Princess
Cruises is currently facing a setback with a few of its most highly
anticipated new attractions aboard the newly launched Sun
Princess. The company announced on Friday that the Rollglider ride, which
was to be situated at the top of the ship, will not be opening—ever.
This announcement
also extends to two additional attractions: a ropes course known as The Net and
a climbing feature called Coastal Climb. These three attractions were to be
part of a giant, brand-first family fun zone on Sun Princess, dubbed Park19.
Altogether, there were to be nine family-friendly activities for guests to
enjoy, spanning decks 19, 20 and 21.
In a brief
statement obtained by The
Points Guy, Princess implied that the trio of rooftop attractions, none of
which have been operational since the vessel debuted in February, might be
replaced by others down the road.
Princess disclosed
that it was "unable to accept delivery" of the attractions from the
construction company, implying that the installations did not meet the line’s expectations
as stipulated in its shipbuilding contracts.
"We regret to
announce that Princess is unable to accept delivery of the Rollglider, Coastal
Climb, and ropes course features within Park19 aboard Sun Princess, and those
experiences will not be opening," Princess said in its statement. "We
are actively evaluating these areas for future recreational opportunities to
ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for all our guests," it added.
The cruise company
did point out that, despite the setback, other family-friendly features within
Park19, such as the Splash Zone, The Lookout, Infinite Horizon, Hammock Area, Recreational
Court and Jogging Track, are all open and will continue to operate as part of
the activity zone.
Rendering of Sun Princess' Park19. (Photo Credit: Princess Cruises Media)
The announcement
arrives five months after Sun Princess embarked upon her maiden voyage in the
Mediterranean in February. The vessel's debut had already seen several weeks’
delay due to construction issues. At that time, several key attractions,
including those within Park19, were still incomplete or undergoing testing. The
inclusion of Park19 marked a notable shift for Princess, which has not previously
incorporated family-centric attractions on the upper decks of its ships.
The Rollglider
ride, called Sea Breeze, was intended to provide a unique hang-gliding
experience, featuring an overhead track where guests would glide at speeds up
to 11 mph for between 60 and 90 seconds, and was marketed as the first of its
kind at sea. The Net ropes course was meant to include such challenging
elements as swinging bridges and balance beams that guests would need to negotiate
their way through an exhilarating 19 decks above the ocean surface.
The third ship to
bear its name in Princess’ history, Sun Princess is the first of two new Sphere
class ships the line is launching in a bid to attract younger guests and more
new-top-cruise passengers who might previously have overlooked the brand.
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