sapphire princess cruise rooms

Sapphire Princess Cabins: The Best & Worst Rooms on the Ship

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Considering booking a cruise on Sapphire Princess? She’s a fantastic ship, part of the Gem Class for Princess that forms a part of the larger Grand Class overall, and she has plenty of great places to eat, relax and have fun.

She also has some fantastic accommodation choices too – though some rooms are definitely better than others. There aren’t any ‘bad’ cabins to pick from, but depending on the location and the cost, some may be better suited to you than others.

So to help explore, let’s take a look at the various types of accommodation you can book on Sapphire Princess, and identify which ones are the best and which ones you might prefer to avoid when you are planning your cruise.

Sapphire Princess Cabin Types

There are seven main types of rooms on Sapphire Princess.

Not every ship in the Princess fleet has Oceanview rooms, but Sapphire Princess does, including some at the front of the ship that let you look ahead to where you’re sailing. But the majority of rooms on the ship are either Interior, Balcony or Premium Balcony.

However, the decision of which room you should book is a lot more than just picking a cabin type. There’s a lot to consider, as within each type there are different categories, some of which are better than others, and then you also need to think about the location on the ship as well, and how close you want to be to certain facilities (or how far away, if you want a quieter room).

Because there’s a lot to think about, I’ve made a checklist that tells you everything you need to be aware of. And you can get it free here:

Sapphire Princess Inside Cabins

On most cruise ships, the most ‘basic’ accommodation you can book is an interior or inside cabin, and Sapphire Princess is no different. These rooms are on the inside of the ship, as the name suggests, which means you don’t have any windows for natural light.

They’re normally designed for two people but there are some that can sleep four. Often inside rooms are the smallest on a ship, but there are some smaller Oceanview cabins on Sapphire Princess – though not by much.

These rooms are ideal for anyone who either doesn’t like to be woken up by sunlight, and thinks they may get a better sleep without any windows, or for anyone who just isn’t too bothered by having a nice view. After all, there are plenty of open decks where you can go when you do want to see the sea.

And interior cabins are the cheapest available, which frees up more of your budget for on-board activities or even for your next cruise. There are some wheelchair accessible interior cabins on Sapphire Princess, and they’re some of the most spacious rooms on the ship that aren’t suites.

Beds are flexible – they’re normally twin beds that can be converted into a double – while the cabins that sleep up to four will have Pullman beds that are more suited to children but can support some adults.

Sapphire Princess Inside Cabin Grades

Every cabin on Sapphire Princess has a two-letter code that tells you the grade. The first letter makes clear the cabin type, while the second character (a mix of numbers and letters) tells you where it is on the ship, and what sub-type of room it is.

Inside cabins begin with I, and the second letter runs from A to F. A is considered the best due to the location, while F is the worst. Costs vary, so an IA will cost more than an IF – if you want the best location, you have to pay a little more.

Sapphire Princess Oceanview Cabins

If you want to enjoy a view from your room, or the thought of no natural light leaves you feeling a bit cramped, then an Oceanview is the next step up. Cheaper than a Balcony, you tend to get just a little more space than an Interior cabin, but more importantly some view of the ocean.

Bear in mind that some of the Oceanview cabins on Sapphire Princess have an obstructed view, either caused by the lifeboats or by the bridge at the front of the ship. These are cheaper, so if you’re not so worried about the view and just want some sunlight, these could be ideal.

And if you want a little more floor space, you can choose a Premium Oceanview cabin – they’re around 10% bigger.

Sapphire Princess Oceanview Cabin Grades

Sapphire princess balcony cabins.

Looking for a little more space again, and the chance to soak up some fresh air from the comfort of your own room? That’s when you want a Balcony cabin. These have sliding doors opening onto your own miniature veranda where you’ll have a couple of chairs and you can sit and relax with a view.

Within the Balcony category, there are a couple of different options available – Balcony and Premium Balcony. Premium Balconies have more space and are in some premium locations, including the aft of the ship overlooking the wake.

Sapphire Princess Balcony Cabin Grades

Sapphire princess mini suites.

The Mini Suites on Sapphire Princess are a middle step between a Balcony stateroom and a full-size suite. This has some plusses and some drawbacks – you get more space, and you get a few extra benefits, but not as many as if you were to make the step up all the way to a full suite. However, you’re also not paying the same price as your would be for a Suite, so there is that to consider as well.

The perks you get in a Mini Suite on Sapphire Princess are:

A separate sitting area in your suite, with a sofa bed and a coffee table
A curtain so that you can separate the sofa bed from the main bed area, creating two bedrooms
An extra TV – the usual one facing the bed, and a second in the sitting area
A better bathroom that has a bathtub and a massage shower
An upgraded bed, that has better pillows and a plump mattress topper
Additional balcony chairs – up to four (instead of the normal two)
A glass of sparkling wine as you board the ship

Sapphire Princess Mini Suite Grades

Club class mini suites.

If Mini Suites are a halfway house between Balcony cabins and Suites, then Club Class are a two-thirds house…in that they’re a premium subclass of Mini Suites that have some additional perks, despite not being any larger.

Sapphire Princess Club Class Mini Suite perks:

Priority embarkation and disembarkation queues at the start and the end of your cruise
An even comfier bed
Bathrobes for each guest for the duration of the cruise (don’t steal them!)
A half bottle of red wine and a half bottle of white wine in your Mini Suite on embarkation day
Evening canapes in your room (on request)
Access to an exclusive seating area in the Main Dining Room, with additional menu options to choose from.

If you’re thinking about making the step up to a Mini Suite or a Club Class Mini Suite, it’s worth taking the time to consider whether these extra benefits are worth it to you. And if they are, then you might also want to pay a little more for a full-sized Suite.

If the perks aren’t something you want to pay more for, then it’s not worth booking a Club Class Mini Suite, although you may prefer the extra room that a regular Mini Suite gives you compared to a Balcony cabin.

Sapphire Princess Suites

If you want to really live the high life, or you just want the most space to be able to relax in the privacy of your own room, then a Suite is the way to go. Sapphire Princess has some fantastic Suite options, giving you all of the perks of a Club Class Mini Suite, as well as a long list of additional extras as well.

Sapphire Princess Suite Perks:

Priority queues for embarkation and disembarkation, and for shore excursions/tenders
Priority lines for booking shore excursions and for guest services desks
Priority booking for the speciality dining venues
Access to the Club Class Dining area of the Main Dining Room with its extra menu choices
Access to the exclusive Lotus Spa Thermal Suite
An upgraded room service menu to choose from
Your boarding drink is upgraded to Champagne
A free mini bar in you room, a fruit bowl (topped up on request) and a fresh vase of orchids in your suite for your arrival
A free mimosa served at breakfast every day
A twice-daily ice service
Tea served in your suite
A cruise card wallet
Complimentary use of umbrellas as necessary
Free laundry, dry cleaning and shoe-shining
One free private portrait photograph taken by the ship’s photographer

Sapphire Princess Suite Grades

Grand vs. owner’s vs. penthouse vs. premium vs. vista.

There are six different types of Suites on the Sapphire Princess, although one of those is a speciality category aimed at families – more on that below.

But when comparing the other suites, the best is the Grand Suite. Not only is it the most spacious, but it has a prime location at the aft corner of the ship, giving you the biggest balcony area and what many believe to be the best view. It also has multiple seating areas and is great for hosting.

The Owner’s Suite is situated on the same deck as the Grand Suite, but in the opposite corner. It is still exceptionally spacious and is maybe a better choice if you aren’t likely to have people visiting your room.

Some of the Penthouse Suites are also situated at the aft in a more central location, as are the smaller Vista Suites – although they are on a lower deck, so you don’t get quite as expansive a view.

The S4 Penthouse Suites are situated mid-ship, and while these views aren’t as sought after, it does mean that you’re closer to all of the amenities of the ship. If you want to head to the Lotus Spa then you’re a lot closer than an Owner’s Suite guest.

The Premium Suites are located in a forward position, with balconies at the front of the ship. There may be times that you can’t use these balconies because of the winds as the ship is sailing – so bear that in mind.

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Special Cabin Types

Sapphire princess aft rooms.

Most people covet an aft room because of the views you can enjoy. Looking out of the wake is pretty exciting, and you’re sheltered from a lot of the winds that stream past the ship while you’re sailing too. Plus the rooms tend to be larger, so you’re getting more space and a wonderful view every morning.

On the Sapphire Princess, the aft-facing rooms include:

Premium Balcony Cabins – Decks 8 to 12, excluding Deck 11
Vista Suites – Decks 8 to 10
Penthouse Suites – Decks 10 and 11
Owner’s Suite – Deck 11
Grand Suite – Deck 11

Sapphire Princess Connecting Rooms

Connecting rooms are designed for any groups that are travelling together that either can’t fit into one cabin, or that want a little more space. They’re two cabins side-by-side that have a door between them. This door is locked by default, so that any guest can book these rooms without a stranger wandering in. But if you book both rooms you can have this connecting door unlocked so that you can wander between the two rooms freely.

On Sapphire Princess, there are a few choices when it comes to connecting rooms:

Two Obstructed Oceanview Cabins
Two Balcony Cabins
Two Premium Balcony Cabins

Sapphire Princess Family Suites

There is another type of connecting room that’s a little more special – the Family Suite. Technically each of the two Family Suites are just two Balcony cabins at the front of the ship, but they must be booked together – you can’t book these rooms individually.

Despite the fact that they are listed as separate rooms within one suite, they have been converted so instead of a shared door, they have a shared living space and fully open balcony area.

Plus you get all the benefits of booking a suite too, and because there are two sofa beds the suites sleep up to 6 guests. So if you’re looking for something special for your family, or you’re travelling with a larger group, these could be ideal.

Sapphire Princess Accessible Rooms

While the public areas of the ship are fully accessible for wheelchair users, not every cabin is really suited. There are a selection of dedicated accessible cabins though, which have wider doorways, more floorspace around the bed to allow a chair to manoeuvre, and a wet room.

These are really popular and will often book up quickly, so if you’re interested then you should definitely try to book in advance. And if you don’t need an accessible cabin, try not to book them so that those who do require the space don’t miss out.

The accessible cabins on Sapphire Princess include:

Interior Cabins – Decks 8, 10, 12 and 14
Obstructed Oceanview Cabins – Deck 8
Balcony Cabins – Decks 10-12
Premium Balcony Cabins – Decks 10 and 12

Sapphire Princess Cabins to Avoid

Now that we’ve run through every type of accommodation you can book on Sapphire Princess, it’s time to pick out those individual cabins that maybe aren’t the best choice.

I’ve scoured forums and Facebook groups to find the rooms on Sapphire Princess that people haven’t been too happy with, and made a note of them for you here. But remember that a lot of this is subjective, and some of these might actually be a good choice for you.

None of the recommendations here are down to a ‘bad’ room. These are all tips based on the location of the rooms, and what surrounds them.

With that clarified, here are the Sapphire Princess cabins you might want to avoid.

1. Cabins That Are Under the Lido Deck

A310 to 751

A common thread you see on forums and Facebook groups about cruise ships is problems with the noise from pool decks. There are a lot of rooms that are situated directly underneath the wooden decking of the pools, and when guests wake up nice and early to secure themselves and deck chair, they will often scrape it along the floor to get it into position.

And that sound carries through the floor.

What was interesting was that it wasn’t just complaints about the passengers in the morning that I read about, but also about crew working late to clean the Lido, scraping the deck as they cleaned it as late as almost midnight.

