Search Travel Market Report

mainlogo
www.travelmarketreport.com
  • News
  • Tours & Packages
  • Cruise
  • Hotels & Resorts
  • Destinations
  • Retail Strategies
  • Niche & Luxury
  • Well-Being Travel
  • Training & Events
  • Who We Are
    • Anne Marie Moebes
    • Brian Israel
    • Dan McCarthy
    • Denise Caiazzo
    • Marilee Crocker
    • Paul M. Ruden
    • Dori Saltzman
    • Kelly Fontenelle

Inaugural Sailing of Discovery Princess Marks End of Royal-Class Era for Princess Cruises

by Dori Saltzman / April 04, 2022
Inaugural Sailing of Discovery Princess Marks End of Royal-Class Era for Princess Cruises

Photo by Dori Saltzman

 

Princess Cruises’ newest ship, Discovery Princess returned to the port of Los Angeles after its first full revenue cruise this past Sunday. It was a momentous moment for the cruise line as it marks the last ship in the line’s now marquee Royal-class of ship. It was also momentous for Captain Gennaro Arma, who’s last charge with passengers was the Diamond Princess during its ill-fated winter 2020 season in Japan.

“Being here today and we are about to complete our inaugural voyage has been exciting for me,” Captain Arma told Travel Market Report onboard the Discovery Princess. “It has been a moment I’ve been looking forward to for two long years. Having guests around, feeling the joy, the noise. Seeing the guests come up the gangway the other day it was quite emotional for me, because it was again real.”

“I believe we all, over the past two years, wondered if we would ever realize the dream of cruising again. And here we come now with the newest ship in the fleet, fulfilling our dreams again.”

The Captain told TMR that while he’s been on several ships during the pandemic while they waited for the restart it was never the same without passengers onboard. “I could feel that there was something missing and clearly the missing part was the most important, the guests.”

“Being in Los Angeles, in San Pedro, and having guests onboard, I could see the puzzle completed.”

Last Royal-Class Ship
With the launch of Discovery Princess, Princess Cruises shuts the book on the Royal Class, which added six ships to the fleet beginning with Royal Princess in 2013.

“Our Royal Class ships have been the perfect evolution for the fleet and each of the six ships has reflected a continued progression from Royal Princess in 2013 to Discovery Princess in 2022,” said John Padgett, president of Princess Cruises.

Signature elements of the class include the Enclave thermal suite, Good Spirits at Sea bar, and the over-the-ocean glass walkway SeaWalk. Newer additions to the class include the Take Five jazz lounge, Bistro Sur La Mer, a Piazza gelato bar and the Sky Suites, each found only on Sky Princess, Enchanted Princess, and Discovery Princess.

Advisors familiar with the Royal-class will find a couple of minor differences on Discovery Princess. Alfredo’s Pizzeria has been renamed Gigi’s in honor of a long-serving executive at Fincantieri, the shipyard at which all the Royal-class ships were built. It’s also only the second Princess ship to have a dedicated Salty Dog Gastropub location in the heart of the piazza. It takes the spot previously occupied by Vines Wine Bar, which has been nixed entirely. (You’ll find both Gigi’s and Salty Dog Gastropub on Enchanted Princess.)

Next for Princess will be the Sphere Class, which Padgett says will build on what the line has done with the Royal Class. “For our next-generation ship, we’re evolving to something completely different – but inspired by the best of our Royal Class vessels... The next Princess ship will deliver even more amenities at larger scale while retaining small ship personalized service.”

Discovery Princess is sailing a short series of Mexican Riviera and California coastal voyages through April 24, before traveling north for a season in Alaska. It will be named at a ceremony at the Port of Los Angeles on April 29. The line has yet to announce a godmother.

