Would you pay over $5,000 for a cruise ship suite with little to no privacy? Normally, you'd expect a stateroom with that price tag to offer luxurious amenities and expansive ocean views.
However, my Reserve Collection Cabana Mini-Suite on Sun Princess sat on a shared deck, and guests staying in standard balconies on the decks above had a direct view of my balcony.
While I knew the balcony portion of my mini-suite would be strange, I was curious to see how it would play out. Would the benefits, including a private sundeck and exclusive dining room, make up for the lack of privacy?
Sun Princess launched in February 2024 as Princess Cruises' largest cruise ship ever built
Before she made her way to North America, though, the 177,882 gross registered ton vessel completed a stint in Europe. Eager to sail onboard this brand-new cruise ship, I booked the first sailing from Port Everglades: a 5-night voyage to Grand Turk and Amber Cove.
In total, the Reserve Collection Cabana Mini-Suite cost $5,446, including Princess Plus, for two passengers. At $60 per day, per person, Princess Plus added another $600 to the cruise fare. Without it, the price would have been around $4,800. However, it was worth every penny, as the package included up to 15 beverages valued at up to $15 per day, two casual meals, gratuities, Wi-Fi, two premium desserts per day, and more.
Though Princess Plus isn't included with the Cabana Mini-Suites, it made the experience feel more akin to what those staying in a Sanctuary Collection stateroom might enjoy. In fact, anyone onboard—from guests in standard inside cabins to Mini-Suites—can upgrade their fare to Princess Plus or Princess Premier.
If you're someone who doesn't like feeling nickel and dimed, I'd recommend considering one of these packages. They enhance the cruise experience and provide a sense of value that can be hard to find otherwise, especially considering other mainstream lines charge upwards of $60/day just for the drink package.
Read more: I ate at 6 specialty restaurants on Princess’ newest ship. Here’s how they rank
My Reserve Collection Cabana Mini-Suite was located midship on Deck 9
The location of my stateroom was one of the biggest advantages. Located midship on Deck 9, we were steps away from venues like The Eatery, International Cafe, and Alfredo's Pizzeria.
And with the Piazza acting as a central hub, it was easy to navigate to other spots onboard, such as the Casino, Coffee Currents, Crooner's Bar, and more.
As a brand-new ship, the cabin was outfitted with modern touches, including plenty of outlets. From the standard American and European outlets to the USB and USB-C plugs, there were 15 charging options in the stateroom.
Six were beside the bed, meaning I didn't have to use my portable charger at night! Moreover, my European power adapters went unused since there were so many American and USB outlets.
The nightstands had motion sensor lights, so whenever I'd get up in the middle of the night, the floor was illuminated to ensure I didn't trip over a stray shoe or stub my toe on the vanity's chair.
Including the balcony and cabana, stateroom 9316 measured around 329 square feet. The interior portion was similar to standard cabins onboard, including the same smaller-than-expected bathroom. However, the added cabana space made a significant difference in the overall feel of the suite.
The cabana connected the interior area of the stateroom to the balcony. Outfitted with an extra sofa, flat-screen television, and even towels to carry to the private Mini-Suite hot tub, the cabana is perfectly set up to be a cozy retreat when you might not want to lounge in your cabin. Plus, it was nice on our last day, when inclement weather forced us indoors.
However, with so much to see and do on Sun Princess, there wasn't much time for savoring the extra space. Had we been on a longer cruise, like the 16-night transatlantic voyage, I could see the cabana becoming a beloved escape from the hustle and bustle of The Dome, Piazza, and lido deck.
Read more: 4 things Princess does better than Celebrity Cruises
On a similar note, because of the lack of privacy, we didn't spend much time on the balcony. We found that others had the same idea whenever we had a moment to relax.
However, instead of lounging on their balconies, they took advantage of the plush seating on the Cabana deck. Constantly being around other passengers made the space feel less like a private retreat and more like another public area.
I also wish the bathroom had been a little bit larger. Earlier this year, I sailed on Celebrity Ascent twice: once in an ocean-view stateroom and once in an infinite verandah. Though neither was part of The Retreat, the bathroom felt more luxurious than my Mini-Suite on Sun Princess due to the size.
That said, there were definitely a few advantages to the Cabana Mini-Suites bathroom, such as the Beekman 1802 products, including liquid hand soap (no bars!), body lotion, shampoo, conditioner, and body wash. I also appreciated the small ledge in the shower designed to make shaving easier.
Another unique feature was that the closet had automatic lights, so whenever the doors were opened, the interior illuminated, making it easy to find what you needed.
As a mini-suite, we were given two upgraded terrycloth robes to use while onboard, which were left in our closet on embarkation day.
Plus, the closet had plenty of hangers for our dresses and blouses, as well as a built-in dresser for t-shirts and undergarments and extra cubbies and drawers beside the stateroom's door. We certainly didn't struggle with storage space while in the cabin for 5 nights.
Read more: 15 Packing Tips for First-Time Cruisers
The saving grace was the private hot tub and access to the Sanctuary Restaurant
Rather than booking an excursion in Amber Cove, we walked around for about 45 minutes before returning to the ship to take advantage of the various amenities, including the Cabana deck's hot tub just steps from our stateroom.
Slipping into the soothing jets was pure bliss. We weren't bothered with other passengers, either. It felt like a private hot tub on our verandah! Had we ventured up to the lido deck, I'm sure the experience wouldn't have been as relaxing, as we would likely have been sharing the hot tub with other guests.
Access to the Sanctuary Restaurant was another perk that came with our mini-suite. Though I discovered the menu was nearly identical to the Main Dining Room's, it featured upscale options like prime rib carved tableside, lobster tails, and more.
Not only was the food delicious, but we didn't have to worry about making a reservation or standing in line. Instead, we could walk into the restaurant whenever we were ready to eat and never had a wait!
As there were so many other restaurants onboard, from Umai Teppanyaki to Love by Britto, we didn't dine in the Sanctuary Restaurant as much as I thought. Still, the convenience of having it available whenever we wanted—from breakfast to sea day lunch and dinner—was nice.
Read more: Cruise Ship Dining Mistakes to Avoid
Elizabeth Wright
Elizabeth graduated from New York University's Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute with her M.A. in Journalism in May 2023. Growing up, she had the privilege of traveling frequently with her family and fell in love with cruising after sailing on the Oasis of the Seas her freshman year of high school. She wanted to pursue a career that highlighted her passion for travel and strengths as a writer.