When the guest in question complained they did get an apology, as well as a credit to their on-board spend account, so that should show it’s not a super-regular thing. But if you are someone who appreciates a lie-in then definitely consider booking a room that isn’t underneath the scraping deck chairs.

2. Balcony Cabins Near the Front of the Ship

L200 and 201, A104 and 201, B104 and 107, C104 and 107, D104 and 105,

A few cruise lines have balcony cabins situated in a forward position on the ship, but they’re rendered completely unusable while the ship is sailing because of the high winds – barring some that have special reinforced panels in place.

While Sapphire Princess doesn’t have forward-facing balconies (except in two Premium Suites), it does have some that are situated close to the front of the ship. These balconies may be out of bounds during particularly high winds, but even when you are allowed to use them I saw a couple of people saying that it wasn’t a pleasant experience – it was too breezy to be able to relax.

If your idea of a balcony is one where things are peaceful, a mid-ship location may be a better choice.

3. Cabins That Can Be Worse for Seasickness

L200 to 311, A104 to 301 and 628 to 751, B100 to 301 and 628 to 757, C100 to 301 and 628 to 757

If you’re someone that’s worried about potentially getting seasick, then you’ll want to avoid cabins where you will feel the motion the most. Those are the cabins on the higher decks towards the front and aft of the ship.

It’s particularly important on Sapphire Princess as a couple of people have mentioned on the Facebook groups that itineraries departing from San Francisco – where the ship is often based – can have some choppy waters.

It’s not a reason to avoid Sapphire Princess altogether, but aim for a mid-ship room on a lower deck if you are concerned, as you’ll feel the rocking of the ship less.

4. Cabins Directly Adjacent to the Laundromat

D226 and D229, C610 and C611, B708 and B711

There are a handful of laundry rooms on Sapphire Princess, meaning guests don’t have to cart their dirty clothes up many floors in the elevator. However, there are a couple of staterooms that are directly adjacent to these rooms, and you may want to avoid them.

And there are two reasons – firstly, the obvious noise of the machines. This isn’t terrible but it can also cause vibrations in the room.

The other issue is just traffic – you may have a lot of noise from people coming and going, especially as each of the cabins I’ve listed is between the laundromat and the lift.

5. Cabins at the Front of the Ship Near Crew Stairwells

P200 to 201, E100 to 103, C101 to 102, D102 to 105

There are three main staircases on the Sapphire Princess that go from Deck 5 to the higher decks. One at the front of the ship, one mid-ship and one at the aft. The mid-ship and aft staircases are open to passengers, which means they actually get the least use – because everyone uses the elevators.

The staircase at the front of the ship is for crew only, and some guests have reported that there can be some noise early in the morning when the crew are moving around between floors to get everything ready for guests waking up.

It’s not a comment I saw a lot, but I did see it a couple of times, so it’s worth being aware of it if you like a lie-in.

6. Obstructed View Rooms if a View Is Important to You

Any OV, OW, OY or OZ cabin (Deck 8), C100 to 103, 105 to 106 and 109 (Deck 10), B100 to 103, 105 (Deck 11)

There are a number of Oceanview cabins on Deck 8 that have an obstructed view caused by the ship’s lifeboats. And equally in the Oceanview cabins at the front of Decks 10 and 11, the bridge causes an obstruction too.

This isn’t a problem if you don’t want a view and only want some natural sunlight – you’ll still get that, and you can save money. But if you want a good view, it’s best to book an unobstructed room since you don’t know just how much you’ll be able to see.

7. Connecting Cabins if You Don’t Need Them

The connecting cabins are great for travelling families, but if you aren’t planning on booking both connecting rooms then it’s a good idea to avoid booking one of them at all.

The connecting door will always remain locked, so you don’t have to worry about a stranger wandering in. But that door is not as well insulated for sound as an actual wall, and so you may hear your neighbours a lot – and they might hear you.

If you like privacy, then avoid a connecting room unless you need it.

8. Aft Cabins if You Don’t Want to Risk Soot

A744, 746, 749 and 751, B750, 751 and 753

Some guests have reported that when they’ve booked an aft balcony room, there have been some soot build-ups coming from the stacks.

It’s not something that you’ll always have to deal with, but it is a risk for the cabins that are higher up. You may notice a fine dusting of soot on the deck and if you leave any clothes out there, they may get a coating too.

Booking a lower balcony will minimise the risk, but will sacrifice some of the view, so it’s something you need to balance.

The Best Cabins on Sapphire Princess

1. family suites.

The two family suites are a great option for any larger groups who want to sail on Sapphire Princess. They aren’t necessarily packed with fun activities for the kids, like some family-oriented suites are on other cruise lines like Royal Caribbean, but they’re really spacious and they have a good-sized balcony that everyone can enjoy.

The only real downside is their forward location, which means some amenities on the ship will be a long walk away. But that’s worth it to not be living underneath each other’s noses or having to book multiple cabins.

2. The Cheapest Cabins

The cheapest cabins on Sapphire Princess are some of the inside cabins, especially those situated towards the front of the ship. They’re not the biggest, and they’re a decent walk from many of the amenities, but for someone who plans on spending a very small amount of time in their room they are ideal.

You’ll save a lot of money – often paying half of what a guest in a Premium Balcony or Mini Suite may be paying – which can go towards all your onboard experiences or even your next cruise holiday.

3. Staterooms Adjacent to the Terrace Pool

Specifically the Interior rooms A740 and R745, the Balcony cabins A752 and 747, and the Premium Balcony cabins A746 and A751 (which have slightly extended balconies too).

These are right next to the Terrace Pool at the back of the ship, which gives you first dibs on a relaxing deck chair overlooking the wake. Not many people tend to rush here in the morning and you can literally step out of your room and be by the pool in around 10 yards. It’s like your own little private haven.

Other guests will sometimes come this way and so there can be increased traffic, but if you’re awake then you will never miss a deck chair from these rooms.

To Conclude

There really aren’t any bad cabins on Sapphire Princess, but depending on your preferences for noise, location and how prone you are to feeling sick, there may be some that are better for you than others.

I took a lot of this feedback from Facebook groups and forums, so it’s always a good idea to check those out yourself too – people love writing their Sapphire Princess cabin reviews in a lot of detail!

You can even ask about a specific cabin – someone in the group will normally be happy to tell you about their own experiences, and many people take their own photos of their Sapphire Princess rooms too, so you can see what your specific room will look like.

Princess Cruises Cabin Info Page
Princess Cruises Information Page
Sapphire Princess

Sapphire Princess Accommodation FAQs

Sapphire Princess was last refurbished in March 2018, when a couple of new dining venues were added to the ship along with upgrades to the beds in the rooms and other décor and furnishing improvements.

Sapphire Princess is considered part of two different classes. Alongside her sister ship Diamond Princess she makes up the Gem Class, which is part of a larger Grand Class which spans both Princess and P&O Cruises.

Sapphire Princess has four swimming pools, including the Calypso Reef and Pool, which has a retractable roof meaning you can enjoy it even when the weather isn’t ideal. There are also numerous hot tubs across the ship and in the spa.

Sapphire Princess has a maximum capacity of 2,670 passengers and 1,100 crew, for a total capacity of 3,770. There are over 1,300 cabins and suites for passengers, most of which have either an ocean view or a balcony.

There are 13 passenger decks on Sapphire Princess, and 3 decks that are accessible to crew members only. Passenger decks range from Deck 4 to Deck 17, with no Deck 13 due to superstition.

There’s no simple answer on what the best deck is on Sapphire Princess – it depends on your preference. Try to book a deck that has cabins above and below for the least noise, or check the Sapphire Princess deck plan to find a room near the facilities you’ll use most.

Princess Premier Vs Princess Plus
Princess Cruises Ships by Age: Newest to Oldest
Why I (Almost) Always Choose an Inside Cabin for a Family Cruise

More Princess Cruises Cabin Guides

Caribbean Princess Cabins
Coral Princess Cabins
Crown Princess Cabins
Diamond Princess Cabins
Discovery Princess Cabins
Emerald Princess Cabins
Enchanted Princess Cabins
Grand Princess Cabins
Island Princess Cabins
Majestic Princess Cabins
Regal Princess Cabins
Royal Princess Cabins
Ruby Princess Cabins
Sky Princess Cabins

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Jenni Fielding is the founder of Cruise Mummy. She has worked in the cruise industry since 2015 and has taken over 30 cruises. Now, she helps over 1 million people per month to plan their perfect cruise holidays.

5 thoughts on “Sapphire Princess Cabins: The Best & Worst Rooms on the Ship”

Thank you for your thorough research on the Princess Sapphire. So helpful and you answered all the questions I had plus more. I feel better apt to make a smart decision when booking our next cruise with the information you provided.

I found this to be great cabin review information! Nicely laid out in the way that it is totally preferential to what people want. I like the way you even itemized certain cabins of concern. It saved going to look at a deck plan. Very well done, thank you.

Nicely done Keep upgrading Very helpful

Great cabin guide, thanks🙂

Glad to hear you found it useful, thanks for letting me know! Jenni

Sapphire Princess Staterooms

Sail on sapphire princess.

Sapphire Princess®
Sapphire Princess Ship Features

Sapphire Princess® Cruise Ship

From sumptuous dining to captivating diversions, discover the many riches of this gem.

Inaugural Cruise: May 16, 2004
Christener: Nancy Gore Murkowski, former First Lady of Alaska
Guest Cabins: 1,337
Number of Decks: 18
Tonnage: 115,875
Length: 952 feet
Height: 205 feet

As you set your sights on the wonders of the world, let Sapphire Princess indulge your every whim. Over 700 balconies, world-class gourmet dining and dazzling entertainment options are just the beginning of your sea-going adventure. Dance the night away, enjoy casino gaming or relax and rejuvenate body and mind at the Lotus Spa®.

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.

Learn more about Princess MedallionClass | Learn more about MedallionNet® Internet

Accommodations

From the moment you step aboard, we want you to feel welcomed and right at home. And with attentive service from a friendly staff 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.

Truly Luxurious Accommodations at Sea

Mini-suite with exclusive vip touches, add an element of luxury to your stay, front row seat for beautiful scenery, a room with a view, our most affordable option, perfect for large groups, for guests with limited mobility, 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

Dine My Way℠

Dine when, how and where you like.

A (Seafood) Fan Favorite Returns!

Alfredo’s Pizzeria

Hand-tossed pizza, hot out of the oven.

International Café

Sip and snack around the clock.

Horizon Court

An ever-changing selection of favorites.

Trident Grill

Grilled burgers and dogs to go, 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

A Taste of Italy, Enjoyed in Luxury

Classic steakhouse experience, exclusive glimpse into the princess kitchen, wines from around the world, a private breakfast with a view.

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

Discovery at SEA Programs

Discover even more with discovery™.

Vegas Style Casino

For novices, casual players, or high rollers.

Take a Stroll into the European-style Piazza

The Shops of Princess

Tax and duty-free shopping.

Art Gallery & Auctions

Art lovers rejoice—enjoy exquisite art aboard.

Photo Gallery

Take home a unique photo keepsake.

Freshwater Pools & Hot Tubs

Soak in a world of relaxation.

Sports Court

Get in the game with a variety of activities.

Internet Café & Library

Keep in touch while cruising at sea, entertainment.

Original musicals, dazzling magic shows, feature films, top comedians and nightclubs that get your feet movin’ and groovin’. There’s something happening around every corner; luckily, you have a whole cruise of days and nights to experience it all. 1

Movies Under the Stars®

A reel treat day or night.

