When Princess Cruises docked the Discovery Princess in San Diego last week, the Princess team invited guests to learn about their exciting new collaboration with the premier Magic Castle in Hollywood, California.
Making her maiden voyage in the Mediterranean in February 2024, the Sun Princess will debut one of the most unique entertainment experiences at sea - Spellbound by Magic Castle.
Currently under construction at the Fincantieri shipyard in Italy, the 175,500-ton, 4,300-guest Sun Princess will offer passengers a variety of exciting new entertainment and activity offerings.
Sun Princess is the first of a new generation of ships, designed larger to sail more guests, but retain the same Princess experiences guests seek. She will efficiently sail to Alaska from Seattle, and still be within size limits to sail through the Panama Canal.
Her sister ship, the Star Princess is set to debut in 2025.
The Sun Princess will offer the most balconies and sun decks of any of the 15 Princess cruise ships. Guests can soak up the warmth of the sunshine outdoors while admiring the crystal-clear waters of the Mediterranean and Caribbean from the comfort of their stateroom.
One of the most exciting spots on the Sun Princess is The Dome. This is the 'Pearl' of the ship designed as a sphere. Located in the center of the ship, up on decks 16 and 17, it not only features an indoor and outdoor swimming pool, but also a transformational entertainment venue. Designed to reflect the serene and beautiful terraces of Santorini in Greece, this area will be popular throughout the day and evening.
Another new entertainment venue is The Arena, an evolutionary theatre in the round. This space offers the most technologically advanced Princess Theater design and 360 degree entertaining experiences.
Guests will have 29 bars and restaurants to explore throughout their cruise. Spellbound by Magic Castle will be one of the hottest entertainment venues onboard. It has been meticulously designed to capture the essence of Hollywood’s exclusive Magic Castle.
Known as an invitation-only venue in Hollywood, only stars or friends of magicians are invited to gather in the castle in the Hollywood Hills. This is where magic legends have kept audiences amazed and spellbound for decades.
Hand picked from around the globe, world-class magicians will perform mind-bending tricks and mesmerizing illusions.
'We are excited to introduce Spellbound by Magic Castle and take the art of magic around the world aboard the spectacular new Sun Princess,” said John Padgett, president of Princess Cruises. 'This collaboration with The Magic Castle takes entertainment into new dimensions with an extraordinary experience that combines the allure of magic with the thrill of cruising. Spellbound will become an iconic guest favorite on Sun Princess.”
Guests will approach a mysterious black door, similar to the one at Magic Castle in Hollywood. Once inside they will notice design details similar to the Magic Castle. Interesting artifacts, vintage curiosities, and interactive special effects are on display.
The Victorian-themed Music Room has a beautiful piano as the centerpiece. The spirit of Isabella comes alive as the piano plays. Passengers will not only enjoy her beautiful musical performances, but will have the opportunity to interact with her while exploring the room.
Her story of being lost at sea many years ago, is a happy one now that she has found her new home on the Sun Princess.
As passengers stroll over to the Parlor Bar, theatrical cocktails will be poured while magicians perform sleight of hand entertaining magic tricks. This themed rooms is similar to Hollywood’s iconic Magic Castle, where time stands still and your imagination runs wild.
Last is the intimate 30-seat, Spellbound Theater showcasing 30-minute performances of close-up magic nightly. “We are bringing some of the most authentic aspects of The Magic Castle in Hollywood to Sun Princess, complete with incredible magicians and illusionists, so that Princess guests can experience a taste of the world class magic that is showcased nightly at the Magic Castle,” said Erika Larsen, president of Magic Castle Enterprises. “It's an exciting opportunity for guests to immerse themselves in a magical experience typically reserved exclusively for members and their guests.'
Sun Princess staterooms are on sale now for those eager to be one of the first to experience Spellbound by Magic Castle behind the secret black door. Princess Sun is scheduled to arrive in Ft. Lauderdale to sail to the Caribbean Islands in November 2024.
