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{{short description|Cruise ship operated by Princess Cruises}}
{{Italic title}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2022}}
{|{{Infobox ship begin}}
{|{{Infobox ship begin
| infobox caption = ''Sapphire Princess''
| display title = ital
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}}
{{Infobox ship image
{{Infobox ship image
|Ship image=[[File:Sapphire Princess02.JPG|300px]]
| Ship image = Sapphire Princess at pier 24 in Port of Tallinn 8 June 2018 (recropped).jpg
|Ship caption= ''Sapphire Princess'' at [[Ketchikan, Alaska]]
| Ship caption = ''Sapphire Princess'' in [[Tallinn]], 2018
}}
}}
{{Infobox ship career
{{Infobox ship career
|Hide header =
| Hide header =
|Ship name = ''Sapphire Princess''
| Ship country = [[United Kingdom]]
| Ship flag = {{shipboxflag|United Kingdom|civil}}
⚫
|Ship owner = [[Carnival Corporation & plc]]
|Ship operator = Princess Cruises
| Ship name = ''Sapphire Princess''
⚫
| Ship owner = [[File:Carnival Corporation house flag.svg|border|20px]] [[Carnival Corporation & plc]]
|Ship registry = 2004-2014 {{flagicon|Bermuda|civil}} [[Hamilton, Bermuda]]
| Ship operator = [[Princess Cruises]]
2014-present {{flagicon|United Kingdom|national}} [[London, England]]
| Ship registry = 2004–2014: [[Hamilton, Bermuda|Hamilton]], {{flag|Bermuda}}
|Ship route = Asia
2014–present: [[London]], {{flag|United Kingdom}}
|Ship ordered =
|Ship builder = [[Mitsubishi Heavy Industries]]
| Ship ordered =
| Ship builder = [[Mitsubishi Heavy Industries]]
|Ship original cost = US $400 million
| Ship original cost = [[US$]] 400 million
|Ship yard number =
| Ship yard number =
|Ship way number =
| Ship way number =
|Ship laid down =
| Ship laid down =
|Ship launched =
| Ship launched =
|Ship completed = 2004
| Ship completed = 2004
|Ship christened = June 10, 2004 in [[Seattle]]
| Ship christened = 10 June 2004 in [[Seattle]]
|Ship acquired =
| Ship acquired =
|Ship maiden voyage =
| Ship maiden voyage =
|Ship in service =
| Ship in service =
|Ship out of service =
| Ship out of service =
|Ship identification =[[Callsign]]: 2HFZ6<br> {{IMO Number|9228186}} <br> [[MMSI]]: 235103357
| Ship identification = * [[Maritime call sign|Call sign]]: 2HFZ6
* {{IMO Number|9228186}}
* [[MMSI]]: 235103357
|Ship fate =
| Ship fate =
|Ship status = In service
| Ship status = In service
|Ship notes =
| Ship notes =
}}
}}
{{Infobox ship characteristics
{{Infobox ship characteristics
|Hide header =
| Hide header =
|Header caption =
| Header caption =
|Ship type = [[Grand class cruise ship#Gem class|Gem-class]] [[Cruise ship]]
| Ship type = [[Grand-class cruise ship#Gem class|Gem-class]] [[Cruise ship]]
|Ship tonnage = {{GT|116,000}}
| Ship tonnage = {{GT|115,875}}
|Ship displacement =
| Ship displacement =
|Ship length = {{convert|290|m|abbr=on}}
| Ship length = {{convert|290|m|ftin|abbr=on}}
|Ship beam = {{convert|37|m|abbr=on}}
| Ship beam = {{convert|37|m|ftin|abbr=on}}
|Ship height =
| Ship height =
|Ship draught =
| Ship draught =
|Ship draft =
| Ship draft =
|Ship depth =
| Ship depth =
|Ship decks = 13
| Ship decks = 13
|Ship deck clearance =
| Ship deck clearance =
|Ship ramps =
| Ship ramps =
|Ship ice class =
| Ship ice class =
|Ship sail plan =
| Ship sail plan =
|Ship power =
| Ship power =
|Ship propulsion =
| Ship propulsion =
|Ship speed = {{convert|22|kn}}
| Ship speed = {{convert|22|kn|lk=in}}
|Ship capacity = 2,670 passengers
| Ship capacity = 2,670 passengers
|Ship crew = 1,100
| Ship crew = 1,100
|Ship notes =
| Ship notes =
}}
}}
|}
|}


