Enchanted Princess

The 2020-built/2021-inaugurated Enchanted Princess cruise ship is the 5th Royal-class vessel in Princess Cruises fleet, with fleetmates and sisterships Royal Princess (2013), Regal Princess (2014), Majestic Princess (2017), Sky Princess (2019) and Discovery Princess (2022). From the same class is also the P&O UK's ship Britannia (2015).

The vessel (IMO number 9807126) is currently Bermuda-flagged (MMSI 310791000) 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.

The 3600-passenger ship Enchanted Princess is among the largest cruise ships sailing the seas. The vessel was built at Fincantieri shipyard, Italy and has 19 decks. Enchanted Princess features an impressive number (16) of bars and restaurants and a luxury spa. The ship offers unique features to her guests, such as a glass-enclosed walkway over the ocean known as the SeaWalk.

Decks and Cabins

Most Enchanted Princess staterooms (1834 total, in 38 categories) include 1438 cabins (80% of all) with step-out balconies. The ship also has 36 wheelchair-accessible and no Oceanview-category cabins. The largest are the 2-Room Sky Suites (950-1010 ft2 / 88-94 m2 plus 700 ft2 / 65 m2 terrace).

The boat has 18 decks, of which 15 passenger-accessible and 8 with cabins.

Sky Suites (new cabin category) are Princess Cruises' first staterooms for 5 people and with 270-degree top-deck views. These are also the fleet's largest cabins and with the fleet's largest balconies. Both Sky Suites are located midship on Sports Deck 18 (portside and starboard). Each Sky Suite has a wraparound terrace and provides a private view of the outdoor "Movies Under the Stars" theatre (fleet's biggest outdoor LED screen).

Shipboard dining options - Food and Drinks

There are many for-fee dining options onboard Enchanted Princess, but guests who would rather not pay are offered enough quality and variety to satisfy. Those who prefer tradition will choose between the three main dining rooms: Amalfi, Capri, and Santorini.

Horizon Court and Horizon Bistro are the buffet options, providing a more casual vibe. Passengers who want to have lunch in their swimsuits can take a burger from Trident Grill or a slice at Gigi's Pizzeria. Indoors, Alfredo's features delicious calzones, salads and thin-crust pizza.

Allegro Dining Room is the only option for free dinner with traditional set dining. Passengers can eat at 5:45 PM or 8:15 PM. Allegro's menus are diverse and offer a soup or salad course, an appetizer, pasta and an entree. There is also a special dessert menu.

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.

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

• Symphony Restaurant (midship location; offers “Anytime Dining” for Dinner; with “Wine Cellar” area serving “Wine Maker’s Dinner” for $40, capacity 12 guests)
• Gigi's Pizzeria (121-seat; the largest complimentary pizzeria at sea)
• Concerto Restaurant (forward Dining Room; offers “Anytime Dining” 5:30 pm - 10 pm; serves “Wine Maker’s Dinner” package for $40)
• Allegro Restaurant (aft Dining Room; offers formal dining and two fixed dinner seatings at 6 pm or 8:15 pm; “Chef’s Table Lumiere” private dining for $115, 12 guests)
• OceanFront is a specialty seafood bar with a la carte menu (sushi, sashimi).
• Crown Grill (160-seat steakhouse/seafood restaurant, reservations recommended; on select days serves British Pub Lunch, complimentary)
• Salty Dog Grill (Deck 5) and Alfredo's Pizzeria (Deck 7/fleet's largest) are self-serve complimentary fast food venues. The rustic Salty Dog Gastropub is a new venue where passengers can watch sporting events, gather over small bites and drinks, and partake in Ernesto Burger by chef-partner Ernesto Uchimura (founding chef of the original Umami Burger and owner of the new LA-based restaurant and bar, Electric Owl).
• (deck 5) O’Malley’s Pub is an Irish pub bar with traditional Irish music, food, alcoholic beverages (beers, ales, whiskeys) and live entertainment.
• Calypso Cabana (food bar offering picnic baskets, desserts, champagne and wine packages)
• World Fresh Marketplace (self-service buffet restaurant, complimentary); Horizon Buffet (indoor sitting) and Horizon Terrace (outdoor seating)
• Swirls Bar (ice cream)

Settimo Cielo (Deck 7) is the ship's "town square" lined up with Italian venues like Sabatini’s Trattoria, Bellini’s (cocktail bar), and Alfredo’s Pizzeria.

