princess cruise stateroom codes

Princess Cruises ship cabin and suite guide: Everything you want to know

Is a balcony cabin a must for you when you cruise? Princess Cruises could be your line.

The California-based brand was a pioneer in adding a large number of balcony cabins to ships, and even its oldest vessels are loaded with balcony cabins — something that can't be said for many of its rivals.

On the flip side, Princess offers relatively few suites on its ships compared to some of the big-ship lines with which it most directly competes, including Celebrity Cruises , Norwegian Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean. Just 46 of the 1,830 rooms on the line's recently unveiled Discovery Princess are suites, for instance. Believe it or not, that's an improvement from earlier vessels in the same series, some of which have as few as 36 suites.

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Princess also isn't known for enormous and amenity-filled suites.

What this means is there aren't a lot of ways to live large on a Princess ship or pack a lot of people into a single accommodation. Until the debut of Sky Princess in 2019, the line didn't have a single cabin that could accommodate more than four people.

That said, on Princess ships, you can often create larger living spaces by booking two connecting cabins.

A Princess Cruises cabin primer

As is typical for many cruise ships, Princess vessels offer cabins in four broad categories: Windowless "inside" cabins, ocean-view cabins, balcony cabins and suites.

As noted above, a significant portion of cabins on all Princess ships are balcony cabins — the category of cabin that everyone wants these days. About 80% of the 1,834 cabins on Princess's six-month-old Enchanted Princess are balcony cabins or suites with balconies, for instance. Compare that to the 72% of cabins on Royal Caribbean's four-year-old Symphony of the Seas that are balcony cabins or suites with balconies.

Notably, every single cabin facing the sea on three of the newest Princess ships — Royal Princess, Regal Princess and Majestic Princess — has a balcony. These three vessels are completely devoid of ocean-view cabins (cabins facing the sea that only have a window). That's relatively unusual in the world of big mass-market ships — the niche of cruising in which Princess plays. It's more common with luxury cruise vessels.

Related: The ultimate guide to Princess Cruises ships

At the same time, as noted above, Princess vessels have fewer suites than you'll find on the ships operated by such big-ship brands as Royal Caribbean and Celebrity.

Here's a breakdown of the broad cabin categories on Royal Princess, which is typical of the line's newer ships (it's the prototype vessel for the line's new, six-ship Royal Class series):

Inside cabins: 342 (19%) Ocean-view cabins: 0 (0%) Balcony cabins (including mini-suites): 1,402 (79%) Suites: 36 (2%)

On older Princess ships (and, in general, all older cruise ships), there are fewer balcony cabins. However, the ratio of balcony cabins to non-balcony cabins is much higher on older Princess ships than it is on older vessels at many other big-ship lines. An impressive 72% of the 1,000 cabins on Princess's 2003-built Coral Princess, for instance, are balcony cabins.

On Coral Princess, inside cabins and ocean-view cabins only make up 26% of all rooms. A breakdown of the cabin categories on that ship:

Inside cabins: 108 (11%) Ocean-view cabins: 157 (16%) Balcony cabins (including mini-suites): 719 (72%) Suites: 16 (2%)

The takeaway here is that you'll have an easier time locking down a balcony cabin on a Princess ship — even an older Princess ship — than you will when booking many of the ships operated by competing big-ship lines.

Just note that you'll want to book early if you're aiming for a suite on a Princess ship since there are so few of them. Note, also, that suites tend to sell out early on cruise ships in general. An old saying in the cruise industry is that "ships sell from the top and the bottom." That is, the first cabins on any vessel to sell out are the most expensive cabins, which are the suites, and then the least expensive cabins, which typically are the inside cabins. The mid-priced "middle" cabins sell last.

Design-wise, Princess's cabins and suites are fairly basic and comfortable, if not super stylish.

When it comes to rooms, Princess is sort of the Marriott of the big-ship cruise world. Its rooms are comfortable and functional, but a bit bland. Avant-garde style is not a Princess thing.

Inside cabins on Princess Cruises ships

These are the cabins you stay in when you're on a tight budget. On any Princess ship, they are almost always the least-expensive option when you're booking a cabin. You often can save considerable money by booking an inside cabin versus an ocean-view or higher-level cabin.

What you'll give up, of course, is that ocean view. Your room will have four walls and no windows offering a glimpse of the outside world.

You'll also be in a relatively small room. The typical inside cabin on the new Discovery Princess measures 166 square feet, with some as big as 175 square feet. By comparison, the typical balcony cabin on Discovery Princess measures 181 square feet, not including a 41-square-foot balcony (for a total of 222 square feet).

Still, the inside cabins on Princess ships are bigger than the inside cabins on ships operated by some of the line's main competitors.

Related: The 5 best destinations you can visit on a Princess ship

Inside cabins on Royal Caribbean's Symphony of the Seas, for instance, measure just 149 square feet — quite a bit less than the inside cabins on Discovery Princess.

Note that older Princess ships sometimes have smaller inside cabins than newer Princess ships. On the line's 2003-built Coral Princess, inside cabins measure just 156 to 166 square feet. On the line's 1998-built Grand Princess, most inside cabins are 160 square feet (some wheelchair-accessible inside cabins on Grand Princess measure 182 square feet).

Many inside cabins on Princess ships have pull-down bunks that will allow for up to four people to stay in the rooms.

Ocean-view cabins on Princess Cruises ships

With an ocean-view cabin, you get a window looking out to the sea, but not an attached balcony where you can sit outside and enjoy the fresh air.

As noted above, three of Princess's newest vessels — Royal Princess, Regal Princess and Majestic Princess — don't have a single ocean-view cabin. Every outward-facing cabin has a balcony. However, you'll find ocean-view cabins on the line's older vessels and also on the line's three newest ships, Discovery Princess, Enchanted Princess and Sky Princess.

In general, ocean-view cabins on the Princess ships that have them are a tad bigger than the inside cabins found on the same vessels. On the line's Emerald Princess, for instance, the typical ocean-view cabin measures 178 square feet. The typical inside cabin on Emerald Princess measures 163 square feet.

On many Princess ships that have ocean-view cabins, the rooms are mostly found just above the promenade deck, where the lifeboats hang, and have obstructed views. You'll also sometimes find a few ocean-view cabins at the back of Princess vessels, facing the wake.

Related: The 3 classes of Princess ships, explained

On the line's two Coral Class ships — Coral Princess and Island Princess — there are a few "premium" ocean-view cabins that measure a more spacious 212 square feet. If you're the kind of traveler who needs a lot of space, these rooms can be a good choice.

There also are a handful of "premium" ocean-view cabins on the new Discovery Princess, Enchanted Princess and Sky Princess that measure 172 square feet and have unusual slanting windows.

Balcony cabins on Princess Cruises ships

Balcony cabins are what everyone wants these days, and Princess is delivering with huge numbers of balcony cabins on all its newest ships. On the line's new Royal Class series of ships, which began debuting in 2013, nearly 80% of rooms are balcony cabins.

On these newer vessels — Royal Princess, Regal Princess, Majestic Princess, Sky Princess, Enchanted Princess and Discovery Princess — the typical balcony cabin has an interior space of 181 square feet plus a balcony that measures 41 square feet (for a total of 222 square feet). However, there also are bigger "premium deluxe balcony" cabins that can measure as much as 233 square feet on the inside (not including the balcony). Some of these have larger-than-normal balconies that can stretch the total square footage to 312 square feet.

In addition, the Royal Class vessels have even larger balcony cabins that Princess calls mini-suites. Including their balcony space, these cabins measure anywhere from 299 to 329 square feet. While these mini-suite cabins have the word "suite" in their name, we are including them in the balcony cabin category as they generally resemble very large balcony cabins vs. true suites.

Related: Everything to know about the Princess Captain's Club loyalty program

The typical Princess balcony cabin has twin beds that can be converted into a queen bed, a built-in desk with a chair and a built-in miniature refrigerator. In addition to beds, a desk and a miniature fridge, premium balcony cabins have a seating area with a sofa bed that can be used for a third passenger in the room. Some also have a pull-down bunk that can accommodate a fourth person.

Suites on Princess Cruises ships

As mentioned above, Princess ships generally have fewer suites than the ships operated by some of its biggest competitors. The line also isn't known for particularly giant suites.

Princess's three newest ships — Discovery Princess, Enchanted Princess and Sky Princess — have the line's first truly large standalone suites, dubbed Sky Suites. There are two of them on each of the vessels, and they measure a generous 1,792 square feet (though more than half of that space is taken up by a huge wraparound balcony). With two bedrooms plus a living room with a pullout sofa, the Sky Suites are the first Princess accommodations designed for up to five people.

