Sapphire Princess at Ketchikan, Alaska
|
|
History | |
---|---|
Name: | Sapphire Princess |
Owner: | Carnival Corporation & plc |
Operator: | Princess Cruises |
Port of registry: |
2004-2014 Hamilton, Bermuda 2014-present London, England |
Route: | Asia |
Builder: | Mitsubishi Heavy Industries |
Cost: | US $400 million |
Christened: | June 10, 2004 in Seattle |
Completed: | 2004 |
Identification: |
|
Status: | In service |
General characteristics | |
Type: | Gem-class Cruise ship |
Tonnage: | 116,000 GT |
Length: | 290 m (950 ft) |
Beam: | 37 m (121 ft) |
Decks: | 13 |
Speed: | 22 knots (41 km/h; 25 mph) |
Capacity: | 2,670 passengers |
Crew: | 1,100 |
2004-2014 Hamilton, Bermuda
Sapphire Princess is a cruise ship owned by Princess Cruises that entered service in 2004 as the twin sister ship of Diamond Princess. She is one of the world's largest cruise ships, with a capacity of 2,670 passengers and is the sixth Gem Class ship built by Princess Cruises. Sapphire Princess was christened on June 10, 2004 in Seattle—the first cruise ship ever to be christened in that port.
Currently, Sapphire Princess is sailing Asian cruises from Shanghai year-round until the arrival of the Majestic Princess in 2017. After the arrival, it will resume sailing from China in the summer months, then from November through February, sailing roundtrip Asia cruises out of Singapore.
Sapphire Princess is technically a sister ship to Grand Princess, but has several differences. The most notable of these is that the Skywalkers Nightclub suspended across her stern was moved to the back of the funnel, which opens up the terrace pool area. Sapphire takes personal choice dining another step further by splitting the two anytime dining rooms of its older sisters into four, each of which has its own theme and specialty dish. Another dramatic alteration is the repositioning of the Internet Café to the Promenade Deck adjacent to Sabatini's. This moves the Wheelhouse Bar farther to the front of the ship, in place of the Crown Grill. She is otherwise nearly identical to her older sisters.
Sapphire Princess was built in Japan by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, the second Princess Cruises ship to be built in a Japanese shipyard. Her only sister ship, with whom she swapped names, Diamond Princess during construction.