Few cruise ships have the opportunity to boast of being the largest cruise ship around – sometimes they just follow through with an updated industry standard, and with the recent boom in the cruising market, any such claim are very short-lived.  Princess Cruises’ Grand Princess enjoyed such an accolade for over a year before the next big thing came along; but even though it has spent many voyages alongside much larger ships, it still has a loyal following due to its solid activity programs, and facilities you won’t find anywhere else.

The one distinct feature of the Grand Princess is the lack of a recurring theme throughout the ship, probably because it was built for a different time, when cruising was considered to be a chic experience and not an all-out family getaway.  While some ships seemed more of a playground and others are blah, the Grand Princess maintains a muted elegance in design without compromising on quality.  You won’t find cavernous atriums and Vegas neon lights here, just an understatement of sophistication with gilded wood trims, modern light fixtures, and muted shades of color on the carpet and furniture.  The function factor is also excellent; in spite of the fact that voyages are almost always full, you’ll never get lost in the crowd, since the public spaces are divided, intimate, and accommodating.

The Grand Princess has two distinct areas which still rival today’s best; the Calypso Reef pool, a glass-enclosure plant and pool conservatory with diffused light and complementing tile work, and the aptly-named Skywalkers, a nightclub aft deck which practically hangs over the ship’s wake.  Suspended 18 stories over the ocean, the club is accessible only by moving walkway which looks absolutely stunning with pulsing lights at night.  Indeed, you feel like you’re on a floating, standalone club in the middle of the ocean.  And while most nightclubs are practically ghost towns during the day, Skywalkers provides solace for those who want a commanding view of the rear of the ship without the obstruction of the wake.

The cabins are standard fare with the exception of one feature – the protruding balconies which are distinctive of the ship.  All staterooms have step-out balconies which provide a wider view of the ocean, but unfortunately, you feel like you’re back at the apartment, with the neighbors in full view.  Balconies on the lower decks are enclosed in Plexiglas for safety purposes, but the topmost balconies are open air.  While this may be a treat for some guests, those who like to spend their vacations au naturale will be hard-pressed for a peep-over.

Although the entertainment offerings of the Grand Princess are really nothing new, they are at least at par with the best in quality.  An open-air LCD screen above Neptune’s Reef pool provides 300 sq. ft. of viewing entertainment, even in the brightest times of the day.  You can dance the night away at Skywalkers, and the kids can involve themselves in age-appropriate distractions at the Calypso Reef or the Voyage of Discovery arcade.  Plus, there’s always a party scheduled for most of the sea trips – whether it’s movie-watching or a Caribbean-themed fete, your opportunities for R&R and unbridled fun is only hours away from each other with the Princess.