Original Musical Productions

Great venues large and small.

Music & Dancing

Dazzling entertainment every day and night.

Featured Guest Entertainers

At night, the stars shine bright on our stages.

Princess Theater

Broadway-style productions at sea.

Skywalkers Nightclub

Reach for the sky and dance.

Club Fusion

One of our most popular nightspots.

Churchill’s

Enjoy premium cigars in an intimate setting, joyful rejuvenation.

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.

Experience the Ultimate Night of Sleep at Sea

Relax in a tranquil retreat just for adults, go ahead, be pampered – you deserve it, a host of ways to get an energizing workout, discover a realm of relaxation, kids, teens & family.

Leave it to Princess to create experiences the whole family can enjoy. The destinations we visit come to life with our Festivals of the World celebrations and Discovery at Sea™ programs like Shark Week. If you’re looking for some friendly competition there’s Wii™ family tournaments, indoor and outdoor sports, and The Voice of the Ocean, our high-seas version of the TV singing sensation where guests choose the winner.

Explore the Treehouse

Step into the lodge, hang out in the beach house, quality time together.

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 ship cabin and suite guide: Everything you want to know

Is a balcony cabin a must for you when you cruise? Princess Cruises could be your line.

The California-based brand was a pioneer in adding a large number of balcony cabins to ships, and even its oldest vessels are loaded with balcony cabins — something that can't be said for many of its rivals.

On the flip side, Princess offers relatively few suites on its ships compared to some of the big-ship lines with which it most directly competes, including Celebrity Cruises , Norwegian Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean. Just 46 of the 1,830 rooms on the line's recently unveiled Discovery Princess are suites, for instance. Believe it or not, that's an improvement from earlier vessels in the same series, some of which have as few as 36 suites.

For more cruise guides, news and tips, sign up for TPG's cruise newsletter .

Princess also isn't known for enormous and amenity-filled suites.

What this means is there aren't a lot of ways to live large on a Princess ship or pack a lot of people into a single accommodation. Until the debut of Sky Princess in 2019, the line didn't have a single cabin that could accommodate more than four people.

That said, on Princess ships, you can often create larger living spaces by booking two connecting cabins.

A Princess Cruises cabin primer

As is typical for many cruise ships, Princess vessels offer cabins in four broad categories: Windowless "inside" cabins, ocean-view cabins, balcony cabins and suites.

As noted above, a significant portion of cabins on all Princess ships are balcony cabins — the category of cabin that everyone wants these days. About 80% of the 1,834 cabins on Princess's six-month-old Enchanted Princess are balcony cabins or suites with balconies, for instance. Compare that to the 72% of cabins on Royal Caribbean's four-year-old Symphony of the Seas that are balcony cabins or suites with balconies.

Notably, every single cabin facing the sea on three of the newest Princess ships — Royal Princess, Regal Princess and Majestic Princess — has a balcony. These three vessels are completely devoid of ocean-view cabins (cabins facing the sea that only have a window). That's relatively unusual in the world of big mass-market ships — the niche of cruising in which Princess plays. It's more common with luxury cruise vessels.

Related: The ultimate guide to Princess Cruises ships

At the same time, as noted above, Princess vessels have fewer suites than you'll find on the ships operated by such big-ship brands as Royal Caribbean and Celebrity.

Here's a breakdown of the broad cabin categories on Royal Princess, which is typical of the line's newer ships (it's the prototype vessel for the line's new, six-ship Royal Class series):

Inside cabins: 342 (19%) Ocean-view cabins: 0 (0%) Balcony cabins (including mini-suites): 1,402 (79%) Suites: 36 (2%)

On older Princess ships (and, in general, all older cruise ships), there are fewer balcony cabins. However, the ratio of balcony cabins to non-balcony cabins is much higher on older Princess ships than it is on older vessels at many other big-ship lines. An impressive 72% of the 1,000 cabins on Princess's 2003-built Coral Princess, for instance, are balcony cabins.

On Coral Princess, inside cabins and ocean-view cabins only make up 26% of all rooms. A breakdown of the cabin categories on that ship:

Inside cabins: 108 (11%) Ocean-view cabins: 157 (16%) Balcony cabins (including mini-suites): 719 (72%) Suites: 16 (2%)

The takeaway here is that you'll have an easier time locking down a balcony cabin on a Princess ship — even an older Princess ship — than you will when booking many of the ships operated by competing big-ship lines.

Just note that you'll want to book early if you're aiming for a suite on a Princess ship since there are so few of them. Note, also, that suites tend to sell out early on cruise ships in general. An old saying in the cruise industry is that "ships sell from the top and the bottom." That is, the first cabins on any vessel to sell out are the most expensive cabins, which are the suites, and then the least expensive cabins, which typically are the inside cabins. The mid-priced "middle" cabins sell last.

Design-wise, Princess's cabins and suites are fairly basic and comfortable, if not super stylish.

When it comes to rooms, Princess is sort of the Marriott of the big-ship cruise world. Its rooms are comfortable and functional, but a bit bland. Avant-garde style is not a Princess thing.

Inside cabins on Princess Cruises ships

These are the cabins you stay in when you're on a tight budget. On any Princess ship, they are almost always the least-expensive option when you're booking a cabin. You often can save considerable money by booking an inside cabin versus an ocean-view or higher-level cabin.

What you'll give up, of course, is that ocean view. Your room will have four walls and no windows offering a glimpse of the outside world.

You'll also be in a relatively small room. The typical inside cabin on the new Discovery Princess measures 166 square feet, with some as big as 175 square feet. By comparison, the typical balcony cabin on Discovery Princess measures 181 square feet, not including a 41-square-foot balcony (for a total of 222 square feet).

Still, the inside cabins on Princess ships are bigger than the inside cabins on ships operated by some of the line's main competitors.

Related: The 5 best destinations you can visit on a Princess ship

Inside cabins on Royal Caribbean's Symphony of the Seas, for instance, measure just 149 square feet — quite a bit less than the inside cabins on Discovery Princess.

Note that older Princess ships sometimes have smaller inside cabins than newer Princess ships. On the line's 2003-built Coral Princess, inside cabins measure just 156 to 166 square feet. On the line's 1998-built Grand Princess, most inside cabins are 160 square feet (some wheelchair-accessible inside cabins on Grand Princess measure 182 square feet).

Many inside cabins on Princess ships have pull-down bunks that will allow for up to four people to stay in the rooms.

Ocean-view cabins on Princess Cruises ships

With an ocean-view cabin, you get a window looking out to the sea, but not an attached balcony where you can sit outside and enjoy the fresh air.

As noted above, three of Princess's newest vessels — Royal Princess, Regal Princess and Majestic Princess — don't have a single ocean-view cabin. Every outward-facing cabin has a balcony. However, you'll find ocean-view cabins on the line's older vessels and also on the line's three newest ships, Discovery Princess, Enchanted Princess and Sky Princess.

In general, ocean-view cabins on the Princess ships that have them are a tad bigger than the inside cabins found on the same vessels. On the line's Emerald Princess, for instance, the typical ocean-view cabin measures 178 square feet. The typical inside cabin on Emerald Princess measures 163 square feet.

On many Princess ships that have ocean-view cabins, the rooms are mostly found just above the promenade deck, where the lifeboats hang, and have obstructed views. You'll also sometimes find a few ocean-view cabins at the back of Princess vessels, facing the wake.

Related: The 3 classes of Princess ships, explained

On the line's two Coral Class ships — Coral Princess and Island Princess — there are a few "premium" ocean-view cabins that measure a more spacious 212 square feet. If you're the kind of traveler who needs a lot of space, these rooms can be a good choice.

There also are a handful of "premium" ocean-view cabins on the new Discovery Princess, Enchanted Princess and Sky Princess that measure 172 square feet and have unusual slanting windows.

Balcony cabins on Princess Cruises ships

Balcony cabins are what everyone wants these days, and Princess is delivering with huge numbers of balcony cabins on all its newest ships. On the line's new Royal Class series of ships, which began debuting in 2013, nearly 80% of rooms are balcony cabins.

On these newer vessels — Royal Princess, Regal Princess, Majestic Princess, Sky Princess, Enchanted Princess and Discovery Princess — the typical balcony cabin has an interior space of 181 square feet plus a balcony that measures 41 square feet (for a total of 222 square feet). However, there also are bigger "premium deluxe balcony" cabins that can measure as much as 233 square feet on the inside (not including the balcony). Some of these have larger-than-normal balconies that can stretch the total square footage to 312 square feet.

In addition, the Royal Class vessels have even larger balcony cabins that Princess calls mini-suites. Including their balcony space, these cabins measure anywhere from 299 to 329 square feet. While these mini-suite cabins have the word "suite" in their name, we are including them in the balcony cabin category as they generally resemble very large balcony cabins vs. true suites.

Related: Everything to know about the Princess Captain's Club loyalty program

The typical Princess balcony cabin has twin beds that can be converted into a queen bed, a built-in desk with a chair and a built-in miniature refrigerator. In addition to beds, a desk and a miniature fridge, premium balcony cabins have a seating area with a sofa bed that can be used for a third passenger in the room. Some also have a pull-down bunk that can accommodate a fourth person.

Suites on Princess Cruises ships

As mentioned above, Princess ships generally have fewer suites than the ships operated by some of its biggest competitors. The line also isn't known for particularly giant suites.

Princess's three newest ships — Discovery Princess, Enchanted Princess and Sky Princess — have the line's first truly large standalone suites, dubbed Sky Suites. There are two of them on each of the vessels, and they measure a generous 1,792 square feet (though more than half of that space is taken up by a huge wraparound balcony). With two bedrooms plus a living room with a pullout sofa, the Sky Suites are the first Princess accommodations designed for up to five people.

Still, even the Sky Suites on Discovery Princess, Enchanted Princess and Sky Princess aren't the sort of truly epic suites with huge interior living spaces that you'll find on the latest ships from such competitors as Celebrity and Royal Caribbean. The latest Celebrity vessels, for instance, offer so-called Iconic Suites that have twice as much interior space as the Sky Suites.

If you're the kind of cruiser who is only happy in a cabin of truly giant proportions (and are willing to pay up for it), Princess probably isn't your line.

Still, you'll find at least a few suites of a decent size on every Princess ship. The line's seven Grand Class vessels each offer two "family suites" at their fronts that can be created by connecting a mini-suite with an adjacent inside cabin to create a six- to eight-person complex.

Each of the line's Royal Class ships (the line's six newest ships) has at least 36 suites.

Related: 7 reasons you should splurge for a suite on a cruise

Bottom line

Princess offers a relatively wide range of cabins on its ships, including lots of the sort of cabins that everyone wants — balcony cabins. If you're a fan of balcony cabins, you'll find plenty of options on Princess ships, including standard size balcony cabins and bigger "premium" balcony cabins. You'll also find a lot of larger "mini-suite" balcony cabins on Princess ships. However, you won't find a lot of truly large suites with multiple rooms.

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Sapphire Princess

Fodor’s Expert Review

Ship overview.

Ala...Antarctica

Anc...enos Aires

Launched in 2004 and refurbished in 2018, Sapphire Princess was the third ship to join the cruise line’s Grand Class. This class launched with Grand Princess in 1998. Ruby Princess in 2008 was the seventh and last before the significantly larger Royal Class ships began rolling out in 2013. Read More

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Sapphire was out of service for over two years before emerging from dry dock in September 2022. Though it does not have flashy attractions, Sapphire remains popular with its core demographic of retirees. It boasts four swimming pools, a splash pool for kids, eight hot tubs, a sports court, and an 804-seat theater.

