$30 million has delivered Asian
touches, new dining options
and revamped furnishings to
the Sydney-based ship.
Princess Cruises showed off Sun Princess’
makeover late last week, revealing brighter
public spaces, a new sushi restaurant, café and
much more.
Borrowing ideas from the new Royal Princess
in the UK, the new International Café in the
atrium is open 24 hours and sells specialty
coffees, tea, hot chocolate and iced drinks
(from $1.50-$4.50) with complimentary
pastries and sandwiches.
According to staff, the venue is “chockers”
between 8am and 8pm.
Horizon Court buffet has been spruced up
with expanded seating, fresh décor, a huge
patisserie counter and a more efficient layout.
The top-deck grill has also been converted
into an alfresco BBQ area, and the ice-cream
bar has added coffees to the menu.
Lotus Spa received more stylish décor and
larger treatments rooms, incorporating new
Japanese ofuro baths.
But the Asian influence is strongest at Kai
Sushi, which replaces the champagne bar,
serving seafood, sashimi and sushi ($20
surcharge) prepared in front of diners by
Japanese chefs.
Many of the enhancements reflect the ship’s
next deployment to Japan, after the Australian
summer season.
The 1,900-pax 77,000-tonne Sun Princess is
currently sailing roundtrip from Sydney to New
Zealand, Queensland and the South Pacific
until April 2014.
Stuart Allison, Princess Cruises’ vice president
Australia, said the transformation was a “great
blend” of the line’s familiar features with Asiainspired
elements.
“Sun Princess has been a popular ship with
Australian passengers since she was first
deployed here in 2007 and we think they’ll
love the changes,” Allison said.
