by Jason Leppert
Last updated: 5:00 AM ET, Sat September 10, 2016
The oversized application of Princess Cruises' "Sea Witch" logo on the bow is not the only difference the new Majestic Princess will exhibit from its preceding sister ships - the Royal Princess and Regal Princess. To cater to the Chinese market, a number of major features and layouts will differ, including new Asian floral decor, while the ship still upholds the line's usual international flavor overall.
Starting on the lower decks, it's immediately apparent that the Lotus Spa is being retooled a bit to include Sing of the Sea karaoke suites (pictured above) in place of some former treatment rooms. Chances are there will be a separate entrance from the elevator and stair lobby to a side corridor so that participants will not have to pass through the spa itself.
[READMORE]READ MORE: Princess Cruises Announces Features of New Majestic Princess Ship[/READMORE]
Also next door, Princess' usually signature Sabatini's Italian specialty restaurant is remarkably being replaced by the newly announced Harmony Chinese restaurant which certainly makes sense for the target demographic. Here, the partnership with chef Richard Chen from Wynn Las Vegas' Michelin-starred "Wing Lei" will be featured for Cantonese cuisine much as it is with Australian celebrity chef Curtis Stone on other ships in the fleet.
While Vines and the International Cafe will be reprised for food, it looks as if the Gelato ice cream bar will not come along for the ride as the space is allocated to more shops on the Majestic. The fine art gallery is also being displaced elsewhere to allow for extra retail space as well. Meanwhile, catering to a gaming penchant will be the Grand Casino which will expand into the former Club 6 nightclub and Churchill's smoking lounge for added VIP and private sections respectively. Also, the Vista Lounge will become the Vista Gaming Lounge onboard.
Other dining changes will come in the form of the Ocean Terrace Seafood Bar becoming a juice bar and the Crooners lounge becoming French Bistro instead. The second new specialty restaurant will showcase Parisian delights such as Escargots Casseroles, Braised Ox Tongue and Mushroom Ragout just as Alfredo's across the atrium will continue to serve traditional Neapolitan-style pizzas.
[READMORE]READ MORE: Why Princess Cruises' New Ship Has Two Names[/READMORE]
Even the Princess Live! Cafe is switching to the culturally appropriate Leaves Tea Bar down the way, and out on the pool deck, Trident Grill and Prego Pizzeria (itself a bit redundant to Alfredo's) are becoming Lobster Grill and a Noodle Bar. And the Horizon Bistro and Horizon Court buffets are being reworked into Marketplace and World Fresh for everything from Mediterranean cuisine to a new "East Meets West" street food counter.
What's more, The Sanctuary and Retreat Pool will be renamed Hollywood Conservatory and Hollywood Pool Club, and also speaking of entertainment, the ship will feature two production shows popular among Princess passengers: "Fiera" and "Fantastic Journey." Thus, the Majestic Princess will feel at home to new Chinese customers and loyalists alike.
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