'''''Sapphire Princess''''' is a [[cruise ship]] owned by [[Princess Cruises]] that entered service in 2004 as the twin sister ship of ''[[Diamond Princess (ship)|Diamond Princess]]''. She is one of the world's largest cruise ships, with a capacity of 2,670 passengers <ref>http://www.cruisekings.co.uk/cruise-lines/princess-cruises/ships/sapphire-princess/</ref>and is the sixth Gem Class ship built by [[Princess Cruises]]. ''Sapphire Princess'' was christened on June 10, 2004 in [[Seattle]]—the first cruise ship ever to be christened in that port.<ref>{{cite web| title=Sapphire Princess Joins Seattle Cruise Ship Market | url=http://www.portseattle.org/news/stories/sapphire.shtml |publisher=Port of Seattle | accessdate=}}{{dead link|date=April 2012}}</ref>{{dead link|date=April 2012}}
'''''Sapphire Princess''''' is a [[cruise ship]] owned by [[Princess Cruises]] that entered service in 2004 as the [[sister ship]] of {{ship||Diamond Princess|ship|2}}. At the time she was one of the [[list of largest cruise ships|world's largest cruise ships]], with a capacity of 2,670 passengers<ref>{{Cite web|title=Fantastic Cruise Deals for 2021, 2022 & 2023 &#124; CruiseKings|url=https://www.cruisekings.co.uk/cruise-lines/princess-cruises/sapphire-princess/|access-date=22 November 2021|website=www.cruisekings.co.uk}}</ref> and is the second [[Grand-class cruise ship#Gem class|Gem-class]] ship built by [[Princess Cruises]]. ''Sapphire Princess'' was [[Ship christening|christened]] on 10 June 2004, in [[Seattle]]—the first cruise ship ever to be christened in that port.<ref>{{cite web|title=Sapphire Princess Joins Seattle Cruise Ship Market |url=http://www.portseattle.org/news/stories/sapphire.shtml |publisher=Port of Seattle |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090405165335/http://www.portseattle.org/news/stories/sapphire.shtml |archivedate=5 April 2009 }}</ref>


==Design and construction==
⚫
Currently, the Sapphire Princess is scheduled to sail Asia cruises from Shanghai in the summer months, then from November through February, the ship will sail roundtrip Asia cruises out of [[Singapore]].<ref name="Princess Cruise Lines">{{cite web | author= | title=Cruise Search Results: Princess Cruises: | url= http://www.princess.com/find/searchResults.do?time=246&trade=&ship=SA&duration=&port=&date=&order=&filterBy=&tourdur=&ppax=&meta=I&noOfPax=2&resType=C&bID=PCDIR&pageOffset= | publisher=Princess Cruise Lines | year=2013 | accessdate=16 April 2013}}</ref>
⚫
''Sapphire Princess'' was built in [[Japan]] by [[Mitsubishi Heavy Industries]], the second [[Princess Cruises]] ship to be [[Manufacturing industries of Japan#Shipbuilding|built in a Japanese shipyard]]. Her only [[sister ship]] is {{ship||Diamond Princess|ship|2}}, with whom she swapped names during construction. She and her sister ship were the largest cruise ships to be built by Mitsubishi since the ''[[Crystal Harmony]]'' in 1991.


⚫
The name swap occurred because a major fire swept through the original ''Diamond Princess'' (presently sailing as today's ''Sapphire Princess'') during construction, leading to a construction delay.<ref name="MHI-report">{{cite web |url=http://www.mhi.co.jp/en/news/sec1/e_0922.html |title=MHI Fire incident report |accessdate=12 April 2010 |date=4 October 2002 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110514170746/http://www.mhi.co.jp/en/news/sec1/e_0922.html |archivedate=14 May 2011 }}</ref> Both sister ships were being constructed at the same time, so the original ''Sapphire'' assumed the role of ''Diamond''. This name swap assisted in keeping the delivery date of ''Diamond Princess'' on time, and kept ''Sapphire Princess'' on schedule as it was nearing completion early.<ref>{{cite press release | title=Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Cruise Ship "Sapphire Princess" To Be Delivered to Princess Cruises | url=http://www.japancorp.net/Article.Asp?Art_ID=7393 | publisher=Hideo Ikuno, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. | date=26 May 2004 | accessdate=17 April 2013 | url-status=dead | archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140318104519/http://www.japancorp.net/Article.Asp?Art_ID=7393 | archivedate=18 March 2014 }}</ref> Due to the fire and name swap, she would be the last Carnival Corporation & plc vessel built by Mitsubishi until the completion of ''[[AIDAprima]]'' in 2016.<ref>{{cite news|title=AIDAprima headed for Europe after Mitsubishi HI delivery|url=http://www.seatrade-cruise.com/news/news-headlines/aidaprima-sails-for-europe-after-mitsubishi-hi-delivery.html|accessdate=16 March 2016|work=Seatrade Cruise News|publisher=Seatrade|date=14 March 2016}}</ref>
==Design==
''Sapphire Princess'' is technically a sister ship to ''Grand Princess'', but has several differences. The most notable of these is that the Skywalkers Nightclub suspended across her stern was moved to the back of the funnel, which opens up the terrace pool area. ''Sapphire'' takes personal choice dining another step further by splitting the two anytime dining rooms of its older sisters into four, each of which has its own theme and specialty dish. Another dramatic alteration is the repositioning of the Internet Café to the Promenade Deck adjacent to Sabatini's. This moves the Wheelhouse Bar farther to the front of the ship, in place of the Crown Grill. She is otherwise nearly identical to her older sisters.


