White Star Service and extensive list of onboard services. Plus, view Cunard Line's cruising awards.

Spa & Fitness

Relax in Cunard Line's pools, the Royal Spa and Canyon Ranch SpaClub, where spa treatments range from relaxing massages to Ayurvedic experiences.

Special Events

Learn about Cunard Line's special cruises with exclusive speakers, activities and shore excursions, including Wine Lecture and Tasting voyages.

Explore Cunard Line's luxurious staterooms, including Queen and Princess Grill Suites, balconies, oceanviews and inside staterooms - each beautifully appointed in Cunard's classic style.

Youth Programs

Learn about cruising with children aboard Cunard Line. Cunard's youth programs are for ages 2 - 17, including the Play Zone (ages 2-7), Kids Zone (ages 8-12) and Teen Zone (ages 13-17).

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Red Square & Moscow City Tour

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Description

Highlights:.

• Experience medieval Kitay Gorod (China town).
• Wander picturesque Red Square and Alexander Garden.
• Explore grand Christ the Savior Cathedral on our Red Square tour.
• Breathtaking panoramic views from Patriarch bridge.
• Enjoy a hearty lunch on the large open verandah and marvel at the stunning views of the Kremlin.
• Learn about Russian culture from the local through relaxed cultural discussions.

Tour Itinerary:

Red square:.

Russia and Moscow are synonymous with Red Square and the Kremlin and that's hardly surprising as you'll find these places absolutely stunning!

• - Walk-through the Resurrection Gate and don’t forget to flip a coin so you’ll be sure to come back one day!
• - Visit the world's famous Kazan Cathedral .
• - See the State Department Store (GUM), once the Upper Trading Stalls, which were built over a century ago and still operating!
• - Admire the lovely St. Basil's Cathedral! The French diplomat Marquis de Custine commented that it combined "the scales of a golden fish, the enamelled skin of a serpent, the changeful hues of the lizard, the glossy rose and azure of the pigeon's neck" and wondered at "the men who go to worship God in this box of confectionery work".
• - Walk by Lobnoye Mesto (literally meaning "Execution Place", or "Place of Skulls"), once Ivan the Terrible's stage for religious ceremonies, speeches, and important events.
• - Entering the Alexander Garden , you’ll take in spectacular views of Russian architecture from ancient to Soviet times, as well as the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier with an eternal flame. Watch Changing of the Guard Ceremony every hour in summer and every half an hour in winter.

Kitai-gorod:

Stroll along medieval Kitai-gorod with its strong ancient Russia feel, known for its bohemian lifestyle, markets and arts.

• - Nikolskaya Street. Here you will find the Russia's first publishing house, the second oldest monastery, and Ferryn Pharmacy, known as the number one pharmacy back in Soviet times and famous for its Empire-style architecture.
• - Ilinka Street. The financial street of the Kitaigorod (China Town) district, where you’ll find the Gostiny Dvor (Merchant’s Yard), which is now a showroom for Ferraris and Maseratis. The street was designed in the 1790s by Catherine the Great.
• - Varvarka street. The oldest street in Moscow, which dates back to the 14th century, and still has remnants of early Muscovite architecture, such as the Old English Court and the Palace of the Romanov’s.
• - Kamergersky Lane. Only a small road of about 250 meters, it is home to some of the oldest artifacts of the city, as each building holds a fascinating story. Some of Russia's most famous writers, poets, and composers from as far back as the Golden Age of Russian culture, have lived or worked on this lane.

Historic City Center

Walk the historical old center of Moscow with its cool local vibe, including the main Tverskaya street , and indulge in desserts in the first grocery “Eliseev's store” , housed in an 18th century neoclassical building, famous for its baroque interior and decoration.

From our tour. Impressions of our American tourist:

At 3:30, as energy flagged, lunch was on the agenda at a Ukrainian restaurant.  Just in time!  We asked our guide to order for us.  We all had the same thing....borscht (the Ukrainian version has beans and more tomatoes than the Russian version, which has more beets and includes beef). 

The special high bread served is called galushki.  Our main course was golubtsy...a dish of minced meat rolled in braised cabbage leaves.  Both dishes called for optional sour cream as a topping....of course, yes, please....I recommend it. 

