Published July 1, 2003. All images and text copyright Peter Knego (unless otherwise noted).

Page Four: PACIFIC PRINCESS Tour: Decks 5 through 3

Facing aft from the stage of the Cabaret Lounge. Photo and copyright Peter Knego 2003.

Facing forward along the starboard side of the Cabaret Lounge. Photo and copyright Peter Knego 2003.

Deck 5 is solely dedicated to public rooms (mostly unaltered from the original McNeece blueprints) and begins with the 345 seat Cabaret Lounge. The PACIFIC PRINCESS' showroom borrows less from early 20th Century look, and incorporates more of a rich, modern "board room" feel. Midships just aft of the stage, a sunken circular dancefloor is complemented by a similarly-shaped ceiling recess. In the aft portion of the room, this patttern is applied again with a circular bar in deep wood tones. The room lends itself well to Princess' Vegas-style productions while at the same time manages to have an intimate feel due to its skillfully broken up layout. Heavy gold velvet upholstered chairs are not only comfortable, but handsomely offset by dark blue carpeting with a gold floral motif. Large picture windows on either side provide plenty of daylight and ocean vistas.

Facing aft along the port Deck 5 promenade. Photo and copyright Peter Knego 2003.

Finite sheltered promenades can be accessed via the vestibule just aft of the showroom. These hideaways are wide enough for deck chairs and passers-by and the railings do not obscure the sea views.

Facing aft through the Casino toward the Casino Bar. Photo and copyright Peter Knego 2003.

Facing forward from the inviting Casino Bar. Photo and copyright Peter Knego 2003.

Even though the slot machines always tend add a bit of glitz, the PACIFIC PRINCESS' Casino is one of the least offensive at sea. Resuming the Edwardian/Georgian/Victorian decorative theme with hanging brass ceiling lights and sconces, layered drapery, and ornate carpeting, it is nice to see a Casino that does not aspire to theme park glitz. Instead, it is like a private club with adjoining bar and cozy 60 seat lounge with wingback chairs, plush sofas, and faux fireplace.

Facing forward along the midships starboard Deck 5 passage. Photo and copyright Peter Knego 2003.

Those in a hurry or wishing to eschew the Casino area can proceed directly along a handsome starboard passage that looks out onto the adjacent promenade. It functions as the Photo Gallery, and the books on the shelves are clever tromperies.

Facing aft in the Deck 6 Upper Lobby. Photo and copyright Peter Knego 2003.

Facing aft toward the "TITANIC" staircase. Photo and copyright Peter Knego 2003.

Facing port in the Deck 6 Upper Lobby. Photo and copyright Peter Knego 2003.

Two shops line the midships passage just aft, facing a handsome vestibule, the Upper Lobby, with its recessed skylight and ornately adorned stairwell that leads down to the Deck 3 reception area. Hugely inspired by the ocean liner stairtowers of the early 20th Century (in particular, one of 1912 vintage), the open well and stylized balustrades mark a return to the "grand descent" of yesteryear. Princess' auction art is displayed here.

Facing aft in the handsome Club Bar. Photo and copyright Peter Knego 2003.

Aft of the Upper Lobby, a small athwartships passage leads out to the aft end of the finite promenades. On the port side, the galley inhibits continued access, but on the starboard side, the 38 seat Club Bar oozes a 1920's ambiance with mid-toned paneling, a fireplace with white mantel, a frescoed backlit ceiling recess, all amidst a soft palette of turquoise and ochre.

Facing aft from the forward/starboard section of the Club Restaurant. Photo and copyright Peter Knego 2003.

Facing port in the center of the Club Restaurant. Photo and copyright Peter Knego 2003.

The 338 Club Restaurant is accessed via the Club Bar, and serves as the ship's main dining room. The L-shaped room features full length windows and is cleverly broken up into intimate areas via balustrades. A circular Odeon-style ceiling recess adorns the center of the space, breaking up a cross-hatch ceiling pattern and a frescoed backlit oval recess in the forward starboard section.

Not only are the PACIFIC PRINCESS and her identical twin, TAHITIAN PRINCESS, distinguished for their refreshing size, they are also a stylistic departure from the other ships in the Princess fleet. The decor is richer, perhaps a bit more masculine, and certainly more old world. They help extend the company's already wide range of appeal, and will likely win the hearts of those who appreciated the intimacy of the first PACIFIC PRINCESS. All while maintaining the service and cuisine hallmarks that have made Princess a winner in the premium cruise market.

Facing aft from the Deck 4 reception area up the grand stairs. Photo and copyright Peter Knego 2003.

Facing aft along the port side of the Reception area toward the Shore Excursions Office. Photo and copyright Peter Knego 2003.

Deck 4 contains crew accommodation, the medical center, and the Reception area. Spanning the width of the ship, the Reception area is located at the foot of the grand staircase, which descends to the centrally-located purser's desk. In the aft, port corner, there is a shore excursions office. Passenger accommodation is laid out amidships and contains the following: sixteen category E outsides, thirty two category D outsides, one category K inside, and one category L inside.

Deck 3 is the lowest passenger level and contains the following accommodation along the starboard midships side, only: thirteen category GG outsides, and two category G outsides.

Please click for page five: PACIFIC PRINCESS (2) accommodations

[PACIFIC PRINCESS (2) page one]   [PACIFIC PRINCESS (2) page two]   [PACIFIC PRINCESS (2) page three]   [PACIFIC PRINCESS (2) page five]

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