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Discovery Princess ®

Now sailing.

Top 5 Mega Cruise Line

Travel + Leisure

Discovery Princess®, our third vessel designed from the ground up with Princess MedallionClass® and the final Royal-class ship, will continue to deliver an array of innovative new experiences. Enjoy 270-degree sweeping views from our largest balconies at sea, unwind in ultimate comfort at The Sanctuary, and indulge your senses with world-class dining options from Michelin-star and renowned chefs. Plus, Princess live entertainment presents spectacular new productions that can only be seen in our state-of-the-art Princess Theater. With our effortless, personalized service of the MedallionClass® experience, your real vacation has just begun!

Inaugural Cruise:  March 27, 2022

Christeners:  Randy Fenoli, Alex Guarnaschelli, Adam Savage and Page Turner

Guest Cabins:  1,830

Number of Decks:  19

Tonnage:  145,000

Length:  1,083 feet

Height:  217’ 6¼“ feet

Your vacation – effortless. Personalized.

Make your vacation truly yours on a Princess MedallionClass® cruise that features next-level technology, now on all ships. Enjoy fast, reliable Wi-Fi, TrulyTouchless™ experiences, food and drinks delivered wherever you are and so much more.

Accommodations

From the moment you step aboard, we want you to feel welcomed and right at home. And with attentive service from a friendly crewmember that knows what hospitality means, you’ll find your Princess® ship truly is your home away from home.

Photos, floor plan diagrams, amenities, and furnishings represent typical arrangements and may vary by ship and stateroom.

• Reserve Collection
• Deluxe Balcony
• Premium Oceanview
• Wheelchair-Accessible

Unparalleled Service & Our Largest Balcony

Exclusive doesn’t begin to describe the experience. Inclusive amenities, attentive service and a dedicated Suite Experience Manager to deliver your every desire are just the beginning. Crowning the heights of the ship, each Sky Suite hosts up to five guests, dazzling you with a 270-degree panorama throughout your voyage. Complementing the exquisitely appointed interior living spaces, a luxuriously furnished over 1,000-square-foot continuous balcony – the largest in our fleet – invites you to relax privately or host your own celebrations or catered events.

Main photo above depicts private balcony.

Includes all the fine amenities of a spacious Reserve Collection Mini-Suite plus:

• Approx. 1,873 sq. ft., including balcony *
• Pre-Cruise Shoreside Concierge
• Seamless curb to suite experience
• Suite Experience Manager to service your every need
• Reserved Princess Theater seating
• Complimentary access to The Enclave
• Reserved Princess Cays bungalow ~
• Premium Champagne upon arrival
• Two full bottle bar setup & mixers
• Complimentary Princess Fine Wine Tasting
• Private shopping concierge
• Private Movies Under the Stars balcony viewing
• Deluxe telescope for Discovery Stargazing at SEA
• Complimentary Ultimate Balcony Breakfast and Dinner
• Luxury balcony furniture including dining table for four, large day bed, loungers and exterior bar with mini fridge and TV at private patio
• Living area with sofa that sleeps one ▲ , side table, lounge chair, coffee table and dining table for four
• Three floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors
• Master bedroom with Princess Luxury Bed
• Private master bathroom with bathtub and separate rain shower
• Spacious closet and vanity/desk in master bedroom
• Second bedroom with Princess Luxury Bed (queen or two twin beds) ▲ , lounge chair and ottoman
• Spacious closet and vanity/desk in second bedroom
• Bathroom with separate shower in second bedroom
• Full length mirrors
• Luxury bedroom and bathroom linens
• Upgraded bathrobes and slippers
• Luxury bathroom amenities
• Two refrigerators, one in the living area mini bar and a second on the balcony
• Four flat-panel televisions
• Portable hairdryer
• Nespresso machine

*Port side Sky Suite is 1,808 sq.ft., including balcony ▲ 3rd/4th/5th berths available ~ Applicable on voyages that visit Princess Cays

Most Luxurious Accommodations at Sea

Surrounding you with deluxe accommodations, a spacious Suite with balcony includes all the amenities of a Reserve Collection Mini-Suite^^, plus incredible premiums. Enjoy more living space, a sofa bed and separate seating areas, and wonderfully enhanced amenities that range from priority embarkation and disembarkation to a complimentary mini-bar setup in suite and so much more.

• Approx. 440 to 1,500 sq. ft., including balcony
• Luxury balcony furniture including 2 loungers, 4 chairs, table and ottoman
• 2 floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors
• Separate sitting area with sofa bed, chair and 2 tables
• One complimentary mini-bar setup and free daily bottled water
• Spacious closet
• Complimentary laundry and professional cleaning services
• Complimentary Specialty Dining Dinner on embarkation evening^
• Priority specialty dining and shore excursion reservation
• Priority disembarkation at tender ports
• Comfortable queen or two twin beds ▲
• Refrigerator
• Two flat-panel televisions
• Private bathroom with tub and separate shower
• 100% cotton, high-thread count linens
• 24-hour room service †
• Desk with chair
• Hair dryer & fine bathroom amenities
• Digital security safe

▲ 3rd/4th berths available in select cabins. ^ Applicable on cruises six days or longer. Reservations can be made once onboard your ship. † Guests may call for room service delivery or order through OceanNow® in the Princess® Cruises app at any time of the day or night. Guests with the latest Princess Plus and Princess Premier packages enjoy OceanNow® and room service delivery with no charge. Otherwise, a one-time access fee of $14.99 USD per person per voyage will apply for OceanNow® delivery and a $5 USD room service fee will apply for each order placed by stateroom phone. Limitations, restrictions and conditions apply. ^^ Full-suite guests enjoy a complimentary mini-bar setup and do not receive the 750ml bottle of wine.

Mini-Suite with Exclusive VIP Touches

A premium stateroom category featuring our best located Mini-Suite staterooms, as well as the great amenities found in all Mini-Suites — plus premier dining benefits and luxurious perks. Each night, enjoy Reserve Dining, an exclusive dining area featuring expedited seating with no wait, additional menu options, dedicated wait staff and tableside preparations. Other amenities include priority embarkation and disembarkation, a complimentary one-time wine set-up and so much more!^

^Includes one 750 ml bottle of wine on embarkation day^^. ^^For mini-suite guests only: A one-time set-up for a 750ml bottle of wine on embarkation day. Full-suite guests enjoy a complimentary mini-bar setup and do not receive additional bottles of wine.

Standard Amenities:

• Approximately 323 sq. ft., including balcony
• Balcony with 2-4 chairs, table and ottoman
• Bathroom tub and massage shower head with upgraded amenities
• Floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors
• Separate sitting area with sofa bed & coffee table
• Complimentary welcome glass of bubbly on embarkation day
• Luxury mattress topper and pillows
• Comfortable queen or two twin beds▲

Upgraded Amenities & Services:

• The Princess Luxury Bed
• Priority embarkation and disembarkation at the beginning and end of your cruise
• One-time complimentary wine set-up^
• Evening canapés, upon request
• Luxurious terry shawl bathrobes

Reserve Dining:*

• Exclusive area of the Main Dining Room
• Expedited seating with minimal to no wait
• Additional menu options
• Dedicated waitstaff
• Uniquely-styled décor (Premium table linens only)
• Table-side preparations

▲3rd/4th berths available in select cabins. †Guests may call for room service delivery or order through OceanNow® in the Princess® Cruises app at any time of the day or night. Guests with the latest Princess Plus and Princess Premier packages enjoy OceanNow® and room service delivery with no charge. Otherwise, a one-time access fee of $14.99 USD per person per voyage will apply for OceanNow® delivery and a $5 USD room service fee will apply for each order placed by stateroom phone. Limitations, restrictions and conditions apply. ^Includes one 750 ml bottle of wine on embarkation day. *Open every evening for dinner. Open for breakfast and lunch on sea days.

