The main Grand Princess cabins to avoid are cabins on Deck 12 (Aloha) under the Lido deck pools and buffet, forward Deck 8 cabins above the Princess Theater and lounges, obstructed oceanview cabins on Deck 8 that look onto lifeboats, and cabins beside the self-service laundrettes. The best cabins for most people are midship on Decks 9, 10 and 11, which have cabins above and below them. If you get seasick, stay midship and low.
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This guide covers every Grand Princess cabin type, the locations worth avoiding and what to book instead. It also covers where the ship is sailing in 2026-27, because that has changed.
Is Grand Princess leaving the Princess fleet?
As of late October 2026, we could find no announcement from Princess Cruises or Carnival Corporation that Grand Princess has been sold or transferred, or that it’s leaving the fleet. Princess is still taking bookings on her for sailings into 2028. What has changed is where she sails:
- Autumn 2026: after US West Coast sailings from Los Angeles, she left on a 29-night voyage from Los Angeles on 5 October 2026, due in Sydney on 3 November 2026.
- 2026-28: she becomes Princess’s main long-stay ship in Australia, with cruises from Sydney and Brisbane plus some from Melbourne, Adelaide and Fremantle. She also sails Circle Pacific voyages to Alaska, Japan and back.
- Itineraries on sale currently run to about September 2028.
Grand Princess entered service in 1998, which makes her the oldest ship in the current Princess fleet. If you’re booking far ahead, read the cancellation and change terms on your fare. Cruise lines generally offer a refund or a move to another sailing if a ship is withdrawn. If you’d rather sail on a sister ship, Caribbean, Crown, Emerald and Ruby Princess are all built on a similar Grand-class plan, so most of the advice below applies to them too.
Grand Princess cabins: types and sizes
Grand Princess has about 1,300 cabins. Around three-quarters of the outside cabins have a balcony. Sizes below are approximate. The ship was refurbished in 2011, which added the Piazza atrium and the adults-only Sanctuary sun deck, and again in 2013. Her most recent dry dock, in Portland, Oregon in spring 2025, covered maintenance and light updates to cabins and public rooms.
| Cabin type | Approx. size | Where | Who it suits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Interior | 160 sq ft | Most cabin decks | Budget travellers, port-intensive cruises |
| Oceanview | 168 sq ft (larger Deluxe Oceanview on Lido) | Decks 5, 8, 14 and others | Natural light without a balcony price |
| Balcony | 168 sq ft + 46-89 sq ft balcony | Decks 8-12, 14 | Most couples |
| Mini-Suite | 277 sq ft + 46 sq ft balcony | Decks 8 and 9 | More space, sofa bed, tub |
| Window Suite | 319-341 sq ft, no balcony | Deck 6 (Fiesta) | Suite space and perks without a balcony |
| Vista Suite | 329 sq ft + 166 sq ft balcony | Decks 8-10 | Large balcony at a lower suite price |
| Family Suite | 335 sq ft + 92 sq ft balcony | Deck 9, forward | Groups of up to eight |
| Penthouse / Owner’s Suite | 381-411 sq ft + 155-180 sq ft balcony | Several decks, mostly aft | Suite perks, big balconies |
| Grand Suite | about 615 sq ft + 115 sq ft balcony | One on board, aft | The top suite on the ship |
Interior and oceanview cabins
Interior cabins are the cheapest option. Oceanview cabins add a window, but some on Deck 8 look out onto lifeboats (more on that below). The Deluxe Oceanview cabins on the Lido deck have floor-to-ceiling windows and are a well-priced alternative to a balcony.
Balcony cabins
Grand Princess balconies are terraced, getting deeper on lower decks. That means people on the balconies above can often see down onto yours. Balconies range from about 46 to 89 sq ft, so if outdoor space matters, check the size for your specific cabin.
Mini-suites
Mini-suites are on Decks 8 and 9 and have a sitting area with a sofa bed, two TVs and a bath with a shower. Most of those on Deck 9 have open balconies that are overlooked from above and give no shelter from rain. The aft mini-suites on Deck 8 have covered balconies that offer more privacy and shade. A few, such as E728, E729, D732 and D733, have extra-large balconies.
Suites: Grand, Owner’s, Penthouse, Vista, Window and Family
The single Grand Suite is aft and has a whirlpool tub and its own balcony. Owner’s and Penthouse Suites have separate sitting areas, walk-in closets and large balconies. Vista Suites offer similar balcony space for less. The Window Suites on Deck 6 were added in 2011 and have no balcony. They sit on the same deck as the casino, the dining rooms and the Princess Theater, and some reviewers have complained about noise and smells there. The two Family Suites join a mini-suite and an interior cabin through a shared living room, and sleep up to eight.
Grand Princess cabins to avoid
Cabins under the Lido deck
Deck 14 is the Lido deck. It has the Horizon Court buffet, the Neptune’s Reef and Calypso Reef pools, grills, pizza and bars. There is no Deck 13, so Deck 12 (Aloha) sits directly below it. Cabins under the pool and buffet areas can hear early-morning deck chair moving and cleaning, plus footsteps late into the evening. On the Lido deck itself, the forward starboard cabins sit below the fitness centre, which can be noisy early in the morning.
