As someone who has been cruising since the age of four, I have a lot of experience with family and multi-generational travel. In fact, a few years ago, we celebrated my grandparent’s 50th wedding anniversary onboard Crown Princess with family members ranging from ages 7 to 77.
I recently had the opportunity to sail on Sun Princess, Princess Cruises’ newest and most innovative ship to date. It didn’t take me long to conclude that this is the ultimate multi-generational cruise ship.
Princess Cruises has always had something for everyone, but the brand-new features found onboard Sun Princess take multi-generational cruising to the next level. With new additions like Park19, The Eatery, and the Dome, we’re only scratching the surface of what Princess has to offer for the whole family.
Here are the 12 reasons why Sun Princess is the perfect cruise ship for a multi-generational cruise vacation.
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12 Reasons Why Sun Princess is Perfect For Multi-Generational Cruising
1. Variety of Cabins
The brand-new Sun Princess features a variety of staterooms, including 100 connecting cabins and the Cabana Deck, which is perfect for multi-generational families.
Connecting cabins are ideal for families traveling with younger children and teenagers. This is a great way to have privacy while staying near your children.
The Cabana Deck is truly the ultimate cabin style for friends and families cruising together. When you book a Cabana stateroom, you’ll have access to the private Cabana Deck and the resort-style staterooms.
On my recent sailing, I was in an inside cabin while my parents were in a balcony cabin. We were only one deck apart, so I regularly went over to their stateroom and spent time on the balcony.
Everyone has their personal preference when it comes to choosing their stateroom on a cruise. However, Sun Princess offers a variety of cabins ranging from budget-friendly interior staterooms to luxurious suites, so there is something for everyone.
2. More Dining Options Than Ever Before
Sun Princess has more dining options than ever before. With 30 restaurants and bar venues, there are plenty of food choices on Sun Princess.
One of the biggest challenges of a multi-generational vacation is finding food everyone enjoys. However, Sun Princess has a wide variety of dining options, from casual dining venues to specialty dining restaurants.
Whether you’re traveling with the pickiest eater or the biggest foodie, Sun Princess offers dining experiences that everyone will enjoy!
Onboard Sun Princess, there are many delicious included dining venues. This includes Horizons Dining Room, The Eatery, International Café, and The Lido.
You will love the specialty dining options if you want an enhanced culinary experience. These include The Catch by Rudy, Butcher’s Block by Dario, Love by Britto, Crown Grill, Sabitini’s Italian Trattoria, Umai Teppanyaki, O’Malley’s, Alfredo’s Pizzeria, and Makoto Ocean.
Furthermore, you can order food from your Princess App to your cabin or directly to you, no matter where you are on the cruise ship. Princess also offers a free room service breakfast, making it especially easy for families heading off for early morning shore excursions.
3. The Re-Invented Piazza
The Piazza is the central hub of the Sun Princess cruise ship. Here, you will find the International Cafe, Crooners, and a Princess Cruises classic, Alfredo’s Pizzeria.
The Piazza is built in the middle of a glass sphere, so you can take in the beautiful ocean views. Listening to live music as the ocean passes is truly an incredible experience!
Throughout the day, the Piazza is used for activities and performances. There’s always something going on in the Piazza, and there is plenty of seating to watch the events, and areas to sit with your friends and family.
In the evening, the Piazza becomes the life of the party. There are guest entertainers, and themed parties, which is tons of fun for the whole family!
4. The All New Park19
Park19 is like nothing we’ve ever seen on a Princess cruise. This area features 9 inclusive and engaging activities that every member of the family can enjoy.
Located on deck 19, 20, and 21, Park19 is the ultimate multi-generational activity area. Park19 features Sea Breeze, Coastal Climb, The Net, The Lookout, Splash Zone, Infinite Horizon, Recreational Court, Hammock Area, and a Jogging Track.
It’s clear that when Princess designed the Park19 space they were very intentional. As stated by Princess Cruises president John Padgett, “Park19 as the name suggests is a new space created for all our guests, including activities to bring together multi-generational travel families.”
Whether you’re looking to relax on a hammock, or take a ride on Sea Breeze, Park19 offers something for everyone.
5. The Dome
The Dome is a glass-enclosed, multi-level, multi-purpose venue. Throughout the day, it is a great place to grab a drink, relax on the comfortable lounge chairs, and take a dip in the indoor-outdoor pool.
In the evening time, the Dome transforms into an entertainment venue. Here, you can watch acrobatic performances created in partnership with the world-renowned Cirque Éloize.
When it comes to the exciting new additions to the Sun Princess, the Dome is one of the highlights. Spending time in the Dome is an incredible experience, as you can enjoy the beautiful ocean views while relaxing in a stunning venue.
6. Multiple Pools and Hot Tubs
With five pools and nine hot tubs, you’ll never have to worry about crowded pools or hot tubs on Sun Princess. Each pool area has its own unique look and design and offers a different experience.
Whether you’re looking to have fun on the Lido Deck, relax on the comfortable chairs inside the Dome, enjoy some peace and quiet in the Sanctuary, or take in the stunning views at the WakeView Pool, there is something for everyone.
The Lido Deck is a great place to grab lunch with the family, relax by the pool, and enjoy a movie on the big screen (Movies Under the Stars). At the lido deck you’ll have activities and a live band which creates an awesome poolside vibe.
The Dome features a pool that is both indoors and outdoors. Inside the Dome, there is comfortable seating, ideal for relaxing or taking an afternoon nap. On the Dome’s outer part, there are lounge chairs, hot tubs, and a bar.
The Sanctuary is an exclusive pool area for suite guests and guests who have purchased a Sanctuary pass ($79 on port days and $99 on sea days). This area features a bar, two hot tubs, a stunning pool, and comfortable lounge chairs. Cabana rentals are also available.
