which princess cruise ships have 2 bedroom family suites

Which Princess Cruise Ships Have 2 Bedroom Family Suites?

By Alice Nichols

If you’re planning to take a trip with your family on a Princess Cruise, you might be wondering which ships offer 2 bedroom family suites. These suites are a great option for families who want a little extra space and privacy. In this article, we’ll take a look at the Princess Cruise ships that have 2 bedroom family suites.

What Are 2 Bedroom Family Suites?

Before we dive into the ships that offer these suites, let’s talk about what they are. 2 bedroom family suites typically have two separate bedrooms, each with its own bathroom.

They also usually have a living area and sometimes even a balcony. These suites can accommodate up to six people, making them perfect for families.

Now that you know what these suites are, let’s take a look at the ships that offer them:

• Regal Princess: This ship has two types of 2 bedroom family suites – the Deluxe Family Suite and the Penthouse Suite. The Deluxe Family Suite has two bedrooms and two bathrooms and can accommodate up to six people. The Penthouse Suite is larger and can accommodate up to eight people.
• Sky Princess: The Sky Princess offers only one type of 2 bedroom family suite – the Deluxe Family Suite. This suite has two bedrooms and two bathrooms and can accommodate up to six people.
• Enchanted Princess: This ship also offers only one type of 2 bedroom family suite – the Deluxe Family Suite. It has two bedrooms and two bathrooms and can accommodate up to six people.

Why Choose a 2 Bedroom Family Suite?

There are many reasons why families might choose to book a 2 bedroom family suite on a Princess Cruise. Firstly, they offer more space and privacy than traditional staterooms. This can be especially important for families with older children or multiple generations traveling together.

Additionally, these suites often come with extra perks, such as priority boarding and disembarkation, access to exclusive lounges and restaurants, and even butler service in some cases.

5 Related Question Answers Found

Who are the 2 biggest cruise lines, which cruise lines have family suites, what are the 2 new disney cruise ships, how much is a queen mary 2 cruise, do cruise ships have family suites, backpacking - budget travel - business travel - cruise ship - vacation - tourism - resort - cruise - road trip - destination wedding - tourist destination - best places, london - madrid - paris - prague - dubai - barcelona - rome.

© 2024 LuxuryTraveldiva

Two Bedroom Family Suite

Perfect for Large Groups

These suites are for larger families or groups traveling together and include special suite-only benefits and two bathrooms — connected by a large living room, which leads to an expansive private balcony. Each suite sleeps up to eight people.

Note: Diamond Princess® and Sapphire Princess® can sleep up to six people.

• Mini-Suite stateroom connected to an inside cabin via a shared lounge
• Balcony with 2-4 chairs, table and ottoman
• 2 bathrooms, one with bath tub the other with a walk-in shower
• Floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors
• Separate sitting area with sofa bed & coffee table
• Complimentary welcome glass of champagne on embarkation day
• Luxury mattress topper and pillows
• Two flat-panel televisions
• Comfortable queen or two twin beds ▲
• Refrigerator
• Flat-panel televisions
• Desk with chair
• Hair dryer & fine bathroom amenities
• Digital security safe
• 100% cotton, high-thread count linens
• Spacious closet

▲3rd/4th berths available in select cabins.

Photos, floor plan diagrams, and amenities represent typical arrangements and may vary by ship. Certain stateroom categories may vary in size and configuration by ship. Square footage varies based on stateroom category and deck location.

Caribbean Princess Family Suite

• 7 Promenade
• 18 Sky/Star
• Click here for ALL
• Window Suite

Family Suite

• Grand Suite
• Ship info and tracking
• Cabin Check
• Obstructed Views

Caribbean Princess Family Suite cabin location, stateroom cabin videos, stateroom cabin pictures, floor plans, diagrams, stateroom features and perks. Cruisedeckplans.com also provides links to actual stateroom cabin pictures and videos on this page. You can see details and floor plans for all of Caribbean Princess's different stateroom cabin categories on the NEW cabins page.

Stateroom Features

• A mini-suite and interior stateroom that are connected by a large living room with two sofa beds
• Large Private balcony
• Two bathrooms (one with tub & shower
• One with shower only)
• Two televisions
• Walk-in closet
• Refrigerator.

Sub Categories

   Family Suite

100% Egyptian cotton linens / Chocolates on pillow /

Deck Locations

9 Dolphin  

Important Information

The balcony of these cabins is on the front part of the ship and there is not a lot of wind protection. This will make the balcony unusable at times when the wind is heavy while the ship is underway. In such cases the furniture may need to be tied down.

