After spending almost a week on the Sapphire Princess, Khairul Ashraf Kammed is game to go on another cruise
THE rigmarole involving the Thai Immigration Bureau documents and the filling up of the ship’s public health questionnaire is over. We are now cleared to board Sapphire Princess, which is docked at the Marina Bay Cruise Centre in Singapore. We are heading for Thailand first and then continuing our voyage to Vietnam.
Our group of Malaysian, Indonesian, Singaporean and Taiwanese media will be spending the next few days onboard the 116,000 tonne vessel which can accommodate 2,670 passengers and 1,100 crew.
When I first set eyes on the ship, I was really impressed by her size. The ship is so huge that even my wide lens camera could not get the entire lengthof her unless I retreated 100 steps.
I see many cubicles with blue glass panels which are actually the balconies of our rooms. I also notice a number of lifeboats hanging beneath the row of balconies. Discreetly, I say a little prayer, hoping these will not have to be used on our journey and that the cruise will be smooth sailing.
As I am eager to check into my room, I hurry to the main entrance where a brief inspection is done. Our passports are collected and our thumbprints scanned. From my balcony I can see the Singapore Flyer, which is actually a giant ferris wheel.
At 5pm, the ship sets sail for Laem Chabang, Thailand. The ferris wheel which was the size of a 10 sen coin earlier, can no longer be seen from my room on deck 11. After the compulsory fire drill briefing and simulation at the muster point, I decide to explore the ship on my own.
NOT A DULL MOMENT
To my surprise, I discover that the Sapphire Princess has an incredible array of activities, dining and entertainment options. The Piazza, on deck 5, inspired by the vibrant squares of Europe, is a hub of activity.
There are street performers, quaint boutiques and tasty food. I order a cup of hot mocha from the International Cafe but as I am still full from lunch, I decide to skip the tasty treats here.
After the drink, I proceed to the Art Gallery located adjacent to the cafeteria to browse the masterpieces on display. My personal favourite is the signed photograph of Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier, captured during a boxing match.
Back at the Piazza, I am in time to enjoy Music Melodies with Liberty String Quartet. I am buoyed by the pleasant music. Later that night, we dine at Vivladi which is also located on deck 5. We are required to dress in smart casual apparel.
After dinner, I decide to catch a movie at Neptune’s Reef and Pool on deck 14 and 15. The Amazing Spider-Man 2 is halfway through but I still take a seat to enjoy the movie. Popcorn, cookies and milk are distributed throughout the show.
OTHER ACTIVITIES
If you are in the mood for serenity, you may choose to spend your day at The Sanctuary on deck 16, a tranquil haven exclusively for adults. Otherwise, you can pamper yourself at the Lotus Spa on deck 15, or unwind at one of the pools or whirlpool spa.
My morning starts with a ping pong game with some passengers near the Calypso Pool on deck 14. After that, I head for the International Dining Room on deck 6 for a platter of fruit.
That afternoon, I join the other media members for a group interview with ship captain Nick Carlton.
We are told that he started his professional career at sea many years ago when he joined the Peninsula and Oriental (P&O) Steam Navigation Company which later became the parent company, of Princess Cruises.
Starting as a navigating cadet, Carlton served in a number of P&O and Princess ships, working his way up the deck officer ranks to captain.
There have been many milestones in his career and the day he took his first command of the original Pacific Princess in 2000 was one of his most significant.
Since then he has captained numerous Princess Cruises ships and travelled to many parts of the world
LIVELY NIGHT
I could not help but laugh watching an auctioneer talk very quickly while auctioning the art pieces. This is my first auction and luckily, I am seated at the back. On the third day, there is a Captain’s Welcome Aboard Party where passengers get the opportunity to take part in the creation of a champagne waterfall.
After the get-together we watch a musical performance at the Princess Theatre on deck 6 and 7. The show, I Got The Music, starring The Sapphire Princess singers and dancers, is really good and the cast receives a standing ovation. As it is still too early to go to bed, we head for the Skywalkers Night Club on deck 18 for the Wild Bunch Party with DJ Mateo & the Cruise Director Staff.
FIRST CRUISE
Not only is this my first cruise but it is also my first trip to Thailand. What better way to do it than by sea.
The ship docks at the Laem Chabang Port at 7am. We disembark and take a three-hour bus ride to Ayutthaya.
Designated as a world heritage site by Unesco and Thailand’s former capital from 1351 to 1767, Ayutthaya is a rare historical site and should be on every visitor’s must-visit list.
The highlight of the trip is a visit to Mahathat Temple, where we admire the sight of a Buddha figurine encased in the roots of a fig tree. We also visit Phra Srisanpej and the old Royal Palace.
On the sixth day of the cruise, we dock at the pier in Phu My, Vietnam. Ho Chi Minh is about 70km away. I do not have the time to explore Vietnam though this is my first visit but I plan to fly there in future.
I always thought that going on a luxury cruise was for people in their twilight years who have nothing better to do than spend their time looking at the sea, sky and stars and that young people like myself would probably die of boredom.
The tragic film, Titanic (starring Kate Winslet and Leonardo de Caprio) as well as documentaries that feature the ocean as a burial ground for passengers who die of illnesses before reaching their destinations, must have left a deep impact on me.
But, after my maiden cruise onboard the Sapphire Princess for 6D/5N from Singapore to Vietnam, I admit that such preconceived notions are merely hogwash.
Now, I would be more than happy to go on another cruise. Having enjoyed myself so much on Sapphire Princess, I now know there is never a dull moment on board this cruise liner.
FAST FACTS
PRINCESS Cruises will be home porting in the region this year. This is the largest deployment ever by a premium cruise line in the region, bringing the Sapphire Princess to Southeast Asia for a four-month season from November 2014 to March 2015.
The Sapphire Princess will be sailing to a variety of Southeast Asian destinations, operating 16 roundtrip cruises and carrying approximately 40,000 passengers.
The ship has a passenger capacity of 2,670, and more than 55 per cent of the cabins have balconies or are suites. Onboard facilities include Movie Under The Stars, fine-dining and other entertainment activities and workshops.