Last Updated on 02/10/25 by Rose Palmer
After having sailed on many of Princess’ Coral, Grand, and Royal class ships, I was excited to try the first Sphere class ship, the Sun Princess. What made this cruise even more special was that it was a mother-daughter trip, the first one in many years.
The Sun Princess was my tenth Princess ship and as Princess’ next generation design, it was the perfect venue for our mother-daughter multi-generational holiday. Besides the modern design, the ship had plenty of activities that entertained late into the night and offered plenty of distractions for my 30-something daughter. And with the Premier package, it made it very easy to try the large variety of restaurants and bars.
I review all the drink offerings in the post The Many Sun Princess Bars Have Many Options to Quench a Thirst.
My Sun Princess review – what I loved about this cruise
Yes, the Sun Princess is very different from all the other Princess ships I have sailed on. It’s a next generation ship designed to attract the next generation of cruisers. Reading many of the on line reviews, some people don’t like it because it’s not like other Princess ships. Other people love it because of all these differences.
I choose not to pay attention to what other people think and prefer to make up my own mind (that goes for everything, not just cruise ships). Personally, I feel that a day cruising is always better than a day cooking and cleaning at home.
The ship design, both inside and out, was stunning. As I walked around on the first day, the word that came to mind was “elegant”. The other word was “intimate”. The ship had many nooks and crannies and corners where different venues and eateries were located. The deck plans on the Princess app or by each elevator quickly became my go to resource.
The Sun Princess had many features that I loved. The new elevator system was a joy to use. It really alleviated overcrowding and having to wait a long time for an open elevator (more about that later).
I liked that each evening there were so many different entertainment options to choose from. Between the Arena, the Dome, Princess Live, the Piazza, O’Malley’s, Crooners, and the pool deck, there was always an activity or a musical performance that I could attend. Granted, none of these venues were designed to accommodate 4000 guests at once – instead those 4000 guests had choices and could spread out throughout the ship, which they did.
I also loved the many specialty restaurants and special dining experiences. The Premier Package was ideal for the Sun Princess because it allowed me to try out the numerous dining venues and the variety of bars. There were so many choices that it was hard to fit them all into a one week cruise.
Like all the other Princess cruises I have been on, the staff were wonderful. The crew worked hard and busted their butts to fulfill orders, especially at popular spots like the International Cafe or Bellini’s bar. All the service I received was always pleasant and delivered with a smile, even at the end of a long working day.
The one thing that was blatantly missing on the Sun Princess? There was no art gallery and no art auctions. And like other newer Princess ships, there was no library either.
I cruised on the Sun Princess in mid November in the Caribbean, and the Piazza was already decorated for the Christmas holidays which was a nice additional perk.
The stunning Sun Princess design details
As someone with an artistic soul, I really appreciated the many unique and creative details on the Sun Princess. The designers, architects, and engineers really went out of their way to provide beauty and visual fun along with function.
Obviously, the Sphere and the Dome were the biggest and most impressive innovative and creative spaces on board. But I liked to focus on the smaller details. Like the wood “trees” along with the cascading water feature in the Dome.
Or the whimsical vintage radios displayed in the Crooners bar. I recognized the red twisty transistor radio I used to have as a teenager (I guess that makes me vintage as well).
Or the fun, hobbit hole-like widows in O’Malley’s Irish Pub. And the Americana Diner’s large coffee cup chair was another fun design element.
Spellbound in particular was a treasure trove of fun and funky details. Pretty much every venue had some interesting design element, but these were some of the ones that caught my fancy.
My cabin on the Sun Princess
My daughter and I shared a Deluxe Balcony cabin on deck 15, mid-aft. At 236 square feet, it was plenty roomy for the two of us, especially since we didn’t spend a lot of time in the room together.
The cabin was set up with two single beds with small night stands next to each one. The TV was hanging on the wall across from the beds. There was also a full sized sofa bed that could have slept a third person. The desk and credenza combination had a mirror, drawers, a mini fridge, and small shelves with glasses. One of the drawers held the high end hair dryer.
Note that the bottom of the nightstands had motion sensors that turned on a light strip on the underside of the nightstand at night. I found this annoying and covered it with one of the decorative pillows before I went to bed.
I was happy to see plenty of outlets and USB choices in the cabin. There were some by the desk, and also by each bed.
