Ship review: This ocean Princess is a model of advanced design

Sun Princess

THE NUMBERS

• The cruise Athens to Barcelona (7 days)
• The ship Built 2024
• Passengers 4300
• Crew 1600
• Decks 21
• Length 1133 feet (345.3metres)

A heart of glass – the all-new Sun Princess.

The Ship

“Love, exciting and new. Come aboard, we’re expecting you.” The theme song from The Love Boat, the popular TV series from the ’70s, is stuck in my head as I board the newly launched Sun Princess, the largest in the Princess Cruises’ fleet and first in the new sphere-class, so named for the ship’s soaring glass spheres.

While the line is justifiably proud of its long-standing Love Boat connection (watch all nine seasons on the in-room movie channel or follow Captain Paolo Arrigo, aka The Real Love Boat Captain, on Instagram) this is very much a ship for the future. The first LNG-powered (liquified natural gas) vessel in the cruise line, there’s a lot to love about this “next-generation” Princess ship. I’m joining in Athens, barely two weeks after her official naming ceremony in Barcelona in April.

Boarding

The recognisable Seawitch logo is still here – flying on flags, emblazoned across the bow – and now it’s on my phone, in the form of a smart phone app. Bye Bye Julie McCoy, the clipboard wielding cruise director, and hello MedallionClass technology, an AirTag-sized disc that can do everything from ensuring a seamless boarding, to bringing food or drinks to wherever you are, to tracking family members (and MIA husbands).

The spectacular main hub, known as The Piazza.

In the days prior we’d uploaded our details to the Princess app and received a time bracket and QR code for checking-in in Athens. After receiving our medallion we’re in the “green lane” and heading to the pool deck, where the joy of sailing away as The Love Boat tune blares from the ship’s horn cannot be underestimated.

The design

Horizons dining room.

When the designers sketched out plans for a revolutionary new Princess ship (on a cocktail napkin no less) their first thought was to create a silhouette that was visually distinctive. These clever creatives came up with the idea for two glass-enclosed venues – The Dome, a geodesic-shaped structure, which sits top and forward like a crystal cap, and the globe-like Sphere Atrium, the namesake of this new class of ship, which suspends the central Piazza hub out over the water on both sides. The result is a ship unlike any other, with smooth lines and gentle curves, all designed to connect passengers with the outside world.

The spaces

This is where the aptly named Sun Princess really shines, with enough public spaces that the ship never feels crowded (except the International Cafe at peak caffeine hour). The Dome offers the best of both worlds: A terraced pool deck by daylight, a stage by starlight, while the glass-enclosed Piazza is the main hub, with each of its three levels offering views of the stage and access to any number of bars. Try Bellini’s cocktail bar for sundowners or Crooner’s Bar for soft piano melodies. The infinity Wake View pool at the back of the ship becomes my favourite spot to relax, while bidding farewell to our latest port. Ciao Napoli.

The stateroom

A Cabana mini-suite stateroom.

As I approach my stateroom the touchpad recognises my medallion and clicks open, very convenient when you have a hot tea in one hand and a sneaky pastry in the other. Being the biggest ship in the cruise line’s history, the Sun Princess has been able to redesign its categories and offer more balcony staterooms than ever. I’m in a new cabana mini-suite on deck 10, with a private cabana (complete with sofa and flat-screen TV) plus a separate balcony. Inside there’s a queen bed, desk and chair, en-suite, spacious closet and a three-seater couch. A second TV, mini-fridge, safe and hairdryer complete the picture. The decor is pared back, yet elegant, with a modern-lux feel befitting such an innovative ship. The Sanctuary Collection – exclusive to suite guests – will debut in September 2024.

The food

Inside Horizons dining room.

I’ve done the maths. At three meals a day for seven days I’ll never sample all of the 30 restaurant and bar options. Flowing across three levels, Horizons is the main dining venue, with deck 6 boasting the best wake views. The Eatery is a buffet reimagined, with various international food stations and staff serving the food (less wastage). If you only try one speciality dining experience (extra cost) make it The Butcher’s Block by Dario, a collaboration with the world’s most famous butcher, Dario Cecchini. Other speciality dining standouts include Spellbound by Magic Castle and Umai Teppanyaki. O’Malley’s Irish Pub, Alfredo’s pizzeria and the Lido offer casual dining, while Good Spirits at Sea is an intimate, 40-seat bar with creations by celebrity mixologist Rob Floyd.

Wellness

The two-level Lotus Spa and Salon is all about pampering, while the Fitness Centre and Wellness Studio offers an extensive range of classes and seminars. If you prefer your wellness with a dose of sea air, there are five swimming pools, nine hot tubs and a walking track. Personally, my comfortable stateroom bed – designed in collaboration with a board-certified sleep expert no less – provides the ultimate in holiday wellness. So does watching Barbie on the in-room movie channel.

Entertainment

Inside the Dome.

From Cirque Eloize in The Dome to a musical in the Princess Arena to catching a comedy in Princess Live there’s an ocean of choices. Peruse the daily events list (who can refuse a silent disco?) or simply turn up at the Piazza, where there’s always something happening. The Shops of Princess boasts more than 200 brands, while kids, tweens and teens are catered for with three kids’ clubs and Park 19, a three-level activity zone with nine outdoor activities including the first-at-sea Rollglider (not open at time of writing). The casino is the largest in the Princess fleet.

The crew

Without exception the staff are ever helpful, always polite, super efficient and cheerful. At first I wondered how they knew my name and had memorised my favourite beverage (Earl Grey tea) until I realised their handheld devices can read my medallion at five paces. Any problems on the first day were quickly sorted by Guest Services staff, who deserve a standing ovation for their endless patience.

The verdict

The Sun Princess is a model of advanced design, craftsmanship and technology (three cheers for fast and reliable Wi-Fi). Returning Princess guests will be delighted to see that many of the line’s signature features have been retained, with the addition of a wider range of accommodations and more features for multi-generational families.

The details

Fares for a Cabana mini-suite on a seven-night Mediterranean voyage departing Barcelona on April 26, 2025, visiting France and Italy, and finishing in Rome from $3739 a guest on a Princess Premier package. This includes Wi-Fi (up to four devices per guest), premier beverage package, two speciality dining meals and unlimited fitness classes. There are 51 accessible staterooms. See princess.com/sun-princess

Our rating out of five

★★★★½

Swell Enjoying a pizza at Alfredo’s while looking straight down to the water through the glass Sphere Atrium

Not so swell I could never get a seat for a meal at O’Malley’s. Too popular for its own good

The writer was a guest of Princess Cruises.