Family Suite Typical Floor Plans

Caribbean Princess Family Suite pictures

Caribbean Princess Family Suite stateroom videos

Scroll over cabin (stateroom) tiles below to click and watch videos. Cruisedeckplans.com shows up to 10 of the most recent videos added to our collection on this page. Be sure to click the link in the section below to see other cabins we have videos for. The date shown is the date video was published. Use this to see decor changes.

Looking for specific Family Suite cabins with pics/videos?

Other categories on caribbean princess.

Click on a category below to go to that page. Stateroom cabin categories are simply the way that Princess groups the different types of staterooms (cabins). You can see details and floor plans for all of the categories on Caribbean Princess on this page.

Caribbean Princess Family Suite Virtual Tour

Double click on image for full screen. Click and drag to pan room. Use mouse to zoom in and out.

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

• Visit Family Vacation Critic on Facebook!
• Visit Family Vacation Critic on Twitter!
• Visit Family Vacation Critic on Instagram!
• 1 Subscribe to stay up to date!
• Cruises for Families

10 Best Cruise Ship Family Cabins

Feb 26, 2020

See recent posts by Jeff Bogle

Taking a cruise with kids ensures a memorable family vacation, whether you book an interior cabin to save money or decide to throw down roots in a standard balcony stateroom. But some cruise ship family cabins elevate the vacation at sea to something far more grandiose, photogenic, and jaw-dropping.

In these cruise ship family cabins, you’ll enjoy extra space in which to spread out, amazing amenities, stellar views, and in some cases, exclusive access to luxuriously private areas of the ship. 

1. Royal Caribbean’s Symphony of the Seas – Ultimate Family Suite

This vibrantly colorful family cabin is an epic two-level suite that overdelivers on Royal Caribbean ’s trademarked thrills and chills at sea promise. Inside this cruise ship cabin for families is an in-suite slide; massive LEGO construction wall; a private cinema room with the latest gaming consoles , life-sized Connect Four and other old-school gaming tables (who’s up for air hockey and Ping-Pong ?); a full-size whirlpool on the balcony, and the best combo views of the ship and sea found anywhere on the Symphony of the Seas.

As if the room itself isn’t enough, guests staying in the Ultimate Family Suite also receive a red carpet arrival and a complimentary personal Royal Genie. That’s a crew member who will coordinate surprises for everyone in your own crew, from front-row seats to theatrical performances to out-of-this-world excursions .

2. Carnival Vista-Class Ships – Family Harbor Staterooms

Nearly one million kids cruise Carnival every year, enjoying Hasbro The Game Show, rated-PG comedians in the Punchliner Comedy Club, epic waterslides and so much more. When those lucky kids get to stay in nautical-themed Family Harbor Staterooms on Vista-class ships (Vista, Horizon, Panorama and coming soon, Mardi Gras), their vacation at sea is even more fun. The Family Harbor cabins sleep up to five guests, have two bathrooms, and crucially, offer exclusive access to the Family Habor Lounge, a private area stocked with big HD TVs , video games , breakfast, and snacks throughout the day.

3. Norwegian Encore – Family Oceanview with Large Picture Window

Bigger than most New York City apartments, this expansive, forward-facing cabin on the glimmering new Norwegian Encore fits families comfortably for a cruise of any length. After a day of go-kart racing, laser tag and water sliding over the ocean blue, kids can stretch their growing legs while chilling out on the large picture window seat, kick back and watch a movie on the massive flat-screen TV, relax on the sofa, or play hide and seek in the enormous closets and storage (possibly the biggest at sea!) while mom soaks in the tub (that’s right, a bathtub!) in the oversized bathroom. Best of all, this cabin is not considered a suite, so budget-conscious families can afford to get the space they crave at sea!

4. Princess Cruises – Family Suites

By cruise ship standards, and even when compared to most hotels on dry land , the two-bedroom family suites found on Princess cruise ships are downright massive. Accommodating up to a whopping eight family members, the cabins have a queen and a pair of twin beds, two bathrooms (one with a walk-in shower, the other with a tub/shower combination), and an oversized living room. Three TVs in total are in the family suite, along with a large closet, a desk, plenty of drawers, a couple of sofas (each doubling as additional beds), and an expansive private balcony with seating for six. While staying in a family suite, you and your kids will be living, and sailing, like royalty on Princess.

