Regal Princess

    Princess Cruises

    Regal Princess

    Sun Princess

    Princess Cruises

    Sun Princess

    vs

    Ship Comparison

    Regal Princess vs Sun Princess

    Regal Princess offers a comfortable, modern retreat, while Sun Princess launches a new era of innovative, vibrant cruising.

    The verdict

    The Regal Princess provides a familiar, polished Princess experience, blending modern amenities like Medallion Class technology with cherished traditions. It's a ship that delivers consistent quality and a relaxing, fun atmosphere for a broad audience. The Sun Princess, in contrast, represents a bold leap forward for the cruise line. As a brand-new vessel, it pushes boundaries with its innovative architecture, diverse new entertainment venues, and significantly upgraded cabin designs, aiming for a hipper and more active vibe. While its new layout might take some getting used to for loyal Princess cruisers, it offers a fresh, engaging, and highly family-oriented journey. Both ships leverage Princess's commitment to culinary variety and guest comfort, but Sun Princess distinctly reimagines the onboard experience.

    Choose Regal Princess if…

    Those who appreciate the established Princess Cruises experience, with a balance of modern technology and classic cruise charm, seeking diverse dining and ample relaxation options.

    Best for

    • Cruisers who appreciate the established Princess Cruises experience
    • Families and couples seeking a balance of relaxation and engaging activities
    • Guests who value Medallion Class technology for a seamless onboard journey
    • Food lovers keen on diverse dining, from complimentary pizza to specialty steakhouses
    • Those looking for traditional Broadway-style shows and outdoor movie nights

    Avoid if

    • You prefer cutting-edge, experimental ship designs over familiar elegance
    • You desire the absolute largest balconies or cabins in standard categories
    • You seek a ship with the newest 'whiz-bang' thrill attractions for kids
    • You dislike a ship that can attract a significant number of families

    Choose Sun Princess if…

    Travelers eager for a cutting-edge, lively, and highly family-oriented cruise experience, embracing bold new designs, innovative entertainment, and a wide array of upgraded amenities.

    Best for

    • Families with children and teens looking for extensive, dedicated youth facilities
    • Travelers seeking the very latest in cruise ship innovation and modern design
    • Guests who thrive on a lively, active atmosphere with diverse entertainment options
    • Food enthusiasts eager to explore new, elevated specialty dining concepts
    • Those who appreciate exclusive spaces and amenities for suite guests

    Avoid if

    • You prefer a more intimate or traditional, understated cruise experience
    • You dislike navigating a large ship with a potentially confusing new layout
    • You are looking for a quieter, less bustling onboard environment
    • You prefer complimentary afternoon tea over a paid, enhanced experience

    Overall Vibe

    Regal Princess

    Regal Princess, launched in 2014, offers a sophisticated yet comfortable ambiance for its 3,560 guests across 19 decks. She embodies the Princess tradition with a modern twist, providing a relaxing and fun atmosphere. The ship's design elements, like the striking SeaWalk, a glass-floor walkway extending 28 feet beyond the ship's edge, and the dazzling Princess WaterColour Fantasy light and water show, contribute to a sense of understated elegance and engaging discovery. It’s a vessel that feels familiar and welcoming, while incorporating thoughtful innovations.

    Sun Princess

    The brand-new Sun Princess, making its debut in 2024, is a true mega-ship designed to host 4,300 guests across 19 decks. This vessel signals a significant evolution for Princess, with a bold, contemporary design that immediately sets a more lively and active tone. The most striking architectural feature is The Dome, a multi-level, glass-enclosed space that transforms from a sunlit pool area by day into an acrobatic performance venue by night. It’s a ship that feels expansive and forward-thinking, promising a dynamic and immersive journey.

    Atmosphere & Crowd

    Regal Princess

    Regal Princess, accommodating 3,560 guests with a dedicated crew of 1,346, cultivates an atmosphere that is both modern and sophisticated, yet distinctly relaxing and fun. The ship draws a pleasant mix of older and younger couples, along with families, especially during peak seasons. While there's plenty of activity, the layout allows for quiet escapes, such as The Sanctuary adults-only retreat. The Medallion Class technology enhances this experience, allowing for a more Personalized and seamless flow throughout the ship, reducing friction and contributing to a generally unhurried pace.

    Sun Princess

    Sun Princess, designed for 4,300 guests, aims for an innovative, lively, and family-oriented atmosphere. As the newest ship in the fleet, it's attracting cruisers eager to experience its fresh take on the Princess brand. With new dedicated spaces for children and teens, alongside vibrant public areas like the reimagined Piazza Atrium and The Dome, the ship buzzes with energy. The emphasis on diverse entertainment and social hubs ensures a dynamic environment, though it might feel bustling at times, appealing to those who enjoy a more active and engaging social scene.

    Dining

    Regal Princess

    Regal Princess offers a broad spectrum of dining, with complimentary options like the expansive Horizon Court and Horizon Bistro buffet, featuring international fare and themed dinner nights, and Alfredo's Pizzeria, celebrated for its delicious thin-crust pizzas. For a fee, guests can savor premium aged beef at Crown Grill or traditional Italian dishes at Sabatini's. Unique experiences such as the Chef's Table Lumiere and Winemaker's Dinners provide opportunities for culinary indulgence. The International Café is a convenient 24-hour spot for complimentary snacks and a la carte specialty coffees.

