Pacific World Cruise

[Bigg Gernes]

The1995-built (as "Sun Princess") cruise ship Pacific World is the first Sun-class vessel in the Princess Cruises fleet - with sisterships Dawn Princess (now Pacific Explorer) and Sea Princess (now Dream Charming). The same name now carries the 2024-built Sun Princess.

In mid-September 2020, Princess Cruises sold Sun Princess. The company announced that the liner will leave the fleet in 2021 and will be renamed "Pacific World". The new shipowner will charter the vessel to Peace Boat. The 1983-founded, Japan-based global non-government organization (NGO) Peace Boat organizes educational cruises (floating university) as well as global events-themed conferences at sea. Also sold was Sea Princess whose shipowner now is Sanya International Cruise Development Company (China).

Note: In mid-June 2020, Carnival Corporation (shipowner) announced that intends to sell 13 ships in FY2020 - instead of the previously expected global fleet optimization planned over the next 3-5 years. In mid-September, Carnival increased the number of its cruise ships for sale to 18 (some were scrapped).

Princess Cruises is a US cruise company headquartered in Beverly Hills CA. A former subsidiary of P&O Princess Cruises (founded 1977), in 2003, the company merged with Carnival Corporation - world's largest passenger shipping company. Among Princess Cruises assets is the Caribbean private island resort Princess Cays (on Bahamas Eleuthera Island's southern end), located approx 80 km (50 mi) from Nassau.

When the 1950-passenger ship Sun Princess debuted in 1995, she was not only the Princess fleet's largest but also the industry's biggest-ever cruise vessel. Together with the other Sun-class ships which followed (Sea Princess, Dawn Princess and Ocean Princess) - the vessel was outfitted with innovative features and facilities, which created a revolutionary effect on the industry, and served as a precursor to Princess' later establishment of Grand-class ships. Despite the relaxed atmosphere, Sun Princess has been a bit bypassed by more recent Princess innovations. Personal Choice Dining is unveiled long after the liner was designed and so the concept of versatility is not as smoothly incorporated into the dining venue scenario. Standard rooms, while effectively appointed, might be a narrow fit for a couple, and the 400 verandas are less than abundant when compared to newer vessels in the fleet.

Sun Princess underwent a USD 30 million drydock refit from April 5-18, 2016. The 14-day dry dock in Singapore added the new Princess Luxury Bed to cabins and Curtis Stone's Share restaurant. Kai Sushi was transformed into Kai Seafood Bar. Other additions include Amuleto Caf, NZ Natural ice cream outlet and Legends sports bar, showing tennis, weekly AFL and NRL football matches on LED screens.

On August 24, 2023, Peace Boat's Pacific World started from Yokohama a 105-day around-the-world cruise itinerary visiting a total of 24 ports/destinations in the Americas, the Caribbean, Europe (Iceland, Baltic, Mediterranean), North Africa (Egypt), Asia. The route included transits of unique waterways like the Panama Canal, Egypt's Suez Canal and Canada's St Lawrence Seaway.

Sun Princess food options are generally good and guests have enough variety to be satisfied, without having to pay for speciality dining. Vegetarian selections are excellent, desserts - superb. A good selection of healthy items is provided every night. Waiters are friendly and helpful. The Regency Dining Room offers breakfast and lunch, but most passengers opt for the casual Horizon Court buffet or freshly baked pizzas at the Italian Verdi's pizzeria. The popular dining venue, Horizon Court, is open 24 hours a day. Horizon Court is situated one deck above ship's swimming area. The buffet is tiny by new-ship standards but offers excellent breakfast options from 4 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., along with an abundance of fruits and bread, and European specialities. Terrace Grill offers BBQ, hotdogs, salads and chips by the pool.

Both the Princess Theatre and Vista Lounge, two of the biggest and most popular Sun Princess entertainment venues, are located on the Promenade Deck. Guests can choose between early or late shows. On some nights, the productions run twice, allowing passengers to alternate between the shows, which include large-scale stage productions and cabaret numbers. The 'British Invasion' features the 1960s hits from UK bands like The Rolling Stones, The Who and The Beatles. The Princess is a steeply sloped palladium theatre featuring excellent sightlines and theatre seating with small stands for drinks. The intimate Vista Lounge has cabaret seats around small tables, lounges and chairs around the centre stage and a row of stools against the bar. The Vista hosts headlining shows, game shows, bingo, trivia quizzes and dancing sessions including ballroom dancing and line dancing.

