Grand Princess

Launched in 1998, Grand Princess was the largest cruise liner in the world when it was built - and with a price tag of $450 million (£274 million), it was also the most expensive.

As part of the Princess Cruises fleet, it gave its name to the Grand class and, along with its sister ships Star Princess and Golden Princess, it set the bar for the new generation of resort-style vessels.

In the summer, the Grand Princess is based in Southampton and embarks on 14-night cruises to the Mediterranean, stopping at ports of call including Gibraltar, Barcelona, Mote Carlo, Rome, Naples, Corsica and Malaga. Baltic cruises are also available.

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During the winter months, the Grand Princess travels across the Atlantic to provide Caribbean services.

In early 2011, Grand Princess was dry docked for a substantial refit project. This involved removing the Skywalkers lounge which, perched high above the aft deck, had once been an iconic part of the ship.

Passengers will now be able to enjoy a new Piazza Atrium, which includes various additional restaurants and a specialty tea room. The refurbishment also made way for a few extra suites, a fresh nightclub and an additional lounge, as well as enhancements to the casino, spa and wedding chapel.

Ship stats and features

Passenger capacity: 3,100
Year entered service: 1998
Beam (ship width): 118.1 feet
Draught (ship depth): 26.2 feet
Length: 951.4 feet
Tonnage: 109,000
Crew: 1,100
Maximum speed: 22.5 knots
Number of passenger decks: 17
Number of lifts: 14
Number of swimming pools: 4
Number of cabins: 1,300

Food, cuisine and dining

The three main dining rooms on Grand Princess are the Botticelli, the Da Vinci and the Michelangelo. All three serve the same delicious fare.

In the Botticelli, passengers will enjoy a traditional style dining experience and are generally expected to dine in more formal attire. There are two dinner services every night and guests will be seated with the same companions throughout the voyage.

If you prefer more flexibility in your eating schedule, Personal Choice dining is available in the Da Vinci and Michelangelo rooms. With this option, you can have dinner any time between 17:30 and 22:00.

The Grand Princess is also home to three specialty restaurants. Sabatini's serves delicious Italian cuisine, while those dining at the Crown Grill will be able to enjoy fabulous seafood and steak.

Ultimate Balcony Dining is another option, where you'll be served a meal of your choice on your own balcony - perfect for a romantic dinner for two.

Alternatively, there are a number of casual eateries on-board for passengers to choose from:
• Horizon Court
• Alfredo's
• Preggo Pizzeria
• Trident Grill
• Vines
• The International Cafe

There's also the Leaves Tea Lounge and room service is available 24 hours a day.

On-board entertainment and activities

For passengers on-board Grand Princess, there's always plenty to see and do. So much so that, even if your voyage was twice as long, you wouldn't run out of entertainment options. Therefore, it's best to plan your activities carefully to make sure you get in all of your top priorities.

Movies Under the Stars is one thing that definitely shouldn't be missed. Throughout the day, a massive screen (measuring 300 square feet) over the Neptune's Reef Pool shows a variety of entertainment options, while at night the entire area is converted to an amphitheatre showing blockbuster films and classic movies, as well as sports events and concert videos.

Guests can sit back and relax on a sun-lounger while the 69,000-watt audio system provides cinema-quality surround-sound. Complimentary snacks are served, while guests can also enjoy outdoor dining and movie-themed cocktails while watching the shows.

In addition, the Princess Theatre is a lounge offering live Vegas-style music and dance performances, as well as comedy shows and concerts. Elsewhere, you can find live bands, competitions, educational seminars and art auctions, as well as the Atlantis Casino.

And of course, there are various bars, pubs, nightclubs and lounges to keep you entertained, whether you want to sit back and enjoy your favourite cocktail, or dance until the early hours of the morning.

Spas and fitness facilities

If you're looking for a place to enjoy some tranquillity or pampering, then head down to the Sanctuary.

This is a new adults-only feature on Grand Princess and its calming atmosphere features plush furniture and soothing music. Stewards are available to provide a high level of service, bringing you food and drinks, as well as chilled face towels and spring water atomisers.

The Sanctuary also boasts al fresco massages, while the Lotus Spa offers a more comprehensive menu of treatments. Choose from options like facials, wraps, manicures, cellulite treatment, teeth whitening, and hair styling - or simply spend some time in the sauna or steam room.

If you prefer to wind down with a vigorous workout, the on-board fitness suite includes a gym and exercise classes, while other activities like swimming, jogging and tennis will be sure to get your heart racing.

Cabins

Those sailing on Grand Princess will have six different room types to choose from: suites, mini suites, outside doubles with balconies, outside doubles without balconies and interior doubles.

With 1,300 rooms spanning 35 different price ranges, there are plenty of options and there's sure to be something for everyone - whether you're seeking an affordable cruise deal or want to splash some cash on a luxury holiday.

If you're looking for the ultimate in cruising comfort, then the Grand Suite is the option for you. It has two bedrooms, a large balcony, two bathrooms and a hot tub that can be accessed via the master bedroom or the balcony. There's also a fireplace, a walk-in closet and a personal computer. The room measures around 730 square feet and is lavishly decorated in a style that you would expect from a five-star hotel.

Finding a cabin with a truly private balcony can be difficult on the Grand Princess. This is because the tiered shape of the ship, combined with the transparent balustrade, makes it easy for your fellow passengers to see your balcony from both above and below. It's generally recommended that if you want a truly private balcony, your best bet is to choose a stateroom on the Caribe Deck.

At the other end of the spectrum, interior double rooms are simple and comfortable. They have two twin beds that can be pushed together to make a queen and measure around 160 square feet.

Whichever option you choose, you'll have your own bathroom, a television and a refrigerator, as well as complimentary toiletries and bath towels.