The Cruise Ship
You probably remember the four part fly-on-the-wall documentary about life onboard the Royal Princess, called ‘The Cruise Ship’ which, aired on ITV. Princess Cruises ran a competition for travel agents which was for the best tweet of the week to win a VIP Day onboard Caribbean Princess. I tweeted like crazy and one of my tweets was picked as a winner.
Caribbean Princess
On the day, Victoria Sneglar Princess Cruises Sales Communications and Events Executive, met us at the cruise terminal. One of the other VIP’s was Bruno the guide dog, which made the day extra special. Victoria was the perfect hostess and took us onboard. We entered the Piazza on the Caribbean Princess. These signature features reflect opulence and beauty combined with a very relaxed atmosphere. This is where you will find the popular International Cafe, serving delicious pastries, paninis, salads, cakes and desserts. Music fills the air as a pianist playing a white grand piano, gives popular songs an elegant twist. The marble floors, glass lifts and sweeping staircases give the air of being in a fairytale.
Bottoms Up
Vikki took us to Crooners Bar for a cocktail to start the day in style. Bruno the Guide Dog was with us for the day and attracted a lot of attention from embarking passengers. First of all, we sipped our wonderful cocktails. I ordered a margarita on the rocks, no salt which is my holiday drink. Victoria told us, while enjoying our cocktails, that we would shortly be taken to the Canyon Ranch Spa for a treatment.
I thought a neck and shoulder massage or a mini manicure was what we would get, but on arrival we were told we would be having a full body exfoliation and moisturising treatment, followed by a full body massage and a hot stone treatment. Each room has it’s own shower cubicle, so I was able to wash off after the exfoliation before starting the body massage. All the products are Elemis and smell and feel divine.
After our treatments, we met the Cruise Director who showed us around a few of the staterooms.
A Galley Tour
We were given a lovely tour of the Galley. I took this video and if you watch to the end, you will get a little glimpse of the crew mess.
For lunch and we were treated to the Crown Grill menu in the main dining room. This is a speciality restaurant and there is usually a cover charge, but looking at the quality of the food, it is certainly great value for money.
A Journey with a Difference
After eating ourselves silly, washed down with a glass of chilled chardonnay, Vikki told us they had a Chocolate Journeys experience lined up for us. Ok, I thought, I can handle a couple of little chocolates, but this was more than that. Created by Norman Love, one of the top master chocolatiers in the world, Chocolate Journeys is an experience of chocolates, sweets and cocktails.
Caribbean Princess crew spoilt us rotten and the day, which far exceeded my expectations. As we disembarked, crossing paths of boarding guests, I was still trying to take in what an incredible day it had been, but most of all, how kind and generous Princess Cruises had been to organise this for us.
It is a day I will never forget. Thank you Princess Cruises.