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Sun Princess is the first Sphere-Class ship for Princess Cruises, and with that she comes with a lot of new features, a new ship layout, and lots of new accommodation options to choose from.

When booking your cruise, you want to make sure you get the perfect cabin for you – it’s a lot of money to spend, after all. So I wanted to collate all the information on the best and worst cabins on the ship, to make your decision easier.

I have cruised on Sun Princess, but obviously only stayed in one cabin!

So to put this guide together I’ve used forums, social media groups, reviews and more to find the staterooms and suites that people love, and those that they didn’t enjoy.

First, though, let’s take a look at the different cabin options available.

Sun Princess cabins – an overview

There are five main types of cabin you can choose from on Sun Princess, but within those five categories there are several sub-types too.

There are 14 main cabin options overall and that’s before you start considering obstructed views, accessible cabins, connecting rooms and more!

Here are the main cabin types:

And it’s not like one will always be better than another. It completely depends on your budget, your party size, whether you’re travelling with toddlers, whether you’re at risk of getting seasick… There’s a lot to consider!

Let’s delve into each of the categories in a little more detail, to help you narrow down your search.

Interior Staterooms

The Interior Staterooms on Sun Princess are the cheapest options on the ship, but if you’re someone who doesn’t spend a whole lot of time in the room, then they’re absolutely worth considering.

Suggested read: Why I (Almost) Always Choose an Inside Cabin for a Family Cruise

The rooms feature either a twin bed or queen double bed, depending on your preference, while some inside rooms have options for a 3rd or 4th berth with pull-down beds. It can be cramped but for a small family, it’s a good way to keep costs down.

You can also get Interior Staterooms that are designed for solo guests – these will have the queen bed configuration as standard. 

Oceanview Staterooms

The Oceanview Staterooms on Sun Princess are the next step up from Interior, and size-wise they’re pretty impressive – a lot of oceanview staterooms on other ships or cruise lines would be much closer in size to an Interior room, but with Sun Princess you get quite a lot of extra space.

That’s handy if you’re travelling with kids because some of the rooms will have convertible sofa beds rather than pull-down beds. And even if you’re only two guests in a room, you can enjoy the extra space of the sofa and the desk area.

Some rooms have the bed by the window, while others have the sofa by the window.

My preference would be to have the sofa by the window as you have a better seating area with the window seat by the sofa. And also, your bed is closer to the bathroom.

When you check the Sun Princess Deck plan and click on a cabin, you’ll be able to see where the sofa is located with the note that’s in red.

The windows in these rooms are reasonably-sized picture windows, which means they’re smaller than on some of the Royal-class ships in the Princess fleet that have floor-to-ceiling slanted windows. But for a budget option with natural daylight, it’s still a good choice.

Balcony Staterooms

There are four different types of Balcony stateroom, but I’m just going to cover three of them for now – (I’ll cover the Signature Balcony Stateroom together with the other Signature rooms).

Whichever you choose, you’ll have a choice of layout with the bed near the entrance or the sofa near the entrance.

Unlike with the oceanview cabins, my preference here would be to have the sofa by the entrance.

I stayed in one with the bed by the entrance and the area between the bed and wardrobe felt a little cramped. Plus, if would be nice to be able to lie in bed and look at the ocean. That’s just my opinion though, you may prefer to sit on the sofa and look at the ocean.

Here’s my video tour of our balcony cabin. Some of the tips in it will apply to all cabins types, so I hope you’ll find it useful even if you plan to stay in an inside cabin or a suite.

The balcony is separated from the main room by stylish sliding glass doors, rather than the swinging door you’ll find on older cruise ships.

It’s great for relaxing in your room with the door open, but make sure you remember to close it before you leave otherwise the wind can cause havoc when you open the stateroom door!

Mini-Suites

Princess Cruises ships all offer Mini-suite accommodations, which bridge the gap between full Suites and regular Balcony Staterooms. You’ll get a couple of additional perks, but nothing like what you get with suite-class accommodations – though you won’t be paying the price of a suite either.

Mini-suites are really for those who want a Balcony Stateroom but with more space.

Suggested read: Suite Vs Mini Suite Vs Balcony – What’s The Difference?

The welcome glass of bubbly is a nice touch, and you’ll get a properly separate sitting area, and a second TV too.

As well as the regular Mini-suites, you can also book a Cabana Mini-suite, which has its own cabana area between the balcony and the main room, perfect as a chilled space to enjoy the fresh air.

The Cabana Deck Mini-suites are another step up again, this time not only giving you the luxury of your own room cabana, but granting you access to the shared Cabana Deck space too, which is a small private deck space you can access directly outside your balcony.

It has sun loungers, a hot tub and an outdoor shower that you share with other Cabana Deck Mini-suite guests.

