Is the Sun Princess Worth It? My Honest Verdict
There’s something magical about waking up each morning to a new Mediterranean port — the soft glow of sunrise over ancient coastlines, the smell of espresso drifting from the ship’s cafés, and the excitement of knowing you’re about to explore somewhere extraordinary. My 2025 sailing on the Sun Princess, at the time the newest Sphere‑class ship, delivered all of that and more.
👉New to Princess Cruises - Check out my Princess Cruises Guide
This wasn’t just another cruise. It was a blend of modern ship design, incredible dining, seamless MedallionClass technology, and some of the most beautiful destinations in the world. Here’s my full review of the Sun Princess and everything you need to know before booking your own Mediterranean adventure.
Cruise Essentials I always bring on Princess
Magnetic hooks
Over‑the‑door organizer
Portable fan
Waterproof phone pouch
Packing cubes
Motion sickness patches
Find all these on my Amazon Princess Cruise Essentials list - Princess Cruises Essentials
My husband and me in Naples - Sun Princess 2025
We enjoyed this cruise so much, we booked the Sun Princess again next summer for the Solar Eclipse - you can read how I saved big -> Solar Eclipse Cruise
Book Your Princess Cruise
Ready to start planning your 2026 sailing? Compare prices, itineraries, and cabin options:
Search Princess Cruises → Princess Cruises
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Sun Princess Review — Quick Take
Best for: Families, couples, Princess loyalists
Biggest pros: The Dome, new dining concepts, modern cabins
Biggest cons: Crowding in certain venues, learning curve with layout
Who will love it: Anyone wanting a modern Princess experience
Who won’t: Travelers who prefer the older Princess ship style
First Impressions of the Sun Princess
The Sun Princess feels like a fresh chapter for Princess Cruises. From the moment I stepped onboard, the ship felt airy, modern, and thoughtfully designed. The Sphere‑class layout brings in tons of natural light, and the open‑concept spaces make the ship feel both luxurious and comfortable.
A few things stood out immediately:
The Piazza is stunning — a multi‑level, glass‑wrapped hub with ocean views from every angle.
The Dome is unlike anything else at sea, offering daytime relaxation and nighttime entertainment.
MedallionClass worked flawlessly, making everything from opening my stateroom door to ordering drinks incredibly easy.
Stateroom Experience
My stateroom was bright, modern, and surprisingly spacious for a Mediterranean itinerary where you’re off the ship most days. Storage was smartly designed, the bathroom felt more functional than previous Princess layouts, and the balcony became my favorite spot for morning coffee or evening margaritas. The 24kt margarita is a personal favorite of mine. With medallion technology we could order them on the app and have them delivered to the room. had booked an ocean view but bid on an upgrade, and we ended up with a deluxe balcony. We loved having a balcony on this cruise. My husband enjoyed sitting on it as we went through the Dardanelles Strait. While researching it we thought we would be going through after dark, but we ended up going through right around 5 o’clock. My history lover was so excited about this.
The Medallion made everything seamless — no keycards, no fumbling, just walk up, and the door unlocks. Learn more about Medallion Tech -> Princess Cruises Medallion Technology
Staying in a Sun Princess cabin?
These are the items that made our room feel bigger, cooler, and more organized.
Magnetic hooks
Travel fan
Collapsible laundry bag
Cruise approved outlet
Find these and more on my Princess Cabin Essentials list - Princess Cabin Essentials
Not sure which Princess package to choose?
Here’s a simple breakdown of the Standard, Plus, and Premier Packages so you can pick the right one for your sailing.
Learn more about the packages:
Standard Fare - Princess Cruises Standard Fare
Plus Package - Is Princess Plus Package worth it?
Premier Package - Princess Cruises Premium Package / Premier Package
Dining on the Sun Princess: A Food Lover’s Dream
Princess absolutely delivered on dining this year. The Sun Princess has some of the best specialty restaurants in the fleet, and I made it my mission to try as many as possible. We splurged on the Premier Package, and oh my goodness, the food was absolutely amazing. We only ate in the dining room for breakfast, but it was delicious.
