Royal Princess vs. Sun Princess: Which Princess Cruise Ship Should You Choose?

If you're planning your next sea adventure with Princess Cruises, you're already on a great course. As one of my favourite cruise lines, Princess offers a wide range of ships, and I've especially enjoyed my eight sailings aboard the Royal Class vessels, including Royal, Regal, Sky, and Enchanted Princess. Naturally, I was eager to try the brand-new Sun Princess, the first of the next-generation Sphere Class, and compare the two. After sailing on both, here’s a side-by-side overview to help you decide which ship is right for you.

⚓ Quick Ship Stats

Royal Princess

• Launched: 2013

• Class: Royal Class

• Tonnage: ~142,000 GT

• Passenger Capacity: ~3,560

• Vibe: Elegant, traditional luxury

Sun Princess

• Launched: 2024

• Class: Sphere Class

• Tonnage: ~175,500 GT

• Passenger Capacity: ~4,300

• Vibe: Sleek, modern, resort-style

  
  

🎨 Design & Atmosphere

Royal Princess exudes classic charm with elegant interiors, rich wood tones, and a multi-level Piazza crowned by stunning glass chandeliers. Signature features like the SeaWalk — a glass walkway 30 feet over the ocean — add drama and distinction (although, if you're afraid of heights like me, you might prefer to admire the SeaWalk from afar).

Sun Princess, by contrast, feels airy and somewhat futuristic. Its new and show-stopping features include The Dome, a glass-enclosed pool and entertainment venue, and the Sphere Atrium, a multi-level space flooded with natural light. It’s ideal for travellers who love contemporary architecture and open-concept design — although I did miss the sophistication and elegance of the Royal.

🍽 Dining Experiences

Royal Princess offers classic dining with three main dining rooms (Allegro, Concerto, Symphony), plus beloved specialty venues like Crown Grill and Sabatini’s. My favourites include the black and blue onion soup, the cheese pull-apart bread, and the tender, juicy steaks at Crown Grill, as well as the rich carbonara at Sabatini’s. The 24-hour International Café is perfect for late-night bites or casual snacks (I personally love their almond croissants and early morning doughnuts). For something more relaxed, the Deck 16 buffet-the Horizon Court and the Horizon Bistro deliver plenty of variety, including vegan and gluten-free selections, a dedicated children’s section, and a range of international dishes. It’s a reliable option for a quick, satisfying meal between activities.

Sun Princess retains the favourites while introducing exciting new venues such as The Catch by Rudi (a seafood fine-dining experience) and Umai Teppanyaki, which offers interactive, theatrical dining. One noticeable upgrade is the larger International Café, now located midship on Deck 9 and offering an expanded range of light bites and casual fare. Just beyond the café is the redesigned buffet called the Eatery stretching across both the port and starboard sides to the aft of the ship, with both indoor and outdoor cushioned seating. Another welcome change in the buffet area — especially from an infection control perspective — is the move away from self-service. Food is now served by crew members behind glass partitions, replacing shared serving utensils. I was worried about long line-ups but surprisingly, I didn’t find it crowded at all.

🎭 Entertainment & Unique Experiences

Royal Princess delivers traditional cruise entertainment: Excellent Broadway-style productions in the Princess Theatre, Movies Under the Stars on the pool deck (though the screen could use a refresh), and live music in Crooners and other lounges. I particularly enjoy Princess Live!, designed like a TV studio and hosting game shows, trivia, and interactive events.

Sun Princess upgrades the entertainment experience. The Princess Arena (formerly the Princess Theatre) boasts 360° staging, immersive sound, and cutting-edge lighting — but be warned, it is compact and fills up fast, so arrive early to secure a good seat. The new Princess Live! offers a larger space and stage, though in my opinion has lost some of the TV-studio charm. The standout is undoubtedly The Dome, a glass-enclosed venue where aerial acrobatic performances take place — again, seating is limited, so plan ahead. And don’t miss Spellbound, an adults-only, immersive experience that blends fine dining, theatrical cocktails, and close-up magic in a series of hidden, Victorian-style rooms.

You'll enter through a secret door (look for the stylized “S” on a door on Deck 9) and progress through spaces like the Music Room, where Isabella the resident ghost "plays" piano requests (I asked for Your Song and she nailed it), and the Parlour Bar, where expert magicians perform sleight-of-hand tricks as you sip exotic handcrafted cocktails (I particularly enjoyed the "Smoke and Mirrors" cocktail). The night ends with an intimate magic show in a 30-seat theatre. At $149 per person, it’s a splurge — but a magical one that I’d  recommend to try at least once.

🏊 Pool Areas

Royal Princess features a traditional pool deck with twin pools, hot tubs, and a large movie screen. It’s a functional, familiar layout, though on sunny warm days it can feel crowded, with limited shaded areas and tightly packed loungers. That said, I really enjoy the tiered balcony seating with loungers — it offers a great view of both the pool and big screen Sadly, this feature was removed on ships launched after the Regal, as the space was reallocated for larger suite accommodations.

Sun Princess improves the pool experience with a resort-style, multi-tiered deck. There are more shaded areas, upgraded loungers, and a more open, luxurious layout. The standout is The Dome, which features an indoor/outdoor pool, two hot tubs, and a bar (and remember-The Dome doubles as an entertainment space at night). The luxurious Sanctuary pool area includes enhanced adult-only lounging and a dedicated pool, though access is exclusive to guests booked in Sanctuary-class staterooms.

🎰 Casino Comparison

Royal Princess offers a mid-sized casino with a traditional layout. There’s a good mix of slot machines and table games. Smoking is allowed, though on my last sailing, it wasn’t too overpowering.

Sun Princess features a larger, modern casino with a more open design and improved ventilation systems. While I’m not a table player myself, others mentioned the table gaming experience was smooth and tech-forward. That said on my sailing, it was extremely crowded and the smoke was unfortunately quite noticeable and for me unbearable. I wish Princess would ban smoking in their casinos as some of the other cruise have done.

🛌 Cabins & Suites

Royal Princess offers a range of staterooms from inside cabins to grand suites. Rooms are well-appointed, though the design leans traditional, and balcony sizes vary (some can be quite compact).

Sun Princess, in contrast, brings a fresh design approach, with more natural light, improved bathrooms, and modern finishes. A new option is the Cabana Mini-Suite, which features a private lanai-style terrace, as well as the Reserve Collection Suites, which offer exclusive dining access and upgraded amenities.

Ultimately, whether you choose a ship from the Royal Class with its old-world charm and elegance, or one from the Sphere Class with its exciting and innovative features, you won’t be disappointed. Happy sailing!