Sabatini’s Trattoria (a la carte-priced specialty restaurant on Deck 7) offers a 3-course Italian/seafood menu. Sabatini’s is open between 6 pm - 11 pm, and reservations are recommended. This space blends the spaciousness of a contemporary setting with classic Italian accents, featuring handmade pasta courses (via partnership with celebrity chef Angelo Auriana) which are prepared daily. Sabatini’s Trattoria also offers “Sabatini’s Bites” during wine tastings.

Bistro Sur La Mer (cover charge US$35 per person) was an authentic Parisian bistro with a fine dining dinner menu featuring French cuisine by Michelin-star chef Emmanuel Renaut. In 2023, La Mer was replaced with "The Catch by Rudi" (introduced on Enchanted Princess following the refurbishment in 2023).

"The Catch by Rudi" is Princess Cruises' first seafood-dedicated restaurant via partnership with celebrity chef Rudi Sodamin, who is also the Head of Princess Culinary Arts (onboard dining program).

• The menu is predominantly of seafood dishes based on the freshest catch (sustainably sourced seafood from the current itinerary's ports of call) but also includes surf-and-turf options (including prime beef steaks), as well as vegetarian dishes, gourmet appetizers and desserts.
• The specialty dining experience features creative and engaging food presentations, distinctive settings, and guests being welcomed at the tables with a cocktail crafted by Rob Floyd/celebrity mixologist and liquid chef).
• The menu features "The Daily Catch" items (showcasing the freshest sustainably sourced seafood from local ports of call), international fusion influences (playful twists on seafood favorites like Asian-fried calamari), Rudi Sodamin's contemporary interpretations of classic dishes (like lobsters with garlic butter crust), and signature inventions from his personal repertoire (like Towering Trio, Whole Dover Sole). The Seafood Trolly is a true feast as the dish is piled high with fresh lobster tails, shrimps, oysters, mussels, and other seafood.
• The Catch by Rudi's wine selection is carefully curated to pair with seafood. The waitstaff is knowledgeable (sommelier instructed) to offer recommendations for white, red, rose, and sparkling wines from various coastal wine-growing regions.

The Catch by Rudi's cover charge is US$39 pp and is also included in the Princess Premier package (premium add-on).

Shipboard entertainment options - Fun and Sport

The bulk of performance action takes place in the 2-level Princess Theater (decks 6 and 7). This is the ship's main show lounge with palladium-style seating and grand-style evening show productions.

Theatre Lounge doesn't offer tables or drink holders, so if you order one preshow or come with a drink, you'll have to hold it. The entertainment program is excellent and varied, with a beat that is quite innovative. In addition to the production shows, the Princess theatre hosts other acts including vocalists and instrumentalists.

The ship has 4 swimming pools and 10 outdoor Jacuzzies/whirlpool hot tubs.

In comparison to Royal-Class Princess ships, Enchanted Princess has the new Wakeview swimming pool (aft-located) plus 2 deep-water top deck swimming pools and Retreat Pool (adults-only), also more Jacuzzis (including 2 cantilevered, over the deep-water pools). The expanded Sanctuary area offers new design and twice as many private cabanas as the sister ships. Vista Lounge is also redesigned. The Princess Live! and Cafe is a new restaurant serving quick bites, brand teas and barista-made coffees. The venue offers premium drinks and live performances.

