Princess changes in pictures

As a postscript to yesterday’s confirmation of the structural changes to Grand Princess, here’s a before and after look at that controversial “shopping trolley handle” at the stern. Or rather after and before, so you can see the new version first.
Passengers sailing from the UK will be among the first to enjoy the new facilities on board.
Princess Cruises say one reason for demolishing the structure is to reduce the ship’s weight, and thereby save fuel, so there’s no truth in any rumours that it was designed like the wing on a Formula One racing car to improve cornering speeds.
Later ships with variants on the design used lighter materials in the construction, and Princess say there are, as yet, no plans to remove the “handle” from Caribbean Princess, Golden Princess or Star Princess.
Other work to be carried out during the 24-day drydock in Freeport, Bahamas, will incorporate features which have been introduced on newer ships in the Princess fleet since Grand’s launch in 1998.
The atrium space will be completely rebuilt into a new Piazza with an International Cafe and Vines winebar. The library will be transformed into a Leaves Tea Lounge, which will have a “tea sommelier” alongside the books. New restaurants will be created – a Crown Grill steakhouse, and Alfredo’s Pizzeria, and the ship will get a Crooner’s martini bar.
All this and the new nightclub, too. I wonder if Princess could be persuaded to name it “Steve’s Bar,” rather than the prosaic One5 .
The remodelled ship will arrive in Fort Lauderdale, Florida on May 5, and then head straight for Southampton, where it will be based for the summer.