5. Disney Fantasy and Dream Suite

Catering to the family cruise market is what Disney does best, and its cabin options reflect this commitment—see the bath and a half inside most all staterooms. Additionally, more than 70 percent of staterooms on both the Dream and Fantasy feature outdoor verandahs and of those that don’t, nearly all offer ocean views, some using the Magical Porthole. This piece of Disney innovation gives little kids and their favorite mouse-eared grown-ups a glimpse at the outside world with the appearance of a porthole in which you’ll see animated characters popping up to say hello!

With 500 connecting doors and connected verandah cabins, families can choose multiple rooms and still be together, or opt for one of the 21 suites on decks 11 and 12. These well-appointed upscale family cabins each have two bathrooms, one of which has a whirlpool bathtub and a TV built into the mirror for mom and dad to properly unwind after a blissfully exhausting day of doing everything or absolutely nothing. Kids may not appreciate the marble finishing, thread counts, or the finer touches of a Disney suite, but we guarantee they’ll find the walk-in closets a fun play area and enjoy the 42-inch HD flat screen TV and Blu-ray player , as well as the Wave Phones to communicate with each other inside and out of the cabin. These suites are truly the most magical cabins at sea.

Related: 5 Ways to Stay Connected on a Cruise Ship

6. Royal Caribbean Oasis of the Seas – Ultimate Panoramic Suite

The $16-million amplification of Oasis yielded many family-friendly results—the AquaTheater and Ultimate Abyss dry slide chiefly among them, as well as the Ultimate Panoramic Suite . This dreamy cabin features the same 200-degree views that the Captain enjoys from the bridge, with windows that are wall-to-wall and floor-to-ceiling. Those epic pano sight lines are even available from the bubble bath oasis of your bathroom tub! This suite gives families over 900 square feet of space to spread out during their Royal Caribbean cruise vacation. The Ultimate deck 14 suites accommodate up to four, have a bathroom that itself is bigger than most cruise cabins, are stocked with upgraded amenities like L’Occitane toiletries, and have premium bedding, complimentary VOOM Wi-Fi, complimentary specialty dining, and exclusive private access to specific areas of the ship and private islands. Speaking of the AquaTheater, there are suites bearing that name with a pair of bedrooms, a massive living room, and two bathrooms.

7. Norwegian – The Haven Family Villa

Available on nine Norwegian ships, these two-bedroom family villas with a balcony are located in The Haven , the ship within a ship area that’s reserved exclusively for Haven guests. The villas offer roughly 600 square feet of space spread out over an oceanview master bedroom featuring a king-size bed and private bathroom that has both a tub and separate shower, and a second bedroom with a sofa bed for two and its own bathroom. There’s also a living room and dining area with an additional single sofa bed. For families of four, five, or six that are cruising Norwegian, the Haven Family Villa, with its refined decor and ample space, plus the 24-hour butlers, private dining, and courtyard with pool, is impossible to beat. 

8. Celebrity Solstice-Class Ships – Family Veranda Stateroom

Families cruising with Celebrity are going into the experience expecting a certain level of sophistication and class. The Solstice-class ships deliver that plus an incredible amount of space in the Family Veranda Staterooms . Measuring 575 square feet, this family cabin can easily be the happy home at sea for up to six thanks to two bedrooms, a living room with at least one pullout sofa, and that private veranda advertised in its name. The only knock on these fine digs is the lone bathroom with just a shower. That seems lacking, but on the plus side, the ability to connect to adjacent ocean view cabins is a neat twist that can add to the max capacity for larger families cruising together.

9. MSC Meraviglia – Super Family Plus Balcony and Deluxe Suite

As a family-owned company, MSC takes special care to tailor the onboard experience for families, making accommodations that suit the individual needs of families regardless of size and age of children. On Meraviglia, a combination of connected staterooms are used—under titles like Super Family Plus Balcony and Family Ocean View —to provide groups with the beds, bathrooms, sight lines and space required to ensure every member of every family enjoys their cruise vacation. Fitting up to nine guests, the Super Family Plus Balcony uses a pair of balcony cabins plus an interior stateroom, all connected with adjoining doors to be as close or apart as you wish! Meanwhile, the ship’s Duplex Suite gives families of five or fewer total members a memorable two-deck-high cabin experience. On the main level there’s an open living and dining room with a sofa that converts to a double bed, while upstairs is the master bedroom’s king-size bed. 