Follows the complete list of Enchanted 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; Limelight photo studio; Platinum Studio
• International Cafe (24-hour specialty coffee bar and patisserie)
• Vines Bar (wine/seafood/sushi bar)
• Gelato (the largest ice cream bar at sea)
• Library (with Internet stations); Internet Cafe (24-hour)
• Princess Enchanted Theater (2-level musical and show productions; hosts workshops, seminars, game shows)
• Celebrations Shop; Calypso Cove Shop; Essence Shop; Meridian Bay Shop; Facets Shop
• Club 6 Disco & Bar; Churchill’s Lounge & Bar (cigar bar); Bellini’s Bar; Crooners Lounge & Bar; Princess Live Lounge; Vista Lounge; Concierge Lounge (Suite guests only); SkyLight Bar; Seaview Bar
• Princess Casino (gambling lounge and bar)
• Wheelhouse Bar (piano bar during the day and an English pub nightly)
• Lotus Spa complex; Beauty Salon; Fitness Center (with Aerobics Studio)
• Wedding Chapel
• Movies Under the Stars (LED screen outdoor cinema)
• The Game Lounge (Video Games Arcade); Teen Center; Youth Center; Remix Disco & Lounge (teen club)
• The Sanctuary (adult-only sundeck / open-air relaxation complex)
• SeaWalk (glass-bottomed cantilevered walkway, 18 m/60 ft long)
• Fountain Pool area; Retreat Pool area
• Princess Sports Central - Center Court (volleyball, basketball, European football); Tennis Tables, Game Lounge virtual gaming, The Greens golf nets, Golfing Cage, Laser Shooting; Jogging Track
• "Take 5" (deck 6 midship-portside) is the world's only jazz theater at sea. The new jazz-themed bar lounge features a chic setting, live performances by renowned jazz musicians (including iconic female singers), hand-crafted premium cocktails (developed by Rob Floyd/master mixologist), guest performers, late-night themed parties, daily enrichment programming (with engaging speakers and workshops). Custom media content is displayed on the lounge's TV screens.

On the sisterships Sky and Enchanted, Princess Cruises introduced the exclusive "Jim Henson’s Inspired Silliness" - a 30-min live production show themed on Jim Henson’s hilarious puppetry works. James Maury Henson (1936-1990) was a US puppeteer, animator, cartoonist, actor and filmmaker, best known as the creator of "The Muppets" (TV show created in 1955). The cruise company's new production show (hosted at Princess Theater) includes singers and dancers, high-tech visuals, comedy acts and professional puppetry. The show starts with a video introduction by James Henson's son (Brian) and features new puppets from Henson’s Creature Shop plus newly designed characters.

The Experience Center (Deck 18 aft-starboard) has max capacity of 6 people and no age restrictions. This is ship's Escape Room hosting the "Phantom Bridge" game that combines physical and virtual/digital elements for unique puzzle-solving experiences at sea. The attraction is part of Princess Cruises' onboard enrichment program (Discovery at SEA) and offers interactive (real-world + virtual) adventure gaming experiences with 700+ different outcomes. Phantom Bridge's gaming sessions last 23 min each and allow passengers to navigate the virtual cruise liner, watch as the generated simulations change, uncover the clues and solve puzzles (current game's mystery). The implemented technologies include a physical steering wheel and touch-screen surfaces (in the room), projection mapping, top-notch sound-, lighting- and digital effects, hidden physical elements (throughout the ship).

Itineraries

Enchanted Princess itinerary program was originally planned to start in 2020 with an inaugural season in Southern Europe, with departures from homeports Civitavecchia-Rome, Barcelona and Piraeus-Athens. The 7-day Mediterranean itineraries were combinable into 14-day and 21-day B2Bs (back-to-back cruises).

• The Maiden Voyage was initially scheduled for June 18, 2020 (11-day Rome to Southampton England). On July 1 was the repositioning sailing from Southampton to Rome (10-day) and to Athens (17-day).
• For November 5 was scheduled a 14-day Transatlantic repositioning crossing from Europe to the USA (Barcelona to Fort Lauderdale).

Due to the ongoing COVID-related international travel restrictions, Princess Cruises eventually canceled the fleet's entire program through early-July 2021.

• Enchanted Princess' Inaugural Cruise was first rescheduled for January 2, 2021 (7-day Western Caribbean roundtrip from Fort Lauderdale Florida).
• In December 2020, the Maiden Voyage was rescheduled for May 22, 2021 (7-day Mediterranean and Adriatic roundtrip from Civitavecchia-Rome).
• In early-March 2021 were canceled 8 more itineraries and the Maiden Voyage was rescheduled for July 3 (7-day Mediterranean from Rome).
• In mid-May 2021 was canceled the new ship's entire Mediterranean 2021 program (26 total itineraries) based on homeporting in Civitavecchia and Barcelona. The latest cancellations included the 15-day Transatlantic crossing from Barcelona to Fort Lauderdale. Mediterranean itineraries included 7-day roundtrips combinable into 14-day and 21-day B2Bs.
• The Inaugural Cruise was rescheduled for November 10, 2021 (the liner's first departure date) - 10-day "Southern Caribbean with Curacao" and 20-day "Caribbean Explorer" (B2B).

