Sky Princess

Well-Made Drinks Across the Board (Especially at Crown Grill Bar): In addition to the well-curated wine lists across the board (more on that below), the mixologists on board are simply fantastic, particularly the team at the Crown Grill Bar, located just outside of the same-named restaurant. From well-crafted classics to thoughtful signature drinks, the team at Crown Grill Bar over-delivered at every experience. Special shoutout to Anatoli and Ronnel, who made the perfect slightly dirty martini every night!

Movies Under the Stars: Situated just above the main pool area (and thus technically on the 17th floor), a massive TV screen features a number of daily movie showings, including a nightly Movie Under the Stars. Recent selections have included “Barbie,” “Avatar,” and “Crazy Rich Asians,” rendering the picks appropriate for all audiences. 

International Café: While most cruise ships generally have some form of grab-and-go dining, the International Café may be one of the best options at sea. The 24-hour café serves up well-made pastries during breakfast (fan favorites include the pistachio croissant and banana bread), then transitions to a variety of salads and sandwiches during daytime and evening hours, the latter of which can be enjoyed cold or heated up (we recommend the latter). Best of all, the coffee drinks are made with meticulous attention to detail, and a number of milk alternatives are available. 

Curated Wine Experiences: Wine lovers know that cellar selections on a cruise can be hit or miss, though Sky Princess’ offerings feature something for everyone. Rather than using the same cellar for each restaurant, every on-premise dining option has its own curated list crafted specifically for the menu at hand. In addition to said curated selections, Sky Princess also offers a number of additional wine-focused activities, including a seated global wine tasting, a walkaround “meet the somms” tasting, and an exclusive Caymus Wine Dinner (additional costs apply).

Lotus Spa: According to Sky Princess, Lotus Spa was named “Best Spa on a Cruise Ship” by Spafinder Wellness 365™, and frankly, the merit is well deserved. The impeccably trained masseuses offer a variety of treatments, ranging from a number of massage types to facials to detoxifying treatments and beyond. Additional services such as hair coloring and cuts, manicures and pedicures, and teeth whitening are also available. Best of all, Sky Princess’ Lotus Spa is also home to the largest-ever thermal suite offered by Princess, featuring a hydrotherapy pool, heated stone beds, Turkish-style baths, and more. 

The Voice of the Ocean: In terms of on-board entertainment, Sky Princess excels in a variety of categories (trivia, marriage shows, and other staples), though what sets it apart from other cruise line entertainment is The Voice® at sea. Over the course of the week, Sky Princess offers talented guests three opportunities to try their hand at live auditions, after which the audience votes for who goes on to the final Voice of the Ocean competition. The main event is held on the last day of the cruise and is actually created in conjunction with the real TV show, meaning that the mentor rehearsals, three eclectic judges, and the show’s signature spin-around chairs are all part of the spectacle. 

Supreme Specialty Dining: For many cruisers, splurging on specialty dining isn’t always worth it, especially when the boat’s included offerings are pretty good. Although Sky Princess’ included restaurants (Cielo, Estrella, and Soleil) offer the standard, well-executed coursed menus that frequent cruisers are accustomed to, the boat’s specialty dining options excel at a whole other level. From the six-course tasting menu at Sabatini's Italian Trattoria to the seafood-focused options at The Catch by Rudi to the exquisite surf-and-turf offerings at Crown Grill & Bar, budgeting a special meal or two into your agenda is absolutely worth the extra cash — and be sure to grab a casual pizza lunch or dinner at Alfredo’s. The pizza is outstanding! 

Couples & Friends Who Enjoy Good Food & Great Drinks — Without a Ton of Kids: Contrary to the many amusement park-esque ships at sea, the Sky Princess’ design is undeniably catered to a more mature crowd focused on eating and drinking well. While there are certainly some kids present (as well as places designed just for them), the ship wasn’t overrun with children, and doesn’t boast any sort of water slides or carnival-like bells and whistles.  

The Pool Area Is Noisy: This may be par for the course with larger ships, but the upper pool deck area is pretty loud all day long. From DJs spinning to live performances to movies streamed on the big screen, there’s generally always some sort of noise coming from the 16th floor. (For those looking for a quieter experience, we recommend checking out The Sanctuary, an adults-only relaxation and spa area). 

Some Excursions Really Aren’t Worth It: Rather than a critique, this is actually a testament to how wonderful the onboard experience is at Sky Princess. Out of the four excursion days during the week, only two of them were really worth getting off of the boat for. Rather than partaking in dolphin swims or drinks on shore, we recommend really reading the reviews before booking an excursion, as the quieter nature of an emptier Sky Princess could definitely be the better option.