10. MSC Seaside – Grand Suite

The Grand Suite on the MSC Seaside is as advertised: grand, indeed! This two-bedroom family cabin has a king bed in the master bedroom and pair of twin beds that can convert to a queen, plus a single pullman bed, in the second bedroom. There are two bathrooms allowing your kids to have their own shower, while you enjoy the choice of a relaxing hot shower or a long warm soak in the tub. There’s plenty of space for your stuff as well as for your family in this oversized cruise ship cabin. The walk-in closet is impressive as is the family room with sofa and seating for five. But the real star is the balcony with stellar ocean views and enough seating for everyone to truly relax and get away from the crowds on the public decks. 

Jeff Bogle lives in the suburbs of Philadelphia with his two teen daughters, two cats, one dog and six (yes, six) guinea pigs. He is an award-winning photographer and respected travel journalist with bylines on Reader’s Digest, Good Housekeeping, PBS, Esquire and more. Jeff (probably) spends too much time in England watching football and far too many hours plotting his family’s future travel adventures. Find Jeff on his own site, Out With the Kids . 

What to Pack for Your Next Trip

Teen girl’s cool cruise outfit for summer, shop the look.

Colwyn Shirt

Bleach Joni Shorts

Canvas Tote Bag

Moment Espadrille

Teen boy’s cool cruise outfit for summer.

Pink Lemonade Shirt

Stone Utility Shorts

Polarized Sunglasses

Women’s/Mom’s Cool Overwater Bungalow Swimsuit for Summer

Summer Standard™ Sun Hat

Havana Bikini

Waterproof Apple Watch

Seafolly Tassel-Trimmed Caftan

Dad’s/Men’s Outfit for a Family Vacation in Vegas in Summer/Spring

Cotton Pocket Tee

Beach Sweat Shorts

57mm Phantos Aviator Polarized Sunglasses

Travel Laptop Backpack

Nike Roshe Run

Our team of parents and travel experts chooses each product and service we recommend. Anything you purchase through links on our site may earn us a commission.

Related Articles

10 Best Alaska Cruises for Families 2020

6 Best Kids' Clubs on Cruise Ships

What's the Minimum Age for a Cruise?

6 Best Cruise Booking Sites for Families

Your personal family vacation planning starts now.

Get expert advice, handpicked recommendations, and tips for your family all year round!

Get family travel & tips from our experts

By proceeding, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use .

Thanks for signing up!

• CruiseMapper

Sapphire Princess cabins and suites

Sapphire princess staterooms review, floor plans, photos.

Sapphire Princess cabins and suites review at CruiseMapper provides detailed information on cruise accommodations , including floor plans, photos, room types and categories, cabin sizes, furniture details and included by Princess Cruises en-suite amenities and services.

The Sapphire Princess cruise ship cabins page is conveniently interlinked with its deck plans showing deck layouts combined with a legend and review of all onboard venues.

Grand Suite

Layout (floor plan), 2-bedroom family suite, balcony suite, balcony cabin, oceanview cabin, interior cabin, sapphire princess cabins review.

Sapphire Princess cabins with balconies are 750 (75% of all the 890 outside rooms). Wheelchair-accessible cabins (for disabled passengers) are 27 (balconies, outsides, insides).

Follows the review of Sapphire Princess staterooms as amenities, furniture and included (complimentary) services:

Sapphire Princess Suites with private balcony (Grand Suites, all grades Balcony Suites and Mini-Suites) have walk-in closet (ample storage space), living room (sofa bed, desk), vanity, table, armchairs, bathroom (WC, shower stall, whirlpool bathtub, double sinks).

Family Suites are with 3 connected rooms (the living room is in between). Both bedrooms are with ample closet space, bathroom (shower, bathtub), desk, drawer. The living room has a sofa bed, floor-ceiling sliding doors lead to a large balcony.

Bonus amenities in all Suites are the deluxe mattress/pillows, 2 smart HDTVs, CD/DVD player, upgraded bathroom amenities (massage showerheads, luxury bath products), luxury furniture on the balcony, complimentary services (Spa Thermal Suite, Internet Cafe, laundry/dry cleaning, one-time mini bar).

All balcony accommodations feature sliding glass doors (floor-ceiling) opening to a private verandah, equipped with round table and patio chairs.

Balcony cabins have ample closet space, bathroom (shower), desk, drawer, and some have additional beds for 3rd/4th person.

Oceanview cabins have picture window (category OE have Porthole Window, and category OV are with an obstructed view.

Inside cabins have the same size and amenities as Ocean-View rooms but lack the window.