The closet was impressively large, with lots of shelves and drawers. There was more than enough room for two women and all their stuff. The clothes hanging bar was a little high and could be a problem to reach for shorter cruisers.
I liked that the closet had doors and that the inside lights turned on automatically when I opened the closet door. The safe and life jackets were also inside the closet, though out of the way of the main storage areas.
The bathroom was the typical size that I expected on a cruise ship. The one difference was the glass enclosed shower, though it was a bit of a tight fit to get through the shower door with the bathroom door closed. There was a also a motion sensing light that turned on in the bathroom which was useful at night. Princess provided very nice liquid soap, lotion, shampoo, and conditioner.
The balcony was pleasantly roomy with two chairs and a small table. It was big enough to hold a larger table and chairs for our Ultimate Balcony Breakfast on the last sea day.
The Sun Princess ship details
The Sun Princess is the first in Princess’ newest Sphere class ships. It’s called Sphere class because of the large glass sphere in the center of the ship, the first of its kind on a cruise ship. I read that it was quite an engineering feat to produce a glass sphere of this size that was both structurally supportive but also provided the flexibility needed to be on a swaying ship.
The stats:
- Sphere Class
- Year inaugurated – 2024
- Last refurbished –NA
- Last dry dock – NA
- Maximum number of passengers – 4300
- Maximum number of crew – 1600
For every deck, I am listing the venues near each of the three elevator banks: forward, midship, and aft. To reach a specific venue, I found it easiest to take the elevator closest to where I wanted to go. On decks 7, 8, and 18 I could walk from front to aft via the public spaces.
Deck 4
Forward
Medical Center – fortunately, I didn’t need the services here, but it’s always good to know where the ship’s doctor hangs out.
Midship
The Landing – embarkation spot for the Sun Princess. Elevators here got busy when everyone boarded at the same time so I would then walk over to the forward elevators. The Landing was also occasionally used for talks and presentations.
Deck 5
Midship
Lotus spa – the spa was located on decks 5 and 6. The entrance to the spa was on deck 6 via the midship elevators, with the treatment rooms located on deck 5.
Deck 6
Forward
Guest Services – access is easiest via the forward elevators or stairs. I came here to get questions answered and get any issues resolved. The service was always friendly and professional. I chose to go early in the morning or late in the evening when it wasn’t busy.
Firefly Park – easiest access was via the forward elevators or stairs. This was the kids club for the children aged 7 and under.
Midship
Lotus Spa – access to the spa was easiest via the midship elevators or stairs. Along with the usual treatment, the Lotus Spa also offered a heated massaging pool, heated loungers, a wet sauna, and a salt sauna. I chose to purchase the weeklong package that gave me access to all these spaces any time I wanted.
Aft
Soleil dining room – accessible only via the aft elevators. This was the lowest level of the multi level main dining rooms. The Soleil dining room offered traditional seating with two fixed seating options per night at 5 PM and 7:30 PM. This was ideal for guests who liked to eat at the same time each evening, at the same table, and with the same wait staff.
Deck 7
Forward
Princess Arena – the lower level of a large theater space that could be configured in three different ways: as a standard proscenium stage, as a keyhole stage, or as a theater in the round. The theater seated around 900 guests, so if I really wanted to see one of the shows, I cane here early to get a spot.
Neon Grove – kids club for ages 8 to 12.
The Underground – kids club space for ages 13 to 17.
Butcher’s Block by Dario – one of the specialty restaurants specializing in lots of meat dishes for carnivore lovers. Additional charges applied without a package.
Good Spirits at Sea – tucked around the corner from the forward lifts, this intimate bar did fun cocktail demos at different times during the day. This was also where I had the Royal Afternoon Tea on a sea day (for an additional charge).
Princess Live! – one of the entertainment venues that had its own bar. A variety of activities and evening entertainment were held here each day. This was the spot for bingo and also for comedy shows.
Gelateria – across from Princess Live! this specialty ice cream spot offered a small selection of great gelato and ice cream specialty desserts (for an additional charge).
O’Malley’s Irish Pub – one of the casual dining spots on the Sun Princess, this Irish inspired bar and eatery also had entertainment throughout the day. Additional charges applied without a package for the food and drinks.
Midship
The Piazza – the center of the sphere was the three level heart of the Sun Princess. A variety of activities and entertainment were presented here throughout the day and night. Each level also had seating, making it very comfortable to watch the entertainment.
