Princess Cruises delays the unveiling of its biggest ship ever
You'll have to wait a little longer to sail on the biggest Princess Cruises ship ever.
On Wednesday, the world's fifth-largest cruise line canceled the inaugural voyage of its much-awaited, 21-deck-high Sun Princess, citing a delay in the ship's delivery from the Italian shipyard that has been building it.
The 4,300-passenger vessel was scheduled to debut on Feb. 8 with a 10-night inaugural sailing out of Barcelona. It'll now begin operations for paying passengers 10 days later on Feb. 18.
The new inaugural sailing of Sun Princess scheduled for that day will be a 10-night voyage out of Civitavecchia, Italy — the port for Rome.
“We understand that this news is disappointing, and we share in that disappointment," John Padgett, Princess president, said in a statement accompanying the announcement. "We recognize the anticipation that surrounded this sailing, and we sincerely apologize for the inconvenience this cancellation causes.”
Princess didn't give a reason for the delay in the ship's delivery, which will affect thousands of travelers booked on its first sailing. But such delays are typically the result of vessels not being completely finished on time.
Such delays are more common with vessels such as Sun Princess that are the first in an all-new series of ships. Such vessels often have features on board that are new for the shipyards constructing them.
Under development for more than six years, Sun Princess is the first of the line's new Sphere Class of vessels, which will be significantly bigger than previous Princess ships and offer several notable new-for-the-line features.
Among the most notable new offerings, Sun Princess will be the first Princess ship with suites that come with exclusive access to a private restaurant, lounge and sun deck — part of an effort to draw more upscale customers to the brand.
Additionally, Sun Princess will offer an innovative new type of "cabana cabin" along the ship's extra-wide 10th deck that will come with access to a private deck area. Plus, the top deck of the ship will get some unusual-for-Princess sizzle with the addition of a glass-dome-topped pool area that will transform into a nightspot after the sun goes down.
Related: Princess is getting creative with its newest ship
At 175,000 gross tons, Sun Princess will be about 21% bigger than the largest ships currently in the Princess fleet. It'll be able to hold about 17% more passengers than the biggest Princess ships.
Its arrival will mark the first time Princess has launched a new class of ships in nearly 11 years.
Under construction in Italy
Sun Princess is being built at the Fincantieri shipyard in Monfalcone, Italy, which has a long history of building cruise ships for Princess, Cunard, MSC Cruises and several other brands.
Princess on Wednesday said passengers booked on the canceled inaugural sailing of Sun Princess will receive a full refund of the cruise fare they paid and refunds for any additional onboard services that they pre-purchased for the sailing.
Additionally, they'll get a 50% future cruise credit they can use on another Princess voyage and a credit of up to $200 per person toward the cost of change fees related to their air travel plans. The future cruise credit must be applied to a cruise booking by Nov. 30 and is only good toward sailings between now and Dec. 31, 2025.
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- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
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- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
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You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
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Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.