Royal Princess

Passenger cabins range from suites with private balconies to compact inside staterooms—the latter representing the ship’s most affordable option. Bed configurations include a queen or two twins, with select cabins offering sofa beds or drop-down berths to accommodate children or groups traveling together. All outside staterooms, regardless of category, feature a balcony. Cabins have a neutral beige color scheme, refrigerator, and flat-screen television with a vast selection of programming including live television, movies and classic TV series including Modern Family, Cheers, and, of course, The Love Boat. Safety videos, port information, and ship details can also be located with the click of a remote.

Of the ship’s nearly 1,800 accommodations, more than 700 are categorized as balcony cabins. Bathrooms in this stateroom category aren’t spacious, but they offer a reasonable amount of vanity and shelf space for two people. The closet is generous with ample room to store clothing and tuck small roller bags out of the way. Bedside motion sensor lights illuminate dark cabins as soon your foot touches the floor.

There are 38 accessible staterooms (1 suite, 6 mini suites, 23 balcony cabins, and 8 inside cabins) designed for guests with mobility disabilities. In addition to full wheelchair-turning radius, these staterooms feature a roll-in shower equipped with grab bars and a fold-down bench seat, an easy-access closet, and accessible writing desk. Guests who are hearing or vision impaired can be accommodated in any stateroom. A guest with vision loss may travel with their guide dog. Those traveling with a mobility device are asked to complete a mobility questionnaire after booking.

There are a mind-boggling number of dining options included in the cruise fare on Royal Princess. Allegro, Concerto, and Symphony are the main, sit-down dining room options. Menus are comprised of daily specials and always available, Princess favorites including shrimp cocktail, French onion soup, and a pan-roasted chicken breast. Horizon Court offers the typical cruise buffet dining experience; Alfredo’s Pizzeria offers table service, while Prego Pizzeria suits those looking for a grab and go option. There’s also a decent selection of complimentary room service options.

A variety of specialty restaurants are available for guests willing to pay to enjoy more options. Crown Grill offers steak and seafood; Sabatini’s Italian Trattoria serves fresh pasta alongside classics including eggplant parmigiana and veal marsala. Sushi lovers will gravitate toward the Ocean Terrace Seafood Bar. Guests can also arrange meals served on the privacy of their own balcony as part of the ship’s Ultimate Balcony Dining offering.

Vegetarian options are always available, and dietary restrictions are accommodated. Wine, beer, cocktails, and soft drinks are an additional fee. They can be purchased a la carte, or as part of a package.

There’s no good reason to go thirsty when sailing aboard the Royal Princess. You can get a drink just about anywhere on the ship; in addition to drink service in the ship’s many dining venues, there are about a dozen bars to choose from. Crooners Bar shakes up more than 100 types of martinis. Good Spirits At Sea is known for its destination based cocktails like the Bangkok Mule (whiskey, basil, lemongrass, ginger syrup, and ginger beer) and The Cartagena Cool (Appleton rum, cinnamon, orange and chocolate bitters, cinnamon syrup, and orange peel).

Days at sea and in port are filled with a myriad events and activities to keep guests busy and engaged. From origami and Sudoku, to bingo games and fruit carving demonstrations, there’s something for practically every interest. Evening entertainment ranges from Broadway-style production shows, to comedy performances and DJ-hosted events. A big screen overlooking decks 16 and 17 shows first-run movies under the stars every night. On Alaska sailings, blankets are provided to keep guests warm and toasty.

Those looking to keep up their workout routine should have no problem while aboard Royal Princess. Fitness instructors offer classes ranging from yoga and Pilates to stretching. (Indoor cycling, high-intensity interval training (HIIT), and personal training is available for an additional fee.) The 24-hour fitness center features a line-up of exercise equipment with ocean views.

Decks 18 and 19 feature a plethora of outdoor sporting options for active cruisers. The Center Court is used for pickleball, basketball, tennis, volleyball, and badminton. It’s flanked by ping-pong tables and a golf cage for those interested in practicing their swing. The Lawn Court features a small grassy area ideal for mini-golf competitions, bocce ball, croquet, and lawn bowling.

Lotus Spa offers expected treatments the likes of facials and massages, along with acupuncture, cupping, and Tai Chi. The spa’s thermal suite, The Enclave, boasts a hydro-therapy pool, hammam (Turkish-style steam bath), heated stone beds, and more. Single-day and entire sailing passes are available for purchase.

Deck 17 is home to The Sanctuary, an adults-only stretch of prime deck real estate with cushy loungers, cabanas, spa fare, and dedicated staff. An additional cost is required for entrance.