The ship spends summers in Alaska on 7 or 14-day itineraries that always include Glacier Bay, while land guests get whisked by rail from Whittier to the Princess Wilderness Lodge in Denali National Park. Sapphire then sails down the Pacific Coast, makes a detour to Hawaii and the South Pacific Islands, before sailing South America and Antarctica on long voyages, some lasting for 34 days. The ship’s self-service laundry facilities and The Conservatory, which has an indoor pool, two hot tubs, and deck, definitely come in handy for lengthy itineraries. However, having only two specialty restaurants and five complimentary dining rooms sharing the same daily menu means food may feel limited.

Princess Cruise Line has a loyal, multicultural fan base. It is not unusual for some to do three or four trips a year or spend months sailing on a single ship. The average age of passengers on Sapphire skews older, around 60 to 70, and this age group is well catered to, though impressive 2022 renovations of the kids club will please multi-generations traveling together.

All the traditional elements of a Princess Grand Class ship are here. The 2,670-passenger vessel has 14 bars and lounges to relax, drink, and be merry. The ship adores a theme and each space has touches to set the scene, from the signature nautical-style Wheelhouse Bar, to Explorers Lounge, an homage to old-world exploration of ancient Egypt. It’s fun but not too over the top.

The heart of the ship and meeting place is the Piazza, a sparkling, golden atrium spanning three decks. Two glass elevators flank the small stage where a pianist and other musicians serenade passengers cooling down after an excursion. Curved staircases connect each level. It’s a gathering place to shop, grab a snack or coffee from the 24-hour International Cafe, or watch

mixologists shake up a global inspired cocktail at Good Spirits at Sea. You can order food or drink to you through the app.

The ship may look traditional but Princess has fully integrated technology into the experience. Known as MedallionClass, every passenger is issued a free quarter-sized waterproof medallion which can be worn on a lanyard, or accessories such as wrist straps can be purchased. It replaces the key card, however, it does much more than just unlock your stateroom and identify you when returning to the ship.

In conjunction with the app, order food and drink delivered to almost anywhere on the ship, purchase with contactless payment, and if you have a beverage package, keep track of consumption. Set up the OceanCompass Shipmates function so you can locate where other members of your party are on the ship. Tap the medallion at one of the many interactive touch screens to check reservations, shore excursions, bookmark events, see how many others have signed up for trivia or mahjong, print a statement of account charges to date, find the nearest restroom, or let the map guide you to your desired destination. There’s even games to help kill a few minutes. The app is available in English, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, Japanese, German, Spanish, and Russian. Download the app before sailing to set up an arrival time and contactless boarding. Complete the “OceanReady” steps in advance for smooth embarkation.

Some passengers lament they prefer the days of having just a key card. There is no need to worry that service will be diminished by technology. Sapphire’s service remains warm and personal, and even familial for long-staying guests.

Lengthy itineraries require a full program of activities. The fitness center offers yoga, pilates, TRX, and spin. Staff facilitate friendly competition through many different tournaments, from pickleball, ping pong, and Pictionary, to bocce, bingo, and bean bag toss. The evenings might kick off with line dancing and live music, before a Broadway-style production, musician, or comedian at the main theater. Head up to the sun deck for Movies Under The Stars on a big screen. Hit up the casino, or one of the two nightclubs; the aptly named Skywalkers is perched way up on deck 17.

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW

What to expect on board, staterooms & cabins.

Sapphire has 1,337 staterooms, of which 890 are outside. Over 700 cabins in the total inventory have balconies. There are two family suites (two cabins connected by a living room) that can accommodate up to six people. There are no cabins specifically for single occupancy.

The experience starts as you approach your cabin door. A digital touch screen senses the OceanMedallion, unlocks the door, and displays your profile picture and any messages. The screen also shows if you’ve requested privacy or housekeeping service.

Stateroom interiors are classic and comfortable. The neutral palette of mostly beige and brown creates a calm and uncontroversial space. Balcony staterooms (214-222 square feet) have either a queen or two twin beds, a large open closet, desk, and mini-fridge; elite members get a complimentary mini-bar set up. Sliding glass doors open to the balcony which has two chairs and a table. The cream-colored bathroom is small but functional. Princess’ Lotus Spa bath products are in dispensers.

Interior (158-162 square feet) and oceanview (146-206 square feet) staterooms follow the same formula. Bright lighting, large closet space, and mirrors help make it feel less cramped.

At 323 square feet, the mini-suite has significantly more space to move around than the balcony. They’ve squeezed in a separate sitting area that holds a sofa bed and coffee table. Club Class takes the mini-suites with the best locations and adds VIP perks such as priority embarkation/debarkation, a half-bottle of red and half-bottle of white wine on embarkation day, and upgraded amenities (better bathrobe, an umbrella). mini-suites have a bathtub-shower combo, so be aware you must be able to step in and out of the tub. Both suite and mini-suite guests can enjoy club class dining. On Sapphire that means a private section within the Sante Fe dining room with dedicated waitstaff and additional daily specials.

Twenty-seven staterooms (balcony, oceanview, and inside) are designed for wheelchair accessibility. To request special assistance or equipment, the company requires submission of their mobility questionnaire at least 60 days prior to sailing.

Sapphire is fully ADA compliant, however, as an older ship, there are only some automatic doors in public areas and parts of ship like the stern have a number of stairs. In the theater, the wheelchair seating is limited to the back row. Find more details on the website.

Food & Drink

The dining on Sapphire is straightfoward and select compared to bigger, newer ships. Some would consider this a blessing, as the options are not overwhelming — there are no dining packages to calculate or strategically plan out, no fine print on inclusions or exclusions to study. When it comes to complimentary dining, the ship has a buffet, five main dining rooms, four casual eateries, and 24-hour room service. Two specialty restaurants are available at a cover charge. Princess has replaced traditional dining with “Dine My Way”, giving guests the freedom to make reservations for their preferred time and to customize the experience. For example, through the app you can even indicate whether you want a slow or fast pace for dining.

Horizon Court is the complimentary buffet on deck 14 sandwiched between midship Calypso Pool and Horizon Terrace at the stern. The food stations are all clustered within one semi-enclosed area and the self-service area is cramped. On the upside, they open a duplicate buffet on the other side during peak hours to ease congestion. The dining room is spacious, neutral, uncluttered, and comfortable. Floor to ceiling windows bring in natural light and sea views. The spread is somewhat limited. There are two soups, bread, tapas, crudités, salad, cheese and cold cuts, sandwiches, Tex Mex, pasta, fish, roast meat, fruit, and dessert.

Sapphire has five complimentary main dining restaurants: Savoy, Vivaldi, Pacific Moon, Sante Fe, and the largest, The International, ideal for groups and families. Each restaurant has a specific style and ambience. All serve the same menu of mainly American and Continental cuisine, though the menu changes daily. The dinner features three starters, three salad/soups, two pasta dishes, six mains including one vegetarian option, and a core menu of “Princess Favorites” that are always available: shrimp cocktail, romaine & kale caesar salad, French onion soup, seared salmon, and pan-roasted chicken breast. A few dishes highlight local flavors of the destination. For example, it might be seared Mahi Mahi with pineapple-mango salsa or pork in ti leaves when sailing Hawaii. Seafood lovers will be happy as the menu always has several seafood options and unlike some other ships, these do not incur a surcharge. However, vegetarians might find the menu limited and vegans would have to be accommodated off-menu as the vegetarian dishes commonly feature dairy or eggs. The menu is especially jazzed up for Gala night.

Rounding out the complimentary options: International Cafe in the Piazza, a 24-hour shop for small bites, salads, sandwiches, baked treats, and barista coffee; Alfredo’s Pizza, also in the Piazza, where waiters in white shirts and black ties serve up individual-size specialty pizza; outdoor poolside Trident Grill (burgers, hot dogs, fries), Prego Pizzeria (pizza by the slice), and Swirls ice cream; and 24-hour room service, which can be ordered through the app or TV, charges may apply to select items. In fact, you can order food or drink to almost anywhere you are through the app. Whether you are feeling thirsty or peckish while sitting in the Piazza, are at Movies Under the Stars, lounging on the sundeck, or catching up on emails in a quiet corner of a bar that is technically not open for service, it can be delivered to you.

Sapphire only has two specialty restaurants. Painted wall murals of Italian scenes, Roman columns, and faux brick adorn Sabatini’s Italian Trattoria. A $25 cover charge includes one of each course, a filling deal considering you get soup/salad, antipasti, pasta, entree, and dessert. Think burrata cheese and tomato salad, deep-fried calamari, Mediterranean lamb skewers, a wide selection of fresh pastas, sole piccata, chicken scaloppine, and tiramisu. The restaurant is also the special breakfast venue for suite and most-traveled guests.

Normally on a cruise ship, the steakhouse is the showcase restaurant, the place to splurge for a steak and seafood dinner, where a passenger would get dressed up to match the fine setting. Here Sterling Steakhouse falls a little flat in terms of ambience as it is simply a section within the buffet dining room transformed in the evening. At least there are ocean views and the cover charge is a reasonable $29 per person. There are choice cuts like New York strip, rib-eye, filet mignon, porterhouse, or for an additional $10, a surf & turf option with Maine lobster tail.

There’s no shortage of places to figuratively put your feet up and have a drink. Sapphire has 14 bars and lounges, most of them are surprisingly spacious and chock full of comfortable chairs and sofas. These are the places to find social intimacy on a large ship. Live music is showcased every evening throughout.

Located in the Piazza, Good Spirits At Sea is one of the star attractions. In partnership with the Good Spirits TV series, the bar’s cocktails are inspired by fresh, local ingredients from around the world and each cocktail tells a story about a destination. Catch the mixology show several times an evening. Across the Piazza, Vines Wine Bar is a casual spot for wine and tapas.

The ship has a flair for the thematic and Wheelhouse Bar harkens back to the olden days of nautical travel. Paintings of steamers adorn the cherry wood walls. Brass detailing gleams, a contrast to the plush softness of velvety navy blue sofas and padded wingback chairs. It’s a classy space to listen to the jazz band or move on the large parquet dance floor.

Egyptian accents are found throughout Explorers Lounge, the venue for convivial fun in the form of trivia, game shows, karaoke, movies, and comedy shows. Fashioned after a British pub, Churchill’s Cigar Lounge has leather chairs, a wooden bar, and vintage UK photos. This is a cozy nook to grab a pint, smoke a cigar, and watch a game on the TV.

Princess has two zero-alcohol drink packages and two alcohol beverage packages; all packages incur a 18% service charge. The classic soda package is $9.99 per person, per day and includes fountain soda (not bottled or canned), fruit juices including fresh juices if available, mocktails, and smoothies. The $19.99 per person, per day coffee & soda package also has the addition of specialty or premium coffees/teas, hot chocolate, and milk shakes.

The plus beverage package costs $59.99. In addition to non-alcoholic drinks, it includes spirits/cocktails, wine by the glass, and beers up to $12 each. The premier beverage package costs $79.99 per person, per day and includes everything in the plus beverage package but alcoholic beverages up to $18. This price is comparable to other premium cruise ships and much cheaper than Norwegian’s $138 all-inclusive package.

One way Princess is unconventional: they are one of the few cruise lines that do not require everyone in the same cabin or all passengers under the same method of payment to purchase the same drinks package. Of course, you are not supposed to use your package to get drinks for others, so most cruise lines prevent sharing by requiring people traveling together to all buy a package. Princess’ way is a definite perk when one half of the party does not drink alcohol or drinks significantly less.

