It’s always astounding just how quickly a cruise ship can be extensively refurbished, and the Sun Princess from Princess Cruises is next to do so with her quick two-week drydock currently underway. The $30 million process is even being shared publicly by the cruise line with its “online drydock journal” documenting the modifications.
Jan Swartz, Princess Cruises executive vice president, explains, “we know from past projects that there is a great deal of interest in a drydock such as this, so we’re again inviting the public to follow along as the ship is transformed.”
First on the agenda are a newly decorated atrium with the addition of the line’s now signature International Cafe and extra seating; a remodeled Horizon Court buffet with new a la carte food stations, pastry shop, coffee bar and expanded seating; a retouched Lotus Spa; and Kai Sushi, a new sushi and seafood restaurant.
Swartz says, “Sun Princess debuted our first Japan-based cruise program earlier this year, and now the vessel will benefit from its time there with some new Asia-inspired elements as well as signature Princess features.”
Other improvements include the introduction of a “sophisticated space designed especially for the ship’s Sterling Steakhouse experience,” according to the line. Also, the hamburger grill on the upper deck will be made into an al fresco barbecue venue while the ice cream bar will be gaining specialty coffee offerings.
New exterior hull paint and new interior furnishings and finishes will finalize the ship makeover taking place at the Sembawang shipyard in Singapore.
When the drydock is complete at the end of August, the 77,000-ton ship will set sail on a season of Asian and Australian itineraries. For more information about the Sun Princess, visit Princess Cruises‘ website here.
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HEADER IMAGE SOURCE: PRINCESS CRUISES