Makoto
A standout. Fresh, modern Japanese cuisine with beautifully plated dishes. The sushi was exceptional, and the atmosphere felt upscale without being stuffy. Check out my review Princess Cruises Sushi
Umai Teppanyaki
Always a fun experience, but the Sun Princess version is elevated — better ingredients, better show, and a more intimate setting. Check out my review Sun Princess Teppanyaki Review
Crown Grill
Still one of Princess’s best specialty restaurants. My steak was perfectly cooked, and the service was top‑notch. Check out my review - Crown Grill Menu Princess Review
Catch by Rudi
If you love seafood, this is a must. Creative dishes, gorgeous presentation, and flavors that feel worthy of a land‑based fine‑dining restaurant. They also have great steaks so don’t skip if you don’t like seafood. Check out my review - Catch by Rudi Menu & Review
Love by Britto
A unique, artistic dining experience. It’s playful, romantic, and definitely something different for Princess. This was recently added to the premier package right before our sailing. What a treat! My review - Love by Britto Review -
Casual Dining
Alfredo’s, the pizza, the buffet — all solid. But the specialty dining is where the Sun Princess really shines. My review - Princess Cruises Casual Dining. O’Malley was also included in casual dining. We didn't eat there, but we loved grabbing a pint almost every day.
Mediterranean Ports: The Highlights
My husband and me in Mykonos
Every day brought a new adventure. Here are a few of my favorite stops:
📍 Naples, Italy
Pizza, history, and the gateway to Capri and Pompeii. I could come back here a hundred times and never get bored. We spent the day in Sorrento, followed by lunch on Mt. Vesuvius.
📍 Crete, Greece
The iconic white‑and‑blue views never get old. Crowded? Yes. Worth it? Absolutely. We did a really good tour here. Met some new friends and ate amazing food.
📍 Istanbul, Turkey
My husband chose a tour that did all the big things in Turkey (review coming soon)
📍 Mykonos, Greece
Mykonos was as charming as I imagined. I didn’t love our tour, though.
🎭 Entertainment & Activities
The Dome is the star here. During the day, it’s a relaxing pool space with incredible views. At night, it transforms into a high‑energy entertainment venue with acrobatics, music, and immersive shows.
Other highlights:
Live music throughout the ship
Comedy shows
Enrichment talks
Movies Under the Stars
Quiet spaces for reading or relaxing
There’s truly something for every type of cruiser.
What to Buy Before Your Cruise - Everything you need to buy before you sail
Travel Hacking This Cruise
One of my favorite parts of this trip? I didn’t pay full price.
I used a combination of:
Credit card points
Casino offers
Strategic booking timing
This brought the cost down significantly — and it’s something I love teaching other families and travelers to do. Cruising doesn’t have to be expensive when you know how to leverage points, miles, and loyalty programs. I broke my strategy for saving here: Princess Cruises Mediterranean
Heading to the Med? Mediterranean Cruise Packing List - My Cruise Essentials
My Best Credit Cards for Princess Cruises
Earn points toward your next cruise and get built‑in travel protections:
Chase Sapphire Preferred – great for families + trip delay coverage
Chase Sapphire Reserve – lounge access + premium protections
Capital One Venture – easy redemptions + travel credits
Who the Sun Princess Is Perfect For
This ship is ideal for:
Couples
Food lovers
First‑time Princess cruisers
Travelers who want a modern, elevated experience
Anyone who loves a port‑intensive itinerary
Families will enjoy it too, but the ship really shines for adults who appreciate great dining and beautiful design.
Pros and Cons
Pros
Beautiful new Sphere‑class design
The Dome is a standout space
Great specialty dining
Modern cabins
Cons
Some venues feel crowded
Layout takes getting used to
Limited shade on pool deck
About the Author
Julie is the founder of No Point Left Behind and an experienced Princess cruiser who sails with the line multiple times a year. She sailed the Sun Princess in 2025 on a Mediterranean itinerary and brings firsthand insights, practical tips, and honest opinions to help travelers plan better cruises.
Final Thoughts
My 2025 Mediterranean sailing on the Sun Princess was one of my favorite Princess cruises to date. The ship feels fresh and innovative, the dining is exceptional, and the Mediterranean itinerary is unbeatable. If you’re considering a Sun Princess sailing — especially in Europe — I highly recommend it.
If you want help planning your own Princess cruise or learning how to book it using points and miles, I’ve got tons of guides to help you travel smarter and spend less. Be sure to check out my Ultimate Beginner’s Guide to points and miles.
Let’s Travel Hack Together!
Want to learn how I travel hack more trips -> Real Points & Miles Adventures
If you enjoy learning how we travel as a family using points, miles, and smart credit card strategies, I’d love for you to follow along:
