Enchanted Princess

The 2020-built/2021-inaugurated Enchanted Princess cruise ship is the 5th Royal-class vessel in the Princess Cruises fleet, with fleetmates and sisterships Royal Princess (2013), Regal Princess (2014), Majestic Princess (2017), Sky Princess (2019), and Discovery Princess (2022). From the same class is also P&O UK’s Britannia (2015).

The vessel (IMO number 9807126) is currently Bermuda-flagged (MMSI 310791000) and registered in Hamilton.

History - construction and ownership

Princess Cruises is a USA-based passenger shipping company headquartered in Beverly Hills, CA. A former subsidiary of P&O Princess Cruises (founded in 1977), in 2003 the company merged with Carnival Corporation, the world’s largest cruise shipowner. Among Princess Cruise Lines Ltd.’s assets is the private Caribbean island resort Princess Cays (on Eleuthera Island, Bahamas), located approx 80 km (50 mi) from Nassau.

The 3,600-passenger Enchanted Princess is among the largest cruise ships at sea. She was built at Fincantieri’s shipyard in Italy and has 19 decks. Enchanted Princess features 16 bars and restaurants, a luxury spa, and unique attractions such as the glass-enclosed SeaWalk, a walkway cantilevered over the ocean.

Decks and Cabins

Most Enchanted Princess staterooms (1,834 total, in 38 categories) include 1,438 cabins (80% of all) with step-out balconies. The ship also has 36 wheelchair-accessible cabins and no Oceanview-category cabins. The largest accommodations are the 2-room Sky Suites (950–1,010 ft² / 88–94 m² plus a 700 ft² / 65 m² terrace).

The boat has 18 decks, of which 15 are passenger-accessible and 8 have cabins.

Sky Suites (a new cabin category) are Princess Cruises’ first staterooms for 5 guests and offer 270-degree top-deck views. They are also the fleet’s largest cabins and feature the fleet’s largest balconies. Both Sky Suites are located midship on Sports Deck 18 (port and starboard). Each has a wraparound terrace and provides a private view of the outdoor “Movies Under the Stars” theater (the fleet’s biggest outdoor LED screen).

Shipboard dining options - Food and Drinks

There are many for-fee dining options onboard Enchanted Princess, but guests who prefer not to pay have ample complimentary variety and quality. Those who favor tradition can choose among the three main dining rooms: Amalfi, Capri, and Santorini.

Horizon Court and Horizon Bistro are the buffet venues, providing a more casual vibe. Passengers who wish to dine poolside can grab a burger at Trident Grill or a slice at Gigi’s Pizzeria. Indoors, Alfredo’s serves calzones, salads, and thin-crust pizza.

Allegro Dining Room is the only complimentary venue for traditional set-time dinner, with seatings at 5:45 PM or 8:15 PM. Allegro’s menus are diverse and include a soup or salad course, an appetizer, pasta, and an entrée, plus a dedicated dessert menu.

In April 2024, Princess Cruises announced that starting September 14, 2024, three distinct main dining/dinner table-service options would be introduced fleetwide—Traditional, Reservable, and Walk-in Anytime. Under the new program (introduced with Sun Princess), each ship allocates three separate dining rooms: one for Traditional dining (early and late seatings), one with Reservable times, and one for Walk-in Anytime (open seating). The options are integrated with the OceanNow service, allowing anything to be ordered anytime and delivered anywhere onboard.

Below is the complete list of Enchanted Princess restaurants and food bars.