Coffee Currents – on one side of the Piazza this smaller coffee and alcohol bar also had sweet treats. The food was included in the standard cruise fare but the coffee and other drinks were an extra charge without a package.
Bellini’s Cocktail Bar – on the other side of the Piazza, this was one of the many bars on the Sun Princess that served a variety of alcoholic and non alcoholic drinks and specialty cocktails.
Next to Bellini’s, doors led to a small outside deck area that gave nice photo ops of the Sphere.
The Catch by Rudi – this specialty restaurant was Princess’ head of culinary arts, Rudi Sodamin’s, signature restaurant. I always love my meals at The Catch, and in this case, the decor was as creative as the seafood dishes. Additional charges applied without a package.
Shops of Princess – lots of shopping options.
Aft
Wheelhouse Bar – cozy bar offering a variety of drinks.
Crown Grill – across from the Wheelhouse Bar was Princess’ traditional specialty steak restaurant. It was a lovely venue for good food. Additional charges applied without a package.
Sun Princess ship model – a beautiful full scale model of a beautiful ship.
Eclipse dining Room – the second level of the multi story main dining room with outstanding aft views over the ocean. The Eclipse dining room offered flexible, reservable any time dining and also “walk in any time” dining. Reservable dining reservations could be made in 20 minute increments beginning at 5 PM.
This was also where the Chef’s Table was held.
The open space connecting the dining rooms and the stairways going down to the Soleil dining room and up to the Sanctuary dining room were gorgeous.
Deck 8
Forward
Princess Arena – the theater could also be accessed from this level.
Princess Casino – lots of gambling options were available for those that like to play. The casino was always very busy when I walked through it. Note that smoking was allowed here.
Spellbound – this door led to a special, magical experience. The combination dinner, cocktail, and magic show was one of the specialty experiences that could be reserved on the Sun Princess. It truly was a magical evening.
Midship
Piazza – second level of the Piazza with lots of seating options.
Crooners – a lovely bar with lots of seating and great views out the sphere. The house band often played jazz sets here. Loved the vintage radios that decorated the space.
Makato Ocean – a casual dining seafood and sushi restaurant that was open for lunch on sea days and for dinner every day. I thought the freshly prepared sushi was quite good. Extra charges applied without a package.
Oceanfront – a variety of medallion accessories were available for purchase here.
Umai Teppanyaki and Hot Pot – one of the new specialty restaurants on board the Sun Princes. I ate at Umai Teppanyaki where the chefs prepared our food in front of us while providing comedic banter. It was very entertaining and the food was quite good. At Umai Hot Pot, guests cooked their own food tableside. Extra charge applied without a package.
The Shops of Princess – lots more shopping choices.
Aft
Sabatini’s Italian Trattoria – This is one of my favorite Princess specialty restaurants and my meal here did not disappoint (though it’s always way too much food). The restaurant design was gorgeous and really added to the atmosphere. I could also watch the chefs preparing fresh pasta next door. Extra charges applied without a package.
Sanctuary Restaurant – the top floor of the three level main dining room complex was designated for guest sailing in Sanctuary Class cabins or in suites.
Wake View Terrace and Bar – bar serving alcoholic and non alcoholic drinks at the back of the ship. This area could also be accessed via the glass lifts at the very back of the ship. The Wake View terrace was a nice quiet space to relax, read a book, or just look at the ocean.
Deck 9
Midship
The Piazza – top level of the Piazza with lots more seating.
Shore Excursions and Photos – the spot to book shore excursions or ask questions. This was also where I could look at my shipboard photos and order the ones I liked.
Future Cruise and Loyalty – I made sure to purchase a few future cruise deposits before I disembarked.
The glass walkway nearby gave impressive views of the Sphere, but it was a little scary for me since I don’t like heights.
Alfredo’s Pizzeria – one of the casual restaurants that offered a variety of specialty pizzas. Extra charges applied without a package.
International Cafe – my favorite eatery for a quick bite at breakfast, or lunch, or a snack. The food here was part of the standard fare but the coffee was an extra charge without a package.
The Eatery – the large buffet can be accessed by both the midship and aft elevators. There was a lot of seating inside and outside on the Promenade deck. There were also beverage stations with coffee, tea, water, iced tea, and lemonade.
