I’ve just returned from Fincantieri Shipyard in Monfalcone, Italy. Thanks to Princess Cruises, I was part of a press trip that visited the shipyard to witness the float out of the Regal Princess, and to tour the Royal Princess, in the final phases of construction in the Italian town situated on the coast of the Gulf of Trieste.

Royal Princess will enter service in June, but you wouldn’t know that walking through the ship as a group of us did this past Tuesday. As you’ll see in the Royal Princess photos, there are wires hanging, workmen installing furniture, walls that are bare and thresholds with no doors.

It’s a busy work site, and you couldn’t be blamed for wondering if the ship will be completed on time. But having seen several other ships in this phase throughout my career, I have no doubt that the Royal Princess will be delivered on time and befitting of its name.

To view the Royal Princess shipyard slideshow, click here.