Complete Sky Princess Review and Ship Tour
In October I got the chance to join the Sky Princess on her inaugural shakedown sailing from Trieste, Italy. The Sky Princess is the newest ship in the Princess Cruises fleet and in this post I’m going to give you a complete ship tour and review.
If you’ve booked a trip on the Sky Princess then this guide will have you fully oriented before you ever step foot on board. I’ll guide you through what to expect from the Sky Princess including things to do, places to eat and more. Let’s go!
Complete Sky Princess Ship Tour and Review
Sky Princess Cabins including the Sky Suite
I never expected much from my cabin. I just assumed that it would be small and cramped. However, I was completely amazed by the room and space when I first entered my cabin.
My cabin (M314) was a balcony cabin on deck 15- Marina. There was a separate wardrobe/dressing area which was great for keeping my suitcase out of the way. The bathroom was like a small hotel bathroom. There was a fridge in the room, which I always appreciate.
The bed was absolutely glorious. I never wanted to get out of bed and always looked forward to climbing back into it at night. Princess Cruises are known for having the best beds at sea and now I can personally say that I can see why. The beds were developed with sleep expert Dr. Michael Breus and they are actually available for sale now.
The balcony was small but certainly had enough room for two people to share a cocktail while taking in the sunset. There were USB ports by the bed for charging as well. Not to mention a desk for getting some work done, if for some reason you felt the need.
There are, of course, plenty of other cabin options including suites, mini-suites, interior, deluxe balcony etc. But the most spectacular of all the cabins is the Sky Suite on the very top deck. This suite is pure luxury. I was lucky enough to take a tour of the Sky Suite and was completely blown away.
The Sky Suite has two bedrooms, a separate sitting and dining room. The bathroom is large and more like a modern hotel suite bathroom. The balcony is vast, wrapping around the suite, at over 1,000 square foot with stunning views across the sea and pool deck. The suite comes with all sorts of perks such as a dedicated concierge, reserved theatre seating, champagne on arrival and more.
Of course, it’s not something I could afford for a casual cruise. But the Sky Suite would be great for birthdays, anniversaries and other special occasions.
The Food on Board the Sky Princess
Slice Pizzeria – This was one of my favourite casual dining spots on board. It’s right beside the pool on deck 16. Around lunch time I’d cruise by and watch them prepare the fresh pizza, or just grab a slice of margherita and wash it down with a margarita from the bar next door. Slice is included in your cruise price.
Gelato – This delicious gelateria is on the 5th deck in the main piazza. There are sorbet options as well. Flavours range from salted caramel to pistachio and many more. You can order a cup, cone, sundae or even an affogato. The portions are generous and the gelato is delicious. There are additional costs associated with some items on the menu here.
Ocean Terrace Sushi Bar – This is deck 6 overlooking the main piazza. It is an additional cost to your base cruise price. However, the sushi is delicious and beautifully presented. There are veggie sushi options.
International Cafe – This coffee shop on deck 5 is open 24 hrs and was one of my favourite spots on board. The iced coffees are delicious and they have a huge variety of syrups. They also offer sandwiches and cakes around the clock.
Alfredo’s Pizzeria – This casual dining option is included in your cruise fee and serves what was once named “The Best Pizza at Sea” by USA Today. I had lunch there once and really enjoyed the chilled out vibe and the pizza. A great option if you need a break from the buffet.
World Fresh Marketplace – This is the main buffet area on deck 16 where they serve breakfast, lunch and dinner. There are LOTS of veggie options and the theme changed regularly. There was always plenty of seating and if the weather is good there are tables and seats outside at the back of the ship and restaurant. This is included in your cruise price. Make sure to grab a few of the cookies, they’re DELICIOUS.
The Salty Dog Grill – This is just beside the Slice Pizzeria on deck 16 and serves casual food like burgers, tacos and loaded fries. This is included in the cruise price. There are vegetarian options. There always seemed to be a line/queue for the Salty Dog Grill, which is another reason why I went to Slice so often!
Traditional Dining – This is the classic cruise experience. The main dining room is on deck 5 at the back of the ship. Here you can have the same table each night, if you wish, and the same table mates. It’s a nice way to meet new people on board.
Speciality Dining on Board the Sky Princess
Bistro Sur La Mer – This is the French speciality restaurant. I was surprised by their vegetarian options. My ship mates enjoyed great steak and fish options too. It has sort of a relaxed French bistro feel. As with all the speciality restaurants there is an extra cover charge, but I think it’s worth it.
Sabatini’s Trattoria – This is the Italian speciality restaurant. The mozzarella was divine, the homemade pasta was incredibly fresh and the dessert was my favourite on board. We had a 5 course meal and we were all full to the brim by the end of it.
Crown Grill – This is the most popular speciality restaurant across all Princess Cruises ships, so make sure to book early. Despite their lack of vegetarian main options, I was completely obsessed with my meal which I made from starters and sides. The French onion soup was spectacular and the salad was delicious. I was on a shakedown cruise though, so perhaps there will be a vegetarian option available in the future *fingers crossed*.
Being Vegetarian on the Sky Princess
Being vegetarian on board the Sky Princess was VERY easy. Pretty much every restaurant had veggie options, and not just the usual boring options, they had unique, tasty vegetarian options.
The only restaurant that didn’t seem to cater to vegetarians was the Crown Grill. Like I mentioned above, despite having to make my meal out of sides, it was absolutely incredible. Honestly, it ended up being one of my favourite meals on board because the quality and taste was just so good.
There were also plenty of veggie options when it came to using the MedallionClass app to order food to wherever you are. Princess Cruises cater to all dietary requirements, and you can add this information to your OceanMedallion as well. If you’re concerned about anything or unsure of any ingredients it’s very easy to ask the staff and they will find the answer for you.