Entertainment

The program is full of free social events and tournaments, especially on at sea days. Friendly competition keeps things lively. Join tournaments for pickleball, golf putting, ping pong, bocce, bingo, speedy Sudoku, trivia, Pictionary, and shuffleboard. There might also be line dancing, adult arts and crafts, and a number unhosted gatherings for bridge, mahjong, LGBTQ+, veterans and military personnel, bible study, singles/solo travelers, knitters, and Friends of Bill W.

Sapphire has several shops. In addition to the usual cosmetics, perfume, and alcohol sales, Limelight sells handbags, fashion jewelry, cruisewear, and sunglasses, while Calypso Cove has Princess branded merchandise, souvenirs, sundries, and sunscreen. There is a watch shop, Effy Jewelry, a photo desk selling GoPro cameras, point and shoot, and memory cards. Passengers can also buy Medallion accessories such as fancier lanyards or wrist bands made from recycled ocean plastic.

A wide range of live music kicks off in the late afternoon and continues throughout the evening in the Piazza, bars, and lounges. On Formal Night, the main theater has a Broadway-style production with two showtimes. On other nights, there will be guest singers, comedians, magicians, and acrobats. The sundeck of the midship pool becomes movies under the stars. A film is shown once or twice every evening on the big outdoor screen, weather permitting.

Sapphire has not one, but two clubs. Any given night there could be bands, ballroom and latin dance, karaoke, and theme parties at Western-themed Club Fusion on deck 7, which has a small stage and wide open dance floor. Don’t expect Jedis and Wookies at Skywalkers. The name refers to the nightclub’s sky high location on deck 18, not Star Wars. The shiny glitzy club goes from around 10 pm until late, a DJ fueling the party.

Spa & Fitness

Located on deck 15, the Lotus Spa, beauty salon, and fitness center wraps around a central swimming pool. A pleasant aroma welcomes guests as they enter the wide open reception. The Chinese-inspired spa has Chinese motifs and artwork of birds, flowers, and nature scenes. There are black lacquer accents in the 11 clean and simple therapy rooms; some have a jacuzzi tub that can be added to treatments. A small downside is that the post-treatment relaxation area is in the hallway, and not a tranquil private room.

The spa’s signature treatments are the Elemis Biotec Anti-Aging facial ($199) that can target a range of skin conditions; the Aroma Spa Seaweed massage ($229 for 75 minutes) where a heated seaweed mask is applied before cocooning in a wrap; and a Fire & Ice manicure ($69) with a massage of heated stone and cooling gels. The Kerastase salon has two nail stations and three hair stations. Barber services, GO SMILE teeth whitening, acupuncture, microdermabrasion, Thermage skin tightening, Restylane dermal fillers, and DYSPORT cosmetic wrinkle treatments are also available. A 18% spa service charge is added to the bill.

The Thermal Suite is underwhelming and small compared to those on newer ships. There are heated tile loungers, a fog shower, a dry sauna, and two wet saunas, regular and aroma. The Thermal Suite is free for suite guests, all other guests can purchase a pass. On a 15-day cruise, it is $299.

The Sanctuary is an adults-only retreat l ocated on the deck above, wrapped around the Lotus swimming pool. Posh sun loungers are spread out in the semi-enclosed area, and on a sunny day, the location on deck 16 at the bow means a fantastic panorama of piercing blue ocean. Enjoy the dedicated service, have a massage in the cabana, pop down to the pool, or order wellness-focused bites like sesame tuna or fattoush grilled chicken salad. The $20/half-day pass or $40 full-day pass is well worth it if you want to escape crowds or kids.

Though on the small side, the Fitness Center (7 am to 10 pm) is well stocked with Precor treadmills and elliptical machines. The equipment runs along the floor to ceiling windows which unfortunately have its vantage partially obstructed by railings. There is one, sometimes two free classes per day in the large crescent-shaped aerobics studio such as stretch, body conditioning, and abs. Yoga, Pilates, TRX, and spin cost $20 each or a class pass can be bought, $99 for a 7-day cruise. Personal training goes for $90 a session.

Three loops on the deck 7 walking track equals a mile.

Key cruising tips

Health & safety.

As of October 2022, most mask, vaccination, and testing requirements have been lifted, except itineraries for countries where restrictions remain. The website has a CruiseHealth tool where booked travelers can find out any requirements for their upcoming voyage.

Though Princess MedallionClass was introduced pre-Covid in 2017, the technological advancement has worked well in the shift towards reduced physical contact. MedallionClass pairs a wearable device the size of a quarter with an app and this system allows you to select an arrival window for staggered embarkation, have a contactless arrival, keyless entry into your stateroom, and to order food and drink on the app instead of waiting in line. It is also used for contactless payment.

On embarkation day, instead of the traditional mandatory safety briefing at crowded muster stations, passengers can watch it on the app or stateroom TV, then check-in with the medallion at the muster station before sailing. QR code menus are still being utilized at restaurants. Access more information on the website .

Princess recommends dressing for the cruise the same way one would for a stylish resort on land. In the daytime, casual sportswear is acceptable, including shorts, lightweight pants, and sundresses.

For dining rooms, the dress code is either smart casual or formal. For smart casual, men should wear pants and dress shirts or collared shirts, women can wear dresses, skirts, slacks, blouses, and sweaters. Shorts, pool/beachwear, baseball caps, and jeans with holes are not allowed. Formal nights are still traditional. Tuxedo, dark suit, or dinner jacket for men, evening gown, cocktail dress, or elegant pant suit for women. There’s one formal night for every week of sailing.

Junior Cruisers

The Camp Discovery Youth Center is huge and the spend in a 2022 refurbishment clearly shows. The four different spaces for kids are bright, colorful, fresh, and cheerful. It’s a surprising investment considering that there are few children during the long voyages in the fall and winter, but the rooms will be put to good use when more are on board during school holidays.

The TreeHouse is for age 3-7, The Lodge is for 8-12, The Beach House is for 13-17, and the family room is a space for parents and babies under 2. The partnership with the Discovery and Animal Planet brand means activities have a nature, science, wildlife, and exploration tilt, in addition to the usual boardgames and crafts. In the modern and cool teen Beach House, there’s both free time to hang out and play video games or foosball, and hosted group activities, dinners, movie nights, and even dodgeball tournaments on the sports court.

The ship has a passenger to crew ratio of 2.43 to 1. Princess is known for its international staff delivering professional, friendly, hands-on service, which is part of the reason why the cruise line has a loyal fanbase. Long-stay guests and repeat travelers are treated warmly. Staff greet every passenger they pass and can pick up on past conversations. Despite the size of the ship, guests and staff know each other’s names.

To ensure fair distribution and to take the hassle out of tipping, like other premium cruise lines, a service charge (“crew appreciation”) is automatically added, per guest, per day. For Interior, Oceanview, and Balcony staterooms it is $14.50, Mini-Suite and Club Class $15.50, Suite $16.50. Tipping staff directly for good service is always welcome and appreciated.

A 17-18 percent service charge is automatically added to beverages, beverage packages, dining, and spa.

QUICK FACTS

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Sapphire Princess

Cruise line Princess Cruises

Vancouver (BC Canada)
Whittier (Alaska)
Buenos Aires (Argentina)
Fort Lauderdale (Port Everglades, Florida)
Los Angeles (Long Beach-San Pedro, California)

Sapphire Princess current position

Sapphire Princess current location is at South Pacific Ocean (coordinates -17.60773 S / -166.85615 W) cruising at speed of 20.1 kn (37 km/h | 23 mph) en route to PAPEETE. The AIS position was reported 25 minutes ago.

Current itinerary of Sapphire Princess

Sapphire Princess current cruise is 32 days, round-trip South Pacific Islands Hawaii . Prices start from USD 1899 (double occupancy rates). The itinerary starts on 05 Apr, 2024 and ends on 07 May, 2024 .

Specifications of Sapphire Princess

Itineraries
Review
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Sapphire Princess Itineraries

Sapphire princess review, review of sapphire princess.

The 2004-built Sapphire Princess cruise ship is the 5th Grand-class Princess Cruises liner, with sisterships Caribbean , Crown , Golden (Pacific Adventure) , Grand , Emerald , Ruby , Star (Pacific Encounter) and Diamond .

The vessel (IMO number 9228186) is currently UK- flagged (MMSI 235103357) and registered in Southampton .

History - construction and ownership

Princess Cruises is a USA-based passenger shipping company headquartered in Beverly Hills CA. A former subsidiary of P&O Princess Cruises (1977-founded), in 2003, the company merged with Carnival Corporation - the world's largest cruise shipowner. Among Princess Cruise Lines Ltd's assets is the Caribbean private island resort Princess Cays (on Bahamas Eleuthera Island's southern end), located approx 80 km (50 mi) from Nassau .

The 2700-passenger ship Sapphire Princess and nearly the same sister Diamond Princess have some Grand-class variations in terms of size and facilities. Distinctions aside, over the past half-decade, Princess has been busy standardizing this class of vessels - adding poolside jumbotrons (Movies Under the Stars), "Piazza-style" atriums and adult-only deck areas (the Sanctuary) originally found only on the line's newest vessels, Crown, Emerald and Ruby. Sapphire Princess emerged from a month-long overhaul in February 2012, gaining signature facilities. The formerly dull atrium has been reorganized into the effervescent Piazza, a public zone with a wine and tapas bar, bakery, pizzeria and performance place. And after years of dedicated service, the rest of the vessel benefited from the refurbishment, too. Throughout Sapphire Princess cruisers will find new bar countertops, tiling, teak decking around the major swimming pool, furniture in the casino, an upgraded buffet and a new top-deck "lawn court" (artificial grass) for putting, bocce and croquet.

Decks and Cabins

Most Sapphire Princess staterooms (1339 total, in 33 grades) are 170-ft2 balcony cabins (522). Almost 75% of the ship's outside staterooms have private step-out balconies. Wheelchair-accessible cabins are 27. The largest accommodation is the Grand Suite (615 ft2 / 57 m2, with terrace sized 115 ft2 / 11 m2).

The boat has 16 decks , of which 13 are passenger-accessible and 7 with cabins.

Shipboard dining options - Food and Drinks

Nearly all dining options onboard Sapphire Princess are complimentary, including the five main dining rooms: Vivaldi, Pacific Moon, International, Santa Fe and Savoy Dining Room. There is also a free-of-charge buffet, pizza place, ice cream counter and grill. All main dining rooms offer the same menu items, though each has a small selection of signature items, most of which can be made in appetizer size. On cruises that are not full, certain main dining rooms will not be open. On some of the sea days, Savoy opens for a special British-style pub lunch featuring fish and chips, steak and kidney pie.

Follows the complete list of Diamond Princess restaurants and food bars.

