Curator’s statement
Sun Princess was the first cruise ship I ever traveled on. It was also the vector for a special three-generation family trip to the Mediterranean - visiting Italy, Greece and Turkey. From the amazing entertainment, delicious food, friendly staff and the Princess Love Boat horn at sailaway, the Sun Princess made our vacation spectacular and memorable. With something for all, it’s a great way to explore the Mediterranean or Caribbean depending on the time of year you sail!
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In May 2024, I spent one week on the Sun Princess. This was my first cruise, traveling along the Mediterranean from Rome (Civitavecchia) to Naples, Chania, Istanbul, Mykonos and finally Athens. After a quick check-in process (made even quicker by pre-ordering my Princess Medallion to my home prior to arrival), I boarded the ship and was immediately placed in the Piazza — a beautiful centerpiece of the ship, which hosts many venues and events. I upgraded from an Interior to Oceanview stateroom, with a nice view. There are no obstructed views on the Sun Princess by design, so no matter where you choose, you will have a nice view of your port or the sea.
The Piazza
My stateroom was clean and comfortable and had a nice nook by the window to sit in. The bathroom was spacious and there was even a walk-in shower (which is not common on a cruise ship). Our cabin steward was a true gem and took great care of us during our trip. Plenty of closet space as well, to unpack once — a perk of having your “hotel” move from destination to destination.
Oceanview Stateroom
The included meals in the Eatery (buffet) and main dining room were excellent, with daily variation along with “Princess Favourites”. The servers, hosts and the managers were fantastic and always made our dining experience pleasant and enjoyable. There are also many places around the ship for food in between meals — all were excellent. A highlight for me was the International Cafe — with delicious pastries and coffee/tea at all times of day. In addition to all of the eateries throughout the ship, a perk of the Princess Plus and Premier packages is the free OceanNow delivery. This allows you to order select food and drinks either to your stateroom or almost anywhere on the ship (they will come and find you!).
The entertainment was varied and enjoyable, including a cirque-typed show in the Dome, comedy in Princess Live, games in the Piazza, Irish Music in O’Malley’s Pub, Movies Under the Stars on the Lido deck and stage shows in the Princess Theater. There was always something to do — even if it was exploring the many areas of the ship. During the port days, I took part in a few Princess excursions - one in Naples and one in Istanbul. The Naples excursion visited the Amalfi Coast and Pompeii, including a nice authentic Italian lunch. Our guide was fantastic and we saw so many sights in one day. In Istanbul, we took part in a Bosphorous boat ride that included a fantastic Turkish breakfast as well as a walk to the Grand Bazaar. Not kidding - one of the best breakfasts I have ever had. Still talk about it to this day!
Grand Bazaar, Istanbul
For the other port stops, we wandered the destinations (ensuring we got back on the ship well in advance of the all-aboard time!). All were enjoyable, especially Chania in Crete, where we explored the city center by foot. I’d recommend picking up some olive oil if you visit this port — delicious!
Chania, Crete
All in all, the Sun Princess was a great first experience on a cruise ship. One that I will remember fondly and one that has sparked my love for cruises.
Come aboard — Princess is expecting you!
Mykonos
Need to know
Want to experience a new and exclusive ship-within-a-ship concept with amazing amenities and elevated service? Consider the Princess Sanctuary Collection, available in select staterooms from a balcony to a suite.
The Princess Medallion makes your vacation seamless. I’d recommend ordering it for home if you are a US or Canadian resident for something exciting to look forward to before your vacation begins.
Princess Plus or Premier packages are a must! With all of the inclusions, the packages are not only great savings but make your cruise vacation painless. You will have fewer onboard charges to deal with at the end of your vacation.
Some of the entertainment venues fill up quickly, so I’d recommend getting there at least 15 minutes before the scheduled time.
This ship is huge (almost 350m/1150ft long) so be prepared for lots of walking.
For more inspiration and insider recommendations, visit our Cruises page.
Travel Advisor
Patrick McNamara
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