royal princess cruise inside

Royal Princess® Cruise Ship

A welcoming ambience and innovative offerings create the perfect way to see the world.

• Inaugural Cruise: June 16, 2013
• Christener: Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cambridge
• Guest Cabins: 1,780 total
• Number of Decks: 19
• Tonnage: 142,229
• Length: 1,083 feet
• Height: 217 feet

Your Vacation – Effortless. Personalized.

Make your vacation truly yours on a Princess MedallionClass® cruise that features next-level technology, now on all ships. Enjoy fast, reliable Wi-Fi, TrulyTouchless™ experiences, food and drinks delivered wherever you are and so much more.

Learn more about Princess MedallionClass | Learn more about MedallionNet® Internet  

Accommodations

From the moment you step aboard, we want you to feel welcomed and right at home. And with attentive service from a friendly staff that knows what hospitality means, you’ll find your Princess® ship truly is your home away from home.

Photos, floor plan diagrams, amenities, and furnishings represent typical arrangements and may vary by ship and stateroom.

Most Luxurious Accommodations at Sea

Mini-suite with exclusive vip touches, add an element of luxury to your stay, spectacular views from your room, front row seat for beautiful scenery, our most affordable option, for guests with limited mobility, dining options.

Indulge your appetite whenever you wish on board Princess®. Every hour, our chefs are busy baking, grilling and sautéing great-tasting fare from scratch. Princess offers unparalleled inclusive dining options throughout the ship with a wide range of culinary delights to suit any palate, from endless buffet choice to gourmet pizza, frosty treats, decadent desserts and much more. 1

Dine My Way℠

Dine when, how and where you like.

A (Seafood) Fan Favorite Returns!

Alfredo’s Pizzeria

Hand-tossed pizza, hot out of the oven.

Horizon Court

An ever-changing selection of favorites.

International Café

Sip and snack around the clock.

Trident Grill

Traditional southern bbq, with poolside ease, specialty dining.

Dining on board a Princess® cruise ship is a joyful celebration and our specialty restaurants always deliver an extraordinary experience. They are among the best at sea – or anywhere. We serve dishes made with the freshest ingredients, and our menus reflect regional flavors from around the world. You'll find our specialty restaurants are the perfect place to celebrate any occasion. 1

A Dazzling Dining Adventure

A taste of italy, enjoyed in luxury, timeless steakhouse traditions, wines from around the world, celebrate seafood, a private breakfast with a view, a sweet treat from italy.

On every Princess ship, you'll find so many ways to play, day or night. Explore The Shops of Princess, celebrate cultures at our Festivals of the World or learn a new talent — our onboard activities will keep you engaged every moment of your cruise vacation. 1

Discovery at SEA Programs

Discover even more with discovery™.

Vegas Style Casino

For novices, casual players, or high rollers.

The Seawalk®

Unparalleled views of the sea.

Princess Live!

Lights, sound, action.

Take a Stroll into the European-style Piazza

The Shops of Princess

Tax and duty-free shopping.

Art Gallery & Auctions

Art lovers rejoice—enjoy exquisite art aboard.

Freshwater Pools & Hot Tubs

Soak in a world of relaxation.

Sports Court

Get in the game with a variety of activities.

MedallionNet® Wi-Fi

The best wi-fi at sea.

Afternoon Tea

Celebration of tasty teas and divine desserts, entertainment.

Original musicals, dazzling magic shows, feature films, top comedians and nightclubs that get your feet movin’ and groovin’. There’s something happening around every corner; luckily, you have a whole cruise of days and nights to experience it all. 1

Movies Under the Stars®

A reel treat day or night.

Princess® Watercolor Fantasy Show

A spectacle of water dances to music.

Original Musical Productions

Great venues large and small.

Music & Dancing

Dazzling entertainment every day and night.

Featured Guest Entertainers

At night, the stars shine bright on our stages.

Princess Theater

Broadway-style productions at sea.

Lively Nightlife

Good Spirits At Sea

Good spirits, good stories, joyful rejuvenation.

Revitalize and refresh body, mind and soul with Princess®. From rejuvenating spa treatments and the tranquility of a top-deck retreat reserved just for adults to our state-of-the-art fitness centers, you’ll find all the elements to come back new.

Experience the Ultimate Night of Sleep at Sea

Relax in a tranquil retreat just for adults, go ahead, be pampered – you deserve it, a host of ways to get an energizing workout, luxuriate in our largest-ever thermal suite, kids, teens & family.

From family-friendly stateroom options to enriching youth and family programs, quality time is time well spent. Onboard activities spark curiosity and fuel creativity while excursions ashore engage and inspire!

Explore the Treehouse

Step into the lodge, hang out in the beach house, quality time together.

1 Activities, dining and entertainment options vary by ship and are subject to change. Photos represent typical arrangements and may vary in detail or configuration.

• Princess Cruises

Royal - best inside cabin location/deck?

By metairiegal , March 2, 2017 in Princess Cruises

Recommended Posts

metairiegal

We may be booking an inside cabin on the Royal Princess. So many choices!

Do you have a recommendation for the best deck/location for an inside cabin on the Royal?

Thanks in advance.

Link to comment

Share on other sites.

personally, i book sideway inside cabin on Aloha deck

Standard rule of thumb....don't book directly over, or under public areas. I'd book mid-ship but not the closest cabin to the stairwells, elevators or crew service areas (those vast blank spaces you see on the deck plans). Personally, I'd be looking at the Baja deck (11). You are 4 flights up to the Lido, and 4 flights down to the Promenade.

If you are more elevator dependent, then the deck doesn't matter as much (other than first rule of thumb!) but you might consider a room further aft (but not too far aft!) and use the rear elevator bank, as traditionally is not as busy as the center or forward elevators.

We also had a sideway inside cabin at Marina deck. More spacious than the regular inside cabin.

sunsetbeachgal

We just had a sideways inside on Riviera deck. It seemed more roomy than other insides. I prefer to use stairs whenever possible, and like cabin location near forward elevator/ stairs on Regal or Royal.

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

Astro Flyer

Like the other posts, a midship sideways cabin has been our choice.

I'd recommend to not have a quad cabin which has upper bunks protruding from the side walls. We made that mistake once on the Golden & had to the bed switched to twins to reduce the risk of bumping our heads. The Princess deck plans have an option to select how many are in a cabin & by having 4 we know which are quads to not book them.

Here's a link to photos of a sideways cabin (C406) posted by Dave (dmwnc1959):

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?p=45399989&posted=1#post45399989

We've booked this type of cabin twice on the Royal & Regal but both times accepted a reasonably priced upsell to a deluxe balcony cabin on our transatlantic cruises. :)

We have another midship sideways cabin booked on the Royal but it doesn't appear that we'll be able to upgrade to another balcony.

I finally was able to locate Dave's photos of an inside quad cabin which shows why I won't book one of them. :eek:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1950107&page=24

Great tips everybody. And, the pics are very much appreciated!

I didn't realize a sideways would be more spacious - but the cabin looks great. I'm going to look into which sideways are available for our cruise. And, we will definitely not book a quad!

Fantastic help - thank you! :)

Had an inside forward on the Baja Deck in December. It was the quietest cabin ever! Would book this same area again if on the Regal or the Royal. Wonderful cabin and we were surrounded in this area by many platinum and elite cruisers who preferred inside cabins in this area.

