Grand Princess is a Grand-class cruise ship owned by Princess Cruises. It was built in 1998 by Fincantieri Cantieri Navali Italiani in Monfalcone, Italy, with yard number 5956, at a cost of approximately US$450 million.
Grand Princess was the largest and most expensive passenger ship ever built at the time. Grand Princess was the flagship in the Princess Cruises fleet until the new Royal Princess took that title in June 2013.
First launched in 1998, the 2,600-passenger Grand Princess underwent a renovation in March 2019 that added new top-deck dining venues like Slice Pizzeria, The Mix, Salty Dog Grill, and Coffee & Cones.
The Grand Princess Theater was also refreshed to provide a more immersive audio experience. Other onboard amenities include the adults-only Sanctuary, duty-free boutiques, and educational programs through the Discovery of SEA program.
Princess has done a decent job of keeping Grand Princess updated. In recent years the ship has seen its atrium converted into the more modern Piazza, and new venues — including the adults-only Sanctuary, Alfredo’s Pizzeria, Tea Leaves tea salon, Crown Grill steakhouse, and The One5 nightclub — have been added.
Most recently, the vessel welcomed a completely revamped kids club, Camp Discovery, which offers newly renovated spaces for three age groups through the cruise line’s partnership with the Discovery TV network.
Overall, food and service are considerably above average. Although selections at the buffet are limited, the quality of the items is high, and the offerings change just enough on a daily basis to keep passengers from getting bored.
Dining room options are tasty and served with a smile, and the pizza found onboard is out-of-this-world delicious. The service on Grand Princess is consistently pleasant, helpful, and efficient, from cabin stewards and waiters to the folks at the guest relations and shore excursions desks.
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Full Specifications
| Name | Grand Princess |
| Owner |
|
| Operator | Princess Cruises |
| Port of registry | |
| Ordered | 8 February 1994 |
| Builder | Fincantieri |
| Cost | US$450 million |
| Yard number | Monfalcone, 5956 |
| Launched | 20 May 1998 |
| Christened | 29 September 1998, by Olivia de Havilland |
| Maiden voyage | 27 May 1998 |
| Refit | May 2011, March 2019 |
| Identification |
|
| Status | In service |
| Notes | [1] |
| General characteristics | |
|---|---|
| Type | Grand-class cruise ship |
| Tonnage | 107,517 GT |
| Length | 289.86 m (951 ft 0 in) |
| Beam | 35.97 m (118 ft 0 in) |
| Height | 61.26 m (201 ft 0 in) |
| Draught | 7.92 m (26 ft 0 in) |
| Decks | 17 |
| Propulsion | Two shafts; fixed-pitch propellers |
| Speed | 22.5 knots (41.7 km/h; 25.9 mph) (cruising) |
| Boats & landing craft carried |
6 tenders |
| Capacity |
|
| Crew | 1,100 |
| Notes | [1] |
