Grand Class

The Grand class is a class

Ship class

A ship class is a group of ships of a similar design. This is distinct from a ship-type, which might reflect a similarity of tonnage or intended use. For example, the is a nuclear aircraft carrier of the Nimitz class....

of cruise ship

Cruise ship

A cruise ship or cruise liner is a passenger ship used for pleasure voyages, where the voyage itself and the ship's amenities are part of the experience, as well as the different destinations along the way...

s. Ships in the class are operated by the cruise line

Cruise line

A cruise line is a company that operates cruise ships. Cruise lines have a dual character; they are partly in the transportation business, and partly in the leisure entertainment business, a duality that carries down into the ships themselves, which have both a crew headed by the ship's captain,...

s Princess Cruises

Princess Cruises

Princess Cruises is a British-American owned cruise line, based in Santa Clarita, California in the United States. Previously a subsidiary of P&O Princess Cruises PLC, the company is now one of ten cruise ship brands operated by Carnival Corporation & PLC and accounts for approximately 19% share...

or P&O Cruises

P&O Cruises

P&O Cruises is a British-American owned cruise line based at Carnival House in Southampton, England, and operated by Carnival UK. Originally a constituent of the Peninsular & Oriental Steam Navigation Company, P&O Cruises is the oldest cruise line in the world, having operated the world's first...

. The class consists of several series (subclasses) of sister ships, most of which were built by Fincantieri

Fincantieri

Fincantieri - Cantieri Navali Italiani S.p.A. is a shipbuilding company based in Trieste, Italy. It was formed in 1959 and is the largest shipbuilder in the Mediterranean, and one of the largest in Europe...

in Monfalcone

Monfalcone

Monfalcone is a town and comune of the province of Gorizia , located on the coast of the Gulf of Trieste. Monfalcone means "Mount of Falcon" in Italian....

, northern Italy

Italy

Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...

. The first vessel of the original Grand class, the Grand Princess

Grand Princess

Grand Princess is a Grand-class cruise ship owned by Princess Cruises. Built in 1998 by Fincantieri Cantieri Navali Italiani in Monfalcone , Italy, at a cost of approximately US$450 million, she was the largest and most expensive passenger ship ever built at the time...

, entered service in 1998.

Ships of the later subclasses are based on the Grand class, but have modifications such as additional decks and varied placement of major amenities such as the nightclub

Nightclub

A nightclub is an entertainment venue which usually operates late into the night...

and restaurant

Restaurant

A restaurant is an establishment which prepares and serves food and drink to customers in return for money. Meals are generally served and eaten on premises, but many restaurants also offer take-out and food delivery services...

s. The 'Skywalkers' nightclub is a signature element of Princess Cruises' ships in the Grand class and derived classes. The nightclub either overhangs the stern

Stern

The stern is the rear or aft-most part of a ship or boat, technically defined as the area built up over the sternpost, extending upwards from the counter rail to the taffrail. The stern lies opposite of the bow, the foremost part of a ship. Originally, the term only referred to the aft port section...

of the ship (Grand and Caribbean classes) or is located just aft

Aft

Aft, in naval terminology, is an adjective or adverb meaning, towards the stern of the ship, when the frame of reference is within the ship. Example: "Able Seaman Smith; lay aft!". Or; "What's happening aft?"...

of the funnel

Funnel (ship)

A funnel is the smokestack or chimney on a ship used to expel boiler steam and smoke or engine exhaust. They can also be known in as stacks.-Purpose:...

(Gem and Crown classes).

The Gem class of ships is based primarily on the Grand class, but modifies the placement of the Skywalkers nightclub to be just aft of the funnel and also modifies the number of restaurants. The two Gem class ships were built by Mitsubishi

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries

, or MHI, is a Japanese company. It is one of the core companies of Mitsubishi Group.-History:In 1870 Yataro Iwasaki, the founder of Mitsubishi took a lease of Government-owned Nagasaki Shipyard. He named it Nagasaki Shipyard & Machinery Works, and started the shipbuilding business on a full scale...

in Nagasaki

Nagasaki

is the capital and the largest city of Nagasaki Prefecture on the island of Kyushu in Japan. Nagasaki was founded by the Portuguese in the second half of the 16th century on the site of a small fishing village, formerly part of Nishisonogi District...

, Japan

Japan

Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...

in 2004.

The Caribbean class is the third version of the design and has two additional decks. As in the original Grand class design, the Skywalkers nightclub is suspended on the stern. Caribbean class vessels also pioneered in the introduction of 'Movies Under the Stars', a cruise ship poolside theater

Cruise ship poolside theater

A cruise ship poolside theater is a giant LED screen, ranging from around 250 to . It is complemented with a large, 50,000-80,000 watt sound system. The theater is usually placed facing the main swimming pool of a cruise ship...

, which was later added to other Princess ships.

