Sun Princess review matters because this is the ship that forced Princess fans to answer a bigger question than usual, do you want Princess to stay classic, or do you want it to evolve?
That is what makes Sun Princess different from a typical new-ship launch. This was not just another Princess vessel sliding into the fleet with a few fresh restaurants and a cleaner design. Sun Princess introduced Sphere Class, and with it came a very different layout, a much more dramatic public-space design, and a version of Princess that feels less traditional and more openly modern.
My own Princess baseline is still shaped by one much older sailing on Ruby Princess. I was younger then, but I still remember how different it felt from the Carnival ships I had done before. Princess came across as calmer, more polished, and more grown-up, not stuffy, just more refined. That memory matters here because Sun Princess is not trying to recreate that exact feel. It is trying to move the brand forward.
Britini and I have not sailed Sun Princess yet, but it is exactly the kind of ship I would look at if I wanted to see how far Princess can modernize without losing the food, service, and calmer energy that made the line stand out to me in the first place.
Before you go deeper, these are the most useful Princess posts to read alongside this one:
- Princess cruise ships by age
- Princess cruise ship classes
- Princess cruise ships by size
- Star Princess review
The biggest takeaway: Sun Princess is the ship to book if you want to try Princess in its boldest, most modern form, but it is not automatically the best fit for cruisers who liked the older version of what Princess used to be.
Table of Contents
Quick Answer: Is Sun Princess Worth Booking?
Yes, but only if you are excited by what makes Sphere Class different.
| If This Sounds Like You | Sun Princess Makes Sense | You May Want Another Princess Ship |
|---|---|---|
| You want Princess to feel newer, bigger, and more visually impressive | Yes | No |
| You prefer calmer traditional ship layouts and easier navigation | Maybe not | Yes |
| You care a lot about striking public spaces, newer dining concepts, and a more current design style | Yes | Maybe |
| You mainly want the cheapest or most familiar Princess cruise | No | Yes |
My read is simple: Sun Princess is worth booking for travelers who want to experience the new direction of Princess, not just the Princess name on a newer hull.
Sun Princess Review: Key Facts at a Glance
| Detail | Sun Princess |
|---|---|
| Maiden voyage | February 28, 2024 |
| North America debut | October 2024 |
| Class | Sphere Class |
| Guests | 4,300 |
| Crew | 1,600 |
| Tonnage | 177,882 |
| Guest cabins | 2,157 |
| Decks | 21 |
| Propulsion | LNG-powered |
| Early deployment | Mediterranean, Europe, and Caribbean |
That alone tells you why Sun Princess matters. This is not just another Princess ship launch. It is the ship that introduced a totally new platform for the line and pushed Princess into a more design-forward, big-ship version of itself.
What You Need to Know Before You Book Sun Princess
Sun Princess Changed Princess More Than Most New Ships Do
This is the key point.
Some new ships feel like slightly shinier versions of what a cruise line already does well. Sun Princess is different. It introduced the Sphere-class design, which means it changed the look, flow, and overall personality of the onboard experience more than most new Princess ships usually would.
That matters because this is not just about getting a newer cabin or a fresher buffet. It is about deciding whether you want Princess in a more open, modern, visually dramatic package.
This Is the First Sphere-Class Ship
That creates both upside and risk.
Sun Princess gets the excitement of being first. It also gets the scrutiny that comes with being the ship where everyone notices what works and what does not. That makes it especially important to read it as a concept ship for the future of Princess, not just a normal fleet addition.
The upside is obvious:
- newer design language
- more contemporary entertainment spaces
- a more ambitious mix of dining and public areas
- a strong sense that Princess is trying to stay current
The trade-off is also obvious:
- first-in-class ships usually get the most adjustment pressure
- traditional Princess fans may not love every change
- some growing pains are more visible on a ship that breaks from the usual formula
The Big-Ship Trade-Off Is Real Here Too
Sun Princess is one of the largest ships Princess has ever built, and you will feel that.
That means more choice, more venues, and more visual wow-factor. It also means more walking, more complexity, and more potential for crowd pressure in the most popular spaces.
This is not a bad thing by itself. It just means the ship works best when you actually want a larger, more layered onboard experience.
Sun Princess Review: What Makes This Ship Different
This is where the ship gets interesting.
The Dome
The Dome is one of the defining spaces on Sun Princess, and it is a big reason the ship feels different from older Princess ships. It functions as a glass-covered pool and relaxation area by day and entertainment venue by night.
That matters because it changes the ship’s identity. Sun Princess feels built around atmosphere and striking public spaces in a way older Princess ships usually are not.