Still, even the Sky Suites on Discovery Princess, Enchanted Princess and Sky Princess aren't the sort of truly epic suites with huge interior living spaces that you'll find on the latest ships from such competitors as Celebrity and Royal Caribbean. The latest Celebrity vessels, for instance, offer so-called Iconic Suites that have twice as much interior space as the Sky Suites.

If you're the kind of cruiser who is only happy in a cabin of truly giant proportions (and are willing to pay up for it), Princess probably isn't your line.

Still, you'll find at least a few suites of a decent size on every Princess ship. The line's seven Grand Class vessels each offer two "family suites" at their fronts that can be created by connecting a mini-suite with an adjacent inside cabin to create a six- to eight-person complex.

Each of the line's Royal Class ships (the line's six newest ships) has at least 36 suites.

Related: 7 reasons you should splurge for a suite on a cruise

Bottom line

Princess offers a relatively wide range of cabins on its ships, including lots of the sort of cabins that everyone wants — balcony cabins. If you're a fan of balcony cabins, you'll find plenty of options on Princess ships, including standard size balcony cabins and bigger "premium" balcony cabins. You'll also find a lot of larger "mini-suite" balcony cabins on Princess ships. However, you won't find a lot of truly large suites with multiple rooms.

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Royal Princess Staterooms and Cabins

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• Ship info and tracking

This page shows all the different suite, stateroom and cabin types on the Royal Princess. You can compare the floor layouts for each of Royal Princess's cabin types. Click to expand to floor to see a larger image. Cruisedeckplans.com also shows all the features, size information and number of cabins for each stateroom cabin type on this Princess cruise ship. We also show the cabin codes that Princess uses to classify the different cabins on the ship. You can mouse over the cabin code for a description of the type of stateroom cabin the code signifies.

All The Stateroom, Suites And Cabin Types on Royal Princess

Princess cabin codes: 

Stateroom Cabin Features: - Queen bed - Large walk-in closet - Private bathroom with separate tub and shower - Guest bathroom - Spacious living room - Sofa bed - Chairs - Two televisions - DVD-CD player - Refrigerator - Safe - Phone - Hairdryer - Private wrap around balcony.

Click for our Suite cabin page with actual pictures and videos.

Stateroom Cabin Features: - Two twin beds that convert to a queen - Refrigerator - Mini-bar - Safe - Phone - Hairdryer - Television - Large closet - Desk - Breakfast table - Bathroom with shower.

Click for our Balcony cabin page with actual pictures and videos.

Stateroom Cabin Features: - Two twin beds that convert to a queen - Picture window (categories GG,G are obstructed by lifeboats or ship structures. Category F has 18-inch porthole window) - Refrigerator - Safe - Phone - Hairdryer - Television - Spacious closet - Desk - Sofa - Bath with shower.

Click for our Oceanview cabin page with actual pictures and videos.

Stateroom Cabin Features: - Two twin beds that convert to a queen - Refrigerator - Safe - Phone - Hairdryer - Television - Closet - Desk - Two night tables - Bathroom with shower.

Click for our Interior cabin page with actual pictures and videos.

CRUISEDECKPLANS.COM Use the input buttons above to go to the main page for a Cruise Ship or Cruise Line.

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Reserve Collection Mini-Suites

Introducing our reserve collection, the new name for club class. includes the same exclusive services & amenities you love, premium location mini-suites.

Indulge in this elevated stateroom category featuring our very best mini-suites that include premium services and amenities. With Reserve Collection (formerly known as Club Class), you’ll enjoy everything from a prime mini-suite location and in-room wine set-up to the expedited seating in our exclusive Reserve Dining area.

Exclusive reserve dining

There’s nothing quite like the Reserve Dining experience. Think private entrance to an exclusive area in the main dining room. Expedited seating and dining on your own schedule, no reservations needed. Menu options just for you, including a daily chef’s special. And a dedicated waitstaff to respond to your every request. It’s sure to be your favorite way to dine at sea!

Complimentary wine

Enjoy a bottle of wine in your stateroom upon arrival.

Not available for China voyages

Priority specialty dining reservations

Receive special assistance with priority reservations at your favorite specialty restaurants.

Evening Canapés

Nibble on masterfully-crafted canapés delivered directly to your stateroom.

Upon request

Upgraded bathrobes

Envelope yourself in comfort with our premium terry shawl bathrobes.

Plus Our Standard Mini-suite Benefits

• Spacious staterooms up to 323 square feet with balconies
• Princess Luxury Bed
• Balcony with Patio Furniture (a table and two chairs)
• Refrigerator
• Separate seating area with coffee table and a sofa bed
• Floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors
• Private bathroom including combination tub and shower*
• Hair Dryer, Phone & Desk
• Two flat-panel satellite TVs
• Digital Security Safe

*Please note, accessible mini-suites have accessible showers only/no tub.

Full Suite  guests will also enjoy the elevated benefits of Reserve Dining.

Ready to Book Reserve Collection?

HOW TO BOOK:

Under the Stateroom tab, select "Mini-Suite" as your stateroom, then choose your own "Reserve Collection Mini-Suite"

Call Princess at 1-800-774-6237

• Princess Cruises

cabin codes

By elliotlake12 , June 24, 2023 in Princess Cruises

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elliotlake12

On Sky Princess, Lido deck forward, what do the different lettered squares mean,for example MC,MF ?

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The higher the letter, the least desirable location (according to Princess).  First letter is the category…..M = mini suite.  MF is far forward, but it’s our favourite location, even though Princess rates it least favourite of the minis.

Works for all categories, B = balcony. BA is best and so on.

MC is a Mid-Forward Mini-Suite. MF is a Forward Mini-Suite. Princess feels anything closer to the middle of the ship is a "better" location and charges accordingly. Cabins that are right next to each other can have different pricing.

DallasGuy75219

5 hours ago, Thrak said: Princess feels anything closer to the middle of the ship is a "better" location and charges accordingly.

Same with cabins on a deck with passenger cabins on the deck both below and above. 

For example on Sky, R317 is an MB mini-suite, but M317 directly above is an MC (worse location per Princess) mini-suite because the Lido deck is directly above.

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Can someone help to explain category codes to me?

By Solorca1 , February 23, 2012 in Princess Cruises

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We are leaving for a cruise (Emerald Princess) on March 17th and previously booked a category K guaranteed room for $999. It's a fairly standard inside stateroom. Today, looking on the same website, I saw the following...

Interior Double (M) - $749

Interior Double (L) - $749

Oceanview Double (G) - $834

Oceanview Double (GG) - $834

I can't find any information on what this means, or if these are similar or better than the rooms we have. It seems odd that oceanview rooms are less than the room we purchased (which is still at 999).

Can some of you experts help out?

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The codes relate to location of cabins....you will see the codes/colours on the deck plans of the ship....your $999 (does it include the taxes and fees?)....and those prices you quote are probably not including taxes and fees.

In general terms, as the cabin "improves", but moving toward the middle of the ship, and up higher, so does the price and the letter "code" goes backwards in the alphabet.....

Where you have a garde of cabin the higher up the alphabet you go the better the cabin location so higher cost.

yours Shogun

The category codes or letters are based on type of cabin (inside, outside with window, balcony, mini suite, suite etc) and location of cabin.

Take a look at the deck plans and you will see the cabins are color codes with the codes corresponding to the type and location of the cabins.

As a general rule, lower deck cabins are often less expensive than upper deck, mid ship cabins have codes that are often more expensive, but not always than front and aft cabins. Inside cabins are cheaper than outside window cabins...window cabins are cheaper than balcony...as a general rule, but not always. (there are always sales and exceptions to this).

Cabin locations and types are a matter of personal preference. On most ships, there is little difference between cabins of the same type (outside, inside, balcony etc.)

Some people have strong preference as to type and location of cabins, others don't care as much.

If you have already paid for an inside cabin K then unless you are more than 70 days out from sailing date you cannot get a refund of the difference, but you may be able to ask for a category change...such as from an inside to a room with a window.

As Chrysalis stated...the prices listed may not include ports and fees. I have found that most web sites just advertise the base fare without the extra fees and taxes which can add a additional chunk to the cost.

The codes relate to location of cabins....you will see the codes/colours on the deck plans of the ship....your $999 (does it include the taxes and fees?)....and those prices you quote are probably not including taxes and fees.   In general terms, as the cabin "improves", but moving toward the middle of the ship, and up higher, so does the price and the letter "code" goes backwards in the alphabet.....

