6/15/23: Unveiling Park19: New Top-Deck Family Activity Zone to Debut on Board Sun Princess

[LACruiser88]

June 15, 2023 1:30 PM EDT   Unveiling Park19: New Top-Deck Family Activity Zone to Debut on Board Sun Princess, Featuring Sea Breeze - the First Rollglider® on a Ship

Princess Cruises Newest Ship Features Engaging Family Experiences, Plus Inclusive Youth & Teen Centers   SANTA CLARITA, Calif., June 15, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The most engaging family activity zone ever featured on a Princess cruise ship is setting a course for adventure aboard the new Sun Princess, when the first Sphere Class vessel debuts Park19 in February 2024. Located on the top decks of Sun Princess, Park19 features nine engaging activities for the entire family to enjoy in a newly envisioned space perfect for fun and sun for all generations.       "Park19 as the name suggests is a new space created for all our guests, including activities to bring together multi-generational travel families in a location with spectacular views and fun outdoor activities for all," said John Padgett, Princess Cruises president. "The new area was tailored based on guest feedback for more family and group activities spaces." Located on decks 19, 20, and 21, Park19 was envisioned for active guests and multi-generational families to explore and connect through inclusive and engaging activities, including:   Sea Breeze – Inspired by the dream of hang gliding but in a safe environment, the Sea Breeze is the first Rollglider on a cruise ship and takes guests high above to enjoy panoramic views of the ocean and breathtaking ports of call. Using an overhead track, guests are seated and harnessed to this electric ride which reaches speeds of up to 11 mph during the 60- to 90-second experience that is also ADA accessible.   Coastal Climb – On this engaging climbing structure guests ascend from decks 19 to 20 through a series of obstacles. Once at the top, guests can take in the gorgeous views before sliding back down to the bottom.   The Lookout – At the top of the climbing structure, adventurers make their way to The Lookout open-air observation deck to take in stunning 360º views from the highest point available to guests onboard Sun Princess.   The Net – Harnessed above deck 19, guests are challenged to trek across unstable bridges, a z-shaped balance beam and climb cargo nets.   Infinite Horizon – For those who love heights, leaning tilt walls cantilevered over the side of the ship allow guests to peer out from deck 19 and look down to deck nine and beyond.   Hammock Area – Another first for Princess, relaxing hammocks allow Park19 visitors to take a break from exploring to hang out with family and friends.   Splash Zone – A whimsical splash area with pop jets and a beautiful water sculpture offer a refreshing and relaxing area to chill.   Recreational Court – From ping pong, shuffleboard, Xponential Fitness classes and morning meditation, a rotation of sports and wellness options will be offered to guests in this multifunction sports court.   Jogging Track – A refreshing open-air track allows guests to walk, jog or run at their own leisure and pace, with 6.7 times around the track equaling one mile.   Additional family-centric offerings onboard Sun Princess are found in the Youth & Teen Centers located on decks six and seven where activities and age-appropriate areas abound for all younger guests ages six months to 17. These complimentary areas include:   Firefly Park – For the youngest Princess guests, this imaginative space, located on deck six, invites youngsters ages six months to seven years old and their families to explore, play and socialize. This family center is a place to play together or drop kids off for a program of art projects, theme parties and group games. Firefly Park also invites families with babies and toddlers, ages six months to three, to crawl and engage their senses with a dedicated play area. After hours group babysitting is available from 10 pm – 1 am for $5 per hour, for ages three - 12.   Neon Grove (tweens) and The Underground (teens) – Located on deck seven, two separate areas offer an inviting space for tweens and teens to hang out, socialize, and just have fun. Both spaces feature colorful, comfy sofas and chairs for lounging, PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch gaming consoles, plus air hockey, foosball, and skeeball. Program activities for these age groups include ship scavenger hunts, movie nights, friendly competitions, and dance parties.   "These expanded offerings give younger cruisers plenty to explore and enjoy aboard Sun Princess, creating an even more family-friendly experience with something for everyone regardless of age," Padgett added.   Like all Princess ships, Sun Princess is a MedallionClass ship helping families stay connected on board via the OceanCompass shipmate locator and chat feature, along with MedallionNet, the best Wi-Fi at sea, making it easy to brag about their experiences by sharing photos and videos via social media. Additional photos of Park19 and the Youth & Teen Centers and Sun Princes can be found here: https://spaces.hightail.com/space/JrAZj4rcF6.   Currently under construction at the Fincantieri shipyard in Italy, the 175,500-ton, 4,300-guest Sun Princess will offer an array of exciting new dining, entertainment, and activity offerings, as well as luxurious staterooms and suites across a broad spectrum of categories.    With the most balconies on any Princess ship, guests can take in the sunshine and crystal-clear waters of the Mediterranean or Caribbean from the comfort of their cabin. The Dome, a transformational entertainment venue inspired by the terraces of Santorini, is the perfect place to relax and the three-story Horizons Dining Room is sure to have everyone talking.   Inaugural 2024 Sun Princess cruises to the Mediterranean, Caribbean, Transatlantic and Europe are currently on sale. More ship information can be found at www.princess.com/sunprincess.

