Royal Princess, formerly Minerva II and originally R8, is the last in a series of eight almost identical ships in the defunct Renaissance Cruises fleet. The ship’s square funnel has acquired a Princess Cruises logo to balance the all-white hull, white superstructure, and high sides.

An outside lido deck has a swimming pool and good sunbathing space, while one of the aft decks has a thalassaotherapy pool. A jogging track circles the swimming pool deck (but one deck above).

The interior decor is quite elegant, and is a throwback to ship decor of the ocean liners of the 1920s and ’30s. This includes detailed ceiling cornices, both real and faux wrought-iron staircase railings, leather paneled walls, trompe l’oeil ceilings, rich carpeting in hallways with an Oriental rug-look center section, and many other interesting (and expensive-looking) decorative touches.

The overall feel is of an old-world country club. Swanners (regular Swan Hellenic Cruises passengers) will surely be pleased with the taste with which its interiors have been designed and executed.

The public rooms are basically spread over three decks. The reception hall (lobby) has a staircase with intricate, real wrought-iron railings (but painted on plasti-glass panels on the stairways on other decks). A large observation lounge, the Orpheus Room, is located high atop the ship, with great views from its floor-to-ceiling windows. The room has a long bar which faces forward (the barmen actually have the best view) and very comfortable seating. There is also a small bandstand and wooden dance floor, while the aft section on the port side has six internet-connect computer terminals (although there’s little privacy).

Other public rooms: The Lounge is used principally for lectures and evening theatrical and musical performances. The delightful wood-paneled Wheeler Bar (it used to be a casino) has a fireplace, a long bar, and a large half-model of S.S. Caledonia, a former P&O ship.

The vessel has several bars – including one in each of the restaurant entrances. The Library is a beautiful, grand, restful room (perhaps the nicest public room), designed in Regency style. It has a fireplace, a high, indented, trompe l’oeil ceiling, and an excellent collection of about 4,000 books, plus some very comfortable wingback chairs with footstools, and sofas you could sleep on.

Princess Cruises provides good cruise and tour programs, geared specifically to North American and British passengers, at a price that’s very hard to beat considering the destination-rich itineraries, pre- and post-cruise land stays at high-quality hotels, all transfers, and the expert lecturers that accompany every cruise. You should experience a fine, hassle-free cruise vacation aboard this ship. There may not be marble bathroom fittings, or caviar and other (more expensive) niceties, but the value for money is excellent.

The onboard currency is the US dollar, and gratuities are charged to your onboard account.

There is no walk-around promenade deck outdoors, but there is a small jogging track around the perimeter of the swimming pool, and open decks on the port and starboard sides. There are no wooden decks outdoors; they are instead covered by Bolidt, a sand-colored rubberized material. The stairways, although carpeted, sound tinny.

In 2007, a casino was re-instated during the conversion from Minerva II to Royal Princess.

Berlitz Guide © Apa Publishing 2008