Grand Princess
Grand Princess is a Grand-class cruise ship built in 1998 by Fincantieri at its Monfalcone shipyard in Italy for Princess Cruises, a subsidiary of Carnival Corporation & plc.[1][2] With a gross tonnage of 107,517 and length of 289 meters, she accommodates up to 2,610 passengers in lower berths and sails under the Bermuda flag.[1][3] At her launch, Grand Princess was the largest passenger ship ever built, inaugurating on May 26, 1998, and setting a benchmark for modern mega-cruise vessels with innovative features like multi-level atriums and extensive outdoor promenades.[4][2] The vessel primarily operates on itineraries in the Caribbean, Alaska, and the Pacific Coast, offering luxury amenities including multiple dining venues, theaters, and pools.[5] Her construction cost approximately $450 million, reflecting advancements in shipbuilding that prioritized passenger space and entertainment over traditional ocean liner designs.[2][3] In March 2020, Grand Princess became notable for an early cluster of COVID-19 cases during a voyage from San Francisco to Mexico, resulting in the ship being held offshore for quarantine upon return, with public health officials managing the disembarkation and testing of over 3,500 people aboard.[6] This incident highlighted challenges in containing respiratory outbreaks on densely populated vessels and prompted temporary suspensions in cruise operations.[7] Despite the controversy, the ship has continued service post-refits, maintaining its role in Princess Cruises' fleet.[3]Construction and entry into service
Order and construction
Princess Cruises ordered the Grand Princess on February 8, 1994, as the lead vessel of its new Grand-class series, initiating a $2.5 billion expansion program aimed at constructing larger ships to accommodate increasing passenger demand in the expanding cruise market of the mid-1990s.[8][9] The ship was constructed by Fincantieri at its Monfalcone shipyard in Italy and completed in 1998 at an approximate cost of $450 million, making it one of the largest and most expensive cruise vessels built up to that point.[2] Construction encountered technical difficulties during the fitting-out phase, resulting in delays that postponed the planned early May 1998 maiden voyage—originally targeted for around May 3 or May 14—to May 26, 1998.[8][10][11]Delivery and maiden voyage
The Grand Princess was handed over to Princess Cruises on May 20, 1998, by Fincantieri at its Monfalcone shipyard in Italy, completing construction of the vessel designed as the lead ship of its class.[12] An originally scheduled inaugural voyage on May 14, 1998, was canceled due to unspecified delays.[13] The ship's maiden voyage departed Southampton, England, on May 26, 1998, for a 12-night transatlantic itinerary to New York City, initiating revenue operations and facilitating the vessel's repositioning to serve the North American market.[1][14] The official christening took place on September 29, 1998, at Pier 88 in New York City, with actress Olivia de Havilland serving as godmother.[15]Design, specifications, and features
Technical specifications
Grand Princess possesses a gross tonnage of 107,517 GT and measures 290 meters (951 feet) in length overall, with a beam of 36 meters and a draft of 8.5 meters.[2] The vessel comprises 17 decks, including 16 dedicated to passengers.[16] It accommodates 2,610 passengers in lower-berth capacity, supplemented by space for up to 3,100 at full occupancy, and carries a crew of approximately 1,150.[1][17] The ship's propulsion system is diesel-electric, featuring two fixed-pitch propellers driven by Siemens electric motors each rated at 21 MW (totaling 42 MW), powered by diesel generators.[2] This configuration enables a service speed of 22.5 knots.[2] The diesel-electric setup optimizes fuel efficiency by allowing generators to operate near optimal loads, a characteristic of Grand-class vessels.[18] Safety features include compliance with SOLAS conventions for construction, equipment, and operation, incorporating a double hull design and advanced stabilization systems to maintain stability despite the ship's high center of gravity with only 28 feet of draft relative to 185 feet above the waterline. Post-construction refits have incorporated updates to meet evolving environmental regulations, enhancing overall operational efficiency and emissions control.[19]| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Gross Tonnage | 107,517 GT[1] |
| Length Overall | 290 m (951 ft)[2] |
| Beam | 36 m[2] |
| Draft | 8.5 m[2] |
| Decks | 17[16] |
| Passenger Capacity (Lower Berths) | 2,610[1] |
| Propulsion Power | 42 MW (diesel-electric)[2] |
| Service Speed | 22.5 knots[2] |