Sapphire Princess

    Princess Cruises

    Sapphire Princess

    Crown Princess

    Princess Cruises

    Crown Princess

    vs

    Ship Comparison

    Sapphire Princess vs Crown Princess

    Sapphire Princess delivers vibrant, activity-rich value for all ages, while Crown Princess offers elegant relaxation and enriching experiences for couples and families alike.

    The verdict

    Both the Sapphire Princess and Crown Princess, having been refreshed in 2018, uphold Princess Cruises' commitment to quality, albeit with distinct personalities. Sapphire Princess, built in 2004, is a bustling, activity-packed vessel that feels remarkably fresh for its age, providing excellent value and a relaxed environment for multi-generational groups. Crown Princess, from 2006, as a Grand-class ship, leans into a more elegant and unpretentious experience, expertly managing its larger capacity to create a serene atmosphere perfect for adults and couples, while still offering thoughtful family programming. Your choice will hinge on whether you prefer a high-energy, value-driven adventure or a more refined, spacious retreat.

    Choose Sapphire Princess if…

    The Sapphire Princess is ideal for multi-generational families and social, active cruisers seeking a vibrant, activity-rich, and value-conscious global exploration with diverse culinary options.

    Best for

    • The Multi-Generational Family Adventurer
    • The Social & Active Cruiser
    • The Global Gastronome & Wine Enthusiast
    • The Value-Conscious Global Explorer

    Avoid if

    • Dated Cabin Bathrooms
    • No 'Big Wow' Modern Thrill Attractions
    • Pop-Up Specialty Dining Lacks Dedicated Ambiance
    • Internet Access is Pricey

    Choose Crown Princess if…

    The Crown Princess is best for relaxed romantics, engaged explorers, and savvy family adventurers looking for elegant, unpretentious cruises with enriching experiences and effective crowd management.

    Best for

    • The Global Gastronome
    • The Engaged Explorer
    • The Relaxed Romantic
    • The Savvy Family Adventurer
    • The Understated Luxury Seeker

    Avoid if

    • Standard Buffet Quality
    • Inconsistent Main Theater Shows
    • Limited Seclusion on Balconies
    • No Nursery for Toddlers
    • Fewer Mega-Ship Bells and Whistles

    Overall Vibe

    Sapphire Princess

    The Sapphire Princess, launched in 2004 and refreshed in 2018, presents a vibrant, activity-rich atmosphere, successfully maintaining a fresh feel for a midsized vessel. Its design centers around a lively Piazza, acting as a dynamic hub for activity and entertainment. With five intimate main dining rooms and a wealth of other options, it punches well above its weight, offering a good-value experience. This ship fosters a relaxed, easygoing environment, ensuring guests of all ages find engaging experiences, from its new Camp Discovery kids' club to the well-situated Skywalkers Nightclub. It’s a ship that truly aims to deliver quality and fun.

    Crown Princess

    The Crown Princess, a Grand-class ship built in 2006 and also refreshed in 2018, offers an elegant yet unpretentious cruise experience, balancing relaxation with enriching activities. Designed to effectively minimize crowds, it creates a comfortable environment particularly appealing to adults and couples. While providing upgraded kids' centers and family programming, its core vibe leans towards a refined, unhurried journey. Features like the super comfortable Princess Luxury Beds and decadent spa treatments underscore its focus on comfort and well-being, making it a sophisticated choice for those seeking a tranquil escape with thoughtful amenities.

    Atmosphere & Crowd

    Sapphire Princess

    Onboard Sapphire Princess, with its capacity for 2,670 passengers and a dedicated crew of 1,100, you'll find a relaxed and easygoing atmosphere that's activity-rich and welcoming to all ages. It frequently attracts multi-generational groups, especially during school holidays, thriving on a lively energy. The ship’s layout, with its central Piazza, encourages social interaction and provides a natural gathering spot, ensuring a bustling yet approachable feel. Guests can partake in various activities without feeling overwhelmed, fostering a communal and friendly environment throughout their journey.

    Crown Princess

    The Crown Princess, accommodating 3,080 guests with a crew of 1,200, cultivates a balanced ambiance of relaxation and enrichment. It tends to appeal to a slightly older crowd, including couples and groups, prioritizing an elegant yet unpretentious environment. Despite its larger capacity, the ship's thoughtful design and four spacious pool areas contribute to effective crowd management, ensuring spaces never feel overly congested. While offering excellent facilities for families, the overall feel is one of comfortable sophistication, ideal for those seeking a more serene and refined journey.

    Dining

    Sapphire Princess

    Sapphire Princess offers a diverse culinary journey, highlighted by its five intimate main dining rooms: Savoy, Vivaldi, Pacific Moon, Santa Fe, and The International, all serving the same quality menu. For casual bites, the 24-hour International Cafe provides complimentary pastries and sandwiches, while Alfredo's Pizzeria and Prego offer delightful pizzas. Specialty dining includes Sabatini's for Italian, and the Sterling Steakhouse and Crab Shack, which are popular pop-up options within the Horizon Court buffet, known for outstanding food and service despite their casual settings. The flexible Dine My Way℠ option adds convenience.

