By
Rebecca Gibson |
Princess Cruises’ Sapphire Princess has embarked on her first-ever voyage from her old homeport of Singapore to her new base in Southampton, UK following an extensive two-week dry dock refit.
Before arriving in Southampton in May, the 2,670-guest Sapphire Princess will spend 38 days takig guests to 17 ports in the Indian Ocean and Europe. These will include Colombo, Sri Lanka; Cochin, India; Petra, Jordan; the Suez Canal; Santorini, Monte Carlo and Florence in Italy; Malta; Gibraltar; Lisbon, Portugal; and Paris, France.
From May to October 2018, Sapphire Princess will offer her first-ever cruises from Southampton, making maiden call to ports in the British Isles, Northern Europe and the Mediterranean, as well as the line’s inaugural visit to Skagen, Denmark. Sapphire Princess will return to Singapore for a fifth season in November 2018, before heading back to Southampton for April to October in 2019.
Prior to her departure from Sinagpore, Sapphire Princess underwent a refurbishment. Now boasting Princess Cruises’ signature logo on her bow, the ship was fitted with a new boutique from Effy fine jewellers and other retail enhancements, as well as a large LED screen in the theatre, updated gym equipment, and upgraded spa and treatment rooms. New luxury beds, designed exclusively by board-certified sleep expert Michael Breus for Princess Cruises, were added to some of the staterooms and will be included in all guest accommodation by June 2018.
“UK guests looking to recharge their batteries are in for a real treat as our luxury bed offers the ultimate night’s sleep onboard,” said Tony Roberts, Princess Cruises' vice president of UK and Europe. “Holidays are the one time of year we all want to switch off and relax; with Princess you can make the most of your day on or off the ship knowing you’ll be fully rested and ready to come back new. Meanwhile the additional enhancements mean guests can take advantage of a wealth of upgraded onboard options, from indulging in some retail therapy, to enjoying the spa, to unwinding in a yoga class.”