Ocean Princess

Operating 17 ships, Princess Cruises -– part of the Carnival Corporation line-up -- offers nearly 150 itineraries calling at nearly 260 ports. Princess itineraries range from seven to 72 days. Personal Choice Cruising gives passengers opportunity to customize their cruise experiences with extensive choices in dining, entertainment, amenities and more. In 2002, Princess acquired R3 and R4 from the defunct Renaissance Cruises fleet, renaming them Pacific Princess and Tahitian Princess (now Ocean Princess). Both 670-passenger vessels sail exotic itineraries including the South Pacific. Small compared to other Princess ships, they nevertheless have staterooms with private balconies and Jacuzzis alongside the pool.

Quick View

While without many of the Princess Personal Choice options or Las Vegas style shows, Ocean Princess provides a smaller ship experience with balcony cabin options, dining alternatives, nightclub-style entertainment, spa and fitness facilities, and exciting shore excursions. South Pacific itineraries include plenty of shoreside options from Jeep rides to numerous water sports options. Among Ocean Princess itineraries are the South Pacific, eastern and western Mediterranean, Europe, Greek isles, Venice, Scandinavia and the land of the midnight sun, South China Sea and more.

About Gratuities
A $10 per person, per day gratuity is automatically applied to shipboard accounts for dining and cabin staff and may be adjusted upward or downward at any time during the cruise. Passengers wishing to tip in the traditional manner may do so.

Disabled Access
Ocean Princess has four wheelchair accessible cabins, one mini-suite, two ocean-view cabins, and one inside cabin.

Ship Features

Ocean Princess retains its sense of elegance from Renaissance days, with the main revamping done in the nightclub doubling by day as an observation lounge. Décor includes wing-back chairs, faux marble fireplaces, extensive dark wood paneling and wrought-iron staircases.

Staterooms
Among 334 (308 outside and 26 inside) staterooms, 232 of the ocean-view cabins have private balconies.

Stateroom amenities
Standard amenities include hair dryer, personal safe, television with CNN and Princess' on-board news channels and programs. Staterooms have small baths with showers, while suites and owner's suites have tubs. Suites also have mini-bars. Inside cabins are 158 square feet, while outside staterooms range from 146- to 206 square feet with either portholes and picture windows. Ocean-view cabins with private balconies measure 216 square feet including balcony. Mini-suite private balconies include a table and pair of chairs. A self-service laundry is aboard.

Kid & Teen Stuff
Ocean Princess does not have dedicated children’s or teen center, although activities for youngsters are scheduled when several children are on board, typically during holiday periods.

Life Aboard

Dining
Ocean Princess has a main dining room and the Panorama Buffet, encompassing a pizzeria, barbecue and ice cream parlor. Two alternative dining options, Sabatini’s Trattoria for Italian fare and Sterling Steakhouse, carry a surcharge. The steakhouse becomes a bistro after 11 p.m. Room service is available 24 hours.

Sports / Health / Fitness
Lotus Spa, Salon and Gym features a program of fitness/ wellness options with exotic flair along with a pair of steam rooms, treadmills, bikes and weight machines. Other amenities include a walking/jogging track, a swimming pool and three whirlpools.

Entertainment
A 358-seat Cabaret Lounge has a corps of singer/dancers, a comedian, magician and island locals providing entertainment. There’s also a nightclub/disco, plus an Internet café, a well-stocked library and a pair of shops.

Casino
A small casino with 30 or so slot machines, roulette and blackjack provides for wagering action.

Bars
Eight bars for slaking thirsts are positioned throughout the ship, with the Club Bar a late-night favorite.