Yes, I wasn't including taxes and fees, but the prices I listed were base prices from the same website. I managed to find the different category codes on the princess website.

When looking it over, it seems like the category K guarantee that I received isn't much better than the cheaper rooms that are below us, as we're already assigned to room D111, which appears to be a fairly standard inside stateroom on deck 9, at the very front of the boat.

The actual final price (the site I use allows you to go to that point) ended up being over $350 less than what we paid. We used the same method to book originally.

Yes, I wasn't including taxes and fees, but the prices I listed were base prices from the same website. I managed to find the different category codes on the princess website.   When looking it over, it seems like the category K guarantee that I received isn't much better than the cheaper rooms that are below us, as we're already assigned to room D111, which appears to be a fairly standard inside stateroom on deck 9, at the very front of the boat.   The actual final price (the site I use allows you to go to that point) ended up being over $350 less than what we paid. We used the same method to book originally.

You may want to see if there is any possibility at all of switching to a higher category cabin such as a cabin with an obstructed window or non-obstructed window for the same price.

They may or may not accommodate you...likely will depend on how many cabins they have left of that category, but it doesn't hurt to ask. Don't be disappointed if the answer is no, but if you are able to switch to a room with a window, then at least you might feel you were getting something extra for the extra money you have paid.

You may also consider asking if they will switch you to a cabin a little further back from 111. We were in cabin E200 once, and its a long walk from the front elevators to the cabin.

You may want to see if there is any possibility at all of switching to a higher category cabin such as a cabin with an obstructed window or non-obstructed window for the same price.   They may or may not accommodate you...likely will depend on how many cabins they have left of that category, but it doesn't hurt to ask. Don't be disappointed if the answer is no, but if you are able to switch to a room with a window, then at least you might feel you were getting something extra for the extra money you have paid.   You may also consider asking if they will switch you to a cabin a little further back from 111. We were in cabin E200 once, and its a long walk from the front elevators to the cabin.

I just spoke to my travel agent and it sounds like I'm out of luck. They pretty much said that the only way to move categories would be to cancel my current room (obviously a bad idea this close, since I would lose 75% of the cost). The only thing I can do is hope for an upgrade.

I wasn't really that worried about the money, because I was happy to get a 10 day cruise for $999, but I thought it was worth a shot! My TA did mention that we could ask about a possible upgrade as we get on the ship, but I have my doubts that it would actually be a good possibility, as this ship looks like it's virtually sold out.

I did notice, like you said, that the walk looks pretty long to the elevator...but I guess I can use the exercise anyway :)

As you are close to your sailing (based on the penalty if you cancel), the fares you are seeing are "flash" sale fares open only to new bookings.

These are fares at lower prices as Princess strives to sell all remaining cabins. Just like a merchant having a closeout sale.

My TA did mention that we could ask about a possible upgrade as we get on the ship, but I have my doubts that it would actually be a good possibility, as this ship looks like it's virtually sold out.

Sorry, not gonna happen. By the time you board, Princess will have already upgraded the upgradeables, and the great likelihood is that the purser's desk will have a sign saying, in essence, "Don't even bother asking."

Yes, I learned from my TA that this was a "flash sale". It almost sounds like it would be worth it to just wait to book a cruise and check every day until you find a good price. I don't know if I have the patience to do that though (and risk missing out).

I assumed that asking at the desk wasn't worth the effort.

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9 bucket list cruises for seniors and retirees.

These cruise lines appeal to older travelers with adults-only sailings, accessible staterooms and more.

Cruises for Seniors and Retirees

Courtesy of Uniworld Boutique River Cruises

Make the memories of a lifetime on a cruise for seniors and retirees.

Cruises are an often dreamt-about retirement goal, especially for long-time cruise lovers who have always been short on time. Retirement can be the ideal season of life to sail off into the sunset for several weeks, whether to far-off lands like Antarctica or a peaceful journey down the Danube. In some cases, seniors embrace their golden years by booking epic, monthslong voyages around the world.

Many small- and medium-sized ships cater to the over-60 crowd, but that doesn't mean guests will be relegated to shuffleboard and bingo games. Today's seniors still have plenty of adventures to experience and memories to make, both on board and on shore. The following cruise lines offer the top bucket list sailings for seniors and retirees.

Windstar Cruises

Uniworld boutique river cruises, oceania cruises, holland america line, cunard line, aurora expeditions.

Courtesy of Windstar Cruises

Anyone who has ever fancied a near-private yacht-style cruise experience will love the vibe of Windstar Cruises. Each of its yachts holds between 148 and 342 guests, with a 1-to-1.5 crew-to-guest ratio. This makes for more intimate sailings – not only because there's simply less ship to maneuver on foot, but also because Windstar ships have access to ports that megaships aren't permitted to enter. The end result is the unique ability to explore lesser-known destinations and smaller cities. While Windstar is not a strictly adults-only cruise line , you won't see any little ones on board, either. Children must be at least 8 years old to sail on the line, which further adds to the high-end ambiance.

In 2021 and 2022, Windstar's Star Breeze, Star Pride and Star Legend ships received a refresh. The three all-suite yachts were cut in half and enhanced with new suites and amenities, bringing the capacity to 312 passengers on each vessel. These Star Plus Class ships also boast new restaurants, a reimagined spa and fitness center, and more efficient engines, among other improvements. Elevators help make the Star Plus Class ships more accessible for anyone with limited mobility (note that Wind Class ships Wind Star and Wind Spirit do not have elevators). Additionally, Star Breeze, Star Pride and Star Legend each have four wheelchair-accessible suites, which feature a smaller queen bed and reduced "wheel around" space.

On board, passengers can drop by the Open Bridge anytime for an impromptu lesson in chart reading, listen to live music in the Lounge or jump directly into the water from the Watersports Platform. Culinary highlights include restaurant Cuadro 44 by Anthony Sasso, which serves a twist on modern Spanish cuisine by the 10-time Michelin-starred chef, as well as culinary shore excursions with hands-on cooking classes and chef-led market tours to explore fresh local ingredients.

The cruise industry is abuzz with interest in one of Windstar's newest itineraries, which introduces passengers to the Middle East. The Inaugural Sparkling Sands & Cities itinerary sets sail in November 2023, visiting Dubai and Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates; Doha, Qatar; and Muscat, Oman, among others. Foodies will be especially interested in the James Beard Foundation's Sparkling Sands & Cities of the Persian Gulf itinerary, scheduled to embark in February 2024. Windstar's other destinations include Asia, Canada and New England, the Caribbean, the Mediterranean, Northern Europe, the South Pacific and more.

Read: How to Get Airport Wheelchair Assistance

Adam Hillier | Courtesy of Viking

Spanning seven continents via river, ocean and expedition vessels, Viking is considered a quintessential high-end cruise experience. For more than 25 years, it has provided destination-focused sailings designed to allow its guests to explore the world in supreme comfort. Its voyages particularly appeal to travelers older than 50 who are interested in science, history, culture and cuisine.

Every Viking cruise fare includes a complimentary shore excursion in each port of call, onboard meals, beer and wine (with lunch and dinner service), Wi-Fi access, and all port charges and government taxes. On Viking's ocean and expedition vessels, guests also enjoy complimentary self-service laundry, access to the Thermal Suite in The Spa, high tea service, alternative restaurant dining and 24-hour room service. But the best part for older cruisers may be what's not included on Viking sailings: kids. This adults-only cruise line is dedicated to guests 18 and older.

Viking's fleet – with capacities ranging from 80 to 998 passengers (on river and ocean cruises, respectively) – feature elegant Scandinavian-style decor. The small ship cruises get closer to their destinations, spend more time in port and include more overnight stays, too.

One of Viking's newest ocean vessels, the all-veranda Viking Saturn, debuted in 2023 and focuses on European sailings. Its 10-day Empires of the Mediterranean route from Venice to Athens is particular popular, with stops in Croatia, Slovenia, Montenegro and Greece. Another in-demand route is the Danube Christmas Delights itinerary on the Viking Longships, which visits enchanting villages, cultural capitals and iconic Christmas markets for a festive holiday cruise .

To suit their needs, guests can choose between different activity levels for walking tour-focused shore excursions. For bibliophiles, The Library on each ship is curated by acclaimed London bookshop Heywood Hill, as well as Cambridge University's Scott Polar Research Institute on the expedition vessels. Viking also holds exclusive partnerships with prestigious scientific institutions, which makes it possible for at least 36 experts – including field research scientists, mountain guides, submarine pilots and other specialists – to accompany passengers on each expedition journey.

