Imagine a vacation where you can go from sunbathing in Caribbean waters to eating specialty pizzas while watching a live band, then enjoying a magic show complete with themed cocktails. While it may sound something like an all-inclusive resort, it’s actually all available on one of Princess Cruises’ newest ships, Sun Princess.
The massive 4,300-passenger (at double occupancy) ship is 1,133 feet long and stands 21 decks high. The Sphere-Class ship features a host of new amenities and restaurants, along with plenty of returning fan-favorites. All of this makes it a must-sail ship in Princess’s growing fleet. I recently sailed on Sun Princess on a four-night cruise to Cozumel. Each day was a fun mix of relaxing, impeccable dining, fantastic entertainment, and surprises around every corner.
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If you’re thinking about booking a cruise on Sun Princess, or already have a cruise booked on the ship, you’re going to want to keep reading because I’m sharing the top five things you can’t miss onboard.
Spellbound by Magic Castle
The single best thing I did on Sun Princess was enjoying an evening at Spellbound by Magic Castle. The hidden speakeasy-style bar is only noticeable by the ornate “S” on a nondescript door near a bustling lounge. After checking in, I was led into a small room where I learned about the history of the Magic Castle. Yes, the same secretive Magic Castle in California where magicians have wowed members for decades. Then, with a little, dare I say, magic, a hidden door opened, revealing a larger space with three distinct rooms. A roaming magician did close-up card tricks as I sipped on delightful cocktails. The cherry on top was the 30-minute magic by a magician who is also a member of the Magic Castle.
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Just know that Spellbound is an added cost. On my sailing, the cost was about $53, including tax and tip, with two exclusive cocktails and the magic show.
Trivia and games in Princess Live!
When it came time for games, trivia, and an all-around good time, I highly suggest hanging out in Princess Live! The lounge is just off the central Piazza. During my four-night cruise, I spent a good chunk of time in here playing everything from music trivia to watching game shows. I appreciated that activities were often back-to-back, so I could “make camp” in one spot for a few hours without having to race from lounge to lounge to enjoy a few games after dinner or before a show in the main theater.
What made Princess Live! even more enjoyable was the entertainment hosts, who truly got to know the guests and encouraged everyone to play along. By the end of the cruise, guests were asking their favorite hosts where they were going next or if they were hosting a specific activity they wanted to attend.
The Dome
At the front of the ship on decks 17 and 18, The Dome is a relaxing place to enjoy a cocktail, take an afternoon nap, watch a movie or evening performance, and more. The glass, air-conditioned Dome is inspired by the hills of Santorini, Greece. There are plush lounge chairs over multiple levels. So while you may not get a tan in here, you will stay cool in the Caribbean heat.
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Throughout the day, different experiences take place in The Dome. In the morning and afternoon, movies are shown on a large screen. A small pool connects the inside space to an outdoor pool deck. Just know that even though there is a bar inside The Dome, it may not be open in the afternoon, and there are no roaming bar servers inside. If you want a cool beverage to go with your afternoon hangout, you’ll need to stop somewhere along the way to get something.
In the evening, shows and concerts take place in The Dome. Unfortunately, since The Dome has a capacity of 250 guests, it fills up quickly for high-priority evening entertainment, like candlelight concerts and aerialists. I was never able to find a seat for evening shows. I also heard later in the sailing, people were arriving an hour or more before a show to get seats.
The Butcher’s Block by Dario
One of the more interesting dining experiences on Sun Princess is The Butcher’s Block by Dario. I went into the experience expecting a normal upscale cruise steakhouse, but boy, was I wrong. Upon entering the restaurant, I was handed a piece of buttered bread and a small glass of wine to carry to my table. After I was seated, I was shown a menu. But the menu didn’t matter because everyone would be trying everything. On the table upon arrival were four small dishes: one with extra-virgin olive oil, one with a signature salt blend, one with beef fat butter, and a bowl of raw veggies.
Starters included raw beef preparations of tartare and carpaccio. There was no entrée. Instead, each cut of meat was paraded around the restaurant before served by the waitstaff. In all, I tried five different cooked steaks, including beef belly and a Bistecca Alla Fiorentina. Each steak was paired with a family-style side, including braised white beans, broccoli, and baked potatoes. The meal ended with a slice of citrus olive oil cake.
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While I enjoyed this “meat flight” of a meal, it really is just for folks who are true carnivores. One thing I didn’t really enjoy about the dining experience, though, was that the meats were underwhelming in terms of presentation. I would have loved it if each dish were brought out already plated and seasoned, versus served by roaming servers placing various slices of steak on my plate as each “course” was ready and telling me to use the signature salt to season the meat to my preference.
At the end of the experience, I changed my mindset. Instead of thinking of The Butcher’s Block as a traditional steakhouse, it’s more of a tasting menu combined with a Brazilian steakhouse-style experience. The Butcher’s Block by Dario is an added cost of $60 per person.
Royal Afternoon Tea
While many cruise lines offer some variation of afternoon tea, Princess Cruises is really stepping up the Royal Afternoon Tea experience on Sun Princess. The event takes place inside the Good Spirits At Sea Lounge. The tea time event is a partnership with Chef Darren McGrady, who was the former chef for the British royal family, including Queen Elizabeth II, Princess Diana, Prince William, and Harry.
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During the Royal Afternoon Tea, you’ll get a host of traditional tea sandwiches, scones with clotted cream and jam, and other treats, along with your choice of tea. While enjoying the sweet and savory items, you’ll hear from Chef McGrady through video about all of the customs and traditions of tea time. The price is $35 per person, but for those who really enjoy tea services, it could be worth it.
