In immediately’s submit I wish to inform you about my current cruise aboard the Sky Princess! This was a magical journey and boarding the ship was so thrilling. This was my first time cruising from the UK and I beloved the benefit and ease of it.
My journey with Princess Cruises was a media journey however, as at all times, all ideas and opinions are my very own. Right here’s my expertise of cruising from Southampton and my first impressions boarding the Sky Princess.
*****
Cruising from Southampton
In case you ask many individuals, ‘What’s the worst factor about travelling?’ I’m positive many would reply with, ‘Flying!’
For some individuals it’s the concern of flying however for many people it’s purely the effort of it.
For the previous few months, UK airports have been a nightmare. So if there’s any technique to have an important vacation and bypass the stress of the airport then I’m right here for it!
And that’s precisely what I did with my newest journey….
Cruising from the UK was a brand new expertise for me and, wow, what a sport changer. I’ve been on a number of cruises previously however final week I took my first cruise from the UK.
I boarded the Sky Princess, one of many latest additions to the Princess Cruises fleet, in Southampton on England’s south coast.
From Southampton we travelled to Guernsey, La Rochelle in France, Bilbao in Spain after which La Coruna in Spain earlier than returning to Southampton. It was a 7-night journey with 2 days at sea and it was unbelievable.
Right here’s a hyperlink to the precise cruise I did nevertheless it’s departing in 2023.
I actually loved cruising from Southampton as a result of it simply meant the beginning of the journey was really easy and stress-free. Prior to now I’ve needed to fly to my vacation spot to start a cruise however cruising from the UK was great. There was no additional complication with catching flights, which may be irritating with delays, safety, checking-in baggage and…effectively simply common airport stressyness!
Attending to Southampton Cruise Terminal
I dwell close to Chester so I took the prepare all the way down to Southampton the night time earlier than and stayed at a Premier Inn. The ship didn’t depart till 4pm so I’d have had time to journey down within the morning however I prefer to be ready!
It took 5 hours on the prepare and my tickets value £40 every manner. My resort was somewhat costlier than standard as a result of The Boat Present was in Southampton that weekend however a Premier Inn in Southampton often prices about £60 an evening.
Driving may have been an possibility too as there’s loads of parking close to the cruise terminal or in Southampton metropolis centre. Parking is pretty low cost and is a price efficient possibility when you have 3-4 individuals, however as I used to be travelling alone I discovered trains to be a lot simpler and cheaper.
I additionally love travelling by prepare. I discover it actually stress-free and I like to get cozy with an excellent guide or a Netflix sequence on my iPad and I can simply sit and benefit from the journey.
My pal was travelling all the way down to Southampton from the Peak District and she or he took the prepare the morning we have been departing and had loads of time.
Boarding the Sky Princess couldn’t have been simpler
I met my pal, Jen, who was becoming a member of me for the cruise on the prepare station and we headed straight outdoors to a queue of taxis ready to whisk cruise passengers to the ship.
We ended up in a big 6-seater taxi so a pair within the queue behind us jumped in too.
This couple had travelled down from Manchester so we’d all come from the identical path!
They’d informed us they retired younger and took about 8-9 cruises yearly in order that they have been absolute cruising professionals in my eyes! That is one thing I’d beforehand observed with cruisers. Individuals who love cruises, actually love cruises!
We arrived on the cruise terminal the place we rapidly handed over our baggage.
The very first thing I observed was how easy, fast and environment friendly every thing was. I used to be anticipating it to be like an airport the place there’d be lengthy queues and irritating safety nevertheless it’s all so effectively organised.
We’d already checked in through the Medallion app so we may see our stateroom quantity on the app. We informed the quantity to a man who rapidly tagged our luggage and whisked them away (our luggage joined us in our room about 45 minutes later).
We then walked by means of to get our Medallions.
What’s the Medallion on Princess Cruises?
The Medallion is a wearable gadget all friends are given once they board a Princess Cruises ship.
It’s a intelligent little gadget that’s used as your ID to board the ship, unlock your room, pay for something and check-in for any meals.
It holds your digital id and means you don’t have to take something out with you while you’re out and about on the ship. It comes on a lanyard however you will get different issues to carry it reminiscent of a watch-style strap. I opted for a clip so I may clip it to no matter I used to be carrying and it was very nice not having to hassle with a purse as a result of my Medallion was actually all I wanted.
The Medallion makes embarking and disembarking the ship very easy as you merely faucet it every time you get on and off. You don’t have to hassle with a passport (though I’d take it with you simply in case!) as all of your data is on the Medallion.
The Medallion additionally helps workers on the ship see your private preferences. When you’ve got any dietary necessities then the Medallion will present them this!
It additionally has an OceanCompass on it that can assist you navigate the ship and (that is elective) you should utilize it to trace members of your celebration. This is able to be nice in case you’ve received youngsters, aged members of the family otherwise you’re travelling in a giant group and prefer to know the place you’ll find your pals.