The vessel's powerplant includes four Wartsila marine diesel engines (model 46F, 2x 12V and 2x 14V) with combined power output 62,4 MW (83,700 hp). The propulsion system is based on two azipods with combined power output 18 MW (24,000 hp).

The ship has Fincantieri Monfalcone yard/hull number 6275, volume 145281 GT-tons, DWT-deadweight tonnage 11658 tons, LOA length 330 m, beam 38 m (max width 47 m/including the Navigation Bridge's wings), max draught 8,6 m.

In April 2016, Princess Cruises (via Carnival Corporation) signed a shipbuilding order for 2 new vessels, scheduled for deliveries in 2019 (Sky) and 2020 (Enchanted). These are 4th and 5th Royal-class liners (same-designed as Royal,Regal and Majestic) constructed at Fincantieri Monfalcone Shipyard (near Trieste) as part of a previous agreement between Carnival Corporation (shipowner) and Fincantieri (shipbuilder). At that time, Carnival Corp had a total of 16 shipbuilding orders, with scheduled deliveries between 2016-2020. All these new vessels are fleet's largest and feature Movies Under the Stars (outdoor theatre), Piazza Atrium, 80% balconied staterooms, new dining venues.

At the end of January 2017, Carnival Corporation announced 2 more shipbuilding orders. The new liners were ordered for the fleets of Princess (Royal-class / Discovery Princess) and Holland America Line (Pinnacle-class / Nieuw Ryndam-Rotterdam). Carnival signed an MoA (memorandum of agreement) with Fincantieri to construct both vessels, with scheduled deliveries in 2021 (for HAL, at Marghera yard) and 2022 (for Princess, at Monfalcone yard). By the time when both contracts were finalized (February 2017), Carnival Corporation had a total of 19 new ships scheduled for delivery between 2017 and 2022.

Fun facts: It takes 3 million man-hours (~6000 employees) to build a Royal-class cruise ship. For its construction are used 37,000 tons of steel. For instance, about 12,000 tons of steel were used for constructing the Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles. The paint used for the vessel is 95,000 gallons (360,000 L), which is twice the quantity consumed for Golden Gate Bridge (re-painted annually). The electrical cables wiring the whole vessel are long 2484 ml (4000 km) which is enough to link NYC with LA.

The vessel's keel-laying ceremony was held on February 14, 2019. On the same day was launched (floated-out from drydock) the sistership Sky Princess (inaugurated in October 2019) and also was held the steel-cutting ceremony for the 6th (final) Royal-Class liner (Discovery Princess, scheduled inauguration in 2022). During the keel-laying, the traditional coin ceremony was "modernized". To bring good luck, instead of a metal coin, into the hull was welded an OceanMedallion device.

The vessel was launched (floated out from Monfalcone's drydock) on August 6, 2019. The float-out ceremony was attended by Firouz Mal (Princess Cruises' Director of Building Services) and Roberto Olivari (Monfalcone Shipyard's Director). The ceremony's Godmother was Marinella Cossu (shipyard employee). Since 1990, Fincantieri had built 92 cruise liners, of which 66 for Carnival Corporation (16 for Princess) plus 54 units under construction or on order (as of 2019).

The new ship was officially delivered by Fincantieri Monfalcone on September 30, 2020, as the 100th Fincantieri-built cruise vessel. The special ceremony was attended by Giuseppe Bono (Fincantieri's CEO), Roberto Olivari (Fincantieri Monfalcone's Director), Nick Nash (ship's Captain) and virtually (via live streaming) also by Micky Arison (Carnival Corporation's Chairman), Arnold Donald (Carnival Corporation's President and CEO), Stein Kruse (Holland America Group's CEO) and Jan Swartz (Princess Cruises' and Carnival Australia's Group President).

Enchanted Princess' christening ceremony was initially scheduled to be held in Port Southampton (England UK) on June 30 (2020) - a day before the Maiden Voyage (July 1-11) from Southampton to Civitavecchia-Rome. Bookings were opened on November 8, 2018.

