We first sailed on Sun Princess a couple of weeks after the ship launched. Since its inaugural season within the Mediterranean, the vessel has acquired a number of updates. So, we hopped again onboard to see how the ship was totally different. We have returned and share all of the Sun Princess modifications so you understand what has improved and the place the ship nonetheless falls brief in our newest cruise overview.
All the Sun Princess Changes
Better – New Restaurant Locations
Among the Sun Princess modifications, the cruise line has relocated a number of of the eating places to new places. These modifications make full sense as these venues now have extra acceptable houses.
One knock we had on the ship earlier this 12 months was the situation of two specialty eating places. The Catch by Rudi and the Butcher’s Block by Dario had been in the back of The Eatery (buffet) on Deck 9.
This made no sense to us as a result of these are each upscale, upcharge venues. The venues didn’t really feel intimate, nor did they supply the ambiance that the eating places deserved.
Well, we’re completely satisfied to say that the eating places now have their very own devoted areas on Deck 7. The venues haven’t acquired a lot of a makeover concerning décor although. Still, we like that The Catch took the place of the comfortable Signature Restaurant and The Butcher’s Block took the place of the Crown Grill (which additionally relocated).
In line with the a number of restaurant relocations, the Americana Diner moved to the again of The Eatery. This new eating idea debuted on Sun Princess as an off-the-cuff, sit-down restaurant providing a brand new menu of all-day favorites. We had been a fan of the meals however needed to admit that this restaurant fashion felt misplaced on the prime of the luxury three-story predominant eating room.
With the Butcher’s Block by Dario now residing subsequent to the ahead elevators on Deck 7, throughout from Princess Live, Princess Cruises’ traditional steakhouse moved down the corridor. The Crown Grill restaurant is now aft on Deck 7, changing the previous Reserve Collection restaurant. While we did like the brand new design of the Crown Grill’s former location, this new location feels upscale and trendy too.
To accomplish these swaps, Princess Cruises eradicated the eating rooms for the Reserve and Signature-class staterooms, combining them into one venue on the third degree of the primary eating room. In reality, they eradicated these classes of staterooms altogether, which we are going to get to in a bit.
When it involves the primary eating room, the 3-story Horizons Dining Room is now the Soleil Dining Room (Deck 6), Eclipse Dining Room (Deck 7), and The Sancturary Restaurant (Deck 8).
Better – Updated Restaurant Menus
Along with altering out a number of of the restaurant places, a number of the restaurant menus have acquired updates too. In explicit, The Catch by Rudi’s menu is bigger, providing extra choices for starters and entrees. So, followers of this restaurant on different Princess cruise ships can take pleasure in traditional favorites.
Another change we had been glad to see was the enhancement of the Butcher’s Block by Dario menu. This meat-centric eating idea nonetheless boasts a number of programs of varied cuts of beef. However, the menu now consists of additions resembling an oyster appetizer and a Caesar salad course. Guests additionally now have two choices for dessert, with the addition of a tiramisu.
The sushi restaurant on Sun Princess was within the technique of getting a makeover throughout our earlier crusing. Now, Makoto Ocean, in partnership with Chef Makoto Okuwa, is full. This restaurant boasts an improved menu together with barely up to date seating and décor. Now, friends can go for a multi-course, signature sushi dinner expertise or choose from a revamped a la carte menu.
Not but full throughout our final crusing, we had been in a position to expertise Love by Britto on this cruise. Located on Deck 17 aft, this upscale specialty restaurant seamlessly combines implausible views with equally Instagramable plates on its 5-course menu. This cozy restaurant is right for a celebratory dinner together with your family members.
The solely draw back is that the Princess Plus or Princess Premier packages don’t cowl the restaurant.
Additionally, the primary eating room menus have additionally modified to replicate the ship’s new 7-night Caribbean itineraries. But friends don’t have to fret about different eating places. Staples just like the Crown Grill and Sabatini’s nonetheless boast their typical dishes that Princess cruisers have come to like.