Sky Princess Entertainment
There’s no shortage of entertainment on board the Sky Princess. However, the highlight, in my opinion, was the Rock Opera theatre show at the Princess Theater. The dancers, singers and costumes were spectacular. I absolutely loved it.
There was also the Princess Cruises signature Movies Under the Stars on top deck. I really love this idea as it’s like being in the cinema but with much better views and cocktails.
Karaoke was on most nights during our cruise, not to mention quizzes and game shows. I walked through the piazza once and there was a musical quartet playing classical music. There was even a dance competition one night. You never know what you’ll find on a Princess Cruise.
There is a casino if you’re into gambling and you can even use the MedallionClass app to place bets if you’re somewhere else on board.
If you fancy keeping fit while keeping yourself entertained then there are basketball courts on deck 17 as well as a small mini golf course and a running track. There is also a fitness suite on board and various fitness classes which I did not look at once, haha – I was far too busy eating!
There’s plenty more to do on board the Sky Princess, including The Voice of the Ocean competition, the Take 5 jazz bar and more. Look out for the itineraries/timetables they slip under your cabin door every night telling you what’s going on on-board the next day.
Of course, we haven’t even started talking about port days and shore excursions. But don’t worry I’ve done a full blog post all about it which you can read – HERE.
The Pools
If you want to take a dip on board the Sky Princess you’ll have no shortage of options. There’s the main pool on deck 16 where Slice and the Salty Dog Grill are. It’s the biggest pool but also the most busy. This is where the sail away party will be when you first depart. There are plenty of hot tubs dotted around this pool too.
The wake-view pool is at the back of the ship. It’s smaller and much less crowded. It’s a great place to relax and had gorgeous views across the sea/port. There’s also a bar right beside it for those poolside cocktails.
There is an adults only area called the Retreat with a pool and a couple of hot tubs at the front of the ship on deck 17. Of course, there is also a bar. This is a great spot if you want a more chilled out atmosphere.
Lotus Spa and The Sanctuary
The Lotus spa on board the Sky Princess is THE place to be if you love a bit of pampering. You can find it on the 5th deck just off the main piazza. During my time on board I had a hot stone massage and it felt like I was floating back to my cabin afterwards.
The Sky Princess has the largest thermal suite in the Princess Cruises fleet at the moment. The Enclave features a hydro-therapy pool, heated stone beds, water beds, a hammam, a caldarium and a laconium. Unfortunately I didn’t get to spend much time in there, but I did pop my head in for a quick look and it looked great.
On deck 18, at the front of the ship, you can book a slot to visit the adults-only Sanctuary. This area has eight shaded cabanas with TVs, sun loungers, comfy seating areas, a hot tub and the most spectacular views out across the ocean. You can also order food and drinks into the Sanctuary. Prices start from $20 for a half day visit.
Check out 15 Benefits of a Spa Day – HERE
Sky Princess Ship Tour Vlog
If you’d like to see for yourself please check out my Youtube video below. It’s about 10 minutes long and shows you all around the stunning Sky Princess. If you enjoy it I’d love if you’d subscribe to my channel and give the video a like.
The OceanMedallion System
One of the best things about the Sky Princess is that it is the first ship in the Princess Cruises fleet to be built from the ground up with OceanMedallion technology. Other ships have the OceanMedallion system in place, but the Sky Princess has been built specifically with the system and it integrates seamlessly.
If you don’t know what the OceanMedallion is allow me to ensure you that you will LOVE it! This small magnetic disc contains all your info’ and can be used to do things like automatically unlock your cabin door, order cocktails to your sun lounger or play games with your Tagalong sea creature.
If any of the above seems confusing, I have written a full guide to the OceanMedallion and all the wonderful possibilities it offers which you can find in the little yellow box below.
Get ALL the incredible details about
the OceanMedallion system – HERE.
Tips For Getting Around the Sky Princess
Cruise ships are HUGE and the Sky Princess is no different. However, there are a few things you can do to find your way around easier. Make sure to use the OceanCompass app. You can search locations on the ship and it will show you the quickest route to your destination from where you are. It can also help you find your fellow ship mates.
There are screens around the ship, usually near the lifts/elevators, that will help you get oriented and find your way around the ship. I highly recommend dedicating a few hours on your first or second day to walking around all the decks so that you know your way around. Of course, if all else fails, just ask a member of staff and they’ll point you in the right direction.
If you’re looking for somewhere quiet the wake-view pool and bar always seemed to be the most quiet area of the ship when I was there. Otherwise the Sanctuary area at the very front of the ship is a great place to relax in peace and quiet with glorious views.
Did I Enjoy my Trip on the Sky Princess?
OF COURSE! My trip on board the Sky Princess was magical. My only complaint was that it wasn’t long enough. I fell in love with the iced lattes in the International Cafe, I witnessed the most incredible dance competition of my life, I slept like an exhausted baby in the best bed at sea and pretty much had the time of my life.
Considering I was on a shakedown cruise, there were barely any hiccups. I’d definitely recommend a Princess Cruise to anyone who was interested in booking a cruise. The port days were great, the ship was wonderful and the OceanMedallion was game-changing.
Check out the Princess Cruises website for further information – HERE. Keep an eye out for the launch of the next ship in the Princess Cruises fleet, the Enchanted Princess, in June 2020.
DISCLAIMER – My trip on board the Sky Princess was sponsored by the Princess Cruises. However, all thoughts and opinions are, as always, my own.
Recommended Reading
– Cruise Tips and Tricks for First Time Cruisers
– Cruise Pros and Cons
– Cruise Clothing – What to wear on a Cruise
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