It took 1,400 workers 24 days for the drydock transformation which has rejuvenated cruise ship Grand Princess.
Now the 3,100-passenger vessel – minus its distinctive “shopping trolley” handle – is heading back to the UK for another season of cruises from Southampton.
A video diary introduced by British cruise director Martyn Moss followed the progress of the refit, including the mammoth 10-hour operation to remove SkyWalkers nightclub. The ship’s atrium was rebuilt to create a new Piazza, the casino, shops, wedding chapel and Horizon Court restaurant were completely remodelled and updated, and seven new suites were created.
“This drydock has been a monumental effort, and we’re very proud to be welcoming the ship into Southampton,” said Pieter Van der Schee, head of brand marketing Princess Cruises UK. “We know that Grand Princess is a firm favourite with our British passengers and we are sure that they will appreciate being amongst the first to see the new look Grand Princess.”
The ship arrives in Southampton on Saturday May 21, but there will be several oppportunities for a peek at its new look before then. It will be in Greenock on the Clyde next Tuesday (May 17), Holyhead on May 18 and Falmouth on May 19. Irish fans can see the ship in Cobh on Saturday (May 15) and Dublin on May 16.
During the summer, the ship will operate 14-night Mediterranean cruises and seven-night short-breaks plus two 17-night cruises from the UK to the central Med, including Venice, an 11-night cruise to the Canary Islands and Madeira, and a 14-night cruise to Norway and Spitsbergen.
I recently saw the ship in the dry dock and it looked amazing. Hope I go on it soon. Will miss the nightclub in the spoiler though.