I'll check it out. Thanks.

I had an inside sideways cabin last year and it was awesome, I really liked it. I was on Aloha deck, cabins above and below, quiet location. There is definitely more space. If you search threads, you will find pros and cons about these type cabins. Some didn't like the door opening right into the cabin area, sailing alone not an issue for me.

I'm sailing on the Royal TA this year and opted for a different cabin. I rarely use the buffet area, eat lunch and breakfast in the IC area so I chose a lower deck this time.

We are Platinum level and soon to be Elite. We choose our cabins based on where we are traveling to. We are early risers and spend very little time in our cabin and some times we just cannot justify the price difference between Balcony vs Inside. Our upcoming cruise we chose Midship interior right smack in the middle.

Has anyone had one of the interior cabins that are right behind the elevators? Was there any noise from them?

• 3 weeks later...

OP here. I am still considering which inside on Royal to book. I have heard a few negatives about the bed close to the wall of a sideways. I see that point. And, I am very sensitive to noise so I don't know how it would be sleeping so close to the wall.

Basically, we are looking for the lowest rate for a inside. Right now the lowest inside rate is $1599 for cabin M117, deck 15, forward, a regular inside.

I can't see paying more for just another inside whether regular or sideways. (Lowest sideways is $1689.) What do you think?

Any advice? Any comments on M117?

Like the other posts, a midship sideways cabin has been our choice.   I'd recommend to not have a quad cabin which has upper bunks protruding from the side walls. We made that mistake once on the Golden & had to the bed switched to twins to reduce the risk of bumping our heads. The Princess deck plans have an option to select how many are in a cabin & by having 4 we know which are quads to not book them.   Here's a link to photos of a sideways cabin (C406) posted by Dave (dmwnc1959):   http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?p=45399989&posted=1#post45399989   We've booked this type of cabin twice on the Royal & Regal but both times accepted a reasonably priced upsell to a deluxe balcony cabin on our transatlantic cruises. :)   We have another midship sideways cabin booked on the Royal but it doesn't appear that we'll be able to upgrade to another balcony.

I too vote for the sideways cabin on Royal/Regal based on cruise Critics feedback. We have one booked on Aloha deck for our upcoming TA cruise. We made sure we didn't accidentally book a quad.

Also I normally like a cabin close to the elevator closest to the buffet. :)

We had a sideways on Aloha deck on the Regal . As I wrote in my review " Brilliantly laid out almost like a studio apartment , you enter into the "bedroom". Behind the TV, table wall is the dressing area and bathroom . The only issue is the door swings open towards the bed . If it swung the other way , you would have more privacy." For us it was worth the premium , about the same 5 - 7% that you face, over the cheapest inside cabin .

I wouldn't mind paying a little more if it was for a window, even obstructed (I know, Regal/Royal don't have windows - just sayin'). But, I am having a hard time justifying paying anything more for another inside.

What are the noise issues with sideways cabins?

And, I'm still wondering about the regular inside cabin M117 and that location?

The sideway insides are great.

I personally like mid ship Caribe or Baja decks and a sideways cabin because it's a little bigger.

Please sign in to comment

You will be able to leave a comment after signing in

• Welcome to Cruise Critic
• New Cruisers
• Cruise Lines “A – O”
• Cruise Lines “P – Z”
• River Cruising
• Cruise Critic News & Features
• Digital Photography & Cruise Technology
• Special Interest Cruising
• Cruise Discussion Topics
• UK Cruising
• Australia & New Zealand Cruisers
• Canadian Cruisers
• North American Homeports
• Ports of Call
• Cruise Conversations

Announcements

• New to Cruise Critic? Join our Community!

Write Your Own Amazing Review !

Click this gorgeous photo by member SUPERstar777 to share your review!

Features & News

LauraS · Started 14 hours ago

LauraS · Started Yesterday at 01:14 AM

LauraS · Started Friday at 07:21 PM

LauraS · Started Friday at 03:17 PM

LauraS · Started Thursday at 04:15 PM

• Existing user? Sign in OR Create an Account
• Find Your Roll Call
• Meet & Mingle
• Community Help Center
• All Activity
• Member Photo Albums
• Meet & Mingle Photos
• Favorite Cruise Memories
• Cruise Food Photos
• Cruise Ship Photos
• Ports of Call Photos
• Towel Animal Photos
• Amazing, Funny & Totally Awesome Cruise Photos
• Write a Review
• Live Cruise Reports
• Member Cruise Reviews
• Create New...

• CruiseMapper

Royal Princess cabins and suites

Royal princess staterooms review, floor plans, photos.

Royal Princess cabins and suites review at CruiseMapper provides detailed information on cruise accommodations , including floor plans, photos, room types and categories, cabin sizes, furniture details and included by Princess Cruises en-suite amenities and services.

The Royal Princess cruise ship cabins page is conveniently interlinked with its deck plans showing deck layouts combined with a legend and review of all onboard venues.

Balcony Suite

Layout (floor plan).

Standard Suite cabins offer the following amenities and complimentary services:

• private (step-out) balcony furnished with 2 loungers, 4 chairs, 1 small table, 1 ottoman chair
• en-suite bathroom (hottub, massage shower head, hairdryer, upgraded bath amenities)
• veranda access from the lounge area via 2 floor-ceiling sliding glass doors
• separate sitting / lounge area with double sofabed and 2 coffee tables
• mirrored vanity / writing table with chair
• complimentary glass of Champagne (embarkation day welcome amenity)
• 24-hour room service (complimentary)
• luxury mattress topper and pillows
• 2x flat TVs
• 1 queen or 2 twin beds
• mini-fridge, direct-dial phone, complimentary mini-bar, free bottled water (supplied daily)
• premium bedding (100% Egyptian cotton, high-thread count linens, duvets), bedside cabinets with lamps
• spacious walk-in wardrobe (electronic safe in the closet)

Upgraded Suite cabin amenities and services include:

• "Princess Luxury Bed" includes a custom-made premium mattress and bed springs, plus a plush pillow-top (2-inch / 1,6 cm).
• priority services (embarkation, tendering, disembarkation, specialty restaurant reservations, shore excursion reservations)
• in-cabin dining (evening canapes / available upon request)
• premium quality terry shawl bathrobes
• (complimentary amenities) Lotus Spa Thermal Suite access, laundry and professional cleaning, specialty restaurant dinner (embarkation day only, on 6+ days long cruises)

Standard Mini Suite cabins offer the following amenities and complimentary services:

• private (step-out) balcony furnished with 2-4 chairs, 1 small table, 1 ottoman chair
• veranda access from the lounge area via floor-ceiling sliding glass door
• separate sitting / lounge area with double sofabed and coffee table
• mini-fridge, direct-dial phone
• spacious wardrobe (electronic safe in the closet)

Upgraded Mini Suite cabin amenities and services include:

• priority services (embarkation, disembarkation)
• complimentary wine set-up (on embarkation day welcome amenity) - 1/2 bottle of red wine and 1/2 bottle of white wine

"Club Class" (VIP Dining) includes:

