Discovery Princess, Enchanted Princess: New “Secret Suite” Experience Revealed

Discovery Princess, Enchanted Princess, two of the latest ships to launch in the Princess Cruises fleet, now offer a rare experience that only those in the know … know. Introduced in November 2022, Princess Cruises new “360: An Extraordinary Experience” is making waves as the line’s newest ultra-innovative, ultra-gourmet and ultra-exclusive perk. Available by invitation only to guests who book suite accommodations on the Discovery Princess and the Enchanted Princess. It’s complimentary, serving gourmet cuisine and wines you can’t get elsewhere onboard the ship or ashore, and limited to 20 guests per seating.

It’s also top secret. And Princess wants to keep it that way. As an LA-based journalist invited for a test run onboard the Discovery Princess (sailing from LA through 2024) – I was NOT allowed to take photos! Princess provided the photos.

Discovery Princess, Enchanted Princess: Exotic Tastes and Ports

Am I dining in Spain? No, it’s Greece. No, France. Yes, yes, and yes… More than an exquisite meal – and it’s that, too – the “360: An Extraordinary Experience” is a magical trip around the world. Once seated, we were transported to Princess Cruises’ exotic ports of call, immersed in the sights and sounds of beautiful destinations, dining on the delicacies of the region – as if we were right there – carried by film and animation to a hilltop restaurant or beachfront café or fun-filled cantina. Truly an unforgettable new voyage-within-a-voyage.

“360 cocktail?” a server, dressed is a custom 360 logo uniform, asked. “Of course,” I replied, lifting the frothy turquoise concoction – custom crafted with Grey Goose Vodka, blue Curacao, Riesling, cachaca, lemon juice, apple syrup and pear puree – from her tray. The Experience aboard the Discovery Princess had begun. With cocktails and comradery at a shipboard location known only to us invitees. Like true VIPs, we posed in front of an award-show style 360 Experience backdrop. Chatted with Rafal Seweryniak, Discovery Princess’ 360 Manager and Master of Ceremonies, and enjoyed classical music played by a sequin-clad violinist. Soon it was showtime!

“Follow the violinist!” instructed Rafal. Switching her tune to a classical version of the Love Boat theme, she led us through a hidden doorway – marked “employee access only” – into an inner sanctum of fine wine, gourmet cuisine, storytelling, animation, music, aromas and visual film. Designed exclusively for the 360 Experience, I-MAX-worthy LED screens covered the circular walls. In the center, a circular counter-like table was set for 20 diners. Servers escorted us to our designated seats, each with uninterrupted views.

Discovery Princess, Enchanted Princess: Wining and Dining Like No Place Else!

The lights dimmed. Rafal took center stage as ring master, popping champagne, opening wine bottles, and introducing each segment of our seven-course journey to Greece, the Amalfi Coast, Spain and France.

With each course, larger-than-life scenes of its country of origin played across the screens in 4K cinematography, transporting us into the destination. I was especially impressed by the way images of gates and cobblestone streets made the room’s service doorways part of the landscape. Landscapes switched to face-to-face conversations with regional growers, artisans and purveyors explaining their choice of ingredients and cooking methods – of the very food we had on our plates! Speaking of plates. And the table top. They’re all part of the show. Tapping my plate at the end of the Santorini course – it flew into pieces via animation – in perfect Greek style. A table-top tap during the Barcelona course produced an animated bull.

Truly no stone is left unturned in this 90-minute extravaganza. Including wine. With each dish we enjoyed exquisite pairings from the same region as the food. Most wines were exclusive to this dinner only! Not available elsewhere on the ship or even outside the region. Two memorable examples are the Lacryma Christi del Vesuvio (Tears of Christ) from Naples poured with (my favorite) the Amalfi Coast’s rich, fresh Italian mozzarella and heirloom tomatoes. And crazy Spanish grenache aged for six months in the ocean off the Costa Brava! Bits of sea life still clung to the bottles as Rafal and staff filled our glasses to accompany the Spanish truffles, followed by Spanish beef tenderloin.

Even Brook Shields plays a part! “She looks familiar,” I thought to myself, watching a brunette on the LED screens. “It’s Brook Shields,” my tablemate said. Shields narrates the Experience storyline of a woman reliving her Mediterranean adventures.

Discovery Princess, Enchanted Princess: A Secret Worth Keeping

Course by delicious course, we sailed the Mediterranean. Beginning in the green hilltops of Santorini and coming face-to-face with the growers on film, who explained that Greece has the world’s oldest olive trees – as we tasted their olives accompanied by traditional Greek ouzo. Next, we’re on a cliff-top café overlooking the Amalfi Coast – which we learn is famous for lemons. Voila, our entrée is a surprising, delicious lemon pasta. The scents and colors of Provence made a beautiful finale. Plunging into the lavender fields, local experts tell us that honey and lavender go hand-in-hand. Proof was in the pudding – our dessert of crumbled honeycomb and lavender.

What’s France – and this amazing Experience – without French Champagne! Popping champagne corks left and right, Rafal led the rousing closing toast! A perfect ending to a perfect Experience.

What to know …

The 360 Experience is currently available in two seatings nightly, for guests in suite accommodations on the MedallionClass Discovery Princess and Royal-class Enchanted Princess. Or guests who are on the Discovery Princess or Enchanted Princess and book a future cruise with suite accommodations on any Princess ship including Princess Premier at non-cancelable rates. Invitation access may also be gained from participation in specific “VIP” casino gaming and retail event sailings. No worries if clients have food allergies or preferences. They can easily accommodate. I don’t eat octopus for humane reasons and they happily substituted a delicious Greek veggie dish. See www.onesourcecruises.com for more.