Edited June 15, 2023 by LACruiser88

[LACruiser88]

This seals the deal for us, we will not be cruising on the new ships.  We will stay with the "boring" ships.  🙂

[voljeep]

3 minutes ago, LACruiser88 said:

This seals the deal for us, we will not be cruising on the new ships.  We will stay with the "boring" ships.  🙂

we'll give it a shot - the 'inaugural' little 5 day out of PE.  we will prolly utilize maybe 25% of 'public' areas of the ship - Rudi, Crooners, Vines, O'Malleys , maybe a show, maybe some trivia, - will take a walk around Park19, maybe the 'Sea Breeze' is for us - is that a 'pay' attraction?

[Jeter02]

14 minutes ago, LACruiser88 said:

This seals the deal for us, we will not be cruising on the new ships.  We will stay with the "boring" ships.  🙂

What in the world is John thinking??????? This is NOT the Princess brand!!!! There is nothing wrong with the formula Princess currently has, they get their ships filled. This park idea is so BEYOND UNNECESSARY! Yes we do have multi-generational families that come on board but I wouldn't say thousands upon thousands of children. Not saying adults wouldn't enjoy the area themselves but there are cruise lines are dedicated to that. Oye Vey!

[snoozecrooze]

@Cauzneffct and here it is! Official confirmation, so I hope your kiddos have a good time!

[Jeter02]

14 minutes ago, voljeep said:

we'll give it a shot - the 'inaugural' little 5 day out of PE.  we will prolly utilize maybe 25% of 'public' areas of the ship - Rudi, Crooners, Vines, O'Malleys , maybe a show, maybe some trivia, - will take a walk around Park19, maybe the 'Sea Breeze' is for us - is that a 'pay' attraction?

I am as curious if any of these attractions are complimentary or not? Also I mean it's great for them that they would create jobs as they're going to need crew members to monitor the operations. Which the also means this would not be open all day long only during select times

Edited June 15, 2023 by Jeter02

[LACruiser88]

5 minutes ago, Jeter02 said:

I am as curious if any of these attractions are complimentary or not? Also I mean it's great for them that they would create jobs as they're going to need crew members to monitor the operations. Which the also means this would not be open all day long only during select times

Maybe 2 free rides with the Premier package...  😃

[Jeter02]

Just now, LACruiser88 said:

Maybe 2 free rides with the Premier package...  😃

At least it will help burn those calories from all the overkill Sundaes 

[cavecreekguy]

"Hammock Area – Another first for Princess, relaxing hammocks allow Park19 visitors to take a break from exploring to hang out with family and friends."

 

I'm looking forward to the "Hammock hog" threads.

[Jeter02]

6 minutes ago, cavecreekguy said:

"Hammock Area – Another first for Princess, relaxing hammocks allow Park19 visitors to take a break from exploring to hang out with family and friends."

 

I'm looking forward to the "Hammock hog" threads.

That's hilarious! I like the idea of hammock but not in a fun zone area I would want it in a relaxation type area.

[Cruise Junky]

I just came for the comments after seeing the announcement on Twitter. 🍿 😂😂

[dides]

Some of the other renderings with the press release

 

Lookout and The Net, Coastal Climb and Splash area

 

Infinite Horizon

 

Firefly Park

 

Someone uploaded these before the press release but again:

 

Neon Grove

 

The Underground

 

 

 

Edited June 15, 2023 by dides

[bassmk]

Absolutely not. No thank you! Take that s*** back to Carnival and Royal.

[loge23]

Well, after wondering what direction the line was heading in, at least we now know: Reactionary marketing. Sad.

[Cauzneffct]

31 minutes ago, snoozecrooze said:

@Cauzneffct and here it is! Official confirmation, so I hope your kiddos have a good time!

Thanks!  

[Fortunate 2 travel]

There is a video of it on the website 

[SCX22]

Old folks hate change and the hate coming from them regarding this change is expected.  It's a small area on big ship, and passengers can avoid the area if they so choose.  Princess has to do something to cater to a new audience.  The now oldies that put Princess on the map are disappearing and Princess is trying to garner a new demographic to replace them. 

 

What is questionable is why the Sun Princess is starting in the Med.  Princess should take the ship on a transatlantic to the Caribbean for it's inaugural sailings and not wait until the fall.  More families cruise the Caribbean and will be able to make use of and test the new concept.

