Last month, the team and I were lucky enough to board Sun Princess for her exclusive Sun Princess Shines in Southampton event. For most of us, it was the first time we’d been on a Princess Cruises ship. The itinerary allowed us free reign, and so we embarked on a self-guided tour to see as much of the largest ship in the Princess Cruises fleet as possible. It’s safe to say we weren’t disappointed! Here, I share our thoughts on some of our favourite venues onboard:
Bellini’s Cocktail Bar
Deck 7
Bellini’s Cocktail Bar felt like an onboard venue I couldn’t miss. With cocktails inspired by the romance of Italy, Bellini’s Cocktail Bar is a Princess Cruises institution. Located just off The Piazza, Bellini’s has a lively atmosphere. As we stood waiting for our drinks, guests gathered around to watch a live performer. I highly recommend trying a frozen margarita—it was delicious!
Princess Arena
Decks 7 and 8
On Sun Princess, the Princess Theater has evolved into the Princess Arena, an immersive venue that is Princess Cruises’ most technologically advanced performance space. We were lucky enough to experience it twice in one day - once for a talk and again a little later for an incredible performance by Sam Fender. We felt so close to the performers on stage, it was a truly mesmerising experience.
The Piazza
Decks 7, 8 and 9
The Piazza is the heart of every Princess Cruises ship, but it feels extra special on Sun Princess. Positioned across three decks, it’s surrounded by plenty of lively venues like O’Malley’s Irish Pub, Crooners and Alfredo’s Pizzeria, to name a few. As I mentioned, we were lucky enough to catch a live performance in The Piazza. The singer commanded everyone’s attention, and the accompanying band had everyone up on their feet.
Lido Grill
Deck 17
During our self-guided tour, we realised our tummies were rumbling, and there were a few hours to go until dinner! We stopped off at the Lido Grill, which we soon found had something for each of us. I tried one of the loaded hot dogs, and it certainly didn’t disappoint. The others tried the burgers, pizzas and tacos, and they looked great, too.
The Dome
Decks 17, 18 and 19
The Dome on Sun Princess is the first-of-its-kind true glass-enclosed dome ever constructed on a cruise ship. The multi-level venue was inspired by the terraces of Santorini, and that certainly comes through in the design. During the day, it’s the perfect spot to relax, and at night, it transforms into a unique entertainment venue. It was here that we enjoyed a live set by DJ Scott Mills.
In conclusion, I was very impressed with Princess Cruises' latest addition. Sun Princess is full to the brim with innovative new features, but those innovative new features are perfectly balanced with plenty of Princess Cruises favourites, like Sabatini’s Italian Trattoria and Bellini’s Cocktail Bar. I can’t wait to get back onboard to immerse myself in all this incredible ship truly has to offer.
