Embarking on new ship from Princess Cruises – Sun Princess – Amelia, Kirsty, Wendy, and Pat found themselves onboard a true departure from the norm for the cruise line.
Sun Princess, a stunning new addition to the Princess fleet in 2024, boasts an array of 29 restaurants and bars, each promising a culinary journey like no other. And, you might be thinking “Well, Princess Cruises is known for great food and bars anyway, so what’s new?”.
Sun Princess marks the first in a new and exciting generation of ships for the line. That doesn’t mean that they’ve completely ripped up the rule book… firm favourites like the Sanctuary, or venues like Sabatini’s and Good Spirits at Sea are still present. They’ve taken everything that’s great about Princess cruises, and enhanced the offerings onboard, with particular attention paid to entertainment, family activities and increased accommodation choices, such as the new Suite Categories.
The Signature Collection suites offer exclusive amenities like a private restaurant, lounge, and sun deck, while the Reserve Collection suites provide access to a private sundeck, whirlpool, and a dedicated restaurant!
The Trip
Their journey started in Athens, then made their way through enchanting destinations like Messina, Palma de Mallorca, and Barcelona, where a fusion of cultural exploration, culinary delights, and unparalleled entertainment was on display.
Amelia’s highlights
Along with indulging in adventures and shopping escapades, Amelia (our Marketing apprentice) found herself immersed in the charm of Palma de Mallorca, a highlight of their voyage, along with the beauty of the ship…
As an 18 year old first-time cruiser, I was cautious that there wouldn’t be a lot of things to do on board and there would be limited entertainment catering to the younger generation – but I was pleasantly surprised!
I enjoyed that they had things suited to everyone, for example on one of the nights onboard we enjoyed going to an ABBA party and karaoke, it was great since it got everyone involved. I think that, no matter your age, everyone has a guilty pleasure for ABBA.
When I first arrived I was given my Medallion and I headed straight to my room to put down my things and watch the short safety video. After about half an hour I opened the door to see our cases outside our cabin already.
I knew that one of the features of the Medallion was keyless entry to the cabin. So, I thought I’d test how good it was for myself… It opened my door from 6 doors away! The Medallion was by far one of the most efficient things on the ship, it worked so well for everything from ordering drinks, to finding my colleagues around the ship.
The first place I went to explore was deck 17 and made a beeline straight to the pizza station, as I’ve heard great things about the pizza on Princess Cruises, and I was not disappointed. There was a good variety of options that you could watch them make fresh and also a station with the likes of chilli flakes, parmesan cheese and oil to garnish your pizza with.
After my pizza I eagerly made my way to the bar to get my first cocktail – and let me tell you it was such a difficult choice as there were so many options (220 to be precise!). Finally, I decided on the Frozé cocktail which was a fruity rosé wine and vodka-based slushy cocktail. This became my favourite cocktail of the entire cruise closely followed by the Hugo Spritz which was an elderflower and prosecco based cocktail I had in Sabatini’s (the Italian speciality restaurant).
My favourite dining venue had to be O’Malley’s Irish Pub. I loved the vibes, great food, great drinks and great entertainment by two Irish guys singing with an acoustic guitar.
Kirsty’s Ship Summary
There’s so much to talk about onboard this cool, new ship. It’s packed with innovations and new spaces, so here’s my walkthrough summary.
Public Areas
Public areas aboard the Sun Princess are a testament to its grandeur – absolutely spectacular!
The vibrant Piazza, spanning three stories high, serves as the pulsating heart of the ship, offering captivating entertainment ranging from line dancing to mesmerising performances by renowned artists like MoBO (The Soul Headliners).
The Pool Deck, with its two expansive swimming pools and evening outdoor cinema, provides a haven for relaxation and entertainment under the starlit sky.
Venturing forward to the Dome on decks 17 and 18, adults are treated to a serene oasis, complete with a smaller pool area and panoramic views.