Despite being technically similar to her ''Grand''-class sister ships, she lacks the "wing" across the rear and above the stern that housed the Skywalkers Nightclub, which can be seen on {{ship||Golden Princess|2000|2}}, {{ship||Star Princess|2001|2}}, and {{ship||Caribbean Princess}}.
==Construction==
[[File:Sapphire Princess 20110212.JPG|left|thumb|''Sapphire Princess'' leaving the port of Los Angeles.]]

⚫
''Sapphire Princess'' was built in [[Japan]] by [[Mitsubishi Heavy Industries]], the second Princess Cruises ship to be [[Manufacturing industries of Japan#Shipbuilding|built in a Japanese shipyard]]. Her only [[sister ship]], with whom she swapped names, ''[[Diamond Princess (ship)|Diamond Princess]]'' during construction.

⚫
The name swap occurred because a major fire swept through the original Diamond Princess during construction, leading to a construction delay.<ref name="MHI-report">{{cite web |url=http://www.mhi.co.jp/en/news/sec1/e_0922.html |title=MHI Fire incident report |accessdate=2010-04-12 |date=2002-10-04}}</ref> Both sister ships were being constructed at the same time, so the original ''Sapphire'' assumed the role of ''Diamond''. This name swap assisted in keeping the delivery date of Diamond Princess on time, and kept Sapphire Princess on schedule as it was nearing completion early.<ref>{{cite press release | title=Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Cruise Ship "Sapphire Princess" To Be Delivered to Princess Cruises | url=http://www.japancorp.net/Article.Asp?Art_ID=7393 | publisher=Hideo Ikuno, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. | date=May 26, 2004 | accessdate=17 April 2013}}</ref> ''Sapphire Princess'' was the second [[Princess Cruises]] ship to be built in a Japanese shipyard, and lacks the "wing" or spoiler across the rear which can be seen on ''[[Golden Princess]]''.

== 2012 Refit ==
At the beginning of 2012 ''Sapphire Princess'' was refitted with Princess' signature "Piazza" in place of the center atrium, including the International Café and a pizzeria. Princess also added the "Movies Under the Stars" poolside theatre to the top deck and a new adults' retreat, The Sanctuary.<ref>[http://www.princess.com/news/article.jsp?newsArticleId=na1209 Sapphire Princess Begins Service After Extensive Makeover] 2/6/2012 Princess.com News Article. Retrieved 19 March 2012.</ref> The refit brings ''Sapphire Princess'' in alignment with the newer features from ''Grand Princess'' and others in the [[Grand class cruise ship|Grand Fleet]].<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.princess.com/news/article.jsp?newsArticleId=na982 | title=Movies Under the Stars" to Make A Splash Across Princess Fleet; Popular Poolside Theater to Be Added to Additional Ships] 11/5/2008 | publisher=Princess Cruises | accessdate=29 April 2012}}</ref>