Worse – The SkyDeck Sports Court
Poor Park19, the outside deck that by no means was. Princess Cruises made a giant splash asserting this outside sports activities deck for multi-generational households over a 12 months in the past. While not probably the most superior outside area, we had been excited to check out some new options just like the Sea Breeze Rollglider and the Coastal Climb ropes course.
We ought to have identified there have been points with these points of interest throughout our crusing in March. While we often noticed sports activities crew members upstairs, none of them had been ever testing out the gear. I even supplied myself as a check dummy in the event that they wanted extra assist.
However, we had been stunned to be taught lastly that every one the points of interest had been being nixed by the cruise line.
The RollGlider regarded just like the observe for Bolt rollercoaster on Carnival cruise ships. Except, friends would grasp beneath the observe. The two-story ropes course resembled comparable ropes programs on different cruise traces as nicely. So, we aren’t positive how all of the certifications fell aside.
With that being stated, Princess Cruises nonetheless hasn’t enhanced this space. Most of the observe for the RollGilder is gone, and the obstacles and challenges from the rope course have been eliminated. However, lots of the assist options and buildings stay.
It’s but to be decided what is going to come of this area. Given that Princess Cruises had months to develop an alternate design or extra options for this space, it was disappointing to search out that the SkyDeck had no new choices.
We suspect Sun Princess will finally function a sports activities courtroom for pickleball and basketball like not too long ago introduced for Star Princess.
While this isn’t a deal breaker for us, we are able to see how households is likely to be let down.
Worse – The Sun Princess Signature Entertainment
Like many crusing on Sun Princess, we take into account ourselves conventional cruisers. While we’ve got come to understand the versatile eating choices, our nighttime routine remains to be the identical – dinner and a present.
On our first Sun Princess cruise, not one of the cruise traces’ leisure within the Arena or the Dome was prepared. The cruise line promoted 4 signature productions within the Arena, the primary theater, and a further sequence of Cirque Éloize reveals within the Dome.
Thankfully, among the many Sun Princess modifications since our final crusing was the debut of some leisure choices.
During this brief crusing, we had been in a position to see one present in every venue.
While we loved each productions, they actually didn’t dwell as much as the hype.
On Night 2, Viva La Música blasted its approach on stage. With a choice of predictable Latin-inspired songs and some distinctive musical preparations, the playlist was nothing we hadn’t heard in different comparable revue reveals. And whereas Princess Cruises claims that the Arena is probably the most technologically superior theater at sea, there was nothing revolutionary or distinctive included into the present.
Actually, the stage felt too small for the manufacturing. While the present was excessive vitality, and the viewers was engaged, I actually wouldn’t guide a cruise on Sun Princess due to the leisure. In reality, the present we had been most wanting ahead to, Vallora, A Pirate Quest, is already being reimagined.
We did benefit from the present in The Dome extra, Artbeat by Britto. This Cirque Éloize manufacturing took to the sky on the final night time of the cruise when our media group attended a particular exhibiting.
We actually loved the present and the way in which it utilized the options of this area. It boasted aerial acts and different acrobats, with sufficient story and variety in music to maintain us .
But, for others who want to expertise this roughly 25-minute present on income sailings, they could want to attend an hour or extra to snag one of many 250 seats on this leisure venue.
Even with two reveals an evening, The Dome will not be an ample dimension for the ship’s visitor capability. We can be dissatisfied if we booked a cruise on this ship and needed to wait hours in line simply to see manufacturing reveals. Perhaps, a reservation system is required.
Better – The Sanctuary Collection on Sun Princess
Replacing the previous Reserve Collection and Signature Collection stateroom classes, the brand new Sanctuary Collection debuts with Sun Princess’ Caribbean season. This is the cruise line’s try to supply an unique ship-within-a-ship expertise to friends staying in suites and choose different staterooms.
Similar to choices like MSC Yacht Club, Celebrity Cruises’ The Retreat, or NCL’s The Haven, friends staying within the Sanctuary Collection have entry to personal areas of the ship. These embody an unique restaurant and sundeck.