    Crown Princess

    Crown Princess provides a comprehensive dining experience, featuring three main dining rooms—Da Vinci, Botticelli, and Michelangelo—with flexible "Dine My Way℠" options. The upscale Crown Grill offers a dedicated steakhouse atmosphere, while Sabatini's transports diners to Tuscany with its stunning decor. Casual choices include the newly designed Slice Pizzeria and The Salty Dog Grill for gourmet burgers. The 24-hour International Cafe remains a favorite for complimentary snacks and coffee. Unique offerings like the "Wild for Alaska Seafood menu" and the exclusive Chef's Table elevate the culinary adventure.

    Entertainment & Nightlife

    Sapphire Princess

    Entertainment on Sapphire Princess is plentiful, centered around the Princess Theatre for lavish stage productions featuring a new 270-panel LED wall. Movies Under the Stars provides open-air poolside films, while the Vegas Style Casino offers gaming excitement. Live music thrives in the vibrant Piazza, Wheelhouse Bar, and Crooners Lounge, with piano and vocal acts. For late-night revelry, Skywalkers Nightclub, positioned high on the Sky Deck, offers panoramic views and a hopping club scene. Explorers Lounge hosts diverse acts from comedians to live bands, ensuring a lively atmosphere day and night.

    Crown Princess

    Crown Princess delivers a dynamic entertainment lineup, highlighted by Broadway-style productions in the Princess Theatre and the interactive "Voice of the Ocean" singing competition. Movies Under the Stars remains a popular open-air option for films and concerts. For nightlife, Skywalkers Nightclub on the highest deck offers a lively dance party with a DJ, while Club Fusion hosts karaoke and themed events. Guests can enjoy live music and dancing in the Wheelhouse Bar and Explorer's Lounge, or classical piano and jazz at Adagio Bar, catering to a variety of preferences.

    Cabins & Suites

    Sapphire Princess

    Sapphire Princess offers a range of 1,337 cabins, including over 700 balconies. Interior staterooms are 168-182 sq ft, Oceanview cabins 183-194 sq ft, and Balcony staterooms 237-300 sq ft. Suites range from 460 to 1,329 sq ft, with Family Suites accommodating up to six guests. While beds are comfortable and storage is ample, standard cabin bathrooms are noted as older, small, and feature clingy plastic shower curtains. Some Mini-suites and Balcony cabins on decks 9 and 10 also have verandas that are exposed or partially obstructed, impacting privacy.

    Crown Princess

    Crown Princess features 1,540 cabins, with nearly 900 balconies, offering a comfortable retreat. Standard cabins, from Interior to Balcony, feature the "super comfortable Princess Luxury Beds," ample storage, and functional bathrooms with showers. Suites, averaging 329 sq ft with 166 sq ft balconies, include enhanced amenities and exclusive dining. Family Suites connect a mini-suite and an interior room, providing two bathrooms and accommodating up to six. However, many balconies lack complete privacy due to the ship's tiered design, and some forward/aft suites may have partially obstructed views.

    Service & Onboard Style

    Sapphire Princess

    With a crew of 1,100 serving 2,670 passengers, Sapphire Princess maintains a ratio that supports its relaxed, easygoing atmosphere. The ship embraces Personalized service through its "Dine My Way℠" offering, allowing guests to customize meal times and locations. While MedallionNet® Wi-Fi is fast and usage-based, it is noted as being on the pricier side. Suite guests and Club Class Mini-Suite passengers benefit from priority embarkation, disembarkation, and other enhanced services, contributing to a smooth and well-managed onboard experience tailored to individual preferences.

    Crown Princess

    Crown Princess, with its 1,200 crew members attending to 3,080 guests, fosters an elegant yet unpretentious onboard style. The ship excels in effective crowd management, ensuring a comfortable experience despite its larger size. Personalized dining is available via "Dine My Way℠," offering flexibility and choice. The MedallionNet® Wi-Fi is praised for being superfast and available at reasonable prices, enhancing connectivity. Priority embarkation and disembarkation are offered to Club Class Mini-suite and full suite guests, reflecting a commitment to attentive service and a refined cruising experience.

    Best Itineraries

    Sapphire Princess

    The Sapphire Princess, appealing to value-conscious global explorers, is well-suited for itineraries that emphasize diverse cultures and destination immersion. Its "Wild for Alaska Seafood menu" suggests it's a strong choice for Alaskan cruises, offering local culinary connections. Given its global appeal and focus on activity-rich experiences for all ages, it's ideal for voyages that blend scenic exploration with onboard engagement, catering to a broad demographic looking for a comprehensive and well-rounded journey to various international ports.

    Crown Princess

    Crown Princess, designed for both relaxed romantics and engaged explorers, is an excellent choice for itineraries that offer a blend of scenic beauty and cultural enrichment. Its "Wild for Alaska Seafood menu" indicates a strong offering for Alaskan voyages, appealing to those who appreciate regional cuisine. With its emphasis on elegance and effective crowd management, it’s well-suited for destinations where guests value a serene onboard experience coupled with thoughtful shore excursions, such as European cruises or other exotic locales where a refined journey is sought.

    What reviewers say

    Sapphire Princess

    4.5/5

    A good-value ship packed full of entertainment and activities. Despite its age, recent refurbishments have kept it fresh, offering quality food and a relaxed, easygoing vibe for all ages.

    Crown Princess

    4.5/5

    One of Princess' Grand-class ships, Crown Princess excels at providing fun, relaxing and enriching experiences for adults, while also featuring great children's spaces and special programming for families. It offers a simple yet elegant cruise option for those seeking relaxation or romance, with a layout that effectively minimizes crowds.

    Itineraries to compare

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    Sapphire Princess

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    Crown Princess

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