The Fincantieri Monfalcone-built Sun Princess ship was christened by godmother Lady Dorothy Sterling - wife of Lord Jeffrey Sterling (Chairman of P&O Cruises). Sun was the company's oldest vessels (Sun-class) with sisterships Dawn (now Pacific Explorer) and Sea (now Dream Charming).

Fun fact is that this liner was featured in the TV series "The Love Boat: The Next Wave" (with Robert Urich in the main role). Another fun fact is that the ship was reported in October 2007 to be the largest vessel passing under Sydney Harbour Bridge (Port Sydney, NSW Australia). At low tide, the vessel entered Sydney Harbour with about 2,5 m (8,2 ft) distance between its highest point and the arch bridge.

During Tokyo Olympics 2020, for 19 days the liner was scheduled to be chartered by JTB (travel agency) as hotel ship docked at Port Yokohama (Yamashita Pier), with a night on the "cruise ship hotel" between USD 300-3500 per person.

Next are listed some of the cruise ship's itineraries scheduled for 2021 but cancelled as the vessel changed ownership and left the Princess Cruises fleet. Prices listed are in USD per person (double-occupancy Inside cabin rates).

Since November 2007, Sun Princess has been seasonally based at Sydney, Australia. Cruises offered from that time circumnavigations Australia, circumnavigations New Zealand, and visits to New Caledonia and Vanuatu. In 2012, she offered her first world cruise.

In April 2008, Sun Princess was based in Australia, operating out of Sydney during the winter months, and from Melbourne during the summer months. For the 2008/2009 season the cruise program included Australian circumnavigations, Fremantle - Malacca Straits return, Melbourne - New Zealand / South Pacific. Sun Princess also sailed from Sydney for Melbourne plus Whitsundays return, a Japan return itinerary, and a 75 night Grand Pacific trip.

During summer 2008/2009 whilst Sun Princess was operating out of Melbourne, she was joined by Dawn Princess operating out of Sydney. Dawn Princess was also permanently based in Australia from that time which was a change from Princess Cruises' original plans.

Demand for Sun Princess cruises between Sydney and Fremantle and beyond from April to June 2008 was so strong that Princess Cruises scheduled additional sailings for 2009. The company also decided to base the vessel in Fremantle from April to August that year. Despite the availability of cheap domestic air connections, many customers booking Sun Princess voyages between Sydney and Fremantle in 2009 opted instead to extend their trips by traveling across Australia on a connecting Indian Pacific rail service.[8]

Cruises on Sun Princess from Fremantle in 2009 included the first Indian Ocean voyage of its kind from Australia. A 46-night sailing from Fremantle visited Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, India, the Maldives, the Seychelles, South Africa, Madagascar, Mauritius and Runion.[8]

In 2013, Sun Princess sailed round-trip cruises from Tokyo, Japan marking the first of Princess Cruises deployments from there. In 2014, she sailed an extended Japan cruise program, sailing from Otaru, Hokkaido and Kobe. She was joined by Diamond Princess which replaced her Tokyo sailings.

It was announced in June 2018 that Sun Princess would be used as a floating hotel for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. The ship was to be docked at Tokyo's Yokohama Port between 23 July and 9 August 2020, specifically to provide more hotel room space for Olympic guests. It was estimated that the ship would receive 36,000 overnight stays during the Tokyo Olympics.[10]

In October 2013, a 73-year-old man "disappeared" while the ship was on a 16-day cruise from Fremantle to Sydney. The wife of the man reported him missing. The search included: three aircraft and the Royal Australian Navy ship HMAS Maryborough in an area just north of Cape Londonderry. As of 8 October 2013 the missing passenger had not been found.[11]

Princess Cruises ship was not allowed to dock at a port in Madagascar on 13 February 2020 as it had visited Thailand, where there were cases of SARS-CoV-2, less than 14 days before. The ship docked at Runion on 1 March, but passengers were met by a crowd of about 30 people who insisted that the passengers must be inspected for SARS-CoV-2, and tried to prevent them from leaving the port area. Objects were thrown at passengers, and the police deployed tear gas. Princess Cruises said that there were no concerns of SARS-CoV-2 on the ship.[17]

I kind of got a chuckle when I read this. Last month, on the Rome to FLL TA, I overshot the rear stairs a couple times and walked right into the Club Bar and almost to the dining room before realizing I was already at the rear of the ship and well beyond the stairs.

I was told by one of the head waiters that the balsamic vinaigrette is just vinegar, oil, and spices. It's just whipped so it looks creamy. You might doublecheck. And I agree with the other poster. Check with one of the head waiters - there's one in the buffet as well - I'm sure they can help you. They did excellently with my fruit allergies 2 weeks ago.

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