Book a  Viking cruise on GoToSea, a service of U.S. News.

Billed as one of the world's most luxurious all-inclusive river cruise lines , Uniworld Boutique River Cruises features small ships with an average capacity of 120 guests and one of the highest crew-to-guest ratios on the rivers of 1-to-2.4. Part of the allure of the small ship size is a more personalized travel experience that delivers passengers to destinations ocean liners aren't able to visit (such as the Venetian Lagoon, where large ships have been banned from entry).

Uniworld ships are akin to floating boutique hotels, designed to reflect the destinations in which they sail – a vast list that includes ports in Europe, Africa, Asia and South America. Guests will appreciate the exquisite details on board, including unique artwork from some of the most famous artists in the world (think: Pablo Picasso and David Hockney), handmade fabrics from local artisans and handcarved furnishings.

Additionally, Uniworld's all-inclusive cruise experience includes all onboard meals, which are made with fresh farm-to-table ingredients, as well as unlimited premium spirits and fine wines. In the base fare, voyages also include a selection of shore excursions, daily entertainment, fitness centers, wellness classes, airport transfers, onboard gratuities, high-speed Wi-Fi access and more.

Uniworld makes it particularly easy to visit many of Europe's most enchanting Christmas towns on a single cruise, where passengers can visit the festive holiday markets and get all their seasonal shopping done. For seniors with more time to spare, the Rivers of the World Cruise is a once-in-a-lifetime journey. This 55-day itinerary departs from Lima, Peru , in October 2024 and takes 40 guests across three continents via four ships to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.

Find  Uniworld Boutique River Cruises  on GoToSea.

This upscale brand recently relaunched under A&K Travel Group with a reimagined vision. Crystal Serenity (which holds up to 740 guests) and Crystal Symphony (carrying up to 606 passengers) underwent a combined $150 million dollar refurbishment that includes updated suites and new wellness offerings at the Aurōra spa. While sailing the high seas with Crystal, passengers' needs are met at every step of the way – a perk made possible by the nearly 1-to-1 staff-to-guest ratio. A dedicated butler in every stateroom and suite will help with packing and unpacking, stocking your fridge, making restaurant reservations, booking excursions and more.

Crystal offers impressive enrichment programming, hosting high-profile lecturers with backgrounds in sports, entertainment and science. Spend some time refining your technology skills at Computer University@Sea and perfecting your ballroom dance moves, photography abilities, golf swing or bridge game. There's also a well-stocked library containing books on a range of subjects, along with board games and a pickleball court.

Dining options on board include Umi Uma, a Japanese-Peruvian dining venue developed by Michelin-starred chef Nobuyuki (Nobu) Matsuhisa. Unlike some other cruise lines that charge a fee for each specialty dining reservation, Crystal allows guests to enjoy one complimentary reservation per person for sailings of 11 days or less. After dinner, nightly entertainment can be found in several venues, such as live music in the Galaxy Lounge.

Crystal sails on itineraries of varying length to the Mediterranean, the Baltic, Alaska, the Caribbean, Canada, Africa and the Indian Ocean, the South Pacific, and Asia. If you're planning a bucket list trip, consider the line's 123-night 2025 World Cruise, which travels to 62 destinations across 31 countries between Fort Lauderdale, Florida , and Barcelona, Spain .

Read: Crystal Symphony Review: First Impressions of Crystal's Revamped Ship

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Courtesy of Oceania Cruises

Seniors with a penchant for epicurean delights tend to gravitate toward Oceania Cruises for their cruise vacations – it's known for having one of the finest culinary programs at sea. This cruise line focuses on small ship luxury, with seven ships currently in service carrying between 670 and 1,250 passengers each. An eighth ship, Allura, is set to debut in 2025.

Newer ships like the Vista – the first of the Allura class vessels, which joined the fleet in May 2023 – have wheelchair-accessible rooms and a plethora of onboard culinary venues. A few highlights include Aquamar Kitchen, offering an array of wellness-inspired dishes; The Bakery at Baristas, serving freshly baked pastries; and new signature restaurant Ember, an upscale American eatery. Don't miss the Cellar Master's Wine Luncheon: a two-hour, hand-selected tasting led by the head sommelier that features a five-course menu paired with premium wines for each dish.

Senior cruisers will enjoy the Aquamar Spa's signature massage therapies, which use natural ingredients and modern techniques to release stress and tension. The Vitality Center offers a steam room, a thalassotherapy pool and heated lounge beds for extra relief. Onboard entertainment on Oceania, meanwhile, includes musical performances and immersive shows with dance numbers led by "Dancing With the Stars" choreographer Britt Stewart. The Culinary Center is a fan favorite for seniors, offering the opportunity to practice cooking techniques and learn about the unique flavor profiles of regional dishes.

You'll be hard-pressed to find a location Oceania doesn't sail to, with cruises to Africa, Asia, South America, the Middle East, the South Pacific, the Caribbean, Antarctica and more, as well as transoceanic voyages and 180-day world cruises. Oceania also provides a good overall value, thanks to its included specialty restaurants, Wi-Fi access, shore excursions, round-trip airfare and transfers, and in-port shuttle service.

Explore  Oceania Cruises  deals on GoToSea.

Courtesy of Holland America Line

As a premium, midsize cruise line, Holland America Line offers plenty of destinations, excursions and activities aligned to an older audience. The smaller ship size, which averages around 2,000 passengers per sailing, allows for many of the ships to dock in ports that are inaccessible to larger ships, getting passengers even closer to the destinations they're visiting. For older passengers who may have limited mobility, the option to simply disembark the ship without waiting for a tender or other means of transportation can make or break a trip.

Holland America Line, though family-friendly, offers myriad excursions that are primarily adult-oriented and open to all types of adventurers. Shore excursions are clearly marked with an activity level ranging from easy to strenuous, from leisurely wine tastings and relaxing strolls through ancient towns to ATV rides through the jungle and dog-sledding on a glacier only accessible via helicopter.

Onboard entertainment and activities are plentiful; guests often enjoy the multiple music lounges and venues on each ship, along with hosted programs such as bingo and trivia. For seniors who can't get enough of the pickleball trend, Holland America Line has partnered with the Professional Pickleball Association to bring branded courts and equipment on board. After all that action on the court, unwind in the Greenhouse Spa & Salon with a rejuvenating treatment. (Pro tip: Add on the Thermal Suite for access to the healing hydrotherapy circuit and heated, tiled loungers that will melt all your cares away.)

The numerous onboard dining options bring together cuisines and flavors from all over the world, with specialty restaurants featuring menus developed by a team of master chefs known as Holland America's Culinary Council. In addition to casual dining in the Lido Market and multicourse affairs in The Dining Room, each ship also features the Pinnacle Grill, an onboard steakhouse offering high-end meats and seafood. Other specialty restaurants vary by ship and may include Italian eatery Canaletto and the French-inspired Rudi's Sel de Mer.

Holland America Line sails all over the world. It does an especially nice job with its Greek island cruises and Adriatic Sea adventures. One of the line's newest ships, Rotterdam , is a crowd-pleaser with its sleek design details and an onboard art collection valued at more than $4.1 million. Still, longtime favorites like the refurbished Oosterdam and Eurodam host plenty of happy guests.

Compare  Holland America Line  cruises on GoToSea.

Courtesy of Azamara

Another all-inclusive, senior-friendly brand is Azamara, which boasts a long list of perks covered in the base fare. Your one-time payment covers meals and beverages, including standard spirits, international beers and a limited amount of wine by the glass; you can upgrade to a beverage package if you'd like access to premium brands. Other included amenities range from self-service laundry to gratuities to special cultural evenings featuring onboard or onshore performances by locals.

There are four ships in Azamara's fleet. Each carries up to 702 passengers, so they still fit comfortably into the small ship category and can access less-visited ports than larger vessels. Destinations on Azamara include ports throughout Europe, Asia, Africa, the Middle East, Australia and New Zealand, the Americas, and the Caribbean; there are also transoceanic itineraries. If spending roughly half a year on a cruise ship sounds like your ideal retirement plan, consider the Azamara World Voyage in 2025. Over 155 nights, you'll visit 37 countries.

Each of the line's ships has staterooms designed to accommodate guests with mobility limitations, and Azamara has created customized shore excursion tours for guests with disabilities as well. Accessible tours are designed for full-time wheelchair users or guests unable to navigate motor-coach steps.