The Piazza
Princess has always had a Piazza concept, but this version is much more dramatic. Sun Princess uses a multi-level, light-filled Piazza that feels more like the visual heart of a modern resort ship than a traditional atrium.
For some cruisers, that will feel like a big upgrade. For others, it may feel less intimate than the older Princess style.
Princess Arena
Sun Princess also introduced the line’s most technologically advanced theater space. That matters because Princess is clearly trying to make entertainment feel more contemporary without turning the ship into an attraction-driven floating amusement park.
Spellbound by Magic Castle and Extra Experiences
This is another sign that Sun Princess is not just bigger. It is also more ambitious about premium-feeling onboard experiences. Spellbound by Magic Castle gave Sun Princess one of the more buzzed-about new add-ons in the fleet, especially for travelers who like immersive entertainment and themed experiences.
How Sun Princess Compares to Star Princess
This is the comparison most readers should care about first.
| Ship | Best Reason to Book | Watch Out For |
|---|---|---|
| Sun Princess | First Sphere-class ship, more review history, often the better value | First-in-class growing pains and fewer refinements than Star Princess |
| Star Princess | Similar concept with some practical upgrades and a later launch | Likely higher pricing for an experience that may feel very similar overall |
Book Sun Princess if:
- you want Sphere Class without paying the premium that often comes with the newest ship
- you like having more real-world feedback already available
- the itinerary works better
Book Star Princess if:
- pricing is close enough that you would rather have the follow-up ship
- you care about tweaks like the larger non-smoking casino footprint, expanded O’Malley’s, and other practical adjustments
- you simply prefer booking the newer version of the same overall concept
If you are making that choice now, read Star Princess review next because that is the clearest side-by-side decision most readers will actually need.
How Sun Princess Compares to the Rest of the Fleet
This is the broader context that helps the decision click.
Start with Princess cruise ship classes if you want the big-picture breakdown, then use Princess cruise ships by size and Princess cruise ships by age to see exactly where Sun Princess sits in the fleet.
The short version:
- older Princess ships tend to feel easier to navigate and more traditional
- Royal Class ships feel modern but more familiar
- Sun Princess feels like Princess making its biggest design leap in years
That leap will be exciting for some cruisers and unnecessary for others.
Sun Princess Review: Cabins and Suites Experiences
Cabin choice matters a lot on a ship this size.
Sun Princess offers a wide range of room categories, including Sanctuary Collection accommodations and suites. Princess is clearly using Sun Princess to push a more premium top-end product, and that is worth paying attention to if you are trying to decide whether to spend up.
What matters most here:
- lots of cabin choice can be a good thing or an overwhelming thing
- top-end accommodations look more premium than many older Princess ships
- the Sanctuary Collection may be appealing if you want a more exclusive feel
- location matters more on a 21-deck ship than many cruisers realize
On a ship this big, I would care a lot about convenience, what is above and below the cabin, elevator access, and whether your daily rhythm is more Dome, Piazza, dining, or outer-deck focused.
Sun Princess Review: Dining Expectations on This Ship
This is still one of the strongest reasons to book Princess.
Princess already has a stronger food reputation than many mainstream cruisers expect, especially among travelers who want a better dining room experience and a calmer onboard vibe. Sun Princess builds on that with a much more ambitious mix of dining spaces and specialty concepts.
What stands out most:
- a wider dining lineup than many older Princess ships
- more specialty dining interest
- more buzz around signature venues
- stronger reason to plan meals ahead on a new ship
The caution is simple:
When a ship opens with several high-interest venues, reservations and peak dining times can matter a lot more.
Sun Princess Review: Entertainment and Onboard Feel
Sun Princess is not trying to be a thrill-ride ship, and that is part of the appeal.
Instead, it looks built around atmosphere, design, live entertainment, and upgraded production spaces. The Dome, Princess Arena, Piazza events, and immersive add-ons all push the ship toward a more contemporary mainstream-premium feel.
That still does not make it the right fit for every cruiser. Travelers who want waterpark energy or nonstop built-in excitement may still find Princess too restrained. But for cruisers who want a more polished and more adult-feeling big ship, Sun Princess looks very appealing.
Who Sun Princess Looks Best For
Sun Princess looks strongest for:
- couples who want a more polished mainstream cruise
- Princess-curious travelers moving up from Carnival or shorter Royal Caribbean trips
- food-focused cruisers who care about atmosphere and service
- travelers who want a big ship without a party-first vibe
- cruisers who like the idea of Princess becoming more current and more visually impressive
Who Should Skip Sun Princess
Sun Princess is probably not your best fit if you are looking for:
- the most traditional Princess experience
- a smaller or easier-to-learn ship layout
- the lowest fare in the Princess fleet
- nonstop family attractions
- a cruise where the ship’s main appeal is adrenaline-style fun
That matters because a lot of people hear “new Princess ship” and assume it must be the best choice by default. It depends what you actually like about Princess.
