I Went on the Sun Princess Cruise Ship in the Mediterranean, and Now It’s My Entire Personality

It’s been over a decade since the cruise line has introduced a new fleet class, and at 139 feet wide, 1,133 feet long and 200 feet high, the Sun Princess does not disappoint. Still, it’s smaller than a behemoth like the Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas, so I never got overwhelmed or lost, and I was able to explore the entire ship in seven days with my best friend in tow. Taking inspiration from the sun, design elements of the ship includes expansive windows to bring it natural light and large deck areas to bring in more guests. Speaking of guests, the ship can house 4,300 passengers and 1,600 crew members, and has five pools (including one indoors) and nine hot tubs. All this to say, even though the Sun Princess paints itself as a family fun vessel, I see it more for adults. Yes, it does offer kids clubs and fun activities (like an obstacle course, splash zone and dry slides), but it’s a small offering compared to Royal Caribbean’s water slides, Carnival’s mini golf or Norwegian’s race track. I’m not saying don’t go with the kiddos, but I think it’s better suited for adults, couples or fun bestie getaways.  

I went on a six-day cruise, which stopped in Gibraltar, Marseille, Provence, Genoa and La Spezia. It was my first time on a Mediterranean cruise, so I made it my mission to get off the ship at every port. I’m accustomed to sandy beaches and Caribbean music, but these French and Italian cities were the complete opposite. You are mostly thrown in local neighborhoods, so it’s best to plan ahead if you want to explore beyond the port stops. I recommend booking a few excursions that provide a closer look into their breathtaking landscapes, delicious food and staple landmarks. I did one excursion: Pisa, Tuscan Countryside and Wine Tasting. It was a great way to venture out of the port area, sip some Tuscan wine and see the Leaning Tower of Pisa for the first time. (It’s way harder to do the standing pose than you think, folks.)

My bestie and I stayed in a Cabana Mini-Suite, which includes a spacious bathroom, a full closet filled with cubbies for organizing clothes, two twin beds (that can be pushed together for a queen) and a large couch. The mini suite (a new upgrade from the line) has more private lounging space than I’ve seen before, including a very large balcony and well-furnished cabana with an additional outdoor furniture and TV (epic). My friend and I spent our time in each space, whether it was taking in the spectacular views, watching movies and pigging out on room service or phoning our families back in the States. It’s definitely a great amount of space for a traveling pair.

The Sun Princess has over 30 dining and lounge spaces—and I tried most of them (there’s only so much I can eat and drink in a week). Now, all Princess ships typically have a sit-down dining option and a buffet, but Sun Princess takes it up a notch by offering three different complimentary dining floors. However, I highly recommend trying a specialty restaurant at least once. My favorite was The Butcher’s Block, a meat lover’s paradise created by famous butcher Dario Cecchinin, where you sit family style with other passengers as you taste everything from the pancia (beef belly) to costata alla fiorentina (bone-in ribeye). Another favorite was Love by Britto for a romantic date night…or celebrating a first friends trip (like I did). The decor, the food, the drinks and even the silverware were covered in hearts. Created by Romero Britto, it had some of the most delicious entrees and cocktails on the ship. (I’m still thinking about the wild mushroom soup, heart-shaped chocolate lava cake and the Strawberry Love Potion cocktail.) The restaurant is also located on the back of the ship, so you get a breathtaking view of the sea.

Sun Princess also offers a Royal Afternoon Tea, which includes a presentation from IRL staff and video from Darren McGrady, a former Royal chef of Queen Elizabeth. Guests can drink a tea of their choice, while snacking on sandwiches, scones and cakes. I appreciated learning the history of tea and tidbits about the royal family. (Fun fact: Queen Elizabeth wasn’t a huge fan of scones and often gave them to her Corgis.)  The Spellbound by Magic Castle brings magic and mixology together in a part speakeasy-dinner, part immersive magic show. Without giving every detail away, I'll say this: it was awesome. 

I saw Art Beat at The Dome, a glass-enclosed venue with panoramic views of acrobats and floating set pieces. I also watched a pirate-inspired '80s musical: Vallora: A Pirate Quest. The ship has your typical trivia, wellness amenities (like fitness center, spa and salon), casino and shops, but I was more interested in karaoke and dancing the night away in the central Piazza where there constantly buzzing (and blissful, like morning yoga) activities. 

Final Thoughts

I’ve been on quite a few cruises, but this ship might be my favorite one yet. Whether I was trying out immersive dining or dancing my way through the Piazza, Sun Princess exceeded my expectations. It also had the nicest passengers and staff I’ve ever met. I will never forget this lasting advice from a 60-something cruiser, “When you get older, you stop caring about what people think of you. Start living and travel as much as you can.” Maybe I’ll start a bit early.