• dinner (every evening), breakfast and lunch (seadays only)
• exclusive Main Dining Room area
• expedited seating (minimal to no wait time)
• expanded food menu options
• dedicated wait staff
• premium table linens
• table-side food preparations

Deluxe Balcony Cabin

Deluxe Balcony Cabin amenities and complimentary services include:

• private (step-out) balcony furnished with 2 chairs, 1 small table
• en-suite bathroom (WC, shower, single-sink vanity, hairdryer, luxury bath amenities)
• flat TV, mini-fridge, direct-dial phone
• 1 queen or 2 twin beds ("Princess Luxury Bed"), premium bedding (100% Egyptian cotton, high-thread count linens, duvets), bedside cabinets with lamps

Balcony Cabin

Standard Balcony Cabin amenities and complimentary services include:

• en-suite bathroom (WC, shower, single-sink vanity, hairdryer, bath amenities)
• sitting area (armchair, coffee table, mirrored vanity / writing table with chair)
• 24-hour room service (complimentary) - charges apply for ordering balcony dinner, pizza delivery and drinks
• wardrobe (electronic safe in the closet)

Interior Cabin

Interior Cabin amenities and complimentary services include:

• sitting area (mirrored vanity / writing table with chair)
• 24-hour room service (complimentary) - charges apply for pizza delivery and drinks

Royal Princess cabins review

Royal Princess cabins with balconies are 1438 (80% of all staterooms). Wheelchair-accessible cabins (for disabled passengers) are 36 (of which 29 Balcony, 7 Inside). The number of all cabin categories is 38. Just like the sisterships and NCL Epic , the Royal Princess ship lacks Oceanview cabins (has no outside staterooms with Picture- or Porthole windows).

Follows the review of Royal Princess staterooms as amenities, furniture and included (complimentary) services:

All staterooms are quads (accommodating max 4 passengers). All balcony cabins are with sliding glass doors (floor-ceiling) opening to a private step-out veranda. Most cabin balconies are relatively small (sized 40 ft2 / 4 m2) and narrow, furnished with footstools, 2 patio chairs and a round table. Balcony railings are either of toughened glass or solid steel. Balcony staterooms have ample closet space, bathroom (WC-shower), double sofabed, desk-chair, chest of drawers.

Royal Princess Suites are in 2 types - Balcony Suite (S2-Owners, S3-S4-Penthouse, S5-Premium) and Mini-Suite (MA, MB, MC, ME, MF, M1-M6-Premium). Bonus amenities offered in all Suites include deluxe mattress/pillows, 2 TVs, upgraded bathroom amenities (massage showerheads, luxury bath products, luxury bathrobes, terry towels), luxury furniture on the balcony. Balcony Suites have additional perks: choice of 3 deluxe mattresses, iPod docking station, sun loungers on the balcony, bathroom with separate shower stall, complimentary services (Internet Cafe, laundry/dry cleaning), exclusive access to Concierge Lounge (located on Deck 14).

All Royal Princess cabins as standard/complimentary amenities offer living area (vanity, desk, seating), 2 twin beds (convertible to Queen-size), deluxe bedding sets (Egyptian cotton linens), wardrobe, desk, smart HDTV (infotainment system, Internet, on-demand-movies), direct-dial phone, electronic safe box and lifejackets (in the closet), hairdryer, bath products (shampoo, body lotion, conditioner), minibar/fridge, individual air-conditioning, evening turndown service, complimentary 24-hour room service.

All staterooms are fitted with the signature "Princess Luxury Bed". The new "cruise bed" was developed in collaboration with PhD Michael Breus (commonly known as "The Sleep Doctor") and the designer Candice Olson. The new cabin beds feature a luxury pillow-top mattress, individually wrapped coils (reducing surface sway) and hypoallergenic duvets.

Passenger-use launderettes (laundromats) are located on decks 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14, 15, 16. These are self-service laundry facilities with ironing boards and detergent being provided.

"Club Class Mini-Suite" is a new cabin category that was rolled out fleetwide in 2017. The new (VIP-guest) Mini-Suites offer the following complimentary services and amenities - "Club Class Dining", Elite Lounge exclusive access, complimentary in-cabin dining (hors d'oeuvres), priority embarkation/disembarkation/tendering. Club Class Dining includes a separate area part of the MDR (main dining room) reserved for Club Suite guests only. The exclusive dining experience includes expedited seating, dedicated waiter staff service, exclusive menu (featuring Chef's specials) and tableside preparation of some dishes. Club Class Dining is available for breakfast and dinner every day, and also for lunch on sea days only. The new suites replaced some existing mini-suites. Their cabin size and layouts remained the same as the other mini suite grades.

Royal Princess cabin and suite plans are property of Princess Cruises . All floor plans are for informational purposes only and CruiseMapper is not responsible for their accuracy.

Princess Cruises ship cabin and suite guide: Everything you want to know

Is a balcony cabin a must for you when you cruise? Princess Cruises could be your line.

The California-based brand was a pioneer in adding a large number of balcony cabins to ships, and even its oldest vessels are loaded with balcony cabins — something that can't be said for many of its rivals.

On the flip side, Princess offers relatively few suites on its ships compared to some of the big-ship lines with which it most directly competes, including Celebrity Cruises , Norwegian Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean. Just 46 of the 1,830 rooms on the line's recently unveiled Discovery Princess are suites, for instance. Believe it or not, that's an improvement from earlier vessels in the same series, some of which have as few as 36 suites.

For more cruise guides, news and tips, sign up for TPG's cruise newsletter .

Princess also isn't known for enormous and amenity-filled suites.

What this means is there aren't a lot of ways to live large on a Princess ship or pack a lot of people into a single accommodation. Until the debut of Sky Princess in 2019, the line didn't have a single cabin that could accommodate more than four people.

That said, on Princess ships, you can often create larger living spaces by booking two connecting cabins.

A Princess Cruises cabin primer

As is typical for many cruise ships, Princess vessels offer cabins in four broad categories: Windowless "inside" cabins, ocean-view cabins, balcony cabins and suites.

As noted above, a significant portion of cabins on all Princess ships are balcony cabins — the category of cabin that everyone wants these days. About 80% of the 1,834 cabins on Princess's six-month-old Enchanted Princess are balcony cabins or suites with balconies, for instance. Compare that to the 72% of cabins on Royal Caribbean's four-year-old Symphony of the Seas that are balcony cabins or suites with balconies.

Notably, every single cabin facing the sea on three of the newest Princess ships — Royal Princess, Regal Princess and Majestic Princess — has a balcony. These three vessels are completely devoid of ocean-view cabins (cabins facing the sea that only have a window). That's relatively unusual in the world of big mass-market ships — the niche of cruising in which Princess plays. It's more common with luxury cruise vessels.

Related: The ultimate guide to Princess Cruises ships

At the same time, as noted above, Princess vessels have fewer suites than you'll find on the ships operated by such big-ship brands as Royal Caribbean and Celebrity.