There are plenty of entertainment options on board, including Club Crooner's hits from current and classic songbirds, as well as ship-specific venues with various song and dance performances. Plus, every cruise hosts a White Night signature dinner and entertainment event on the pool deck (so be sure to pack your favorite white attire). Unwind with darts, arts and crafts, pingpong, shuffleboard, trivia contests, bingo and dance lessons. Don't miss opportunities to attend lectures through the enrichment program.

Find an  Azamara  cruise on GoToSea.

Christopher Ison | Courtesy of Cunard Line

Cunard Line's ocean liners have sailed between the U.K. and New York since 1840 – and the brand's relationship with the British monarchy is integral to its heritage. As such, each ship is named after a British queen. The newest ship, Queen Anne, joins the fleet in 2024.

In keeping with its history, Cunard Line has several signature experiences that help set the brand apart. Afternoon tea is a Cunard tradition observed daily in the Queen's Room; expect white-gloved waiters serving scones and finger sandwiches alongside infused teas in silver teapots (add Champagne for an additional fee). During gala evenings, guests don tuxedos and ballgowns for a sophisticated celebration you won't soon forget. Themes range from Masquerade to Roaring 20s; you'll get a heads-up before you pack your cruise attire .

Each of the four stateroom grades has its own dedicated fine dining restaurant with excellent service and indulgent menus, though there are several casual dining options as well – not to mention specialty dining venues for an additional fee. A host of activities will keep you busy day and night, including a library, open-air pools, fitness facilities, live music, theater performances, guest speaker events, board games, film screenings, art classes, planetarium shows (on Queen Mary 2) and group dance classes.

Accessible shore experiences are available in many ports, ranging from lower activity-level tours to adaptations for wheelchair users. Accessible staterooms are available on Queen Victoria , Queen Elizabeth and Queen Mary 2 ; these come with modifications like wider entryways, nonslip bathroom floors and shower seats.

Explore  Cunard Line  deals on GoToSea.

Scott Portelli | Courtesy of Aurora Expeditions

Nothing says "once-in-a-lifetime" quite like embarking on an expedition to the world's most remote destinations – and, specifically, to Antarctica. For cruisers looking to explore this far-off land, Aurora Expeditions is one of the most trusted names in the industry. Founded by legendary adventurer Greg Mortimer, the brand sends an education-focused expedition team on each voyage, with a ratio of about one team member per every eight passengers. With an average of just 132 cruisers on these sailings, you'll get more one-on-one time with your expedition team.

Seniors can climb aboard Aurora Expeditions' Greg Mortimer or Sylvia Earle ship for innovative itineraries to the Great White Continent. When the ship isn't pausing to watch breaching whales, passengers can kayak between icebergs, visit penguin colonies or take guided hikes across the tundra. Aurora describes its cruises as "100% climate neutral," with a commitment to reducing its environmental impact.

All of Aurora Expeditions' voyages let travelers explore at their own pace, making it a great option for all ages. There are many included activities on each expedition, such as bird-watching, photography, lectures on wildlife, Zodiac cruises and near-shore excursions. The line will even outfit you with Muck boots and waterproof polar jackets. The entire voyage is laid-back, with an informal dress code.

On board, all cabins have a view of the ocean, and most have their own balcony. Tips are included in the cost of your cruise, and guests can enjoy a complimentary house wine or beer with dinner. Look forward to hearty dishes to help fuel your activities, with some buffet-style meals, a la carte options and a reservations-required restaurant on each ship.

Read: The Top Antarctica Cruises

Why Trust U.S. News Travel

Jill Schildhouse has been an avid cruiser since the mid-'90s and has since visited dozens of destinations around the globe. Whether she's on the newest megaship, an older small ship or a luxury yacht, she loves life at sea. She used extensive research and her decades of experience as a cruiser to write this article (she has taken two cruises with her 70-year-old dad just this year). Schildhouse covers the travel industry for myriad top-tier outlets, including U.S. News & World Report, Travel + Leisure, AARP, Fodor's, Reader's Digest and Insider.

You might also be interested in:

• The Top Solo Cruises (No Supplement Fare)
• The Top Transatlantic Cruises
• First-Time Cruise Tips: Mistakes to Avoid
• How Much Does a Cruise Cost?
• The Best Travel Insurance for Seniors and Retirees

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Alaska Cruise Tours:

A cruise tour is a voyage and land tour combination, with the land tour occurring before or after the voyage. Unless otherwise noted, optional services such as airfare, airport transfers, shore excursions, land tour excursions, etc. are not included and are available for an additional cost.

South America: Antarctica Cruise

17-night sapphire princess cruise.

From $3,054 per person* Includes government taxes, fees and port expenses of $405 - $420 per person

Princess Cruises

Enjoy an overnight stay in Buenos Aires before departing on a round-trip cruise to Antarctica. Sail around the Antarctic Peninsula with opportunities to see Elephant Island, Deception Island, Gerlache Strait and more.

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Sailing Itinerary

Note: Cruise itineraries are subject to change. Please verify ports and times directly with the cruise line.

Port of Call Port of Call (Arrival, Departure)

Buenos Aires

This fabulous city is renowned for its sophistication, although travelers expecting a more 'South American' experience are sometimes disappointed with its European feel. Argentina is one Latin American country where Europeans and North Americans can feel at ease and travel relatively inconspicuously. An interest in soccer and some nimble foot skills may be all you need to feel like a local.

Punta Arenas

This is Patagonia's largest and most commercially important city. Located on the western side of the Strait of Magellan with a superb port and the only large airport in the area, it is the major hub for boat transport through the strait and research vessels on their way to or from Antarctica. For the visitor, Punta Arenas is better known as the gateway to Torres del Paine National Park, 400 kilometers to the northwest. This unique town grew up on wool and international shipping before the Panama Canal opened. In the late 19th century, huge fortunes made by sheep farming left the city with distinguished mansions, some of them now museums and other monuments. Summer cruise ships from Punta Arenas travel to Antarctica, where Chile claims a sector of the icebound continent. You can also begin a scenic ferry cruise through the Chilean fjords from Puerto Natales, sailing north to Puerto Montt, in the southern mainland lake region.

Ushuaia is the southernmost city in the world, on the shores of the Beagle Channel and surrounded by the Martial Mounts. It is the capital of the Tierra del Fuego, Antarctica and Southern Atlantic Islands Province, and its superlative location allows you to enjoy sea, mountains and forests at the same time. Besides, it is a great place for shopping: the whole island is a tax free zone, thus you can find lots of imported goods along with regional products.

Antarctic Peninsula

The Antarctic Peninsula is the northernmost part of the mainland of Antarctica, located at the base of the Southern Hemisphere.At the surface, it is the biggest, most prominent peninsula in Antarctica as it extends 1,300 km (810 miles) from a line between Cape Adams (Weddell Sea) and a point on the mainland south of Eklund Islands. Beneath the ice sheet which covers it, the Antarctic Peninsula consists of a string of bedrock islands; these are separated by deep channels whose bottoms lie at depths considerably below current sea level. They are joined together by a grounded ice sheet. Tierra del Fuego, the southernmost tip of South America, lies only about 1,000 km (620 miles) away across the Drake Passage.The Antarctic Peninsula is currently dotted with numerous research stations and nations have made multiple claims of sovereignty. The peninsula is part of disputed and overlapping claims by Argentina, Chile and the United Kingdom. None of these claims have international recognition and, under the Antarctic Treaty System, the respective countries do not attempt to enforce their claims. The British claim is recognised though by Australia, France, New Zealand and Norway. Argentina has the most bases and personnel stationed on the peninsula. The first sighting of Antarctic Peninsula is contested but it apparently occurred in the 1820s. Agreement on this name by the US-ACAN and UK-APC in 1964 resolved a long-standing difference involving use of the American name, Palmer Peninsula, and the British name, Graham Land, for this feature. Graham Land is now restricted to that part of Antarctic Peninsula northward of a line between Cape Jeremy and Cape Agassiz; Palmer Land to the part southward of that line. In Chile, it is oficially referred as O´Higgins Land, after the Chilean patriot and Antarctic visionary. The other Spanish countries call it "Península Antártica", among them is Argentina: it has got more bases and people there than any other nation. The peninsula is highly mountainous, its highest peaks rising to approximately 2,800 metres (9,186 feet). These mountains are considered to be a continuation of the Andes of South America, with a submarine spine connecting the two. Since the peninsula has the mildest climate in Antarctica, the highest concentration of research stations on the continent can be found there, or on the many nearby islands. (Source Wikipedia The Free Encyclopedia)