Full, satisfied, and completely refreshed, it was off to Red Square and St. Basil's and GUM department store.  Red Square is not so named because of the color of the brick walls of the Kremlin.  Rather the word for 'red' and the word for 'beautiful' are similar in pronunciation....and, there you have it. 

As we made the turn by the National Museum in front of which is the mounted sculpture of the "Marshall of Victory," Giorgy Zhukov from WWII and caught our first view of St. Basil's, my friend and I simultaneously emitted "Oooohhhhh!"  There it was....the iconic onion domes of St. Basil's!  Hooray....it was open until 7....we had about 30 minutes and were allowed in, AND we could take photos with no flash. 

Now, I can give you a taste of what we saw in the other cathedrals in Cathedral Square.  What we learned is that St. Vasily and St. Basil are one in the same....Russian/English.  He was a common man who wandered Moscow unclothed and barefoot.  But, all, even Ivan the Terrible, heeded his opinions derived from his visions.  Ivan had this cathedral built over his tomb. 

As we exited and took photos up close of the onion domes, Inna presented us with chocolate (how did she know we were ready for another energy boost, and we each got a big piece of chocolate.  The baby's name pictured on the wrapper of this famous Russian chocolate is Alyonka....the Russian Gerber baby, don't you think? 

One could wear out the credit card in GUM's (capitalized because it is actually a government abbreviation), but the 'kitty' and my credit card stayed in my pocket as we strolled through the glass-topped arcade. 

We then strolled through some of Moscow's lovely pedestrian streets; paused to listen as a wonderful quartet performed Vivaldi's "Four Seasons" in an underground passage to cross the busy street (hooray!....we DID have our 'classical concert' experience after all; a request Alina tried in vain to fill because none was scheduled those days), saw the Bolshoi, which means 'big' (my friend has yet to recover that their performance schedule did not coincide with our cruise), saw the Central Telegraph Building, dating from the 1930's, and made our way to the Ritz-Carlton to see the night view of Moscow from the rooftop bar, called O2. 

There were fleece blankets to wrap yourself in....yes, it got that cold when the sun set.  We each ordered something hot to drink...the ginger, mint, lemon tea served to me in a parfait glass (for 600 rubles...about $9....you pay for the view here!) was delightful and hit the spot perfectly.  It was time to call it a night....

What you get:

• + A friend in Moscow.
• + Private & customized Moscow tour.
• + An exciting city tour, not just boring history lessons.
• + An authentic experience of local life.
• + Flexibility during the tour: changes can be made at any time to suit individual preferences.
• + Amazing deals for breakfast, lunch, and dinner in the very best cafes & restaurants. Discounts on weekdays (Mon-Fri).
• + A photo session amongst spectacular Moscow scenery that can be treasured for a lifetime.
• + Good value for souvenirs, taxis, and hotels.
• + Expert advice on what to do, where to go, and how to make the most of your time.

*This Moscow city tour can be modified to meet your requirements.

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Ch. 9 The Development of Russia

Ivan i and the rise of moscow, learning objective.

• Outline the key points that helped Moscow become so powerful and how Ivan I accomplished these major victories
• Moscow was considered a small trading outpost under the principality of Vladimir-Suzdal into the 13th century.
• Power struggles and constant raids under the Mongol Empire’s Golden Horde caused once powerful cities, such as Kiev, to struggle financially and culturally.
• Ivan I utilized the relative calm and safety of the northern city of Moscow to entice a larger population and wealth to move there.
• Alliances between Golden Horde leaders and Ivan I saved Moscow from many of the raids and destruction of other centers, like Tver.

A rival city to Moscow that eventually lost favor under the Golden Horde.

Grand Prince of Vladimir

The title given to the ruler of this northern province, where Moscow was situated.

The Rise of Moscow

Moscow was only a small trading outpost in the principality of Vladimir-Suzdal in Kievan Rus’ before the invasion of Mongol forces during the 13th century. However, due to the unstable environment of the Golden Horde, and the deft leadership of Ivan I at a critical time during the 13th century, Moscow became a safe haven of prosperity during his reign. It also became the new seat of power of the Russian Orthodox Church.