Add an Element of Luxury to Your Stay

Choose a luxurious Mini-Suite with balcony which is substantially larger than a Balcony stateroom and receive a complimentary welcome glass of bubbly. Mini-Suites include a separate sitting area with sofa bed and two flat-panel televisions. For families or groups needing a little extra space, Mini-Suites offer an appealing and affordable option.

• Bathroom tub and massage shower head
• Hair dryer & bathroom amenities

▲3rd/4th berths available in select cabins. †Guests may call for room service delivery or order through OceanNow® in the Princess® Cruises app at any time of the day or night. Guests with the latest Princess Plus and Princess Premier packages enjoy OceanNow® and room service delivery with no charge. Otherwise, a one-time access fee of $14.99 USD per person per voyage will apply for OceanNow® delivery and a $5 USD room service fee will apply for each order placed by stateroom phone. Limitations, restrictions and conditions apply.

Spectacular Views from Your Room

Choose this enhanced version of a Balcony stateroom with more space and a comfortable sofa bed. Enjoy a larger balcony with more room to view the beautiful scenery as you sail from destination to destination and take in the ocean breeze for a wonderful and romantic evening or morning. 

• Approx. 233 to 279 sq. ft., including balcony
• Balcony with 2 chairs and table
• Flat-panel television
• Private bathroom with shower

Front Row Seat for Beautiful Scenery

This impressive stateroom offers the added indulgence of a balcony and gives you more space than a standard stateroom. Enjoy your own private outdoor space with a table, two chairs, and a relaxing view of the inspiring scenery surrounding you, whether a beautiful sunset over the ocean or a new city to explore. It’s also perfect to enjoy cocktails before dinner or a leisurely breakfast.

• Approx. 214 to 222 sq. ft., including balcony
• Refrigerator.
• Hair dryer & bathroom amenities

▲3rd/4th berths available in select cabins. †Guests may call for room service delivery or order through OceanNow® in the Princess® Cruises app at any time of the day or night. Guests with the latest Princess Plus and Princess Premier packages enjoy OceanNow® and room service delivery with no charge. Otherwise, a one-time access fee of $14.99 USD per person per voyage will apply for OceanNow® delivery and a $5 USD room service fee will apply for each order placed by stateroom phone. Limitations, restrictions and conditions apply.

A room with an expansive view

This new stateroom design offers a stunning wall of floor-to-ceiling windows. Loads of natural light brings an airy, openness to the space. Whether the relaxed view of the deep blue sea, or inspired scenery of a new city on the horizon, the Deluxe Oceanview ensures picture-perfect snapshots from the comfort of your room. This stateroom includes all the amenities of an interior room.

• Approx. 172 sq. ft.
• Stunning slanted floor-to-ceiling windows

• Virtual Tour
• Panoramic Tour

Our Most Affordable Option

These staterooms are the perfect place to recharge your batteries. Our most affordable option, featuring two twin beds or a queen-size bed. Other amenities include a refrigerator, hair dryer, TV, closet and bathroom with shower.

• Approx. 158 to 162 sq ft.

For Guests with Limited Mobility

Princess offers a selection of staterooms that provide full wheelchair-turning space. In addition, these staterooms include a roll-in shower equipped with grab bars and a fold-down bench seat, an easy access closet and accessible writing desk.

Note: ADA accessible stateroom shown is on board Caribbean Princess®. Amenities and stateroom arrangements vary by ship. Certain stateroom categories may vary in size and configuration by ship. Call Princess for more information or send inquiries to the Access Office via email at  [email protected] .

Dining Options

Indulge your appetite whenever you wish on board Princess®. Every hour, our chefs are busy baking, grilling and sautéing great-tasting fare from scratch. Princess offers unparalleled inclusive dining options throughout the ship with a wide range of culinary delights to suit any palate, from endless buffet choice to gourmet pizza, frosty treats, decadent desserts and much more. 1

Dining Reservations

Dine when, how and where you like

With this new offering, you can customize every aspect of mealtime. Make reservations for the main dining room or specialty restaurants at your preferred time each day. Fit in a formal dinner before a show, or order food and drinks to your poolside perch with OceanNow®. The choice really is up to you.

A (seafood) fan favorite returns!

We’re bringing back the Crab Shack, a unique pop-up dining experience with everything from clam chowder and popcorn shrimp to a steamer pot (crab legs, shrimp, clams!). Look for this lunchtime sensation in the World Fresh Marketplace.

Exclusively available on Alaska voyages.

Nominal fee applies.

Gigi's Pizzeria by Alfredo

Hand-tossed pizza, hot out of the oven

Even if you’re not sailing to Naples (this time), you can still enjoy one of their greatest contributions to the culinary world. Gigi’s Pizzeria serves up certified authentic Neapolitan pizza made to order from scratch in a cheery restaurant named after our very own executive chef and inspired by the colors and landscapes of the Amalfi coast.

Additional charges apply. Venues and menu items vary by ship and are subject to change.

 WORLD FRESH MARKETPLACE

Whenever you visit, you’ll find plenty of well-balanced options to choose from. Stop by for breakfast and visit our gourmet pancake station, or enjoy one of our unique hot cereal offerings. At lunch, look for handcrafted sandwiches, regionally inspired dishes and soups, as well as our carvery selections. For dinner, there’s everything from international favorites, comfort foods, customized stir-fry or pasta, plus a multitude of fresh fruit and salad choices.

International Café

Sip and snack around the clock

Open 24-hours a day, the International Café located in the Piazza is the place for an ever-changing array of small bite meals, treats and gourmet beverages. Grab a freshly baked croissant to start your day, snack on pies and quiche or choose from a wide variety of salads and sandwiches at lunchtime, and indulge in decadent desserts in the evening. Coffee and tea fans will love the New Grounds Crafted Coffee menu featuring a variety of specialty espresso-based drinks made from a custom blend of coffee beans, as well as iced tea fusions.

The Salty Dog Cafe

This casual top deck eatery takes its name from the famous venue in the resort town of Hilton Head Island, SC. Enjoy original menu items from the cafe like the prime burger and chicken strip basket – along with Princess favorites like hot dogs and chicken sandwiches. Uncover the legend of Jake, the iconic dog in the yellow hat, and pick up some branded merch too.

Ocean Terrace Sushi Bar

Celebrate seafood

The Ocean Terrace Sushi Bar is ideal for those who love to feast on the bounty from the sea. Inspired by the breathtaking view of the ocean, the sushi bar will tempt with premium seafood rolls and sashimi in a casual but elegant setting overlooking the spectacular Piazza. A la carte pricing makes it easy to pick and choose.

Additional charge applies. Menu items may vary by ship and are subject to change.

Slice Pizzeria

Our top-deck pizzeria features a bold new look that sets the stage for tempting toppings and classic favorites. Try a slice of our award-winning signature Neapolitan-style pizza. Go simple and delicious with just cheese, or mix it up with a variety of toppings that change daily.

Afternoon Tea

Celebration of tasty teas and divine desserts

Afternoon tea is a treasured tradition whether it’s a special occasion, an intimate moment for two, a mother-daughter tea party or just quiet time for reflection. Enjoy a wide selection of teas, or coffee if you prefer, served by attentive waiters in our dining room. The setting is elegant, with a delicious selection of tasty treats: freshly prepared finger sandwiches, cookies and cakes.

A sweet treat from Italy

Get a taste of “la dolce vita” at  Gelato , our gelateria on board. (Fun fact: gelato isn’t ice cream. While it’s creamy, it has less butter fat and fewer calories.) Our gelato is the real deal, produced fresh each day using the best ingredients and traditional recipes. Choose from a variety of classic flavors which you can enjoy by themselves or in combination with a choice of toppings.

Additional charge applies.

