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For those who like to sleep in or just leisurely start their day, a well chosen cruise can be an excellent vacation choice. Unlike a hotel with limited breakfast hours, a cruise has so many dining options available to you at all times. On days when we did not order the free continental breakfast room service delivery on Sun Princess and we didn't go to the main dining room or buffet for breakfast, we could still enjoy a selection of breakfast foods all day at the Americana Diner! |
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Brunch in the americana diner
americana diner menu sun princess
As a quick recap, you do not need reservations for the Americana Diner and everything on the menu is available every day except the bottom right corner where it says "Tonight's Special". Those items rotate each night to include a few options from the main dining room menu in addition to the default Diner classics.
Sun Princess Americana Diner Sample Menu
buttermilk pancake stack.
The buttermilk pancake stack came with blueberry jam, chocolate, streaky bacon, maple syrup, and a torched banana. In this case we requested only syrup and bacon along with the triple pancake stack and torched bananas. The bacon was missing! Oops :)
diner's hash .
For the Diner's Hash you could choose between salt beef and halloumi (cheese). Your preference would be served with home-style potatoes, fried egg, roasted bell peppers, and griddled onions.
Let's see how it turned out!
Let's see how it turned out!
Diner's Hash | Sun Princess Food Reviews
This was quite a potato-forward dish with the diced potatoes as well as two large roasted potato wedges. The homestyle potatoes tasted ketchup-y to me and while I wasn't the hugest fan of that I suppose it fits with the diner theme.
Overall solid brunch! |
Breakfast in Americana Diner
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strawberry shortcake milkshake.
Since we are attempting to try (nearly) everything on the Americana Diner menu, this seemed like a good opportunity for the Strawberry Shortcake Milkshake!
Described as strawberry ice cream, fresh strawberries and milk, topped with whipped cream and meringue pieces. I would be surprised if this milkshake actually has fresh strawberries in it, nevertheless it was super tasty!
The meringue pieces on top were a great touch and much better than the donut garnish of the coffee and donuts milkshake we tried previously, imo.
The meringue pieces on top were a great touch and much better than the donut garnish of the coffee and donuts milkshake we tried previously, imo.
the wheelhouse bar on sun princess.
Shown below is the wheelhouse bar on Sun Princess around 1pm on a sea day. This is a popular spot for drinks before dinner!
Complimentary liquor tasting & history of whiskey events
The Princess Cruises App shows you all of the activities for the day and allows you to bookmark your favorites. A complimentary liquor tasting on a cruise is pretty common and will be held in the duty-free liquor store on board. On Sun Princess the duty free liquor store is called Fine Spirits & Treats and in this shop they held the free liquor tasting as well as an educational whiskey tasting.
Free Liquor Tasting on Sun Princess
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History of Whiskey Cruise Activity
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I do recommend coming on time and only lingering in the shop if you are ready to make a purchase or else it can get awkward. Of course the point of these events are to generate sales and the crew members need to make sales to perform well.
We had the opportunity to try a unique Cotswolds single malt whisky.
Also wanted to give a shoutout to the beautiful tile design inside this duty-free shop on Sun Princess. I really loved this design and it suited my huaraches nicely, don't you think?! :p
Stunning Tile Design in Sun Princess Duty Free Shop
• Shop: Nisolo Huaraches in Brandy
pizza & Dogs on the Pool deck
From the shop on deck 7 we headed up to deck 9 - the pool deck - to walk around and enjoy the sea views, but let me tell you it's hard to walk past the Princess Pizzeria without checking the menu and grabbing a slice.
The special of the day was Four-Cheese pizza (fresh mozzarella, fontina, provolone, and dolcelatte).
* This 4 cheese slice was the best pizza we ate on Sun Princess!
So happy we grabbed this slice, although after that day we never managed to catch it again which was for sure a bummer.
Feedback for Princess Cruises: Serve the Four-Cheese pizza more often! :o)
Hot dogs on sun princess
There are several hot dog choices available at the grill on Sun Princess.
You can order the hot dog as suggested on the menu which includes mustard, relish, and fried onions, or you can alter it how you prefer such as with just fried onions and ketchup.
They always serve the fries in the cute little baskets and the trays are perfectly picnic-y with the red and white checkered liners.
You can order the hot dog as suggested on the menu which includes mustard, relish, and fried onions, or you can alter it how you prefer such as with just fried onions and ketchup.
They always serve the fries in the cute little baskets and the trays are perfectly picnic-y with the red and white checkered liners.
We enjoyed sitting by the windows as we passed through the Dardanelles Strait of Turkey.
Princess crew call chat review
This feels like a good moment to give some feedback on the Princess Crew Call Chat.
On the Princess Cruises App you have access to "Crew Call Chat" 24 hours per day. This is a really great feature and allows you to ask questions and receive answers via text rather than having to make a phone call or go down to the desk in person. Love this feature!
The quality of the responses, though, was a bit hit or miss. For instance, on the schedule there was a "Craft" in the Horizon's Dining Room on deck 7. No further details. So I decided to ask the CrewCall Chat what the craft was.
Arts & Craft Activity on Sun Princess
Their response was to list out several activities that afternoon (not helpful) and then tell me to look at the schedule in my room (not helpful) and then send the generic I'm-closing-out-this-ticket message to finish the chat (corporate box ticking at it's finest).
