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Diamond Princess

Diamond Princess
The Diamond Princess was was built and launched in 2004. The Diamond Princess was christened by Yoshiko Tsukuda, wife of Kazuo Tsukuda, the president of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries. The Diamond Princess and her sister ship Sapphire Princess are both built at the Mitsubishi yard and the naming ceremony was designed to streghten links between the two companies.

The Diamond Princess was built as a Gem class of ship. Other ships in the Gem class sailing for Princess Cruises include (in order of launch dates) Sapphire Princess, Crown Princess, Emerald Princess and Ruby Princess.

The dining on board the Star Princess is a pleasure, with a selection of restaurants and buffets to provide a wide choice in dining. The five main dining rooms are called the International, Pacific Moon, Santa Fe, Savoy and Vivaldi restaurants, all serve open seating breakfast and lunch, but then the International restaurant provides fixed seating dinner with the Pacific Moon, Santa Fe, Savoy and Vivaldi restaurants offering a more open sitting option as part of the ships anytime dining programme. Other dining options include three specialty restaurants and plenty of snack and buffet stations.

There are also plenty of entertainment centres and bars. Why not try the Wheelhouse Bar for a drink, Explorer's Lounge for a drink and a relaxing time or for the smokers amongst you, there is even a designated bar, called "Churchill's Cigar Bar", which is also a place for cigar smokers.

If your passion is entertainment, there is the Princess theatre where you can watch impressive Princess Signature Shows. There is also the impressive Skywalkers Nightclub, located in the suspended area above the back of the ship.

For those needing a little pampering after all the fun and games of the day, why not relax in the The Sanctuary, a tranquil onboard oasis just for adults or the Lotus Spa. There is also the Lotus Spa Fitness Centre. The gym is modern and equiped with modern equipment.

The Star Princess is a large ship full of facilities and features which should appeal to passengers of all ages.

Ship Stats

Launched: 2004
Start of service: 2004
Decks: 13
Lifts: 12
Length: 289.86 m
Beam (width): 37.49 m
Tonnage: 115,875 GRT
Speed: 22.5 knots
Capacity: 2,670 passengers
Crew and staff: 1,238
Registry: Bermuda

Ship Features

14 restaurants
12 bars & lounges
nightclub & casino
air-conditioned throughout
4 swimming pools & 8 whirlpools
health club, sports deck & sauna
card room, library with internet access
beauty salon & boutiques
stabilised worldwide satellite telephone, telex and fax
Kidzone & medical centre

Ship particulars

Food
The Diamond Princess has five main dining rooms. These are called the International, Pacific Moon, Santa Fe, Savoy and Vivaldi restaurants.

The International restaurant offers traditional club dining. This is where you can dine at the set times at set tables in the traditional manner. The Pacific Moon, Santa Fe, Savoy and Vivaldi restaurants are part of the Anytime Dining facility. Here, passengers on Star Princess have the flexibility of eating in the restaurants anytime between 5.30pm and 10.00pm and sit anywhere.

For a more informal approach, passengers on the Diamond Princess can visit the buffet restaurant. This is called the Horizon Court. Here passngers can find a whole spread of international dishes in a light and airy space with amazing sea views. Food is served throughout the day and night with themes and specialities throughout the cruise.

There is also the Trident Grill. Both adults and children love the speedy access to freshly grilled burgers, hotdogs and other fun fast food, including fresh pizzas from the Pizzeria.

The Star Princess also has more restaurants on offer. These restaurants are considered speciality and can carry a small surcharge. They include Sabatini's and Crown Grill. Sabatini's specialises in Italian cuisine and premium seafood, Sabatini's offers a refined yet casual atmosphere that includes extensive personal attention from the waiters and provides the attomosphere of an authentic Italian ristorante.

The Crown Grill is not just a grill. Firstly the beef served here is premium aged beef. The chefs here prepare dishes to order in an open style kitchen. The restaurant itself is based on a classic steakhouse, with wood surroundings. This is certainly the place to visit for your premium steaks and lobster dishes.

