⭐ Princess Thermal Suite Comparison (2026–2027)
A Lazy Girl guide to heated loungers, hydrotherapy pools, cool rooms, cold washcloths, and the real differences between the Sphere Class and Royal Class thermal suites — based only on what I’ve personally experienced.
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Some people cruise for the entertainment, the shows, the nightlife, the endless activities. I cruise for the relaxation. That’s what makes cruising so great — everyone gets to live their best life at sea, and for me, that life is wrapped in a robe inside the thermal suite. My friends don’t even bother asking where I am anymore; they know you’ll find me on a heated lounger, drifting between the therapy pool and the steam rooms with my favorite face masks in hand. I make a whole morning or evening of it — quiet, calm, cozy, and completely mine. The thermal spa is my happy place, and after sailing both Sphere Class and Royal Class ships, I’ve learned exactly what makes each one special.
Need a cute suit for the thermal spa? These are the ones I wear →
🌸 Overview: What This Comparison Covers (and Why)
I only write about what I’ve personally experienced — so this comparison focuses on the Princess ships where I’ve actually used the thermal suite:
And coming soon:
Enchanted Princess — June 2027. We’re skipping long sit‑down dinners and doing the buffet so we can maximize spa time. Priorities.
Star Princess — December 2026 Full Sphere Class comparison update coming.
I haven’t sailed Island Princess yet, but I am trying the thermal suite next — even though I’ve read mixed reviews. This spa lover has to know for herself.
If you’re new to thermal suites, you can read my beginner guide explaining what a thermal spa is and how it works on cruise ships. And if you’re planning a Princess cruise, my full Princess Guide is the perfect companion to this comparison.
This guide will continue to grow as I sail more ships, but everything here is based on firsthand experience.
🛏️ Heated Loungers: Sphere vs Royal Class
Heated loungers are the #1 thing people care about — and the difference is bigger than Princess ever advertises.
⭐ Sphere Class (Sun Princess)
8 heated loungers
Modern, contoured, beautifully spaced
Best design and comfort
Can fill up on sea days
⭐ Royal Class (Majestic & Sky Princess)
12 heated loungers (my verified count)
More loungers than Sphere Class
Best availability, especially for couples
Warm, comfortable place to relax
My heated lounger on the Sun Princess
Here’s the funny thing: Sun Princess has fewer heated loungers, but I never once struggled to get one. The spa is so spread out that people weren’t hoarding loungers like they do on the smaller Royal Class ships. Sure, I saw a few folks “reserve” one while they went to float in the therapy pool for 20 minutes, but even then, I always found a spot. The vibe is just calmer — people move around instead of claiming a lounger for the entire day.
🌊 Hydrotherapy Pool: Size, Jets & Vibe
The hydrotherapy pool is the heart of the thermal suite — and Sphere Class wins on size.
⭐ Sphere Class
Massive therapy pool
Strong jets
Enough room to float without bumping into anyone
Warm, not hot
Best overall experience
⭐ Royal Class
Medium‑sized pool
Jets vary by ship
Can get crowded on sea days
Best pool overall: Sun Princess
Best pool for couples: Royal Class
Best pool for solo relaxation: Sphere Class
🔥 Steam Rooms & Specialty Rooms
Both classes offer a full thermal circuit, but the feel is different.
⭐ Sphere Class
Best eucalyptus steam
Modern salt room
Intense hot steam room
Cool room
Modern, spa‑circuit feel
⭐ Royal Class
Good eucalyptus steam
Cold washcloths (the classic Princess touch; the Sun did not have these)
More traditional spa vibe
⭐ My Real Experience
I love both experiences. The Sphere Class thermal suite felt larger and more luxurious, but I did miss the cold washcloths I’m used to on Royal Class ships. The cool room was a lovely replacement, though — a quiet, refreshing space to unwind before heading out. I only used it once to be honest.
I love the thermal spa so much I recreate the experience at home without the heated loungers →
💅 Sphere Class Spa Layout: Double‑Decker Luxury
This is where Sphere Class truly stands out — and it’s something I’ve personally experienced.
⭐ Deck 15 — Ocean‑View Salon
Mani/pedi stations
Hair styling
Brow/lash services
Nail bar
Beauty lounge
Retail boutique
Floor‑to‑ceiling ocean views
I had an incredible mani/pedi on Sun Princess while looking straight out at the ocean — warm light, calm sea, and the kind of peaceful vibe you only get on a brand‑new ship.
⭐ Decks 5 & 6 — Spa Suite
Hydrotherapy pool
Heated loungers
Salt room
Eucalyptus steam
Hot steam room
Cool room
Experience showers
Relaxation areas
It feels like a resort spa, not a cruise ship spa.
On Sun Princess, the thermal suite itself is only on Deck 6, but the full spa spans Decks 5 and 6, with treatment rooms, relaxation areas, and the salon located across both levels.
⭐ Royal Class (Majestic & Sky Princess)
Royal Class spas are excellent — but they’re single‑deck and more traditional:
12 heated loungers
Medium hydrotherapy pool
Steam rooms
Relaxation area
Salon nearby but not integrated
Still wonderful — not luxury‑tier like Sphere Class.
💰 Pricing: What You Actually Pay
All my upcoming Princess sailings list the thermal suite at $199, but I’ve learned the price isn’t always fixed. I’ve caught it on sale several times and grabbed it immediately — including $149 for my upcoming Star Princess sailing and $99 for my Island Princess sailing (5 days). If you’re flexible and check often, Princess does quietly drop the price, especially right before a cruise or on shorter itineraries
If you want the exact verified spa menu and prices from my August Sun Princess sailing, here’s the full post: Sun Princess Spa Menu & Prices (2026)
🧘♀️ Vibe & Atmosphere
⭐ Sphere Class
Warm lighting
Modern design
Cocoon‑like privacy
Ocean‑view salon adds luxury
⭐ Royal Class
Bright, airy
Some suites have windows
Classic Princess spa feel
🛳️ Which Princess Ship Has the Best Thermal Suite?
Based only on the ships I’ve personally sailed:
🥇 Best Overall Spa Experience: Sphere Class (Sun Princess)
Luxury, size, modern design, ocean‑view salon, cool room.
🥈 Best Thermal Suite Availability: Royal Class (Majestic & Sky)
12 loungers = best chance of getting a spot.
🥉 Best Classic Spa Experience: Royal Class
Cold washcloths + familiar layout.
🧭 What’s Next in My Spa Series
I’m not slowing down anytime soon — every one of my upcoming Princess cruises has a thermal spa, and I plan to keep experiencing them all. In April 2027, I’m sailing Majestic Princess again because I want my friend to experience the Royal Class thermal suite for herself. And in January, I’m finally trying the thermal spa on Crown Princess, which will add another Royal Class comparison to this guide. Between those, my Star Princess sailing in December and Enchanted Princess in June 2027, I’ll have even more firsthand spa reviews coming. If there’s a thermal suite onboard, I’m booking it — again and again.
Final Thoughts
The thermal spa is my happy place — full stop. It’s the reason I cruise, the place my friends know they’ll find me, and the part of every sailing I look forward to the most. Give me a heated lounger, a therapy pool, a quiet corner, and my favorite face mask, and I’m living my best life at sea. Sphere Class or Royal Class, it doesn’t matter… I’ll book the thermal suite every single time.
⭐ About the Author
Julie Davis is a travel advisor and cruise expert who sails Princess Cruises multiple times per year and specializes in MedallionClass technology, onboard spa experiences, and Plus/Premier strategy. She runs NoPointLeftBehind.net, a comprehensive resource for cruise guides, points travel, and Princess‑specific trip planning.