 

[Geoffa30]

16 minutes ago, SCX22 said:

Old folks hate change and the hate coming from them regarding this change is expected.  It's a small area on big ship, and passengers can avoid the area if they so choose.  Princess has to do something to cater to a new audience.  The now oldies that put Princess on the map are disappearing and Princess is trying to garner a new demographic to replace them.

 

Hear hear. Princess needs to move forward and adapt to changing demographics. The old guard who loved the original Love Boat won’t be around forever. This area isn’t something I’d use but it won’t stop me sailing on the ship. Roll on October 2024 and our first TA.

Edited June 15, 2023 by Geoffa30

[Fortunate 2 travel]

We are excited to sail on the Sun in the Med, then again in the Caribbean.

[AtlantaCruiser72]

36 minutes ago, SCX22 said:

What is questionable is why the Sun Princess is starting in the Med.  Princess should take the ship on a transatlantic to the Caribbean for it's inaugural sailings and not wait until the fall.  More families cruise the Caribbean and will be able to make use of and test the new concept.

 

Princess has a solid brand footing in the UK and Ireland - do not these folks have Children/Grandchildren?  Do not North American, Australian and New Zealand customers travelling to Europe often have Children/Grandchildren?  Not all families want 7 day Caribbean Sailings or find them convenient.  There are plenty of adult focused areas too.  Princess will have no issue filling this ship in the Mediterranean at premium pricing.

[bassmk]

59 minutes ago, SCX22 said:

Old folks hate change and the hate coming from them regarding this change is expected.  It's a small area on big ship, and passengers can avoid the area if they so choose.  Princess has to do something to cater to a new audience.  The now oldies that put Princess on the map are disappearing and Princess is trying to garner a new demographic to replace them. 

 

What is questionable is why the Sun Princess is starting in the Med.  Princess should take the ship on a transatlantic to the Caribbean for it's inaugural sailings and not wait until the fall.  More families cruise the Caribbean and will be able to make use of and test the new concept.

 

Here's the thing...I'm not old and I like Princess bc I have outgrown the more active and family-oriented cruise lines. Of course I understand it's a small area of the ship, I'm not a dunce, and I won't be flouncing to another company, but it's a little bit of a disappointment. It seems a little like desperation and pandering. A little bit of reinventing the wheel. Fixing what isn't broken.

[SCX22]

3 minutes ago, bassmk said:

Here's the thing...I'm not old and I like Princess bc I have outgrown the more active and family-oriented cruise lines. Of course I understand it's a small area of the ship, I'm not a dunce, and I won't be flouncing to another company, but it's a little bit of a disappointment. It seems a little like desperation and pandering. A little bit of reinventing the wheel. Fixing what isn't broken.

 

Princess is following CLIA's 2023 research.  "Younger generations are the future of cruise." 

[SCX22]

28 minutes ago, AtlantaCruiser72 said:

 

Princess has a solid brand footing in the UK and Ireland - do not these folks have Children/Grandchildren?  Do not North American, Australian and New Zealand customers travelling to Europe often have Children/Grandchildren?  Not all families want 7 day Caribbean Sailings or find them convenient.  There are plenty of adult focused areas too.  Princess will have no issue filling this ship in the Mediterranean at premium pricing.

 

My point in this comment was that Princess is looking attract new to Princess cruisers.  They already have a solid base, judging by the high percentage of Platinums and Elites that are on every cruise.  Some younger folk won't get near Princess because it has a geriatric connotation like Holland America.  Princess would more easily garner more new to Princess passengers on a cheaper itinerary in the Caribbean than on a more expensive one to the Med.  Why pay a lot for to try a brand that you're not sure that you would like?

[PacnGoNow]

2 hours ago, LACruiser88 said:

Maybe 2 free rides with the Premier package...  😃

😝 

Where’s the bumper cars?  😂

[Steelers36]

I have been in the mind to try out this new ship for the on-board experiences and feel, etc.  I will be more interested in the ship than ports, so a Caribbean jaunt suits me to avoid longer travel.

 

I don't really have an issue with this area at top of ship (the other areas already exist on Princess for youngsters, tweens, teens).  So these may be a bit bigger, but it is also a bigger ship.  From what I see and read, these new features are not near the scale and scope of RCCL.  I was wondering in reading why I saw old-fashioned shuffleboard listed and not new-fashioned pickleball listed. 

 

Anyway, as far as I am concerned, we can head up top and check it out and partake or not.  Don't tend to use the top aft these days for much of anything. 

 

I really laughed at the comment about hammock hogs.  It's going to happen - just wait for it.