The main Sapphire Princess cabins to avoid are obstructed-view oceanview cabins behind the lifeboats, Dolphin-deck mini-suites if you want a private, shaded balcony, cabins beside lifts, launderettes and crew doors, and far forward cabins if you are prone to seasickness. The best picks for most guests are midship balcony cabins on the Baja and Caribe decks and the covered-balcony mini-suites on the Emerald deck.
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As of October 2026, Sapphire Princess is still sailing for Princess Cruises and has moved to Asia for 2026-27. Below we cover where she is sailing, every cabin type, and how to choose the right one.
Where Sapphire Princess is sailing in 2026-27
Sapphire Princess remains part of the Princess fleet and is on sale for 2026 and 2027 voyages.
Here is what has actually changed recently:
- October 2025 drydock. A two-week refit in Portland, Oregon, refreshed the ship and added two specialty restaurants: Crown Grill steakhouse, which replaced the Savoy Dining Room on deck 5, and Makoto Ocean sushi, which replaced the former Internet Café on deck 7. Princess’s release did not mention any changes to staterooms.
- A move to Asia. For the 2026-27 season Sapphire Princess joins her sister Diamond Princess in Asia, with voyages of 10 to 42 nights from Singapore and the Tokyo area (Yokohama) to Japan, South Korea, Southeast Asia and beyond.
- A long Japan season in 2027. Princess says Sapphire Princess and Diamond Princess will sail together from the Tokyo region from March to December 2027, the first time the line has based two ships there at once. A Fremantle (Western Australia) season has also been reported for the 2027-28 southern summer; check princess.com for confirmed dates.
What this means for you: if you are in North America or Europe, Sapphire Princess will not be sailing from your region for the time being, so you will need to fly to Asia to sail on her. Her sister Diamond Princess is almost identical inside, so the cabin advice below works for both ships.
Sapphire Princess at a glance
Sapphire Princess entered service in 2004. At about 115,900 gross tons, she carries around 2,670 guests in 1,337 cabins, and more than 700 cabins have balconies. Fun fact: she and Diamond Princess swapped names during construction after a fire delayed the ship originally due to be Sapphire. Cabins are spread over seven decks: Plaza (5), Emerald (8), Dolphin (9), Caribe (10), Baja (11), Aloha (12) and part of the Lido (14) deck. A 2017 refit fitted every cabin with the Princess Luxury Bed.
Sapphire Princess cabins: every category compared
Sizes are approximate and vary within each category. Deck-plan sites sometimes disagree slightly, so treat these as a guide.
| Cabin type | Approx. size (sq ft) | Roughly how many | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Interior | 160-180 | about 380 | Budget travellers and port-heavy Asia itineraries |
| Oceanview | 160-190 | about 220 | Natural light at a lower price; check for obstructions |
| Balcony | about 170 plus a 45-90 sq ft balcony | about 520 | Most couples, scenic cruising in Japan |
| Mini-suite (incl. Reserve Collection) | about 275 plus a 45 sq ft balcony | about 186 | More space, a sofa bed and a bathtub |
| Two-bedroom family suite | about 340 plus a 90 sq ft balcony | 2 | Families of up to six to eight |
| Balcony suites (Vista, Premium, Penthouse, Owner’s) | about 305-410 plus 155-180 sq ft balconies | about 27 | Space, big balconies and suite perks |
| Grand Suite | about 615 plus a 115 sq ft balcony | 1 | The largest cabin onboard, aft |
Interior and oceanview
Inside cabins are generously sized for their price. Oceanview cabins come in several grades, and four of them (shown as OV, OW, OY and OZ on deck-plan sites) have windows partly or fully blocked by lifeboats or ship structures. They are fine if you just want daylight, but not if you expect a clear sea view.
Balcony cabins
Standard balconies are the backbone of the ship. Balcony depth varies, with some corner and aft cabins getting noticeably more outdoor space. Cruisedeckplans records guest complaints about vent smells on the balconies of cabins D740 and D741, so it is worth checking reviews of any specific cabin number you are offered.
Mini-suites and Reserve Collection
Mini-suites are on the Emerald (8) and Dolphin (9) decks. The Dolphin-deck mini-suite balconies are uncovered and can be seen from decks above, which cruisers on forums regularly mention. Emerald-deck mini-suites have covered balconies that give more shade and privacy. Princess now sells its premium mini-suites, previously called Club Class, under the Reserve Collection name, with a reserved dining area and priority perks.