Crew Call Chat
I found this a little bit annoying to be honest as my question was not answered, I was clearly already familiar with the schedule in the room and on the app as I asked about a specific event listed on there. In the end they basically told me to go to the dining room and find out lol.
I found this a little bit annoying to be honest as my question was not answered, I was clearly already familiar with the schedule in the room and on the app as I asked about a specific event listed on there. In the end they basically told me to go to the dining room and find out lol.
Not super helpful CrewCall Chat
Imagine I had mobility issues. It would have been really nice if someone could have told me what this activity entails (like.. is this a children's activity or something adults would also enjoy) before I make my way with great effort across the ship. Do you see what I mean?
I truly don't know if the people responding to the Chat are on the ship and what information/resources they have access to, but on a number of occasions I found the Crew Chat to be less than helpful, unfortunately. Always giving an honest review over here.
Crew Chat is a great app feature which could use some improvements.
complimentary laundry on sun princess
When you sail on Princess with Elite Status one of the best benefits is free laundry. It was really nice to return to our room and find our laundry washed, pressed, folded, or hanging. Especially on a 14 night cruise, having complimentary laundry is game changing. This is one way Princess Cruise Lines rewards loyalty to their line.
Still, there are things you may wish to consider in order to decide whether or not to send your laundry out on a cruise.
• • Coming Soon: Tips for washing clothes on a cruise • •
Still, there are things you may wish to consider in order to decide whether or not to send your laundry out on a cruise.
• • Coming Soon: Tips for washing clothes on a cruise • •
Princess Elite Cruisers enjoy complimentary laundry!
Princess does have laundry rooms for public use throughout the ship. Many who do not wish to hand wash their clothes on vacation will make use of these laundry facilities on a cruise ship.
Self service laundry is a top rated feature of Princess by many cruisers that other lines should take note of.
Self service laundry is a top rated feature of Princess by many cruisers that other lines should take note of.
dinner in the sun princess main dining room
For some reason we missed snapping a pic of the dinner menu in the main dining room this night. Must have been distracted by visions of crab cakes and beef Wellington ... At any rate, here's what we tried!
Crab Cake
A crab cake with some lump crab meat as seen in the photo wearing a hat of greens, one ruby slipper and resting atop a bed of aioli.
I really enjoyed the crab cake and accompanying sauce. We did find it a bit strange, however, that a breaded and fried item would be sat on top of a creamy sauce, rather than the sauce being a garnish along side. We found this odd because 1. it makes the bottom of the crab cake soggy and 2. if you are averse to the accompanying sauce now the whole bottom of your crab cake is tainted by it. I could see this causing some cruisers to become crab cakes themselves. :p
Feedback for Princess Cruises: Sauces beside fried foods, please and thanks! :)
Feedback for Princess Cruises: Sauces beside fried foods, please and thanks! :)
Prosciutto & Melon with endive + Arugula
Here are two different plates of the same dish for consistency comparison. This prosciutto and melon medley accented with a bit of endive and arugula is such a prime example of how simple dishes can be outstanding. With a few flavorful ingredient you have all you need!
This melon and prosciutto salad would make for an easy appetizer at a dinner party!
Roasted pear salad
A roasted pear salad was hard to pass up and I am so pleased I didn't skip it. I'm a big fan of fruit on salads and this salad offered a brilliant mix of colors and textures between the leaf lettuce, roasted red pepper slices, cooked pears, and sprouts on top. Beneath the sprouts you could find crumbled blue cheese - always complimentary to sweet pears!
This salad is another cruise food worth re-creating at home!
beef wellington
Beef Wellington is at the top of the list of foods I'm eager to order on a cruise. It's such a fancy meal that is more laborious to make than we care to do very often (literally probably 10 years ago was the last time), but when executed well is such a delight.
Beef Wellington on Sun Princess
While the plating was lovely I was surprisingly underwhelmed by this under seasoned and overcooked Beef Wellington on Sun Princess. Later on in the cruise a waiter gave us the tip to order one step rarer than you want because that's the way to get the cook you want on it. So I guess we should have ordered medium-rare?
I hope this is a fluke, but I'd love to know how your Wellington was on your last cruise?
I hope this is a fluke, but I'd love to know how your Wellington was on your last cruise?
Sun princess dessert Menu
Sun Princess Dessert Menu
coconut cake with raspberry sauce
At the waiters recommendation I ordered the coconut cake with raspberry sauce, but found it a bit boring. The cake was on the dense and dry side. The filling was okay and it really needed more raspberry sauce.
Coconut Cake with Raspberry Sauce
Chocolate tart
The chocolate tart with vanilla crème anglaise was as rich and chocolatey as you can imagine by looking at the photo. The crust had an interesting texture reminiscent of the oatmeal-y nature of no-bakes, but more finely ground and drier.
Chocolate Tart
Iced cointreau souffle
The iced cointreau soufflé was a last minute addition and it was the highlight of this night's dessert! If you like cointreau / citrus flavor definitely order this unique cold soufflé!
Iced Cointreau Souffle
Up next: a day in istanbul, turkey
Our next port of call, and also our anniversary, would be Istanbul, Turkey. When I flipped on the TV in our cabin to watch the "Shore Excursion Program" for Istanbul ... it was not available. Classic...