All Sapphire Princess cabins as amenities have living area (vanity, desk, seating), 2 twin beds (convertible to queen), deluxe bedding sets (Egyptian cotton linens), closet, desk, smart HDTV (infotainment system, Internet, on-demand-movies), direct-dial phone, electronic safe box and lifejackets (in the closet), hairdryer, bath products (shampoo, body lotion, conditioner), mini-bar/fridge, individual air-conditioning, evening turndown service, complimentary 24-hour room service.

During drydock 2017 refurbishment, all Sapphire Princess staterooms were upgraded with the line’s new signature “Princess Luxury Bed”. The new “cruise bed” was developed in collaboration with PhD Michael Breus (commonly known as “The Sleep Doctor”) and the designer Candice Olson. The new cabin beds feature a luxury pillow-top mattress, individually wrapped coils (reducing surface sway) and hypoallergenic duvets.

“Club Class Mini-Suite” is a new cabin category that was rolled out fleetwide in 2017. The new (VIP-guest) Mini Suite cabins offer the following complimentary services and amenities – “Club Class Dining”, Elite Lounge exclusive access, complimentary in-cabin dining (hours d’ oeuvres), priority embarkation/disembarkation/tendering. Club Class Dining includes a separate area part of the MDR (main dining room) reserved for Club Suite guests only. The exclusive dining experience includes expedited seating, dedicated waiter staff service, exclusive menu (featuring chef’s specials) and tableside preparation of some dishes. Club Class Dining is available for breakfast and dinner every day, and also for lunch on sea days only. The new suites replaced some existing mini-suites. Their cabin size and layouts remained the same as the other mini suite grades.

Sapphire Princess cabin and suite plans are property of Princess Cruises . All floor plans are for informational purposes only and CruiseMapper is not responsible for their accuracy.

Princess Cruises ships ranked by size from biggest to smallest — the complete list

Are you looking for the most venue-packed, resort-like Princess Cruises ships at sea? If so, you'll want to get on one of the biggest Princess cruise ships.

The biggest Princess cruise ships are, by their very nature, the Princess ships with the most onboard restaurants, bars and showrooms, as well as the most sprawling decktop pool and lounge areas. The biggest Princess ships have the biggest casinos and spas among ships in the Princess fleet and the most cabins and suites — as well as the most variation in cabin and suite types.

With room for 4,000 passengers or more, the biggest Princess ships are truly large resorts of the sort you find at the biggest vacation destination on land. If you're in the "bigger is better" camp when it comes to a resort experience, these are the Princess ships for you.

For more cruise news, guides and tips, sign up for TPG's cruise newsletter .

Still, Princess doesn't just operate large vessels. The Los Angeles-based cruise giant — the fifth largest cruise line in the world — also has several relatively small cruise ships in its fleet that carry just 2,000 or 3,000 people and have a more intimate feel. In some cases, these vessels are nearly 50% smaller than the size of Princess Cruises' biggest ships. These smaller ships, notably, have less deck-top pool space and fewer interior venues than the biggest Princess cruise ships. However, with fewer people on board, that's not necessarily a bad thing.

The smallest Princess cruise ships are best for vacationers who like a more intimate, less crowded resort experience.

Related: The 4 types of Princess Cruises ships, explained

To make sure you end up on the right Princess ship for you, it pays to study which Princess ships are the biggest and which are the smallest before booking.

Here, every Princess ship currently in operation is ranked from biggest to smallest.

1. Sun Princess

Maiden voyage: 2024 Size: 177,882 gross tons Passenger capacity: 4,300

2. Discovery Princess

Maiden voyage: 2022 Size: 145,000 gross tons Passenger capacity : 3,660

3 (tied). Enchanted Princess

Maiden voyage: 2020 Size: 144,650 gross tons Passenger capacity : 3,660

3 (tied). Sky Princess

Maiden voyage: 2019 Size: 144,650 gross tons Passenger capacity : 3,660

5. Majestic Princess

Maiden voyage: 2017 Size: 143,700 gross tons Passenger capacity : 3,560

6 (tied). Regal Princess

Maiden voyage: 2014 Size: 142,229 gross tons Passenger capacity : 3,560

6 (tied). Royal Princess

Maiden voyage: 2013 Size: 142,229 gross tons Passenger capacity : 3,560

8 (tied). Ruby Princess

Maiden voyage: 2008 Size: 113,561 gross tons Passenger capacity : 3,080

8 (tied). Emerald Princess

Maiden voyage: 2007 Size: 113,561 gross tons Passenger capacity : 3,080

8 (tied). Crown Princess

Maiden voyage: 2006 Size: 113,561 gross tons Passenger capacity : 3,080

11 (tied). Sapphire Princess

Maiden voyage: 2004 Size: 115,875 gross tons Passenger capacity : 2,670

11 (tied). Diamond Princess

13. Caribbean Princess

Maiden voyage: 2004 Size: 112,894 gross tons Passenger capacity : 3,149

14. Grand Princess

Maiden voyage: 1998 Size: 107,517 gross tons Passenger capacity : 2,600

15. Island Princess

Maiden voyage: 2003 Size: 92,822 gross tons Passenger capacity : 2,200

16. Coral Princess

Maiden voyage: 2002 Size: 91,627 gross tons Passenger capacity : 2,000

What is the biggest Princess cruise ship?

