Star Princess

The Pools: Sun-seekers can be in the center of the action on the Lido Deck (deck 17), where the main pool area features two pools, multiple hot tubs, a jumbo LED screen, live music, three bars, and four casual grab-and-go eateries (Lido Grill, Lido Taco, Lido Slice, and Lido Greens). All guests can also access two other pools. Forward on deck 17 is The Dome, a climate-controlled solarium with rows of cushioned sun loungers (its spare, tiered design and potted olive trees give it a Santorini vibe) and a small pool that lets you swim from indoors to a terraced outdoor relaxation area. The third is the Wake View Terrace, hidden away on deck 8 aft behind the Sanctuary Restaurant and featuring a bar, two hot tubs, and a glass-walled infinity pool that extends over the back of the ship.

Sanctuary Club: Star Princess features 80 specialty suites whose guests have access to the Sanctuary Club, a private haven on deck 18 aft that features comfy loungers, a bar, a pool, and a hot tub. In addition, guests who book Sanctuary Collection staterooms — available in the Mini-Suite and Balcony categories — also enjoy access to the Sanctuary Club and the Sanctuary Restaurant. While Sanctuary accommodations and amenities aren't located within an enclave requiring keycard access, like on several other cruise lines, the more upscale ambience of the Sanctuary Club does create a "ship-within-a-ship" effect for guests seeking a calmer, quieter place to relax.

Special Moments: Princess is known for its romantic touches, and on Star Princess couples can indulge in some truly amazing extra-cost experiences. A must-do is Spellbound by Magic Castle (in partnership with L.A.'s members-only magic club) to experience its elaborately detailed 1930s speakeasy décor during an immersive mind-reading show. Another must-try is Love by Britto, a dining experience with sweeping ocean views that embraces romance down to the tiniest detail. A collaboration between Chef Rudi Sodamin and Brazilian artist Romero Britto, the space delights the senses with Britto's vibrant artwork and tableware and a menu of superb dishes that include cappuccino of wild mushrooms, butter-poached tail of lobster, and chocolate lava cake. 

Star-Studded Cocktail Culture: Star Princess has more than a dozen bars and lounges, all showcasing how Princess has upped its cocktail game by partnering with a glittering array of celebrities and their beverage brands. The impressive onboard cocktail menus include beverages crafted with Matthew and Camila McConaughey's Pantalones tequila (the two are also the godparents of Star Princess), Jesse and Jon Bon Jovi's Hampton Water Rosé, Liev Schreiber's Slainte Irish whiskey, Jason Mamoa and Blaine Halvorson's Meili Vodka, and Elizabeth Banks' Archer Roose wines. Additionally, the Good Spirits at Sea bar offers a nightly cocktail experience featuring bartender demos of three drinks inspired by world destinations, in which celebrity mixologist Rob Floyd (of "Bar Recue") appears in videos to explain the locales and their beverage origins. The cruise line's newest partnership is with Mexico City's award-winning Handshake Speakeasy, which has created five special cocktails exclusive to Princess ships.

Stateroom Options: Until its Sphere-class ships, Princess offered a very basic selection of staterooms and just a handful of suites. Both Sun Princess and Star Princess, however, feature 80 suites and a dozen accommodation categories ranging from 136-square-foot Interior Staterooms to the 1,262-square-foot Sky Suite. All suites are part of the Sanctuary Collection, but guests who want extra amenities can also book 179-to-279-square-foot Sanctuary Collection Balcony staterooms or 302-square-foot Sanctuary Collection Mini-Suites, which also offer access to the Sanctuary Club and Sanctuary Restaurant. In addition, the ship has 389-square-foot Cabana Deck Mini-Suites and 329-square-foot Cabana Mini-Suites featuring an outside cabana area with access to a shared or private deck.

The Medallion: This Princess-exclusive quarter-size wearable disc, which can be worn on a lanyard or on a bracelet, effortlessly unlocks your stateroom door as you approach and lets bartenders and waiters know your name and stateroom number when you're ordering — they can even tell exactly where to find you if you order food via OceanNow on the Princess app. 