The Crown class is the fourth Princess Cruises version of the Grand class. Crown class ships have returned the placement of the nightclub adjacent to the funnel. Crown class ships also feature 'Movies Under the Stars' like the Caribbean class.

The Ventura class has 19 decks like the Crown class. These ships all owned and operated by P&O Cruises and are marketed as Grand class, although they were given the Ventura class designation because they are not owned by Princess and are totally modified internally and externally. The first ship, MS Ventura, features the 'Cirque Ventura', the world's first circus school at sea. The second Ventura class ship is MS Azura, launched in March 2010. Azura has a modified stern and features amenities designed for the general public as compared to Ventura, which is more family oriented.

Grand Princess
Grand Princess
Grand Princess is a Grand-class cruise ship owned by Princess Cruises. Built in 1998 by Fincantieri Cantieri Navali Italiani in Monfalcone , Italy, at a cost of approximately US$450 million, she was the largest and most expensive passenger ship ever built at the time...

(completed in 1998)
Golden Princess
Golden Princess
Golden Princess is a Grand-class cruise ship for Princess Cruises that entered service in 2001. It is the sister ship of Grand Princess and Star Princess. It measures 109,000 gross tons and carries 2,600 passengers plus 1,100 crew members...

(2001)
Star Princess
Star Princess
Star Princess is a Grand-class cruise ship, operated by Princess Cruises. Star Princess is a sister ship to Grand Princess and the Golden Princess....

(2002)

This class, for a short time boasting the largest cruise ships in the world, pioneered the design that has been carried through each modified class.

Gem class

Diamond Princess
Diamond Princess (ship)
Diamond Princess is a large cruise ship owned and operated by Princess Cruises. She began operation in March 2004 and primarily cruises in Alaska during the summer and the Asia in the winter. She is a Grand Class ship and subclassed as a Gem Class ship...

(2004)
Sapphire Princess
Sapphire Princess
The Sapphire Princess is a cruise ship owned by Princess Cruises which entered service in 2004. It is one of the world's largest cruise ships, with a capacity of approximately 2670 passengers and is the sixth Gem Class ship built by Princess Cruises....

(2004)

Onboard the Gem class ships, there are two major design changes. Instead of the three main dining rooms found on all of the other Grand class ships, which consist of two open-seating (Anytime) restaurants and one traditional restaurant, the Anytime restaurants were split up into four smaller, more intimate venues, each offering their own unique atmosphere and food. These four restaurants are Vivaldi, Savoy, Santa Fe, and Pacific Moon. Each ship also has a dining room called the International Dining Room. The International Dining Room offers traditional set dining, where passengers are given a set time and table.
The second design difference on these ships is the relocation of Skywalkers nightclub to directly aft of the funnel, rather than suspended over the stern. These ships also offer the Wake View Bar, an intimate lounge which can be accessed from Club Fusion.

The two Gem class ships, Diamond Princess and Sapphire Princess, are the only two ships based on the Grand class to be built at Mitsubishi's Nagasaki Yard.

The Gem class is actually the largest subclass of the Grand class.

Caribbean class

Caribbean Princess (2004)

The design for the Caribbean Princess derives directly from the original Grand class ships, with none of the Gem class innovations being used. The Caribbean Princess uses the original Grand class design, but with an additional deck. This additional deck ('Riviera') increases the ship's passenger capacity from 2,600 to 3,100. Caribbean Princess has also added 'Cafe Caribe', a buffet-style restaurant aft of Horizon Court which offers Caribbean themed food, in a slightly more upscale environment.

The Caribbean Princess also pioneered 'Movies Under the Stars'

Cruise ship poolside theater

. The three ships in the Crown class, the Crown Princess, Emerald Princess

Emerald Princess

Emerald Princess is a Grand-class cruise ship for Princess Cruises that entered service in April 2007. Her sister ships include Caribbean Princess and Crown Princess. She features two nightclubs, a piazza style atrium, multiple pools and hot tubs, a spa, and a gym...

, and Ruby Princess

Ruby Princess

Ruby Princess is a Grand-class cruise ship owned and operated by Princess Cruises. She was built in 2008 by Fincantieri in Trieste, Italy. She is a sister ship to Crown Princess and Emerald Princess. Ruby Princess was turned over to Carnival Corporation and Princess Cruises in late October 2008...

were later built with this feature also included. 'Movies Under the Stars' has since been added to the Coral Princess

Coral Princess

The Coral Princess is a cruise ship owned and operated by Princess Cruises line. The vessel, along with sister ship Island Princess, was launched in 2002. The Coral Princess and Island Princess are the only two Panamax ships operated by Princess Cruises. She holds the highest paid toll to pass...

, Grand Princess

Grand Princess

, Star Princess

Star Princess

Star Princess is a Grand-class cruise ship, operated by Princess Cruises. Star Princess is a sister ship to Grand Princess and the Golden Princess....

