Background to Princess Cruises
Princess Cruises are part of the Carnival Corporation and have close to 20 ships sailing more than 150 itineraries and making halts at mostly 260 ports. The itineraries mostly start from seven to a long trip of 72 days. There is also the specialty of Personal Choice Cruise, which is a new innovation by the Princess Cruises, and allows passengers to select their choice from a plethora of choices in wining and dining, amenities, entertainment and many more. This makes for a personalized experience and optimizes enjoyment of each passenger according to their needs.
Background to Tahitian Princess
It was in the year 2002 that the cruise line acquired two ships, namely the R 3 and the R 4 from Renaissance Cruises, which was going out of business. The ships were re christened as pacific and Tahitian Princess respectively. There are small ships if you compare it with the other ships part of the fleet, but these have state rooms which have exclusive private verandahs and balconies, and are equipped with Jacuzzis in the pool side. These ships have about 670 passenger capacity, and sail in exotic itineraries around the world, including the pacific ocean. These ships, due to their smaller sizes, are able to travel into areas that larger sized ships are not able to venture into. Also these ships are a far cry from the impersonally large cruise ships that are common nowadays.
Overview of the Tahitian Princess
The Tahitian Princess sails throughout the year in the South Pacific Ocean, and sails on itineraries around the French Polynesian region. The ship is ideal for South Pacific voyages, mainly due to its smaller size.
While the Personal Choice options are not included, as are not the Vegas like shows, but the Tahitian Princess makes for more of a personalized experience, and the smaller ship experience enables for balcony cabin options, choices in dining, spa and fitness amenities, night club style entertainment, on shore excursions etc.
Specifications and ship facts of the Tahitian Princess
Year at which entered service : In 1999 as R4, 2002 when became Tahitian Princess
Port of Registry : Gibraltar
Tonnage ( G R T ) : 30, 277
Cruising Speed on Average : 20 knots
Capacity for passengers : 670 passengers
Decks that are passenger accessible : 9
Crew members : 373
Nationality Officer : British and Italian as well as other
Nationality of Cruise Staff : International
Destinations : South Pacific
Tips and Gratuities
Gratuities and tips are adjusted in the shipboard accounts, an amount of 10 dollars a day is added every day per person. This may be adjusted at any time to a lower of higher figure. Passengers can also tip in the conventional way.
Disabled Access
For physically challenged Passengers, there are four cabins which are wheel chair accessible, one mini – suite, two ocean – view cabins, and one inside cabin aboard the Tahitian Princess.
Features of the ship
Décor is kept as elegant as it was during the time when the Tahitian Princess was R4 and was under Renaissance Cruises. The nightclub was refurbished, and this functions as an observatory lounge during the day. There are faux marble fireplaces, wrought-iron staircases, extensive dark wood paneling and wing-back chairs that add to the sense of elegance and understated chic.
Staterooms and cabins
There are a total of 334 rooms ( 308 of which are outside staterooms and 26 of which are inside staterooms ), and 232 ocean view cabins are inclusive of private balconies.
Amenities and facilities
Hair dryers, combination safes for valuables and televisions which show CNN and news channels and programs which are onboard the Princess ships are the main list of facilties that are provided inside the cabins.
The bathrooms in staterooms are equipped with showerheads, while tubs can be found in the suites and owner’s suites. There are also mini bars in the suites.
Inside cabins measure about 160 square feet in area and the outside staterooms start from 146- and go upto 206 square feet and are equipped with picture windows or portholes. Private balcony equipped ocean view cabins are up to 216 square feet which is inclusive of the balcony area. Mini – suite private balconies are also furnished with tables and chairs. There is also a self service laundry operating.
Children and teenager facilities
Tahitian Princess has no special children’s or teen center, but special articles are organized for children if there are a number of children during holiday times.
Aboard the Tahitian Princess
Wining and Dining
There is a main dining hall as well as the Panorama Buffet which comprises of a pizza store, barbecue shop as well as an ice cream shop.
Sabatini’s Trattoria which is a restaurant onboard serves Italian cuisine. Sterling Steakhouse which serves succulent steaks is another option. Both these restaurants charge an additional surcharge. Sterling Steakhouse turns into a bistro after 11 p . m. Room service can be availed of 24 hours a day.
There are eight bars positioned throughout, and the Club Bar is a popular destination.
Sports / Health / Fitness options
To keep fit during the journey, passengers have a variety of options, the Lotus, which is a Spa, salon and gymnasium is equipped with a whole range of facilities, including a selection of treadmills, exercise bikes, steam and sauna rooms, weight machines, rowing machines and a whole lot of other state of the art equipment. There are also three whirlpools, a jogging track and a swimming pool .
Entertainment Options
Cabaret Lounge which has as seating capacity of more than 330 has performances by the troops of dancers, singers, magicians, comedians and so on. A nightclub and disco as well as an Internet cafe, a well equipped library with a selection of titles and a pair of shops are the other entertainment options that are aboard.
Casino
There is a tiny casino that operates on board with 30 odd slot machines and some roulette and blackjack tables.