All suites are a part of the Sanctuary Collection, along with a number of mini-suites and premium balconies. These cabins obtain (most of) the identical facilities as nicely.
The most distinguished improve when reserving into the Sanctuary Collection is entry to the Sanctuary Club aft on Deck 18. Previously, this space was a for-fee area that every one friends may buy entry to, with a bit reserved for friends staying in Signature suites.
Now, your complete deck is reserved just for these staying within the Sanctuary Collection. This posh sundeck affords a pool, whirlpool, bar, a number of seating choices, an unique menu of poolside bites, and loads of area to absorb the solar.
Another perk is a non-public restaurant. Aft on Deck 8, changing the previous Americana Diner, is the Sanctuary Restaurant. Offering breakfast, lunch, and dinner, this restaurant boasts enhanced menus. We dined right here on the primary night time of our cruise, and the meals was actually an improve from the primary eating room on Sun Princess.
All friends staying within the Sanctuary Collection additionally obtain the cruise line’s Premier Package as a part of the cruise fare. This add-on package deal makes your trip extra inclusive with the Premier beverage package deal, limitless specialty eating and informal eating, limitless Max WiFi, and crew appreciation, amongst different perks.
However, solely friends in one of many eighty suites onboard can entry the Suite Lounge on Deck 16. This small area affords a bar, implausible ocean views, each day hors d’oeuvres, and first-class service.
While Princess Cruises’ new Sanctuary Collection doesn’t provide all of the facilities of competitor cruise traces, like butler service, we loved our expertise and suppose it’s undoubtedly well worth the improve.
Where Sun Princess Still Shines
While there have been a number of Sun Princess modifications between our two sailings, there are nonetheless loads of locations the place the ship retains its authentic glow. The pool deck affords loads of area with a central pool and informal eating choices, and the huge Sea View terrace sundeck extends all the way in which ahead on the ship.
We get pleasure from a number of of the informal eating choices across the ship as nicely. The International Café, midship on Deck 9, remains to be among the many finest cafes at sea. Open 24 hours a day, it affords candy treats, savory bites, and signature coffees.
Further, Alfredo’s Pizzeria serves a number of the finest pizza at sea. We lastly obtained to pattern a number of the new award-winning pizzas from champion pizzamaker Tony Gemignani. Let’s simply say we are able to see why the New Yorker and Cal Italia pizzas have acquired such accolades.
Spellbound by Magic Castle stays my favourite upcharge expertise at sea. While dear, it delivers a very distinctive and immersive night time of illusions and spirits. We slipped into the parlor for one more go to this crusing and may attest that our second time was simply as mesmerizing and magical as our first. Although, we nonetheless can not touch upon the dinner portion. Perhaps we’d like a 3rd go to to really expertise all of it?
Along with the manufacturing reveals, there’s loads of dwell music and occasions occuring all through the ship. We are massive followers of O’Malley’s Irish Pub, and we aren’t alone. This is among the hottest venues, providing acoustic guitar music, loads of beer, and a implausible time.
The Piazza can be house to a number of actions you don’t need to miss. Whether it’s dance events, sport reveals, or cirque performances, it’s the hub of any Princess Cruises’ ship.
On Sun Princess, the Piazza has been redesigned to supply higher sightlines. Guests can discover a spot within the tiered seating areas surrounding this 3-story open venue.
Other energetic spots embody Crooners for some distinctive cocktails and piano music and Princess Live for sport reveals, trivia, and comedy units. This lounge has a greater setup and vibe than different ships we’ve got sailed on within the fleet.
Thus, like many trendy mega-ships, Sun Princess affords a wide range of issues to do, see, eat, and luxuriate in. It is true that some areas are too small for a ship of this dimension. Yet, with some pre-planning, friends will be capable of benefit from the onboard eating, actions, reveals, and nightlife.
Given there’s a lot to like about this ship, you may see Heidi and I onboard one other crusing sooner or later or maybe on her sister ship, Star Princess, when she debuts.
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