• Symphony Restaurant (midship location; offers “Anytime Dining” for dinner; “Wine Cellar” area serves “Wine Maker’s Dinner” for $40, capacity 12 guests)
• Gigi’s Pizzeria (121 seats; the largest complimentary pizzeria at sea)
• Concerto Restaurant (forward Dining Room; offers “Anytime Dining” 5:30 pm–10 pm; serves the “Wine Maker’s Dinner” package for $40)
• Allegro Restaurant (aft Dining Room; formal dining with two fixed dinner seatings at 6 pm or 8:15 pm; “Chef’s Table Lumiere” private dining for $115, 12 guests)
• OceanFront (specialty seafood bar with an à la carte menu—sushi, sashimi)
• Crown Grill (160-seat steakhouse/seafood restaurant; reservations recommended; on select days serves complimentary British Pub Lunch)
• Salty Dog Grill (Deck 5) and Alfredo’s Pizzeria (Deck 7/fleet’s largest) are self-serve, complimentary fast-food venues. The rustic Salty Dog Gastropub is a new venue where passengers can watch sporting events, gather over small bites and drinks, and try the Ernesto Burger by chef-partner Ernesto Uchimura (founding chef of the original Umami Burger and owner of the LA-based restaurant and bar Electric Owl).
• (Deck 5) O’Malley’s Pub—an Irish pub with traditional music, food, alcoholic beverages (beers, ales, whiskeys), and live entertainment.
• Calypso Cabana (food bar offering picnic baskets, desserts, champagne, and wine packages)
• World Fresh Marketplace (self-service buffet restaurant, complimentary); Horizon Buffet (indoor seating) and Horizon Terrace (outdoor seating)
• Swirls Bar (ice cream)

Settimo Cielo (Deck 7) is the ship’s “town square,” lined with Italian venues such as Sabatini’s Trattoria, Bellini’s (cocktail bar), and Alfredo’s Pizzeria.

Sabatini’s Trattoria (à la carte specialty restaurant on Deck 7) offers a 3-course Italian/seafood menu. Open 6 pm–11 pm; reservations are recommended. The space blends a contemporary setting with classic Italian accents, featuring handmade pasta courses (in partnership with celebrity chef Angelo Auriana) prepared daily. Sabatini’s Trattoria also offers “Sabatini’s Bites” during wine tastings.

Bistro Sur La Mer (cover charge US$35 per person) was an authentic Parisian bistro with a fine-dining dinner menu curated by Michelin-star chef Emmanuel Renaut. In 2023, La Mer was replaced by “The Catch by Rudi” (introduced on Enchanted Princess following her 2023 refurbishment).

“The Catch by Rudi” is Princess Cruises’ first seafood-dedicated restaurant, created in partnership with celebrity chef Rudi Sodamin, who also heads Princess Culinary Arts (the onboard dining program).

• The menu is predominantly seafood, based on the freshest catch (sustainably sourced from the current itinerary’s ports of call), and also includes surf-and-turf options (including prime beef steaks), vegetarian dishes, gourmet appetizers, and desserts.
• The specialty experience features creative, engaging presentations, distinctive settings, and a welcome cocktail crafted by celebrity mixologist Rob Floyd.
• The menu highlights “The Daily Catch” (showcasing sustainably sourced seafood from local ports), international fusion influences (playful twists on favorites like Asian-fried calamari), Chef Sodamin’s contemporary takes on classics (e.g., lobster with garlic-butter crust), and signature creations from his repertoire (e.g., Towering Trio, Whole Dover Sole). The Seafood Trolley is a feast piled high with fresh lobster tails, shrimp, oysters, mussels, and more.
• The Catch by Rudi’s wine list is carefully curated to pair with seafood. The waitstaff (sommelier-trained) offers recommendations for white, red, rosé, and sparkling wines from coastal wine regions.

The Catch by Rudi’s cover charge is US$39 per person and is also included in the Princess Premier package (premium add-on).

Shipboard entertainment options - Fun and Sport

The bulk of the performance action takes place in the 2-level Princess Theater (Decks 6 and 7), the ship’s main show lounge with palladium-style seating and grand evening productions.

The theater does not have tables or drink holders, so if you order a preshow beverage or bring one, you’ll need to hold it. The entertainment program is excellent and varied, with an innovative edge. In addition to production shows, the Princess Theater hosts other acts, including vocalists and instrumentalists.

The ship has 4 swimming pools and 10 outdoor Jacuzzis/whirlpool hot tubs.

Compared to earlier Royal-class ships, Enchanted Princess introduces the Wakeview swimming pool (aft-located), plus two deep-water top-deck pools and the adults-only Retreat Pool, as well as more Jacuzzis (including two cantilevered over the deep-water pools). The expanded Sanctuary area offers a new design and twice as many private cabanas as her sisters. Vista Lounge is also redesigned. Princess Live! & Café is a new venue serving quick bites, premium teas, and barista-made coffees, with live performances and premium drinks.