Here's a breakdown of the broad cabin categories on Royal Princess, which is typical of the line's newer ships (it's the prototype vessel for the line's new, six-ship Royal Class series):

Inside cabins: 342 (19%) Ocean-view cabins: 0 (0%) Balcony cabins (including mini-suites): 1,402 (79%) Suites: 36 (2%)

On older Princess ships (and, in general, all older cruise ships), there are fewer balcony cabins. However, the ratio of balcony cabins to non-balcony cabins is much higher on older Princess ships than it is on older vessels at many other big-ship lines. An impressive 72% of the 1,000 cabins on Princess's 2003-built Coral Princess, for instance, are balcony cabins.

On Coral Princess, inside cabins and ocean-view cabins only make up 26% of all rooms. A breakdown of the cabin categories on that ship:

Inside cabins: 108 (11%) Ocean-view cabins: 157 (16%) Balcony cabins (including mini-suites): 719 (72%) Suites: 16 (2%)

The takeaway here is that you'll have an easier time locking down a balcony cabin on a Princess ship — even an older Princess ship — than you will when booking many of the ships operated by competing big-ship lines.

Just note that you'll want to book early if you're aiming for a suite on a Princess ship since there are so few of them. Note, also, that suites tend to sell out early on cruise ships in general. An old saying in the cruise industry is that "ships sell from the top and the bottom." That is, the first cabins on any vessel to sell out are the most expensive cabins, which are the suites, and then the least expensive cabins, which typically are the inside cabins. The mid-priced "middle" cabins sell last.

Design-wise, Princess's cabins and suites are fairly basic and comfortable, if not super stylish.

When it comes to rooms, Princess is sort of the Marriott of the big-ship cruise world. Its rooms are comfortable and functional, but a bit bland. Avant-garde style is not a Princess thing.

Inside cabins on Princess Cruises ships

These are the cabins you stay in when you're on a tight budget. On any Princess ship, they are almost always the least-expensive option when you're booking a cabin. You often can save considerable money by booking an inside cabin versus an ocean-view or higher-level cabin.

What you'll give up, of course, is that ocean view. Your room will have four walls and no windows offering a glimpse of the outside world.

You'll also be in a relatively small room. The typical inside cabin on the new Discovery Princess measures 166 square feet, with some as big as 175 square feet. By comparison, the typical balcony cabin on Discovery Princess measures 181 square feet, not including a 41-square-foot balcony (for a total of 222 square feet).

Still, the inside cabins on Princess ships are bigger than the inside cabins on ships operated by some of the line's main competitors.

Related: The 5 best destinations you can visit on a Princess ship

Inside cabins on Royal Caribbean's Symphony of the Seas, for instance, measure just 149 square feet — quite a bit less than the inside cabins on Discovery Princess.

Note that older Princess ships sometimes have smaller inside cabins than newer Princess ships. On the line's 2003-built Coral Princess, inside cabins measure just 156 to 166 square feet. On the line's 1998-built Grand Princess, most inside cabins are 160 square feet (some wheelchair-accessible inside cabins on Grand Princess measure 182 square feet).

Many inside cabins on Princess ships have pull-down bunks that will allow for up to four people to stay in the rooms.

Ocean-view cabins on Princess Cruises ships

With an ocean-view cabin, you get a window looking out to the sea, but not an attached balcony where you can sit outside and enjoy the fresh air.

As noted above, three of Princess's newest vessels — Royal Princess, Regal Princess and Majestic Princess — don't have a single ocean-view cabin. Every outward-facing cabin has a balcony. However, you'll find ocean-view cabins on the line's older vessels and also on the line's three newest ships, Discovery Princess, Enchanted Princess and Sky Princess.

In general, ocean-view cabins on the Princess ships that have them are a tad bigger than the inside cabins found on the same vessels. On the line's Emerald Princess, for instance, the typical ocean-view cabin measures 178 square feet. The typical inside cabin on Emerald Princess measures 163 square feet.

On many Princess ships that have ocean-view cabins, the rooms are mostly found just above the promenade deck, where the lifeboats hang, and have obstructed views. You'll also sometimes find a few ocean-view cabins at the back of Princess vessels, facing the wake.

Related: The 3 classes of Princess ships, explained

On the line's two Coral Class ships — Coral Princess and Island Princess — there are a few "premium" ocean-view cabins that measure a more spacious 212 square feet. If you're the kind of traveler who needs a lot of space, these rooms can be a good choice.

There also are a handful of "premium" ocean-view cabins on the new Discovery Princess, Enchanted Princess and Sky Princess that measure 172 square feet and have unusual slanting windows.

Balcony cabins on Princess Cruises ships

Balcony cabins are what everyone wants these days, and Princess is delivering with huge numbers of balcony cabins on all its newest ships. On the line's new Royal Class series of ships, which began debuting in 2013, nearly 80% of rooms are balcony cabins.

On these newer vessels — Royal Princess, Regal Princess, Majestic Princess, Sky Princess, Enchanted Princess and Discovery Princess — the typical balcony cabin has an interior space of 181 square feet plus a balcony that measures 41 square feet (for a total of 222 square feet). However, there also are bigger "premium deluxe balcony" cabins that can measure as much as 233 square feet on the inside (not including the balcony). Some of these have larger-than-normal balconies that can stretch the total square footage to 312 square feet.

In addition, the Royal Class vessels have even larger balcony cabins that Princess calls mini-suites. Including their balcony space, these cabins measure anywhere from 299 to 329 square feet. While these mini-suite cabins have the word "suite" in their name, we are including them in the balcony cabin category as they generally resemble very large balcony cabins vs. true suites.

Related: Everything to know about the Princess Captain's Club loyalty program

The typical Princess balcony cabin has twin beds that can be converted into a queen bed, a built-in desk with a chair and a built-in miniature refrigerator. In addition to beds, a desk and a miniature fridge, premium balcony cabins have a seating area with a sofa bed that can be used for a third passenger in the room. Some also have a pull-down bunk that can accommodate a fourth person.

Suites on Princess Cruises ships

As mentioned above, Princess ships generally have fewer suites than the ships operated by some of its biggest competitors. The line also isn't known for particularly giant suites.

Princess's three newest ships — Discovery Princess, Enchanted Princess and Sky Princess — have the line's first truly large standalone suites, dubbed Sky Suites. There are two of them on each of the vessels, and they measure a generous 1,792 square feet (though more than half of that space is taken up by a huge wraparound balcony). With two bedrooms plus a living room with a pullout sofa, the Sky Suites are the first Princess accommodations designed for up to five people.

Still, even the Sky Suites on Discovery Princess, Enchanted Princess and Sky Princess aren't the sort of truly epic suites with huge interior living spaces that you'll find on the latest ships from such competitors as Celebrity and Royal Caribbean. The latest Celebrity vessels, for instance, offer so-called Iconic Suites that have twice as much interior space as the Sky Suites.

If you're the kind of cruiser who is only happy in a cabin of truly giant proportions (and are willing to pay up for it), Princess probably isn't your line.

Still, you'll find at least a few suites of a decent size on every Princess ship. The line's seven Grand Class vessels each offer two "family suites" at their fronts that can be created by connecting a mini-suite with an adjacent inside cabin to create a six- to eight-person complex.

Each of the line's Royal Class ships (the line's six newest ships) has at least 36 suites.

