Fun, Food, Fitness and Fanfare! How Sun Princess is Changing Ft. Lauderdale’s Cruise Scene

2024 happened to be the year of cruise vacations for my family. We embraced both warm and cold weather sailings (Caribbean and Alaska), small and large ships and learned that a cruise is not a cruise unless your stateroom has a balcony. You can’t convince me otherwise. I also learned after a recent 3-night Bahamas sailing from Fort Lauderdale on Princess Cruise Line’s newest ship, Sun Princess, that our family’s previous strategy of choosing a route first and the ship second may have had a few flaws. Some cruise ships should, in fact, BE your vacation destination. 

Luckily, Sun Princess has selected South Florida as its winter home, so local families have a convenient opportunity to enjoy the fun, food, fitness and fanfare onboard. The amenities I reviewed (thanks to a media trip hosted by Princess) were unlike anything I had experienced on a cruise prior and I am so excited to share the highlights from my voyage.

Sun Princess Facts: 4,300 guest capacity | 1,600 crew | 2,157 staterooms (including 80 suites) | 5 pools & 9 hot tubs | Largest casino in the Princess fleet | Powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG) to reduce greenhouse gas emissions

The Fun

Any good family cruise starts with your stateroom and Sun Princess has gone luxe with both the accommodations onboard and the technology to get you in and out of your room. Gone are the days of ship “key cards” on Sun Princess. Each passenger is given a medallion necklace upon check-in which acts as your room key, credit card and geo-location device if you should want anything (and I mean, pretty much anything) delivered to you on the ship. Craving a margarita while enjoying the ocean views on the lido deck? Open up the Princess app to OceanNow®, place your order and a friendly staff member will deliver your drink directly to you based on your medallion’s location. I tried it and yes, it was impressive and accurate. 

Sun Princess is not only brand new, but also a purpose-built ship and features re-designed staterooms with thoughtful changes such as USB ports, glass shower doors, Drybar hairdryers and Beekman Beauty amenities. They also offer a premium room category called the Sanctuary Collection, which is exclusive to Sun Princess and the forthcoming Star Princess. Not only are these staterooms elevated in terms of size and layout, but guests also receive access to a private restaurant and suite lounge, as well as the Princess Premier bundle (explained below) for a true all-inclusive cruising experience.

I stayed in a Sanctuary Balcony cabin which was very spacious (especially on the closet front, as I tend to overpack) with thoughtful details such as an extended balcony with loungers, wall-mounted TV (to save counter space) and a shaving ledge in the shower (ladies know what I’m talking about) that made my stay that much more pleasant. 

The Food

When you book your cruise, you can choose to upgrade to a Princess Plus ($60 per day per guest) or Princess Premier ($90 per day per guest) package. We were treated to the Princess Plus bundle on the media trip which allowed me to enjoy two casual meals (at specialty restaurants), use OceanNow® delivery without fees, take two Xpotential Fitness classes (more on that below), order complimentary alcoholic beverages under $20, specialty coffees and bottled waters as well as enjoy free Wi-Fi (1 device per guest)…and more!

If you’re a foodie, you’ll want to book, at minimum, Princess Plus because the casual and specialty restaurants on Sun Princess are next level. According to Master Winemaker Gérard Bertrand (who offers a special tasting experience onboard), it’s the “greatest foodie destination at sea.” And, based on the many different cruises I have taken in my lifetime, I would have to agree. 

If you want to stick to the main restaurants onboard, guests can conveniently use the Princess app before your voyage to choose between traditional dining, with a dedicated waiter, table, and time each night, or flexible dining, where you can enjoy meals at any time and table size in either the reservable or open seating dining rooms. 