Reserve Collection Mini-suites

While Mini-suites sit between Balcony Staterooms and Suites, there’s another sub-class which is even closer to the Suite experience – those are the Reserve Collection Mini-suites.

If you’re familiar with Club Class Mini-suites on older Princess ships, this is the same thing – it’s just a new name.

Suites

There are four main types of suite that you can choose from on Sun Princess.

(Note that some of the names of these have changed recently. Vista Suites used to be called Penthouse Suites and Grand Suites used to be called Owner’s Suites)

Suites are the very best accommodations on the ship, and they come with a range of extra suite perks that you can enjoy to enhance your experience onboard.

This of course means they’re also the most expensive accommodations on the ship, and so you’ll only want to book them if you have the budget spare and you enjoy the luxury feeling that suite accommodations provide. 

Often a suite room will cost at least twice that of a balcony room, so consider whether you’d rather pay for one cruise in a suite, or two cruises.

Sanctuary Accommodations

The Sanctuary Collection debuted on Sun Princess, and these are the most exclusive accommodation options on the ship.

All of the suites are considered Sanctuary Accommodations, but you can also book a Sanctuary Balcony Stateroom, and a Sanctuary Mini-suite.

The Sanctuary Balcony Stateroom is a version of the Premium Deluxe Balcony, while a Sanctuary Mini-Suite is a regular Mini-suite. The difference is that, by staying in these rooms, you also get all the benefits of the Sanctuary area of the ship, including access to the Sanctuary Restaurant and Sanctuary Sun Deck.

You can only book these rooms with a Princess Premier fare, which means you’ll enjoy a premium drinks package, premium WiFi and a host of other benefits too.

Cabins To Avoid On Sun Princess

OK, now you’ve got an oversight of the accommodation types in general, let’s take a look at those cabins you might want to avoid.

1. Deck 9 cabins en-route to the buffet

9307 to 9361

A few people have criticised the layout of Sun Princess and how it’s not the easiest ship to navigate. And I agree, some of it makes no sense!

One of the main criticisms is how you have to walk through the ship past several stateroom areas to get to some of the dining venues, with the chief culprit being The Eatery – the buffet restaurant on Deck 9.

You can walk the length of the ship to elevators that will get you closer, but most people at the front of the ship will use the elevators or stairs nearest them, and then need to walk along a corridor of cabins on Deck 9.

This means during peak times (breakfast and lunch) the corridors get quite busy with a constant stream of people walking past your room and chatting. Breakfast starts from 6 am, so you may be woken early.

I would definitely avoid saying in one of these rooms on deck 9!

2. Rooms close to the Piazza

9350 to 9361, 10360 to 10639

As has become something of a trend for Princess Cruises, the Piazza in the centre of the ship is a real hub of activity and entertainment.

This is great if you’re wandering the ship looking to enjoy yourself – you’ll often stumble across different entertainers just as you walk around, and you’ll suddenly be front-row for something exciting and exhilarating.

However, if you’re in one of the Deck 9 rooms close to the Piazza, or a Deck 10 stateroom directly above, that can mean you’re kept awake at night as the entertainment continues into the early hours, and it can be pretty loud.

There seems to be little consideration for how much the sound carries, and some guests have apparently reported a lot of noise in the closest cabins – if you’re a light sleeper or you prefer to be tucked up in bed relatively early, maybe look elsewhere.

3. Rooms below the Pool Deck

16320 to 16441

A real classic recommendation of any ‘best and worst cabins’ guide, it’s best to avoid any cabins directly below the pool deck.

It’s due to noise, specifically the sounds of deck chairs being dragged across the wooden surface first thing in the morning.

If you value your sleep first-thing, you should give these cabins a miss, as there’s always some eager folks who like to be up super-early and make sure they get a deck chair, and they will drag them into place to do so. The sound can be pretty grating.

4. Cabins adjacent to a laundromat

5302, 9322, 10324, 10328, 11324, 12324, 12330, 14324, 14328 

There are several cabins that are adjacent to the laundry rooms on the ship, and those are more options that you might want to avoid booking if you’re worried about noise. 

Most of the rooms aren’t too bad because there’s just a small part of the laundry room wall that’s shared with the rear wall of the cabin, although that is close to your bed, so it could be an issue if people are up early or late to get their washing done.

Room 5302 is the worst of these because it shares an entire long wall with the laundromat so the noise here is bound to be a lot louder.

5. Rooms near Firefly Park (if you aren’t sailing with young kids)

Odd-numbered cabins from 6327 to 6435

The kids’ clubs on Sun Princess are split between different locations on the ship. Neon Grove and The Underground are for the older kids and teens, and they’re near the Princess Arena on Deck 7.

But the younger kids will use Firefly Park on Deck 6, which has its entrance right next to a series of Cove Balcony staterooms.