, Golden Princess

Golden Princess

Golden Princess is a Grand-class cruise ship for Princess Cruises that entered service in 2001. It is the sister ship of Grand Princess and Star Princess. It measures 109,000 gross tons and carries 2,600 passengers plus 1,100 crew members...

, Dawn Princess

Dawn Princess

Dawn Princess is a Sun class cruise ship built in 1997 in Italy operated by Princess Cruises. The ship features eight restaurants, four swimming pools, five Jacuzzis, seven lounges and bars, and two children centres. Some restaurants offer “anytime dining” where passengers can dine with whom they...

, Sea Princess

Sea Princess

Sea Princess is a operated by the Princess Cruises line. She has three sister ships: and Dawn Princess in the Princess Cruises fleet and Oceana in the P&O Cruises fleet.-History:...

, Sun Princess

Sun Princess

Sun Princess may refer to:* MS Sun Princess , a Sun class cruise ship operating with Princess Cruises since 1995* MS Sun Princess , former name of New Flamenco...

, Island Princess

Island Princess

Island Princess is a cruise ship for the Princess Cruises line. She is the sister ship to the Coral Princess and together they are the only Panamax ships in Princess's fleet. Built at Chantiers de l'Atlantique - France. The ship features a combined diesel and gas turbine electric powerplant. This...

, and Diamond Princess

Diamond Princess (ship)

Diamond Princess is a large cruise ship owned and operated by Princess Cruises. She began operation in March 2004 and primarily cruises in Alaska during the summer and the Asia in the winter. She is a Grand Class ship and subclassed as a Gem Class ship...

. This feature will also be added to the Sapphire Princess

Sapphire Princess

The Sapphire Princess is a cruise ship owned by Princess Cruises which entered service in 2004. It is one of the world's largest cruise ships, with a capacity of approximately 2670 passengers and is the sixth Gem Class ship built by Princess Cruises....

sometime in 2011.

Crown class

Crown Princess
Crown Princess (ship)
Crown Princess is a Grand Class ship owned and operated by Princess Cruises. Her maiden voyage took place on June 14, 2006, departing Red Hook, Brooklyn for Grand Turk , Ocho Rios , Grand Cayman , and Port Canaveral...

(2006)
Emerald Princess
Emerald Princess
Emerald Princess is a Grand-class cruise ship for Princess Cruises that entered service in April 2007. Her sister ships include Caribbean Princess and Crown Princess. She features two nightclubs, a piazza style atrium, multiple pools and hot tubs, a spa, and a gym...

(2007)
Ruby Princess
Ruby Princess
Ruby Princess is a Grand-class cruise ship owned and operated by Princess Cruises. She was built in 2008 by Fincantieri in Trieste, Italy. She is a sister ship to Crown Princess and Emerald Princess. Ruby Princess was turned over to Carnival Corporation and Princess Cruises in late October 2008...

(2008)

These ships, which build on the Caribbean Princess design, also differ slightly. These ships have one more passenger deck (two more than the Grand class) as well as the 'Movies Under the Stars' and Cafe Caribe. The Skywalkers nightclub is aft of the funnel. In this area, Adagio, an intimate lounge, has also been added. Other additions include an updated Piazza-style atrium which now includes Vines (a wine and seafood bar) and the International Cafe (a 24 hour venue offering gelato and baked goods). The Crown Grill replaces the Sterling Steakhouse found on other Princess

Princess Cruises

vessels. These ships also include the Chef's Table, an in-kitchen dining experience which has now gone fleet-wide. Finally, the Crown ships also have The Sanctuary, a for-fee, adults-only area above the spa, where the Sports Courts are located on earlier ships.

Vines, The International Cafe, The Sanctuary, The Crown Grill, and The Piazza will be added to other Princess

Princess Cruises

ships in the next few years.

Ventura class

(2008) (2010)

Ships in the Ventura class are based on the original Grand class design and have an extra passenger deck above the bridge as well as an additional crew-only deck. The ships in this class are owned and operated by P&O Cruises. The ship Ventura includes many new features such as 'Cirque School', a circus

Circus

A circus is commonly a travelling company of performers that may include clowns, acrobats, trained animals, trapeze acts, musicians, hoopers, tightrope walkers, jugglers, unicyclists and other stunt-oriented artists...

style acrobatic

Acrobatics

Acrobatics is the performance of extraordinary feats of balance, agility and motor coordination. It can be found in many of the performing arts, as well as many sports...

gymnastics

Gymnastics

Gymnastics is a sport involving performance of exercises requiring physical strength, flexibility, agility, coordination, and balance. Internationally, all of the gymnastic sports are governed by the Fédération Internationale de Gymnastique with each country having its own national governing body...

training/demonstration facility. The recently launched Azura has a modified stern.

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