Aft
The Eatery – there was a huge variety of choices all throughout the day. There was certainly something for every taste. The Grab and Go station was also a good option for a late night snack. I liked the fact that that the staff served the food rather than guests helping themselves.
Americana Diner – another included dining option that served “typical” American diner food, including breakfast dishes all day.
The Promenade – outside the Eatery and the Americana Diner, the deck space had lots of seating options. The Promenade pizzeria offered thicker crust pizza by the slice (included in the standard fare). The Promenade bar was another option for drinks.
Deck 15 and 16
Aft
Signature Suite Lounge – this two story lounge was for guests staying in suites or in Sanctuary Class cabins. The lounge was accessible via the glas enclosed lifts at the very back of the ship.
Deck 17
Forward
Sea View Bar – another bar option for those lounging around the Dome pool.
The Dome – a beautiful, multi use space with a stage, a pool, a water feature, and a bar. This was usually a quiet spot during the day.
In the evening, this was another entertainment venue, including a DJ dance party late into the night. The night time ambiance was magical.
Cascades Bar – bar next to the entrance to the Dome.
Lido Slice, Tacos, Grill, Greens – eateries near the pool offering a variety of fast food choices. The tacos I tried were quite good (The salads looked really good too -all these eateries were included in the standard fare). There were also a lot of seating options nearby.
Lido Bar – bar offering all manner of drinks, with or without alcohol.
Midship
Lido Pool – the two large pools were surrounded by a lot of lounge chairs. It was fun to dip my toes in the water while watching a concert on the big screen.
Coffee and Cones – serving specialty coffees, soft serve ice cream, slushies, juices, and specialty desserts. The ice cream was included in the standard fare but all else was an extra charge without a package.
The Mix – another bar serving the Lido pool area.
Aft
Love By Brito – this specialty dining experience with fantastic food and wonderful views is new to the Sun Princess. This restaurant was accessible via the glass elevators at the very back of the ship.
Deck 18
Forward
The Dome – the upper level to this multi use space.
Sun Bar and Sun Deck – bar serving the upper deck area around the pools.
Midship
Fitness Center– large space offering a variety of classes and also exercise equipment.
Lotus Salon – beauty salon where I could get my hair done, or get a mani-pedi.
Aft
Sanctuary Club – dedicated pool and deck space for guests staying in suites or Sanctuary Class cabins.
Deck 19
Midship and Aft
Sport Court and Track – a quiet spot for lounging, walking, or jogging. Walking seven times around the track equaled one mile. There was also a basketball/pickle ball court, shuffleboard, and a large chess set. The hammocks were fun to relax in.
Laundromats
One of the most useful features on a Princess ship are the self serve laundries. It means that I can pack less for a long cruise (though I did not need it on this trip).
Most decks with cabins had a laundry room. I used the deck plan to find the one closest to my cabin.
Sun Princess elevators
The elevators are possibly the best innovation on the Sun Princess. Each elevator was labelled A,B,C,D,E, or F. On the screen be each elevator, I tapped the floor I wanted to go to and the screen then indicated which letter elevator would get me there. Once my elevator arrived, it usually took me straight to my floor. Occasionally there were one or two additional stops on the way depending on how many others were in the elevator with me. I never had to wait very long and the elevator was seldom full.
When my daughter and I were getting on the elevator together, we tapped the floor we wanted to go to twice so that the system knew there were two of us getting on. There was also a choice for guests in a wheelchair or scooter.
Sun Princess food review
The Sun Princess had more food options and restaurants than I could easily try on a one week cruise, though I did my best to eat at as many of the venues as I could. I liked everything I tried, and some of the meals, like the Chef’s Table, Love by Brito, and Sabatini’s, were quite memorable.
I had the premier package which gave me unlimited casual and specialty dining, so I focused on trying all the specialty restaurants. I will write a detailed review of all the Sun Princess dining options soon.
I booked this cruise last minute and was not able to make many dining reservations on the app before the cruise. This was not a problem because I was able to make reservations for all the restaurants I was interested in trying once I was on board.
Entertainment on the Sun Princess
As I mentioned, there were ample entertainment and activities options throughout the day. The Piazza and Princess Live! had something going on almost all day.
I liked that after dinner there were more choices than just a production show in the theater. I did go to one of the shows, but also enjoyed music at O’Malley’s, the dance party in the Piazza, and music by the pool. And the magic demonstrations at Spellbound were mystifying. My 30-something daughter had no trouble finding something entertaining to do late into the night.
