There are lots of times lots of us would like to be where Phil Reimer is, and this week is one of them.
Phil is Canada's pre-eminent cruise writer and, after a short stop on the river in The Netherlands and on the edge of St. Mark's Square in Venice, he was off to see the princess…the Royal Princess, that is.
When they're still in the shipyards, as the Royal Princess is (Fincantieri), they're like celebrities who are not at their best — no visitors allowed. Trade secrets must remain secret until her big day arrives. The exceptions are select cruise writers — such as Phil — who are invited for a sneak preview soon before the ship goes public. That happens in June, in Southampton, and between now and then the Royal Princess will spend her days being primped and primed for the inaugural.
The Royal Princess has been seen in public. In August, at her float-out she was the background for the introduction of her Godmother, which Princess calls her "madrina" in paying tribute to her Italian heritage. The ship already has her own page on the Princess website, with artistic renderings revealing all that's attractive about her. And she is, of course, available for booking, although her first four cruises are sold out and you won't be able to sleep on her now until July 5.
Meanwhile, the writers/photographers will provide the latest look and feel about the biggest ship in the Princess fleet. Reimer's reports are available at portsandbows.com and in Postmedia newspapers across Canada in about 10 days' time. As you read this, he's probably combing her decks looking for the highlights…and looking down through the glass floor of a walkway that extends 28 feet over the sea on the top deck.
Now, wouldn't you want to be there?
Norwegian Sun
7 nights
May 27, 2013
Anchorage, Hubbard Glacier, Icy Strait Point, Juneau, Skagway, Ketchikan, Vancouver
Inside: $429
Cost per day: $61
www.ncl.com