Specialty Dining

Dining on board a Princess® cruise ship is a joyful celebration and our specialty restaurants always deliver an extraordinary experience. They are among the best at sea – or anywhere. We serve dishes made with the freshest ingredients, and our menus reflect regional flavors from around the world. You'll find our specialty restaurants are the perfect place to celebrate any occasion. 1

• O'Malley's Irish Pub
• Chef's Table Lumiere
• The Catch by Rudi
• Sabatini's Italian Trattoria
• Crown Grill{SM}
• Ultimate Balcony Dining

Lively Irish Pub Fare

Feel like you’ve stepped into a pub in Dublin at this warm, welcoming spot. It goes beyond the music, drinks and food, though you MUST try to the Dubliner Burger. It’s about the feeling you get when you’re here. It’s a bring-the-whole-gang-to-celebrate-a-birthday-or-watch-the-game kind of place. Rich browns and dark greens infuse the pub, named for a famous Irish pirate queen.

Additional charges apply.

A Dazzling Dining Adventure

An extraordinary treat for both gastronomes and gourmet novices, the Chef’s Table Lumiere is a perfect culinary journey for any special occasion. Indulge in champagne and hors d’oeuvres, followed by an extravagant multi-course dinner created and hosted by the ship’s executive chef. Perfect for celebrating an anniversary or milestone, or just making your cruise vacation even more amazing.

Limited capacity, reservations required. Additional charge applies.

A first for our ships. this eatery is a seafood bonanza. So many different styles and techniques to showcase the bounty of the sea! Here you can sample everything from the catch of the day to a raw seafood bar. A celebration of all things ocean, from the menu to the setting, from Chef Rudi Sodamin, head of culinary arts.

Unique, handmade pasta courses, prepared fresh daily and treasured family recipes curated by our Italian chefs across the fleet inspire the menu at our acclaimed Italian specialty restaurant. 

Timeless Steakhouse Traditions

With a rich wood décor and a theater-style kitchen, it’s no wonder Crown Grill was named among the “Best Cruise Ship Steakhouses” by  USA TODAY . Featuring premium aged beef and fresh seafood items, this specialty restaurant offers an intimate dining experience in a classically elegant setting and an open kitchen where chefs prepare and cook to order top-quality cuts of beef, chops and seafood.

A Private Breakfast with a View

A luxurious breakfast experience at sea all served right on the privacy of your own balcony by our dedicated waitstaff. Treat yourself to this unparalleled indulgence and savor food, views, and memories that will never be forgotten.

Ship Highlights

On every Princess ship, you'll find so many ways to play, day or night. Explore The Shops of Princess, celebrate cultures at our Festivals of the World or learn a new talent — our onboard activities will keep you engaged every moment of your cruise vacation. 1

360: An Extraordinary Experience

A journey through tastes, sights, sounds, textures & scents

Embark on an unparalleled adventure through the Mediterranean. This epic, seven-course journey blends storytelling with inspired visuals, rousing music, spectacular cuisine, aromatic scents and immersive technology to transport you to the hilltops of Santorini, the Amalfi Coast, Barcelona and Provence. Cover charge applies.

To reserve your extraordinary experience, call the Dine Line or Guest Services onboard. For ages 13+.

Exclusively on Discovery and Enchanted Princess

Take a stroll into the European-style piazza

Discover Old World charm as you stroll through our breathtaking Piazza—a hub of activity, inspired by the vibrant squares of Europe. Roving street performers, quaint boutiques, a spiral staircase and several glass-walled lifts provide panoramic views. Visit the International Café for gourmet coffees, or marvel at the wine selection at Vines, voted one of the “Best Wine Bars at Sea,” by USA Today.

Pools (Retreat, Wakeview, Top Deck)

So Many Cool Places to Unwind

Take a cool dip and lounge by a shimmering pool. Or soak away the day’s adventures in a soothing hot tub. On our newest ships, Sky Princess®, Enchanted Princess® and Discovery Princess®, you'll find refreshing new opportunities for aquatic relaxation. In addition to more spa tubs, the ship has two deep-tank pools, linked by sunken, communal seating, adjacent to the top-deck bar. At the ship’s aft end, the infinity-style Wakeview pool and bar offer spectacular views of the horizon.

The Shops of Princess

Tax and duty-free shopping

It’s no surprise The Shops are awarded “Best Onboard Shopping” from  Porthole  magazine year after year. On board, you’ll find a fabulous range of fine merchandise from brands like Swarovski, Chanel, Estée Lauder, Clinique, Lancôme, Calvin Klein, Citizen and Tissot, plus local crafts, keepsakes and souvenirs. And everyday tax- and duty-free savings can add up to as much as 30% off suggested U.S. retail prices.

Vegas Style Casino

For novices, casual players, or high rollers

From gaming lessons to the latest slot machines to prize tournaments, our Casinos offer fun and excitement. If you enjoy blackjack, or “21,” and Texas Hold 'Em, our tables play by Vegas rules and if you relish the challenge of roulette, we offer the American version.

Art Gallery & Auctions

Art lovers rejoice—enjoy exquisite art aboard

Great art, like the destinations we visit, can be awe-inspiring. Peruse our extensive art gallery, or attend an art history lecture highlighting some of the world’s greatest masters. And don’t miss our exciting Champagne Art Auctions, which give you the chance to view and bid on a wide range of fine art, including pieces by famous artists like Thomas Kinkade, Peter Max, and Michael Godard. There is no charge to attend these lively events.

Photo Gallery

Take home a unique photo keepsake

Our staff of digital photographers helps capture the highlights of your cruise including onboard events, ports and scenery for lasting memories of your trip. Our studio locations are set up in the Atrium each evening and all formal and casual portraits are on display in the gallery the following day. Please ask our staff about portrait packages, reprints and canvas reproductions of your favorite photos!

Freshwater Pools & Hot Tubs

Soak in a world of relaxation

Take a dip in our sparkling freshwater pools and leave your everyday world behind. Unwind on a padded lounger and soak up the sun, catch up on reading, listen to music or dream of your next adventure on board or ashore. And what better way to relax and revitalize after a day exploring the world than a long soak in one of our whirling hot tubs. And don’t forget, there is always a server nearby to bring you a refreshing cocktail or favorite beverage.

Step into Crooners bar and be transported to the classic Sinatra era, made complete with a top notch pianist singing tunes and tickling the ivories. The “Rat Pack” atmosphere and famous menu of signature martinis, and old-school mixed drinks will have you crooning.

Activities & Entertainment

On every Princess ship, you'll find so many ways to play, day or night. Explore The Shops of Princess, or learn a new talent — our onboard activities will keep you engaged every moment of your cruise vacation. 1

Movies Under the Stars®

A reel treat day or night

Throughout the day and night, our exclusive open-air poolside amphitheater is the go-to destination for feature films, thrilling concerts and exciting sporting events such as live football games. Cozy up under a fleece blanket in the comfortable lounger and feast on complimentary fresh-popped popcorn in the evening or delicious cookies and milk during the day, and enjoy that exciting car chase or mystery thriller on the giant screen.

Original Musical Productions

Great venues large and small

Crafted by some of the world’s top directors and choreographers, our remarkable and dynamic Princess productions transport you to realms as exotic as the destinations we visit. Imaginative shows created in-house feature dazzling stage sets, Broadway classics, popular hits and original numbers performed by some of the largest and most talented casts at sea.

Sports Court

Get in the game with a variety of activities

Feel the court under your feet and the thrill of victory as you sink the ball in for two points. No matter your athletic ability, there’s nothing like shooting a few hoops out in the middle of the ocean as you watch the sun set and the stars come out. Our Sports Court is not only set up for basketball but also for volleyball. Pick up a game, compete against fellow guests for bragging rights, or start your own dream team.

Music & Dancing

Dazzling entertainment every day and night

When it comes to music and dancing we’ve got everything that your musical palette may desire. Whether it’s tapping your toes to cover bands, singing along in the piano bar, relaxing to classical strings or dancing the night away in the nightclub, you’ll be satisfied!

