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Why Go?
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 Best for families, multi-generations
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Get married at sea!
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Enjoy a multi-course feast at Sabatini's Trattoria
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Balconies are plentiful, no splurge necessary
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Great blend of contemporary ambience, exotic itineraries
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Itineraries and Ports of Call: Mexican Riviera • U.S.A.
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Sapphire Princess Review
Sapphire Princess, along with Diamond Princess, its near-identical twin, has much in common with the Grand-class style of vessels that are Princess' largest -- but also features some distinctions.
Diamond and Sapphire Princess were introduced in 2003 and 2004 respectively and followed earlier Grand-class vessels such as Grand Princess, Golden Princess and Star Princess. (Just for perspective: Diamond and Sapphire's design represented a shift from the original triumvirate; taking the concepts even further was the Caribbean Princess and its brethren. Even more evolutions are evident on the Grand class' most recent vessels, Crown Princess and Emerald Princess).
Uniquely built in Japan, at Mitsubishi's shipyard in Nagasaki (all the other Grand-class ships have been constructed in Fincantieri's Italian yards), Sapphire Princess showcased a number of new features onboard. Club Fusion, the younger-at-heart secondary lounge, complete with in-table gaming and multiple flat-screen televisions, was a radical part of Princess' efforts then (and now) to attract younger passengers who enjoy the nightlife. That concept was so successful it's now found on ships that followed.
As well, these were the first to get rid of Grand Princess' awkward "shopping cart design," eliminating an odd overhang above the aft pool. This area is now open to sunshine and is far more welcoming.
Sapphire Princess also introduced a couple of other new approaches that didn't work well enough to be replicated on future ships -- though we're not sure why. The ship's Internet cafe is absolutely gorgeous, occupying a bright, light-filled space with windows fronting on the promenade; it also has a coffee bar and cushy, comfortable seating. And designers' approaches to its main dining rooms -- cutting down on the typical cruise ship banquet ambience of big restaurants -- meant that four restaurants exist where there were originally two. In addition to feeling far more intimate and welcoming, each of the four has its own theme -- the brash Santa Fe, the gilded Vivaldi, the serene Pacific Moon and the clubby, cozy Savoy. While the differences are largely cosmetic (all use the same menu, aside from one specialty geared to each theme), each restaurant offers a welcome diversity of ambience. The Wake View Bar, oddly accessible only via circular staircase that descends from Club Fusion, is just absolutely charming -- and almost always empty as it's nearly impossible to find. And we love the cozy Churchill's, the cruise line's cigar and sports-themed bar, which is another "hidden" gem, located by the main theater's first level.
There's plenty of the familiar here, too. The Lotus Spa, though largely identical in style and sensibility throughout the fleet, seems prettier here; the men's and women's locker rooms are more modern (and less starkly utilitarian) in design, the relaxation room where you sip iced cucumber water before spa treatments uses Japanese screens to a soothing effect, and the thermal suite -- though admittedly on the small side -- has the benefit of a frosted glass window which lets light inside (a big improvement on the cavernous but cellar-like ambience of the thermal suites on later models).
Oddly, though, on this late 2007 cruise aboard Sapphire Princess, the ship feels a bit outdated even though it is only three years old. It's spotlessly maintained, so it's not about that. But having cruised on Princess' latest models, it's clear that Sapphire Princess (and, no doubt, Diamond Princess, too) could do with a bit of a makeover, perhaps with the incorporation of some of the more spectacular new facilities aboard Crown Princess and the like. The atrium here in particular is awfully dull. Dining options, especially on longer cruises with more days at sea, are predictable. Neither alternative restaurant appeals, and the Horizon Court buffet is overly congested (more options, such as the fantastic light fare International Cafe and the Vines sushi bar on newer ships could cut down on masses descending on the buffet during mealtimes). And it would be lovely to see Princess expand some of its best recreational options onboard, ranging from Movies Under the Stars to the lovely adult-only Sanctuary outdoor lounging place.
But then what we would lose in the process?
Regardless, what Princess' Grand-class vessels do achieve, whatever the individual quirks and features, is an apt blend of cruise traditions and contemporary innovations.
Read Complete Sapphire Princess Review
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Princess Ships: Caribbean Princess • Coral Princess • Crown Princess • Dawn Princess • Diamond Princess • Emerald Princess • Golden Princess • Grand Princess • Island Princess • Pacific Princess • Royal Princess • Ruby Princess • Sapphire Princess • Sea Princess • Star Princess • Sun Princess • Tahitian Princess
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