Savoy Restaurant (ship's aft Dining Room; offers traditional dinner at 5:30 pm, as well as Anytime Dining between 8-10 pm, and British pub lunch)
Pacific Moon Restaurant (ship's forward Dining Room for Breakfast 7-9 am, Lunch 12-1:30 pm, Afternoon Tea 3:30-4:30 pm; features Anytime Dining for Dinner between 5:30-8 pm or 8-10 pm)
Vivaldi Restaurant (dinner only aft Dining Room; offers traditional dinner at 5:30 pm, as well as Anytime Dining between 8-10 pm)
Santa Fe Restaurant (forward Dining Room, Anytime Dining/dinner only)
International Restaurant (aft Dining Room, with 2 dinner seatings at 5:30 and 8 p.m.)
Sabatini's Restaurant (Italian speciality restaurant; reservations recommended)
Trident Grill & Prego Pizzeria (self-service, complimentary fast food bar)
Horizon Court (self-service buffet restaurant, complimentary)
Sterling Steakhouse (specialty restaurant for seafood, grills, steaks)
Alfredo's Pizzeria (complimentary)

In April 2024 Princess Cruises announced that starting September 14th (2024) fleetwide would be introduced 3 distinct main dining/dinner table service options – Traditional, Reservable, and Walk-in Anytime. By the new program (introduced with Sun Princess) on each ship are allocated 3 separate dining rooms - one for Traditional dining (offering early and late dinner seating), one with Reservable times, and one for Walk-in Anytime (open-seating). The new options are integrated with the OceanNow service, allowing anything to be ordered anytime, and delivered anywhere onboard.

Shipboard entertainment options - Fun and Sport

The 2-deck Princess Theater serves as ship's main entertainment venue. There, guests can catch one of the traditional song-and-dance Princess Cruises' production shows. The theatre also offers a variety of other acts, including magicians and juggling comedians. At night, virtually every bar offers some kind of music and enough room for dancing: from Latin and ballroom music in Club Fusion and DJ dance music in the Skywalkers Nightclub to light piano at Crooners. Theme nights (50s rockabilly, Country & Western and Caribbean deck party) are also common.

Follows the complete list of Sapphire Princess lounges, clubs and other entertainment venues for kids, teens and adults.

The Piazza Atrium (3-deck open floor area; features live performances entertainment and lobby Bar Piazza)
International Cafe (24-hour specialty coffee bar and patisserie)
Princess Fine Arts Gallery; Photo Gallery & Shop; Platinum Studio
Library (with Internet stations); Internet Cafe (24-hour)
Princess Diamond Theatre (2-level musical and show productions; hosts workshops, seminars, game shows)
Churchill Lounge & Bar (smoking lounge and sports bar)
Calypso Cove Shop; Essence Shop; Meridian Bay Shop; Facets Shop
Princess Sapphire Grand Casino
Crooners Lounge & Bar (live music; also used for seminars)
Explorers Lounge & Bar (disco/show lounge; hosts karaoke, comedy, game shows and art auctions)
Wheelhouse Bar (piano bar during the day and an English pub nightly)
Club Fusion Lounge (hosts dance classes and quizzes, after 7:30 p.m. becomes Disco Nightclub)
Scoops Bar (Sundaes Ice Cream Bar, complimentary)
Vines Bar; Outrigger Bar (poolside bar); Tradewinds Bar; Wake View Bar
Lotus Spa complex; Beauty Salon; Fitness Center (with Aerobics Studio)
Hearts & Minds (Wedding Chapel)
Movies Under the Stars (LED screen outdoor cinema)
Video Games Arcade; Teen Center; Youth Center with Paddling Pool and outdoor playing areas
The Conservatory (recreation area); The Oasis relaxation area
The Sanctuary (adult-only sundeck/open-air area)
Calypso Reef & Pool area; Neptune's Reef & Pool area
Jogging Track; Sports Court (volleyball, basketball, European football); Deck Chess, Shuffleboard; Princess Links mini-golf course, Cybergolf simulator
Skywalkers Disco Nightclub

Itineraries

Sapphire Princess itinerary program is based on seasonal Asia cruises departing from homeport Singapore and China (Beijing, Tianjin, Hong Kong ). The list of visited ports of call, includes Bali, Penang, Langkawi, Kota Kinabalu, Kuala Lumpur, Saigon, Nha Trang, Phuket, Ko Samui, Bangkok, Sihanoukville. Itineraries lengths vary between 3- and 13-days.

In summer 2019, the liner was relocated to Europe via 37-day Suez Canal repositioning cruise from Singapore to Southampton UK (homeport). After ending the summer European season, the ship returned back to Asia for a 6th Singapore-homeporting season (2019-2020).

Sapphire Princess is scheduled to enter drydock in April 2020 and then to cruise on two "Grand Asia" voyages between Shanghai and Singapore. The liner was to be homeported in Shanghai (May through October 2020) when was planned to depart for Melbourne to start an inaugural Australian season.

Due to the Coronavirus crisis, the Sapphire Princess ship was paused for ~2,5 years (March 2020 thru September 2022). Operations were scheduled to restart on August 28, 2022 (repositioning voyage from Asia to Australia/Hong Kong to Sydney). However, this program was canceled (the liner was redeployed from Australia to the USA) as well as the summer 2022 season (Mexican Riviera and Hawaii) based on homeporting in Los Angeles/Long Beach California . The ship restarted services on Sept 24th.

Sapphire Princess - user reviews and comments

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Other Princess Cruises cruise ships

Caribbean Princess
Coral Princess
Crown Princess
Diamond Princess
Discovery Princess
Emerald Princess
Enchanted Princess
Grand Princess
Island Princess
Majestic Princess
Regal Princess
Royal Princess
Ruby Princess
Sky Princess
Star Princess
Sun Princess

Sapphire Princess Wiki

Princess Cruises Sapphire ship is of company's Grand-class vessels, with sistership Diamond . The other fleet mates from this class are Caribbean , Crown , Emerald , Golden (now Pacific Adventure) , Grand , Ruby , Star (now Pacific Encounter) . Sapphire is the fleet's second liner built by a Japanese company - MHI (Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, a subsidiary of Mitsubishi Corporation). Both vessels have no spoilers across the stern. Ship's godmother was Nanci Gore Murkowski (First Lady of Alaska between Dec 2002 - Dec 2006). The christening ceremony was on June 10, 2004, held in Port Seattle WA . Sapphire cruise ship was the first ever to be named in that port. The inaugural cruise (maiden voyage) started on May 16, 2004. nearly a month before the naming ceremony.

The hull of what is today Diamond Princess was initially named "Sapphire Princess". Fire damaged the decks of the other ship in the Japanese shipyard (with hull name "Diamond Princess"). Princess Cruises wanted to have first a ship called Diamond, so Sapphire was renamed to "Diamond Princess" and completed first. Diamond was renamed to Sapphire and completed soon afterward.

Ship's engines can work with either HFO (heavy fuel oil) or MGO (marine gas oil). MGO emissions are much lower, but it is also rather costly. However, some cruising destinations, as Alaska for instance, have very high emission standards, so MGO is a necessity.

Sapphire ship's flag-state (registry) was changed from Bermuda (Hamilton) to UK (London) in 2014. Ship's Captain was Paolo Ravera - brother of Diamond Princess' Captain Stefano Ravera. Ship's current Captain (Master) is Paul Slight.

Sapphire Princess 2018 refurbishment review

The ship's drydock refurbishment in 2018 (2-week project conducted in Singapore ) resulted in a new bow livery.

All cabins were upgraded with custom-made Princess Luxury beds.

Also renovated were the wellness complex (Fitness Center and Lotus Spa), all retail shops, all corridors and hallways.

Princess Theatre (indoor show lounge) received a new LED screen (15x5 m / 49x16 ft). Theater's show program was upgraded with the new production show "Bravo". The musical is offered on formal nights.

A new category cabin (Club-Class Mini-Suite) was introduced with VIP amenities and a reserved dining area. Price-inclusive amenities also include expedited dinner seating, priority services (embarkation/disembarkation), complimentary wine, expanded menu, premium bathrobes.

The ship's last drydocking was in April 2023 (conducted at Vigor Shipyard in Seattle WA USA ) and included mainly regularly scheduled maintenance works, as well as hull cleaning and painting.

Princess Sapphire Princess Cruise Reviews

Incan Ruler's adornments, Gold Museum, Lima, Peru

Ragland T Tiger

10+ Cruises

1 - 10 of 1,021 Princess Sapphire Princess Cruise Reviews

Sail Date: March 2024

Review for a South America Cruise on Sapphire Princess

We have been on 15+ cruises on Princess, Royal Caribbean, Carnival, Celebrity and this cruise was one of our favorites. Actually, I would say it was our favorite cruise ever. We sailed from Buenos Aires, Argentina to Santiago, Chile on a 2 weeks cruise on the Sapphire Princess. The ports of call were good but the highlights of the cruise were the penguins on the Falkland Islands and in the ... Read More

Sail Date: February 2024

Review for a Antarctica Cruise on Sapphire Princess

I chose this cruise to celebrate my 40th birthday. It was myself and my parents. We ended up in a Family Suite ( see below) and we got to enjoy all of the perks of the suite benefits. Embarkation/Disembarkation: Embarkation to Valparaiso was a breeze. Princess was very helpful at the Santiago airport and we had no trouble at the terminal. We did have to be shuttled from terminal to cruise ship ... Read More

Sail Date: January 2024

Cabin Type: Family Suite with Balcony

Buenos Aries. Embarkation was a nightmare. The cruise terminal was destroyed by a storm 4 weeks ago. Princess has not adequately responded. If you have a Princess transfer you will be taken care of. Everyone Else waited in long line in the sun. I was in a wheelchair and line took 3 hours and 20 minutes. No English speaking Princess employees to even explain what was happening. No signs to ... Read More

Cabin Type: Interior

I can't say enough words about how great our 30-day B2B cruise to South America was, which included 4 days cruising around the Antarctica Peninsula as well as visiting the huge Iceberg A23a and Elephant Island. We were fortunate enough to have booked an aft-facing Vista Suite with the weather fully cooperating, where we didn't miss one port due to rough seas or high winds. We of course dined ... Read More

The Sapphire Princess is in very good shape for an “older” ship. Sure, there were some stains on carpets and chips on tile, but on a whole I was very impressed. We enjoyed the fact that this Princess ship still maintains a full wide wrap-around Promenade deck (with only the need to go up and down a flight at the bow.) Embarkation: the worst ever. Princess was not prepared for this, although ... Read More

Cabin Type: Oceanview (obstructed view)

We joined friends and my daughter for this "once in a lifetime" Antarctic cruise. The big takeaway was the outstanding customer service throughout the ship in every venue: room steward, dining room hosts and stewards, Guest Services, photo shop, and internet booth. Across the board the staff at each of these went above and beyond to ensure a smooth and delightful cruise! The Captain did a ... Read More

Sail Date: December 2023

Cabin Type: Balcony

Review for a Hawaii Cruise on Sapphire Princess

Princess did a great job with staffing. I made memories for a lifetime with various crewmembers stellar service. The shows were okay. Yes, quite dated in some cases. Ashley Rose Smith is a treasure with her singing and ability to keep a somewhat sedate crowd interested especially in her ABBA show. Sudarmo in International Cafe-amazing!! Rhoneil, our waiter. Well we never do set dining but when we ... Read More

Sail Date: October 2023

Traveled with disabled person

Too few waiters, too much cost cutting, penny pinching everywhere, but staff great and ship in good condition. Food nowhere need as good as it used to be and repeated items on each evenings menus. Some of the things that used to be included, such as lobster, now are charged extra, although we did get a small portion as part of the main meal on one evening.Limited options in Horizon dining room. ... Read More

Cabin Type: Oceanview

First the pros of this cruise and the Sapphire Princess ship, and there were several areas that were excellent: 1. Medallion service/functionality is great. Making it very easy to order food and drinks pretty much anywhere on the ship. Embarkation was simple/easy. The medallion appears to be the only new thing that Princess has done since we sailed last with them in 2016. 2. The ... Read More

Cabin Type: Mini-Suite with Balcony

Find a Sapphire Princess Cruise from $208

The best Alaska cruises for every type of traveler

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Even with a season that only runs from April through October, there are some 40 big ships and dozens of small ships cruising Alaska , making it one of the most popular cruise destinations in the world after the Caribbean and Europe. The best Alaska cruises range from off-the-beaten-path voyages on vessels carrying fewer than 100 passengers to weeklong jaunts through the Inside Passage aboard megaships that hold thousands.