If you’re booking outside of school holidays then it’s not likely going to be an issue, but if you’re travelling without kids during a school holiday then expect this corridor to be a lot more busy – and noisier, too.

Of course, this makes it a fantastic location for families with kids age 3 to 7 who will be using the kids’ club, so it just depends on who you’re sailing with.

6. Premium Deluxe Balconies if you want privacy

10236, 10237, 10320, 10321,11248, 11249, 11320, 11321, 11455, 11460, 11603, 11604, 12248, 12249, 12320, 12321, 12455, 12458, 12601, 12602, 14246, 14247, 14320, 14321, 14457, 14460, 14601, 14602, 15238, 15239, 15320, 15321, 15459, 15460, 15603, 15604, 16244, 16247, 16320, 16321, 16459, 16460, 16603, 16604, 17418, 17419, 17603, 17604

There are several Premium Deluxe Balcony staterooms you can book on Sun Princess, but many of them are on a corner area of the ship – not right at the front or aft of the ship, but in mid-ship locations where the design sticks out in places.

These balconies suffer from a real lack of privacy, because you’re essentially at a right-angle to other balconies. You’re overlooked from above, and also from the balconies that are recessed in the ship slightly.

I stayed in a cabin like this on P&O Iona, which is a sister ship to Sun Princess. On Iona and Arvia, these are designated as regular balcony cabins, so they don’t cost any extra like they do on Sun Princess, but I still wouldn’t recommend them. 

Check out this video to see why not…

The difference between these cabins on P&O ships and Princess ships, is that with Princess you do get two sun loungers so you can make the most of the extra space. 

If you do still want one of these corner Premium Deluxe Balcony staterooms, you’re best booking one on Deck 17 if you can. While your balcony will still be visible from the other balconies on that deck, you at least won’t be overlooked by the balconies above, so the intrusion will be minimal.

Be warned that the absolute worst of these large balcony cabins are 10236 and 10237. These are right over the hot tub on the Cabana deck!

Not only would it feel SO WEIRD to be sitting on your deck chair overlooking the hot tub when people are in it. But the guests staying in these cabins aren’t even allowed to use these hot tubs themselves as they’re exclusively for Cabana guests staying on the deck below!

7. Mini Suites on Deck 9 & 10

9105 to 9361 & 10438 to 10635

If you want to enjoy a feeling of privacy on your balcony, then steer clear of the mini suites and Cabana mini suites on Decks 9 and 10.

The problem with this deck is that the balconies stick out further than the decks above, so every person looking down can see straight onto your balcony.

The Cabana Deck also has its own issues with privacy which, oddly, I’m going to cover in the ‘Best cabins’ section of this guide. You’ll see why.

8. Inside cabins oriented the ‘wrong’ way

6322, 6325, 6429, 10109, 10110, 10114, 10115, 10120, 10121, 10226, 10227, 10228, 10229, 11109, 11110, 11116, 11117, 11120, 11121, 15611, 15612, 15617, 15618, 15620, 15621, 15625, 15626, 15628, 15629, 15632, 15633, 15636, 15637, 17607, 17608, 17611, 17612, 17616, 17617, 17622, 17623, 17624, 17625, 17630, 17631, 17632, 17633

A minor issue, but one worth pointing out considering the issues some people have had with noise on Sun Princess and how the rooms aren’t the best at being soundproofed.

Most of the interior cabins are perpendicular to the corridors, meaning that the shortest wall faces the corridor where the door is.

But these cabins I’ve listed have a longer wall running along the corridor instead, which means a lot more of your cabin is closer to public areas, potentially including the headboard of your bed.

If you have kids running up and down the corridors, or chatty adults who’ve had a few too many drinks to control their own volume, you might find that these rooms feel a lot noisier just because there’s so much more of your wall shared with the space directly outside.

The Best Cabins On Sun Princess

There are loads of amazing cabins you can choose from on Sun Princess, and I’ve tried to avoid just picking the very top suites – but here are some others that are considered to be amongst the best options onboard.

1. Cove Balcony Staterooms

Cove Balcony Staterooms are not a new invention for Princess Cruises. Carnival has popularised them the most on several ships by now. But they do work as good options on the Sun Princess.

They’re good for anyone who wants to feel more sheltered, true, but they also have other benefits – mainly a clear view of the waterline.

Most of the balconies on higher decks, due to the design of Sun Princess, will be overlooking at least either part of a balcony below or a public deck area.

But because the Cove Balconies are lower on the ship, their view is uninterrupted. Plus, because they’re lower, they’re one of the best choices for anyone who suffers from seasickness. You’ll feel less of the ship’s movement, but also enjoy fresh air and a view of the horizon, both of which can alleviate symptoms.

2. Cabana Deck Mini-suites

I can definitely see how the Cabana Deck Mini-suites would split opinion, but I think most guests view them in a positive way.