However, after experiencing these specialty dining options firsthand, you’ll definitely want to leave room (and budget) for:

• Love by BRITTO® – In collaboration with pop artist Romero Britto, known for his vibrant and joyful creations, this Sun Princess dining experience is all about celebrating a “love for life” in the most colorful ways. You’ll indulge in a delightful prix fixe menu crafted by culinary genius Rudi Sodamin with so many fun courses. It’s a feast for the senses! Keep your eyes peeled for the adorable heart-shaped tomatoes, bread course, chocolate dessert and signature LOVE BY BRITTO® prosecco!
• Makoto Ocean – Dive into a world of flavor at Makoto Ocean, where renowned sushi master Makoto Okuwa brings his culinary magic to your table! With each dish meticulously crafted, Makoto pays homage to Japanese traditions, delivering an authentic omakase experience that’s both visually stunning and delicious. From fresh sashimi to intricate hand rolls, every bite is truly worth it.
• A Very Royal Tea Time – This add-on experience combines dining and entertainment, and became the standout moment from my personal journey aboard the Sun Princess. As a longtime fan of Britain’s royal family, imagine my surprise and delight when I discovered I’d be enjoying high tea with insights from Princess Diana’s former chef, Darren McCrady! While you won’t meet him face-to-face on your cruise like I did, you will be immersed in the ins and outs of high tea service (along with personal stories from McCrady’s time working for the Royal Family) through a live host and 360-degree recorded segments at Good Spirits at Sea, the cutting-edge bar venue onboard. It’s an unforgettable experience that I can’t wait to take my own daughter to!
• O’Malley’s Irish Pub – While you can dine at this pub, I think O’Malley’s is best enjoyed after dinner when the Sun Princess’ Irish band starts playing and the cold cider starts flowing. I even had OceanNow® deliver some bottled waters to my table so I would stay hydrated in between sets!  
• Gelateria – It’s hard to believe, but the Gelataria onboard Sun Princess is the only authentic Italian gelato experience outside of Italy—certified by the Italian government to boot! No pun intended… I highly recommend stopping by at least once on your sailing. The stracciatella flavor is divine…

The Fitness

I get it—premium fitness classes might not be the first thing on your cruise checklist. But, if you’ve been itching to try one of the Xpotential-branded fitness classes you’ve heard about around Boca, Sun Princess is giving you your chance! 

In addition to the state of the art fitness center that’s open to all guests, you can also sign up for one or more of the premium classes from CycleBar, Club Pilates, Pure Barre, Yoga Six and Stretch Lab (group class vs. solo). Keep in mind that many of the classes have been thoughtfully adjusted to suit a wider range of fitness levels, ensuring everyone can get in on the action. 

The Fanfare

As a mom, ensuring my kid has non-stop entertainment onboard is a top priority, and Sun Princess has you covered! With an array of stage and aerial shows, plus classic cruise fun like karaoke, trivia, and bingo, boredom is not an option. For your little adventurers, the Youth & Teen Centers offer a treasure trove of age-appropriate activities, catering to guests from six months to 17 years.

Here’s the lineup:

• Firefly Park Kids Club: Perfect for ages 3-7. Parents with children six months to 2 years can enjoy the play area while keeping a watchful eye.
• Movies Under the Stars: A cinematic experience for all ages under the open sky.
• Neon Grove Tweens Club: Geared towards ages 8-12, it’s a “vibe” for pre-teens.
• The Underground Teen Lounge: A dedicated spot for teens aged 13-17 to hang out and make new friends.

When it comes to shows, Sun Princess has an exclusive performing arts venue like no other I’ve seen: The Dome. Designed by the same company that created The Sphere in Las Vegas, by day adults can relax under the sun safely (in A/C) beneath the glass due to its protective UV coating. And by night, The Dome seats 250 and hosts a variety of aerial cirque shows including its newest (and most impressive), ArtBeat by BRITTO®, not to mention other fun activities such as silent discos. There’s no doubt about it—Romero Britto has certainly left his mark on Sun Princess! 

With such a variety of fun and engaging activities, the Sun Princess ensures every family member has a memorable cruise experience! It’s a big ship with a small ship feel. Make sure you add it to your spring break vacation possibilities list because it’s a game changer for our South Florida cruise scene. 

Michelle Olson-Rogers is a mom of one and the founder of Modern Boca Mom, an award-winning lifestyle website for the stylish & modern South Florida parent. She can also be found on Instagram at @modernbocamom.