Reviewed by: Erica Ward

Date: October 2019

Cruise line and ship: Sea Princess

Passenger capacity: 2,000

Crew: 910

Passenger to Crew: 2.2:1  

Size of ship: 77,499

Year built:  1998

Year refurbished/revitalised:  Various and latest was 2017

Where the cruise line cruises:  South Pacific, Papua New Guinea, Circumnavigate Australia, Hawaii, World  

Currency onboard:  Australian based cruises are AUD, otherwise USD

Main features/highlights: Small ships like Sea Princess make for a more intimate experience. There are two adults only spaces onboard – one aft called The Oasis with a lovely pool and deck chairs and a bar, and The Sanctuary (a cover charge for The Sanctuary and only a splash pool). The midship Neptune’s pool where Movies Under the Stars is held has plenty of room and lots of deck chairs and the pool is large. Pizza, beer and burgers on a hot day would go down a treat here. 

Most suited to: Mature travellers. While there are family facilities onboard there is not a lot to entertain children. The itineraries Sea Princess cruises are longer so she generally does not get many youngsters. 

Atmosphere: Relaxed and stylish – more like the golden age of cruising. On longer cruises there are formal nights. 

Dining options: There is certainly a huge selection of dining options to chose from!

• Rigoletto – Main Dining Room, Flexible Dining. Dinner
• Traviata – Main Dining Room, Formal Dining. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
• Cafe Corniche – Italian. Lunch, Dinner
• Riviera Grill – Burger Bar. Open from around 11am to 7pm. Situated outside the Horizon Court on the Lido Deck and serves a range of burgers (including vegetarian), hot dogs, kebabs and fries
• Sundaes – Ice Cream Bar. Serves free ice cream during the day. Milkshakes incur a small charge
• Horizon Court – Self Service Buffet. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
• Explores Bar – Additional charge coffee house serving specialty coffees and fresh warm cookies (complimentary)
• 24-hour Room Service – Passengers can make use of the complimentary room service ($3 charge for pizza delivery) at any time of the day or night. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
• Ultimate Balcony Dining – $32 per couple breakfast, $50 per head dinner. For passengers wishing to enjoy a romantic dining experience with breathtaking views from their own balcony
• Chef’s Table – $95 per person. Dinner. The Chef’s Table experience provides the chance to tour the ship’s busy galley during dinner service, where the ship’s executive chef previews the evening’s menu with a selection of hors d’oeuvres and Champagne for guests to enjoy
• Sterling Steakhouse – Seafood, Steak House. $20 per person. Dinner

Bars: As with dining there is certainly no shortage of options here either, with a little something for everyone.

• Crooner’s Bar – piano bar for the martini lovers
• Riviera Bar – poolside
• The Wheelhouse – nautical themed ol’ English Pub
• Seaview Bar – adults-only pool
• The Nook – whiskey bar
• Legends Sports Bar – speaks for itself

Entertainment: The Princess Theatre is home to dazzling stage shows produced by the Oscar, Grammy and Tony award-winning composer Stephen Schwartz. The Vista Lounge has more relaxed audience participation shows like the Voice at Sea and trivia. A Monte Carlo Casino is on offer. Movies Under the Stars is a Princess original – poolside with free popcorn you can enjoy the latest releases, sporting events, concerts and more on the giant 27 metre screen with a 69,000 watt sound system.

Staterooms: Rooms have recently been refurbished and every one has the award-winning Princess Luxury Bed. The rooms are spacious with classic lines. Mini-Suites and Club Suites are the same with the Club Suites receiving all the upgraded amenities and services of priority embarkation and disembarkation, one-time complimentary wine setup, evening canapés, luxurious terry shawl bathrobes and exclusive Main Dining room seating with dedicated waitstaff and more. The aft suites are bigger with larger balconies.

Family facilities: Camp Discovery is an option for ages 3-17 and is split into 3 spaces.

• Treehouse – ages 3-7
• Lodge – ages 8-12
• The Beach House  – for the teens

Inclusions:  All main meals, entertainment and some beverages. Gratuities included when departing from Australia.

Exclusions: Spa treatments, specialty dining, most beverages and gratuities.

Self-service laundry: $2 per load for washing and for drying, and detergent is $1.25; ironing equipment is available without charge. Captain’s Circle Elite members receive complimentary laundry and professional cleaning services (regular, not express service). Located on Plaza Deck 5.

Insider tips: The aft suites are a lot more spacious with bigger balconies. Not a lot of children onboard so you don’t really need to pay the cost of using The Sanctuary. The oceanview staterooms are larger than the balcony (room size) as the balconies are formed by cutting into the hull.

Overview: A lovely older ship that harks back to the golden era of cruising. She is definitely not modern but has been well looked after with tasteful refurbishments. Small ship cruising without all of the bells and whistles.