Princess limits the number of people in The Sanctuary to create a quiet and luxurious atmosphere.
The WakeView Pool was my go-to spot throughout my time on Sun Princess. In addition to the infinity pool there’s a great bar, and two hot tubs that offer incredible ocean views.
7. Reimagined Kids & Teen Clubs
The reimagined kids and teen club is a new addition to Sun Princess. With themed events, age-appropriate activities, and games, the kids and teen clubs are the perfect place for children 17 and under to have fun in their own reserved space.
On many cruise lines, the kid’s clubs are located in one central location. However, on Sun Princess, the kids and teen clubs are dispersed around the cruise ship to give each age group its own space.
For those cruising with children between 6 months and two years old, you may supervise your children in Firefly Park Kids Club.
Here are the kids and teen clubs on Sun Princess:
- Firefly Park Kids Club (ages 3-7)
- Neon Grove Tweens Club (ages 8-12)
- The Underground Teen Lounge (ages 13-17)
As a young cruiser, going to the kids and teens club was my favorite part of a cruise vacation. Princess has always done a great job creating a fun and safe place for children and teenagers to have a good time throughout their cruise.
It’s amazing how, after all of these years, Princess still does a great job creating an entertaining, fun, and safe space for kids of all ages to have fun!
Related: What to Pack for Kids on a Cruise
8. Princess Arena
Princess Arena is Princess Cruises most technologically advanced performance space to date. The Princess Arena is absolutely stunning, and it has a shape-shifting design to accommodate a wide variety of performances and production shows.
Here are the featured shows on Sun Princess:
- Vallora, A Pirate Quest
- Stage Struck
- Viva La Música
- Fiera!
We were fortunate enough to get a behind-the-scenes look at the rehearsals for Vallora, A Pirate Quest. It was amazing to witness Danny Teason, who created, directed, and choreographed this show, work first-hand with the performers.
Although we didn’t get the chance to see the shows, after getting a sneak peek as to what’s to come, I could not be more excited!
9. Princess MedallionClass
Although the Princess Medallion has been out for a few years, it certainly comes in handy during a multi-generational cruise. Since Sun Princess is a MedallionClass cruise ship, you’ll be able to enjoy the Princess Medallion experience.
The Princess Medallion is a quarter-size wearable device. The Medallion can be worn on a lanyard, a clip, as a bracelet, or as a necklace.
With the Medallion, you can take advantage of keyless stateroom entry, contactless boarding, and touchless payments. Furthermore, you can find your family members and friends with the shipmate locator, which is helpful on a multi-generational cruise.
In fact, on our recent cruise, I could not find my parents, and they were not answering their phones. So, I went to one of the portals by the elevator, and I was able to locate my parents easily!
10. Variety of Activities and Entertainment Options
At just over 177,000 tons, Princess Cruises’ newest ship offers a wider variety of activities and entertainment options than ever before. Whether you’re watching a comedy show at Princess Live, listening to live music in O’Malley’s, or participating in the Egg Drop Challenge in the Piazza, there is something for everyone.
Throughout my time on Sun Princess, I was amazed at how many activities and entertainment options were available throughout the day. Memorable activities like sushi-making demonstrations, Zumba, and the video game challenge were fun and enjoyable experiences.
You’ll love what Sun Princess has to offer when it comes to evening entertainment. With brand-new shows, entertainers, and venues, you’ll always find a way to enjoy your evenings onboard Sun Princess.
Overall, Princess has done a great job at offering brand-new experiences through their new venues, shows, and activities. The wide variety of entertainment options and activities is perfect for a multi-generational cruise.
11. Spellbound Experience
Featured on Sun Princess is Spellbound, a one-of-a-kind experience created in partnership with The Magic Castle. Here, you will enter an immersive Victorian-themed bar featuring magicians, theatrical cocktails, and themed rooms.
We were fortunate to experience Spellbound by Magic Castle first-hand on our recent Sun Princess cruise.
As you enter Spellbound, you will feel like you’ve entered a completely different world! The attention to detail is extremely impressive and makes for a memorable experience.
While you wait for the show to begin, you can wander around the different rooms, try the theatrical cocktails, and watch the bartender perform card tricks.
Once it’s showtime, you will be escorted into an intimate theater room to watch a magician perform. Since Spellbound only seats 30 people at a time, the show will be very close-knit and tons of fun for the whole family!
Please note: Spellbound is available for passengers 13 and up.
12. Amazing Itineraries
Princess offers amazing itineraries on the brand-new Sun Princess. Whether you’re interested in a dream vacation to the Mediterranean or a fun and relaxing Caribbean cruise, Sun Princess has something for everyone.
On our recent cruise, we had the chance to sail on the Sun Princess through the Mediterranean. Relaxing in the Dome as we sailed past the coast of Italy was an incredible and unforgettable experience.
Whether you’re planning a Mediterranean cruise or a Caribbean cruise, you really can’t go wrong on the Sun Princess.
Video: Sun Princess Cruise Review and Ship Tour
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Final Thoughts on Why Sun Princess Is the Ultimate Multi-Generational Cruise Ship
Cruising is the easiest and most enjoyable way to travel with a large group of people of different ages. With various entertainment options, fun activities, dining choices, and incredible itineraries, Sun Princess should be a top choice for your next multi-generational cruise.
Cruising with my family and grandparents a few years ago was a fantastic experience. One thing I know for sure is that planning a multi-generational family cruise will leave you with stories and memories to last a lifetime.
Have you done a multi-generational cruise, or are you planning one? Please let me know in the comments below.
Happy Cruising!
Ethan
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*I was onboard Sun Princess for a 5 day media sailing. As, always, all opinions are my own.