Stanley/Falklands

Stanley is a picturesque town of about 1700 people. Brightly colored wriggly-tin roofs contrast strikingly with the grays and browns of the surrounding hills. The town is named after Lord Stanley, Secretary of State for the Colonies 1841 - 1844. He ordered the main settlement to be removed from Port Louis to the Port Jackson area and Governor Richard Clement Moody completed the move and took up official residence in Stanley on the 15th July 1844. Your first point of call should be the newly completed Jetty Center - situated just off the Public Jetty, this is where you'll get all the information you'll need on what to do, how to get about and where to stay. For anyone interested in history, a visit to Stanley will be a rich and rewarding experience. A maritime history trail around the harbor leads you to famous wrecks. Old stone cottages mingle with wriggly-tin houses - there are the amazing Jubilee Villas - a piece of British Victorian suburbia in the South Atlantic and the Chelsea Pensioners houses in Pioneer row (brought here in the late 1840's). There are also more recent reminders of the conflict in 1982 - Stanley may be small but it is filled with interest. Your visit would not be complete without a visit to the museum in Holdfast Road (so called because it was here on the 14th June 1982 that Maj. Gen. Sir Jeremy Moore ordered his troops to 'hold fast' until he had negotiated the Argentine surrender. The museum is packed with a huge variety of exhibits ranging from an 1896 Symphonium to whalebones. The stated objective of the museum is to present a taste of the many aspects of the Falklands' rich and varied history including Domestic, Maritime, Social, Military and Natural History - it is not to be missed!

Home to almost 50% of the nation's population, Montevideo is a modern metropolis with a historical old town dating back to colonial times. Surrounding the whole city lies an uninterrupted stretch of white sandy beach. Highlights include Ciudad Vieja (Old Town) with its 18th century buildings, the vibrant Mercado del Puerto, and the bustling commercial activity of Avenida 18 de Julio and its cultural offerings (theatres, museums and art galleries)

Onboard the Sapphire Princess

Sapphire Princess

Costco Member Reviews

• Year Built: 2004
• Year Refurbished: 2018

Double Occupancy Capacity: 2674

Swim in one of four sparkling pools, shop the boutiques or get a massage in the Lotus Spa®. Dine casually on pizza and burgers or more elegantly in one of the many formal dining rooms and specialty restaurants. And with nearly 750 balcony staterooms, there's a room with a view for you.

Member reviews become available after at least 5 are received in order to provide you with an accurate picture of this travel product.

Onboard Activities

Activities & services (included in cruise).

Show Lounge

• Disco/Nightclub
• Game Arcade
• Movies Under the Stars®
• Theater/Show Lounge
• Beauty Salon
• Fitness Center
• Fitness Classes
• Miniature Golf
• Pool - Adults Only
• Pool - Children's
• Pool - Outdoor
• Pool - Indoor
• Sports Facilities
• Whirlpool/Jacuzzi
• Art Gallery
• Bars/Lounges
• Children's Indoor Play Area
• Children's Outdoor Play Area
• Educational Classes
• Organized Age Specific Activities
• Teen Center or Disco
• Teen Programs
• Business Center
• Duty-Free Shops/Boutiques
• Infirmary/Medical Center
• Religious Services
• Self-Service Laundromat
• Wedding/Vow Renewal

Activities & Services (available for an extra fee)

• Full-Service Spa
• Spa Services/Massage
• Sauna/Steam Room
• Educational Programs
• Internet Center
• Babysitting
• Dry Cleaning/ Laundry Service

Dining Room

Main Dining

International Dining Room:  After final payment, through the MedallionClass® app, you may request your dining preference with Dine My Way℠. Customize your dining experiences nightly by choosing your seating time, dining companions and dietary needs.

Pacific Moon Dining Room:  After final payment, through the MedallionClass® app, you may request your dining preference with Dine My Way℠. Customize your dining experiences nightly by choosing your seating time, dining companions and dietary needs.

Santa Fe Dining Room:  After final payment, through the MedallionClass® app, you may request your dining preference with Dine My Way℠. Customize your dining experiences nightly by choosing your seating time, dining companions and dietary needs.

Savoy Dining Room:  After final payment, through the MedallionClass® app, you may request your dining preference with Dine My Way℠. Customize your dining experiences nightly by choosing your seating time, dining companions and dietary needs.

Vivaldi Dining Room:  After final payment, through the MedallionClass® app, you may request your dining preference with Dine My Way℠. Customize your dining experiences nightly by choosing your seating time, dining companions and dietary needs.

Specialty Dining

Chef’s Table Experience:  Taking dining to a new level, the Chef’s Table Experience includes pre-dinner cocktails and hors d’oeuvres in the galley for you and a limited number of fellow guests. After your executive chef describes the specially designed menu for the night, participants are escorted to an intimate table for the main course, including pairing suggestions. This restaurant is available for an additional cost. Limited capacity, reservations required.

Sabatini's℠:  An upscale authentic Italian dining experience in a remarkable eight-course meal. The menu features both local seafood specialties and other regional favorites. This restaurant is available for an additional cost.

Sterling Steakhouse℠:  An upscale and more refined approach to the traditional steakhouse, this venue features some of the best, most tender cuts of beef, such as New York and porterhouse, plus a prime rib carving station. This restaurant is available for an additional cost.

Vines:  Vines boasts an extensive collection of wines, like Opus One, Super Tuscans, fine sparkling wines and regional offerings for purchase. The menu also includes wine flights and a selection of wines by the glass.

Alfredo's Pizzeria

Casual Dining

Alfredo's Pizzeria:  This charming sit-down venue offers an enticing menu of freshly prepared individual-size pizzas along with beer and wines by the glass. The open kitchen design allows you to watch as the chefs create pizza by hand and serve them straight out of the oven.

Chocolate Journeys℠:  There are few foods that inspire as much passion as chocolate, and master chocolatier Norman Love has designed some of the most decadent, hand-crafted treats exclusively for Princess' Chocolate Journeys℠ program. Trained in France, and named the Inaugural Inductee into the Chocolatier Hall of Fame by Dessert Professional Magazine, Chef Love combined premium quality chocolate with unique flavors and artful designs to mastermind his exclusive creations found throughout the ship.

Crafted by Curtis Stone:  In the Main Dining Room, savor fresh new cuisine designed by award-winning Chef Curtis Stone during every voyage. Personal reflections on the menu by Chef Stone elaborate on each "Crafted" selection, prepared with the most authentic ingredients. Be enticed by dishes featuring delicious meats and seafood, fresh produce and vibrant, bold flavors.

Horizon Court:  Horizon Court offers a buffet selection that changes throughout the day to satisfy the most discriminating palate. Indulge in a delightful array of worldwide cuisine, freshly baked breads and regional comfort foods, in a casual setting at breakfast, lunch or dinner. Enjoy fresh fruits, signature pastas and desserts galore along with your favorite beverages and customizable features like create-your-own salads and sandwiches.

International Café:  Open 24 hours a day, the International Café located in the Piazza is the place for an ever-changing array of small bite meals, treats and gourmet beverages. Grab a freshly baked croissant to start your day, snack on pies and quiche or choose from a wide variety of salads and sandwiches at lunchtime, and indulge in decadent desserts in the evening. Coffee and tea fans will love the New Grounds Crafted Coffee menu featuring a variety of specialty espresso-based drinks made from a custom blend of coffee beans, as well as iced tea fusions.

Trident Grill:  Follow your nose to the Trident Grill where the burgers are flipping and the hotdogs roasting, served with a variety of fixin’s and crisp fries. Veggie burgers, bratwurst and grilled chicken breast are also served and all are sure to hit the spot when you are relaxing out on deck.

Room Service:  Call for room service delivery or order through OceanNow® in the Princess® MedallionClass® app at any time of the day or night. Guests with the latest Princess Plus and Princess Premier packages enjoy OceanNow® and room service delivery with no charge. Otherwise, a one-time access fee of $14.99 per person per voyage will apply for OceanNow® delivery and a $5 room service fee will apply for each order placed by stateroom phone. To order, guests can press the "Room Service" button on their stateroom phone, or order through OceanNow®.

Disclaimer regarding ship dining

Inside Stateroom

Ocean view stateroom, balcony stateroom, suite stateroom.

Staterooms feature a refrigerator, spacious closet and bathroom with shower.

Interior (Category: IA)

Category: IA Approximately 168 sq. ft., this well-appointed interior stateroom provides fine amenities.

Interior (Category: IB)

Category: IB Approximately 168 to 182 sq. ft., this well-appointed interior stateroom provides fine amenities.