==Machinery==
==Machinery==
Her diesel-electric plant includes four diesel generators and a gas turbine generator. The diesel generators are [[Wärtsilä]] 46 series common rail engines, two of the straight 9-cylinder configuration, and two of the straight 8-cylinder configuration. The 8- and 9-cylinder engines can produce approximately 8{{frac|1|2}} and 9{{frac|1|2}} MW of power respectively. These engines are fueled with Heavy Fuel oil (HFO or bunker c) and Marine Gas Oil (MGO) depending on the local regulations regarding emissions, as MGO produces much lower emissions but is much more expensive. The gas turbine generator is a GE 2500, producing a peak of 25 MW of power and being fueled by MGO. This generator is much more expensive to run than the diesel generators, and is used mostly in areas, such as Alaska, where the emissions regulations are strict. It is also used when top speed is required to make it to a port in a short time period. There are two propulsion electric motors which drive fixed-pitch propellers and six thrusters used during maneuvering; three bow and three stern. The propulsion electric motors (PEMs), are conventional synchronous motors made by Alston Motors. The two motors are each rated to 20 MW and have a maximum speed of 154 rpm. (Rated speed of 0-145 rpm.)<ref>{{cite web | title=''Sapphire Princess'' - Cruise Ship | url=http://www.ship-technology.com/projects/sapphire/ | year=2012 | accessdate=29 April 2012}}</ref>
Her diesel-electric plant includes four diesel generators and a gas turbine generator. The diesel generators are [[Wärtsilä]] 46 series common rail engines, two of the straight 9-cylinder configuration, and two of the straight 8-cylinder configuration. The 8- and 9-cylinder engines can produce approximately 8{{frac|1|2}} and 9{{frac|1|2}} MW of power respectively. These engines are fueled with [[heavy fuel oil]] (HFO or bunker c) and Marine Gas Oil (MGO) depending on the local regulations regarding emissions, as MGO produces much lower emissions but is much more expensive. The gas turbine generator is a GE 2500, producing a peak of 25 MW of power and being fueled by MGO. This generator is much more expensive to run than the diesel generators, and is used mostly in areas, such as Alaska, where the emissions regulations are strict. It is also used when top speed is required to make it to a port in a short time period. There are two propulsion electric motors which drive fixed-pitch propellers and six thrusters used during maneuvering; three bow and three stern. The propulsion electric motors (PEMs), are conventional synchronous motors made by Alstom Motors, driven by synchroconverters made by Alstom Power Conversion (now GE Power Conversion). The two motors are each rated to 20 MW and have a maximum speed of 154 rpm. (Rated speed of 0-145 rpm.)<ref>{{cite news | title=''Sapphire Princess'' - Cruise Ship | newspaper=Ship Technology | url=http://www.ship-technology.com/projects/sapphire/ | year=2012 | accessdate=29 April 2012}}</ref>


==Ports of call==
==Areas of operation==
''Sapphire Princess'' previously alternating Northbound & Southbound Voyage of the Glacier cruises during the summer and in the winter sails Mexico, Hawaii & California Coastal cruises. Beginning in 2014, the ship will sail roundtrip Asia cruises from Shanghai in the summer months, then from November through February, the ship will sail roundtrip Asia cruises out of [[Singapore]].<ref name="Princess Cruise Lines"/>


⚫
''Sapphire Princess'' previously sailed on the west coast of the United States but in 2014 the ship undertook Asian cruises from Shanghai in the summer months and in the winter cruises out of [[Singapore]].<ref name="Princess Cruise Lines"/> After her Singapore season concluded in 2016, the ship sailed from China year-round until 2017. The winter sailings from Singapore resumed during the 2017–18 season.<ref name="Princess Cruise Lines">{{cite web | author= | title=Cruise Search Results: Princess Cruises | url= http://www.princess.com/find/searchResults.do?time=246&trade=&ship=SA&duration=&port=&date=&order=&filterBy=&tourdur=&ppax=&meta=I&noOfPax=2&resType=C&bID=PCDIR&pageOffset= | publisher=Princess Cruise Lines | year=2013 | accessdate=16 April 2013}}</ref>
=== Rescheduled sailings ===


