Sun Princess Photo Tour: Highlights of Princess Cruises New Ship

Sun Princess, the largest-ever ship for Princess Cruises, and the first in the new Sphere Class, was officially named at a ceremony in Barcelona on April 23. Combining some popular Princess amenities with new eateries, shows, and design, here’s a preview of what’s to come onboard the ship, which will sail Mediterranean itineraries this summer before repositioning to the Caribbean for the Fall and Winter season.  

The Retreat area on Sun Princess is the largest-ever for the line, and now has its own dedicated pool. It’s been moved from the front of the ship to the back, where it has a private elevator and is closer to the Suite Lounge, which is designed for guest booking suites. On April 23, Princess announced that The Retreat will become part of a “ship within a ship” product launching this fall. Called the Sanctuary Collection, it will come with access to the ship’s private dining, lounge, and the Sanctuary sun deck, plus a host of other top-line amenities.

Also new to Sun Princess are the Cabana Mini Suites. Featuring an indoor sitting area, and balcony, the minisuites now also have a transitional cabana space between them. Guests will also be welcomed with a glass of sparkling wine on embarkation day.

Guests can keep the doors closed, and enjoy the space as a solarium, or open the doors to the sea air, expanding the balcony space and allowing for shaded seating with a television. On the Cabana Deck, the suites also have access to an additional lounge space just beyond their private balconies—perfect for groups traveling together in the same category.

The most noticeable feature on the ship is the glass dome on the upper decks near the bow. During the day, it’s a climate-controlled solarium with loungers and indoor-outdoor pool. The tranquil Cascade Bar is just steps away, so guests have somewhere sunny to relax when the outside weather gets a bit intense.

By night, The Dome becomes an entertainment venue with a state-of-the-art stage, complete with rigging for aerial performances in partnership with Cirque Éloize—shows like the sky-meets-ocean themed Blue, or the whimsically artful Art Beat.

Pools are another focus on Sun Princess. The new Wake View Terrace takes up the fantail of the ship where previously were staterooms on earlier ships. Now, there’s an infinity pool and bar, offering guests a place to relax close to the ocean. There are also two lido deck pools, the Sanctuary Pool, and the indoor/outdoor Dome Pool.

The Lotus Spa on Sun Princess now takes up two decks in the lower center of the ship, complete with warmed tile loungers for guests to relax in while waiting for their next treatment.

There are still Horizons dining rooms for traditional and anytime dining with spectacular views over the wake of the ship, but Princess has really put a lot into the specialty dining onboard. There are dedicated restaurants for suite guests, The Catch by Rudi for seafood lovers, and a new Love by Britto restaurant inspired by the art of Romero Britto, in addition to longtime Princess favorites like Sabatini’s and Crown Grill.

A partnership with Makoto Okuwa brings the new Makoto Ocean sushi restaurant, which focuses on fresh fish served omakase style. There are also set menus available. Innovative flash-freeze techniques make sourcing fresh sashimi grade fish at ports around the world a non-issue. There’s also a selection of top-quality sakes curated especially for the space.

In another first for Princess, the Japanese teppanyaki and pan-Asian hot pot cooking styles make their debut with Umai Hot Pot and Umai Teppanyaki. These specialty restaurants offer multiple seatings throughout the evening (up to three nightly for the teppanyaki seatings).

The Butcher’s Table by Dario is a new specialty dining concept by Italian butcher Dario Cecchini. Diners eat family style, sampling different cuts of beef, learning about the cuts and locations. Diners share bottles of Chianti, crudité, seasoned olive oil, and preparations ranging from beef tartare to grilled chops.

Passengers ready to forget they’re on a cruise ship, and also looking for a little magic, can book Spellbound by Magic Castle. The evening starts with a special set menu in Horizons Dining Room, then guests are led through a secret entrance into a Victorian Era parlor where they sample craft cocktails. The evening goes on with card tricks at the bar and a magic performance in the intimate theatre from top magicians furnished by LA’s legendary Magic Castle.

 

Sun Princess also introduces the largest piazza onboard a Princess ship—three decks high and outfitted with all the lightening and sound systems to create a third entertainment stage, for lively musical performances in the evenings.

Sun Princess has two decks of retail space, including a number of pre-owned luxury consignment goods from top brands. There’s also the first-ever Breitling boutique at sea, and a large beauty and wellness boutique with top beauty fragrances and brands at duty free prices—and of course, there’s a Princess logo shop.