In at present’s put up I need to let you know 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 liked the convenience 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. Here’s my expertise of cruising from Southampton and my first impressions boarding the Sky Princess.
*****
Cruising from Southampton
If 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 trouble of it.
For the previous few months, UK airports have been a nightmare. So if there’s any approach to have an amazing 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 up to now 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.
Here’s a hyperlink to the precise cruise I did however 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. In the previous 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 might be annoying with delays, safety, checking-in baggage and…nicely simply common airport stressyness!
Getting to Southampton Cruise Terminal
I reside close to Chester so I took the practice right 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 wish to be ready!
It took 5 hours on the practice and my tickets value £40 every means. My lodge was slightly dearer than standard as a result of The Boat Show was in Southampton that weekend however a Premier Inn in Southampton normally prices about £60 an evening.
Driving might 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 if in case 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 practice. I discover it actually stress-free and I like to get cozy with a very good guide or a Netflix collection on my iPad and I can simply sit and benefit from the journey.
My good friend was travelling right down to Southampton from the Peak District and she or he took the practice the morning we had been departing and had loads of time.
Boarding the Sky Princess couldn’t have been simpler
I met my good friend, Jen, who was becoming a member of me for the cruise on the practice station and we headed straight exterior 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 advised us they retired younger and took about 8-9 cruises yearly so that they had been absolute cruising execs in my eyes! This is one thing I’d beforehand seen with cruisers. People who love cruises, actually love cruises!
We arrived on the cruise terminal the place we shortly handed over our baggage.
The very first thing I seen was how easy, fast and environment friendly all the pieces was. I used to be anticipating it to be like an airport the place there’d be lengthy queues and annoying safety however it’s all so nicely organised.
We’d already checked in by way of the Medallion app so we might see our stateroom quantity on the app. We advised the quantity to a man who shortly tagged our baggage and whisked them away (our baggage joined us in our room about 45 minutes later).
We then walked by means of to get our Medallions.
What is the Medallion on Princess Cruises?
The Medallion is a wearable machine all visitors are given after 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 identification and means you don’t have to take something out with you once you’re out and about on the ship. It comes on a lanyard however you will get different issues to carry it resembling a watch-style strap. I opted for a clip so I might clip it to no matter I used to be sporting and it was very nice not having to trouble 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 trouble 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 employees on the ship see your private preferences. If you may have any dietary necessities then the Medallion will present them this!
It additionally has an OceanCompass on it that will help you navigate the ship and (that is elective) you should utilize it to trace members of your celebration. This could be nice if you happen to’ve acquired youngsters, aged relations otherwise you’re travelling in a giant group and wish to know the place you’ll find your folks.
What concerning the Medallion Class App?
There’s additionally an app for all Princess Cruises. Even if you happen to’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 can use the app to add all of your paperwork resembling your passport and Covid go so boarding the ship is fast and simple. It actually took us lower than a minute to check-in for the ship as a result of we’d already stuffed in all our particulars.
The app has GPS that will help you discover your means across the ship and it’s a paper-free approach to see what’s occurring with updates about exhibits, meals, occasions, excursions and actions.
You can even use the app to order meals and drinks, which is a pleasant contact however we regularly 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 all the pieces is plush and glittering. I felt like a toddler, dazzled by the lights and the grandeur and the decor and I simply wished to run round and discover!
We determined to move 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 had been going!
As we approached our room we had 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 approach to begin a vacation!
We hadn’t even left the dock but however I immediately felt 1,000,000 miles away because the solar shone on my face and we excitedly chatted concerning the week forward.
Mini Suite onboard the Sky Princess
We had a beautiful Mini Suite whereas we had been aboard the Sky Princess.
There are numerous choices with regards to selecting your stateroom. You might have an inside room, an oceanview which has a giant window, a balcony room, a mini suite or a set.
The mini suite is a good possibility if you happen to’d like a bit extra space or if you happen to’re travelling with kids or buddies. The giant couch mattress might be pulled out to accommodate two extra visitors.
As 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 baggage (there was greater than sufficient space for storing within the dressing space) and made ourselves at residence. We lastly tore ourselves away from our room to discover the ship.
Travel Hack Tip
My high 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 once you first arrive.
The ship has so many little areas, I typically find yourself discovering my favorite spots on my previous couple of days!
I used to be fortunate sufficient to have slightly tour across the ship and found hidden bars, secret swimming swimming pools, tucked away cafes and personal little areas nobody else ever finds.
Of course, 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 straightforward to overlook them for days!
Put your cozy footwear on and take a giant stroll round the entire ship.
Explore it from high to backside, entrance to again and hold your eyes peeled for hidden areas! You’ll most likely get misplaced however you’ll be able to’t go far.
One of my favorite issues concerning the ship is the way in which every bar, cafe, restaurant and leisure house can have such a distinct ambiance. One bar can really feel subtle and stress-free and you then stroll to the subsequent and it’s vigorous and bustling. In 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 take a look at the swimming swimming pools and the gymnasium, lots of the eating places, the spa, the sanctuary, the recent tubs, the theatre, the retailers and finally discovered ourselves upstairs within the buffet the place a nicely earned-lunch was wanted!
We might 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 acquired into the vacation temper. We had a number of cocktails and cheered with the opposite visitors because the Sky Princess sailed away from Southampton and out to sea.
Useful hyperlinks
This is the precise cruise I did, simply departing in 2023
Here are all of the Princess Cruises on the Sky Princess departing from the UK subsequent 12 months
Here’s the Sky Princess homepage to seek out all the pieces you should know.
I stayed on the Premier Inn Cumberland Place the night earlier than departure and I undoubtedly suggest it.
I exploit National Rail to seek out and guide trains within the UK.
If you intend to drive to Southampton, you’ll be able to 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)