Below is the complete list of Enchanted Princess lounges, clubs, and other entertainment venues for kids, teens, and adults.

• The Piazza Atrium (3-deck open area; features live entertainment and the Piazza Lobby Bar)
• Princess Fine Arts Gallery; Photo Gallery & Shop; Limelight Photo Studio; Platinum Studio
• International Café (24-hour specialty coffee bar and patisserie)
• Vines Bar (wine/seafood/sushi bar)
• Gelato (the largest ice cream bar at sea)
• Library (with Internet stations); Internet Café (24-hour)
• Princess Enchanted Theater (2-level show productions; hosts workshops, seminars, and game shows)
• Celebrations Shop; Calypso Cove Shop; Essence Shop; Meridian Bay Shop; Facets Shop
• Club 6 Disco & Bar; Churchill’s Lounge & Bar (cigar bar); Bellini’s Bar; Crooners Lounge & Bar; Princess Live Lounge; Vista Lounge; Concierge Lounge (Suite guests only); SkyLight Bar; Seaview Bar
• Princess Casino (gaming lounge and bar)
• Wheelhouse Bar (piano bar by day and an English pub at night)
• Lotus Spa complex; Beauty Salon; Fitness Center (with Aerobics Studio)
• Wedding Chapel
• Movies Under the Stars (LED-screen outdoor cinema)
• The Game Lounge (Video Games Arcade); Teen Center; Youth Center; Remix Disco & Lounge (teen club)
• The Sanctuary (adults-only sundeck/open-air relaxation complex)
• SeaWalk (glass-bottomed cantilevered walkway, 18 m/60 ft long)
• Fountain Pool area; Retreat Pool area
• Princess Sports Central—Center Court (volleyball, basketball, European football); table tennis; Game Lounge virtual gaming; The Greens golf nets; Golfing Cage; Laser Shooting; Jogging Track
• “Take 5” (Deck 6 midship-portside) is the world’s only jazz theater at sea. This jazz-themed bar lounge features a chic setting, live performances by renowned jazz musicians (including iconic female vocalists), hand-crafted premium cocktails (developed by master mixologist Rob Floyd), guest performers, late-night themed parties, and daily enrichment programming (with engaging speakers and workshops). Custom media content is displayed on the lounge’s TV screens.

On the sisterships Sky and Enchanted, Princess Cruises introduced the exclusive “Jim Henson’s Inspired Silliness”—a 30-minute live production themed on Jim Henson’s celebrated puppetry. James Maury Henson (1936–1990) was a US puppeteer, animator, cartoonist, actor, and filmmaker, best known as the creator of “The Muppets” (TV show created in 1955). The new production (hosted in the Princess Theater) includes singers and dancers, high-tech visuals, comedy acts, and professional puppetry. The show opens with a video introduction by Henson’s son (Brian) and features new puppets from Henson’s Creature Shop plus newly designed characters.

The Experience Center (Deck 18 aft-starboard) has a maximum capacity of 6 people and no age restrictions. This is the ship’s Escape Room hosting the “Phantom Bridge” game, which combines physical and virtual/digital elements for a unique puzzle-solving experience at sea. Part of Princess Cruises’ onboard enrichment program (Discovery at SEA), it offers interactive (real-world + virtual) adventures with 700+ different outcomes. Each session lasts 23 minutes and allows passengers to navigate the virtual cruise ship, watch simulations evolve, uncover clues, and solve the mystery. Technologies include a physical steering wheel and touch-screen surfaces (in the room), projection mapping, advanced sound, lighting and digital effects, and hidden physical elements throughout the ship.

Itineraries

Enchanted Princess’ itinerary program was originally planned to start in 2020 with an inaugural season in Southern Europe, with departures from homeports Civitavecchia-Rome, Barcelona, and Piraeus-Athens. The 7-day Mediterranean itineraries were combinable into 14-day and 21-day B2Bs (back-to-back cruises).

• The Maiden Voyage was initially scheduled for June 18, 2020 (11-day Rome to Southampton, England). On July 1 she was to reposition from Southampton to Rome (10-day) and to Athens (17-day).
• For November 5 a 14-day Transatlantic repositioning crossing from Europe to the USA (Barcelona to Fort Lauderdale) was scheduled.