TV Port Guides Unavailable
more in this sun princess review series:
Portugal travel blog:
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After a day of wandering around Naples by foot and eating so many delicious things like pizza in Naples, not to mention sweltering in the excessive heat, we were happy to have a sea day to recover.
We pretty much skipped breakfast and went straight to way too much lunch at the Americana Diner onboard Sun Princess. |
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The americana diner on sun princess
The Americana Diner is a great concept on Sun Princess. It is essentially the third floor of the main dining room and always offers walk-ins with a mostly standard menu featuring "classic American fare" along with a few items of the dinner menu which rotate each night in the bottom right hand corner.
Here's a sample menu:
Here's a sample menu:
Everyday Menu at the Americana Diner on Sun Princess
The hit buffalo wings
Five crispy wings tossed in buffalo sauce with blue cheese dip
The Hit Buffalo Wings on Sun Princess' Americana Diner
The wings were coated in a sticky spicy-sweet sauce and topped with micro greens (Sun Princess is all about the micro green garnishes..) alongside a few leaves of green lettuce and a basket of fries and dipping sauces. I would not really call these "buffalo wings", personally, because to me a buffalo wing is topped in a spicy yet tangy pepper-vinegar sauce mixed with butter. Red Hot, anyone? Now don't get me wrong, these wings were delicious and a total win. I was just very surprised by the sauce which looked more barbecue-y than buffalo imo.
Sticky Pork Ribs
Pickles, raw and smoky slaw, BBQ dip, cornbread
Wait... cornbread? I'm just now realizing there is no cornbread on this plate. Corn, yes. Cornbread no.... :(
Wait... cornbread? I'm just now realizing there is no cornbread on this plate. Corn, yes. Cornbread no.... :(
Sticky Pork Ribs with caramelized onions, sweet corn, and a pickle spear
The ribs were really good and we were quite impressed. Some of the meat fell right off the bone while other times required a bit more effort. Either way I can confirm that between these ribs and the "buffalo" wings, the way your cloth napkins will look by the end is arguably worse than any child's handiwork at a restaurant. And that's saying something.. Our waiter was so nice and brought extra napkins, insisting that we really enjoy and not worry about getting messy. :)
The Americana Burger
1/3lb patty, gouda and cheddar cheeses, bacon jam, tomato aioli, and arugula on a brioche bun.
This is a legit burger.
This is a legit burger.
Americana Burger with basket of fries, tomato aioli, and a mini salad
Check out that profile! That is a well structured burger and look at the char on the patty. Solid!!
Would you like a peek at the Bacon Jam?
Arugula and bacon jam on top of the Americana Burger at the included dining venue Americana Diner
Coffee and donuts milkshake
Tiramisu Ice Cream, Lavazza Espresso and Milk. Garnished with a sugar donut and whipped cream.
Coffee and Donuts Milkshake - free at Americana Diner
A really fun feature of the Americana Diner is that you can get free milkshakes here! I suspect this milkshake is vanilla ice cream and tiramisu flavor syrup. I honestly did not taste coffee in it so I would be quite surprised if there was really Lavazza Espresso in it like the menu says.
Donut Garnish on the Coffee and Donuts Milkshake - a bit dry and would not be missed :)
The canned whipped cream can stay, but the donut was not impressive so I say it can go, although they may need to change the name of the milkshake then..
We really enjoyed our lunch at the Americana Diner. This is a free dining option on Sun Princess Cruises and we definitely recommend checking it out. It was relaxed, the crew were extra friendly up there and the food was very good!
Now.. let's explore the Sun Princess ship some more.
We really enjoyed our lunch at the Americana Diner. This is a free dining option on Sun Princess Cruises and we definitely recommend checking it out. It was relaxed, the crew were extra friendly up there and the food was very good!
Now.. let's explore the Sun Princess ship some more.
Public Restooms on sun princess
Here is one of the many public restrooms on Sun Princess. As you can see it is modern, spacious, and bright. There is a baby changing station at the back wall, several toilet stalls, and a number of sinks with backlit mirrors.
Public women's restroom on Sun Princess
The sinks seemed like a neat concept - having the water, soap, and dryer all in one spot. But honestly this did not work well in practice. It was almost comical to witness everyone struggle trying to get soap and water to come out of the right side. Either you got water and could not get soap. Or you got soap and could never get water.
Sinks in the public restrooms on Sun Princess
Eventually it came out that you can't just move your hand from one side to the other, which is intuitively what everyone does. You have to take it completely away from the faucet and then reenter the sensor zone from the side you want - left for water or right for soap.
Most people did not opt to use these air hand driers because their position over the sink coupled with the strong air movement meant water from the sink would be spraying back up at you which is kind of weird. Fortunately there were always paper towels as an option. :)
Most people did not opt to use these air hand driers because their position over the sink coupled with the strong air movement meant water from the sink would be spraying back up at you which is kind of weird. Fortunately there were always paper towels as an option. :)
Alfredo's Pizzeria
Alfredo's Pizzeria is a casual restaurant on Sun Princess with an extra charge to enjoy unless you have booked the Princess Plus or Premium Fares in which case you may dine here at least once for free.
