Sun Princess: Cruise review of Princess Cruises' newest ship (2024)

Dive into life on board Princess Cruises’ newest vessel Sun Princess on a sailing from Barcelona to Civitavecchia near Rome, says Will Payne

For someone with a cripplingfear of heights, you might thinkclimbing a building famed forits near four-degree slantwould be out of the question.Determined to face my fears,however, I take the 251 steps to the summit ofthe Leaning Tower of Pisa in northern Italy.

“It may feel like the structure is about to fallover,” jokes my tour guide, Marie. “So take yourtime – and be careful.”

Despite feeling overcome with anxiety onthe way up, the panorama makes the ordealworthwhile. The tension lifts from my shouldersas I admire Tuscan houses fading into rollingmountains as far as the eye can see and listen to the birds nesting at the tip of the buildingsinging to the swathes of tourists below.

After descending and regrouping with Marie and other passengers on my Sun Princessexcursion, we stroll through the Piazza delDuomo. The sound of a practising choir whisperspast my ears as I inhale the nutty aroma of fresh-baked cannolis.

The Climb the Leaning Tower excursion – which includes a tour of the piazza – is one of many shoreside adventures during my five-daysailing aboard Princess Cruises’ newest vessel,Sun Princess, which began in Barcelona threedays earlier.

All aboard

As I embark, a smiling face greets me and guidesme to The Piazza, a three-deck atrium thathouses Alfredo’s Pizzeria and the InternationalCafé, as well as Kai Sushi and the speciality pianobar Crooners.

Classic elegance is interwoven with moderntechnology throughout the ship, with sleekpanelling adorning the walls alongsideinteractive LED screens that give an overviewof the vessel and all of its amenities, making itdifficult to get lost.

Having checked into my Deluxe Balcony Suite– which has a queen-size bed, floor-to-ceilingwindows, fridge, spacious wardrobe and a bathroom with a shower – I opt for roomservice, which arrives warm in 15 minutes.

After freshening up, I take a stroll round myhome for the next few days. Soon getting my bearings, I find something new around eachcorner and options for cruisers of all ages.

The top deck waterpark, Park19, is ideal foryounger passengers, while Good Spirits at Sea is the perfect hangout for adults who enjoyco*cktails paired with mixology demonstrations.

The Catch by Rudi on deck nine, meanwhile,is a must-visit for seafood lovers, with freshingredients paired with maritime decor tocreate a seaside setting. The scent of lobsterbisque permeates the air as I ponder the menu with sommeliers on hand to help pair my dish with a bottle of wine.

Opting for spicy prawns and a ‘sea and shore’ dish of filet mignon and lobster tail, I finish with a strawberry pavlova with Chantilly cream.

Next, I take to The Dome – a sphericalvenue for entertainment and relaxationat the bow of the vessel – for a sneakpreview of Cirque Eloize’s Artbeat show.

The hairs on my arms stand on endas an acrobat effortlessly flies aroundthe venue on a trapeze against an LEDbackdrop splattered in wild colours.It’s an amazing performance and theperfect end to my first day.

After a good night’s sleep I headto the gym as the sun rises over LeGarlaban hill at our second stop,Marseille in the south of France.

Famed for its beaches, rich historyand vibrant culture, today it is amodern metropolis with a backdropof Renaissance architecture.

Ona jaunt around the city I spot sleekyachts bobbing in the marina beforere-joining the ship to find out moreabout the 4,300-guest vessel.

Sustainable sailing

The second in the line’s Sphere class,Sun Princess is powered by liquefiednatural gas (LNG), a transitional fuelthat reduces some emissions. The shipalso houses the line’s largest casino,five entertainment venues and nofewer than 15 cafés and restaurants.

Dinner tonight is at The Butcher’sBlock by Dario, a steakhouse curatedby celebrated Tuscan butcher DarioCecchini, where delicate cuts areprepared tableside. Bookable for acover charge, it offers a range of veganand vegetarian options too.

Being the line’s first vessel poweredby LNG, sustainability is a vital cog in the ship’s day-to-day operations.That’s why it’s equipped with 26biodigesters to process food wastewithout releasing the greenhousegas methane – although I have toadmit this is one piece of onboardtech I didn’t test, as there was neververy much left on my plate.

That’s especially true after lunch atUmai Teppanyaki, an art-filled spacewhere the chef fries fish, chicken andbeef on a hotplate in front of you,performing mind-boggling tricks, flipping utensils and juggling fried eggs till they land on the edge of spatulas and the whites spill into heart shapes. Then, with an intoxicating smell of spices hanging in the air, it’s all promptly served, piping hot, into your bowl.

In the limelight

This kind of extraordinary showmanshippervades the whole ship. In Spellbound,the world of magic is paired with the
art of mixology to create a Victorian-inspired interactive experience.

Hidden behind a nondescript door,moving pictures adorn the walls of a dimly lit wizard’s house.

Plush, plump sofas and a low-hangingchandelier make you feel like you’vebeen transported back in time as youwatch the magicians at work whilesipping whimsical co*cktails such asHoudini’s Chest, which is served ina leather box brimming with dry ice.

Elsewhere, the Princess Arena playshost to three new shows: Vallora, APirate Quest; Stage Struck and Viva LaMusica, as well as returning favouriteFiera!. And thanks to the theatre’s‘keyhole’ configuration, performancesare in the round, with great views from every seat.

Princess Cruises’ vicepresident of entertainment experience,Denise Saviss, says, “It’s an engineeringmarvel that allows us to create awe-inspiring entertainment, offering guestsa different experience every night.

Not only will our productions shine,but the venue itself, with its state-of-the-art stages, captivating lightingdesign and immersive surround-sound,will deliver show-stopping spectacleson every voyage.”

Sun Princess’s diverse selection ofonboard features makes the vessela perfect option for a wide range oftravellers, whether you’re sailingsolo or with your partner, childrenor grandparents.

But if you’re like me – with mydebilitating fear of heights – youmight think twice about climbinga 12th-century tower that’s famousfor almost falling over.

Get onboard

Princess Cruises’ seven-nightMediterranean with France & Italycruise aboard Sun Princess, fromBarcelona to Rome (Civitavecchia) viaGibraltar, Marseille, Genoa and Pisa(La Spezia), departs on 3 August 2024,from £699.

Princess Cruises’ seven-night WesternCaribbean with Mexico cruise aboard Sun Princess, return from FortLauderdale via Roatan, Belize Cityand Cozumel, departs on 1 March2025, from £699.

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