MedallionNet® Wi-Fi

The best Wi-Fi at sea

MedallionNet Wi-Fi is fast, reliable and wherever you are. Stream your favorite shows, movies, music and sports. Stay connected to the internet anywhere on board so you can text, post photos, video chat and more.

Featured Guest Entertainers

At night, the stars shine bright on our stages

Grab a seat, order a cocktail and be prepared to be entertained by our lineup of world class entertainers. From magic to comedy, singers to instrumentalists, jugglers to balancing acts and much, much more, we search the globe for top talent to be featured on our ships. So get ready to be amazed, entertained, mesmerized or just laugh the night away!

Top Deck Parties

The height of festivities at sea

For breathtaking ocean views and engaging opportunities to meet new friends and celebrate your voyage, no place beats the top deck. Under the sun or under the stars, top-deck parties welcome you to enjoy drinks and dancing, accompanied by a live band. And special themes give each party its own distinctive energy.

Good Spirits At Sea

Good spirits, good stories

Good Spirits takes viewers around the globe in search of extraordinary everyday people, sharing stories of spirits and collecting farm-fresh, local ingredients to inspire one-of-a-kind cocktail creations. Immerse yourself in the region as skilled bartenders lead you through an immersive cocktail experience.

Revitalize and refresh body, mind and soul with Princess®. From rejuvenating spa treatments and the tranquility of a top-deck retreat reserved just for adults to our state-of-the-art fitness centers, you’ll find all the elements to come back new.

• The Sanctuary
• Lotus Spa® Fitness Center
• The Enclave® at Lotus Spa®

Experience the Ultimate Night of Sleep at Sea

With your overall wellness in mind, we’ve collaborated with a board-certified sleep expert to create the ultimate in blissful comfort. Our luxurious new beds feature a scientifically engineered mattress and bed springs, a plush two-inch pillow top, European-inspired duvets and 100% luxurious Jacquard-woven linens-to assure that at the end of your voyage, you come home feeling refreshed and renewed.

The Princess Luxury Bed is available across the fleet except for Regal Princess, where most staterooms have been updated. On Regal Princess all Full Suites and Reserve Collection staterooms have been updated and we are continuing to convert the few remaining beds.

Greater Tranquility Just for Adults

With eight private cabanas at The Sanctuary – twice as many as our other Royal-class ships – both Sky Princess® and Enchanted Princess℠ offer even more opportunities to indulge in a private getaway at our exclusive adults-only retreat. Relax with signature beverages, light meals, and al fresco massages. Serenity Stewards attend to your every need, whether it’s to be on hand to provide chilled face towels or Evian® water atomizers.

Go Ahead, Be Pampered – You Deserve It

Named "Best Spa on a Cruise Ship" by Spafinder Wellness 365™, the Lotus Spa® offers a variety of relaxing treatments, such as facials, aroma stone therapy massages, detoxifying ocean wraps and an aromatherapy thermal suite. Or get ready for a night on the town at the salon which features women’s styling color, men’s haircuts and shaves, manicure and pedicure choices and teeth whitening.

A Host of Ways to Get an Energizing Workout

The Lotus Spa Fitness Center offers fitness programs designed to help you maximize your wellness with Tour de Cycle, personal training and classes such as Pilates, Yoga, Body Sculpt Boot Camp, Results Based Training and TRX suspension training. The Lotus Spa Fitness Center also features state-of-the-art equipment so you can tone on your own.

Luxuriate in Our Largest-ever Thermal Suite

Open the door to The Enclave, home to Princess’ largest-ever thermal suite and a dramatic hydro-therapy pool with a cascading rain shower and therapeutic air jets. Relax on heated stone beds or soothing water beds. Features include: The Hammam – a Turkish-style steam bath, and from Roman times, the Caldarium –a light steam chamber infused with herbal aromas and the Laconium – a heated, dry chamber to help with purification and detoxification of the body.

Kids, Teens & Family

From family-friendly stateroom options to enriching youth and family programs, quality time is time well spent. Onboard activities spark curiosity and fuel creativity while excursions ashore engage and inspire!

• Just For Kids 3-7
• Just For Kids 8-12
• Just For Teens 13-17

Explore the Treehouse

Even the littlest guests will delight in this whimsical, forest-themed world that inspires playtime and invites exploration. Kids, ages 3 to 7, can dance, enjoy pajama movie nights, create art projects like puppets and masks or compete in a Lego® boat-building contest.

Step into the Lodge

Inspired by the great outdoors, this cozy center keeps kids busy with games, dancing and kid-sized Olympic competitions. Their minds stay busy, too, with California Science Center programs like rocket building, or they can explore outer space with Stargazing and learning how to build a model roller coaster. Exciting events like talent shows, theme nights, and treasure hunts encourage new friendships and family togetherness.

Hang Out in the Beach House

This contemporary lounge is "the place" for teens — perfect for hanging out and socializing with late-night movie viewing, hip hop dance classes, video game tournaments and sports competitions like dodgeball and basketball. But that’s just the beginning. They’ll dazzle on the red carpet with our Rock the Boat teens-only party, complete with awards and "mocktails."

Quality Time Together

Princess makes it easy to sail together in comfort. There is a wide selection of staterooms accommodating up to four guests, and you’ll enjoy substantial savings on your third and fourth guests. There are also connecting stateroom options, as well as Two Bedroom Family Suites, with room for up to eight guests, which offer more living space, a balcony and two bathrooms, including a full bath tub.

1 Activities, dining and entertainment options vary by ship and are subject to change. Photos represent typical arrangements and may vary in detail or configuration.

• Princess Cruises

Discovery Princess Forward-Facing Cabin - Question Regarding the Balcony

By essmeier , December 22, 2023 in Princess Cruises

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We've booked a minisuite on the Discovery Princess for April 2024 and we've been assigned Lido 105. That's a forward-facing cabin. 

The Princess Website says that the view is partially obstructed and that balcony access is limited.  I've read here and there on various travel sites that such rooms do not permit access to the balcony while the ship is at sea.  That would leave at least one of us somewhat-less-than-delighted.

But I read an older (2014) thread about the topic regarding the Royal Princess that suggests that this is more of a guideline and that we're not actually going to be physically prevented from going out on the balcony at sea if we choose to do so, but that the lights in the room have to be off or the curtains have to be drawn if we're doing so at night.  Fair enough.

We'd be fine with L105 if the choice to go on the balcony or not is ours, but less than thrilled if we're going to find the door locked while we're at sea.  The balcony appears to be larger than the typical not-very-large minisuite balconies on the Royal Class ships.  That's certainly a plus, and we'd be happy with the room if we can actually use the balcony, rather than look at it through a glass door.

Can anyone confirm how balcony access in forward-facing staterooms works on the Discovery Princess specifically?

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We are those people who love these cabins!  No, you are not prohibited from using your balcony at anytime.  Nobody locks your doors EVER.  Your only restriction is that at night you must keep your cabin curtains drawn to prevent the light from impacting the bridge’s ability to see clearly.    

Yes, you will feel the wind when at sea.  You may want to sit closer to the door under the overhang to feel more comfortable.  Yes, there is more motion upfront and high up.  We don’t mind it at all.  The huge balcony and the view make up for it.  Now, as for the obstruction, the front facing wall of the balcony is metal not plexiglass.  While seated you cannot see down to the water only out to the water.  For some, this is a dealbreaker.  We don’t care, we just stand up to look down onto the water.    

We highly recommend these cabins to those who aren’t prone to motion sickness, who don’t mind the hike to the elevator, who like the proximity of the Lido deck pool, who aren’t worried about the wind and those who realize that there will be rare occasions that you just can’t go out there.  Only you know how you feel about it.  Good luck and enjoy your cruise!

