[Princess Cruises] – Princess Cruises’ signature Italian restaurant, Sabatini’s, has debuted an updated menu and new style of service, which is now available across the fleet aboard all ships featuring the popular eatery.

Known for its celebrated pastas, seafood and Italian specialties, Sabatini’s is now featuring an updated collection of Italian favorites and an a la carte experience giving diners more freedom of choice and the ability to streamline their selections, if they wish. Sabatini’s first debuted in 1998 on Grand Princess and quickly became a passenger favorite, now having been expanded to 13 of the line’s ships. With a refined yet casual Italian ambiance, Sabatini’s offers attentive personal service and the feeling of having just stepped into a ristorante in the heart of Tuscany. Previously, the restaurant featured a family-style experience with an abundance of courses brought to diners throughout the evening — the only item passengers would choose was their entrée.

“Sabatini’s has always been the finest representation of Princess’ Italian dining tradition,” said Jan Swartz, Princess Cruises’ executive vice president. “With this new menu we’re ensuring that the Sabatini’s experience continues to be fresh, current and exciting, especially for our loyal passengers who have grown to love it over the years.”

She added that it wasn’t unusual for passengers to spend three hours in Sabatini’s enjoying the multiple courses, and that passenger feedback prompted the change, which will give diners a wonderful dining experience but also ample time to enjoy the ship’s full array of entertainment options either before or after dinner.

The restaurant’s culinary focus will continue to be on traditional Italian dishes and “new Italian cuisine,” freshly prepared to order. To start every meal, and to enjoy while deciding on menu selections, guests are served herbed focaccia grissini, rosemary flatbread with air-cured prosciutto, and marinated green and black olives.

Passengers will enjoy such antipasti choices as hand-formed cow’s milk burrata cheese with a creamy lava center on tomato carpaccio, or crisp buttermilk soft shell crab over baby arugula. The nightly special pasta dish might feature braised ossobuco meat, and delectable secondi courses include such entrees as duck with fava beans and pancetta, or baked striped bass in a herbed salt crust.

A perfect end to the dining experience might include raspberry frangipane tart with macerated wild berries or an almond, hazelnut and pecan napoleon with praline mousse and caramel pecan brittle. Sabatini’s also offers a robust selection of some of the finest Italian wines to pair with any of the dishes.

A cover charge of $20 per person for adults and $10 for children under age 12 applies.

Additional information about Princess Cruises is available through a professional travel agent, by calling 1-800-PRINCESS, or by visiting the company’s website at www.princess.com.