Table for 2 at Alfredos Pizzeria
Inside Alfredo's Pizzeria on Sun Princess
Of course loved the decorative plates with tile elements.
Reserve a special table for 4 at Alfredo's Pizzeria
Sabatini's Italian Trattoria
A classic Italian trattoria at sea with a cover charge of $35/per person, let's take a peek inside this specialty dining option on Sun Princess.
The $35 cover charge includes one selection from each course on the menu.
Free jewelry cleaning - story time.
In the Princess Patter and on the Princess Cruises App you will find various activities including complimentary massage tasters and complimentary jewelry cleaning, for example.
Now let's be clear... yes. These things are "complimentary". However, obviously like any free sample the overall purpose is to get you in the door, to try something, and to walk away buying something.
After deliberation I decided to work up the nerve to get my "complimentary" jewelry cleaning of my wedding rings seeing as they needed it and this was an anniversary cruise after all. :)
It was a funny experience.
Now let's be clear... yes. These things are "complimentary". However, obviously like any free sample the overall purpose is to get you in the door, to try something, and to walk away buying something.
After deliberation I decided to work up the nerve to get my "complimentary" jewelry cleaning of my wedding rings seeing as they needed it and this was an anniversary cruise after all. :)
It was a funny experience.
The jewelry cleaning service was sort of a waste of time, but I also don't regret it.
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First of all, there seemed some slight confusion as to if this event was really happening. The crew seemed to question the event until I showed the app. (This happened multiple times on this cruise btw) We had a brief small chitchat while he first examined my rings with his little eye magnifying glass thing. Official terms here people.
Next he cleaned my rings with the exact jewelry cleaner I have at home. lol. Good to know that's what the Diamonds International people are using.. Then he tossed the rings into a machine. His colleague offered us some bubbly while we waited which was nice and then added with a chuckle 'might as well since it's about to get thrown out anyway' and that was clear since there was hardly a bubble to be found. Not complaining, just stating facts. :) It was a nice gesture. Overall I was really pleased with the experience. I thought they made us feel welcome even though we were there exclusively to clean the jewelry and not to shop. But later I really had to laugh because as we walked away and I took my ring off and saw the underneath part had not been cleaned at all. You know, the part where all the soap and nastiness is.. aka the part that actually needed cleaned... lol! |
Cruise Tip - Free Champagne on a Cruise: This is a good time to let new cruisers and budget cruisers know that there are a number of opportunities to enjoy a free glass of champagne throughout a cruise. Some require more nerve than others.
For instance, you can often enjoy a free glass of champagne or rosé at the jewelry store or watch store. While you browse expensive jewelry the cruise lines are happy to dull your senses with a glass of something or other so that you don't see the price tags as clearly ;p
In some case there will be set times scheduled on your cruise app / daily schedule like the princess patter indicating they are offering this. In other cases there is always a bottle on ice inside the stores and if you feel like it you can waltz in, ask for a glass, look around, and then leave.
For instance, you can often enjoy a free glass of champagne or rosé at the jewelry store or watch store. While you browse expensive jewelry the cruise lines are happy to dull your senses with a glass of something or other so that you don't see the price tags as clearly ;p
In some case there will be set times scheduled on your cruise app / daily schedule like the princess patter indicating they are offering this. In other cases there is always a bottle on ice inside the stores and if you feel like it you can waltz in, ask for a glass, look around, and then leave.
Afternoon treats
Since that was sort of a bust we thought we had earned ice cream cones so we made our way to the deck 9 free ice cream cone station on sun princess. Of course, we had to pass through the International Cafe and the Eatery buffet and it seemed like we needed to try a chocolate cupcake for your sake.
The chocolate cupcake had a nice and light looking topping finished with chocolate shavings and a strawberry, but it really was not that good. The cupcake was on the dry side and the icing had that weird oily texture that leaves a film in your mouth. Not a fan. Skip this and save your treat allotment for something else. You're welcome..told you we did it for you ;)
The free soft serve on Sun Princess is really good!
Back to the original plan with 2 ice cream cones and this was a great success! They only had vanilla ice cream cones (this would change during the second sailing) but the ice cream was really tasty. I preferred the ice cram on Sun Princess over the free soft serve on Royal Caribbean's Symphony of the Seas in 2023.
Actually these ice cream cones reminded me of the occasional service break at McDonald's for an ice cream cone growing up! Nothing tastes better than nostalgia. :)
Actually these ice cream cones reminded me of the occasional service break at McDonald's for an ice cream cone growing up! Nothing tastes better than nostalgia. :)
Scotch with a view
In our balcony stateroom tour post, I mentioned the minibar set up in our room. This is complimentary for any cruisers with Elite status on Princess Cruise Lines. To get elite status you have to sail with Princess for many nights, but there are a couple of other ways to enjoy elite benefits ;)
Relaxing on the balcony, with or without a drink, and enjoying the sea air and peaceful ocean views is one of the best parts of a cruise!
the Captain's Champagne Effervescence show
Just before dinner was a show in the Piazza. As you can see, all 3 floors of the Sun Princess Piazza were packed out for the Captain's Champagne Effervescence Show. This show featured the Cirque performers and they did some unbelievable aerial stunts. In fact, afterwards we got to thinking how there was no safety net whatsoever and some of the moves seemed very risky let alone on a moving ship! :-/
Captain's Champagne Effervescence Show in the Piazza on Sun Princess
During this show crew distribute free champagne to anyone who wants some on all three floors. This is another opportunity to enjoy free alcohol on a cruise, but not every cruise line has a Champagne event like this one by Princess.