I had called my Cruise Planner earlier today to ask her to see if she could get us another room.   But this cruise has been sold out for a year, as this one includes a total solar eclipse.

She put us on a waitlist for an upgrade to an ME class minisuite or a downgrade to a Deluxe Balcony.  Neither is likely to happen, because of the whole it's-been-sold-out-for-a-year thing.

I'm going to call her right now and tell her that it won't be necessary.  We'll stick with L105.

Sounds like a great stateroom, especially for the larger balcony, as I really dislike the tiny balconies on the Royal Class ships.

Thanks for the quick reply.

26 minutes ago, essmeier said: I had called my Cruise Planner earlier today to ask her to see if she could get us another room.   But this cruise has been sold out for a year, as this one includes a total solar eclipse.   She put us on a waitlist for an upgrade to an ME class minisuite or a downgrade to a Deluxe Balcony.  Neither is likely to happen, because of the whole it's-been-sold-out-for-a-year thing. I'm going to call her right now and tell her that it won't be necessary.  We'll stick with L105.   Sounds like a great stateroom, especially for the larger balcony, as I really dislike the tiny balconies on the Royal Class ships.   Thanks for the quick reply.

You’re welcome!  I’m sure you will love it.  We have one of these booked for our next cruise on Enchanted and we’re so looking forward to it.

2MellowCruisers

We had this exact cabin booked for the Solar Eclipse cruise but ended up cancelling it.  Since we had never been in a forward facing cabin before, we decided to book this cabin on a cruise earlier this year so we would know if we would like it for the Solar Eclipse cruise. 

We ended up really liking this cabin.  Everything Lady Arwen posted was also our experience.  I did ask the cabin attendant if we were allowed to go on the balcony while at sea and was told there was no problem with that and they would not lock the doors.  He said that we did need to keep the curtains closed after dark.  I thought the metal wall would be a problem for me but it really wasn't.  Yes, sitting down does limit your view and I was worried but if I remember correctly, that was very short lived for me.  The fantastic views on sail away and the balcony size more than made up for it.

We would definitely book one of these rooms again.  We had to think long and hard about cancelling the eclipse cruise.  Enjoy the cruise!

We have also been in a similar cabin on the Regal. It was not a suite, however, the balcony was HUGE as well.

We NEVER were required or asked to lock our balcony door. The only requirement is that you close the drapes at night so your lights do not interfere with the bridge. Turn off your lights if you want to enjoy your balcony at night.

For short people, the only negative is that you can't enjoy the view when sitting down.

Another CC member, suggested that she stacks the chairs and sits on them to see the view.

We loved our Lido balcony room (L104) on Enchanted this fall. I was concerned about the motion sickness (since I am prone) but was excited about the location and thankfully the Mediterranean was mainly calm and flat. The one day the ship was rolling in a storm I think regardless of location we would have felt it. I had my Dramamine with me and take it mainly as security daily while cruising for tenders, winding roads and the occasional rough waters.

Room was quiet, very few people walking near due to location and really no staff noise that far forward. Quick walk for a swim in Retreat pool, or to the action of lido deck, bar service CLOSE for drinkes in the room ( faster than trying to order on app!), I would certainly book the location again!

• 2 months later...

Did the balconies have furniture?

25 minutes ago, RV Queen said: Did the balconies have furniture?

   Yes the balconies have the standard furniture. They are large enough to accommodate more and we were actually able to get a couple of extra chairs on one of our Alaska cruises since we had family traveling with us. Our room steward arranged for that at our request - not sure it’s always an option. But worth asking if you need it. 

Thanks for the reply.  Considering one of these cabins on the Sapphire next year for 32 day cruise.  But yikes, 22 sea days.  Would want to enjoy the balcony and not worry about them being locked.  

11 minutes ago, RV Queen said: Thanks for the reply.  Considering one of these cabins on the Sapphire next year for 32 day cruise.  But yikes, 22 sea days.  Would want to enjoy the balcony and not worry about them being locked.  

  Not sure what your itinerary would be on the cruise you are considering but my only caution about the forward balconies would be for a cruise with a lot of open ocean days - like a transatlantic or Pacific crossing. They can be fairly windy on sailing days when you are at open sea completely unprotected or transiting. As much as I love them for most cruises, I might not choose them for cruises with lots of open sea days. Just something to think about. 

It is LA to Hawaii, then down through Pacific (April 2025).  Lots of open sea days. Thank you for your advice.  

shellbeachjim

We were in L108 in November/December on the Enchanted. This cabin has a wraparound balcony and the door was on the side, not in the front. It was a transatlantic crossing and the winds on the cruise were quite strong at times. I tried to keep the balcony table upside down when it was windy to prevent it from banging against the cabin. One evening during the crossing I could hear the table moving around and when I looked out the sliding glass door, I saw the table fly by, hitting the partition between our balcony and our neighbor's. The table was at eye level - thankfully I didn't step outside otherwise it could have been messy. Great cabin, but I'm not sure we'd do it again, mostly because it's so far away from everything, not because of the balcony.

• 2 weeks later...

On 12/22/2023 at 4:21 PM, essmeier said: We've booked a minisuite on the Discovery Princess for April 2024 and we've been assigned Lido 105. That's a forward-facing cabin.  The Princess Website says that the view is partially obstructed and that balcony access is limited.  I've read here and there on various travel sites that such rooms do not permit access to the balcony while the ship is at sea.  That would leave at least one of us somewhat-less-than-delighted. But I read an older (2014) thread about the topic regarding the Royal Princess that suggests that this is more of a guideline and that we're not actually going to be physically prevented from going out on the balcony at sea if we choose to do so, but that the lights in the room have to be off or the curtains have to be drawn if we're doing so at night.  Fair enough. We'd be fine with L105 if the choice to go on the balcony or not is ours, but less than thrilled if we're going to find the door locked while we're at sea.  The balcony appears to be larger than the typical not-very-large minisuite balconies on the Royal Class ships.  That's certainly a plus, and we'd be happy with the room if we can actually use the balcony, rather than look at it through a glass door.   Can anyone confirm how balcony access in forward-facing staterooms works on the Discovery Princess specifically?

We have the same cabin in June. You can pull up a couple videos other people did while in that cabin. I love the larger balcony as our family will come and hang out there at times. I do wish that we’d be able to see the water from bed but nope, not with the steel wall (we can look at the stars)

On 12/22/2023 at 2:39 PM, essmeier said: I had called my Cruise Planner earlier today to ask her to see if she could get us another room.   But this cruise has been sold out for a year, as this one includes a total solar eclipse.

Soooo... You have a very large balcony from which to view the eclipse without a crowd of people around you impacting your experience. How sad... NOT! I think you have scored.

We have one of the forward cabins booked on Discovery for Alaska in May 2025, our cabin is one of the two centre ones L102 on the lido deck which are slightly wider than those either side of !01 and 102. We had the same forward Suite L106 on two sailings in 2008 and 2009 on Ruby and the views were great being just behind the top of the bridge.

We booked L102 on Discovery for the views and the metal superstructure is not an issue to us, on the Ruby the access to the curved balcony is on the Port side and even on sea days if you sat mid centre of the balcony against the cabin wall there was little to no wind.

2 hours ago, sidari said: We have one of the forward cabins booked on Discovery for Alaska in May 2025, our cabin is one of the two centre ones L102 on the lido deck which are slightly wider than those either side of !01 and 102. We had the same forward Suite L106 on two sailings in 2008 and 2009 on Ruby and the views were great being just behind the top of the bridge. We booked L102 on Discovery for the views and the metal superstructure is not an issue to us, on the Ruby the access to the curved balcony is on the Port side and even on sea days if you sat mid centre of the balcony against the cabin wall there was little to no wind.

  We had L102 on Royal on our Alaska trip out of Vancouver in 2022. It was glorious! We have been to Glacier Bay a number of times, but experiencing it on our forward facing balcony was the best, just beauty in every direction. 