Suites and family suites
The single Grand Suite sits aft and is the biggest room onboard. The two-bedroom family suites are forward on the Dolphin deck and connect two bedrooms through a central living room. Their forward-facing balcony gets little wind protection, so it may be unusable at speed.
Best cabins on Sapphire Princess
For most couples
A midship balcony on the Caribe (10) or Baja (11) deck is the sweet spot. These decks are sandwiched between other cabin decks, so noise from public rooms is unlikely, and midship cabins are close to the lifts without being right beside them.
For wake views
Aft-facing balconies and suites look over the wake and often have bigger outdoor areas. Expect a longer walk forward and some vibration when the ship manoeuvres in port.
For families and accessible travel
The two family suites sell out early, so book well ahead. CruiseMapper lists 27 wheelchair-accessible cabins across balcony, oceanview and interior grades; confirm the exact features, such as roll-in showers and balcony thresholds, directly with Princess before you book.
Sapphire Princess cabins to avoid
- Obstructed-view oceanviews if you want a real sea view.
- Dolphin-deck mini-suites if privacy and shade on the balcony matter to you.
- Cabins on the upper cabin decks directly under the pool deck or buffet. The Aloha (12) deck and the cabin section of Lido (14) are closest to the pools, Horizon Court and World Fresh Marketplace, so check what is above any cabin there.
- Cabins beside lifts, stairwells, launderettes and crew doors, which bring corridor noise.
- Far forward cabins on longer sea crossings if you are prone to seasickness, such as the long Pacific and Asia voyages.
- Lower-deck cabins near gangways and tender platforms, which can be noisy on port mornings.
| Think twice about… | Book instead |
|---|---|
| An obstructed oceanview | An interior (cheaper) or an unobstructed oceanview |
| A Dolphin-deck mini-suite | An Emerald-deck mini-suite with a covered balcony |
| A cabin under the pool deck | A Caribe or Baja balcony with cabins above and below |
| A forward cabin if you get seasick | A midship cabin on Emerald or Dolphin |
| A cabin beside the lift lobby | A cabin a few doors along the same corridor |
How to check a Sapphire Princess cabin on the deck plan
The Sapphire Princess deck plan is one of the most searched things about this ship, and it is the best tool you have. Before paying a deposit:
- Ask for the cabin number. Guarantee fares are cheaper but Princess picks the cabin for you, so skip them if location really matters.
- Look above and below. Use the official Princess deck plan or a cabin-check tool such as the one on cruisedeckplans.com to see what is directly over and under the cabin.
- Check the grade code for obstructed views.
- Scan the corridor for lifts, stairs, launderettes and crew doors.
- Search the cabin number online for recent reviews mentioning noise, smells or balcony shape.
Not sailing in Asia? Alternatives to Sapphire Princess
If you wanted a Sapphire Princess cruise closer to home, similar Princess ships are still sailing from North America and Europe. The Grand-class ships have a comparable layout and cabin mix; see our guides to Caribbean Princess cabins and Crown Princess cabins. For the newest ship in the fleet, read our Sun Princess best and worst cabins guide.
Sapphire Princess has a near-identical sister ship, so our guide to Diamond Princess cabins to avoid is useful if you are comparing the two.
FAQs
Where is Sapphire Princess sailing in 2026-27?
Sapphire Princess is still operated by Princess Cruises. She is sailing in Asia for 2026-27 and is scheduled to spend March to December 2027 based in the Tokyo area alongside Diamond Princess.
Which cabins should I avoid on Sapphire Princess?
Avoid obstructed-view oceanviews if you want a sea view, Dolphin-deck mini-suites if balcony privacy matters, cabins beside lifts, launderettes and crew doors, cabins directly under the pool deck, and far forward cabins if you get seasick.
What is the best deck on Sapphire Princess?
The Caribe (10) and Baja (11) decks are the best all-round choice for balcony cabins, with cabins above and below. For the smoothest ride, choose a midship cabin on the Emerald (8) or Dolphin (9) deck.
What does obstructed mean on Princess Cruises?
An obstructed cabin has part or all of its view blocked, usually by lifeboats. These grades cost less, and you still get daylight, but not a clear sea view.
Are Sapphire Princess and Diamond Princess cabins the same?
They are sister ships with very similar layouts and cabin categories, so the same advice on decks, mini-suites and cabins to avoid applies to both.