The biggest Princess cruise ship is the 4,300-passenger Sun Princess , which is also the line's newest vessel. It just debuted in February.

Sun Princess is the first vessel in Princess Cruises' new Sphere Class of ships, which have been designed to be much bigger and more venue-packed than the vessels in the line's last new series of ships, the Royal Class.

Sun Princess measures 177,882 gross tons, which is about 22% bigger than the biggest ship in the Royal Class (the 145,000-ton Discovery Princess). Royal Class ships range in size from 142,229 to 145,000 gross tons.

Note that gross tons is a size measurement referring to interior space, not weight.

A second ship in the Sphere Class series, Star Princess, is under construction at a shipyard in Italy and will debut in October 2025 .

For more details on Sun Princess, including what venues are on board and what it's like to sail on the vessel, see TPG's comprehensive first look at Sun Princess after an early sailing.

What is the smallest Princess cruise ship?

The smallest Princess cruise ship is the 2,000-passenger Coral Princess. Measuring just 91,267 gross tons, it's about 36% smaller than Discovery Princess, making it a significantly smaller vessel.

Coral Princess dates to 2002, a time when cruise ships were built far smaller than they are today and with far fewer venues. At 21 years old, it's also one of the two oldest vessels in the Princess fleet and will probably be phased out sometime in the next decade.

Related: The ultimate guide to Princess Cruises

While significantly smaller than the newest Princess ships, Coral Princess still has many of the signature spaces and venues found on new Princess vessels, including an Italian eatery called Sabatini's and a steakhouse.

Entertainment venues on Coral Princess include a relatively large main theater for production shows, a secondary lounge that offers comedy shows and other entertainment, and a casino. Like other Princess ships, the top deck of the vessel is mostly devoted to pool areas with hot tubs and lounge chairs. There's also a spa.

While smaller and older than the typical Princess ship, Coral Princess has a loyal following among Princess fans who prefer smaller and more intimate ships.

Are bigger Princess cruise ships coming?

It's not clear yet. Princess currently has one new ship on order, Star Princess. But the final size of Star Princess won't be known until the vessel debuts in late 2025.

Star Princess will be the second vessel in the new Sphere Class of ships at Princess. It's likely to be very similar in size to the first vessel in the series, the new Sun Princess. But it's not uncommon for each new vessel in a series to be slightly bigger than the one before.

Star Princess is currently under construction at the Fincantieri shipyard near Monfalcone, Italy.

Note that this isn't the first time Princess has named a ship Sun Princess or Star Princess. Both are recycled names from past Princess ships. Princess operated smaller vessels under the Sun Princess and Star Princess names up until 2020.

Related: Everything to know about Princess cabins and suites

What's the difference between bigger and smaller Princess ships?

The biggest Princess cruise ships have room for more onboard venues and attractions than smaller Princess ships. That makes them more alluring for vacationers who prefer a big resort experience with lots of options as compared to a stay at a smaller resort.

On the biggest Princess vessels, the Sphere Class and Royal Class vessels, you'll find the largest piazza-like central atriums in the Princess fleet surrounded by lots of bars and restaurants; multiple entertainment venues for live shows, comedy acts and more; and expansive pool decks with more space for sunning than you'll find on smaller Princess vessels.

You'll also find some only-on-the-Royal-class-ships extras, including, on some of the Royal Class ships, a glass-floored "SeaWalk" that extends over the side of the vessel.

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

Princess' smaller cruise ships also are generally its older cruise ships and lack some of the above features, which are more typical of newer ships. These smaller Princess ships have a more intimate feel, at least in the pantheon of relatively big, mass-market ships, and they hold fewer people.

While Sphere Class and Royal Class ships can hold more than 4,500 passengers with every berth full, the line's smaller vessels (particularly the relatively small Island Princess and Coral Princess) often sail with just 2,000 or so passengers on board.