On 28 March 2018 she re-positioned to [[Southampton]], UK with a 38-day cruise where she was based until 21 October 2018 when she returned to Singapore with another 38 day cruise. ''Sapphire Princess'' will again in 2019 re-position to Southampton for the northern summer before returning to Singapore later in 2019. She will be homeported in Singapore for 2020.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.cruiseindustrynews.com/cruise-news/18778-new-look-sapphire-princess-sails-for-europe.html|title=New Look Sapphire Princess Sails for Europe|last=Staff|first=CIN|date=28 March 2018|access-date=29 March 2018|language=en-GB}}</ref> Following her summer season in Asia, ''Sapphire Princess'' was based in [[Melbourne]] in October 2020 for [[Australia]] and [[New Zealand]] sailings.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cruiseindustrynews.com/cruise-news/21095-sapphire-princess-extends-season-adds-shanghai-program-for-2020.html|title=Sapphire Princess Extends Season, Adds Shanghai Program for 2020|last=Staff|first=C. I. N.|date=18 June 2019|website=www.cruiseindustrynews.com|language=en-gb|access-date=24 August 2019}}</ref>
In April 2014, ''Sapphire Princess'' was supposed to return to [[Alaska]], but those plans were cancelled and will sail Asian cruises instead. Most of the ship's Hawaii cruises for 2014 were cancelled, and from the beginning of that year, which Princess kept it running on more short cruises to the West Coast round-trip Los Angeles, as well as a 10-day cruise that departed March 1, 2014. On April 3, 2014, the Sapphire Princess sailed a 25 day repositioning cruise from Los Angeles to Osaka, which it stopped at Honolulu, Guam, Keelung, Okinawa, Shanghai, Kagoshima and concludes in Osaka.

On April 5, 2014, her previously scheduled cruises at that time was replaced by [[Crown Princess (ship)|''Crown Princess'']] after it's arrival in Los Angeles.


Following the [[COVID-19]] outbreak in 2020, ''Sapphire Princess'' was deployed to Australia six months early.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cruiseindustrynews.com/cruise-news/22470-sapphire-princess-redeploying-to-australia.html|title=Sapphire Princess Redeploying to Australia|last=Staff|first=C. I. N.|date=18 February 2020|website=www.cruiseindustrynews.com|language=en-gb|access-date=24 February 2020}}</ref>
==Incidents and accidents==
==Incidents and accidents==


===Whale strikes===
===Whale strikes===
On two occasions whales have been found dead on the bulbous bow of ''Sapphire Princess'', a year apart from each other. On July 25, 2009 the ship docked at [[Canada Place]] Terminal, in [[Vancouver]], Canada, with a dead [[Fin Whale]] lodged on its bow.<ref>{{cite news | author=The Associated Press | title=Dead Whale Gets Stuck in Cruise Ship Bow | url=http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,534853,00.html | work=Fox News | date=26 July 2009 | accessdate=29 April 2012}}</ref> The estimated 21.3 (70&nbsp;ft) whale was found on top of the [[bulbous bow]].<ref>{{cite news | author=Staff writers| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/8169309.stm |title=Whale wedged on cruise ship bow | date=26 July 2009 | work=BBC News| accessdate=29 April 2012}}</ref> Preliminary reports from the [[Fisheries and Oceans Canada|Fisheries and Oceans]] [[necropsy]] suggest the whale might have been sick.<ref>{{cite news | author= | title=Necropsy reveals impaled whale may have been sick | url=http://www.vancouversun.com/news/Necropsy+reveals+impaled+whale+have+been+sick/1833933/story.html | work=The Vancouver Sun | date=July 27, 2009 | accessdate=29 April 2012}}</ref>
On two occasions, whales have been found dead on the [[bulbous bow]] of ''Sapphire Princess'', a year apart from each other. On 25 July 2009, the ship docked at [[Canada Place]] Terminal, in [[Vancouver|Vancouver, British Columbia]], Canada, with a dead [[fin whale]] lodged on its bow.<ref>{{cite news | author=The Associated Press | title=Dead Whale Gets Stuck in Cruise Ship Bow | url=https://www.foxnews.com/story/dead-whale-gets-stuck-in-cruise-ship-bow | work=Fox News | date=26 July 2009 | access-date=29 April 2012}}</ref> The estimated {{convert|21.3|m|ft|0}} whale was found on top of the bulbous bow.<ref>{{cite news | author=Staff writers| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/8169309.stm |title=Whale wedged on cruise ship bow | date=26 July 2009 | work=BBC News| accessdate=29 April 2012}}</ref> A preliminary [[Autopsy|necropsy]] from [[Fisheries and Oceans Canada]] suggested the whale might have been sick.<ref>{{cite news | title=Necropsy reveals impaled whale may have been sick | url=https://vancouversun.com/news/Necropsy+reveals+impaled+whale+have+been+sick/1833933/story.html | work=The Vancouver Sun | date=27 July 2009 | accessdate=29 April 2012 | url-status=dead | archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090731111821/http://www.vancouversun.com/news/Necropsy+reveals+impaled+whale+have+been+sick/1833933/story.html | archivedate=31 July 2009 }}</ref>