You get lots of space to enjoy – your private cabana area, your own small balcony, and that then leads directly onto the Cabana Deck with sun loungers and a hot tub.

Sure, that’s a shared space, but you’re not sharing it with a huge number of other guests, so it does feel quite exclusive and luxurious.

The problems are that anyone could walk around right outside your balcony and look in, plus you are overlooked on both the Cabana Deck and your balcony from the higher decks.

If that’s a concern though, just retreat into your cabana space – that’s more private, so you aren’t overlooked, and then it’s just anyone nosey on the Cabana Deck that you need to worry about.

3. Sanctuary Balcony Staterooms

Lots of cruise lines these days have exclusive restaurants and sun decks for the use of suite guests, but Sun Princess offers these benefits to select Balcony Staterooms – and that’s pretty much unheard of.

If you like the idea of having access to a quiet, adults-only part of the ship along with a more exclusive restaurant, but you can’t afford a suite, then Sanctuary Balcony Staterooms are a fantastic middle-ground.

You are forced to pay for Princess Premier fares, which does jack the cost up, but you might’ve been considering that anyway and you do get a lot included for that price.

4. Spacious forward cabins (if you don’t get seasick)

10105, 10106, 11107, 11108, 12101, 12103, 12104, 12106, 14101, 14102, 14103, 14104

At the front of the ships, you’ll find some Premium Ocean View cabins (on deck 10) and some Deluxe Balcony (on decks 11, 12 & 14) that are much bigger than normal.

If you’re checking the deck plans, you might spot that there are other rooms close to those ones I’ve named that also look bigger than average, but those are specifically Accessible cabins, reserved for those who need the extra space for wheelchairs, mobility scooters etc. It’s just these that I’ve picked out that aren’t classified as accessible rooms, but that have the extra space.

Also bear in mind that you’re on a higher deck, right at the front of the ship – this is where you’re going to feel the motion of the ship more than anywhere else. So don’t book these if you’ve got any concerns about seasickness.

5. A very large inside cabin

12102

There’s an unusual inside cabin on Deck 12 right at the front of the ship. This one has its pros and cons, but some people will love it.

The cabin is much bigger than a standard inside cabin, yet it’s the same price.

To access the cabin you have to go through the ‘crew only’ doors, which is a little strange. Your neighbours will be the chief engineers, but they’re used to guests staying in this cabin being in the staff area!

Here’s what someone on Facebook had to say about this cabin…

The cabin is located right the front of the ship, so it’s a long walk to the buffet, and if you suffer from seasickness, this will be one to avoid. But, if you’re on a budget and want a lot of space, it’s ideal.

6. Balconies on the sphere

One of the standout features of Sun Princess is the sphere in the centre. Much of this is made up of balconies, which are larger than average and have a perfect mid-ship location. If you suffer from seasickness, this is the best possible spot to be in.

Check out the deck plan to see the sizes of each balcony. There are a few which are designated as Deluxe Balconies, but they actually have pretty large balconies that are more similar to the size of a Premium Deluxe. Those offer greater value for money.

Wanting an aft view cabin?

Many cruisers love aft view cabins and enjoy sitting on their balconies looking at the wake. However, one weird quirk of Sun Princess is that there are none!

Well, there are eight, but they’re wheelchair-accessible cabins, so if you don’t have a need for them, you can’t book them. 

Whilst it’s great that wheelchair users can enjoy some fantastic aft views, it’s a shame that people who don’t use wheelchairs don’t have this option.

Here’s what the aft of Sun Princess looks like…

There are the eight accessible cabins in the centre, with the huge rounded balconies. Above those is the two-storey suite lounge, with the Love Britto speciality restaurant above that.

On each corner, there is, what I would consider to be a huge waste of space. It’s a staircase that goes from Deck 10 to Deck 16.

All of these decks have cabins, which means that there is no reason for guests to ever use this staircase. There’s also an elevator right by it which goes all the way from Deck 7 to Deck 18, so it’s actually useful, unlike the stairs, which won’t take you anywhere except between cabins.

I have no idea why Princess Cruises didn’t use this space for some incredible corner aft suites as most ships have. For example, P&O Cruises’ Iona and Arvia are sister ships to Sun Princess, and this is where you’ll find the very best suites with wraparound balconies.

At the very least, they could consider putting sunloungers there so that people can actually use the space and enjoy the best views on the ship.

Final word

Sun Princess is still a relatively new ship, so I’ve pulled together these recommendations based on looking around the ship myself, the few negative reviews of cabins that I’ve seen, and an in-depth review of the deck plans.

Over time, more people may share their experiences and I’ll update this guide, but honestly, the cabins are one of the areas that most people seem to review quite positively so far. The ship has some other issues, but accommodations are broadly praised.

It’s always worth doing your own research too, so if you want to dig a little deeper, I’d recommend these resources:

Related Posts:

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.

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