That makes the smaller Princess ships a good choice for someone who wants to try Princess but isn't eager to travel with huge crowds. The smallest ships in the Princess fleet thus appeal to a subset of Princess fans who prefer more intimacy in a cruise vessel and don't mind giving up some onboard amenities to get it. They are also often less expensive to sail on, on a per-day basis.

Related: Don't miss out on these Princess loyalty perks

In addition, because of their size, the smallest ships at Princess Cruises are able to operate itineraries to places that aren't as easy for big ships to visit. Not all ports in the world can handle a ship the size of Sun Princess.

Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:

• The 5 most desirable cabin locations on any cruise ship
• 8 cabin locations on cruise ships you should definitely avoid
• Which cruise brand is best for you? A guide to the most popular lines
• 21 tips and tricks that will make your first cruise go smoothly
• 15 ways that cruising newbies waste money on their first cruise
• The 15 best cruise ships for people who never want to grow up
• Cruise packing list: The ultimate guide to what to pack for a cruise

• Share full article

Summer of Dupes: Alternatives in the Aegean

Between Turkey and Greece, there are plenty of spectacular spots for a seaside vacation. So why not go beyond the usual suspects? Here are five lesser-known choices.

In Datça, Turkey, the Ultava Houses hotel consists of four traditional village homes that have been updated with amenities like private rooftop pool terraces. Credit... Ultava Houses

Supported by

By Erin Vivid Riley

• June 7, 2024

In April, Princess Cruises told passengers that it was canceling a scheduled stop in Santorini, Greece, citing congestion. Four cruise ships were already anticipated to arrive on the same day in June, and were it to join, the ships would have brought some 17,000 visitors to an island of 15,500 residents.

In the Aegean Sea, more than 1,000 islands fill the waters between Greece and Turkey, and the coastlines are lined with spectacular bays. Both countries set tourism records last year, a boon for two fragile economies, but one that follows and in turn fuels frenzied development that threatens local livelihoods, cultural heritage and ecological balance, particularly on the Greek islands.

With plenty of whitewashed islands and historic coastal towns offering the same charms as their neighbors, it’s time to look beyond Mykonos and Marmaris to lesser-known spots that might benefit from more visitors. Whether you’re in search of a hiking adventure, a cultural excursion or seclusion in rugged beauty, here are five destinations that offer distinctly Aegean experiences, without the crowds.

When Michelin expanded its Turkey guidebook last year, the quiet district of Urla, near the port city of Izmir, stole the spotlight. On a windy peninsula with clay-heavy soil, the hilly region has a rich winemaking tradition that dates back 6,000 years. A near-total government monopoly on winemaking stymied production for decades, but recently boutique makers and chef-driven restaurants have carved a path for themselves and put Urla on the gastronomic map.

Newer wine producers like Hus focus almost exclusively on indigenous grapes, joining longtime innovators along the Urla Vineyard Route , which winds through rolling fields, olive groves and nine wineries, two of which have beautiful guest rooms, including 2 Rooms hotel at Şarapçilik (from $230). Each producer is no more than a 20-minute drive from the next.

“It’s as if everything here is passed down from word of mouth, from generation to generation, from season to season,” said Seray Kumbasar, the sommelier and co-owner of Vino Locale , a fine-casual restaurant among vineyards.

The local grape Bornova Misketi, a semisweet ancestor of muscat, features in many of Vino Locale’s Italian-leaning dishes. Ms. Kumbasar and her husband, Ozan, who is the chef, take a hyperlocal approach, harvesting the restaurant’s produce alongside the farmers who supply it. Most menu items are bright takes on simple ingredients: The heart of a local artichoke is boiled in a fragrant broth of herbs and citrus, then doused with olive oil and paired with fava bean purée and kumquat.

On the way to the coast from wine country, the restaurant OD Urla has a similarly light-handed style. Wood-fired dishes, like a gently cooked octopus or squid drizzled with fermented pomegranate syrup, combine seafood from the peninsula’s waters with produce from an on-site farm.

In the charming town of Urla itself, stone alleyways connect multi-hyphenate spaces like İstifçi , where a combined design and wine store leads to a restaurant and hotel; laid-back hangouts like Filos Coffee and Wine , which serves a selection of the area’s wines by the glass; and mom-and-pop shops that do one thing very well, such as Girit Pastanesi with its bademli kazandibi, an almond-studded caramelized milk pudding.

The seaside town of Ayvalik, 250 miles southwest of Istanbul, was once a hub of Ottoman-era olive oil production. Many of the industry’s stone factories are now populated with workshops focused on traditional Turkish crafts. Despite growing tourism, Ayvalik retains “a raw texture,” said Özlem Erol, the founder of the design store Moyy Atölye , as well as “a permanent community that lives and produces here.”