• 1 month later...

OK.  The total eclipse cruise is over.

Thoughts on forward-facing Lido 105:

Unlike most minisuites on Royal-class ships, this minisuite is square .  It had more counter space, more drawers, and a larger closet (with doors!) than what you usually find in a minisuite.

Being square, the sofa is near the foot of the bed, so there's no divider curtain in the room.

You still get that convenient little semicircular shelf inside the door, though it's now around a corner.  The bathroom and closet are in different places than usual.

The balcony is huge; I calculated the size at about 139 square feet, versus 25 square feet or so for most minisuites, so if you like big balconies, you'll love these rooms.

The wind was not a factor at all when the ship is moving.  The sloping steel wall in front of the balcony guided the airflow over us. 

There was no warning sticker on the glass door. There was a sign on the wall next to it warning us to keep the door closed and to keep the curtains closed at night.

We had a small table and two reclining chairs on the balcony, each with an ottoman.  The table is tall enough that you can eat a meal out there if you like.

We were relatively close to the Horizon Court, though a really long way from pretty much everything else.

The only downside of note is that if you're sitting on the balcony, you can't see anything, as the front wall of the balcony is steel, rather than glass.  To see, you must stand.  Not a big deal, but it's worth noting.

Bonus for us - we were able to see the eclipse from our balcony so we didn't have to view it from the main Lido deck with 3000 of our closest friends.

We did share our space during the eclipse with some friends who had balconies that faced away from the event.

All good; we'd book a forward facing balcony again in a minute unless we were planning a cruise in places with heavy seas.  (Drake Passage?  Probably not.)

Recommended.

Thank you for updating us with your experience.  Since this is the cruise and cabin we cancelled, I was wondering how it went.  So glad you enjoyed the cruise!

1 hour ago, essmeier said: OK.  The total eclipse cruise is over. Thoughts on forward-facing Lido 105: Unlike most minisuites on Royal-class ships, this minisuite is square .  It had more counter space, more drawers, and a larger closet (with doors!) than what you usually find in a minisuite.   Being square, the sofa is near the foot of the bed, so there's no divider curtain in the room.   You still get that convenient little semicircular shelf inside the door, though it's now around a corner.  The bathroom and closet are in different places than usual. The balcony is huge; I calculated the size at about 139 square feet, versus 25 square feet or so for most minisuites, so if you like big balconies, you'll love these rooms. The wind was not a factor at all when the ship is moving.  The sloping steel wall in front of the balcony guided the airflow over us.    There was no warning sticker on the glass door. There was a sign on the wall next to it warning us to keep the door closed and to keep the curtains closed at night. We had a small table and two reclining chairs on the balcony, each with an ottoman.  The table is tall enough that you can eat a meal out there if you like. We were relatively close to the Horizon Court, though a really long way from pretty much everything else. The only downside of note is that if you're sitting on the balcony, you can't see anything, as the front wall of the balcony is steel, rather than glass.  To see, you must stand.  Not a big deal, but it's worth noting. Bonus for us - we were able to see the eclipse from our balcony so we didn't have to view it from the main Lido deck with 3000 of our closest friends. We did share our space during the eclipse with some friends who had balconies that faced away from the event. All good; we'd book a forward facing balcony again in a minute unless we were planning a cruise in places with heavy seas.  (Drake Passage?  Probably not.) Recommended.

We were in L105 on the Discovery for the roundtrip Hawaii cruise that disembarked a few days before you embarked on your cruise.  Our thoughts parallel those of yours that you mentioned here.  We really enjoyed the cabin too.  Your estimate for the balcony size is about the same as mine. 

I suspect that Jay was your cabin steward?  We really enjoyed Jay and thought he was a terrific cabin steward.  

We are in L107 on an upcoming Alaska cruise on the Majestic.  We are looking forward (pun not intended) to trying out one of those corner reserve collection mini-suites.  

On 4/16/2024 at 1:10 PM, TAW1963 said: I suspect that Jay was your cabin steward?  We really enjoyed Jay and thought he was a terrific cabin steward.  

Jay was our steward, and yes, he was terrific.  He was as good a steward as we've ever had.

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I cruised on the discovery princess, here’s my review of the voyage.

When some think of cruises, a picture of cheesy, matching family T-shirts comes to mind. Perhaps you think of long lines at the buffet and loop-de-loop water slides that never seem to end on the lido deck. For some, this image isn’t relaxing, but not all ships are created equal.

The lovely Discovery Princess , the second newest cruise ship among Princess Cruises’ fleet, is one of the most elegant I’ve voyaged on — and I’ve been on 10+ cruises (read: best cruises I reviewed ). So, you can say I’ve become quite the cruise critic over the years.

While each cruise ship has something unique to offer, I can honestly say my experience setting sail on the Discovery Princess was my favorite cruise yet.

RELATED : Princess unveils its new Sun Princess ship

As part of the itinerary’s Pacific Wine Country Tour for an April 2024 sailing, I embarked from the Los Angeles port in San Pedro, CA and then traveled to San Diego; San Francisco; Astoria, OR; and Victoria and Vancouver, Canada. The best part was experiencing Napa Valley and Sonoma Valley on one of Princess Cruises’ excursions, but more on that later.

To assemble an in-depth review of my experience, I divided this piece into a few sections: who it’s good for, activities and entertainment, food and drink options, excursions and special features. Consider this your all-in-one guide. After all, I did plenty of research myself — a discovery , if you will — via YouTube videos, Discovery Princess Facebook groups and by way of the easy-to-use Princess app. Not to mention, since I’ve cruised on other lines, including Carnival, Celebrity, NCL and Royal Caribbean, you’ll find some comparison notes as well.

Even better, this cruise vacation was with my high school best friend, Veronica, who has never been aboard a cruise ship. It was such a unique experience seeing all that Discovery Princess had to offer with her first-time perspective, which is infused within this review as well.

Who it’s good for

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Most cruise lines are designed for whatever you’d like your vacation to be, whether it’s solo travel, couples traveling, a best friend cruise (I’m representing this demographic here) and family trips. Aboard Discovery Princess, I even saw a 20+ family reunion. The possibilities are endless, and some sailings may yield older or younger demographics depending on the itinerary, length of the cruise and other factors.

Veronica and I are both in our early 20s, and we found the Discovery Princess to cater to an older crowd, as we saw many middle- and senior-aged couples. However, we scouted a handful of young adult couples, just not nearly as many as you’d find on more “ family-friendly ” cruise lines, like Carnival and Royal Caribbean.

However, this isn’t a dealbreaker in the slightest. A cruise is what you make of it, and we enjoyed trying top-of-the-line specialty restaurants, heading to Broadway-production-style shows, booking excursions for each port we docked at and relaxing in the Lotus Spa , the latter being a true R&R highlight. Pro tip: pick up a Miami Vice or your favorite cocktail at one of Discovery’s bars before heading to The Enclave, the spa’s modern, state-of-the-art relaxation centers with a jet pool, two different sauna rooms and heated lounge chairs. You definitely won’t be sorry.

Because Discovery Princess was my first trip with Princess Cruises, I can’t speak if the slightly older clientele is characteristic of the cruise line at large or this specific itinerary. Granted, it was a wine-centric itinerary at the end of April, so I wasn’t expecting to see many passengers younger than 21-years-old on each deck. Additionally, we didn’t sail in peak summertime months when school’s out and more family vacations may take place.

While I certainly remember way more families aboard other cruise lines, that’s not to say Princess isn’t family-friendly. There’s a variety of entertainment options, which you’ll find on the stateroom patter (otherwise known as a printed itinerary) each evening, placed at the foot of your bed by a stateroom attendant. Or, you can follow along on the Princess app.