Forward Deck 8 cabins above the theatre and lounges
The Princess Theater is forward on the lower public decks, and Deck 7 also has lounges such as Club Fusion and Explorers. Deck 8 (Emerald) cabins forward, or above those venues, can pick up show bass, rehearsals and late-night music. Some forward cabins on this deck are also near crew areas. The forward balconies on Deck 8 can be seen from the outdoor promenade, so they offer less privacy.
Obstructed oceanview cabins on Deck 8
Deck 8 sits above the lifeboats. Several groups of oceanview cabins here are sold as obstructed, roughly E209-E231, E301-E326, E401-E425, E501-E521, E601-E632 and E701-E715, in categories with codes ending in V, W, Y or Z. They’re cheaper and still get daylight, but the view is partly or largely blocked. That’s fine if you just want natural light, but disappointing if you were expecting a sea view.
Forward balconies and the Family Suites in the wind
Balconies at the front of the ship catch the most wind when the ship is moving. On colder routes, or on a long Circle Pacific crossing, you may not get much use out of them on sea days. That includes the forward-facing Family Suite balconies on Deck 9.
Cabins next to laundrettes and crew doors
Each main cabin deck has a self-service laundrette, and cabins right next to it get steady foot traffic and door noise. On Deck 9 (Dolphin), cabins near the blank space around D123 are next to a crew area. Blank spaces on a deck plan are worth treating with caution anywhere on the ship.
Cabins for seasick travellers
Motion is felt most at the bow and on high decks. Grand Princess will spend 2026-28 sailing waters that can be lively, such as the Tasman Sea and Bass Strait, and on long Pacific crossings. If you get seasick, avoid forward cabins and book midship on Deck 9 or 10.
The best cabins on Grand Princess
- Quietest all-round: midship on Deck 9 (Dolphin) or Deck 10 (Caribe). Both have cabin decks above and below and no public rooms next to them.
- Best mini-suites: the aft mini-suites on Deck 8 with covered balconies. These are some of the most sought-after cabins on the ship.
- Best for cooler weather: aft-facing balconies, which are more sheltered from the wind and tend to stay warmer.
- Best value: forward or aft cabins in the same category as midship ones. They’re the same size and often cheaper, though you’ll feel more motion.
- Best for families: a Family Suite for big groups, or connecting balcony cabins.
- Accessible cabins: there are 27 wheelchair-accessible cabins across several categories, including balcony cabins on Decks 11 and 12 and an accessible Window Suite. Door widths vary, so a collapsible wheelchair is recommended.
Aft cabins
Aft cabins have wake views and some of the larger balconies, and the aft mini-suites and suites are popular. The trade-off is some vibration and motion in a swell. Balconies are terraced at the stern too, so check what overlooks yours.
Avoid vs book instead
| Instead of… | Because… | Try… |
|---|---|---|
| Deck 12 under the pools/buffet | Chair scraping and cleaning noise | Deck 10 or 11 midship |
| Forward Deck 8 | Theatre and lounge noise; overlooked balconies | Deck 9 midship |
| Obstructed oceanview, Deck 8 | Lifeboats block the view | Deluxe Oceanview on Lido, or an interior to save money |
| Open Deck 9 mini-suite | Overlooked, no rain cover | Aft Deck 8 covered mini-suite |
| A cabin beside the laundrette | Foot traffic and door noise | Any cabin a few doors away |
How to check a cabin before you book
- Open the deck plan for your deck and the decks immediately above and below. Remember there’s no Deck 13.
- Look for public rooms, laundrettes and unlabelled (crew) spaces near the cabin.
- Check the category code. Codes ending in V, W, Y or Z usually mean an obstructed view.
- Search for photos of the exact cabin number to see the view and balcony.
- If location matters to you, avoid guarantee fares, where Princess picks the cabin for you.
If Grand Princess’s schedule doesn’t suit you, the layouts of her sisters are close enough that our guides to Caribbean Princess cabins, the best and worst cabins on Crown Princess and Ruby Princess cabins to avoid will feel familiar.
Our guide to Sapphire Princess cabins covers another long-serving Princess ship, now sailing in Asia.
Sailing on a smaller Princess ship instead? Read our guide to Island Princess cabins to avoid and the best rooms to book.
FAQs
Which cabins should I avoid on Grand Princess?
Avoid Deck 12 cabins under the Lido pools and buffet, forward Deck 8 cabins above the theatre and lounges, obstructed oceanview cabins on Deck 8, and cabins beside laundrettes or crew areas. If you get seasick, also avoid high forward cabins.
Is Grand Princess being sold or retired?
As of October 2026 no sale or retirement has been announced. She is moving to Australia from November 2026, and Princess is selling cruises on her into 2028.
Where is the best place to get a cabin on Grand Princess?
Midship on Deck 9 or 10 is the quietest and most stable option. For a suite feel at a lower price, the aft mini-suites on Deck 8 with covered balconies are popular.
Do Grand Princess mini-suites have covered balconies?
Most mini-suite balconies on Deck 9 are open and overlooked from above. The aft mini-suites on Deck 8 have covered balconies, which give more shade and privacy.