The band STATIC was especially good. they played all over the ship all week and we tried to catch their sets whenever we could.
Actually, with so many choices, it was hard to just sit, relax, and look at the ocean views, which is my favorite cruising activity.
Additional Sun Princess information and cruising tips
Princess cruise packages
Princess offers Standard, Plus, and Premier cruise fare packages. Before each cruise, I evaluate which package makes sense for me for that particular itinerary. Princess Cruise Drinks Packages and Fare Packages – Which One Is Best?
On this cruise I had the Premier Package which made it very easy to take advantage of the many specialty dining choices as well as many of the specialty drinks on board ship.
The Medallion
The Medallion is a waterproof, round electronic button that held all my personal Princess cruise information and also acted as my room key. I prefer to pick up my medallion at check in at the port so I have one less thing to worry about when I pack. I wore it on a pretty beaded lanyard that I purchased on Amazon, though lots of medallion accessories were available for purchase on board.
The Medallion automatically unlocked my room once I was within about 3-4 feet of my cabin door. I also used it for any on board charges for drinks, excursions, etc. It was also my identification to get back on the ship after getting off in port.
The Princess Cruises App
I used the Princess Cruise App to check in before my cruise. I filled out all the necessary information and was in the “blue” check in lane since I chose to pick up my medallion at the port.
Once on board, I used the app to schedule dinner reservations, order room service, order drinks to be delivered to my seat, and look at my bill. I could also track and find members in my cruising party. I have also used the app to easily book a last minute shore excursion the night before we docked in a port.
I also used the medallion to check in to my muster station once I boarded the ship, and I could use the app to view the required safety video.
Interactive On Board Screens
Near each elevator, interactive screens displayed a map of the ship and another displayed the current activities going on throughout the ship. These touch screens were very easy and intuitive to use.
MedallionNet WIFI
I had the 4-device package for the full length of the trip (it was part of the Premier package) so that I could use both my phone and my computer at the same time while on board. Signing up and logging into the Wi-Fi network was easy.
I had an excellent signal throughout the cruise and had no problems accessing and using the network to update this blog or to check emails.
Travel Tip – I made sure to switch my phone to Airplane Mode before I left port so that I did not incur roaming charges. I made calls back home via WIFI and WhatsApp while I was at sea.
Princess Patter
On my cruise, my cabin steward dropped off the Princess Patter each night and it listed the following day’s activities.
In room TV
Besides watching movies, TV programs, and listening to music, I was also able to watch the enrichment lectures that had been presented at the theater in the comfort of my cabin.
I also watched the mandatory safety video on the TV in my cabin after boarding.
Bridge Cam
I can see where the Sun Princess is currently sailing through its bridge cam at https://www.princess.com/bridgecams/
More tips for cruising on the Sun Princess
- I became familiar with the deck plans before the cruise.
- Some venues were only accessible via one specific elevator or stairs. I used the map function on the app to easily navigate around the ship.
- There were also interactive digital maps by each bank of elevators.
- The easiest way to get to Guest Services on deck 6 was via the forward elevators or stairs. It was best to go early in the morning or later in the evening to avoid lines.
- I made reservations for specialty dining restaurants and for the special dining expereinces as soon as I boarded the ship.
- To get a seat for the early show in the arena, I went at least 30 minutes before the start of he show. The later show was usually not as crowded.
Final thoughts about my Sun Princess cruise
The Sun Princess was the perfect venue to spend time with my adult daughter. There was plenty to do that appealed to both of us so that we could each do our own thing. I had my quiet time enjoying the views of the ocean. She had fun listening to the music and dancing into the night. We both enjoyed all the great food and drinks together along with beach time at the ports of call.
I am definitely looking forward to trying out the next Sphere class ship, the Star Princess.
Links to all my cruising content can be found on my Experience – cruising page.
Other Princess cruising stories:
Sapphire Princess review from my cruise to Antarctica: Finding My Blue Heaven on a Princess Cruise – A Detailed Sapphire Princess Review With Photos
Discovery Princess review: Discovering New Horizons With Princess – A Complete Discovery Princess Review With Photos
Sky Princess review: Cruising Sky High With Princess – A Complete Sky Princess Review With Photos
Please note that I received a complimentary Premier Package from Princess for mu cruise. All content and opinions in this post are my own.
Thanks for visiting.
Rose
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