Related: 7 reasons you should splurge for a suite on a cruise

Bottom line

Princess offers a relatively wide range of cabins on its ships, including lots of the sort of cabins that everyone wants — balcony cabins. If you're a fan of balcony cabins, you'll find plenty of options on Princess ships, including standard size balcony cabins and bigger "premium" balcony cabins. You'll also find a lot of larger "mini-suite" balcony cabins on Princess ships. However, you won't find a lot of truly large suites with multiple rooms.

Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:

• The 5 most desirable cabin locations on any cruise ship
• The 8 worst cabin locations on any cruise ship
• A quick guide to the most popular cruise lines
• 21 tips and tricks that will make your cruise go smoothly
• 15 ways cruisers waste money
• 12 best cruises for people who never want to grow up
• What to pack for your first cruise

• Help Center
• 1-866-921-7925

Start Searching

• Packages  
• Hotels  
• Cruises  
• Rental Cars  

* Indicates required fields

Rental Period:

pickUpDate - dropOffDate

Pick-Up: pickUpTime - Drop-Off: dropOffTime

Pick-Up Location:

pickUpAddress

pickUpAgencyName

pickUpAgencyAddress

Drop-Off Location:

Same as Pick-Up Location

dropOffAddress

dropOffAgencyName

dropOffAgencyAddress

Coupon Override

Please call.

For drivers under the age of 25, additional fees and/or restrictions may apply.

For information and assistance in completing your reservation, please call:

We're unable to find your location.

Alaska Cruise Tours:

A cruise tour is a voyage and land tour combination, with the land tour occurring before or after the voyage. Unless otherwise noted, optional services such as airfare, airport transfers, shore excursions, land tour excursions, etc. are not included and are available for an additional cost.

Alaska: Inside Passage Cruise

7-night royal princess cruise.

From $828 per person* Additional government taxes, fees and port expenses per person: $332 - $342

Princess Cruises

Sail the Inside Passage, a series of channels and waterways formed by the march of glaciers, on your seven-day roundtrip Alaska cruise from Seattle. With an abundance of landmarks and wildlife, take in the sights and sounds of the Inside Passage from the comfort of your ship or on a thrilling excursion ashore. Explore fjords, glaciers and Gold Rush-era towns on weekend voyages out of Seattle.

From its breathtaking piazza-style Atrium to the dramatic views from the glass-floored SeaWalk®, Royal Princess is sure to delight. Relax at The Sanctuary, a tranquil haven reserved for adults, watch the mesmerizing Princess WaterColor Fantasy light and water show, or dine on tantalizing cuisine at venues like Crown Grill and more.

Included Extras

  executive member benefit.

Executive Members receive an annual 2% Reward, up to $1,000, on qualified Costco Travel purchases

  Digital Costco Shop Card

Member Exclusive: Digital Costco Shop Card with every Princess Cruises® sailing†

Sailing Itinerary

Note: Cruise itineraries are subject to change. Please verify ports and times directly with the cruise line.

Port of Call Port of Call (Arrival, Departure)

Seattle, a city on Puget Sound in the Pacific Northwest, is surrounded by water, mountains and evergreen forests, and contains thousands of acres of parkland. Washington State’s largest city, it’s home to a large tech industry, with Microsoft and Amazon headquartered in its metropolitan area. The futuristic Space Needle, a 1962 World’s Fair legacy, is its most iconic landmark.

Considered the "gem" of Southeast Alaska, the city is nestled against the ocean, tucked tight against the mountains and back-dropped by the lush green of the largest national forest in the United States, the Tongass. Visitors will find that Juneau is not only the state's capital, but it's also a melting pot of history, unique topography and jaw-dropping scenery that is found nowhere else on the planet. Whether it's wildlife viewing, glacier trekking, ziplining or just shopping for locally created artwork, visitors to this remote yet extraordinary region will certainly find a bit of "Alaska" to take home.

Skagway, with a population of 862, is located in the Upper Lynn Canal at the northernmost point on the Inside Passage in Southeast Alaska, 100 air miles north of Juneau and 110 road miles south of Whitehorse, Yukon Territory. The City of Skagway is geographically the largest city in Alaska with 455 square land miles. Skagway's history and spectacular natural setting combine to create unparalleled sightseeing and recreation opportunities. Poke around on your own, or select from a variety of commercial tours. Either way, you will be amply rewarded with the sights and activities in and around Skagway.

Glacier Bay

It grinds, cracks and moans as massive pieces of ice split off and crash down. This is not your automatic icemaker on the blink. This is Glacier Bay doing what it's been doing for two centuries. The bay, once covered by sheets of glacial ice, is now a bay revealed. As the glaciers continue to recede, the bay enlarges. Back in 1879, naturalist John Muir was the first to note the glacial movement. Comparing charts from European explorers made 85 years earlier, he determined that the glacial ice had receded by more than 30 miles. Designated a National Park in 1910, today Glacier Bay is a 3.3 million-acre expanse that was buried under a mile-wide wall of ice only 200 years ago. Its natural environment includes five major land ecosystems including wet tundra, coastal western hemlock and spruce forest, alpine tundra, glaciers and icefields, and post-glacial meadows. Each week, dozens of ships traveling the Inside Passage spend the day cruising the 65-mile long bay. As each ship arrives, a National Park Service ranger boards the cruise vessel to provide a running commentary of the treeless mountains, icy fjords, hidden inlets and glacial landscapes as the ship passes by. Glacier Bay isn't just about ice. The ranger will also point out the killer and gray whales, sea otters, porpoises, moose, coyotes, wolves and bears visible in the sea or on the land. Leave your ice pick at home. But don't forget your binoculars.

A city of southeast Alaska on an island in the Alexander Archipelago. A supply point for miners during the gold rush of the 1890s, it is now a major port and tourist center on the Inside Passage. Population: 7,450.

Victoria/Canada

Victoria, capital of British Columbia, sits on the craggy southern end of Vancouver Island. With abundant parkland, it’s known for outdoor activities. The city's British colonial past shows in its Victorian architecture, including stately Craigdarroch Castle mansion. Butchart Gardens, with 55 acres of vivid floral displays, plus statuary, water features and a carousel, is one of many formal gardens in the city.

Onboard the Royal Princess

Royal Princess

Costco Member Reviews

• Year Built: 2012
• Year Refurbished: 2018

Double Occupancy Capacity: 3560

From its breathtaking piazza-style Atrium to the dramatic views from the glass-floored SeaWalk®, Royal Princess® is sure to delight. Relax at The Sanctuary, a tranquil haven reserved for adults, watch the mesmerizing Princess WaterColor Fantasy light and water show, or dine on tantalizing cuisine at venues like Crown Grill and more.

Member reviews become available after at least 5 are received in order to provide you with an accurate picture of this travel product.

Onboard Activities

Activities & services (included in cruise).

• Disco/Nightclub
• Movies Under the Stars®
• Theater/Show Lounge
• Beauty Salon
• Fitness Center
• Fitness Classes
• Pool - Outdoor
• Sports Facilities
• Whirlpool/Jacuzzi
• Art Gallery
• Bars/Lounges
• Children's Indoor Play Area
• Educational Classes
• Organized Age Specific Activities
• Teen Center or Disco
• Teen Programs
• Duty-Free Shops/Boutiques
• Infirmary/Medical Center
• Religious Services
• Self-Service Laundromat
• Wedding/Vow Renewal

Activities & Services (available for an extra fee)

The Sanctuary

• Full-Service Spa
• Spa Services/Massage
• Sauna/Steam Room
• Educational Programs
• Internet Center
• Babysitting
• Dry Cleaning/ Laundry Service

Dining Room

Main Dining

Concerto Dining Room:  After final payment, through the MedallionClass® app, you may request your dining preference with Dine My Way℠. Customize your dining experiences nightly by choosing your seating time, dining companions and dietary needs.