  29
  0
explora
Related Articles
Three Cruise Lines Bring Masks Back in Alaska
Here Are the New Cruise Ships Debuting in 2023
Onboard Discovery Princess: Highlights of Princess’ Last Royal-Class Ship
Princess Unveils 2023/24 South American & Antarctica Season
Princess Expands Sales Team with Addition of Top Execs
Princess Cruises & Cunard Unveil 2022 Alaska Itineraries
Princess Cruises Will Recommend, Not Require, Facemasks Starting in March
Princess Expands MedallionPay to Land-Based Merchants, Rewards Users With 7% Cashback
Princess Cruises Takes Delivery of Its Newest Ship
HAL Master Chef Rudi Sodamin Joins Princess Cruises as Head of Culinary Arts

MOST VIEWED

Brought To You By
  1. A&K Purchases Crystal Ships, Revives Crystal Cruises Brand
  2. Travel to Italy Is Officially Back to Normal
  3. CDC Adds Three Caribbean Destinations to “High-Risk” COVID-19 List
  4. Viking Drops Onboard & Pre-Cruise COVID-19 Testing
  5. European Countries Will Soon Start Requiring Inbound Travelers Pay a Fee Prior to Travel
  6. Three Cruise Lines Bring Masks Back in Alaska

MOST EMAILED

Brought To You By
  1. Travel to Italy Is Officially Back to Normal
  2. Report: U.S. to End COVID-19 Air Travel Testing Requirement
  3. European Countries Will Soon Start Requiring Inbound Travelers Pay a Fee Prior to Travel
  4. A&K Purchases Crystal Ships, Revives Crystal Cruises Brand
  5. Japan Could Boot Tourists Who Disobey COVID-19 Rules
  6. Viking Drops Onboard & Pre-Cruise COVID-19 Testing
explora
TMR Subscription

Subscribe today to receive daily in-depth coverage, analysis of industry news, trends and issues that affect how you do business. Subscribe now for free.

Subscribe to TMR

Top Stories
Princess Entices Cruisers with $1 Deposits
Princess Entices Cruisers with $1 Deposits

Bookings made between June 30 and July 5, 2022 quailfy for the promotion. 

Read...
Carnival Cruise Line to Launch COSTA by Carnival
Carnival Cruise Line to Launch COSTA by Carnival

Carnival Cruise Line is teaming up with Costa Cruises to deliver a new concept for North American cruisers. 

Read...
MSC Cruises Adds Group Booking Incentives
MSC Cruises Adds Group Booking Incentives

U.S.-based advisors can earn additional amenity points and tour conductor credits on new group bookings through the end of August. 

Read...
A&K Purchases Crystal Ships, Revives Crystal Cruises Brand
A&K Purchases Crystal Ships, Revives Crystal Cruises Brand

The two Crystal Cruises ships will return to service under the Crystal Cruises brand in 2023. 

Read...
Windstar Celebrates 35 Years in Tahiti, Expands Presence in French Polynesia
Windstar Celebrates 35 Years in Tahiti, Expands Presence in French Polynesia

Starting in October, Windstar will sail two ships year-round in the region. 

Read...
Lindblad Adds Early-Season Antarctica Sailings with Free Air
Lindblad Adds Early-Season Antarctica Sailings with Free Air

Four early-season Antarctica region sailings give cruisers a look at the White Continent at a time few ever see it. 

Read...
TMR OUTLOOKS & WHITE PAPERS
CP White Paper
Multi-Gen Outlook
Distribution Outlook (1)
New to Cruise Outlook
Expedition 2020
River Cruise Outlook 2019
View All
Advertiser's Voice
https://img.youtube.com/vi/QTPIinGDcIY/0.jpg
Video: Can Booking Bachelor and Bachelorette Party Groups Be Profitable for Advisors?
About Travel Market Report Mission Editorial Staff Advisory Board Advertise
TMR Resources Webinars Calendar of Events
Subscribe to TMR
Select Language
Do You Have an Idea Email
editor@travelmarketreport.com
Give Us a Call
1-(516) 730-3097
Drop Us a Note
Travel Market Report
71 Audrey Ave, Oyster Bay, NY 11771
News|Leisure Travel|Land Vacations|Cruise|Canada Retail Strategies|Well-Being|Luxury|Training
© 2005 - 2022 Travel Market Report, an American Marketing Group Inc. Company All Rights Reserved | 243 South Street, Oyster Bay, NY, 11771 USA | Telephone (516) 730-3097| Terms and Conditions
Cookie Policy Privacy Policy