The Golden Princess emerged from the most extensive dry-dock ever undertaken by Princess Cruises, one that was followed closely by thousands of cruise aficionados around the world. Throughout the three-week makeover, a daily online photo journal showed the work needed to add such signature Princess features as a piazza-style atrium, an adults-only Sanctuary, a poolside movie screen, and a new Crown Grill steak and seafood restaurant. The online journal, which was updated each day on http://www.princess.com/, as well as on social networking sites Twitter and Facebook, featured more than 180 photos as the project was undertaken at Victoria Shipyards in British Columbia. The full transformation is available for viewing at www.princess.com/goldendrydock, and features scenes of the hull of the ship and propellers out of the water with the new silicone underwater paint being applied. Also pictured are hundreds of pieces of furniture being reupholstered and key public areas being demolished and re-configured into new spaces. During a short sampler sailing to Ketchikan and then back to Seattle, the new features were unveiled to passengers, and the ship is now cruising on its first Alaska voyage of the season. Golden Princess will continue to offer weekly departures from Seattle on roundtrip Inside Passage voyages through Sept. 12.
Now that the transformation is nearly complete, Golden Princess’ atrium features a new piazza with a street café atmosphere and two new dining options. The International Café serves specialty coffees, cookies, pastries, panini sandwiches and tapas, while wine bar Vines offers more than 30 wines by the glass, plus a selection of seafood, artisan meats and cheeses, and a wine shop. The Sanctuary, an adults-only retreat, features plush padded lounge chairs and the services of Serenity Stewards. Visitors can enjoy beverages and light snacks or receive a massage in a private cabana. A new 300-square-foot poolside LED screen now features evening movies and daytime programming. In addition to family cinema and first-run hits, it showcases major sporting events, concerts and other programming. The ship also now features a new relocated casino on deck 7, a new sports court, a new Internet café and library, and a refurbished fitness center. All passenger cabins were also fitted with new flat-screen televisions.
Some spaces are still in the final phases of completion, including the new Crown Grill restaurant, newly constructed suites, and the relocated shore excursions desk and wedding chapel.
