Even the best cruise ships aren't perfect.
Recently, I sailed onboard Sun Princess, Princess Cruises' newest ship, from Fort Lauderdale, Florida. While it offers exciting features and innovations, a few aspects didn't quite meet my expectations. From the tiny entertainment venues to the slow service, I didn't love everything about my cruise.
That said, there was plenty I appreciated while onboard. For example, the fast-casual dining options on the lido deck were superb. Everything from tacos to flavorful shawarma to pizza and even salads was available at no extra cost, eliminating the need to venture to the buffet.
From thoughtfully designed staterooms to slow service, here's everything I liked and everything I'd change about Sun Princess.
I liked the cabins
There's nothing quite like a brand-new cruise ship cabin. Everything feels thoughtfully designed for comfort and convenience, from refreshed decor to modern amenities. Instead of being a place to rest and recharge, they become part of the experience.
While onboard Sun Princess, I stayed in two staterooms: a Cabana Mini-Suite and a Premium Deluxe Balcony. The furnishings and amenities were similar, with each offering a plush bed, an ensuite bathroom with a spacious shower, a Dry Bar hairdryer, and plenty of outlets.
Princess focused on designing cabins with a sleek, contemporary design that also emphasized comfort and functionality. For example, the nightstands beside the bed had a motion sensor, so whenever I'd wake up in the middle of the night to use the restroom, I wouldn't have to worry about tripping over a stray shoe. There was also a small ledge in the shower to make shaving easier.
Speaking of the bathroom, I appreciated how Princess provided luxury toiletries, including Beekman 1802 shampoo, conditioner, body wash, lotion, and liquid hand soap. Most mainstream cruise lines typically offer basic toiletry products. Princess set the bar high on their new ship by including toiletries from a well-known brand, elevating the overall guest experience.
I'd change the small bathrooms
However, one aspect of the cabin experience that was disappointing was the bathroom. Even in my mini-suite, I found the bathroom smaller than other upscale ships I've sailed on recently, namely Celebrity Ascent. The latter felt more luxurious simply due to the size.
While there's no denying the overall design and functionality of the space, the bathroom felt a bit cramped. The layout was similar to the ensuite bathroom I had sailing on Carnival Celebration, a family-friendly ship that isn't marketed as offering a premium experience.
I liked the complimentary dining
Sun Princess is called "the greatest foodie destination at sea." Even if you want to save money and only eat in the included venues, you won't be disappointed by the quality or variety. For example, Lido Tacos dishes up flavorful tacos that you can top with flavorful salsas and other toppings. However, if you're trying to eat healthier, you'll find fresh and delicious salads at Lido Greens.
Even the main dining experience was impressive. From lump crab cakes to vine tomatoes with wild fig balsamic vinegar, chili prawns served with black rice, and creamy fettuccini alfredo, the Main Dining Room didn't disappoint. The menu rotates nightly, so you will always have plenty of options, whether you're in the mood for seafood, steak, or a meatless entrée
Still, you can't go wrong with Princess' specialty restaurants. Whether you're celebrating a special occasion or simply want to try Princess Cruises' first-ever Teppanyaki restaurant, Makoto Ocean for fresh sushi, or the cruise line's renowned Crown Grill, there’s something for everyone.
Read more: I ate at 6 specialty restaurants on Princess’ newest ship. Here’s how they rank
I'd change the Americana Diner
That said, the most disappointing meal we had aboard Sun Princess was lunch at the Americana Diner. My creamy macaroni and cheese tasted more processed than Velveeta cheese, and the tempura cauliflower was bland.
My fiancée wasn't a fan of the chicken wings she ordered. I had higher hopes for the quality of the diner food, as it's a great option for those who want a casual sit-down meal with classic American fare.
I liked the entertainment
Sun Princess' entertainment team brought the energy. When looking back at my time onboard, events like karaoke, Piazza Pandemonium, and the guest dance competition stand out as highlights of the cruise. The entertainment team created a lively and welcoming atmosphere, ensuring there was always something fun to participate in or watch, no matter the time of day.
By the end of the cruise, the Cruise Director and Assistant Cruise Director felt like family. Comparatively, I recently sailed on Disney Magic and felt as though I hardly knew the Cruise Director. Though he introduced the production show in the theater each evening, I didn't see him interacting with guests at the same level.
Cruise Director Corinne was around so much I thought she surely had to be a hologram at times. Whether hosting a game show, chatting with guests, or encouraging passengers to jump in the pool fully clothed, it was clear she took pride in making the cruise not just a vacation, but a memorable experience.