The itinerary choices are numerous in Alaska. Some ships stick to tried-and-true ports, sailing through Southeast Alaska and into western Canada. Others wander deeper along the Alaska coastline to places such as the Kenai Peninsula, north to Nome and Barrow and even deep into the Bering Sea.

Some trips hit multiple national parks; others dive into Alaska culture, allowing guests to learn the stories told by totem poles or hear about “the big one” from a fisherman at a dive bar.

For cruise news, reviews and tips, sign up for TPG’s cruise newsletter .

It can be hard to figure out which ship will deliver your idea of a “bucket list” experience in The Last Frontier. A lot comes down to your travel style, preferences and budget. Some travelers demand luxury, while others don’t mind going less fancy if it means close encounters with bears and other creatures in the wilderness. Some look for romance, while others want to introduce the kids or grandkids to glaciers and eagles, gold panning and sled dogs.

The good news is there’s a ship in Alaska for you no matter your taste or style. Here’s a beginner’s guide to the best Alaska cruises to help you narrow down your choices.

Best for megaresort fans

Norwegian Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean both sail some of their largest ships in Alaska. They are floating megaresorts, carrying thousands, and are big on amenities, glitz and a certain amount of glamor — think flashy casinos, Broadway shows, lavish spas. Dining and drinking venues number in the dozens, while amusement park features thrill the kids and adrenaline-seekers.

Norwegian Encore

On Norwegian Encore, you can race along a go-kart racetrack, compete in outdoor laser tag and zoom down slides at the water park while you traverse Alaska’s Inside Passage. The ship sails seven-night cruises from Seattle, visiting Skagway, Juneau and Ketchikan in Alaska, as well as Victoria, British Columbia, and Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve .

Related: A beginner’s guide to picking a cruise line

Ovation of the Seas

On Royal Caribbean’s Quantum-class ships, you can order a drink from a robotic bartender, try simulated skydiving or surfing experiences and take a ride in a glass capsule that travels high above your ship on a mechanical arm — a weird and wonderful way to see the Alaska scenery.

Ovation of the Seas sails round-trip from Seattle on seven-night cruises, but the exact itinerary varies by week. The ship cruises Endicott Arm for scenic views of Dawes Glacier and typically visits three Alaska ports and Victoria.

Best for land and sea adventures

You’ve traveled far to get to Alaska, and it would be a shame to miss inland sights such as Denali National Park and Preserve and the sight of Denali, North America’s largest peak — so big it’s often shrouded in clouds caused by its own weather system.

Market leaders Holland America Line and Princess Cruises both send a half-dozen ships to Alaska each year, and they have 75 and 55 years in the market, respectively.

They top the list in terms of cruises, as well as cruise tours, which combine time sailing with overnight stays on land. The companies operate their own lodges, rail cars and motorcoaches for exploration of Alaska’s interior and beyond. Many of the ships have permission to sail in Glacier Bay.

Related: The coolest things to do on an Alaska cruise

Choose from 10- to 17-night land tours that combine a standard weeklong cruise (sometimes half a cruise) with time spent exploring Alaska’s interior by bus, train or even plane.

Holland America will base six ships in Alaska in 2024, with tour offerings to Denali, Fairbanks and Anchorage.

However, it also offers nine- to 14-night cruise tours on Koningsdam that head into the Canadian Yukon, following the route of the Klondike Gold Rush from Alaska to northwestern Canada. Disembark your cruise ship in Skagway, then travel to Whitehorse and Dawson City in the Yukon before continuing on to Fairbanks (the gateway to Arctic Alaska), Denali National Park and Anchorage.

Sapphire Princess

Princess Cruises offers a cruise tour where you visit four national parks: Glacier Bay, Denali, the Kenai Fjords and America’s largest national park, Wrangell-St. Elias. The 15- and 17-night trips combine a seven-night cruise on Sapphire Princess from Vancouver to Whittier, Alaska, with another week or more on land, ending in Fairbanks or Anchorage.

Best for travelers on a budget

Older ships in Norwegian and Royal Caribbean’s fleets tend to offer more reduced prices than you’ll find on the lines’ larger and newer ships, based on the fact the older ships don’t have as many bells and whistles.

Since they have so many ships in the market, Holland America Line and Princess Cruises also tend to offer frequent sales — especially on their older tonnage. These ships have a loyal following and tend to have fewer families on board, which some couples find particularly appealing.

Related: Best time to cruise Alaska

If you’re looking for other surefire ways to save, consider sailings in the area’s shoulder season. You’ll find better deals from April to early June and in September than you will in the height of summer.

Also, in Alaska, balcony cabins are highly desirable, with everyone seeking views of the wilderness, snow-capped peaks and glaciers. As those reserves get low, the prices tend to get higher. Bargain seekers should either book early for these accommodations or choose inside, outside or guarantee cabins (where you don’t pick your room location) to save more.

Radiance of the Seas

Royal Caribbean’s 20-year-old ship Radiance of the Seas mainly sails weeklong, one-way cruises between Vancouver and Seward, Alaska, with prices below $100 per person, per night, for inside and outside cabins on many departures.

However, its early-season May 2024 sailing from Seward to Vancouver is the cheapest Royal Caribbean Alaska cruise of the season. It starts at $368 per person for an inside cabin.

Grand Princess and Sapphire Princess

Princess Cruises has so many ships based in Alaska that you’re bound to find deals, especially on shoulder-season cruises. Both Grand and Sapphire Princess offer weeklong Alaska cruises in May 2024 starting from $548 per person for inside cabins. The itinerary starts in Vancouver and ends in Whittier, Alaska, with calls in Ketchikan, Juneau and Skagway and scenic cruising in Glacier Bay and College Fjord.

Best for off-the-beaten-path travel

Want to see and deeply experience coastal Alaska, and don’t mind a mellower environment where lectures and impromptu guitar singalongs replace casinos and show productions? Consider lines such as UnCruise Adventures , Lindblad Expeditions and Alaskan Dream Cruises, all with ships that carry fewer than 100 passengers (and in the case of Alaskan Dream, even under 20 passengers).

On these small ships, captains have the flexibility to alter itineraries and linger if the naturalist onboard spots a pod of whales or bears digging for clams on a beach.

Small ships can go places bigger ships can’t, so itineraries stretch far beyond the traditional ports. You’ll visit more remote places such as Petersburg, a fishing town with strong Norwegian roots, and Wrangell, one of Alaska’s oldest communities. Some itineraries are conducted entirely in the wild, with no port calls at all.

UnCruise Adventures

UnCruise Adventures explores Southeast Alaska on seven-, 12- and 14-night itineraries. A day might start with a morning birding expedition, continue with a kayaking adventure and end with an evening campfire ashore. You might visit LeConte and Baird Glaciers (where the big ships don’t go), plus UnCruise has the only permits for hiking and biking adventures on Chichagof Island.

Lindblad Expeditions

Lindblad Expeditions frequents off-the-beaten-path destinations in both Alaska and British Columbia, with itineraries ranging from six to 15 nights.

Guests might explore the small fishing town of Petersburg or discover native petroglyphs on the beaches of Wrangell Island in Alaska, or search for grizzly bears in Canada’s Great Bear Rainforest. Lindblad has special permits to bring passengers into the wilderness of Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve and the Tongass National Forest, beyond what the big ships can offer.

Alaskan Dream Cruises

Alaskan-owned Alaskan Dream Cruises’ ships carry 12 to 76 passengers to remote Native villages that rarely see visitors, with plenty of time for wildlife viewing far from the cruise ship crowds. Itineraries range from five to nine nights, from departure ports such as Sitka, Ketchikan and Juneau.

Best for families

If you’re traveling with your kids or grandkids in Alaska and want an activity- and entertainment-packed experience, target the newest and biggest ships of Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, Carnival and especially Disney Cruise Line. All have excellent camp-like activity programs for kids, plus eye-popping amusement attractions.

Disney Wonder

On Disney ships, Goofy might make an appearance as you admire soaring eagles, blue icebergs and glaciers. The extensive children’s program, entertainment and such activities as water slides and play areas deliver what you would expect from the purveyor of dreams. Bonus: Cabins are designed with families in mind and include split bathrooms (one with a toilet and sink, the other with a shower/tub combo and sink).

Related: 5 best cruise lines for families

Discovery Princess

While lacking in whiz-bang attractions, Princess Cruises is another good choice, both for its children’s and teens program, complete with spacious facilities, and for such programming as bringing sled dogs on board, which is a hit with young passengers. The line’s newest ship, Discovery Princess, sails round trip from Seattle, a convenient U.S. home port for families to fly or drive to.

Carnival Spirit

Water slides, a partnership with Dr. Seuss and three hangouts for kids and teens make Carnival Cruise Line’s Carnival Spirit a great bet for families in Alaska.

The ship’s huge array of included quick eats — pizza, tacos, Guy Fieri’s burgers and unlimited soft serve ice cream — and casual atmosphere take the stress out of dining with the family. The ship sails round trip from Seattle on seven-night itineraries that call in Skagway, Juneau, Ketchikan and Victoria, with scenic cruising in Tracy Arm Fjord.

Best for luxury lovers

If you envision sipping Champagne as you watch a glacier thunderously calve into the sea, consider booking one of the all-inclusive luxury cruise lines in Alaska: Seabourn , Regent Seven Seas Cruises or Silversea .

All these lines include ships that are experts at delivering gourmet cuisine and the other finer things in life in intimate, cushy floating environments. Additionally, all the lines are big on featuring lectures by experts, which provides passengers with a deeper insight into Alaska.

Itineraries tend to include the popular ports and beyond. You might, for instance, visit Wrangell and Prince Rupert, a port city in Canada, and linger in places such as the Misty Fjords and Prince William Sound. Seven- to 14-night sailings embark from ports such as Vancouver, Seward and Juneau.

Seven Seas Explorer

Regent’s 750-passenger Seven Seas Explorer is an all-suite ship offering guests in Alaska multiple gourmet onboard restaurants, all-inclusive beverages, free airfare and included gratuities. Many shore excursions are complimentary. Enjoy little luxuries, like an afternoon in the thermal suite of the two-story spa-and-fitness center, or really splurge out by booking the Regent Suite, the most lavish suite you’ll find at sea.

Seabourn Odyssey

The 450-passenger Seabourn Odyssey boasts an onboard expedition team and does a posh version of expedition cruising in Alaska, using inflatable Zodiac craft and kayaks.

Seabourn calls its program Ventures by Seabourn. Experts onboard these sailings include naturalists, biologists and other scientists who are members of the expedition team. Once guests finish communing with nature, they can indulge in complimentary Champagne and caviar on board or relish a meal created by famed chef, Thomas Keller.

Related: The 4 best luxury cruise lines for elegance and exclusivity

Best for solo travelers

Solo travelers don’t always have to pay double to cruise Alaska on their own. Several ships feature cabins designed and priced for one. Single cruisers should also note that luxury lines Silversea and Seabourn, while not cheap, do a great job of taking care of single cruisers, hosting them at dinner and providing easy opportunities to meet and mingle with other travelers.