Interior (Category: IC)

Category: IC Approximately 168 to 182 sq. ft., this well-appointed interior stateroom provides fine amenities.

Interior (Category: ID)

Category: ID Approximately 168 sq. ft., this well-appointed interior stateroom provides fine amenities.

Interior (Category: IE)

Category: IE Approximately 168 sq. ft., this well-appointed interior stateroom provides fine amenities.

Interior (Category: IF)

Category: IF Approximately 168 sq. ft., this well-appointed interior stateroom provides fine amenities.

Nicely-appointed staterooms feature a picture window, spacious closet and bathroom with shower.

Premium Oceanview (Category: O5)

Category: O5 Approximately 200 sq. ft., this well-appointed stateroom features a forward-facing cabin for memorable views.

Oceanview (Category: OC)

Category: OC Approximately 183 to 194 sq. ft., this well-appointed stateroom features a picture window for memorable views.

Oceanview (Category: OF)

Category: OF Approximately 183 to 194 sq. ft., this well-appointed stateroom features a picture window for memorable views.

Oceanview (obstructed view) (Category: OV)

Category: OV Approximately 183 sq. ft., this well-appointed stateroom features a picture window with an obstructed view.

Oceanview (obstructed view) (Category: OW)

Category: OW Approximately 183 sq. ft., this well-appointed stateroom features a picture window with an obstructed view.

Oceanview (obstructed view) (Category: OY)

Category: OY Approximately 183 sq. ft., this well-appointed stateroom features a picture window with an obstructed view.

Oceanview (obstructed view) (Category: OZ)

Category: OZ Approximately 183 sq. ft., this well-appointed stateroom features a picture window with an obstructed view.

Staterooms feature a private balcony, spacious walk-in closet, desk and bathroom with shower.

Premium Balcony (Category: B2)

Category: B2 Approximately 277 sq. ft. including balcony, this cabin provides outstanding views from a private balcony.

Premium Balcony (Category: B4)

Category: B4 Approximately 237 to 277 sq. ft. including balcony, this cabin provides dramatic wake views from a rear-facing private balcony.

Balcony (Category: BA)

Category: BA Approximately 237 sq. ft. including balcony, this cabin provides outstanding views from a private balcony.

Balcony (Category: BB)

Category: BB Approximately 237 sq. ft. including balcony, this cabin provides outstanding views from a private balcony.

Balcony (Category: BC)

Category: BC Approximately 237 sq. ft. including balcony, this cabin provides outstanding views from a private balcony.

Balcony (Category: BD)

Category: BD Approximately 237 to 277 sq. ft. including balcony, this cabin provides outstanding views from a private balcony.

Balcony (Category: BE)

Category: BE Approximately 237 to 277 sq. ft. including balcony, this cabin provides outstanding views from a private balcony.

Balcony (Category: BF)

Category: BF Approximately 237 sq. ft. including balcony, this cabin provides outstanding views from a private balcony.

Features private balcony and sitting room, two TVs, walk-in closet and bathroom with tub and shower.

Premium Club Class Mini-Suite with Balcony (Category: M1)

Category: M1 Approximately 354 sq. ft. including balcony, this spacious cabin provides a seating area with sofa bed, and full bath with combination tub and shower.

Mini-Suite with Balcony (Category: MB)

Category: MB Approximately 354 sq. ft. including balcony, this spacious cabin provides a seating area with sofa bed, and full bath with combination tub and shower.

Mini-Suite with Balcony (Category: MD)

Category: MD Approximately 354 sq. ft. including balcony, this spacious cabin provides a seating area with sofa bed, and full bath with combination tub and shower.

Mini-Suite with Balcony (Category: ME)

Category: ME Approximately 354 sq. ft. including balcony, this spacious cabin provides a seating area with sofa bed, and full bath with combination tub and shower.

Grand Suite with Balcony (Category: S1)

Category: S1 Approximately 1,329 sq. ft. including balcony, the Grand Suite features an expansive cabin and oversized aft-facing balcony. Enjoy exclusive suite-only upgrades and benefits.

Owner's Suite with Balcony (Category: S2)

Category: S2 Approximately 692 sq. ft. including balcony, the Owner's Suite features an expansive cabin and oversized aft-facing balcony. Enjoy exclusive suite-only upgrades and benefits.

Penthouse Suite with Balcony (Category: S3)

Category: S3 Approximately 525 to 572 sq. ft. including balcony, the Penthouse Suite features a spacious cabin and aft-facing balcony. Enjoy exclusive suite-only upgrades and benefits.

Penthouse Suite with Balcony (Category: S4)

Category: S4 Approximately 555 sq. ft. including balcony, the Penthouse Suite features a spacious cabin and separate seating area with a sofa bed. Enjoy exclusive suite-only upgrades and benefits.

Premium Suite with Balcony (Category: S5)

Category: S5 Approximately 705 sq. ft. including balcony, the Premium Suite features a spacious cabin and separate seating area with a sofa bed. Enjoy exclusive suite-only upgrades and benefits.

Vista Suite with Balcony (Category: S6)

Category: S6 Approximately 525 to 548 sq. ft. including balcony, the Vista Suite features a spacious cabin and aft-facing balcony. Enjoy exclusive suite-only upgrades and benefits.

Two-Bedroom Family Suite with Balcony (Category: S8)

Category: S8 Approximately 613 sq. ft. including balcony, the Two Bedroom Family Suite features 2 bedrooms to accommodate up to 6 passengers. Enjoy exclusive suite-only upgrades and benefits.

• Ship Name: Sapphire Princess
• Year Entered Present Fleet: 2004
• Ship Class: Diamond
• Maximum Capacity: 2,670
• Number of Passenger Decks: 18
• Number of Crew: 1,100
• Officers' Nationality: British/Italian
• Ocean-View without Balcony: 216
• Ocean-View with Balcony: 522
• Total Inside Staterooms: 366
• Tonnage (GRT): 115,875
• Capacity Based on Double Occupancy: 2,674
• Country of Registry: Bermuda
• Total Staterooms: 1,337
• Suites with Balcony: 214
• Crew/Hotel Staff Nationality: International

Available Dates & Prices

Departure date, departure date - 12/22/2025, departure date - 01/08/2026, departure date - 01/25/2026, terms & conditions.

*Price shown is per person based on double occupancy and is valid for select stateroom categories only. Click on the Terms & Conditions link below for details.

†One Digital Costco Shop Card per room/stateroom, per stay. The exact amount of the Digital Costco Shop Card will be calculated during the booking process. The Digital Costco Shop Card promotion is nontransferable and may not be combined with any other promotion. A Digital Costco Shop Card will arrive by email approximately 10 days after the start of your cruise. Click on the Terms & Conditions link below for additional information.

© Princess Cruise Lines, Ltd. Ships of Bermudan and British registry.

Digital Costco Shop Card

This booking includes a Digital Costco Shop Card which will arrive by email one to two weeks after you return from your vacation. The Digital Costco Shop Card is a convenient payment option in our warehouses and on Costco.com.

Ship Rating

An outstanding luxury cruise experience with an exceptional level of attention to detail. Expect superb service from all levels of officers and staff.

A very good quality all-around cruise experience aboard a ship that offers a range of facilities and services.

A decent, unpretentious cruise experience, with a moderate amount of space and quality in furnishing and fittings.

A modest quality cruise experience with less attention to detail and service.

Expect a very basic cruise experience with minimal attention to service, hospitality and finesse.

Offers some, but not all, of the amenities and services associated with the next highest star rating.

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6 Cruise Cabin Hacks to Make Your Stateroom More Livable

O ne of the hardest things about going on a cruise – especially a long one – is figuring out how to cram your family and everyone’s stuff into a teeny tiny little stateroom. Many of the rooms are really designed for two people, so it’s even harder if you’re a group of three or four!

I was definitely worried that clutter and disorganization would make us stressed out every time we walked into our room on our recent 8 night cruise on Royal Caribbean’s Wonder of the Seas. Thankfully with some careful planning and bringing along the right equipment, these cruise cabin hacks made our room extremely livable! The best part is that everything we used was compact and inexpensive, and some of these tips are totally free.

1. Use every nook and cranny, even in non-traditional ways

While cruise ship cabins are teeny tiny, these days designers are being more thoughtful about the types and amount of storage they provide. Use it all!

