The main Royal Princess cabins to avoid are starboard balconies that sit beneath the glass-floored SeaWalk, cabins on Deck 15 directly under the Lido pool and buffet deck, Deck 16 cabins under the Sanctuary and top sun deck, and Deck 8 cabins above the Deck 7 show lounges. The best cabins for most people are midship balconies or mini-suites on Decks 9 to 12 and 14, which have cabins above and below them. If you get seasick, stay midship and as low as possible.
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Below we cover every Royal Princess stateroom type, what each one suits, the specific locations to avoid and why, and how to check any cabin number before you pay. We also explain the new Sanctuary Collection, which replaces Reserve Collection on this ship from January 2027.
Royal Princess in 2026-27: what’s changed
Royal Princess launched in 2013 as the first of Princess Cruises’ Royal-class ships. Majestic, Regal, Sky, Enchanted and Discovery Princess followed on the same basic design. In late 2026 the ship finished its Alaska season, sailed across the Pacific to Singapore (arriving 16 October 2026) and spent about two weeks in dry dock there. It then runs Southeast Asia cruises before repositioning to Sydney, arriving on 25 November 2026, for the Australian and New Zealand season.
The bigger change for cabin choice is the Sanctuary Collection. Princess announced on 22 October 2026 that Royal Princess is the first Royal-class ship to get it, starting with a South Pacific voyage on 4 January 2027. It covers select suites and staterooms and adds private lounge, pool and dining areas. If you booked a Reserve Collection stateroom on Royal Princess before 22 October 2026, Princess says you’ll get the Sanctuary experience at no extra cost.
Royal Princess cabin types at a glance
Royal Princess has about 1,780 staterooms. Roughly 80% have a balcony, and there are no standard oceanview (window-only) cabins. The sizes below are approximate and include the balcony where there is one.
| Cabin type | Approx. size | Where | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Inside | 158-162 sq ft | Decks 8-12, 14-16 | Budget travellers, port-heavy trips, people who sleep better in total darkness |
| Balcony | 214-222 sq ft | Decks 8-12, 14-16 | Most couples; best value on the ship |
| Deluxe Balcony | 233-277 sq ft | Decks 8-12, 14-16 | Couples who want a small sofa or loveseat |
| Premium Deluxe Balcony | 242-312 sq ft | Aft, Decks 8-15 | Bigger balconies without suite prices |
| Mini-Suite (incl. Reserve/Sanctuary Collection) | about 323 sq ft | Mainly Decks 8, 10-12, 14-16 | Families of three or four, longer voyages |
| Premium Suite | about 554 sq ft | Forward | Suite perks at the lower end of suite pricing |
| Penthouse and Owner’s Suites | about 587-682 sq ft | Aft corners on Decks 8-12 and 15; midship and aft on Deck 14 | Big wraparound balconies, special occasions |
Inside cabins
Inside cabins are the cheapest option. Pick one on a deck that has cabins above and below it, and away from lifts and laundrettes.
Royal Princess balcony cabins: standard, Deluxe and Premium Deluxe
Royal Princess balcony cabins make up most of the ship. Standard balconies are compact, and most balconies on this class are fairly narrow, with room for two chairs and a small table. Deluxe Balconies add a few feet, usually enough for a loveseat, and have shower-only bathrooms. Premium Deluxe Balconies are at the aft end of Decks 8 to 15 and have the largest balconies outside the suites. Some Deluxe categories are sold as obstructed view, so read the category code carefully.
Mini-suites, Club Class and Reserve Collection
Mini-suites are about 323 sq ft with a separate sitting area, a sofa bed and a slightly larger balcony. A set of them was sold as Club Class from 2017, later renamed Reserve Collection, with priority embarkation and a dedicated dining area. On Royal Princess, select suites and staterooms move into the Sanctuary Collection from January 2027. If those perks matter to you, confirm what your fare includes, because ordinary mini-suites don’t get them.
Suites: Premium vs Penthouse
Premium Suites are all the way forward. Their balconies face the sides, not out over the bow. Penthouse Suites are aft. The corner ones on Decks 8 to 12 and 15 have balconies that wrap around two sides, which is one of the best outdoor spaces on the ship. Deck 14 also has midship Penthouse Suites with somewhat smaller balconies close to the suite guests’ Concierge Lounge, and two aft Owner’s Suites. Suite fares have included perks such as a larger bathroom with tub and shower, suite breakfast and lounge access. The Sanctuary Collection rollout may change some of these, so check the current list when you book.
Royal Princess cabins to avoid
No cabin on the ship is truly bad, but these locations get the most complaints. Each one is a trade-off, and each has a better alternative.
Starboard balconies under the SeaWalk
The SeaWalk is a glass-floored walkway that juts out from the starboard side of the top deck. People standing on it can look straight down onto the balconies below. The cabins affected are the odd-numbered starboard balconies numbered roughly 409 to 433 on each cabin deck. The view down is clearest onto Decks 15, 14 and 12, and less so lower down. The walkway also shades those balconies for part of the day. If privacy on your balcony matters, choose the port side or a different section of the ship.
Deck 15 cabins under the Lido deck
Deck 16 is the Lido deck, with the main pools, the Horizon Court buffet and grill counters. Deck 15 (Marina) cabins below that area can hear deck chairs being moved, cleaning crews early in the morning and general footfall.