Activities and entertainment

One of the highlights from the Discovery Princess ship is, without question, the activities and entertainment that I’d say is world-class. I grew up going to theaters, Broadway shows and local productions and it was clear as day that the variety of shows featured well-versed actors, performers, dancers, singers and a legitimate crew to put together the lighting, choreography and the entire setup from start to finish.

If heading to shows isn’t entirely your thing, that’s OK, too; Discovery Princess had a multitude of game shows, comedians, dance and deck parties (sometimes, dance parties on the deck), trivia and more. Below, I ran through some of the activities and entertainment options Veronica and I experienced during our April 2024 sailing:

Production Shows at Princess Theater

One of the most memorable experiences aboard Discovery Princess was heading to the Production Shows during the eight-day cruise. Show times and type may vary depending on the sailing, though you can expect two Production-level shows. These mimic the vibe exuded on Broadway.

Aboard Discovery, I went to the “Spotlight Bar” show, where the full cast sang radio, sing-along hits in front of a bar scene. The group dances and individual ballads were nothing short of phenomenal. As much as I loved watching the first Production-level show, I adored the “Rock Opera” show, a fusion of 80s rock with opera-style performances. Think: “The Greatest Showman” meets Cyndi Lauper. The costumes, set and overall segue from song to song was unparalleled; I didn’t want it to end.

Additionally, Princess Cruises has two show times for its Production-level shows: one at 7:30 p.m. and another at 9:30 p.m. This works out well, that way you have options to work around your dinner reservations or late-night activities, like the after-hours comedian or DJ.

Aside from Production Shows at Princess Theater, there were two to three other shows performed by soloists Willis White and Nick Petris who paid homage to music icons Lionel Richie and Michael Bublé, respectively. Both were excellent and entertaining. Princess Theater also hosted a magician one night, though we didn’t attend.

Game Shows at Princess Live!

Another sit-back-and-relax moment aboard Discovery was the schedule of game shows from the first to last evening on the cruise. Sometimes, game shows can be corny, but the Princess crew truly knew how to entertain.

Veronica and I attended a few, including “Top, Middle or Bottom” where passengers took turns selecting Jeopardy-style tiles and either passing through to the next column (a checkmark), receiving one of three X-es (a firecracker symbol) or a trivia question (a question mark). It was a pretty suspenseful guessing game and one that kept us pretty entertained.

Another game show we attended one evening was called “Majority Rules,” where we’d answer somewhat controversial questions like, “Who’s the best female singer?” or “What’s the greatest film of all time?” As the name suggests, the majority rules, and each “team” tallies up their points to crown the ultimate victor.

The vibe of the game shows was the perfect after-dinner activity. Many cruisers sat in armchairs with a drink in hand, just relaxing and enjoying the atmosphere. The best part? Most game shows were hosted by the cruise director. Kristoff, if you’re reading this, we love you .

Comedy Shows at Vista Lounge (nicknamed “Laugh Lounge”)

For fans of stand-up comedy, Discovery hosted quite a few comedy shows, divided among three comedians on my particular sailing. These shows were hosted at Vista Lounge, a sophisticated and snazzy venue space, though the backdrop transforms into a brick-style background with a neon “Laugh Lounge” sign in cursive, apropos of the crew’s production team.

Some comedians starred on Comedy Central and popular Late Night shows and had us laughing to no end. Whether it’s your first cruise or you’re a four-times-a-year cruiser, the banter and jokes made about cruising pet peeves is witty, relatable and entertaining.

Most of all, I loved the variety of comedians aboard Discovery. On a previous Carnival cruise, there was only one comedian who, although was great at improv comedy and picking on audience members, didn’t inspire me to see all seven of his shows. The comedians aboard Discovery were proof that live entertainment on this ship is purely unforgettable.

The Dance Competition

Slightly hidden on the itinerary, the Princess Dance Competition allows passengers and crew members to be selected at random in the cruise’s version of “Dancing with the Stars.” Spoiler alert: this was one of my favorite moments from the cruise. I ended up participating, dancing with a crew member from the buffet team and ended up *winning* the whole competition. And yes, I ended up doing a split. There’s something I didn’t think I’d do on a cruise ship…

Other activities and entertainment

From regular perusing of the daily itinerary, there are additional activities to enjoy. Discovery ensured that there were enough options to choose from on both sea days and days at port. On some other cruise lines, there was next to nothing to do in the afternoons, so this was a nice touch.

Below, find a sampling of events and activities you may expect to experience aboard Discovery Princess:

• “Deal or No Deal” show: Similar to Bingo, which was also offered aboard Discovery, game cards for Deal or No Deal were being sold. As an audience member, you have quite a few chances to win the ultimate prize, following along as the show goes on.
• Casino : Many cruisers enjoy spending time at the casino, whether it be individual slot machines or Blackjack and Roulette tables. I enjoyed spending some time at the Casino, but keep in mind this is only open during times at sea due to port laws and regulations.
• Fitness classes : Discovery offers a gym-grade fitness center with professional equipment and even pilates, barre, yoga and HIIT classes you can sign up for.
• Line dancing : On Discovery, there’s a ton of line dancing happening in The Piazza, the main epicenter of the ship. This exists on other cruises I’ve sailed on as well, but this sailing took it to the next level.
• Afternoon tea : During sea days, Discovery hosted an afternoon tea at 3:00 p.m. in one of the three main dining rooms. Complete with finger sandwiches, teas and handhelds, passengers loved the experience. We skipped it on our cruise only because one of our excursions in Victoria, Canada was having high tea at a mansion.
• Cocktail experiences : Around 4:45 p.m. or so, Discovery hosted cocktail experiences every few days. This sip-and-learn activity is hosted at one of the main bars and a bartender will walk you through crafting tips, different flavor pairings and, of course, mixing drinks right in front of you.

Food and drink options

An incredible, standout feature aboard Discovery Princess was its wealth of well-varied food and beverage options. If you’ve been on a cruise before, you know you’ll never go hungry, but this ship’s prized dining room service, quality and flair was a step above other cruises I’ve been on.

Main Dining Room

Discovery Princess has three main dining rooms: Ketchikan, Juneau and Skagway, all named after locations in Alaska, one of the ship’s most-traveled-to destinations. Each passenger or passenger group will be assigned one of the three main dining rooms to eat at each evening with different times as well. Wonderfully, there was much flexibility at each dining room if you preferred to dine a bit earlier or later than your scheduled time.

Compared to other ships, the food in the main dining rooms was much better and closely on par with the multitude of specialty dining options you’ll find on board. You’ll find at least one formal night (aka, lobster night for seafood fans) where nearly everyone is decked out in cocktail attire to take professional photos and enjoy a delicious menu. Production-level shows are usually this night as well.

Breakfast in the main dining room was also an enjoyable experience, where you can enjoy fresh juices, pastries, fruits and main courses. The menu was smaller than other cruises I’ve been on, but this wasn’t a dealbreaker.

The World Fresh Marketplace

The World Fresh Marketplace, otherwise known as the buffet, didn’t have a miles-long line like some other cruises I’ve sailed on. The options were diverse, delicious and perfect for a quick bite. Veronica and I loved the taco bar and pasta station, as well as the fresh fruit counter. Not to mention, the service is one of the best; waitstaff circles around tables to offer you fresh water, juice or soda on trays, making it extra convenient for your overall dining experience.

International Café

Located on Deck 5 next to The Piazza, International Café is a complimentary, luxury-leaning, grab-and-go counter where you’ll find fresh pastries (note: the almond croissants, heated up, are to die for), desserts and handcrafted sandwiches. This is also where you can grab lattes, cappuccinos and other beverages.

Veronica and I dined here nearly every morning before an early excursion because it’s delicious, in a great location and, overall, a quick venue. The service was top-notch and well-loved by passengers; plenty of people aboard grabbed a coffee and sat at one of the tables along The Piazza to enjoy live pianists, vocalists and other entertainment throughout the day and into the evening.

