Size is everything. Ask the Princess

By GLYN MAY


A frighteningly large bottle of True Alaskan Water, inadvertently ordered and opened during pre-dinner cocktails, has been following me around this giant ship for almost a week.

Like a guided missile, it tracks my wanderings through various places of sustenance, triumphantly arriving on one occasion packed with ice in a silver champagne bucket.

In these days of fiercely competitive, frantically popular big-ship cruising, every whim of the most whimsical passenger - even one allergic to mixing drinks - is anticipated before the keel is laid.

In the case of the world's newest mega-liner, the 116,000-tonne Sapphire Princess, operated by the US-based Princess Cruises (a sister line to P&O Cruises), it's got everything you might expect to find in a reasonably sized city.

With capacity for 3000 passengers, it has 750 balcony cabins, 13 bars and lounges, five pools, nine restaurants and cafes, two nightclubs, eight jacuzzis, the biggest internet cafe at sea (29 stations, 24 hours a day) a casino, library, shopping arcade, wedding chapel, mini-golf course and spa.

You can choose traditional fixed seating in the main dining room or anytime dining at four themed dining rooms at no extra charge. Night owls and sleepwalkers can even order a 3am steak at the 24-hour Horizon's Court. Or there's Sabatini's Italian trattoria, the only place on the ship where a cover charge applies (around $25).

Guests can also dial up around-the-clock room service (guaranteed to arrive within 20 minutes) order a daily fresh fruit platter and, at the touch of a button, chat with the concierge. All at no extra cost.

Among other things you can learn how to play bridge, dance, paint, cook and appreciate good wine. Take lessons on photography, computers, golf, ceramics, martini mixing, floral art and ice carving. Join the hangover crowd's Bloody Mary club (8am till noon at $4 a shot). Do nothing.

Kids of all ages on Sapphire Princess (no drinking under 21) are special people. They have their own dedicated "fun zones".

At 288m the ship is almost the length of three rugby fields, can cruise at 22 knots and is operated by fingertip toggle control from a high-tech, glass-walled bridge that overhangs the forward section.

You might think this floating mini-city of 2990 souls (2844 Americans in the case of our cruise) will offer many opportunities to escape one's travelling companions, preferably on a quiet bar stool.

But sadly I soon discover that, with the advent of rentable shipboard walkie-talkies ("Hi honey, where are you?") cosy foxholes are few and far between.

Sapphire Princess claims many innovations including the installation of the ship's gas turbine power plant in the funnel, providing more space for public areas. There's also the unusual overhanging glass-walled Skywalkers daytime lounge and nightclub with 360-degree views from its commanding position on the highest aft point of the ship.

But, in spite of all these facilities, service is still regarded as the key to keeping passengers happy. An astonishing 10-point edict requires, among other things, that all 1168 crew "maintain positive eye contact and a can-do attitude".

We're pleased some things never change: "If you see anyone fall overboard, raise the alarm by shouting 'Man Overboard'."

Christened in Seattle on June 11, Sapphire Princess will rewrite maritime history when she arrives in Auckland for the first time on December 17 as the largest and youngest liner ever to visit New Zealand.

She will call at Tauranga on December 18 and Wellington on December 20.

Seven thousand tonnes bigger than the Star Princess, which drew gaping crowds last year, Sapphire Princess arrives in Sydney on December 23 to begin a series of cruises to New Zealand until March 2005.

The ship will dock in Sydney four times and make six visits to both Melbourne (first call on Christmas Day) and Hobart (December 27). She will also visit Brisbane (March 9), the Whitsundays (March 11) Cairns (March 12) and Darwin on March 15.

* Glyn May was a guest of Princess Cruises.


Sapphire Princess

Sapphire Princess will be in Australia-New Zealand for three months this summer.

A 12-night cruise including Auckland and Sydney costs from A$2600 per person twin share.