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Bon Voyage - Let's Cruise …. In STYLE!
Last Saturday your Sydney Chic Style editor was lucky enough to be invited on board Australia's flagship luxury cruise liner, the Sun Princess!
Apart from just a beautiful excuse to jump on board and experience a piece of sheer style and luxury, the boat was celebrating a multi million dollar refurbishment - completed in April of this year. Its exciting because this is an Australian boat which sails year round from Sydney and other cities to New Zealand, the South Pacific, South East Asia, Papua New Guinea and also around Australia.
And let me tell you - she was big!! Spanning 261m in length we were certainly a stand out in Sydney's Circular Quay on this sunny Saturday afternoon. Your Style Editor also made certain of this donning a striking watermelon shade linen suit, black calibre casual sports shirt and tan leather accessories. Well the Sun Princess was Italian built after all… But I digress!
We were welcomed on board and after completing our security check-ins (yes even special guests are suspected Public Enemy Number One's) we were then escorted through to the ships reception foyer. "OMG" we gasped as we looked stood in the vestibule, resplendent with its glass and marble and fernery. As we looked up and around it was a sight to behold. She spans 14 passenger decks, carries 2010 passengers plus 924 crew and has no less than 975 passenger staterooms.
First on our agenda was a meet and greet from the team, including the head pastry chef and food and beverage manager. We sampled all sorts of delights of pastries and cakes, all with one key ingredient - the decadent Norman Love Chocolate!
After that little treat it was time to commence the tour of the vessel with our Cruise Director. A man of little personality, but ultimate professionalism it gave me comfort to know he was in charge of this entire ship! And you could tell he runs a "tight ship" at that- pardon the pun.
So we were whisked away up into the galley to commence the tour starting with the rooms. It was actually surprising to see how spacious the rooms were. The Cruise Director allowed us to inspect a mini-suite room complete with its own sitting area, luxury ensuite, separate bedroom with lovely luxury bedding (it was so comfortable you'll see me enjoying a little rest first hand) and a private balcony to take in all the Harbour views! Some of us were reprimanded for stalling the tour as we indulged in a little too much selfie-posing camera magic but this Cruise Director was unrelenting in his mission to keep us on schedule, no doubt a skill he utilises daily in his quest for first class travel for his guests.
The tour continued in whirlwind fashion as the boat was due to sail out that very afternoon, with hoard of travellers waiting at the overseas passengers terminal in Circular Quay with baited breath. And their enthusiasm was well granted as we discovered touring further the 4 pools, 5 whirlpool spas, theatres, show lounges, seven bars, a beauty salon and spa, hair salon, casino, art gallery, library, health centre and outdoor Movies Under the Stars!! This was a truly resplendent touch and I'm told you can even enjoy a flick whilst sitting in the spa sipping your favourite cocktail on the rooftop.
If that doesn't all sound wonderful enough it was then time to experience a spa treatment at the on board luxury day spa. This comprised a signature chocolate (Norman Love) body scrub, deep exfoliation and massage - #bliss.
If that wasn't all enough it was then time for part two of our special reason for visiting… Not only we were invited on board for a tour of the New Sun Princess but it was also to launch Chef Curtis Stone's First EVER Australian Restaurant, aptly titled SHARE by Curtis Stone, exclusive to Princess Cruises.
Australian holidaymakers are enjoying their first taste of Curtis Stone's cuisine close to home, with the celebrated Chef's acclaimed new restaurant being launched on board amongst the other eight strong dining options on board and this all amounts to a diners degustation heaven on the high seas! See my review of this great new restaurant and our STYLISH lunch on board.
Stay Stylish Sydney,
Glen x
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