On July 28, 2010, ''Sapphire Princess'' had a whale stuck on the bow of the ship.<ref>{{cite news | author=James Halpin | title=Whale found stuck on bow of cruise ship near Juneau | url=http://www.adn.com/2010/07/28/1385612/whale-found-stuck-on-bow-of-cruise.html?commentSort=TimeStampAscending&pageNum=1 | work=The Anchorage Daily News | date=July 29, 2010 | accessdate=29 April 2012}}</ref> The estimated 12.2&nbsp;m (40&nbsp;ft) humpback whale became entangled on the ships bulbous bow while ''Sapphire Princess'' was sailing from Ketchikan to Juneau.<ref>{{cite news | author=Greg Dragonetti | title=Whale Meets Ship With Unfortunate End | url=http://www.cruiseind.com/2010/08/whale-meets-cruise-ship-with-unfortunate-end/ | work=CruiseInd | date=7 August 2010 | accessdate=29 April 2012}}</ref>
On 28 July 2010, ''Sapphire Princess'' had a whale stuck on the bow of the ship.<ref>{{cite news | author=James Halpin | title=Whale found stuck on bow of cruise ship near Juneau | url=http://www.adn.com/2010/07/28/1385612/whale-found-stuck-on-bow-of-cruise.html?commentSort=TimeStampAscending&pageNum=1 | work=The Anchorage Daily News | date=29 July 2010 | accessdate=29 April 2012}}</ref> The estimated {{convert|12.2|m|ft|0|abbr=on}} [[humpback whale]] became entangled on the ship's bulbous bow while ''Sapphire Princess'' was sailing from [[Ketchikan]] to [[Juneau]].<ref>{{cite news | author=Greg Dragonetti | title=Whale Meets Ship With Unfortunate End | url=http://www.cruiseind.com/2010/08/whale-meets-cruise-ship-with-unfortunate-end/ | work=CruiseInd | date=7 August 2010 | accessdate=29 April 2012}}</ref>


The last time, before ''Sapphire Princess'', that an Alaskan cruise ship docked in Vancouver with a whale on its bow was in 1999, when a dead {{convert|20|m|ft|adj=on}} Fin whale was found on [[MV Galaxy|MV ''Galaxy'']].
Prior to the first incident with ''Sapphire Princess'', the last time that an Alaskan cruise ship docked in Vancouver with a whale on its bow was in 1999, when a dead {{convert|20|m|ft|0|adj=on}} fin whale was found on {{MV|Galaxy||2}}.


==Gallery==
===Drownings===
In 2014, a 29-year old woman drowned in a pool aboard.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.cruiselawnews.com/2014/08/articles/maritime-death/passenger-drowns-in-swimming-pool-on-sapphire-princess/ | title=Passenger Drowns in Swimming Pool on Sapphire Princess | date=10 August 2014 }}</ref>
{{gallery

|File:Sapphire Princess Humongous Ship II.jpg|''Sapphire Princess'' in the [[Ports of Auckland]], [[New Zealand]].
In 2015, another passenger also drowned in the Neptune pool aboard.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.cruiselawnews.com/2015/08/articles/drownings/princess-cruises-criticized-after-passenger-drowned/ | title=Princess Cruises Criticized After Passenger Drowned | date=23 August 2015 }}</ref>
|File:Sapphire&Golden Princess.JPG|''Sapphire Princess'' and ''Golden Princess'' at [[Skagway, Alaska]]

|File:Sapphire Princess01.JPG|''Sapphire Princess'' at [[Skagway, Alaska]]
===2020 COVID-19 Pandemic===
|File:Sapphire_Princess_Ship_in_Puerto_Vallarta_Mexico.jpg|''Sapphire Princess'' at [[Puerto Vallarta, Mexico]]
In 2020, the ''Sapphire Princess'' was anchored in the [[Manila]] Bay Anchorage after returning hundreds of cruise ship employees to the [[Philippines]] after the [[COVID-19]] pandemic resulted in the shutdown of the cruise vacation industry.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.cruisehive.com/almost-a-dozen-cruise-ships-anchored-in-manila-bay-in-one-day/39401/ | title=Almost a Dozen Cruise Ships Anchored in Manila Bay in One Day | date=28 April 2020 }}</ref>
|File:Sapphire Princess at hakata port.jpg |''Sapphire Princess'' at Ports of Hakata, [[Japan]].
⚫
}}


==References==
==References==
{{Reflist|2}}
{{Reflist}}


==External links==
==External links==
{{commons category|Sapphire Princess (ship, 2004)|''Sapphire Princess''}}
{{commons category|IMO 9228186}}
* [http://www.princess.com/learn/ships/sa/index.html Princess Cruises website]
* [http://www.princess.com/learn/ships/sa/index.html Princess Cruises website]