What in regards to the Medallion Class App?
There’s additionally an app for all Princess Cruises. Even in case you’re not a techy particular person I extremely suggest downloading the app and studying to make use of it earlier than you board the ship.
You should utilize the app to add all of your paperwork reminiscent of your passport and Covid go so boarding the ship is fast and straightforward. It truthfully took us lower than a minute to check-in for the ship as a result of we’d already crammed in all our particulars.
The app has GPS that can assist you discover your manner across the ship and it’s a paper-free technique to see what’s occurring with updates about reveals, meals, occasions, excursions and actions.
You can too use the app to order meals and drinks, which is a pleasant contact however we frequently discovered it to be quicker to nip and get issues for your self.
Boarding the Sky Princess
Jen and I confirmed our passports and Covid go after which we strolled onto the ship. It was all so easy!
It’s a magical feeling as you step onto the ship. You’re immediately transported from a dock onto this luxury resort the place every thing is plush and glittering. I felt like a baby, dazzled by the lights and the grandeur and the decor and I simply wished to run round and discover!
We determined to go straight to our room to dump our purses and journey garments. I out of the blue felt underdressed in my denims and trainers and my cumbersome autumn coat. There was no want for chunky jumpers the place we have been going!
As we approached our room we have been greeted by Deedee who was our room attendant and could be taking care of us for the week.
Deedee gave us 10 minutes to get settled earlier than bringing us a glass of fizz which we loved on our balcony within the sunshine.
What a technique to begin a vacation!
We hadn’t even left the dock but however I immediately felt one million miles away because the solar shone on my face and we excitedly chatted in regards to the week forward.
Mini Suite onboard the Sky Princess
We had a beautiful Mini Suite whereas we have been aboard the Sky Princess.
There are many choices with regards to selecting your stateroom. You may have an inside room, an oceanview which has a giant window, a balcony room, a mini suite or a collection.
The mini suite is a superb possibility in case you’d like a bit extra space or in case you’re travelling with kids or pals. The big couch mattress may be pulled out to accommodate two extra friends.
Because it was simply the 2 of us, we actually loved having this additional house and we’d calm down right here earlier than going out for dinner every night.
Mini suites even have a extra luxurious lavatory with a bathe over the bathtub and loads of house for preparing!
We unpacked our luggage (there was greater than sufficient cupboard space within the dressing space) and made ourselves at dwelling. We lastly tore ourselves away from our room to discover the ship.
Journey Hack Tip
My prime tip for any cruiser, whether or not you’ve taken 50 cruises or it’s your first one, is to spend loads of time exploring the ship while you first arrive.
The ship has so many little areas, I typically find yourself discovering my favorite spots on my previous few days!
I used to be fortunate sufficient to have somewhat tour across the ship and found hidden bars, secret swimming swimming pools, tucked away cafes and personal little areas nobody else ever finds.
In fact, these aren’t really ‘secret’ and you’ll find them utilizing the Medallion Class App however there’s a lot to see on the ship that it’s simple to overlook them for days!
Put your cozy footwear on and take a giant stroll round the entire ship.
Discover it from prime to backside, entrance to again and preserve your eyes peeled for hidden areas! You’ll most likely get misplaced however you possibly can’t go far.
One in all my favorite issues in regards to the ship is the best way every bar, cafe, restaurant and leisure house can have such a distinct environment. One bar can really feel subtle and stress-free and then you definately stroll to the subsequent and it’s full of life and bustling. Within the subsequent you may discover a comedy present, within the subsequent there’s a dance efficiency and within the subsequent you’ll discover individuals sitting quietly sipping their tea and studying their books.
We took a have a look at the swimming swimming pools and the health club, lots of the eating places, the spa, the sanctuary, the new tubs, the theatre, the outlets and ultimately discovered ourselves upstairs within the buffet the place a effectively earned-lunch was wanted!
We may have spent hours exploring the ship however we headed as much as the Sky Pool Bar for the Sailaway Celebrations at 4pm.
It was a giant celebration up right here as everybody relaxed and received into the vacation temper. We had a couple of cocktails and cheered with the opposite friends because the Sky Princess sailed away from Southampton and out to sea.
Helpful hyperlinks
That is the precise cruise I did, simply departing in 2023
Listed here are all of the Princess Cruises on the Sky Princess departing from the UK subsequent yr
Right here’s the Sky Princess homepage to search out every thing that you must know.
I stayed on the Premier Inn Cumberland Place the night earlier than departure and I positively suggest it.
I take advantage of Nationwide Rail to search out and guide trains within the UK.
In case you plan to drive to Southampton, you possibly can guide your automobile parking with CPS.
There’s extra data right here about parking within the metropolis centre (it’s about £32 for a 7-day keep after which about £10 for a taxi to the ship)