Norwegian Bliss

The ships in Norwegian Cruise Line’s Breakaway and Getaway classes all have cozy studio cabins designed and priced for one person. Additionally, they’re located in a complex where a private lounge encourages mingling. Norwegian Bliss offers 82 solo rooms on its round-trip Seattle cruises that visit Dawes Glacier, Sitka and Icy Strait Point.

Quantum of the Seas

Royal Caribbean’s studio staterooms, on its Quantum-class ships in Alaska, give solo travelers the benefits of both decent space and balconies.

On Quantum of the Seas, choose a 101-square-foot inside cabin or a 119-square-foot ocean-view room with a 55-square-foot balcony. Either way, you get a full-size bed and plenty of space for one person. The ship sails a similar weeklong itinerary to sister ship Ovation of the Seas, round-trip from Seattle with scenic sailing along Endicott Arm.

Holland America offers ocean-view accommodations for one in Alaska only on Koningsdam. Measuring 127 to 172 square feet, these rooms come with a full-size bed and a picture window.

Koningsdam sails round trip from Vancouver to Juneau, Skagway and Ketchikan, with scenic cruising in Tracy Arm and Glacier Bay. Its cruises can be combined into nine- to 14-night cruise tours to the Yukon and Denali.

Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:

The 5 most desirable cabin locations on any cruise ship
A beginners guide to picking a cruise line
The 8 worst cabin locations on any cruise ship
A quick guide to the most popular cruise lines
21 tips and tricks that will make your cruise go smoothly
15 ways cruisers waste money
12 best cruises for people who never want to grow up
The ultimate guide to what to pack for a cruise

Additional reporting by Erica Silverstein.

SPONSORED: With states reopening, enjoying a meal from a restaurant no longer just means curbside pickup.

And when you do spend on dining, you should use a credit card that will maximize your rewards and potentially even score special discounts. Thanks to temporary card bonuses and changes due to coronavirus, you may even be able to score a meal at your favorite restaurant for free.

These are the best credit cards for dining out, taking out, and ordering in to maximize every meal purchase.

Editorial Disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airlines or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

The best Alaska cruises for every type of traveler

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Sapphire Princess
Number of Decks: 18. Tonnage: 115,875. Length : 952 feet. Height: 205 feet. More Facts. Your vacation - effortless. Personalized. Make your vacation truly yours on a Princess MedallionClass® cruise that features next-level technology, now on all ships.
Sapphire Princess cabins and suites
Sapphire Princess cabins with balconies are 750 (75% of all the 890 outside rooms). Wheelchair-accessible cabins (for disabled passengers) are 27 (balconies, outsides, insides). Follows the review of Sapphire Princess staterooms as amenities, furniture and included (complimentary) services: Sapphire Princess Suites with private balcony (Grand ...
Sapphire Princess Cabins: The Best & Worst Rooms on the Ship
2 to 4. 354 sq. ft. Suite. 2 to 4. 525 to 1,329 sq. ft. Not every ship in the Princess fleet has Oceanview rooms, but Sapphire Princess does, including some at the front of the ship that let you look ahead to where you're sailing. But the majority of rooms on the ship are either Interior, Balcony or Premium Balcony.
Sapphire Princess Cabins & Staterooms on Cruise Critic
Balcony: Balcony cabins are 237 to 300 square feet, and feature private verandas with two blue mesh chairs, footrests and a small round metal side table. Balconies are a generous depth, due to the ...
Sapphire Princess
Learn about the variety of rooms and suites onboard the Sapphire Princess cruise ship. View photo galleries of the rooms and learn about the different room amenities.
Sapphire Princess: Princess Cruises
Sapphire Princess: Princess Cruises. Premium accommodations and luxurious appointments are the signature of our expansive 319 to 730-square-foot Suites. Suite staterooms include a spacious cabin and large 114 to 181-square-foot balcony, along with special suite-only benefits. All Suites include a separate seating area with a sofabed, walk-in ...
Sapphire Princess
Find Cruises. Guests 2,670. Crew 1,100. Refurbished Mar 2018. More Facts. As you set your sights on the wonders of the world, let Sapphire Princess indulge your every whim. Over 700 balconies, world-class gourmet dining and dazzling entertainment options are just the beginning of your sea-going adventure. Dance the night away, enjoy casino ...
Deck Plans : Princess Cruises
Sapphire Princess. ®. Deck Plan. Loading ... *Deck plans are subject to change at any time. Photos, floor plan diagrams, and amenities represent typical arrangements and may vary by ship and stateroom. Certain staterooms may vary in size, decor and configuration. Square footage varies based on stateroom category and deck location.
Sapphire Princess
Discover luxurious accommodations, tantalizing dining and more aboard the Sapphire Princess®. Start your sea-going getaway from one of 700 private balconies. ... Inaugural Cruise: May 16, 2004. Christener: Nancy Gore Murkowski, former First Lady of Alaska. Guest Cabins: 1,337. Number of Decks: 18. Tonnage: 115,875. Length: 952 feet.
Sapphire Princess Cruise Accommodations, Staterooms and Suites
The living room which has floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors and at least one sofa bed leads to an oversized balcony. Family Suites have two televisions, thermostat controlled air-conditioning, refrigerator, individual safe, and 24 hour room service. Read Less. Cabin Size: 613 sq ft.
Sapphire Princess Ship Review
The 116,000-ton, 2,670-passenger Sapphire Princess debuted in 2004 as the fifth of nine ships in Princess Cruises' wide-ranging Grand class. While it is the largest of the Grand-class ships by ...
The Princess Suite Experience
Additional Stateroom Features. Spacious staterooms up to 932 square feet with large balconies. Princess Luxury Bed. Balcony with Upgraded Patio Furniture (two comfortable loungers, a table and two chairs) Separate seating area with coffee table and a sofa bed. Two floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors. Private bathroom including tub and separate ...
Princess Cruises ship cabin and suite guide
An impressive 72% of the 1,000 cabins on Princess's 2003-built Coral Princess, for instance, are balcony cabins. On Coral Princess, inside cabins and ocean-view cabins only make up 26% of all rooms. A breakdown of the cabin categories on that ship: Inside cabins: 108 (11%) Ocean-view cabins: 157 (16%) Balcony cabins (including mini-suites): 719 ...
Sapphire Princess
Cabins with Private Balconies: 750 (75 percent of all outside cabins) Pools: 3. Whirlpools Spas: 8. Lifeboats: 16 lifeboats, 6 tenders, 2 rescue boats. Builder: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Nagasaki, Japan. Learn more about Sapphire Princess. Find out the facts about the Sapphire Princess cruise ship, from the guest capacity to the number of ...
Sapphire Princess Review
We review the Sapphire Princess cruise ship, part of Princess Cruises' fleet of ships. Our expert reviewer examines the staterooms, entertainment, dining, and design of the ship, which sails from ...
Sapphire Princess: Princess Cruises
Sapphire Princess: Princess Cruises. Premium accommodations and luxurious appointments are the signature of our expansive 525 to 1,329-square-foot Suites. Your Suite stateroom includes a spacious cabin and large 161 to 452-square-foot balcony, along with special suite-only benefits. Suites feature a separate seating area with a sofabed, walk-in ...
Sapphire Princess Premium Balcony Stateroom B2
Size: Approximately 277 sq. ft. including Balcony. Occupancy: 2 guests standard - some sleep 3 or 4. Amenities: Two twin beds that convert to a queen-sized bed sitting area with a balcony desk spacious closet flat-screen television refrigerator and a bathroom with shower. These staterooms also include evening bed turndown services chocolates on ...
Sapphire Princess
Every Princess ship is a destination in itself with wide-ranging amenities, elevated culinary experiences and delightful activities. Take a virtual tour on S...
Sapphire Princess Itinerary, Current Position, Ship Review
A former subsidiary of P&O Princess Cruises (1977-founded), in 2003, the company merged with Carnival Corporation - the world's largest cruise shipowner. Among Princess Cruise Lines Ltd's assets is the Caribbean private island resort Princess Cays (on Bahamas Eleuthera Island's southern end), located approx 80 km (50 mi) from Nassau.
Sapphire Princess Dining: Restaurants & Food on Cruise Critic
Fee Dining. Sabatini's (Deck 7); $29: Sabatini's is Princess' popular Italian option serving pasta, seafood and meats. Dinner begins with herbed focaccia grissini, rosemary flatbread with air ...
Inside Cabin A338 on Sapphire Princess, category IC
Sapphire Princess - Cabin A338. Floor Plan. Size: Approximately 168 sq. ft. Occupancy: 2 guests standard - some sleep 4. Cabin Category: IC. Amenities: Two twin beds that convert to a queen-sized bed a bathroom with shower spacious closet flat-screen television and a refrigerator. Additional amenities include evening turndown service chocolates ...
Princess Sapphire Princess Cruise Reviews
teutonic sponge. 6-10 Cruises • Age 60s. First the pros of this cruise and the Sapphire Princess ship, and there were several areas that were excellent: 1. Medallion service/functionality is ...
Sapphire Princess Dining: Restaurants and Food
While prices are updated daily, please check with the booking site for the exact amount. Cruiseline.com is not responsible for content on external web sites. Explore all food and dining options for Sapphire Princess from Princess Cruises with verified reviews and photos for all speciality restaurants, dining rooms and buffets.
The best Alaska cruises for every type of traveler
Both Grand and Sapphire Princess offer weeklong Alaska cruises in May 2024 starting from $548 per person for inside cabins. The itinerary starts in Vancouver and ends in Whittier, Alaska, with ...

Sapphire Princess Cabins: The Best & Worst Rooms on the Ship

Sapphire Princess Cabin Types

Sapphire Princess Inside Cabins

Sapphire Princess Inside Cabin Grades

Sapphire Princess Oceanview Cabins

Sapphire Princess Oceanview Cabin Grades

Sapphire Princess Balcony Cabin Grades

Sapphire Princess Mini Suite Grades

Sapphire Princess Suites

Sapphire Princess Suite Grades

NEW DEALS JUST RELEASED!

Special Cabin Types

Sapphire Princess Connecting Rooms

Sapphire Princess Family Suites

Sapphire Princess Accessible Rooms

Sapphire Princess Cabins to Avoid

1. Cabins That Are Under the Lido Deck

2. Balcony Cabins Near the Front of the Ship

3. Cabins That Can Be Worse for Seasickness

4. Cabins Directly Adjacent to the Laundromat

5. Cabins at the Front of the Ship Near Crew Stairwells

6. Obstructed View Rooms if a View Is Important to You

7. Connecting Cabins if You Don’t Need Them

8. Aft Cabins if You Don’t Want to Risk Soot

The Best Cabins on Sapphire Princess

2. The Cheapest Cabins

3. Staterooms Adjacent to the Terrace Pool

To Conclude

Sapphire Princess Accommodation FAQs

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Sapphire Princess Staterooms

Sapphire Princess® Cruise Ship

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Accommodations

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Dine My Way℠

A (Seafood) Fan Favorite Returns!

Alfredo’s Pizzeria

International Café

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A Taste of Italy, Enjoyed in Luxury

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Vegas Style Casino

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Club Fusion

Churchill’s

Experience the Ultimate Night of Sleep at Sea

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Princess Cruises ship cabin and suite guide: Everything you want to know

A Princess Cruises cabin primer

Inside cabins on Princess Cruises ships

Ocean-view cabins on Princess Cruises ships

Balcony cabins on Princess Cruises ships

Suites on Princess Cruises ships

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