Allegro Dining Room:  After final payment, through the MedallionClass® app, you may request your dining preference with Dine My Way℠. Customize your dining experiences nightly by choosing your seating time, dining companions and dietary needs.

Symphony Dining Room:  After final payment, through the MedallionClass® app, you may request your dining preference with Dine My Way℠. Customize your dining experiences nightly by choosing your seating time, dining companions and dietary needs.

Chef's Table Lumiere

Specialty Dining

Sabatini's℠:  An upscale authentic Italian dining experience in a remarkable eight-course meal. The menu features both local seafood specialties and other regional favorites. This restaurant is available for an additional cost.

Crown Grill℠:  Featuring premium aged beef and fresh seafood items, the Crown Grill℠ offers a truly special dining experience with an open, theater-style kitchen where chefs custom-prepare fresh seafood; such as lobster, scallops, clams and mussels, and cooked-to-order steaks. Set in opulent, rich wood surroundings, this classic steakhouse restaurant offers a warm and personal setting where Princess chefs make dining in the showplace environment something to talk about. This restaurant is available for an additional cost.

Crab Shack:  Seafood lovers won’t want to miss this full crab shack experience. An intriguing bistro option housed within the Horizon Court buffet, Crab Shack diners can savor Bayou-style boiled crawfish and spicy sausage, popcorn shrimp, steaming clam chowder and a tantalizing mixed steamer pot filled with snow crab, jumbo shrimp, clams and mussels. This restaurant is available for an additional cost.

Chef’s Table Lumiere:  A private dining experience that surrounds guests in a curtain of light. This restaurant is available for an additional cost.

Ocean Terrace:  The Ocean Terrace seafood bar is ideal for those who love to feast on the bounty from the sea. This stylish bar offers an array of ocean treasures, including a flight of oyster shooters, sushi and sashimi, ahi tuna poke, king crab cocktail, chili and lime crab margarita, a royal lobster dish, and the world-renowned smoked Balik salmon, the salmon of the tsars. A la carte pricing makes it easy to pick and choose. This restaurant is available for an additional cost.

Vines:  Vines boasts an extensive collection of wines, like Opus One, Super Tuscans, fine sparkling wines and regional offerings for purchase. The menu also includes wine flights and a selection of wines by the glass.

Gelato:  It’s a gelateria and a creperie all in one. Indulge in delicious, Italian-style ice cream creations, including homemade waffle cones, creamy fruit smoothies, frosty shakes, banana and pineapple splits, as well as designer sundaes with and without alcohol. Choose from 20 toppings and sauces, including homemade fudge. And don’t miss the sweet crespelle (Italian crepes), with nutty banana or spiced Washington Apple filling.

Alfredo's Pizzeria

Casual Dining

Horizon Court:  Features top-deck buffet dining at its finest, boasting multiple live stations.

International Café:  Open 24 hours a day, the International Café located in the Piazza is the place for an ever-changing array of small bite meals, treats and gourmet beverages. Grab a freshly baked croissant to start your day, snack on pies and quiche or choose from a wide variety of salads and sandwiches at lunchtime, and indulge in decadent desserts in the evening. Coffee and tea fans will love the New Grounds Crafted Coffee menu featuring a variety of specialty espresso-based drinks made from a custom blend of coffee beans, as well as iced tea fusions.

Alfredo's Pizzeria:  Featuring hand-tossed Neapolitan-style pizza, hot out of the oven.

Trident Grill:  Follow your nose to the Trident Grill where the burgers are flipping and the hotdogs roasting, served with a variety of fixin’s and crisp fries. Veggie burgers, bratwurst and grilled chicken breast are also served and all are sure to hit the spot when you are relaxing out on deck.

Afternoon Tea:  Afternoon tea with finger sandwiches, pastries, scones, cookies, music and white-glove service.

Room Service:  Call for room service delivery or order through OceanNow® in the Princess® MedallionClass® app at any time of the day or night. Guests with the latest Princess Plus and Princess Premier packages enjoy OceanNow® and room service delivery with no charge. Otherwise, a one-time access fee of $14.99 per person per voyage will apply for OceanNow® delivery and a $5 room service fee will apply for each order placed by stateroom phone. To order, guests can press the "Room Service" button on their stateroom phone, or order through OceanNow®.

Disclaimer regarding ship dining

Inside Stateroom

Balcony stateroom, suite stateroom.

Staterooms feature refrigerator, closet and bathroom with shower.

Interior (Category: IA)

Category: IA Approximately 175 sq. ft., this well-appointed interior stateroom provides fine amenities.

Interior (Category: IB)

Category: IB Approximately 166 to 175 sq. ft., this well-appointed interior stateroom provides fine amenities.

Interior (Category: IC)

Category: IC Approximately 166 to 175 sq. ft., this well-appointed interior stateroom provides fine amenities.

Interior (Category: ID)

Category: ID Approximately 166 sq. ft., this well-appointed interior stateroom provides fine amenities.

Interior (Category: IE)

Category: IE Approximately 166 sq. ft., this well-appointed interior stateroom provides fine amenities.

Interior (Category: IF)

Category: IF Approximately 166 sq. ft., this well-appointed interior stateroom provides fine amenities.

Features a private balcony with patio furniture, refrigerator, spacious closet, desk and bathroom with shower.

Balcony (Category: BA)

Category: BA Approximately 222 sq. ft. including balcony, this stateroom provides outstanding views from a private balcony.

Balcony (Category: BB)

Category: BB Approximately 222 sq. ft. including balcony, this stateroom provides outstanding views from a private balcony.

Balcony (Category: BC)

Category: BC Approximately 222 sq. ft. including balcony, this stateroom provides outstanding views from a private balcony.

Balcony (Category: BD)

Category: BD Approximately 222 sq. ft. including balcony, this stateroom provides outstanding views from a private balcony.

Balcony (Category: BE)

Category: BE Approximately 222 sq. ft. including balcony, this stateroom provides outstanding views from a private balcony.

Balcony (Category: BF)

Category: BF Approximately 222 sq. ft. including balcony, this stateroom provides outstanding views from a private balcony.

Balcony (obstructed view) (Category: BW)

Category: BW Approximately 222 sq. ft. including balcony, this stateroom provides a partial or obstructed view from a private balcony.

Premium Deluxe Balcony (Category: D4)

Category: D4 Approximately 242 to 312 sq. ft. including balcony, this aft-facing stateroom provides dramatic wake views. Includes sofa bed.

Deluxe Balcony (Category: DA)

Category: DA Approximately 233 sq. ft. including balcony, this larger than standard balcony stateroom provides outstanding views from a private balcony. Includes sofa bed.

Deluxe Balcony (Category: DB)

Category: DB Approximately 233 sq. ft. including balcony, this larger than standard balcony stateroom provides outstanding views from a private balcony. Includes sofa bed.