Ivan I (also known as Ivan Kalita) was born around 1288 to the Prince of Moscow, Daniil Aleksandrovich. He was born during a time of devastation and upheaval in Rus’. Kiev had been overtaken by the invading Mongol forces in 1240, and most of the Rus’ principalities had been absorbed into the Golden Horde of the Mongol Empire by the time Ivan was born. He ascended to the seat of Prince of Moscow after the death of his father, and then the death of his older brother Yury.

Ivan I. He was born around 1288 and died in either 1340 or 1341, still holding the title of Grand Prince of Vladimir.

Ivan I stepped into a role that had already been expanded by his predecessors. Both his older brother and his father had captured nearby lands, including Kolomna and Mozhaisk. Yury had also made a successful alliance with the Mongol leader Uzbeg Khan and married his sister, securing more power and advantages within the hierarchy of the Golden Horde.

Ivan I continued the family tradition and petitioned the leaders of the Golden Horde to gain the seat of Grand Prince of Vladimir. His other three rivals, all princes of Tver, had previously been granted the title in prior years. However they were all subsequently deprived of the title and all three aspiring princes also eventually ended up murdered. Ivan I, on the other hand, garnered the title from Khan Muhammad Ozbeg in 1328. This new title, which he kept until his death around 1340, meant he could collect taxes from the Russian lands as a ruling prince and position his tiny city as a major player in the Vladimir region.

Moscow’s Rise

During this time of upheaval, the tiny outpost of Moscow had multiple advantages that repositioned this town and set it up for future prosperity under Ivan I. Three major contributing factors helped Ivan I relocate power to this area:

• It was situated in between other major principalities on the east and west so it was often protected from the more devastating invasions.
• This relative safety, compared to Tver and Ryazan, for example, started to bring in tax-paying citizens who wanted a safe place to build a home and earn a livelihood.
• Finally, Moscow was set up perfectly along the trade route from Novgorod to the Volga River, giving it an economic advantage from the start.

Ivan I also spurred on the growth of Moscow by actively recruiting people to move to the region. In addition, he bought the freedom of people who had been captured by the extensive Mongol raids. These recruits further bolstered the population of Moscow. Finally, he focused his attention on establishing peace and routing out thieves and raiding parties in the region, making for a safe and calm metaphorical island in a storm of unsettled political and military upsets.

Kievan Rus’ 1220-1240. This map illustrates the power dynamics at play during the 13th century shortly before Ivan I was born. Sarai, the capital of the Golden Horde, sat to the southeast, while Moscow (not visible on this map) was tucked up in the northern forests of Vladimir-Suzdal.

Ivan I knew that the peace of his region depended upon keeping up an alliance with the Golden Horde, which he did faithfully. Moscow’s increased wealth during this era also allowed him to loan money to neighboring principalities. These regions then became indebted to Moscow, bolstering its political and financial position.

In addition, a few neighboring cities and villages were subsumed into Moscow during the 1320s and 1330s, including Uglich, Belozero, and Galich. These shifts slowly transformed the tiny trading outpost into a bustling city center in the northern forests of what was once Kievan Rus’.

Russian Orthodox Church and The Center of Moscow

Ivan I committed some of Moscow’s new wealth to building a splendid city center and creating an iconic religious setting. He built stone churches in the center of Moscow with his newly gained wealth. Ivan I also tempted one of the most important religious leaders in Rus’, the Orthodox Metropolitan Peter, to the city of Moscow. Before the rule of the Golden Horde the original Russian Orthodox Church was based in Kiev. After years of devastation, Metropolitan Peter transferred the seat of power to Moscow where a new Renaissance of culture was blossoming. This perfectly timed transformation of Moscow coincided with the decades of devastation in Kiev, effectively transferring power to the north once again.

Peter of Moscow and scenes from his life as depicted in a 15th-century icon. This religious leader helped bring cultural power to Moscow by moving the seat of the Russian Orthodox Church there during Ivan I’s reign.

One of the most lasting accomplishments of Ivan I was to petition the Khan based in Sarai to designate his son, who would become Simeon the Proud, as the heir to the title of Grand Prince of Vladimir. This agreement a line of succession that meant the ruling head of Moscow would almost always hold power over the principality of Vladimir, ensuring Moscow held a powerful position for decades to come.

• Boundless World History. Authored by : Boundless. Located at : https://www.boundless.com/world-history/textbooks/boundless-world-history-textbook/ . License : CC BY-SA: Attribution-ShareAlike