As night falls, the area transforms into a spectacle of acrobatic performances and captivating shows.
For those seeking tranquility, the Sanctuary on deck 18 offers a serene retreat amidst breathtaking vistas, perfect for contemplation and relaxation.
Food and Drink
Culinary indulgence knows no bounds aboard Sun Princess, with 16 distinct dining venues catering to every palate.
From the expansive buffet offerings at the Eatery to tantalising specialties at Alfredo’s Pizzeria and O’Malley’s Irish Pub, guests are treated to a culinary odyssey of epic proportions.
Specialty dining options abound, including Sabatini’s for fine Italian cuisine, Butchers Block for meat connoisseurs, and The Catch by Rudi for exquisite surf and turf delights.
Cabins
Accommodations on Sun Princess exude comfort and elegance, ranging from interior cabins to luxurious suite accommodations.
The Cabana Cabins on deck 9 offer a private terrace and hot tub, epitomising luxury living at sea. Suite guests enjoy exclusive dining experiences, further enhancing their stay onboard.
Amazing facilities in each cabin & you can even order your own tea & coffee making facilities to your cabin not forgetting the luxurious bathrobes.
Plenty of storage in your cabin along with a mini fridge should you require this for medication or keeping a few bottles of water to keep chilled.
The beds are known to be one of the most comfortable at sea and they did not disappoint! One of our favourite bits about the cabin however, was the shower, which were actually quite spacious and even had a bar in the corner to help when shaving your legs!
Kids-Clubs
Families are well-catered for on Sun Princess, with dedicated kids’ clubs offering engaging activities for children of all ages.
- Fire Fly – Deck 6 mid ship Firefly Park is Sun Princess’ kid’s club, catering for little ones from 6 months to 7 years old
- Neon Grove – Deck 7 fwd The new Neon Grove is exclusively created for ‘tweens’, for ages between 8 and 12 to hangout, socialise and have fun away from parents.
- The Underground – Located adjacent to Neon Grove on deck 7 is The Underground, a hangout exclusively for teens aged between 13 and 19 years old.
Additionally, children aged 3 to 12 can also be dropped off at Firefly Park for an evening babysitting service from 10pm to 1am which is charged at 5 dollars per hour (subject to change).
Within this time they are taken for dinner as a group, so this is a great option for parents who want to plan a child-free date night such as a visit to one of the ship’s specialty restaurants.
Staff
The exemplary service provided by Sun Princess staff leaves a lasting impression on guests, from the warm welcomes to the attentive care throughout their journey, every interaction is met with a genuine smile and dedication to exceeding expectations.
Every single member of staff was smiling and greeted you as you were walking by. Our housekeeper came to introduce himself to us on our first day and informed us how to get in contact with him if we need anything.
The staff were very attentive, always asking if you would like another when you were close to finishing your drink and overall they couldn’t do any more than they are already doing.
The Medallion
The Medallion experience elevates guest convenience to new heights, serving as a seamless room key and payment method throughout the ship. With personalised service and effortless transactions, guests can focus on enjoying every moment of their voyage.
When we first boarded the ship we were given our Medallions on a lanyard. They even had our names on so we wouldn’t get confused after taking them off at night and putting them back on in the morning.
There was a shop on board where you could buy wristbands, clips, necklaces, etc to put your Medallion in if you didn’t want to use the lanyard.
The convenience was second to none, at the bars they have iPads instead of tills and when you walk up to the bar your image and name will pop up on the screen, meaning the bartender will usually greet you by name and either add your drink to your package or charge it to your cabin.
Sun Princess offers a harmonious blend of luxury, adventure, and unparalleled service. From the captivating destinations to the exquisite dining options and world-class entertainment, every aspect of the journey is crafted to perfection.
In Amelia’s words…
I could not ask for a better first cruise experience than Sun Princess and I would recommend it to anyone – no matter what age.
Begin planning your dream cruise onboard Sun Princess by calling our experts on 02380 658 386, or start your search today