Deluxe Balcony (Category: DC)

Category: DC Approximately 233 sq. ft. including balcony, this larger than standard balcony stateroom provides outstanding views from a private balcony. Includes sofa bed.

Deluxe Balcony (Category: DD)

Category: DD Approximately 233 sq. ft. including balcony, this larger than standard balcony stateroom provides outstanding views from a private balcony. Includes sofa bed.

Deluxe Balcony (Category: DE)

Category: DE Approximately 233 - 303 sq. ft. including balcony, this larger than standard balcony stateroom provides outstanding views from a private balcony. Includes sofa bed.

Deluxe Balcony (Category: DF)

Category: DF Approximately 233 sq. ft. including balcony, this larger than standard balcony stateroom provides outstanding views from a private balcony. Includes sofa bed.

Deluxe Balcony (obstructed view) (Category: DW)

Category: DW Approximately 233 sq. ft. including balcony, this larger than standard balcony stateroom provides a partial or obstructed view from a private balcony.

Suites feature balcony, separate sitting area, desk, spacious closet and bathroom with tub and shower.

Premium Club Class Mini-Suite with Balcony (Category: M1)

Category: M1 Approximately 314 sq. ft. including balcony, this spacious stateroom provides a seating area with sofa bed, and full bath with tub and shower.

Premium Club Class Mini-Suite with Balcony (Category: M6)

Category: M6 Approximately 340 sq. ft. including balcony, this extra-large stateroom provides outstanding views with seating area and sofa bed, and full bath with tub and shower.

Mini-Suite with Balcony (Category: MA)

Category: MA Approximately 299 to 329 sq. ft. including balcony, this spacious stateroom provides a seating area with sofa bed, and full bath with tub and shower.

Mini-Suite with Balcony (Category: MB)

Category: MB Approximately 299 sq. ft. including balcony, this spacious stateroom provides a seating area with sofa bed, and full bath with tub and shower.

Mini-Suite with Balcony (Category: MC)

Category: MC Approximately 299 sq. ft. including balcony, this spacious stateroom provides a seating area with sofa bed, and full bath with tub and shower.

Mini-Suite with Balcony (Category: ME)

Category: ME Approximately 299 sq. ft. including balcony, this spacious stateroom provides a seating area with sofa bed, and full bath with tub and shower.

Mini-Suite with Balcony (Category: MF)

Category: MF Approximately 299 sq. ft. including balcony, this spacious stateroom provides a seating area with sofa bed, and full bath with tub and shower.

Penthouse Suite with Balcony (Category: S3)

Category: S3 Approximately 587 to 682 sq. ft. including balcony, the Penthouse Suite features an expansive stateroom and oversized aft-facing balcony. Exclusive suite-only benefits.

Penthouse Suite with Balcony (Category: S4)

Category: S4 Approximately 440 sq. ft. including balcony, the Penthouse Suite features a spacious stateroom with seating area and sofa bed. Enjoy suite-only upgrades and benefits.

Premium Suite with Balcony (Category: S5)

Category: S5 Approximately 554 sq. ft. including balcony, the Premium Suite features a large stateroom with seating area and sofa bed. Enjoy suite-only upgrades and benefits.

• Ship Name: Royal Princess
• Year Entered Present Fleet: 2013
• Maximum Capacity: 3,560
• Number of Passenger Decks: 19
• Number of Crew: 1,346
• Officers' Nationality: British/Italian
• Ocean-View with Balcony: 1,088
• Total Inside Staterooms: 342
• Tonnage (GRT): 141,000
• Capacity Based on Double Occupancy: 3,560
• Country of Registry: Bermuda
• Total Staterooms: 1,780
• Suites with Balcony: 314
• Crew/Hotel Staff Nationality: International

Available Dates & Prices

Departure date, ocean view stateroom, departure date - 05/17/2025, departure date - 05/24/2025, departure date - 05/31/2025, departure date - 06/07/2025, departure date - 06/14/2025, departure date - 06/21/2025, departure date - 06/28/2025, departure date - 07/05/2025, departure date - 07/12/2025, departure date - 07/19/2025, departure date - 07/26/2025, departure date - 08/02/2025, departure date - 08/09/2025, departure date - 08/16/2025, departure date - 08/23/2025, departure date - 08/30/2025, departure date - 09/06/2025, departure date - 09/13/2025, terms & conditions.

*Price shown is per person based on double occupancy and is valid for select stateroom categories only. Click on the Terms & Conditions link below for details.

†One Digital Costco Shop Card per room/stateroom, per stay. The exact amount of the Digital Costco Shop Card will be calculated during the booking process. The Digital Costco Shop Card promotion is nontransferable and may not be combined with any other promotion. A Digital Costco Shop Card will arrive by email approximately 10 days after the start of your cruise. Click on the Terms & Conditions link below for additional information.

© Princess Cruise Lines, Ltd. Ships of Bermudan and British registry.

Digital Costco Shop Card

This booking includes a Digital Costco Shop Card which will arrive by email one to two weeks after you return from your vacation. The Digital Costco Shop Card is a convenient payment option in our warehouses and on Costco.com.

Ship Rating

An outstanding luxury cruise experience with an exceptional level of attention to detail. Expect superb service from all levels of officers and staff.

A very good quality all-around cruise experience aboard a ship that offers a range of facilities and services.

A decent, unpretentious cruise experience, with a moderate amount of space and quality in furnishing and fittings.

A modest quality cruise experience with less attention to detail and service.

Expect a very basic cruise experience with minimal attention to service, hospitality and finesse.

Offers some, but not all, of the amenities and services associated with the next highest star rating.

We are processing your payment.

Do not refresh your browser or exit this page.

Royal Princess

The Royal Princess offers her 3,500 passengers exciting amenities and entertainment. Princess’ largest ever top-deck pool features an evening water and light show, and an upper deck pool -- exclusively for adults -- features plush private cabanas where you can take in the ocean breeze in quiet relaxation. The SeaWalk is the first of its kind at sea, a 60 feet long dramatic over the ocean glass walkway. At night, invite everyone to see the spectacle of water dancing to music on deck as fountains shoot up 33 feet high, choreographed to music. Music lovers will also enjoy Club 6, original music productions, The Voice of the Ocean and many talented guest entertainers. Check out the shops or art auctions to bring home a wonderful souvenir to remind you of your cruise. You can also stay connected to the people back home in the Internet café and library. Relax at the spa while the kids enjoy their own areas. The Lotus Spa features signature treatments, a fully equipped fitness center, a Turkish-style bath, a steam chamber, a dry chamber and a dramatic hydrotherapy pool with a rain shower. No matter what your taste, Princess offers a welcoming atmosphere and innovative offerings that make the ship as much of a destination as any port.

• Detailed Information
• Dining Info
• Wireless Internet
• Special Needs

Bigger ship, better views: 3 takeaways from Princess Cruises' newest vessel

I was rushing to make my dinner reservation on Princess Cruises’ new ship. But when I arrived at the restaurant, the view made me stop.

From the windows at the sushi eatery Makoto Ocean – part of a sphere-shaped structure near the middle of the vessel – I saw the sun sinking below the horizon, a reddish-orange dot on the Mediterranean Sea. The Sun Princess facilitates scenes like that by design.

