Princess rolls out 'ultimate' behind-the-scenes tour of a cruise ship

mercedes · November 19, 2008

Always wanted to see what it's like behind the scenes on a cruise ship? Princess Cruises' much-awaited Ultimate Ship Tour, which debuted this past week on the Ruby Princess, offers the most comprehensive glimpse yet of the inner workings of a vessel.

The $150-a-person experience, announced in September, includes a visit to the back stage area of the ship's theater, galley, food storerooms, bakery, engine control room, print shop, photo laboratory, medical center, laundry, funnel area and bridge.

USA TODAY and The Travel Channel got a sneak peak at the Ultimate Ship Tour Tuesday on the Emerald Princess while taping for a new cruise series (the tour won't officially debut on the Emerald for a few more weeks), and it's quite the to-do.

Princess spokeswoman Julie Benson says 60 people signed up for the first tour on the Ruby Princess, far exceeding capacity.

The offering eventually will roll out fleetwide. It includes personal guiding from top officers of the ship including the captain, staff captain and cruise director, and it takes a little over two hours.

TheSkipper · November 19, 2008

For $150 pp. I think I'll pass. :thumbdown:

zebra · November 20, 2008

I seriously don't think that is $150 value. I've seen 3/4th's of the itinerary for free. I too will pass!

suzierue · June 18, 2009

I seriously don't think that is $150 value. I've seen 3/4th's of the itinerary for free. I too will pass!

Just to update on this tour, My bf and I took this tour on the Emerald Princess in May 2009. It was absolutely fantastic. It was led by the assistant CD & one of the ships photographers came along. We started out in the kitchen, and of course got lots of goodies that the chef made special, and also champagne. We were given an indepth tour of the galley during the 'slow' time. (We'd also enjoyed to Chef's Table on this same cruise, and that tour of the galley was given during dinner.) The tour was similar to the tour we got on the Chef's Table, except no dinner specially made for us afterwards. But then we were guided deeper into the galley and down below the water line and was allowed to go into the freezers and fridge's plus see where the food was stored plus all personal questions were answered and views on how shipments were received onboard. It was quite extensive. We also got to go behind the stage in the theatre where the actors 'dwelt', plus they took special pictures with a few characters and ourselves. It was awesome. We also saw the dressing rooms, how they move props & store them during different scenes, it was quite fascinating. I'll never look at another production on board the same way again. We also got extensive tours in the photo & printing depts, medical dept, hospital, & morgue, (givin by the Dr onboard) engine room, where the crew lives & some private areas for them. We saw the crew's interstate hwy below decks that allows crew members to get to any area in the ship in a flash. We also viewed the smoke stacks up on the very top of the ship. Lastly were taken to the bridge. Here we personally met the Captain & his crew. They explained all the gadgets & gizmos, (sorry, I'm just a girl, so I didn't retain all the technical jargon) but they showed us how they see other ships on radar plus demonstrated other amazing things up on the bridge. The Captain also had wonderful treats & more booze for folks to drink plus we got to stay and wander around the bridge for about 1/2 hour afterwards. It was unbelievable for just a landlubber such as myself.

The tour lasted over 3 1/2 hours. We received with this tour each, all the pictures that the photographer took of us throughout the cruise. Better stationary then what we received from our suite that were personalized. Each of us received large "Princess CarryTotes" Those also were different and larger than what is given in the full suites onboard. We each received the large heavy terry robes with the Princess embroidered on the pockets, slippers, plus each of us got a Chef's coat from the galley that was a gift from the chef. There was only 12 or so allowed to take this tour for the cruise.

At the end, we all discussed it and agreed it was worth the $150.00. But then maybe everybody was like me, and had never experienced anything like that before.

Shaunna · June 19, 2009

That spices things up a bit. If it's offered we will have to mull it over. 150 sounds cool but 300 for the both of us..well... if it's as huge as all that DH might just like it. I'll remember that if it's offered on my next Princess cruise. Thanks!!

suzierue · June 19, 2009

That spices things up a bit. If it's offered we will have to mull it over. 150 sounds cool but 300 for the both of us..well... if it's as huge as all that DH might just like it. I'll remember that if it's offered on my next Princess cruise. Thanks!!

:angry: OMG the slippers didn't come from the tour, they were from our suite. sorry! But the rest did, and we needed the carry totes since our luggage was already full and the robes are huge!

If it does interest you, you have to sign up when you get on the ship. There were so many onboard that we spoke to after we took the tour that had stated that they wished they had signed up. FYI, the robes were better then the ones they sold in the onboard shop for $90.00. I curl up in mine every night and dream I'm back on board.......sigh.