There are other dining venues available on board such as Prego, the Pizzeria and the ice cream parlour to name a couple. Room serice is also available 24 hours a day. However, there is a speciality twist to room service. The Diamond Princess has a service called Ultimate Balcony Dining. Enjoy an intimate, romantic dining experience with breathtaking views and a special meal served by your own dedicated waiter on your stateroom balcony. Ulitmate Balcony Dining features a hosted cocktail party, fresh flowers, champagne and a deluxe four-course meal featuring delicate sweet lobster tail or juicy steak among many available delicacies. This is also available at an additional charge, but certainly creates a talking point and a very memorable experience.

Whatever you choose, you are sure to find something you like on board the Diamond Princess.

Excercise

The Diamond Princess has an wide choice of pools and spas where you can take a refreshing dip in the pool, relax in one of the ship's invigorating hot tubs, or treat your body, mind and spirit to the serenity you deserve in the spa. There is the Calypso Reef and Pool which has two hot tubs, Neptune’s Reef and Pool which also has two hot tubs. The Oasis bar also has hot tubs, plus there is the Terrace Pool. Adults will enjoy The Sanctuary, which is a tranquil onboard oasis just for adults.

The on board Lotus Spa can provide a wide range of therapies and massages for those passengers just wishing to relax or to wind down after undertaking all the activities on board.

There is also a well appointed gym with plenty of modern exercise machines and a work out area where various classes are held. Some classes are offered free of charge however, the majority are offered at a charge.

Passengers who prefer a more active, sporty day will also plenty on board the Diamond Princess. There is basketball, table tennis, jogging tracks and a lap pool were passengers can swim against a current. For the golf enthusiasts, there is the Princss Links, a nine hole putting course together with some Virtual golf simulators are bound to keep even the most avid golfer in the swing of things.

Passengers of all ages and fitness levels will find something on the Diamond Princess.

Formal nights

The Diamond Princess has a number of formal nights during your cruise and the number depends on the length of cruise you are taking. Typically a two week cruise will have 3 formal nights.

Princess cruises advises you should dress for a cruise, the same way you would for any stylish land based resort.

Casual sportswear, including shorts, lightweight trousers and jogging suits, are suitable for the day both at sea and ashore in hotter climates. It is recommended you bring a sweater, a jacket or an all weather coat for cool evenings, and for shore excursions, depending on your destination. With unpredictable weather, don't forget a hat or visor and a collapsible umbrella. Passengers should also ensure they bring proper clothing for visits to religious sites. Also passengers will also want low heeled, rubbersoled shoes for strolling on deck, as well as comfortable walking shoes or sandals to wear.

On board ship, Princess Cruises publish a dress code to make it easy to know what to pack and what to wear when you’re dining on board our spectacular ships. There are two designations for dress codes. Smart Casual and Formal.

Smart Casual Passengers should be in keeping with what they would wear to a nice restaurant at home. Skirts/dresses, slacks, and sweaters for ladies and trousers and open neck shirts for men. Inappropriate dinner wear such as pool or beach attire, shorts, ball caps and casual jeans (with fraying and/or holes) are not permitted in the dining rooms. Shoes must be worn.

Formal

When formal nights are held, the ship requests pssengers observe the dress code in the Traditional Dining and Anytime Dining venues for the enjoyment of all guests. Evening gown, cocktail dress, or elegant trouser suit for women and Tuxedo, dark suit or dinner jacket and trousers for men

Smoking

Smoking is only allowed in designated areas of the Diamond Princess

Designated Smoking Areas
Clearly marked “Designated Smoking Areas” are available onboard and include a sufficient number of ashtrays that are emptied regularly. Generally, these areas include cigar lounges, a section of the nightclub and casino, as well as a portion of the open decks. As a safety precaution, passengers are reminded to properly dispose of cigarettes, cigars and pipe tobacco, which are never to be thrown overboard as this may be sucked back into the ship and cause fires.

Stateroom Smoking Policy Update
For all voyages departing after January 15th, 2012, Princess Cruises will prohibit smoking in passenger staterooms and balconies. This policy change reflects the preferences of a vast majority of our passengers who value having their primary living space (both stateroom and balcony) smoke-free. As balconies are a hallmark of Princess Cruises, we believe it is important to keep this peaceful space clear of smoke. Violations to this policy will result in a $250 fine for each occurrence, which will be charged to the passenger’s stateroom account. Keeping with the global trend toward more restrictive smoking policies and honoring the wishes of our passengers, we feel this change will enhance our onboard experience and do more to help our passengers escape completely.