Introducing a brand new ship is difficult for any cruise line, significantly prototype ships which can be the primary of their class.

On the one hand, you wish to roll out new venues, tech, leisure, and options, whereas however, if you wish to guarantee long-time favorites stay, returning company really feel like they’ve but to enter an odd new world. 

It’s a nice line to stroll, and this week, I’m getting an opportunity to see how nicely Princess Cruises has managed the balancing act the place their new ship, Solar Princess, is worried. 

So, welcome to my mixed Solar Princess assessment/journey report. 

The place Solar Princess Is Going

The ship, launched final month as the primary within the new Sphere class, is at the moment endeavor a 10-day cruise. Though she left Barcelona, I flew to Athens to hitch the already-in-progress cruise.  

Right here’s the itinerary for the remainder of the journey:

• Day 1: Athens 
• Day 2: Kusadasi, Turkey (Ephesus)
• Day 3: The island of Crete
• Day 4: Sea day 
• Day 5: Naples
• Day 6: Rome (debarkation)

From Begin to End

Readers would possibly recall that this isn’t my first “assembly” Solar Princess. I used to be lucky sufficient to be amongst a choose few invited to her float-out ceremony in March 2023 and was invited again to tour the ship in December because the ending touches have been underway.

That was a very cool go to as a result of whereas some venues have been little greater than shells of what they’d develop into, you can already sense that this ship could be particular. This voyage is like our third date.

Earlier than boarding, I noticed how this ship would use trendy know-how to its fullest. The web check-in was executed totally on the Ocean Prepared app.

So as soon as I acquired to the port, they needed to snap a pic of my passport and confirm my info, and that was it. If solely checking in for the worldwide flight over had been that intuitive!  

Boarding the Ship 

Embarkation was barely totally different as a result of I picked up the ship midway via its unique 10-night itinerary. I checked in for my cruise too late to get my Ocean Medallion, however one was ready for me on the pier. 

We boarded at floor stage as a result of the Athens port has no jet bridge. Our rooms have been prepared after we acquired on the ship, making it straightforward. 

After watching the required security demonstration on the stateroom TV, checking into the muster station, and going via immigration (as a result of boarding mid-voyage), it was cruise time. 

The sail away from Athens was peaceable and stress-free, and I couldn’t assist however take a second to replicate on how grateful I used to be to be there. Typically, you simply cease and suppose, “Life is sweet.” This was a type of moments.

The Stateroom 

I’m in a balcony stateroom towards the entrance of the ship. Your typical facilities have been discovered right here with some additional touches I observed that appear new to this explicit class if I’m not mistaken. 

A motion-activated gentle activates below the mattress so you possibly can see the trail to the toilet in the midst of the night time. So far as I’m involved, the less stubbed toes, the higher!

Within the lavatory, the bathe deal with is immediately in entrance of you once you open the door, which is now glass as an alternative of a curtain. The deal with placement is nice – you possibly can flip the bathe on with out surprising your physique with chilly water. 

With my iPhone 15 having USB-C ports, including USB-C shops on either side of the mattress and normal USB ports was a pleasant (and welcome) contact. My room has 4 USB shops, 4 USB-C shops, and 4 plugs. You couldn’t ask for extra. 

I’m certain there are different fancy options within the stateroom that I’ve but to come back throughout, however we’re speaking first impressions right here.

The balcony area is first rate. Being simply behind and under the navigational bridge, I’ve acquired a fairly spectacular view, which can be superior when crusing out and in of some ports on this itinerary. 

First Expertise with Ocean Prepared

I’d simply begun to discover the ship once I realized it had been hours since I’d had something to eat. This supplied the right alternative to attempt one of many app’s many options: ordering meals and delivering it wherever on the ship.

This feature was obtainable once I was on the Discovery Princess in 2022, however a number of company informed me that supply might have been quicker, so I by no means wound up attempting it.

I used to be impressed with how shortly my burger and fries arrived in my stateroom. It was 19 minutes from once I positioned my order to when it confirmed up at my door. Better of all? It was a wonderful burger!  

On condition that I’m coping with a serious time distinction and have a tendency to work some fairly odd hours, this characteristic will show useful over the following week.

A Journey to Visitor Companies 

With a while to kill earlier than dinner, I did a bit wandering across the ship. I do know I’m not the one one who finds exploring a ship a favourite pastime. It’s normally not till day three or in order that I can comfortably navigate from one place to a different with out making a unsuitable flip.

In any case, I needed to cease by visitor providers, so I naturally headed to the atrium. In spite of everything, that’s the place it’s discovered on most ships, proper? However upon arriving, I remembered that they relocated it on Princess’ final class, which can also be true right here.

I perceive transferring Visitor Companies out of the atrium and need different traces would comply with swimsuit. The atrium is the place so many actions — loud or involving bands — happen.

Though I needed to ask the spa for instructions to visitor providers, they pointed me in the suitable route, which concerned descending a hall of staterooms on deck six.

The visitor providers space is like its personal island in the midst of the ship. You must be decided to get there, however as soon as you discover it, it’s good and subdued – you don’t must yell to be heard.

What’s For Dinner? 

Extra than simply the structure of the ship has modified. The best way they deal with the primary eating rooms can also be totally different, and I believe it’ll be attention-grabbing to see how folks react.

There’s one huge primary eating room stretching over decks 6, 7, and eight. Collectively, the primary two ranges are often called Horizons. All three are in the back of the ship and stacked atop each other. Nonetheless, every stage gives one thing totally different.

Deck 6 is for conventional eating, with two set occasions to eat. Tucked away within the nook is the Chef’s Desk expertise, a round room with a curtain they’ll use to offer company having fun with the expertise extra privateness.

There was additionally a piano, offering good music to dine by. (I’m informed some nights in addition they had a string trio.) And did I point out the killer views through the two-story home windows or the sculpture spanning all three decks?

Deck 7 overlooks Deck 6, offering some very cool vistas. That is the place these partaking in anytime eating wind up sitting, which suggests it options the identical menu as deck 6 however with versatile eating occasions. Guide early to get a desk with top-of-the-line views.

Deck 8 is the place issues get attention-grabbing, because it’s thought of part of the primary eating room and but includes a totally different vibe, title (American Diner), and menu. As for what’s supplied, it jogs my memory of The Native on Norwegian Cruise Line, though with a greater variety of choices and a extra upscale vibe.

The American Diner is open for lunch on sea days and gives some cool gadgets. Caramel popcorn waffles, anybody? Or possibly cajun corn on the cob? We plan on consuming dinner there one night time.

Dinner tonight was in the primary eating room, and I hit the spot. I went with the shrimp cocktail, pork chop with glazed apples, and an ice cream sundae.

The service was attentive, and the meals got here out scorching and scrumptious. Integrating the Ocean Medallion with the iPads makes issues way more environment friendly, particularly for somebody who loses their card quite a bit.

We have been out and in in 90 minutes. We might have simply spent much less time collectively, however we wound up stress-free and having fun with good dialog with our tablemates from Dubai.

Closing Ideas 

I’ve acquired way more to say in regards to the ship and its choices, however after touring all day, I can barely hold my eyes open as I kind this. So, as an alternative, I’ll go away you with a tease about what’s developing over the following few days.

I stay up for the brand new Spellbound by Magic Citadel interactive expertise and exploring every part the ship (together with The Dome) gives. Plus, dinner on the Butcher’s Block is one thing to stay up for.

So all I can say is… keep tuned.