{{Princess Ships}}
{{Princess Ships}}


[[Category:Cruise ships]]
[[Category:Ships of Princess Cruises]]
[[Category:Ships of Princess Cruises]]
[[Category:Passenger ships of Bermuda]]
[[Category:Passenger ships of Bermuda]]
[[Category:Ships built in Japan]]
[[Category:Ships built by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries]]

Latest revision as of 20:00, 30 September 2024

Sapphire Princess
Sapphire Princess in Tallinn, 2018
History
United Kingdom
NameSapphire Princess
Owner Carnival Corporation & plc
OperatorPrincess Cruises
Port of registry2004–2014: Hamilton,  Bermuda 2014–present: London,  United Kingdom
BuilderMitsubishi Heavy Industries
CostUS$ 400 million
Christened10 June 2004 in Seattle
Completed2004
Identification
StatusIn service
General characteristics
TypeGem-class Cruise ship
Tonnage115,875 GT
Length290 m (951 ft 5 in)
Beam37 m (121 ft 5 in)
Decks13
Speed22 knots (41 km/h; 25 mph)
Capacity2,670 passengers
Crew1,100

Sapphire Princess is a cruise ship owned by Princess Cruises that entered service in 2004 as the sister ship of Diamond Princess. At the time she was one of the world's largest cruise ships, with a capacity of 2,670 passengers[1] and is the second Gem-class ship built by Princess Cruises. Sapphire Princess was christened on 10 June 2004, in Seattle—the first cruise ship ever to be christened in that port.[2]

Design and construction

[edit]

Sapphire Princess was built in Japan by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, the second Princess Cruises ship to be built in a Japanese shipyard. Her only sister ship is Diamond Princess, with whom she swapped names during construction. She and her sister ship were the largest cruise ships to be built by Mitsubishi since the Crystal Harmony in 1991.

The name swap occurred because a major fire swept through the original Diamond Princess (presently sailing as today's Sapphire Princess) during construction, leading to a construction delay.[3] Both sister ships were being constructed at the same time, so the original Sapphire assumed the role of Diamond. This name swap assisted in keeping the delivery date of Diamond Princess on time, and kept Sapphire Princess on schedule as it was nearing completion early.[4] Due to the fire and name swap, she would be the last Carnival Corporation & plc vessel built by Mitsubishi until the completion of AIDAprima in 2016.[5]

Despite being technically similar to her Grand-class sister ships, she lacks the "wing" across the rear and above the stern that housed the Skywalkers Nightclub, which can be seen on Golden Princess, Star Princess, and Caribbean Princess.

Machinery

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Her diesel-electric plant includes four diesel generators and a gas turbine generator. The diesel generators are Wärtsilä 46 series common rail engines, two of the straight 9-cylinder configuration, and two of the straight 8-cylinder configuration. The 8- and 9-cylinder engines can produce approximately 81⁄2 and 91⁄2 MW of power respectively. These engines are fueled with heavy fuel oil (HFO or bunker c) and Marine Gas Oil (MGO) depending on the local regulations regarding emissions, as MGO produces much lower emissions but is much more expensive. The gas turbine generator is a GE 2500, producing a peak of 25 MW of power and being fueled by MGO. This generator is much more expensive to run than the diesel generators, and is used mostly in areas, such as Alaska, where the emissions regulations are strict. It is also used when top speed is required to make it to a port in a short time period. There are two propulsion electric motors which drive fixed-pitch propellers and six thrusters used during maneuvering; three bow and three stern. The propulsion electric motors (PEMs), are conventional synchronous motors made by Alstom Motors, driven by synchroconverters made by Alstom Power Conversion (now GE Power Conversion). The two motors are each rated to 20 MW and have a maximum speed of 154 rpm. (Rated speed of 0-145 rpm.)[6]

Areas of operation

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Sapphire Princess previously sailed on the west coast of the United States but in 2014 the ship undertook Asian cruises from Shanghai in the summer months and in the winter cruises out of Singapore.[7] After her Singapore season concluded in 2016, the ship sailed from China year-round until 2017. The winter sailings from Singapore resumed during the 2017–18 season.[7]