My kids each stored their clothing in the drawers of the vanity, while we stashed our sneakers in some deeper drawers that were part of the “closet” and on the night table shelf (you can see my slippers on the left in the photo above, though I didn’t need to bring them because there was really nowhere to walk). If we’d been short on space, I would have had our stateroom attendant remove the hairdryer since I don’t use one.

On some ships there are even cabinets above the bed. Those are a great place for sneakers (or dress shoes) and jackets if you won’t need them often during your cruise. With cabins as small as 99 square feet, sometimes you’ll need to be extra creative!

If you’re cruising with kids, putting away any extra beds during the day will make your room feel more spacious and often give you more complete access to your storage options. On cruise lines that provide cabin service several times per day (Disney, Holland America, Princess, Celebrity and MSC) your stateroom attendant will take care of this for you in the morning and then set the kids’ beds up again in the evening. Most cruisers on Royal Caribbean, Carnival and Norwegian will only get service once per day so you’ll have to move the beds if you want to free up space. We didn’t usually bother putting away our daughter’s trundle bed on port days, but on sea days it was nice.

2. Store your suitcase under the bed open

Everyone going on a cruise will have to bring luggage of some sort! While we like backpacks for certain types of trips, a traditional suitcase is the best choice for a cruise. Not only is it easier for you and the staff to move it around the port and the ship but it’ll also slide perfectly under the bed.

But to really level up your luggage storage and keep your tiny stateroom from feeling cluttered, leave your suitcase open when you store it under the bed. As you wear your clothes and deem them dirty enough to retire, pull the suitcase out a few inches and chuck your items in there! We even lined ours with a large mesh laundry bag to keep everything consolidated.

When it’s time to re-pack at the end of the cruise, you’ll have a lot less to maneuver into suitcases and the dirty and clean (or “cleanish”) items will be separate.

3. Magnets, magnets everywhere

Nearly every single wall, door and ceiling on a cruise ship is made of metal, so you can put magnets everywhere . Even surfaces that look like plastic are generally magnetic. Magnets can help you on cruise ships in so many different ways that I brought three different types and used them all daily! You can reconfigure any time, so these are a really flexible solution.

• Magnetic clips – These were the least useful magnets I brought. There was nothing wrong with them, but I mostly needed them to hang signs on our doors since our family had three rooms along the same hallway. These are rated for 150g (about 5 oz) and because of their design primarily work on walls.
• Pushpin magnets – This set is tiny but awesome! They come in a little tin storage container and each one is rated for 5lbs if hung from the ceiling (less if you use it on a wall). We used several of these at a time to “pin” wet swim suits to the wall for faster drying.
• Heavy-duty magnetic hooks – These workhorses are expensive but amazing. Each one is rated for 100+lbs and they really mean it. We used these on the walls to hang a variety of things like hats, lanyards, full toiletry kits and more. The real star was throwing one up on the ceiling and using it for our packable duffle bag loaded with books and beach gear and another with four sets of snorkel gear. I was sure one of these would fall but they absolutely didn’t move. If you prefer to hang a dirty laundry bag, you could use a magnet for that too.

I’ll share two words of warning before you go on a magnet-buying spree (which you should, don’t get me wrong). First , your magnets (particularly those hooks) will trip the airport security scanners. Just put them in a place where they’re easily visible as soon as the bag is open, and you can even tell the TSA agent they’re in there to save everyone the trouble. Even better, take them out yourself and put them in their own tray. Second , pack your magnets with clothing rather than electronics. You don’t want them to demagnetize your credit cards, hard drives or other sensitive items.

The whole magnetic wall cruise ship hack is so amazing that I keep looking at the walls in my home and lamenting that I can’t just hang everything with a magnet.

4. Bring a hanging organizer (or two)

We brought two types of hanging organizers and used them both. With four people in a single cabin and limited storage space, we needed every cruise cabin hack we could find!

Over the door shoe organizers are really popular for cruises and we found ours very helpful. It uses hooks to stay up on the outside of the bathroom door, and you can add a magnet on each corner to make it even more secure. We used this for absolutely everything: shoes, sunscreen, sunglasses, allergy pills, card games and any other item that needed a home but couldn’t be held up by a magnet. Honestly this was such a useful way to keep the room tidy that I might bring it for longer hotel stays in the future!

We also brought these mesh shower organizers in case the storage provided in the shower and bathroom wasn’t enough. It turns out that we’re low maintenance enough that we didn’t really need it even with four people. If you plan to bring a wide range of shower products it could be very useful. However, we gave our second one to family members who hadn’t brought a shoe organizer and they used it to store their own small items on the bathroom door in much the same way. Instead of hanging it from the built in hook, we used a few of the push pin magnets to hold it in place.

If you’re cruising solo or as a couple, the mesh organizers may be enough to meet your needs. The advantage is that they pack down much smaller than the shoe organizer, though even the shoe organizer was compact enough to earn its place in our carry-on only strategy.

One of my other favorite “hanging” strategies is for our toothbrushes! We use these super compact electric toothbrushes that come with suction-backed holsters (which double as travel covers). They stuck perfectly on the mirror, avoiding clutter on the bathroom counter. Opt for the metal handle version, which slides in and out more easily.

Speaking of hanging organizers, one of my travel blogger friends uses this amazing hanging toiletry kit and it would be perfect for a cruise! It has tons of different pockets and its hook will work perfectly with one of your super strong magnets.

5. Plan for your charging needs

In the modern era, everyone has at least one or two devices that need to be charged daily. For us as a family of four, that can be a real challenge in spaces with limited outlets! While newer cruise ships have an outlet (sometimes even USB) on each night table and one on the vanity the last thing you want is a stateroom cluttered with little USB wall adapters and a million cables.

My favorite travel product of all time is this universal power adapter . It offers two “traditional” USB plugs, three newer USB-C plugs and a standard outlet that accepts plugs for any country. On the back side, you can pop out adapters that work for any type of outlet – meaning you can use that extra European plug that comes in many cruise ship cabins. Talk about a hack!

That adapter is rated for 15W on each of the USB-C plugs, which is “slow charging” these days. If you want fast charging for your smart phone or want to charge a laptop with any reasonable speed, step up to this higher power version . The port configuration is the same but it gives you up to 65W from the orange USB-C port.

It’s important to know that many cruise lines have banned power strips with extension cords. We use one at home and have traveled with it, but it could pose a safety hazard due to the ship’s different wiring.

We brought one of these for maximum charging flexibility with a minimum number of cables floating around. I also needed this handy gadget almost every day since so much of modern cruising relies on checking schedules, reserving activities and communicating through the cruise ship app.

6. Pack your clothing strategically

There are two things to consider when it comes to packing your cruise clothing: what you pack and how you pack it.

In terms of what to pack for a cruise, it’s obviously easiest to minimize if you’re on a warm weather sailing. For 8 days in the Caribbean, we each just needed a few pairs of shorts/tops, a few swimsuits, a few nicer outfits for dinner and a light jacket. The capsule wardrobe concept can be really helpful here, and for ladies a dress is the way to go. Golf shirts for men can do double-duty for day wear and more casual dinners. It’s okay to rewear anything except your undergarments, I promise!

Shoes can be a real killer so we each brought one pair of flip flops for pool/beach, one nicer shoe for dinner ( these sandals for me and these suede sneakers for my husband) and then we wore sneakers so we’d have them for exercise or other active pursuits.

Obviously if you’re cruising to Alaska or another place with cold or variable weather, it’s a much harder task! Check out my Alaska packing list to help you get started, and plan on doing lots and lots of layering. You can also go a little less formal for dining.

Beyond keeping your clothing and shoe quantities in check, I recommend using packing cubes to make the most of your suitcase space and to keep your cruise storage space organized. I love this set because it opens 3/4 of the way around, has a compression zipper, offers an extra pocket for dirty laundry (or jewelry!) and allows you to see the contents through the mech panel. Every ship has a different configuration, but one thing’s for sure: using packing cubes will make unpacking and repacking faster. That means more time to enjoy the ship, plus you’re less likely to have random clothes floating around!

On our recent cruise my husband generously took the closet that didn’t have any shelves – just two rods for hanging. Since I brought a few long dresses, we removed the lower rod. Because he had used packing cubes for all of his clothing, it wasn’t a big deal to stack them on the bottom of the closet and just pull items as he needed them. He kept the cubes closed when he wasn’t accessing them so that everything stayed neat and tidy! Some cruise ship cabins don’t have many (or any) shelves or drawers for clothing storage so packing cubes can really save the day.

The minuscule size of most cruise ship cabins can be intimidating even for seasoned travelers. With a little advance planning, you can make the most of your space and have an incredible, stress-free experience!

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