Sun Princess Review 2026: Real Photos, Honest Impressions, and Tips
(And Why I’m Counting Down to the Star)
I’ve sailed the Sun Princess twice now, and I can honestly say it’s my favorite cruise ship at the moment. It’s modern, bright, airy, and full of thoughtful spaces that make the ship feel both exciting and relaxing at the same time.
Princess built a ship that matches the way I cruise — slow mornings, ocean views, shaded corners, great food, and time with my husband. I don’t cruise for shows or big productions. I cruise for the vibes, the views, the wandering, and the quiet moments that make a week at sea feel like a reset button.
If you want to see my original review from last year, you can read it here: Last Year’s Sun Princess Review
This post contains affiliate links. If you click through a link and make a purchase, I may earn a small commission — at no extra cost to you. I only recommend tools I personally use and love.
🏖️ I Don’t Do Shows — I Do Vibes
I still haven’t seen a single show on Princess. Not one. Not even a “maybe later.”
Shows just aren’t my thing. I cruise for:
wandering the decks
watching the ocean
finding shady spots
grabbing snacks
exploring the ship
relaxing with Brandon
And the Sun Princess is perfect for that kind of cruising. Every deck has a nook, a breeze, a shaded spot, or a little overlook that feels like your own private hideaway.
🧖♀️ The Thermal Spa + My Massage + My Pedi = Heaven
Let’s talk about the thermal spa, because this is where the Sun Princess absolutely shines.
The heated loungers? The sauna? The relaxation rooms? The ocean views? It’s everything I want in a sea day.
I booked a massage and a pedicure, and both were amazing — the kind of treatments that make you feel like you’re floating for the rest of the day.
Sun Princess Thermal Spa Review
If you love spa days as much as I do, here’s everything I pack for the thermal suite — all tested, all used, all in my suitcase: Thermal Spa Essentials
🍽️ The Lido Deck: Four Restaurants, Endless Options
One of the smartest things Princess did on the Sun Princess is the Lido Deck Eatery — it’s not one buffet, it’s four separate restaurants, each with its own vibe and menu.
On my last sailing, I tried two of the four, and they were both so good that I immediately regretted not pacing myself better.
But don’t worry — on the Star Princess, I’m hitting every single one.
🍜 The Ramen Bar (Inside The Eatery)
This was the surprise MVP of my last cruise. I made mine super spicy, loaded with toppings, and it was exactly the cozy, flavorful meal I wanted after a long port day.
🎰 The Casino: Tiny Non‑Smoking Section… But Honestly? That Saved Me Money
I’ll be honest — I didn’t love the casino on the Sun Princess. The non‑smoking section is tiny, and because of my asthma, I didn’t spend as much time there as I normally do.
But you know what? It probably saved me money, so maybe Princess did me a favor.
Sun Princess Casino Review
🍹 My New Favorite Drink: The Twisted Dirty Banana
The Twisted Dirty Banana? I’m obsessed. Creamy, cold, a little boozy — it’s the perfect “I’m on vacation” drink.
But don’t worry — I’m still loyal to my 24K Margarita. She’s the queen. She’s the moment. She’s the personality trait.
🧡 My Favorite Way to Cruise: Relaxing With My Husband
This is the part that matters most to me.
I cruise to spend a relaxing week with my husband — no schedules, no rushing, no pressure to “do it all.” The Sun Princess gives us space to slow down, reconnect, and enjoy the simple things:
walking the decks
watching the ocean
grabbing snacks from the Lido Eatery
finding shady spots to sit and talk
sipping our favorite drinks
taking spa days
enjoying quiet mornings at the International Café
It’s the kind of ship that makes you feel like you’re on vacation the entire time — not just when you’re doing something “big.”
⭐ And Now… Bring On the Star Princess
I’ve sailed the Sun twice with the Premier package, so this next sailing on the Star Princess is going to be a whole new vibe — no package, and I’m actually excited about it.
Because the Star has:
The Ramen Bar
The Lido Deck’s four restaurants (I’m hitting all of them this time)
The International Café
All the cozy corners and shaded spots I love
I’ll be comparing the two ships in real time here: Sun Princess vs Star Princess
Shop my Athleta Favorites for travel →
⭐ Explore More Princess Resources
If you’re already dreaming about your next sailing, here are the two guides you’ll want next:
🍽️ Princess Dining Hub
Every restaurant, every menu, every tip — all in one place. Princess Dining Hub
🚢 How I Booked the Star Princess
Casino offers + points & miles + smart timing. If you want to see the exact strategy I used to book my upcoming Star Princess sailing, here it is: How I Booked the Star Princess
💁♀️ Final Thoughts
The Sun Princess is the ship that made me fall in love with cruising all over again. It’s elegant without being stuffy, modern without losing the Princess charm, and packed with thoughtful details that make every moment feel special.
Whether you’re sailing with a package or not, this ship proves that Princess knows how to make every traveler feel like a VIP.
About the Author
Julie is a travel‑hacking content creator, cruise reviewer, and founder of NoPointLeftBehind.net. She cruises 7–10 times per year using casino offers paired with points and miles — and she’s only paid cash for one flight since 2019. Princess is her happy place, and she writes honest, practical reviews designed to help real travelers save money, avoid confusion, and have a better vacation. When she’s not sailing, she’s building hubs for dining, hotels, and shore excursions so readers can plan smarter with less stress.
