Our crew includes experienced, friendly professionals whose responsibilities range from navigating the ship to creating the day’s activity plan. The onboard staff’s primary concern is ensuring your safety and providing you with the ultimate holiday. To help you get acquainted, the following is an introduction to your onboard crew.
OFFICERS
The Captain is in command of your ship and is your official host for the cruise. He is assisted by the ship’s officers and staff, who are organised into departments. You can recognise an officer’s department by the colour of epaulet worn on his or her shoulders.
DECK DEPARTMENT
The Deck Department, headed by the Staff Captain, is responsible for all the duties performed by the officers manning the bridge. These seasoned professionals are distinguished by their black and gold epaulet. Safety and security fall under the jurisdiction of the Deck Department as does the maintenance of the ship’s appearance. Members of the Deck Department paint the ship and keep the decks and swimming pools clean. In short, the Staff Captain and his crew are the people in charge of keeping your vessel shipshape throughout your cruise.
ENGINE DEPARTMENT
The Chief Technical Officer heads the Engine Department and is assisted by the Staff Engineer Officer and Staff Electro-Technical Officer. Departmental responsibilities include the ship’s propulsion system, climate control and power generation. The Staff Electro-Technical Officer deals with electrical distribution and the ship’s satellite and radio communications. Engineering Officers and Electro-Technical Officers wear the burgundy and gold epaulet.
MEDICAL STAFF
The medical staff, headed by the Senior Doctor, are on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week to provide emergency medical care for both guests and crew. This team of highly qualified doctors and nurses may be identified by their red and gold epaulet.
HOTEL DEPARTMENT
You’ll recognise members of the Hotel Department by the white and gold epaulet on their uniforms. The Guest Services Director is in charge, along with the Staff/First Purser Administration and Staff/First Purser Food & Beverage. The Guest Services Director’s staff handles all of the hotel responsibilities for the entire ship - from stateroom, public room and dining room services to providing all food and supplies for guests and crew. This department also includes a number of officers who don’t wear an epaulet, such as the Maître d’hôtel, who maintains the excellent standards of service in all dining areas, and the Executive Chef, who supervises all food production onboard.
ENTERTAINMENT DEPARTMENT
The Cruise Director reports to the Guest Services Director and is also a senior officer onboard the ship. The Cruise Director manages the entire Entertainment Department. Since the Cruise Director and cruise staff oversee so many different activities, from evening stage shows to leading daytime and evening activities, their uniforms change to fit the occasion. Like all onboard employees, cruise staff always have a gold name badge on their uniform so you can get to know them right away.
C.R.U.I.S.E.® WITH PRINCESS
Bringing it all together is trademark Princess service, summed up in our C.R.U.I.S.E.® credo: Courtesy, Respect, Unfailing In Service Excellence. It’s the heartfelt greeting you receive from the Captain, the smiling face of your stateroom steward, or the waiter who knows you prefer a decaf espresso. And it’s how we’ve treated the most discriminating guests for more than 40 consecutive years.
WHAT’S ONBOARD
GUEST SERVICES DESK
Guest Services, in the ship’s lobby is the place to cash traveller’s cheques, buy stamps, ask questions, settle your shipboard account and check Lost and Found.
PRINCESS PATTER
The Princess Patter is your Day 1 welcome guide to life onboard. The piece is delivered to your stateroom upon embarkation and highlights the MedallionClass® and onboard experience, where to access event listings and venue hours during your cruise, along with health, safety and environmental information.
SHORE TOURS OFFICE
A Shore Tours Office with a Shore Excursion Manager is onboard each ship, ready to assist you with your port and shore tour-related questions and purchases.
PRINCESS CAPTAIN’S CIRCLE® HOST
A Princess Captain’s Circle Host on each sailing assists with exclusive “Members only” onboard events and ensures all Members receive their benefits.
FUTURE CRUISE CONSULTANT
For your convenience, a Future Cruise Consultant is onboard all vessels to advise you on future cruise itineraries, fares and incentives. Our Future Cruise Consultant is available to book your next cruise holiday.
LIBRARY
Onboard our ships, we’ve created a library that includes contemporary and classic titles, as well as books related to specific cruise itineraries. You’ll find titles on art, history, sport, travel, health and wellness, natural history and reference materials. We also have a fine selection of fiction and biographies. Read your Princess Patter for library hours and other information.
PHOTOGRAPHY*
Photographs taken throughout the cruise by our team of professional photographers are available for purchase in our shipboard photo gallery and shop. For a truly special souvenir, have a portrait taken on a formal night. You can also purchase a DVD produced on your cruise - a wonderful keepsake of your dream holiday. Frames and photo albums are available for purchase to display your new memories. You will also find advanced digital imaging services, memory card downloading, and CD-burning services.
PRINCESS FLORAL*
Make your cruise a memorable one. Our professional florist onboard offers a wide range of fresh flowers for any occasion. Choose from corsages, boutonnières, rose arrangements and bouquets, exotic tropical arrangements, all occasion bouquets and more. Call 13 24 88 (AU) or 0800 951 200 (NZ) to pre-order your flowers or visit the Purser’s Desk once you’re onboard. Note: To ensure the freshest arrangements, we ask you to place your order at least 21 days prior to sailing (if you pre-order). Flower varieties may vary by region, season and weather conditions.
ART AUCTION PROGRAMME*
You will have a unique opportunity to view and purchase pieces of fine art from a wide range of artists during onboard auctions. Art Directors are available throughout the cruise to answer your questions about the onboard art collection. At the end of your sailing, Princess Cruises will arrange to have your artwork framed, packaged and shipped to your home.
ULTIMATE BALCONY DINING*
Enjoy Ultimate Balcony Dining, featuring fresh lobster or steak, and other delicious delicacies, Champagne Breakfast and wait staff service, all on your own balcony. Treat yourself to this unparalleled level of luxury morning or night. Service charge for Ultimate Balcony Dining is AUD125 per couple. Champagne Breakfast is AUD35 per couple.
AFTERNOON TEA
Indulge in afternoon tea with finger sandwiches, pastries, scones, cookies, music and white-glove service. It’s the perfect interlude between sunning out on deck and a star-studded evening at sea. Enjoy a wide selection of premium teas - from Earl Grey to herbal infusions. And of course, there’s freshly brewed coffee, if you prefer. The choice is up to you.
PRINCESS SCHOLARSHIP@SEA® PROGRAMME^
This innovative educational programme offers an array of contemporary enrichment activities to enhance your holiday experience.
From wine tasting to web design to digital travel photography, choose from up to 40 courses per voyage, 6 per sea day. Core topic areas include: photography, computers, culinary, ceramics, scrapbooking and more. Guests also have the opportunity to expand their their ScholarShip@Sea® experience as a small group instruction will be offered for pottery courses, photography, in-depth computer programmes and more.
*Charges apply and subject to change.
^Some courses may not be available on every ship. Space is limited and group instruction courses are offered at a charge.