Captain's welcome dinner in the main dining room
Captain's Welcome Dinner Menu on Sun Princess
Prociutto Ham Starter
buttery manchego cheese, sweet port cherries
Neither of us could pass up the prosciutto ham starer with manchego cheese and sweet port cherries. The above photos are 2 different portions. This is a fabulous starter, high recommendation.
Caesar salad
A run of the mill Caesar Salad
The Caesar salad was good, nothing extra special to note here.
Roasted beef tenderloin and grilled tiger prawn with port wine reduction
velvety potato mousseline, buttered vegetables
Elegant Tiger Prawns and Beef Tenderloin
Tip For Home Cooks: If you want to make something fancy just sprinkle a few micro greens on top. That's the messaging I got on this cruise. But also... if you can intertwine a couple of shrimp and stack them on a slice of beef tenderloin.... also fancy. And if you call the shrimp prawns... even more fancy ;)
Captain's Welcome Dessert Menu
Dessert Menu on Sun Princess Captain's Welcome Dinner
Caramel pecan turtle cheesecake
cheesecake with butterscotch sauce
For the cheesecake and caramel lovers out there, you may enjoy this turtle cheesecake garnished with a piece of brittle!
Black forest cake
Chocolate cake, kirschwasser-flavored cream, bing cherries, chocolate shavings
More in this sun princess cruise review series:
Ready to enjoy a sea day on the mediterranean?
PIZZA IN NAPLES - DAY 2 SUN PRINCESS MEDITERRANEAN CRUISE WITH GREEK ISLES, ITALY & TURKEY
7/15/2024
On the second day of our Sun Princess cruise, we woke up in Naples with a one word mission: Pizza! It's almost literally illegal to visit Naples and not have pizza, right? ;)
But first, let's take in the views from the balcony!
But first, let's take in the views from the balcony!
Naples Cruise Port Balcony View From Stateroom 11221 on Sun Princess
It was a bit overcast when we visited Naples Cruise Port, but don't be deceived - it was still plenty hot even though it was early June.
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Hazy mountain outlines in the distance - Naples Cruise Port
Would you like to see a view of Napoli from the docked cruise ship?
First look at Napoli from Sun Princess Mediterranean Cruise Ship
Quick bites to eat on sun princess
With those glimpses of Naples taken in, we were excited to get out on foot to explore the city and, of course, eat pizza!
But first, we needed to fuel up with some quick bites on the ship.
Here's what we snagged for a very late breakfast/early lunch on Sun Princess.
But first, we needed to fuel up with some quick bites on the ship.
Here's what we snagged for a very late breakfast/early lunch on Sun Princess.
International Cafe - Pastel de nata
On our way to the buffet, which is called The Eatery on Sun Princess, we were walking past the International Cafe and it seemed a requirement to try a Pastel de Nata.
Portuguese Custard Tart, Pastel de Nata, on Princess Cruises
A Pastel de Nata is a delicious and famous Portuguese pastry - a custard tart which we are well familiar with ;)
Pastel de Nata Portuguese Pastry at the International Cafe on Sun Princess
How good could a pastel de nata be on a cruise ship? In our opinion, what makes a pastel de nata a success comes down to having a crisp and flakey crust and the custard being just the right texture, not too eggy.
As you can see we take very seriously checking the crust - and this looks very promising ;)
A crisp and flakey crust is key to a delicious pastel de nata Portuguese egg custard tart
We felt like this was a respectable representation of an iconic Portuguese pastry for the uninitiated! The only thing missing was a sprinkle of canela (the portuguese word for cinnamon) on top!
By the way, it's easy to make these Portuguese Pastries!
See how here: Inspired By Travel: Making Pastéis de Nata Portuguese Custard Tarts
By the way, it's easy to make these Portuguese Pastries!
See how here: Inspired By Travel: Making Pastéis de Nata Portuguese Custard Tarts
INTERNATIONAL CAFE - Spinach Quiche
I find it difficult to pass up a quiche. I'm not sure why?
Maybe because they are delicious.
Maybe because it reminds me of stopping for breaks at Panera on a Saturday morning with my family growing up and occasionally splashing out for one of their quiches? or maybe it was a soufflé?
Honestly I can't remember, but those were so good - do they still have them?
Maybe because they are delicious.
Maybe because it reminds me of stopping for breaks at Panera on a Saturday morning with my family growing up and occasionally splashing out for one of their quiches? or maybe it was a soufflé?
Honestly I can't remember, but those were so good - do they still have them?
Spinach Quiche - International Cafe on Sun Princess
Check out the side view of this quiche though. I mean doesn't that look delicious?! What impressed me most about this quiche on a cruise ship is that it was warmed up!!!
I was 100% not expecting this at all, but absolutely delighted when the girl pulled it from the case and put it in the warmer.
Should you serve quiche warmed, room temperature, or cold?