Deck 16 cabins under the Sanctuary and sun deck
Deck 16 has a block of cabins (numbered from L101) as well as the pool area. Above them, Deck 17 holds the Sanctuary, the adults-only Retreat pool, sun decks and the SeaWalk, so these cabins can pick up noise from overhead.
Deck 8 cabins above the entertainment venues
Deck 7 holds the upper level of the Princess Theater, Princess Live!, the Vista Lounge, Crooners and other bars. Some Deck 8 (Emerald) cabins sit above these venues and can pick up bass from shows and late-night music. Deck 8 also has some obstructed-view balcony categories. If you’re a light sleeper, pick Decks 9 to 12 instead.
Obstructed-view balconies
Some Deluxe Balcony categories (codes ending in V, W or Z, such as DV, DW and DZ) are sold as obstructed. The obstruction varies a lot: some cabins look over a structure at one edge of the view, while others are more heavily blocked. They can be a real bargain, but look for photos of the exact cabin number first.
Forward and high cabins if you get seasick
Motion is felt most at the bow and on high decks. If you’re prone to seasickness, especially on open-water routes such as the Tasman Sea crossing to New Zealand, avoid forward cabins on Decks 14 to 16. Book midship on Deck 9, 10 or 11 instead.
Cabins next to laundrettes, lifts and stair lobbies
Each cabin deck has a self-service laundrette. Cabins right beside it, and beside lift or stair lobbies, get more door noise and hallway traffic. A few cabins’ distance is usually enough to avoid it.
The best cabins on Royal Princess
These locations tend to work well for different kinds of traveller.
- Best all-round: a midship balcony on Deck 9, 10, 11 or 12, with cabins above and below and the port side if you want to avoid the SeaWalk.
- Best mini-suites: on Deck 14 (Riviera), mini-suites generally have other cabin decks above and below them rather than public rooms. Experienced passengers often recommend them for that reason.
- Best for balcony space on a budget: Premium Deluxe Balconies aft on Decks 8 to 15. Expect a little more vibration at the stern in exchange for the extra space.
- Best splurge: an aft corner Penthouse Suite with a wraparound balcony.
- Best for seasick travellers: midship on Decks 9 to 11, as close to the middle of the ship as possible.
- Best for families: a mini-suite with a sofa bed, or a pair of connecting balcony cabins.
If you’re weighing up other Royal-class ships, our guide to the best and worst cabins on Majestic Princess covers a near-identical layout.
Aft cabins and accessible cabins
Aft cabins
Aft cabins on Royal Princess include the Premium Deluxe Balconies and the corner Penthouse Suites, which have some of the largest private outdoor spaces on board. The trade-offs are some engine vibration and pitching in heavy seas, plus a long walk to the forward theatre. Aft-facing balconies on lower decks can also be overlooked from the decks above, so check how your balcony is stacked on the deck plan.
Accessible cabins
Royal Princess has 36 wheelchair-accessible staterooms across several categories, most of them balconies. They have wider doors, more turning space and roll-in showers. Book early, because there are few of them and they’re held for guests who need them.
Avoid vs book instead: quick reference
| If you were going to book… | The risk | Book instead |
|---|---|---|
| A starboard balcony numbered about 409-433 | Overlooked from the SeaWalk; shaded | The same category on the port side |
| A Deck 15 cabin under the pools | Early-morning chair and cleaning noise | Decks 9-12 |
| A Deck 8 cabin over the show lounges | Music and show noise late at night | Deck 9 or 10 midship |
| A high forward cabin | Most motion in rough seas | Midship, Deck 9-11 |
| A cheap obstructed Deluxe Balcony | View may be heavily blocked | Only book after seeing photos of that exact cabin |
| A guarantee fare | Princess assigns the cabin, possibly in a spot listed above | Pay a little more to choose your cabin if location matters |
How to check a Royal Princess cabin before you book
- Find the deck plan. Look at the official Princess deck plans and check the decks directly above and below your cabin number, not just the cabin itself.
- Check the side. Starboard cabins numbered around 409 to 433 are the SeaWalk zone.
- Decode the category. A code ending in V, W or Z usually means an obstructed view.
- Search for the cabin number. Photos and videos of individual cabins are easy to find online and show how big an obstruction really is.
- Think twice about guarantee fares. They’re cheaper because Princess picks the cabin. They’re fine if you’re flexible, but risky if you’re a light sleeper or get seasick.
Comparing ships before you commit? Our Sun Princess best and worst cabins guide covers the newest Princess design, and our roundup of cruise deals for 2027 can help you time your booking.
FAQs
Which cabins should I avoid on Royal Princess?
Avoid starboard balconies numbered around 409 to 433 under the SeaWalk, Deck 15 cabins below the Lido pools and buffet, Deck 16 cabins below the Sanctuary, Deck 8 cabins above the show lounges, and high forward cabins if you get seasick.
What is the best deck on Royal Princess?
For most people, Decks 9 to 12 are best. They have cabins directly above and below, which keeps noise down. Deck 14 is a popular choice for mini-suites for the same reason.
What does obstructed balcony mean on Princess Cruises?
An obstructed balcony has part of its view blocked by a ship structure such as lifeboats or supports. On Royal Princess these are sold in categories such as DV, DW and DZ, usually at a lower price. How much is blocked varies from cabin to cabin.
Does Royal Princess have oceanview cabins?
Royal Princess has historically had no standard oceanview cabins: every outside cabin has a balcony. Princess says the new Sanctuary Collection includes newly built oceanview staterooms on some Royal-class ships, so check the current deck plan for 2027 sailings.