I'd change the cost of Spellbound
While onboard, I was invited to check out Spellbound, Princess Cruises' newest immersive event that begins with a specialty dinner and ends with craft cocktails and a magic show in the exclusive Victorian-themed lounge. Though I didn't get to taste the dinner options, I can imagine the price point of Spellbound as a major turnoff, especially considering the magic show lasted about fifteen minutes.
For $150/person, you're treated to a multi-course meal in a reserved section of one of the dining rooms before being escorted to the lounge, where all cocktails are included. There's no time limit as to how long you can stay, so if you're willing to linger and drink, you may get more value out of the experience.
Considering most specialty restaurants onboard Sun Princess are $45/person, the $150 price tag for Spellbound is steep. For the same price, you could dine in three specialty restaurants during your cruise, which may be enticing to those who prefer intimate dining experiences. Personally, I think Spellbound could go for around $100/person, reflecting the immersive nature of the experience without nickel-and-diming guests.
I liked Princess' MedallionClass technology
With Princess' innovative quarter-sized medallion, you can kiss the need for traditional cruise ship cards goodbye. So long as your medallion is on your person, your stateroom door will open as you approach. Plus, there's rarely a need to tap the medallion to order a drink, as the contactless technology lets the bartender's system automatically recognize you.
One of my favorite things about MedallionClass was that I could track my fiancée if we separated. I could see if she was browsing the shops, ordering a drink, or relaxing in the cabin without constantly checking in via text. Additionally, I could order food and drinks to my location onboard with OceanNow, from fresh fries during karaoke to afternoon lattes delivered straight to my cabin.
I'd change the size of the venues
Perched atop the ship is The Dome, an innovative new venue that serves as a relaxing indoor venue during the day before being transformed into an immersive theater at night. The aerial shows on Sun Princess are one of the highlights of the cruise. Acrobats and aerialists defy gravity during these shows. They're suspended in midair as they soar above the audience performing jaw-dropping tricks.
While attending at least one aerial show during your cruise should be on your must-do list, it's important to know just how small The Dome is. Sun Princess can accommodate over 4,000 guests; however, The Dome's capacity is 250 per performance. It's best to line up early to secure seating. It's not uncommon for crew members to close the doors ahead of time once the venue has reached capacity.
Princess Live! is a popular venue for game shows, karaoke, trivia, and more. Despite hosting many events, there's only seating for around 200 guests. One night, we experienced passengers flocking in like vultures trying to secure a seat for the comedy show once trivia had ended. When no more seats were available, guests began sitting at the sides of the stage.
I liked the innovative design
Sun Princess' atrium, known as the Piazza, is filled with sunlight thanks to the innovative Sphere design. Whether enjoying a coffee from the International Cafe, dining at Makoto Ocean, or participating in a dance class, you can take in the vast ocean views from all directions through the floor-to-ceiling windows.
This differs from many cruise ship atriums that lack natural sunlight. Historically, for example, the Royal Promenade on Royal Caribbean ships has been filled with shops and restaurants, with interior cabins featuring picture windows overlooking the thoroughfare. As such, there was no space to incorporate outside windows.
The Dome is another brand-new feature exclusive to Sun Princess, offering an innovative, glass-enclosed space at the top of the ship. During the day, this multi-purpose venue is home to comfortable lounge chairs, an indoor-outdoor pool, and even fitness classes! At night, however, the space transforms into a vibrant entertainment hub, featuring events like silent discos and aerial shows.
Other important features to note include destination elevators, where passengers select the floor they wish to travel to and are assigned a specific elevator, rather than cramming in the first elevator car that arrives.
Princess Cruises' also redesigned the ship's main theater. The Arena is dubbed as Princess' "most technologically advanced performance space" and can be configured in various ways. The highlight is the venue's LCD panel helping bring productions to life.
I'd change the slow service
When I sailed on Celebrity Ascent earlier this year, I was taken aback by the level of service on a mega-ship. Every interaction, from the Guest Services team to bartenders and even our cabin steward, showcased Celebrity's emphasis on providing a seamless guest experience.
Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for my time on Sun Princess. For instance, I only each of cabin stewards once. I spent the majority of the sailing unaware of who was servicing my staterooms!
Moreover, I noticed chronic service delays. For example, when we dined in O'Malleys, the meal took nearly two hours. Not only that but some of our OceanNow orders were mysteriously canceled. And one day, we waited nearly twenty minutes in line for a drink on the pool deck.
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.