Honestly, I'll eat a quiche any way, but imo quiche served warm is next level and my only regret is that I didn't have any follow up quiches throughout the rest of this med cruise. :(
Worth the wait for a warm quiche on Sun Princess International Cafe
The Eatery on Sun Princess Lunch - Tom Kha gai + poke bowl
A visit to the eatery usually consists of walking the entire buffet to survey the options, but since we were eager to explore Napoli in a day, I grabbed the first things that jumped out at me - Tom Kha Gai Thai Soup and a Poke Bowl.
If you know Thai food, specifically the soup Tom Kha Gai, you will probably be surprised at the look of this soup.
What is Tom Kha Gai? ต้มข่าไก่
Tom Kha Gai is a chicken soup with a coconut milk based broth and loads of flavor.
The color is very off on this bowl and I really can't say there was any coconut milk in this soup which is bizarre. While I don't feel it does the traditional Thai soup justice, I did find the soup overall to be quite flavorful and I did enjoy it.
After all, when you have a bundle of enoki mushrooms in your bowl, it's hard not to enjoy, amiright?
If you know Thai food, specifically the soup Tom Kha Gai, you will probably be surprised at the look of this soup.
What is Tom Kha Gai? ต้มข่าไก่
Tom Kha Gai is a chicken soup with a coconut milk based broth and loads of flavor.
The color is very off on this bowl and I really can't say there was any coconut milk in this soup which is bizarre. While I don't feel it does the traditional Thai soup justice, I did find the soup overall to be quite flavorful and I did enjoy it.
After all, when you have a bundle of enoki mushrooms in your bowl, it's hard not to enjoy, amiright?
Tom Kha Gai Thai Soup on Sun Princess
The Poke Bowl on Sun Princess was an absolute star! these poke bowls were available every single day and I wish I had gotten more.
What is in a poke bowl?
At the minimum this poke bowl had fresh, raw salmon, cucumber, beets, radishes, seaweed, and red cabbage along with sticky rice and a sprinkling of mixed sesame seeds.
This Poke Bowl is a beautiful dish - colorful, light, refreshing, and a satisfying mix of textures and flavors - making it one of the best things I ate in The Eatery Buffet on Sun Princess.
A favorite food in The Eatery on Sun Princess - Light Refreshing Poke Bowl
If you're looking for fresh, healthy meal ideas for hot summer days - try a Poke Bowl! :)
INTERNATIONAL CAFE - Chocolate Drizzled Merengue
Since we had to go past the international cafe again to get back to our room, it seemed like a good idea to grab this meringue cookie because it's basically just air right? :p
What are meringues made of? Why are meringues so delicious?
Good question. Meringues are primarily made of egg whites and sugar and that's why they are so delicious. My favorite meringues have that light crunchy exterior texture and are a bit chewy in the center, how about you?
What are meringues made of? Why are meringues so delicious?
Good question. Meringues are primarily made of egg whites and sugar and that's why they are so delicious. My favorite meringues have that light crunchy exterior texture and are a bit chewy in the center, how about you?
Delicious Merengue, I mean Meringue, at the International Cafe on Sun Princess
Okay enough of the cruise ship food. Let's get to the main event - Pizza in Naples!
Pizza & Passione Pizze - Italy Restaurant Review
After getting off the ship we met some lovely friends at the carts who recommended we be sure to try fried pizza, aka pizza fritta which is classic Neapolitan street food so we determined to follow through. ;)
We walked to a restaurant called Pizza & Passione which was probably about a 1 mile walk from the cruise ship. We took our time taking in the scenes as it was our first time in Naples (more pics below) and once we arrived we nearly were turned away as they were about to close. :-/
Pizza & Passione di Lino Gas - Pizza Fritter near Naples Cruise Port
Americans, take note: It is extremely common in Europe for restaurants to close for several hours between lunch and dinner. I know that some restaurants do this in the US, but overall I think Americans are used to being able to get food at any hour of the day easily whereas in other parts of the world you really do have to manage your time to ensure you get in by 3pm or else you'll be waiting until 7pm often times!
Also be aware that the information on a restaurant's google listing is not always accurate. It may imply a restaurant is open all day and night and not actually list the space of time between lunch and dinner where they close. If you are not flexible with where and when you eat, be sure to call ahead to confirm hours and avoid disappointments.
Let's carry on and take a peak inside the kitchen:
Also be aware that the information on a restaurant's google listing is not always accurate. It may imply a restaurant is open all day and night and not actually list the space of time between lunch and dinner where they close. If you are not flexible with where and when you eat, be sure to call ahead to confirm hours and avoid disappointments.
Let's carry on and take a peak inside the kitchen:
A red hot pizza oven in Naples, Italy
I can't imagine how hot it must have been inside given the temperature outside.
The smallest spaces often make the most delicious food
Hard at work cranking out pizzas for the seated guests. Here's a peak at Pizza & Passione's seating:
Al fresco dining at Pizza & Passione di Lino Gas in Napoli
When it comes to beverages on a hot day like this, a cold Peroni is the only way to go while you wait for your pizza.
How much is Peroni Beer in Italy?
At this restaurant, a larger glass bottle of Peroni Beer (66cl) was 3.50 euro and was a perfect size to share! 33cl bottles are currently 2 euros each.
