The main Sun Princess cabins to avoid are Deck 9 cabins along the walkway to The Eatery buffet, cabins on Decks 9 and 10 that border or sit above the Piazza, cabins directly beneath the pool deck, and forward cabins near The Dome on the top decks. For most people the best picks are midship balconies on the middle accommodation decks, the sheltered Cove balconies on Deck 6, and Cabana or Sanctuary mini-suites if the budget stretches.
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Sun Princess is the first of Princess Cruises’ Sphere-class ships. She entered service in 2024 and has about 2,160 staterooms, so cabin choice matters more than on a smaller ship. Below you’ll find each stateroom type, the specific spots that tend to cause noise, motion or privacy problems, and how to check a cabin number on the deck plan before you pay. If you want the wider picture of the ship’s restaurants, venues and atmosphere, read our Sun Princess ship guide alongside this one.
Sun Princess cabins at a glance
Sun Princess has more balcony cabins than any other Princess ship. Cruise Critic counts about 1,500, including 949 standard Deluxe Balconies. There are also Cove balconies set lower in the hull, several types of mini-suite, and a top tier of Signature Collection suites. The sizes below are Princess’s own approximate figures and include the balcony where there is one.
| Cabin type | Approx. size | Where you’ll find it | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Interior | 136-145 sq ft | Spread across most accommodation decks | Budget travellers, people who like a dark room for sleeping |
| Premium Oceanview | 212 sq ft | Mainly the lower decks (5 and 6) plus a few higher up | Those who want daylight without paying for a balcony |
| Cove Balcony | 179-279 sq ft | Deck 6 only, closer to the waterline | Sea-watchers, anyone who likes a sheltered balcony |
| Deluxe Balcony | 235 sq ft | Decks 9 to 17 | Most couples, best all-round value |
| Premium Deluxe / Sanctuary Balcony | 179-279 sq ft | Selected upper-deck locations | Balcony guests who want Sanctuary Club access and the Premier package |
| Mini-Suite | 303 sq ft | Decks 10 to 17 | Extra space, sitting area with sofa bed |
| Cabana Mini-Suite / Cabana Deck Mini-Suite | 329-389 sq ft | Decks 9 to 12 | Outdoor lovers who want a private cabana or Cabana Deck access |
| Signature Collection suites (Signature, Vista, Grand) | 304-636 sq ft | Upper decks | Special occasions, longer voyages |
| Signature Sky Suite | 1,262 sq ft | Four suites, Deck 16 aft | Families or groups of up to five wanting the very best |
Two packaging terms to know. The Sanctuary Collection on Sun Princess covers 215 staterooms: the 80 Signature Collection suites, 123 mini-suites and 12 Premium Deluxe Balconies. Those guests get the adults-only Sanctuary Club (16+) and the Princess Premier bundle. The Reserve Collection name is used for some of the better-placed mini-suites and Cabana staterooms. The perks differ by category, so check exactly what comes with the fare you are quoted.
Sun Princess cabins to avoid
None of these Sun Princess cabins to avoid are bad as such. Each has a trade-off that matters to some passengers and not at all to others.
1. Deck 9 cabins on the route to The Eatery
The Eatery buffet is on Deck 9, beside the Piazza. Many passengers reach it through the Deck 9 cabin corridors, so cabins along that route get heavy foot traffic from early breakfast onwards. If you’re booking Deck 9, choose a cabin away from the corridor that leads to the buffet, or move up a deck.
2. Cabins bordering or above the Piazza (Decks 9 and 10)
The Piazza sits inside the ship’s glass Sphere, which bulges out on both sides of the ship and is easy to spot on the deck plan. It hosts music and events into the evening, and Cruise Critic advises light sleepers to avoid Deck 9 and 10 cabins that border it or sit directly above it.
3. Cabins directly beneath the pool deck
Crew set out and stack sun loungers early in the morning and late at night, and that scraping carries into the cabins below. On the deck plan, find the pools, then avoid cabins on the deck immediately underneath them.
4. Forward cabins under The Dome
The Dome sits at the front of the ship on the top decks. It works as a pool area by day and an entertainment venue at night, sometimes running late. Cruise Critic flags the forward cabins on Deck 16 for night owls only. If you go to bed early, choose something further aft.
5. Balconies that can be overlooked
Sun Princess has a stepped profile, so on some lower decks the balconies stick out further than those above. Passengers on higher balconies can then see down onto them. This mostly affects some mini-suites and Cabana staterooms on Decks 9 and 10. Privacy on the Cabana Deck itself also varies, with some spots shielded and others in plain view. Corner Premium Deluxe Balconies, where two balconies meet at an angle, can also be overlooked by the neighbours. The glass railings on Deck 9 are double-height, so you look at the sea through glass rather than over a rail.
6. Cabins beside laundry rooms, service areas and kids’ zones
Passenger laundrettes, crew service doors and lift lobbies all bring noise and door-banging. Some interior cabins have a long wall running along the corridor, sometimes with the bed against it, and several reviewers say the soundproofing isn’t the ship’s strong point. The Cove balconies closest to the Firefly Park children’s area on Deck 6 can also be busier in school holidays. That might suit a family, but not a couple looking for peace.
7. Far-forward cabins if you get seasick
Cabins right at the bow move the most in a swell. Low and midship is the steadiest place to be.
Best cabins on Sun Princess
Here are the Sun Princess best cabins for different budgets and priorities.
