There are few things more satisfying than seeing Princess Cruises waiters hunting you down around the expansive pool deck of the Sky Princess, attempting to fulfil the order you’ve placed on the ship’s app.
They know where you are because of your smart medallion, which is a key innovation of the cruise line that defines the whole cruising experience. It’s brilliant and we love it.
The medallion, which contains a chip with all your account details, knows precisely where you are onboard. When you approach your cabin, the door unlocks just before you get there. There’s no fumbling for key cards.
It’s how you pay for drinks, and it enables bar staff to find you when you’ve causally ordered snacks or drinks from your sun lounger.
The smart medallion is a key innovation of Princess Cruises and defines the whole cruising experience…
All new Princess cruise ships are now built around the technology, but the company has also retrofitted its older ships too, no mean feat. Look closely and you’ll see Wi-Fi gizmos everywhere.
If you want to put on the style, you can even wear your Medallion on your wrist or as a necklace.
We’re on the Sky Princess, taking in a short cruise around the UK, docking at Glasgow (Greenock) and Belfast – we’re excited to take an excursion to the Giant’s Causeway, but leaving the ship is a bit of a wrench.
The Sky Princess is impressive. The interior design is contemporary, but stylish with it.
The theatre on the Sky Princess seats 900 and has the technical trappings to match West End rivals. The Atrium is spacious, and the choice of bars and restaurants impressive.
When the weather’s fine, the pool deck is the social hub of the ship. It’s large, accommodating two pools. There’s a huge outdoor screen, which shows movies, music concerts and even hosts gaming sessions.
Technology once again takes centre stage. Guests compete against each other playing casual racing games on the Sky Princess app; there are also iPads dished out to those around the pool that want to join in. Players take to an undersea track as fish, cheered on by friends and family. We won some coasters – clearly, you take part for the glory and not the swag.
If you’re looking for a more sedate space, there’s The Sanctuary: an oasis of calm, with plush outdoor furniture, and the option of an al fresco massage or private cabana.
The dining options are predictably extensive and varied. For a snack, try Alfredo’s Pizzeria, for something more substantial there’s Sabatini’s trattoria. Every ship needs a good chop house, and here that role is fulfilled admirably by the Crown Grill, the place for steak and seafood. Fancy sushi? No problem, that’s available onboard too.
For our cruise, we stayed in a Mini Suite, which has room for two TVs and a balcony. It’s spacious and comfortable. Make sure you take advantage of the luxury Balcony Breakfast, comprising Champagne, salmon, fruits and croissants. It’s a lovely treat.
The highlight of our Glasgow excursion is the spectacular Kelvingrove Art Museum, which is an astonishing mix of fine art, natural history and antiques. It’s the only place you’ll find a submarine Spitfire suspended above Sir Roger, a stuffed Indian Elephant. It’s a proper curiosity shop.
One day later we’re disembarking in Belfast, to experience the Giant’s Causeway, a natural wonder constructed from thousands of hexagonal basalt columns. The variety of destinations and sightseeing available is a key attraction for many cruisers, and the world is Princess Cruises’ oyster.
Our Verdict: Sky Princess offers a premium holiday experience for less than you might imagine. We reckon it’s the smartest cruise holiday choice ever.
Summer 2024 will see Sky Princess offer a variety of itineraries around Norway and the Med, before heading to Canada on a 31 day round trip in September. In November it will traverse Southampton to Fort Lauderdale, before homeporting in the Caribbean. Click here for the latest Princess Cruises deals.
Numarine has released fresh details of its new 40MXP, a 40-metre superyacht designed to bring a little Mediterranean luxury to the long-range explorer category. Multiple builds are underway, with two deliveries scheduled for 2026. The name says a lot: MXP stands for Mediterranean Explorer, signalling a shift toward open-air living and sociable deck spaces, while…
Regent Seven Seas Cruises has announced a new partnership with Knightsbridge Circle, the invitation-only concierge service known for unlocking rarefied experiences for a global, high-net-worth clientele. The collaboration will give guests staying in the line’s most exclusive suites complimentary access to a Personal Manager from Knightsbridge Circle, smoothing out the parts of a journey that…
When you fly British Airways next year, you’ll be able to stream, scroll, and stay connected at 38,000 feet, as the flag carrier rolls out high-speed Starlink Wi-Fi across its entire fleet. The airline says all travellers, regardless of cabin class, will enjoy complimentary, gate-to-gate connectivity capable of supporting video streaming, video calls, and remote…
The Luxe Review 
There are few things more satisfying than seeing Princess Cruises waiters hunting you down around the expansive pool deck of the Sky Princess, attempting to fulfil the order you’ve placed on the ship’s app.
