Canadian World Traveller Spring 2024 Issue

60
Lots to Love about the Discovery Princess West Coast Getaway
by Jennifer Merrick
“We chose this cruise because of the
ship,” said Cindy, a fellow dinner companion,
as we were sipping cocktails on
the red carpet waiting to be ushered into 360:
An Extraordinary Experience, a theatrical
meal extravaganza. She went on to say that
she and her husband had been on the
Discovery Princess in Alaska this past summer
and just loved it.
“So, it wouldn’t have mattered where the ship
was going?” I asked.
“Not at all,” she said, and her husband nodded.
Really? Personally, the Four-Day West Coast
Getaway appealed to us for a number of reasons,
most importantly, an itinerary that
included a full day in port in San Diego and
Mexico. It never crossed my mind to think
about the ship itself. But after being on the
Discovery Princess, it would be a consideration
in the future.
Built at the Fincantieri shipyard in
Monfalcone, Italy, the Discovery Princess first
set sail in 2022, and is the sixth and final
newbuild in the cruise line’s Royal Class of
ships. The 19-deck, 3,660-passenger ship
lives up to her name with design and function
that combines elegance with modernity and
luxury with accessibility.
The heart of the Discovery Princess is the
three-deck high piazza, reached by dazzling
glass and marble, spiral staircases or glass
elevators. Besides its stunning design, the
piazza serves its traditional Italian function by
acting as the ship’s social hub. Live music has
a ubiquitous presence throughout the ship,
but especially here, where international performers
entertain guests with music that
ranges from classical violinists and jazz to
lively mariachi bands and pop songs. Many
of the restaurants connect to the piazza,
www.worldtraveler.travel - Already 22 Years!