The ship's Masters/Captains were announced in late-June 2019. Captain Nick Nash (previous commander of Royal Princess) brings the vessel into service from Monfalcone Shipyard. Captain Gennaro Arma (ship's permanent Master) serves together with Massimiliano Imperiale (Chief Engineer), Richard Harry (Hotel Manager) and Richard Dalton (Staff Captain).

• Captain Gennaro Arma (from Sorrento, Italy) is with Princess Cruises since 1998. He became Master in 2015 (on Sea Princess).
• Massimiliano Imperiale is with Princess since 1999 (starting as Engine Cadet) and was first appointed as Chief Engineer Officer in 2013 (on Caribbean Princess).
• Richard Harry (from Farnborough, England) is with Princes since 1988 (starting as Front Desk Receptionist).
• Richard Dalton (from Isle of Bute, Scotland) is with Princess since 2001 and became Staff Captain in 2017.

The rescheduled christening/naming ceremony was on December 13, 2021, held at Port Everglades/Fort Lauderdale Florida USA (the ship's Caribbean homeport during the inaugural season). On November 30th were announced the names of the three godmothers - Lynn Danaher, Vicki Ferrini and Jenifer Austin.

• Since 1994, Lynn Danaher is a USCG Captain (Licensed Ship Master and Dive Master). Since 2008 she is the PIRI's President (Pacific Islands Research Institute/non-profit supporting research expeditions, documentary films, educational efforts). Since 2013 she is the co-founder of the Friday Harbor Film Festival (held annually in Friday Harbor WA).
• Vicki Ferrini has a Master's Degree in Marine Environmental Science (completed in 1998) and a PhD in Coastal Oceanography (completed in 2004) - both at NYC's Stony Brook University. She is also a Senior Research Scientist at Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory (NYC's Columbia University). Since 2021 she is a member of NYC's The Explorers Club (1904-founded international multidisciplinary professional society promoting scientific explorations and field studies).
• Jenifer Austin is the founder and manager of Google's Ocean Program (Google Earth and Google Maps), including Google Maps' Underwater Streetview and the website Global Fishing Watch (via partnership with Oceana and SkyTruth) and also a member of The Explorers Club.

Enchanted Princess refurbishment 2023

During the ship's drydock refurbishment in 2023 (March 30 thru April 15, conducted by Fincantieri at the shipyard in Palermo Sicily) on Enchanted Princess debuted "The Catch by Rudi" (Princess Cruises' new specialty seafood restaurant) via partnership with celebrity chef Rudi Sodamin, who is also the Head of Princess Culinary Arts). The Catch by Rudi restaurant (on Deck 5/across from the Reception) replaced the old "Bistro Sur La Mer" (restaurant by Michelin Star Chef Emmanuel Renaut, on Deck 7) while Sabatini’s Restaurant was relocated from Deck 5 to Deck 7 (Piazza Atrium, where was previously Bistro Sur la Mer).

The drydocking project also included renovation of public spaces, regular maintenance works, as well as underwater hull cleaning/painting.

Inaugural cruise itineraries 2021-2022

Due to the Coronavirus crisis, the vessel's delivery from Fincantieri Monfalcone was delayed and a total of 11 itineraries (July 1st through and including 29th) were canceled. Eventually, due to the ongoing health crisis, Princess canceled the Enchanted ship's entire program through November 2021, and the Inaugural Cruise was rescheduled first for May 22nd, then for July 3rd, and finally for November 10th.

Next tables show the boat's inaugural cruises per destination/homeport, with prices in USD per person (double occupancy Inside cabin rates).

(MAIDEN VOYAGE 2021) 10-day "Southern Caribbean with Curacao" itinerary (USD 550 pp)

inaugural 10-day "Southern Caribbean with St Lucia" itinerary (USD 950 pp)

20-day (B2B) "Caribbean Explorer" itinerary (USD 2040 pp)

inaugural 10-day "10 days, round-trip Southern Caribbean with Barbados" itinerary (USD 1020 pp)

(inaugural Transatlantic crossing 2022) 14-day from Florida to Europe/Baltic (USD 1000 pp)

(2022 inaugural European/Baltic cruise) 11-day "Scandinavia and Russia" itinerary (USD 1750 pp)

(2022) inaugural 7-day "Canada and New England" itinerary (USD 820 pp)

(inaugural Mediterranean cruise 2023) 21-day B2B "The Best of the Mediterranean" itinerary (USD 3410 pp)

Godspeed!