On 28 March 2018 she re-positioned to Southampton, UK with a 38-day cruise where she was based until 21 October 2018 when she returned to Singapore with another 38 day cruise. Sapphire Princess will again in 2019 re-position to Southampton for the northern summer before returning to Singapore later in 2019. She will be homeported in Singapore for 2020.[8] Following her summer season in Asia, Sapphire Princess was based in Melbourne in October 2020 for Australia and New Zealand sailings.[9]

Following the COVID-19 outbreak in 2020, Sapphire Princess was deployed to Australia six months early.[10]

Incidents and accidents

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Whale strikes

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On two occasions, whales have been found dead on the bulbous bow of Sapphire Princess, a year apart from each other. On 25 July 2009, the ship docked at Canada Place Terminal, in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, with a dead fin whale lodged on its bow.[11] The estimated 21.3 metres (70 ft) whale was found on top of the bulbous bow.[12] A preliminary necropsy from Fisheries and Oceans Canada suggested the whale might have been sick.[13]

On 28 July 2010, Sapphire Princess had a whale stuck on the bow of the ship.[14] The estimated 12.2 m (40 ft) humpback whale became entangled on the ship's bulbous bow while Sapphire Princess was sailing from Ketchikan to Juneau.[15]

Prior to the first incident with Sapphire Princess, the last time that an Alaskan cruise ship docked in Vancouver with a whale on its bow was in 1999, when a dead 20-metre (66 ft) fin whale was found on Galaxy.

Drownings

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In 2014, a 29-year old woman drowned in a pool aboard.[16]

In 2015, another passenger also drowned in the Neptune pool aboard.[17]

2020 COVID-19 Pandemic

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In 2020, the Sapphire Princess was anchored in the Manila Bay Anchorage after returning hundreds of cruise ship employees to the Philippines after the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in the shutdown of the cruise vacation industry.[18]

References

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  1. ^ "Fantastic Cruise Deals for 2021, 2022 & 2023 | CruiseKings". www.cruisekings.co.uk. Retrieved 22 November 2021.
  2. ^ "Sapphire Princess Joins Seattle Cruise Ship Market". Port of Seattle. Archived from the original on 5 April 2009.
  3. ^ "MHI Fire incident report". 4 October 2002. Archived from the original on 14 May 2011. Retrieved 12 April 2010.
  4. ^ "Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Cruise Ship "Sapphire Princess" To Be Delivered to Princess Cruises" (Press release). Hideo Ikuno, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. 26 May 2004. Archived from the original on 18 March 2014. Retrieved 17 April 2013.
  5. ^ "AIDAprima headed for Europe after Mitsubishi HI delivery". Seatrade Cruise News. Seatrade. 14 March 2016. Retrieved 16 March 2016.
  6. ^ "Sapphire Princess - Cruise Ship". Ship Technology. 2012. Retrieved 29 April 2012.
  7. ^ a b "Cruise Search Results: Princess Cruises". Princess Cruise Lines. 2013. Retrieved 16 April 2013.
  8. ^ Staff, CIN (28 March 2018). "New Look Sapphire Princess Sails for Europe". Retrieved 29 March 2018.
  9. ^ Staff, C. I. N. (18 June 2019). "Sapphire Princess Extends Season, Adds Shanghai Program for 2020". www.cruiseindustrynews.com. Retrieved 24 August 2019.
  10. ^ Staff, C. I. N. (18 February 2020). "Sapphire Princess Redeploying to Australia". www.cruiseindustrynews.com. Retrieved 24 February 2020.
  11. ^ The Associated Press (26 July 2009). "Dead Whale Gets Stuck in Cruise Ship Bow". Fox News. Retrieved 29 April 2012.
  12. ^ Staff writers (26 July 2009). "Whale wedged on cruise ship bow". BBC News. Retrieved 29 April 2012.
  13. ^ "Necropsy reveals impaled whale may have been sick". The Vancouver Sun. 27 July 2009. Archived from the original on 31 July 2009. Retrieved 29 April 2012.
  14. ^ James Halpin (29 July 2010). "Whale found stuck on bow of cruise ship near Juneau". The Anchorage Daily News. Retrieved 29 April 2012.
  15. ^ Greg Dragonetti (7 August 2010). "Whale Meets Ship With Unfortunate End". CruiseInd. Retrieved 29 April 2012.
  16. ^ "Passenger Drowns in Swimming Pool on Sapphire Princess". 10 August 2014.
  17. ^ "Princess Cruises Criticized After Passenger Drowned". 23 August 2015.
  18. ^ "Almost a Dozen Cruise Ships Anchored in Manila Bay in One Day". 28 April 2020.
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