Sun Princess

Master the Sun Princess with our insider tips and secrets. Learn where to find the best wake views, how to book Spellbound, and the smartest times to secure a seat in The Dome.

A ship as massive and innovative as the 4,300-passenger Sun Princess comes with a slight learning curve. While the sweeping architecture and incredible venues are easy to spot, maximizing your time onboard requires a bit of strategy.

Whether you are looking for the ultimate vantage point for a sailaway or trying to score a seat at the most exclusive venue at sea, here are the insider secrets you need to know before you sail.

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1. The Best Spots for Ship Watching & Photography

For those who love tracking harbor vessel movements or capturing clean, wide-angle b-roll of the ship's wake, the Sun Princess offers several phenomenal vantage points:

• Sea View Terrace (Deck 17 Forward): Located just outside The Dome, this area is covered by a glass ceiling. It allows you to watch sailaways and port operations with perfect visibility without battling the wind.

• Cabana Mini-Suites: If an unobstructed vantage point of the port is essential for you, the Cabana Mini-Suites on Deck 9 are a game-changer. They feature a unique indoor/outdoor cabana lounge that leads out to a private balcony, giving you an expansive space to relax and watch passing ships.

• Wake View Infinity Pool (Deck 8 Aft): The ultimate spot for unobstructed aft views. Grab a coffee and head here early in the morning to film the sunrise over the ship's wake.

2. Crack the Code on Entertainment Bookings

The Sphere Class completely overhauled entertainment, shifting away from massive theaters to more intimate, immersive venues.

• Spellbound is a Tough Ticket: The Magic Castle speakeasy experience is the most exclusive venue on the ship. Because the secret theater only holds about 30 people per show, you must book this the absolute second you board (or via the Medallion app beforehand if available). It sells out almost instantly.

• Queue Early for The Dome: The Cirque Éloize shows (like Artbeat) in The Dome are incredible, but the venue's lounge seating only accommodates about 250 people per showing. You need to line up at least 30 to 45 minutes early to secure a good seat.

3. Capturing Empty-Ship Content

If you are trying to film clean ship tours or take photos without crowds blocking the architecture, timing is everything. The three-story, glass-enclosed Piazza and The Dome are flooded with natural light early in the morning. Skip the late-night shoots; the absolute best time for pristine, uncrowded structural shots is between 6:00 AM and 7:00 AM, right before the line for Coffee Currents starts forming.

4. Finding the Quiet Zones

With thousands of passengers, the main Lido decks (Decks 17 and 18) are bustling hubs of activity.

• Deck 9 Cabana Deck: If you book a Cabana Mini-Suite, you gain exclusive access to a sprawling outdoor deck space reserved only for those cabins. It remains remarkably quiet and relaxed compared to the upper decks.

• The Sanctuary: If you want total peace, this adults-only retreat is massive on the Sun Princess. However, note that Princess is transitioning this space so that it will primarily be reserved for guests staying in the premium Sanctuary Collection staterooms.

5. Dining & Drink Hacks

• O'Malley's Strategy: The resident band, The Rambling Rovers, draws a massive crowd every single night. If you want a table to enjoy your Guinness and pub food, do not wait until the music starts—arrive at least an hour early to claim a spot.

• Good Spirits at Sea: On the Sun Princess, this cocktail venue is finally a standalone bar tucked away in a corner. Unlike older ships in the fleet, you can order from the incredible specialty cocktail menu anytime the bar is open, not just during the scheduled mixology "shows."