A cold Peroni Beer at Pizza & Passione in Naples Italy
Ripieni Fritti - o' battilocchio Fried Pizza at Pizza & Passione
What is Pizza Fritta?
Pizza Fritta, shown below, is a type of fried pizza originating in Naples, Italy. A round pizza dough is filled with sauce, cheese, etc, then folded in half and deep fried. It looks like a giant empanada!
Pizza Fritta, shown below, is a type of fried pizza originating in Naples, Italy. A round pizza dough is filled with sauce, cheese, etc, then folded in half and deep fried. It looks like a giant empanada!
Ripieni Fritti - O' Battilocchio Fried Pizza at Pizza & Passione Naples Italy
What is in Pizza Frita?
We ordered O'Battilocchio (should we have been insulted?) and the ingredients were pomodoro, provola, and pepe which translates to tomato provolone, and pepper. I could really taste the more intense, slightly smoky flavor of the provolone in the fried pizza compared to the Margherita pizza we also tried.
Here's a cross section, if you want to see what the inside of pizza fritta looks like and get an idea of the thickness and texture of the dough.
We ordered O'Battilocchio (should we have been insulted?) and the ingredients were pomodoro, provola, and pepe which translates to tomato provolone, and pepper. I could really taste the more intense, slightly smoky flavor of the provolone in the fried pizza compared to the Margherita pizza we also tried.
Here's a cross section, if you want to see what the inside of pizza fritta looks like and get an idea of the thickness and texture of the dough.
Inside a Pizza Fritta (Fried Pizza) in Naples Italy
This reminded us of something you might get at the fair in Pennsylvania in the summer time. :)
Pro Tip: Anything deep fried is always best eaten immediately before it has the chance to lose its crisp and get soggy. Don't waste a moment when your Pizza Fritta arrives!
How much is Fried Pizza in Naples?
At Pizza & Passione the pizza fritta we ordered was 7 euros in June 2024.
margherita PIZZA AT PIZZA & PASSIONE
Whenever we try a new pizza place we almost always get a Margherita because we want a baseline for the establishment. We want to see how good a simple and classic Margherita pizza is.
Our first margherita pizza in Italy
What is on a Margherita Pizza?
A margherita is a simple, fresh, delicious pizza consisting of olio, pomodoro, and mozzarella and basilico - that is to say tomato sauce, mozzarella, and finished with a drizzle of olive oil and fresh basil.
A margherita Pizza in Naples - tomato, mozzarella, basil, and olive oil
How much is pizza in Italy?
This margherita pizza cost 6 euros in Naples, Italy in June 2024.
This margherita pizza cost 6 euros in Naples, Italy in June 2024.
A glimpse underneath the Margherita Pizza at Pizza & Passione
How good is Pizza in Italy?
Listen. It's so so good, but you just need to go experience it first hand if it's within your ability. :)
Why is Pizza in Italy so much better than the US?
Italians are using high quality ingredients, often locally sourced, which will always yield the most delicious results. That being said, there are many incredible pizzerias in the US doing the same.
Still, Naples is considered the birthplace of pizza. Eating pizza in the very place pizza was invented is a special experience for any foodie. ❤
Pizza & passione Naples Italy Menu 2024
Menu = Cost of Pizza, Fried Pizza, Coffee, Limoncello, Coca Cola and Water in Naples Italy June 2024
returning to the ship in Naples
As it was time to board the ship, we made our way back to the Naples Cruise Port Terminal Building
Naples Cruise Port
After entering the building you will go up stairs or the escalators and staff directs you from there.
Inside Naples Cruise Port Terminal Building
You will walk the length of a building filled with souvenir shops - so if you missed grabbing your massed produced magnets and aprons with lemons or a little bottle of limoncello or some "leather" goods that the sales man made himself........ not skeptical at all ..... this is your chance to snag a momento on your way out of Naples. At the end of the building you will go back down stairs and outside to your ship!
Sun Princess Docked in Naples Italy for a Mediterranean Cruise - Is that Mount Vesuvius?
Dinner on the pool deck
We waved farewell to the passengers on the Aida Stella cruise ship and then said arrivederci to Naples, contented by the day and eager to return - sooner than you may think ;)
As there were no dining reservations available for the main dining room (we could have waited in a walk-in line), we decided to have dinner on the pool deck where Movies Under the Stars are shown every night.
Unfortunately, no sooner did we sit down at a perfect spot than a group of people sat right behind us including a woman who proceeded to loudly recap the entire movie to her friends while we (and others) were obviously trying to watch said movie for ourselves.... *eyeroll* What can I say? That's the general public for you. haha :p
The shwarma was delicious and highly recommended. The salad station has several suggested salad configurations or you can DIY. I went for the Chicken Cobb Salad and it was good, but I found the bacon to be unusually dry/hard to chew so I left all those bits behind. It did have plenty of chicken and blue cheese. This salad can easily be its own meal, not just a side.
Dessert at the international cafe
One last stop at the international cafe yielded the following little desserts:
A lovely slice of tiramisu, as shown below. Perfectly portioned and generously topped with cocoa powder, I found the flavors to be mild yet tasty and better than expected tbh!
A lovely slice of tiramisu, as shown below. Perfectly portioned and generously topped with cocoa powder, I found the flavors to be mild yet tasty and better than expected tbh!
