In right now’s put up I need to inform you about my latest 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 cherished the benefit and ease of it.
My journey with Princess Cruises was a media journey however, as all the time, all ideas and opinions are my very own. Right here’s my expertise of cruising from Southampton and my first impressions boarding the Sky Princess.
*****
Cruising from Southampton
For those who ask many individuals, ‘What’s the worst factor about travelling?’ I’m positive many would reply with, ‘Flying!’
For some folks it’s the worry 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 option 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 prior 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 unimaginable.
Right 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. Up to now 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 may be worrying with delays, safety, checking-in baggage and…properly simply basic airport stressyness!
Attending to Southampton Cruise Terminal
I stay close to Chester so I took the prepare right down to Southampton the evening earlier than and stayed at a Premier Inn. The ship didn’t depart till 4pm so I might have had time to journey down within the morning however I wish to be ready!
It took 5 hours on the prepare and my tickets price £40 every means. My lodge was slightly dearer than standard as a result of The Boat Present 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 value efficient possibility if in case you have 3-4 folks, however as I used to be travelling alone I discovered trains to be a lot simpler and cheaper.
I additionally love travelling by prepare. I discover it actually enjoyable and I like to get cozy with guide or a Netflix sequence on my iPad and I can simply sit and benefit from the journey.
My pal was travelling right down to Southampton from the Peak District and he or she took the prepare the morning we had been departing and had loads of time.
Boarding the Sky Princess couldn’t have been simpler
I met my pal, Jen, who was becoming a member of me for the cruise on the prepare station and we headed straight outdoors 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 instructed us they retired younger and took about 8-9 cruises yearly so that they had been absolute cruising professionals in my eyes! That is one thing I’d beforehand seen with cruisers. Individuals 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 clean, fast and environment friendly every thing was. I used to be anticipating it to be like an airport the place there’d be lengthy queues and worrying safety however it’s all so properly organised.
We’d already checked in through the Medallion app so we might see our stateroom quantity on the app. We instructed the quantity to a man who shortly tagged our luggage and whisked them away (our luggage joined us in our room about 45 minutes later).
We then walked via to get our Medallions.
What’s the Medallion on Princess Cruises?
The Medallion is a wearable machine all friends 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 id and means you don’t must take something out with you while you’re out and about on the ship. It comes on a lanyard however you may get different issues to carry it similar to a watch-style strap. I opted for a clip so I might clip it to no matter I used to be carrying and it was very nice not having to hassle 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 must hassle with a passport (though I might 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. When you’ve got any dietary necessities then the Medallion will present them this!
It additionally has an OceanCompass on it that can assist you navigate the ship and (that is elective) you need to use it to trace members of your celebration. This is able to be nice for those who’ve received youngsters, aged relations otherwise you’re travelling in an enormous group and wish to know the place you could find your mates.
What in regards to the Medallion Class App?
There’s additionally an app for all Princess Cruises. Even for those who’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 should utilize the app to add all of your paperwork similar to your passport and Covid move so boarding the ship is fast and straightforward. It truthfully 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 can assist you discover your means across the ship and it’s a paper-free option to see what’s happening with updates about reveals, meals, occasions, excursions and actions.
You can even use the app to order meals and drinks, which is a pleasant contact however we frequently 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 move 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 every thing is plush and glittering. I felt like a toddler, dazzled by the lights and the grandeur and the decor and I simply needed to run round and discover!
We determined to go straight to our room to dump our purses and journey garments. I instantly 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 can 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 option to begin a vacation!
We hadn’t even left the dock but however I immediately felt one million miles away because the solar shone on my face and we excitedly chatted in regards to the week forward.
Mini Suite onboard the Sky Princess
We had a stunning Mini Suite whereas we had been aboard the Sky Princess.
There are many choices with regards to selecting your stateroom. You might have an inside room, an oceanview which has an enormous window, a balcony room, a mini suite or a set.
The mini suite is a superb possibility for those who’d like a bit extra space or for those who’re travelling with youngsters or mates. The big couch mattress may be pulled out to accommodate two extra friends.
Because 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 rest room with a bathe over the tub and loads of house for preparing!
We unpacked our luggage (there was greater than sufficient cupboard space within the dressing space) and made ourselves at residence. We lastly tore ourselves away from our room to discover the ship.
Journey 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 while you first arrive.
The ship has so many little areas, I usually find yourself discovering my favorite spots on my previous few 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.
After all, these aren’t really ‘secret’ and you could find them utilizing the Medallion Class App however there’s a lot to see on the ship that it’s simple to overlook them for days!
Put your cozy footwear on and take an enormous stroll round the entire ship.
Discover it from high to backside, entrance to again and hold your eyes peeled for hidden areas! You’ll most likely get misplaced however you possibly can’t go far.
Certainly one of my favorite issues in regards to the ship is the best way every bar, cafe, restaurant and leisure house can have such a special ambiance. One bar can really feel subtle and enjoyable and you then stroll to the following and it’s energetic and bustling. Within the subsequent you would possibly discover a comedy present, within the subsequent there’s a dance efficiency and within the subsequent you’ll discover folks sitting quietly sipping their tea and studying their books.
We took a have a look at the swimming swimming pools and the gymnasium, lots of the eating places, the spa, the sanctuary, the new tubs, the theatre, the retailers and finally discovered ourselves upstairs within the buffet the place a properly 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 an enormous celebration up right here as everybody relaxed and received into the vacation temper. We had a couple of cocktails and cheered with the opposite friends because the Sky Princess sailed away from Southampton and out to sea.
Helpful hyperlinks
That is the precise cruise I did, simply departing in 2023
Listed here are all of the Princess Cruises on the Sky Princess departing from the UK subsequent yr
Right here’s the Sky Princess homepage to seek out every thing you must know.
I stayed on the Premier Inn Cumberland Place the night earlier than departure and I undoubtedly suggest it.
I take advantage of Nationwide Rail to seek out and guide trains within the UK.
For those who plan to drive to Southampton, you possibly can guide your automotive 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)
