Sun Princess

The ship’s 2,157 staterooms run the gamut from small (about 140 square feet) inside cabins to the spacious 1,262-square-foot Sanctuary Sky Suite, with room for five guests in its two bedrooms (plus sofa bed). In between are standard exterior staterooms at 212 square feet, slightly larger deluxy balcony rooms and tantalizing Cabana Mini Suites, with their balcony and folding glass doors that fully open onto a spacious shared outdoor cabana deck with daybeds and lounges. All rooms come with mini fridges, big flat-screen TVs, hair dryers and showers with glass doors (a nice change from the more standard curtains). There are a total of 80 Signature Collection suites, 123 mini suites and 100 connecting staterooms. The ship has four inside staterooms designed for solo travelers.

There are 51 accessible staterooms onboard, from fully accessible to fully accessible (single side approach) to ambulatory accessible. All have wider doors. Princess also provides assistance to those with visual or hearing impairments. Guests who are bringing mobility devices aboard must fill out a mobility questionnaire at least 60 days before sailing.

Partnering with celebrity chefs has elevated the specialty dining experience for those willing to pay extra fees. Highlights include fresh and buttery-soft sushi at Makoto Ocean (Iron Chef competitor Makoto Okuwa), uber-romantic surroundings and artistic dishes at Love by Britto (artist Romero Britto), fresh ingredients and just-right crust at the casual Alfredo’s Pizzeria (13-time World Pizza Champion Tony Gemignani) and beef, beef and more beef at the Butcher’s Block by Dario (Italian butcher Dario Cecchini, featured on Netflix). Dependable specialty dining is also available at Princess stalwarts Sabatini’s and the Crown Grill. Casual options for all guests include the Eatery, a big buffet-style venue with outdoor dining on the Promenade, as well as the table-service Americana Diner (think of an Applebee’s). Two more formal dining rooms, the Soleil and Eclipse, are available to all passengers.

Note that the line offers two packages–Princess Premier ($90 p/p daily) and Princess Plus ($60 p/p daily)–that bundle wi-fi access, tips, drink packages, dining access and more. The premier package includes unlimited specialty meals, unlimited fitness classes, reserved theater seating and unlimited premium drinks valued at up to $20 each.

More than 10 drinking venues range from the refined Bellini’s Cocktail Bar to the lovely outdoor Sea View Bar and Wake View Terrace, with its infinity pool. The music at O’Malley’s Irish Pub is compelling, but for nonstop entertainment visit Good Spirits at Sea, where mixologist Rob Floyd’s crew serves up destination-based cocktails and steady doses of laughter. Good Spirits at Sea is also the cozy spot for an afternoon tea ($30 charge) with video narration from Darren McGrady, longtime chef to Queen Elizabeth II and Princess Diana.

They might just as easily have called it “Fun Princess.” The usual bevy of daily onboard distractions are on tap, from Zumba to quiz shows to wine tasting. Sun Princess really shines, however, through its reimagined entertainment spaces – the 990-seat Princess Arena (think big musicals in the round), the 250-seat the Dome (aerial acrobatics by a troupe from Cirque Éloize) and the immersive Spellbound by Magic Castle experience (special dinner, a themed whimsical bar and an intimate magic show laced with comedy), which carries a $149 per-person surcharge. In particular, the musical variety shows in the Arena are some of the best at sea.

Foot-stomping bands perform at the dark, intimate O’Malley’s Irish Pub, a pianist can often be found at Crooners, and musicians pack in crowds at the Piazza from afternoon until late. Club music and comedy shows are aimed for adults, but the mainstream shows in the arena and dome are suitable for younger guests.

The modern Fitness Center (with Precor treadmills, ellipticals and stationary bikes) on deck 18 commands glass-wall views of the pool area and ocean. Fitness classes and personal trainers are available for a fee. The adjacent Lotus Salon offers hair, nail and other grooming treatments ranging from $19 to $199.

The Lotus Spa (note: on decks 5 and 6, a hike from the fitness center and salon) has a range of massage, IV therapies, acupuncture and more that start at $39 and go up into the hundreds. The spa’s Enclave (pass required; price varies on cruise length) includes a hydrotherapy pool, saunas and steam rooms, and heated stone beds.

The outdoor SkyDeck Sport Court & Track on deck 19 includes–surprise!–a jogging track and sport court.