Cove Balconies on Deck 6
All 100 Cove balconies are on Deck 6, set into the hull lower down and closer to the water. They’re more sheltered and get less direct sun, which many passengers like for watching the sea and for windy days. They’re also a low, stable spot for anyone prone to seasickness. Choose one away from the children’s area if you want quiet.
Midship Deluxe Balconies on the middle accommodation decks
The Deluxe Balcony is the standard Sun Princess balcony and makes up the largest share of cabins. A midship one on Deck 11, 12 or 14 is usually the safest choice. It has a public area neither above nor below it, it’s close to the lifts, and the motion is gentle.
Cabana and Cabana Deck Mini-Suites
These are the most distinctive cabins on the ship. Cabana Mini-Suites come with a private outdoor cabana area as well as the balcony. Cabana Deck Mini-Suites, at about 389 sq ft, give access to the exclusive Cabana Deck on Deck 9. If you spend a lot of time outside, they are excellent value. Just check the specific cabin for privacy, as noted above.
Sanctuary Collection mini-suites and balconies
If you’d already be buying the Premier package, a Sanctuary Collection cabin can make sense on cost alone. You get the drinks, Wi-Fi, gratuities and specialty dining, plus the adults-only Sanctuary Club with its own pool and loungers.
Signature Collection suites and aft views
The four Signature Sky Suites on Deck 16 aft are the largest cabins on board. Each has two bedrooms and sleeps up to five. The Grand, Vista and Signature suites cost less but still come with the Sanctuary perks. On any ship, aft-facing cabins give wake views and usually larger balconies, but expect a little more vibration from the engines and propulsion in exchange.
Avoid this, book that instead
| If you were going to book… | The risk | Consider instead |
|---|---|---|
| Deck 9 cabin on the buffet route | Early-morning corridor traffic | Deck 11 or 12 midship balcony |
| Cabin bordering the Piazza | Evening music and crowd noise | Same category further forward or aft, away from the Sphere |
| Cabin under the pool deck | Lounger scraping at dawn and late night | A cabin with cabins above and below it |
| Forward Deck 16 near The Dome | Late-night entertainment | Deck 16 midship or aft |
| Far-forward cabin (seasick traveller) | Pitching in rough seas | Cove balcony or low midship cabin |
| Corner or lower stepped balcony | Overlooked from above or beside | Standard midship Deluxe Balcony |
How to check a Sun Princess cabin before you book
Most Sun Princess cabins to avoid can be spotted with five minutes on the deck plan:
- Look up. Open the official Princess deck plan for the deck above your cabin. You want more cabins overhead, not a pool, galley, buffet, gym or lounge.
- Look down. Do the same for the deck below. Theatres, bars and the Piazza can send bass upwards.
- Look sideways. Check for laundry rooms, service doors, lift lobbies or stairwells next door, and whether a connecting door links you to the cabin beside yours.
- Check the balcony line. On the deck plan, see whether your balcony sticks out further than those above it, or sits at a corner where it meets another balcony.
- Read the category notes. Sofa beds and pull-down berths for third and fourth guests take up floor space. In some cabins the bed sits by the balcony and in others by the bathroom.
- Search the cabin number. It often turns up photos and past passengers’ comments.
A word on guarantee fares. A guarantee (or “GTY”) fare is cheaper because Princess picks your cabin within the category, or sometimes upgrades you. That’s fine if you sleep well anywhere. If you’re a light sleeper or prone to seasickness, though, you could be given exactly the cabins on this list. Paying a little more to choose the cabin yourself is often worth it.
Which Sun Princess cabins suit which traveller?
- Light sleepers: midship Deluxe Balcony on Decks 11, 12 or 14, sandwiched between cabin decks.
- Seasick-prone: Cove balcony on Deck 6 or any low, midship cabin.
- Families: Cove balconies near Firefly Park, connecting cabins (there are around 100), or a Sky Suite for groups of five.
- Sun-seekers: Cabana Mini-Suites or Cabana Deck Mini-Suites.
- All-inclusive fans: Sanctuary Collection, if you’d buy the Premier package anyway.
Comparing sister ships? Our Sun Princess vs Star Princess comparison covers how the two Sphere-class ships differ. If you’re also weighing an older Princess ship, our Majestic Princess cabins guide uses the same approach.
Comparing Princess ships? Our guide to Royal Princess cabins to avoid covers the equivalent pitfalls on the older Royal-class design.
FAQs
Which deck should I avoid on Sun Princess?
There isn’t one bad deck, but Deck 9 is the one most often mentioned. Cabins on the route to The Eatery buffet and those near the Piazza get the most traffic and noise. Cabins directly under the pool deck, and forward cabins near The Dome on Deck 16, are the other spots light sleepers tend to avoid.
Which cabin on Sun Princess is considered the best?
For space and luxury, the four Signature Sky Suites on Deck 16 aft are the best on board, at about 1,262 sq ft. For value, most experts point to a midship Deluxe Balcony on a middle deck, a Cove balcony on Deck 6, or a Cabana Mini-Suite if you love outdoor space.
Are Cove balconies on Sun Princess worth it?
Yes, for most people. They’re lower and closer to the sea, more sheltered from wind and sun, and fairly stable in a swell. The trade-off is a less sweeping view than from a high balcony. Some are near the Firefly Park kids’ area, so check the location if you want quiet.
Is a guarantee cabin a good idea on Sun Princess?
Only if you’re relaxed about location. A guarantee fare saves money but lets Princess assign your cabin within the category. Light sleepers and seasick-prone travellers are better off choosing a specific cabin.