    Sun Princess

    Sun Princess elevates dining with an even wider array of choices, including a dramatic three-level main dining room and The Americana Diner for classic comfort food, both complimentary. The Eatery introduces a new buffet concept with enhanced variety, though seating can be a consideration. Specialty dining is a highlight, with new venues like The Butcher's Block by Dario for exquisite cuts of beef, The Catch by Rudi for seafood, and the innovative Makoto Ocean sushi bar. Even Alfredo's Pizzeria now carries a nominal charge, reflecting a shift towards more premium culinary experiences.

    Entertainment & Nightlife

    Regal Princess

    Regal Princess offers a diverse entertainment lineup, from Broadway-style productions in the Princess Theatre, featuring global artists and original shows, to interactive experiences at Princess Live! with culinary shows and game nights. Evenings also come alive with Movies Under the Stars on the Lido Deck, complete with popcorn and blankets. For nightlife, Club 6 provides a lively dance floor with a resident DJ, while more intimate settings like Crooner's Martini Bar offer piano melodies and Bellini's serves cocktails above the bustling Piazza, which itself hosts live music and street performers.

    Sun Princess

    Sun Princess boasts a reimagined approach to entertainment. The Princess Arena, a technologically advanced theater with a configurable circular stage, hosts high-energy production shows and tribute acts. The Dome transforms from a daytime relaxation space into a dynamic venue for acrobatic performances by Cirque Éloize. For a truly unique experience, Spellbound by Magic Castle combines an exclusive dinner with immersive magic. The ship's largest casino to date, featuring a "Buffalo Zone," caters to gamers, while O'Malley's Irish Pub offers lively music and pub fare, ensuring varied options for evening enjoyment.

    Cabins & Suites

    Regal Princess

    Regal Princess features 1,400 balconies, making up 81% of its cabins. The decor is consistently neutral with browns and creams. Standard Balcony cabins are 214-222 sq ft, including a 41 sq ft balcony, often noted for being on the smaller side. Mini-Suites, at 323 sq ft, offer a separate sitting area with a sofa bed and a welcome glass of bubbly. Suites, ranging from 440 to 1,500 sq ft, provide significantly more space, luxury balcony furniture, and enhanced perks like priority services and a complimentary mini-bar setup. All cabins include modern amenities like flat-screen TVs and mini-fridges.

    Sun Princess

    Sun Princess introduces completely redesigned cabins with a modern aesthetic, abundant storage, and improved bathrooms featuring glass shower doors. Interior cabins are 136-145 sq ft, while Deluxe Balcony rooms are 235 sq ft. New categories include Cove Balcony cabins on Deck 6, offering unobstructed ocean views, and Cabana Mini-Suites on Deck 9, which feature an extra-large private lounge space with exclusive Cabana Deck access. The Signature Sky Suite, at 1,262 sq ft, is the largest, boasting two bedrooms and an enormous balcony, alongside concierge services and exclusive access to the Signature Lounge.

    Service & Onboard Style

    Regal Princess

    Regal Princess embraces the Medallion Class experience, which is central to its onboard style. The OceanMedallion wearable device and robust smartphone app offer a Personalized and streamlined journey, from automatically unlocking cabin doors to enabling food and drink orders delivered anywhere on the ship via OceanNow. This technology aims to enhance guest convenience and service efficiency. The overall style is one of approachable elegance, with a crew-to-guest ratio of 1:2.6, ensuring attentive service within a comfortable, modern setting.

    Sun Princess

    Sun Princess aims for an elevated onboard style, reflected in its innovative design and diverse offerings, though a specific crew count isn't provided. The ship introduces new exclusive areas like the Signature Lounge and Signature Sun Deck for suite guests, providing a more Personalized and luxurious experience. While the Princess Cruises app is essential for managing the vacation, including dining reservations, the initial layout has been noted as potentially confusing for guests, with Guest Services tucked away. The focus here is on newness and a more dynamic, active service delivery, rather than a traditional, quiet approach.

    Best Itineraries

    Regal Princess

    Regal Princess, with its established presence and Medallion Class technology, is well-suited for a variety of itineraries, particularly those appealing to families and couples seeking a balanced experience of relaxation and exploration. While specific itineraries aren't detailed in the payload, its design and amenities, including the extensive kids' clubs and diverse dining, make it a strong choice for popular routes that blend sea days with port calls, allowing guests to fully utilize both onboard features and shore excursions.

    Sun Princess

    Sun Princess, as the newest and most family-oriented ship in the fleet, is poised for itineraries that highlight its innovative features and diverse activity options. Its large capacity and modern design make it ideal for popular, high-demand routes, especially during school holidays when families are traveling. The emphasis on unique entertainment and varied dining means it would excel on cruises with a mix of sea days and port experiences, allowing guests ample time to discover all the ship has to offer, from The Dome's performances to the new kids' clubs.

    What reviewers say

    Regal Princess

    4/5

    Regal Princess offers a modern and sophisticated cruise experience with a relaxing and fun vibe, featuring excellent dining and innovative Medallion Class technology. While some cabins and balconies are noted as being on the smaller side, the ship provides a solid vacation for a diverse passenger mix.

    Sun Princess

    Sun Princess marks a significant departure for Princess Cruises, embracing innovation and a hipper, more active atmosphere that reimagines the brand. While its new design and lively spaces may challenge loyalists, an open mind reveals a ship that shines brightly with welcomed improvements and unique features.

    Itineraries to compare

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    Regal Princess

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    Sun Princess

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