“We wanted to make sure that within how we designed the (venues) and placed the furniture, we gave maximum opportunity for our guests to be able to celebrate those outward views,” Denise Saviss, Princess’ vice president of entertainment experience, told USA TODAY. “It is really, really unique to have so much glass on the ship.”

Start the day smarter. Get all the news you need in your inbox each morning.

That was one of several striking features during a recent sailing (the ship is now cruising the Mediterranean before it moves to the Caribbean in October). Here are three takeaways from the first in the line’s aptly named Sphere Class.

1. The design showcases views at sea and in port

Makoto isn’t the only venue that offers that kind of view.

Other spaces inside the Sphere – which also houses lobby-slash-entertainment venue The Piazza – feature similarly sweeping vistas across decks 7, 8 and 9. I watched the light sparkle on the water while I sipped coffee one morning at International Café, and patrons dining at Alfredo’s Pizzeria can take in the scenery during their meal from many seats.

That’s also true elsewhere on the ship. At Horizons Dining Room, floor-to-ceiling windows face the ship’s wake. At the other end of the vessel, the Dome, a geodesic structure that Princess has said was inspired by the hills of Santorini, is like a massive solarium.

The space – which will also host shows including acrobatics – has multiple tiers of loungers, an indoor-outdoor pool and the Cascade Bar (which comes in handy for cooling off, as it felt a bit muggy in the Dome at one point on a sunny sea day).

The overall effect helped to bring the outside in.

2. The ship is bigger but still intimate

Sun Princess is the largest ship in the Princess fleet, and the 21-deck vessel can accommodate 4,300 guests. But that doesn’t mean everything is huge.

Given the scale of the offerings, a number of spaces on board feel notably intimate. One night, I walked to Good Spirits at Sea, a cocktail bar crafted in partnership with mixologist Rob Floyd that also hosts classes, and thought I was lost before stumbling upon it tucked around a corner on Deck 7. Inside, the 40-person venue offered a laid-back alternative to other more boisterous nightlife options.

On Deck 9, the ship’s buffet-like venue, The Eatery, gives way to narrower hallways toward the aft with backlit wood paneling and benches. At the end, they open back up to reveal specialty restaurants The Catch by Rudi and The Butcher’s Block by Dario (from Princess’ head of culinary arts, Rudi Sodamin, and in partnership with famed butcher Dario Cecchini, respectively).

Even the multi-configuration Princess Arena felt cozier than its near-1,000-guest capacity would suggest. I sat in the second-to-last row of my section for a performance by the vocal group ODY·C and was still close enough to see clearly.

3. The line leans into family-friendly activities

Part of Sun Princess’ expanded footprint has been used to broaden the line’s family offerings.

Park19, a new space on the ship’s top decks, features a variety of activities in an open-air setting. Saviss said the line worked to balance the interests of core customers and a growing family market “and make sure we're prioritizing spaces that everybody can enjoy.”

“There are some attractions that I think naturally, at first blush, people would say, ‘Oh, it's just for kids,’ but actually, the space is really comprehensive,” she said. “Our attractions are available for many different levels of ability and mobility.”

Those include Coastal Climb, an obstacle course that culminates in 360-degree views from The Lookout observation deck (the highest point accessible to guests on the ship, also reachable via elevator) and The Net ropes course.

On Sea Breeze, billed as the first Rollglider on a cruise ship, passengers will glide along the outer edges of the ship on an electric track (the ride will also be ADA-accessible, though Saviss said some mobility is required for maneuvering into the seat).

It’s as close as the ship gets to an amusement park (Princess’ version). “We're not running the rat race, if you will, of like, who can do it bigger, better,” Saviss said. “If you want to just have a really incredible bird's-eye view of Sun Princess, and in and around where the ship is sailing, you can do that. But there is an option to push a little lever while you're riding it and dial up the speed a bit faster, and then it does become a bit more thrilling.”

The ride was not yet available when I was on board, as the line moved through a testing, certification and training process, but is expected to open on April 27. Sun Princess’ original launch was delayed with the cruise line citing “additional technical work” needed at the shipyard, which pushed back the opening of some onboard amenities.

When is the best time to take a cruise?: We broke it down by region.

There is also a hammock area to chill when guests need a break, a recreational court that can host activities from pingpong to morning meditation, a jogging track and more. Elsewhere on board, guests will find the Firefly Park kids club and hangout spaces Neon Grove and The Underground for tweens and teens, respectively.

The reporter on this story received access to this sailing from Princess Cruises. USA TODAY maintains editorial control of content.  

Nathan Diller is a consumer travel reporter for USA TODAY based in Nashville. You can reach him at [email protected].

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Bigger ship, better views: 3 takeaways from Princess Cruises' newest vessel

Norovirus: Nearly 200 sick in outbreaks on Princess, Royal Caribbean ships, CDC says

FILE - Tourists crowd upper decks and stateroom balconies as the Anthem of the Seas owned by Royal Caribbean International on Aug. 9, 2023, in Lisbon, Portugal. (Photo by Horacio Villalobos#Corbis/Corbis via Getty Images)

Nearly 200 passengers on U.S. cruise ships suffered from diarrhea and vomiting in norovirus outbreaks in April, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The CDC reported that 94 of the 2,532 (3.71%) passengers on Princess Cruises’ Sapphire Princess ship reported getting sick during its current voyage. The 32-day, roundtrip cruise began on April 5 and ends on May 7, according to the cruise tracking and information site CruiseMapper . 

Another 20 of the 1,066 crew members on board also reported getting sick, the CDC said.

Cruise ship rescued 14 stranded at sea for over a week

This was the scene from the lunch buffet during the first full day of cruising for the Icon of the Seas. The crew rescued all 14 from the distressed boat which was dwarfed by the largest cruise ship in the world.

On Royal Caribbean’s Radiance of the Seas ship, 67 of the 1,993 (3.36%) total passengers on board became ill during a voyage that began on April 8 and ended on April 22, according to the agency. Two crew members aboard also got sick. 

In both of the norovirus outbreaks, the main symptoms were diarrhea and vomiting, the CDC said.

Princess Cruises told FOX Television Stations that "at the first sign" of an increase in passengers reporting gastrointestinal illnesses, "we immediately initiated additional enhanced sanitization procedures to interrupt the person-to-person spread of this virus."

"Our sanitization program, includes disinfection measures, isolation of ill passengers and communication to passengers about steps they can take to stay well while onboard," the company told FOX Television Stations.

Royal Caribbean International did not immediately return a request for comment, but the CDC said in its notice that the company also took several steps in response to the outbreak – including isolating the sick passengers and crew members and "increased cleaning and disinfection procedures." 

RELATED: 'Vampire facials' at unlicensed spa likely resulted in HIV infections: CDC

Cruise ships expose passengers to high volumes of people and new environments, which can "create the risk for illness from contaminated food, or water or, more commonly, through person-to-person contact," the CDC says. 

The agency recommends that anyone feeling sick should report their illness. If it happens before the voyage, travelers can ask their cruise line about any possible alternative cruising options. 

Those on board should wash their hands often to prevent illness, as well as get plenty of rest and stay hydrated. 

This story was reported from Cincinnati.