The Piazza & the Pizza: The ship's social heart, The Piazza is a soaring three-level atrium within the glass-enclosed Sphere that's rimmed with venues for drinking, dining, and socializing. These include must-try Alfredo's Pizzeria, where the authentic Neapolitan-style individual pizzas are the best at sea and the freshly made cannoli are equally delish (requires a small extra charge for lunch or dinner); The Catch by Rudi for seafood specialties (also requires a surcharge); and the new Makoto Ocean for sushi and Japanese cuisine (requires a surcharge as well). The Piazza's bars include Bellini's for Champagne and Italian-inspired cocktails, Crooners piano bar for martinis and craft cocktails, and O'Malley's Irish Pub for beer, cocktails, live music, and an extra-charge bar menu that includes crispy onion rings, massive burgers, and great fish 'n chips.

Fun & Games: Glance at the Princess Patter, the daily activities line-up, and you'll find multiple ways to enjoy laughter and good times in The Piazza and Princess Live!. Game shows that require audience participation are hugely popular with Princess cruisers and range from the sing-along Musical Bingo and Rock the Room to the don't-miss Do You Wanna Dance?

Inclusive Pricing Options: Princess has two packages for guests seeking a mostly inclusive cruise fare. Princess Premier covers unlimited drinks up to $20 apiece (and includes soft drinks, water, and specialty coffees, which are normally extra), unlimited casual and specialty dining, Wi-Fi for up to four devices per guest, crew gratuities, a shore excursion credit of up to $300 per guest, and more. The lower-cost option is Princess Plus, which includes up to 15 drinks per guest per day priced up to $15 apiece, four casual dining meals per guest (Alfredo's Pizza and O'Malley's Irish Pub, for example), Wi-Fi for one device per guest, crew gratuities, and a shore excursion credit of up to $300 per guest. Without either package, guests can dine in six complimentary venues, but they will be charged on board for all beverages, specialty dining, crew gratuities, and Wi-Fi.

Mature Couples: Princess, with its decades-long affiliation with "The Love Boat," has always appealed to couples — and that hasn't changed even as its ships have tripled in size. The ambience is lively but not overly rowdy as guests, most aged 50-plus, enjoy game shows, trivia contests, karaoke, and stand-up comedy. There's also a healthy dose of romance, from Balcony Dinners and the Love by Britto restaurant to Master Winemaker Wine Tastings. 

Multigenerational Families With Older Kids: The newest Princess megaships may appeal to multigenerational family groups with older kids, especially on Alaska sailings, where there's plenty of fun and adventure ashore. There are small kids and teens areas — Firefly Park for ages 3 to 7,  Neon Grove for ages 8 to 12, and The Underground for ages 13 to 17 — but young cruisers won't find the splashy amenities offered on many other large cruise ships. 

There's No Wow Factor: This may be a megaship, but its persona is somewhat old-school — so no waterslides, sky-diving simulators, virtual reality games, laser tag courses, or diving shows. There are a few sparkling entertainment moments, such as the playful circus-inspired Illuminate in the Princess Arena, but aside from the how-did-they-do-that magic of Spellbound, there's not much that induces awe.

The Deck Plan Isn't Intuitive: Some megaships are surprisingly easy to navigate, but that's not the case with Star Princess. Beyond the three-deck Piazza, the maze-like layout can be frustrating when guests first get on board. Even with digital deck plans near the elevators and directional signage, finding some tucked-away spaces at the ship's aft — such as the Wake View Terrace, Sanctuary Club, and Love by Britto — can be challenging. The Lotus Spa is also hidden away on decks 5 and 6 and is accessible solely from the mid-ship elevators, while the Fitness Center and Lotus Salon are on Deck 18 overlooking the Lido Deck. 

Spaces Get Crowded: While not exclusively a Star Princess issue — megaships by nature are floating cities with thousands of guests — crowding is a reality. That means popular venues are almost always jam-packed. You'll also encounter a breakfast and lunch rush at The Eatery buffet and need to arrive at least 20 minutes early to secure a seat in the Princess Arena for evening shows.