Royal Princess has slipped back into service after a two-week dry dock in Singapore, and the changes are more than skin deep. Princess Cruises is rolling out its biggest refit programme for the Royal class, and this 3,595-passenger ship — the first of five to be done — is the showcase. Four sister ships, Regal, Discovery, Sky and Enchanted, follow in 2027.
The headline addition is the Sanctuary Collection, Princess's premium adult-only zone first seen on the new Sun Princess and Star Princess. It replaces the old Retreat pool deck with a private enclave offering Oceanview, balcony cabins and suites, plus a dedicated bar, restaurant and pool. Guests staying there get practical perks too: priority boarding, reserved theatre seating, wifi and drinks packages. Best detail on the deck? A grass wall where you ring a bell and someone brings you champagne.
There's more room to sleep in as well. Twenty cabins have been added, including six mini-suites, seven oceanview rooms, two interior staterooms and — worth noting for solo travellers — five single interior cabins, still a rarity at sea.
Down in the ship's central piazza, O'Malley's Irish Pub moves in on deck five where the Vines bar used to be, bringing Princess's popular pub concept aboard for the first time. Next door, Bellini's cocktail bar has swallowed the old Photo Gallery to create a bigger venue overlooking the atrium. Shoppers get a refreshed Effy jewellery boutique, and gamblers get more room: the casino floor has been opened up, with the stairs between decks six and seven removed to fit extra slots.
Where can you actually sail on her? Straight to the southern hemisphere. Royal Princess now heads to Australia for a summer season based in Sydney, with itineraries covering Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific. Fares start from £308 per person — a sharp entry point if you've been tempted to try cruising without committing serious money.
Who is this for? Two crowds, really. Couples and groups who want a fuss-free premium option will eye the Sanctuary, which effectively creates a ship-within-a-ship for those willing to pay up. Solo travellers should also have a look, thanks to the new single cabins. And if you're planning an Australian summer break, a Sydney-based ship with brand-new venues is a convenient way to tack a South Pacific or New Zealand leg onto a longer trip. Just be aware that the adult-only area changes the ship's feel — families will find plenty elsewhere aboard, but the quietest corner of the deck plan is now strictly 18-plus.