Tiramisu at the International Cafe on Sun Princess
Historically I've not always been a big fan of cakes on cruises as they always seem to be a bit on the dry side. However, this nice chocolate cake held up to scrutiny pretty well thanks in part to the thin layers of cake and the fact that they were topped in fluffy mousse and smooth, shiny ganache. :)
A Chocolate Layered Mousse Cake at the International Cafe on Sun Princess
On that sweet note we close the second day of this Mediterranean Cruise on Sun Princess' Inaugural Season!
Sun princess Inaugural Season Cruise Blogs:
- Sun Princess Mediterranean Cruise with Greek Isles, Italy & Turkey - Day 1
- Sun Princess Deluxe Balcony Stateroom 11221 Cabin Tour
- How to get to Civitavecchia Cruise Port by train from FCO Fiumicino Airport in Rome, Italy
- Traveling From Portugal to Rome For a Mediterranean Cruise - Ryanair flight review
Book a mediterranean cruise
Ready to book your Mediterranean cruise?! I'm ready to help!
❤ Let me know when you want to set sail! ❤
❤ Let me know when you want to set sail! ❤
After checking out our room it was time to explore the ship a bit and start trying all the included food options!
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International Cafe on Sun Princess
We made our way down to deck 9 and as we traversed the piazza, took a peek at what the international cafe had to offer. The international cafe is a great feature on Princess Cruises. This spot is open 24/7 and has sweet treats (even Pasteis de nata!) and small savory items like little sandwiches and the like to curb the rumble in your tummy. :)
Princess Pizzeria on Sun Princess
The Princess Pizzeria located outside on deck 9 of Sun Princess served a style of pizza that was quite thick. I had hopes that it was a thick and airy/fluffy style of pizza, but to the contrary, I personally found it a bit heavy and it felt like the pizza dough was not quite cooked all the way through. We'll give it another go later in the cruise!
Burgers & Fries
Not to worry, just beside the pizzeria on deck 9 you could order burgers and fries and the crew were more than eager to invite us over! We requested only a basket of fries and they insisted that we sit down and relax and they would bring it over after they had been freshly fried. To my surprise they brought us 2 baskets!
Shop: Adorable mini fry baskets
2 cats in the piazza
As it was nearing sail-away time and we wanted to be on the balcony for that, we made our way back inside grabbed a cup of coffee from the buffet (aka World Fresh Marketplace) and stopped to watch a performance in the Piazza. CATS Strings were a talented electric violin duo who played in various venues around the ship. They always wore headbands with little cat ears.
Rome SAIL-AWAY on Sun princess
We made it back to the balcony to enjoy sailing away from Rome (Civitavecchia) cruise port. It's always exciting when you see the ship start to move away from the shore line. You can enjoy the sail-away on any public deck of the ship if you'd like, but we usually prefer to dodge the crowds and watch from our balcony if we have one!
sail away dinner menu Sun Princess
I would love to know what you would order off this menu. Feel free to leave a comment with what sounds most tasty to you!
Sun Princess 2024 Sail-Away Dinner Menu
Greek Salad
Sun Princess Mediterranean Cruise Food - Greek Salad
Chicken, Ham, Parmesan Croquette
Sun Princess Mediterranean Cruise Food - Chicken, Ham, Parmesan Croquette
Pork Tenderloin with Huckleberry Jam
Sun Princess Mediterranean Cruise Food - Pork Tenderloin with Huckleberry Jam
Linguine Vongole
Sun Princess Mediterranean Cruise Food - Linguine Vongole Seafood Pasta
Dessert menu day 1
Sun Princess Mediterranean Cruise Dessert Menu
After much deliberation we ended up with Vanilla Mascarpone & Blueberry Crèmeux
French Vanilla Bean Crème Brulée
Sun Princess Mediterranean Cruise Food - Creme Brûlée with Madeleine Cookies
Seasonal Fresh Fruit Plate
Sun Princess Mediterranean Cruise Food - Seasonal Fruit Plate
With that our first day on the Sun Princess Mediterranean Cruise came to a close. After a long day, once we returned to our room, I was thrilled to find the stateroom attendant had dropped off the fluffiest robes imaginable.
Sun Princess Tips: On embarkation day request a fluffy robe!
Sun Princess Tips: On embarkation day request a fluffy robe!
SUN PRINCESS INAUGURAL SEASON CRUISE BLOGS:
- Sun Princess Mediterranean Cruise with Greek Isles, Italy & Turkey - Day 2 Pizza in Naples
- Sun Princess Mediterranean Cruise with Greek Isles, Italy & Turkey - Day 1 (you are here)
- Sun Princess Deluxe Balcony Stateroom 11221 Cabin Tour
- How to get to Civitavecchia Cruise Port by train from FCO Fiumicino Airport in Rome, Italy
- Traveling From Portugal to Rome For a Mediterranean Cruise - Ryanair flight review
Want to book a MEDITERRANEAN Cruise?
Read Next: How to get to Rome Cruise Port By Train & Save a lot of Money!
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SUN PRINCESS MEDITERRANEAN CRUISE WITH GREEK ISLES, ITALY & TURKEY CRUISE REVIEW
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