Princess 67 Flybridge

The saloon entry doors, also from stainless fabricator Opacmere, are an equally impressive statement. Three layers of sliding stainless steel and rounded glass doors roll back to reveal a very spacious open plan saloon. More open plan in fact, than we have been used to with Princess, and this is to me one of the endearing features of this new model. The design of the interior is such that everything is still there, your entertainment module, bar facilities, a spacious lounge, and even interior access via a spiral staircase to the flybridge level above – but there is still so much floor space left that would enable a generous complement of guests to still mingle freely.

The saloon and living areas, both presented incidentally in natural light cherry wood complemented with carpet, plush upholstery panels, leather settees and slim-line blinds, are cleverly divided by two easy steps and a deliberate change in level. For me, this refreshingly different and most innovative layout is the ultimate appeal of this boat. While the galley is right beside the saloon, you would scarcely have known for it is secreted behind a most stylish and tasteful glass and wooden partition, or as they referred to it as, a semi-enclosed galley with photo electric dividers.

Comprehensive yet without ‘imposing’ on the layout on this level, this galley included features such as a huge refrigerator, a convection oven, a 4-burner hob, an L-shaped Corian bench-top, a servery, and plenty of cupboard and drawer provision. Within easy reach of the servery is a slightly raised dining setting for five people. Continuing the cherry wood and leather theme, the raised nature of this setting offered good visibility yet at the same time with the drop of the blinds it was a very intimate and private spot.

Forward of the galley, offering definite insight into the effort that had quite obviously gone into ‘efficient yet appropriate’ layout and specification – is a helm station virtually of superyacht standard. A definite ‘sit down and relax’ style of layout, and certainly expansive in size, yet it doesn’t dominate, or indeed even remotely compromise, the nearby dining setting. A photo says a thousand words, so I will let that do the talking, but needless to say there is every conceivable feature you would require, and some – designer Bernard Olenski, take a bow!

It would have been easy to surmise, having walked the length of these two saloon and dining come helm and galley areas, that accommodation below would have been a little cramped but no, Olenski still had enough hull volume left to provide plush and appropriately ‘roomy’ accommodation for six people. Four steps drop you down onto a level that includes a laundry to starboard of the base of these steps, recessed into the wall, and beside it, access to the master berth in under the upper helm/galley/dining sole. Of grandiose proportions, this room with its ‘deep’ cherry-finished woodwork, plush panelling and features such as ensuite, king-size berth, make-up vanity, full length wardrobe, television, audio and air conditioning, and vertical elongated portholes – is very much befitting that of a multi-million dollar superyacht.

Guests are catered for in a for’ard queen-size cabin, comparable in specification and presentation to the master cabin, but slightly smaller in actual size as determined by the constraints of the V shape of the bow of the hull. A further two guests can be accommodated in the ‘singles’ berth to port, either in a twin-single guise, or with the addition of an infill between the two floor-level berths, as another virtually queen-size berth. A two-way ensuite services these two cabins.

Interestingly, hand in hand with all the lighting, and peripheral electrical equipment such as convection oven, six separate air conditioning systems, (upgraded) bow and stern thrusters, crane davit, searchlight, Sealand Vacuflush heads, laundry and refrigeration, is an equally significant 240-Volt/24-Volt AC/DC power source located within the engine bulkheads. As well as the (upgraded) Onan 17.5kVA generator and 100A battery charger, there are eight auxiliary or house batteries and four starting batteries, separated into two individual banks.