Due to ongoing COVID-related international travel restrictions, Princess Cruises eventually canceled the fleet’s entire program through early July 2021.

• Enchanted Princess’ Inaugural Cruise was first rescheduled for January 2, 2021 (7-day Western Caribbean roundtrip from Fort Lauderdale, Florida).
• In December 2020, the Maiden Voyage was rescheduled for May 22, 2021 (7-day Mediterranean and Adriatic roundtrip from Civitavecchia-Rome).
• In early March 2021, eight more itineraries were canceled and the Maiden Voyage was rescheduled for July 3 (7-day Mediterranean from Rome).
• In mid-May 2021, the ship’s entire Mediterranean 2021 program (26 itineraries) based on homeporting in Civitavecchia and Barcelona was canceled. The latest cancellations included the 15-day Transatlantic crossing from Barcelona to Fort Lauderdale. Mediterranean itineraries included 7-day roundtrips combinable into 14-day and 21-day B2Bs.
• The Inaugural Cruise was rescheduled for November 10, 2021 (the liner’s first departure date)—a 10-day “Southern Caribbean with Curacao,” followed by a 20-day “Caribbean Explorer” (B2B).

The vessel’s powerplant consists of four Wartsila marine diesel engines (model 46F – 2x 12V and 2x 14V) with a combined output of 62.4 MW (83,700 hp). Propulsion is provided by two azipods with a total power of 18 MW (24,000 hp).

The ship was built at Fincantieri’s Monfalcone yard (hull number 6275) and has a volume of 145,281 GT, deadweight tonnage of 11,658 tons, length overall (LOA) 330 m, beam 38 m (47 m including Navigation Bridge wings), and maximum draught 8.6 m.

In April 2016, Princess Cruises (via Carnival Corporation) signed a contract for two new ships, scheduled for delivery in 2019 (Sky Princess) and 2020 (Enchanted Princess). These became the 4th and 5th Royal-class liners, following Royal Princess, Regal Princess, and Majestic Princess. All were constructed at Fincantieri Monfalcone Shipyard (near Trieste) under Carnival’s multi-shipbuilding agreement with Fincantieri. At the time, Carnival had 16 ships on order, with deliveries between 2016 and 2020. These new builds were the fleet’s largest and introduced features like Movies Under the Stars, Piazza Atrium, 80% balcony staterooms, and new dining venues.

In January 2017, Carnival announced two additional orders: one for Princess Cruises (Royal-class / Discovery Princess) and one for Holland America Line (Pinnacle-class / Nieuw Ryndam-Rotterdam). Carnival signed a memorandum of agreement (MoA) with Fincantieri to build both ships, with deliveries in 2021 (HAL/Marghera) and 2022 (Princess/Monfalcone). By February 2017, Carnival had 19 new vessels scheduled for delivery between 2017 and 2022.

Fun facts: It takes around 3 million man-hours (~6,000 employees) and 37,000 tons of steel to build a Royal-class ship. For comparison, the Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles required about 12,000 tons of steel. The ship’s paint totals 95,000 gallons (360,000 L), roughly double the annual amount used for repainting the Golden Gate Bridge. Electrical wiring extends 2,484 miles (4,000 km) – enough to connect New York City with Los Angeles.

The keel-laying ceremony was held on February 14, 2019. On the same day, sistership Sky Princess was floated out and the steel-cutting for the 6th (final) Royal-class liner (Discovery Princess, delivered in 2022) was held. During the keel-laying, instead of the traditional coin, an OceanMedallion device was welded into the hull for good luck.

The float-out took place on August 6, 2019, attended by Firouz Mal (Princess Cruises’ Director of Building Services) and Roberto Olivari (Monfalcone Shipyard Director). The ceremony’s godmother was shipyard employee Marinella Cossu. By 2019, Fincantieri had built 92 cruise ships, including 66 for Carnival Corporation (16 for Princess) plus 54 more under construction or on order.

Enchanted Princess was officially delivered on September 30, 2020, marking the 100th cruise ship built by Fincantieri. The ceremony was attended by Giuseppe Bono (Fincantieri CEO), Roberto Olivari (Monfalcone Director), Captain Nick Nash, and virtually by Micky Arison (Carnival Corporation Chairman), Arnold Donald (Carnival President & CEO), Stein Kruse (CEO of Holland America Group), and Jan Swartz (President of Princess Cruises and Carnival Australia).