What’s more, the International Café is complimentary. On other cruise lines, each specialty coffee and pastry was an extra charge. This is a testament to Princess Cruises’ affinity for quality-first dining experiences.

Ocean Terrace Sushi Bar

The love I have for Ocean Terrace Sushi Bar is tenfold. Before dinner on some evenings, Veronica and I would head to this modern counter — located right above and overlooking The Piazza — to enjoy fresh crab, shrimp and spicy tuna rolls that are handmade right in front of our eyes. The quality was some of the best I’ve had. It’s a casual yet spectacular setting. Additional charges may apply depending on what you order.

Gigi’s Pizzeria by Alfredo

Also one deck above The Piazza, Gigi’s Pizzeria by Alfredo is another sit-down locale where you can enjoy live music surrounding you. This was the first food venue Veronica and I dined at for lunch on embarkation day and we loved the fresh Margherita and veggie pizzas, as well as the salads.

Uniquely, the pizza options are certified authentic Neapolitan pizza, much like its gelato on board (which is located on the same deck as The Piazza, and one of the only cruise ships to boast gelato that’s certified by the Italian government). Pretty iconic, to say the least.

360: An Extraordinary Experience

If you ask me about the most memorable experience aboard Discovery Princess of them all, it was what’s called 360. This isn’t just any specialty dining venue. For an additional charge per person (about $150 or so), the dining staff will take you through “a journey through tastes, sights, sounds, textures and scents,” per the cruise line.

This seven-course journey is both filling and fantastically put together. Without giving too much away, the meals are inspired by the Mediterranean and, according to the hostess Magdalena, “you won’t find this food anywhere else on board — even at the specialty dining venues.”

This 360 Experience is reserved for 13-year-olds and older, though my group had nobody younger than 21-years-old. For some, the idea of not knowing what you’ll be eating can be somewhat terrifying but rest assured, the team takes any dietary restrictions into account. For instance, Veronica has a shellfish allergy an they made an equally delicious substitute. If you take anything away from this review, book 360 .

The Catch by Rudi

Veronica and I enjoyed The Catch by Rudi , Discovery’s seafood specialty restaurant. Everything from the service to the presentation was extravagant and this was my favorite specialty restaurant on the ship. It’s a pure celebration of all things ocean.

Typical of other specialty restaurants you’ll find, you’ll choose one appetizer, one main course and one dessert. The cocktails at The Catch by Rudi were some of our favorites. My dish, called the Triple S Platter because it contained salmon, scallops and shrimp, was mouthwatering. There was even a hanging prawn on my plate when our waitress brought it out!

Sabatini’s Italian Trattoria

You can take the girl out of New Jersey, but you can’t take New Jersey out of the girl. From someone who comes from a family making their own sauce each Sunday, Sabatini’s Italian Trattoria was a much-needed dining option in my books. Here, you’ll actually find a five-course meal: an appetizer, a soup or salad, a pasta, an entree and a dessert. In short, come hungry.

The food and cocktails here were incredible and we loved the on-the-house rice balls the waitstaff presented to each table. It was so delicious that we ordered room service from Sabatini’s Italian Trattoria one evening as we watched Discovery sail away from one of our ports. It was heaven .

Sometimes, you just want a comfort meal, like lasagna or lemon chicken. Sabatini’s Italian Trattoria 100% satisfied that craving for both of us, and we enjoyed every minute of our time here.

Crown Grill

Ah, we’ve landed at Discovery’s steakhouse. Ranked one of the best cruise ship steakhouses, per Princess Cruises website, Crown Grill features premium aged beef and fresh seafood items. Its open kitchen design and elegant setting make it a lovely choice. Not to mention, you can have a tasting of all of the sides.

Above all else, you’ll want to experience Crown Grill’s ribeye steak and filet mignon if you’re a lover of chops. The glazes, sauces, whipped butter and specialty salts (yes, you read that correctly) made the experience very upscale.

Whether you take excursions is entirely based on personal preference. On the Pacific Wine Country Tour aboard Discovery Princess , Veronica and I embarked on the following crew-organized options:

• San Diego, CA : City Drive & La Jolla Highlights
• San Francisco, CA : Sonoma Wine Country
• Astoria, Oregon : Willamette Valley Wine Country
• Victoria, Canada : High Tea at Pendray Mansion & City Highlights

From experiencing some of the best wine in the Pacific to learning the ins and outs of popular locations like San Francisco and Vancouver Island, we felt each tour was well-organized and worth the added cost. Among all the excursions on this particular voyage, we enjoyed Sonoma Wine Country the most because, after all, who doesn’t want to travel to Napa?

Booking excursions is simple to do so on the Princess app. Or, you can opt to check in regularly with the Shore Excursions desk on Deck 5 near The Piazza to ask any questions you may have. Veronica and I decided to swap our previously booked biking excursion in Oregon to experience more of wine country and the crew staff was able to reprint new tickets as the tour wasn’t fully booked.

If you aren’t able to book your first-choice excursion, I wouldn’t worried. While there aren’t guarantees, Princess will hold you on an organized waitlist. In fact, Veronica and I were on a waitlist for Sonoma Wine Country and luckily joined the tour.

Additionally, every excursion through Princess guarantees your arrival back on the ship as it departs. You’ve likely heard of “cruise horror stories” where certain cruise lines will leave you if you’re not back by the arranged on-board time. Even if an excursion is running a bit late (like mine in Oregon), rest assured the ship will not depart without you. If you opt to journey at a port on your own and you’re late, that may be a different story.

Special features

Without a doubt, Discovery Princess had a catalog of special features that I remember even after my cruise. Below, find them listed:

• MedallionClass : Instead of a stateroom card that serves as your ID and cabin entry, Discovery operates via a Medallion that’s a bit larger than a quarter and inscribed with your name. Whether you use the included lanyard or opt to buy a Medallion accessory, like a clip, this makes it so much easier to charge extras to your ship account (called your Folio). The Medallion serves as a tracker as well, so the service tends to operate quicker than other ships because of facial recognition, made possible by the photo you took on embarkation day or that you’ve uploaded to your Princess app profile. You can even enter your stateroom hands-free!
• The Enclave at Lotus Spa : For about $165 per person, you can enjoy unlimited access to The Enclave, the private resort-style room at the Lotus Spa where you’ll find a jet pool, saunas and heated beds. You’ll also have access to the Relaxation Room, a wonderful sanctuary for reading, meditating and enjoying ice water with cucumber or lemon. This made the trip feel a bit more higher-end than what may be offered on some older ships.
• Larger than usual staterooms : Veronica and I were at a balcony cabin which tends to be larger than interior staterooms. However, when I first entered our balcony cabin, I was blown away by how much space we had. Other cruise lines had extremely small bathrooms, showers and walking space near the beds. The ship’s design — featuring smaller staircase landings and hallways — allows the individual rooms to be a hair larger than most other ships.
• Smooth embarkation and disembarkation process : Largely in part by the MedallionClass experience, Veronica and I were able to disembark within 30 minutes. I’ve experienced hours upon hours of wait times at other cruise ports and was impressed by the swiftness to enter and leave the ship. Plus, Princess accommodates your preferred time on most occasions, especially if you have a flight booked.
• Ship size : You won’t feel like you’re at a shopping mall on Discovery. The ship occupies 3,660 guests instead of 8,000 or so I’ve experienced on other ships. This is the ideal size in my opinion and, considering a quite manageable passenger count, there was *so* much to do. You’re receiving the complete cruise experience sans the chaos, which we both appreciated.

The bottom line

Everything from the dining experiences to activities and overall service on the Discovery Princess made our voyage extremely memorable. Each step of the way, I felt as if I was on a luxury vacation, even though some experiences — like specialty dining and the Lotus Spa — were additional costs. The Production Shows, endless entertainment and accommodations deserve awards of their own, and I would surely set sail on another Princess Cruise again. Veronica, first-time cruiser, would, too!

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