They know where you are because of your smart medallion, which is a key innovation of the cruise line that defines the whole cruising experience. It’s brilliant and we love it.
The medallion, which contains a chip with all your account details, knows precisely where you are onboard. When you approach your cabin, the door unlocks just before you get there. There’s no fumbling for key cards.
It’s how you pay for drinks, and it enables bar staff to find you when you’ve causally ordered snacks or drinks from your sun lounger.
All new Princess cruise ships are now built around the technology, but the company has also retrofitted its older ships too, no mean feat. Look closely and you’ll see Wi-Fi gizmos everywhere.
If you want to put on the style, you can even wear your Medallion on your wrist or as a necklace.
We’re on the Sky Princess, taking in a short cruise around the UK, docking at Glasgow (Greenock) and Belfast – we’re excited to take an excursion to the Giant’s Causeway, but leaving the ship is a bit of a wrench.
The Sky Princess is impressive. The interior design is contemporary, but stylish with it.
The theatre on the Sky Princess seats 900 and has the technical trappings to match West End rivals. The Atrium is spacious, and the choice of bars and restaurants impressive.
When the weather’s fine, the pool deck is the social hub of the ship. It’s large, accommodating two pools. There’s a huge outdoor screen, which shows movies, music concerts and even hosts gaming sessions.
Technology once again takes centre stage. Guests compete against each other playing casual racing games on the Sky Princess app; there are also iPads dished out to those around the pool that want to join in. Players take to an undersea track as fish, cheered on by friends and family. We won some coasters – clearly, you take part for the glory and not the swag.
If you’re looking for a more sedate space, there’s The Sanctuary: an oasis of calm, with plush outdoor furniture, and the option of an al fresco massage or private cabana.
The dining options are predictably extensive and varied. For a snack, try Alfredo’s Pizzeria, for something more substantial there’s Sabatini’s trattoria. Every ship needs a good chop house, and here that role is fulfilled admirably by the Crown Grill, the place for steak and seafood. Fancy sushi? No problem, that’s available onboard too.
For our cruise, we stayed in a Mini Suite, which has room for two TVs and a balcony. It’s spacious and comfortable. Make sure you take advantage of the luxury Balcony Breakfast, comprising Champagne, salmon, fruits and croissants. It’s a lovely treat.
The highlight of our Glasgow excursion is the spectacular Kelvingrove Art Museum, which is an astonishing mix of fine art, natural history and antiques. It’s the only place you’ll find a submarine Spitfire suspended above Sir Roger, a stuffed Indian Elephant. It’s a proper curiosity shop.
One day later we’re disembarking in Belfast, to experience the Giant’s Causeway, a natural wonder constructed from thousands of hexagonal basalt columns. The variety of destinations and sightseeing available is a key attraction for many cruisers, and the world is Princess Cruises’ oyster.
Our Verdict: Sky Princess offers a premium holiday experience for less than you might imagine. We reckon it’s the smartest cruise holiday choice ever.
Summer 2024 will see Sky Princess offer a variety of itineraries around Norway and the Med, before heading to Canada on a 31 day round trip in September. In November it will traverse Southampton to Fort Lauderdale, before homeporting in the Caribbean. Click here for the latest Princess Cruises deals.
First look: Numarine 40MXP superyacht gives Explorer series a Mediterranean makeover
Numarine has released fresh details of its new 40MXP, a 40-metre superyacht designed to bring a little Mediterranean luxury to the long-range explorer category. Multiple builds are underway, with two deliveries scheduled for 2026. The name says a lot: MXP stands for Mediterranean Explorer, signalling a shift toward open-air living and sociable deck spaces, while…
Elevated cruising on the menu as Regent Seven Seas partners with Knightsbridge Circle
Regent Seven Seas Cruises has announced a new partnership with Knightsbridge Circle, the invitation-only concierge service known for unlocking rarefied experiences for a global, high-net-worth clientele. The collaboration will give guests staying in the line’s most exclusive suites complimentary access to a Personal Manager from Knightsbridge Circle, smoothing out the parts of a journey that…
British Airways to introduce complimentary lightning-fast Starlink Wi-Fi across its fleet from 2026
When you fly British Airways next year, you’ll be able to stream, scroll, and stay connected at 38,000 feet, as the flag carrier rolls out high-speed Starlink Wi-Fi across its entire fleet. The airline says all travellers, regardless of cabin class, will enjoy complimentary, gate-to-gate connectivity capable of supporting video streaming, video calls, and remote…
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