Sun Princess Review: Common Mistakes to Avoid
Booking Sun Princess Just Because It Is Newer
Why it is a problem: The newest-looking ship is not always the best fit if you actually prefer older Princess ships or simpler layouts.
Extra considerations: Sun Princess changed the Princess formula more than many readers may realize.
Better alternatives: Use Princess cruise ship classes and Princess cruise ships by size before assuming Sphere Class is automatically your best match.
Expecting a Traditional Princess Feel Everywhere Onboard
Why it is a problem: Sun Princess is still Princess, but it is a more ambitious and more modern version of the brand.
Extra considerations: Some longtime Princess fans may love that change. Others may miss the older layout style and easier flow.
Better alternatives: Book Sun Princess because you want the newer Princess direction, not because you expect it to feel exactly like the rest of the fleet.
Underestimating How Much Size Changes the Experience
Why it is a problem: On a 21-deck ship, cabin location, walking patterns, and crowd flow matter more than people think.
Extra considerations: It helps to know where Sun Princess fits in the fleet by both generation and overall size.
Better alternatives: Use Princess cruise ships by age and Princess cruise ships by size, then choose your cabin with your real habits in mind.
Step by Step: How to Decide Whether Sun Princess Is Right for You
1. Decide whether you want Princess in a newer or more classic form
That is the core decision.
2. Compare Sun Princess with Star Princess first
For many readers, this will be the most practical next step.
3. Think about what you like most on a cruise
If atmosphere, food, and calmer big-ship energy matter more than attractions, Sun Princess looks stronger.
4. Check itinerary and pricing before defaulting to the newer-looking ship
The smarter buy is not always the one with the most launch buzz.
5. Choose your cabin carefully
On a ship this size, location is part of the experience.
Sun Princess review: FAQs
Has Sun Princess launched yet?
Yes. Sun Princess began service on February 28, 2024.
What class is Sun Princess?
It is the first Sphere-class ship in the Princess fleet.
Is Sun Princess bigger than older Princess ships?
Yes. It is one of the largest ships Princess has ever built.
Is Sun Princess better than Star Princess?
Not automatically. Sun Princess may be the better value, while Star Princess may feel like the more refined version of the same concept.
Is Sun Princess good for couples?
Yes. Couples are one of the clearest fits for this ship.
Is Sun Princess good for families?
It can work for families, but it is not a family-attractions-first cruise ship.
Does Sun Princess feel more upscale than Carnival?
Yes, that is still how Princess often comes across. It usually feels calmer, more polished, and more grown-up overall.
What is the biggest difference between Sun Princess and older Princess ships?
Sun Princess feels more modern, more visually dramatic, and more ambitious in its public-space design.
Is Sun Princess worth booking in 2026?
Yes, especially if you want a newer Princess ship and like the Sphere-class direction.
Would I book Sun Princess?
Yes, especially if the price was better than Star Princess on the right itinerary.
Jim’s Take on Sun Princess review
Sun Princess review comes down to this for me, this is the ship that tells you whether you like the future of Princess, not just the past of Princess.
That is why I find it so interesting. My one early Princess sailing on Ruby Princess left me with a very specific impression of the brand: calmer, more polished, and more grown-up than the Carnival ships I had done before. That memory still shapes how I think about Princess now.
So when I look at Sun Princess, I am not just asking whether it looks nice. I am asking whether Princess can modernize without losing the things that made the line feel more refined in the first place.
Britini and I have not sailed Sun Princess yet, so I am not going to fake certainty. But on paper, I think this ship makes the most sense for travelers who already like the idea of Princess and want that experience in a bigger, more contemporary package.
If it were me, I would seriously look at it for a longer Europe or Caribbean itinerary where the ship’s atmosphere, food, and design would have room to matter.
I would not book Sun Princess just because it is new. I would book it because I specifically wanted the Sphere-class version of Princess.
Final Recommendation on Sun Princess Review
If you want to see where Princess is headed next, Sun Princess is absolutely worth a serious look.
Book it for the Sphere-class design, the more modern public spaces, the broad dining and entertainment lineup, and the more polished overall feel compared with louder mainstream options.
Skip it if you prefer smaller Princess ships, easier layouts, lower fares, or a more traditional onboard style.
The smartest way to think about Sun Princess is simple: it is not just a newer Princess ship. It is the ship that changed what a Princess cruise can feel like. Learn more about sun princess here. This Sun Princess review shows that the ship is a strong choice for travelers who want a more modern and polished Princess experience.