The christening was originally scheduled for June 30, 2020, in Southampton, England, one day before the planned maiden voyage (July 1-11) from Southampton to Civitavecchia-Rome. Bookings opened on November 8, 2018.

The ship’s first Masters were announced in June 2019. Captain Nick Nash (former Master of Royal Princess) took delivery in Monfalcone. Captain Gennaro Arma (permanent Master) serves with Massimiliano Imperiale (Chief Engineer), Richard Harry (Hotel Manager), and Richard Dalton (Staff Captain).

• Captain Gennaro Arma (from Sorrento, Italy) joined Princess Cruises in 1998 and became Master in 2015 (on Sea Princess).
• Massimiliano Imperiale joined in 1999 (as Engine Cadet) and was appointed Chief Engineer in 2013 (on Caribbean Princess).
• Richard Harry (from Farnborough, England) has been with Princess since 1988 (starting as a Front Desk Receptionist).
• Richard Dalton (from Isle of Bute, Scotland) joined in 2001 and became Staff Captain in 2017.

The rescheduled naming ceremony was held on December 13, 2021, at Port Everglades (Fort Lauderdale, Florida), the ship’s Caribbean homeport for her inaugural season. On November 30, Princess announced the three godmothers: Lynn Danaher, Vicki Ferrini, and Jenifer Austin.

• Lynn Danaher has been a licensed USCG Captain and Dive Master since 1994, President of the Pacific Islands Research Institute since 2008, and co-founder of the Friday Harbor Film Festival since 2013.
• Vicki Ferrini holds a Master’s in Marine Environmental Science (1998) and a PhD in Coastal Oceanography (2004), both from Stony Brook University, and is a Senior Research Scientist at Columbia University’s Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory. Since 2021, she has also been a member of The Explorers Club (NYC).
• Jenifer Austin is founder and manager of Google’s Ocean Program (Google Earth/Maps Underwater Streetview, Global Fishing Watch) and a member of The Explorers Club.

Enchanted Princess refurbishment 2023

During her drydock (March 30–April 15, 2023) at Palermo, Sicily, Enchanted Princess debuted “The Catch by Rudi,” Princess Cruises’ new specialty seafood restaurant created with celebrity chef Rudi Sodamin (Head of Princess Culinary Arts). Located on Deck 5 (across from Reception), the venue replaced “Bistro Sur La Mer” (by Michelin-starred Chef Emmanuel Renaut, formerly on Deck 7). Sabatini’s Italian Trattoria was relocated from Deck 5 to Deck 7 (Piazza Atrium, former location of Bistro Sur La Mer). The project also included renovations of public areas, routine maintenance, and underwater hull cleaning and painting.

Inaugural cruise itineraries 2021-2022

Due to the COVID-19 crisis, delivery was delayed, and 11 itineraries (scheduled July 1–29, 2020) were canceled. The entire program through November 2021 was eventually suspended. The inaugural cruise was first rescheduled to May 22, then to July 3, and finally confirmed for November 10, 2021.

Below are the ship’s inaugural cruises by destination and homeport, with fares in USD per person (double occupancy, Inside cabin rates).

(MAIDEN VOYAGE 2021) – 10-day “Southern Caribbean with Curacao” itinerary (from USD 550 pp)

inaugural 10-day "Southern Caribbean with St Lucia" itinerary (USD 950 pp)

20-day (B2B) "Caribbean Explorer" itinerary (USD 2040 pp)

inaugural 10-day "10 days, round-trip Southern Caribbean with Barbados" itinerary (USD 1020 pp)

(inaugural Transatlantic crossing 2022) 14-day from Florida to Europe/Baltic (USD 1000 pp)

(2022 inaugural European/Baltic cruise) 11-day "Scandinavia and Russia" itinerary (USD 1750 pp)

(2022) inaugural 7-day "Canada and New England" itinerary (USD 820 pp)

(inaugural Mediterranean cruise 2023) 21-day B2B "The Best of the Mediterranean" itinerary (USD 3410 pp)

Godspeed!