At her boutique, Ms. Erol works with women artisans to design clothing made from feretiko, an airy, handwoven fabric of hemp and cotton, as well as other crafts, like baskets made from the bark of hazelnut trees and braided wooden stools. At Bovindo , one of many shops selling porcelain works created on site, a ceramist creates elaborately etched plates based on her mother’s old dishware. At Tia Vine Cafe & Bar , the husband-and-wife co-owners, Hasan and Neşe Erdem, serve local wines alongside Circassian family recipes, such as haluj dumplings, pockets filled with puréed potato and covered in garlic yogurt.

Most of the action is centered in the neighborhood of Macaron, where every other corner seems to have either a small-batch olive oil store, antiques market or boutique hotel. The most contemporary, Ivy Ayvalik, opened last year in a traditional stone home (from $70). Four compact but comfy rooms sit above a neon-lit cafe and wine bar that stays lively late into the evenings.

From town, it’s a three-mile drive to the island of Cunda and its Ayvalik Islands Nature Park , where you can explore the rocky coves and a hiking path through the hills that opens onto sweeping views, before heading into Cunda’s main town for plates of sardine tartines at Ayna and herbal drinks at Cactus , one of many cocktail bars that circle the area’s central square.

With resort-filled Bodrum to its north, the nightlife capital of Marmaris to its east, and the ever-popular Greek island of Rhodes to its south, it’s a surprise that Datça has stayed relatively unknown. That is, until you look at a map: the long, narrow peninsula is connected to the mainland by a thin isthmus (plus a ferry from Bodrum) that’s somehow been enough to deter most visitors.

Güven Çetinkaya is the chef and co-owner of the Ultava Houses hotel, which consists of four traditional village homes that have been updated with amenities like private rooftop pool terraces (from $170). He said that unlike in more touristed areas, most of Datça’s residents have lived there for a long time. The region’s strict building codes have kept large developments away.

Along with a waterfront of fish restaurants, there’s Eski Datça, or the old town, where bougainvillea spills over stone buildings. There are just enough small restaurants and cafes to start and end your days here, but most visitors spend the hours in between exploring the pebbled beaches tucked into büks, or “bends,” that dot the peninsula’s 200 miles of coastline (Aquarium Cove is a standout).

The drive along the peninsula’s interior — marked by Valonia oaks, deep river gorges and stonewalled almond orchards — is just as spectacular. Along the way are detours to fishing villages turned into modest beach towns, home-style restaurants set in lush gardens, and at the peninsula’s western tip, the ancient site of Knidos and its Hellenic amphitheater.

Almost a third of this island in the western Cyclades can only be reached by footpaths, which act as small windows into its storied history. Some routes date back to the Neolithic period; others were forged by the miners of gold and silver who made Sifnos one of the richest stops in ancient Greece. “Today, they are still used by the locals to reach their terraced fields and small chapels, as well as by hikers,” said Fivos Tsaravopoulos, co-founder of Paths of Greece , a national hiking cooperative.

For close to a decade, the group has carefully restored some 60 miles of the island’s network and organized several self-guided themed hikes . One is a remote nine-mile path that circles Sifnos’s highest point, Mount Profitis Ilias, and passes chapels, terraces and a nature preserve known for bird-watching. “It’s the only way to experience what it’s like to live on this island, one of the most pristine in the Cyclades,” said Mr. Tsaravopoulos, who hopes the paths encourage more travelers to come during the shoulder seasons, when there’s good hiking weather.

In between hikes you can enjoy long meals of Sifnian delicacies, many slow-cooked in olive-wood-fired ovens. Since Nicholas Tselementes, considered the most important chef in Greece’s history, established himself here in the early 1900s, the island has kept up its culinary reputation.

Sifnos staples like revithada, a baked chickpea stew, and mastelo, roasted lamb, can be found at every taverna, while newcomer eateries like Cantina lean more creative — smoked-ox-cheek-croquettes topped with eggplant béchamel, for example. For a stay that rivals those in Mykonos, the 18-room Nos Hotel & Villas (from $825), the island’s latest addition, is all stone and marble surfaces, cinematic lighting and pools perched on the hillside.

Folegandros

About an hour west of Santorini by ferry, Folegandros is a quieter option for a classic Greek-island getaway. The sparsely developed island has no airport, less-accessible beaches and few visitor attractions — and that’s the draw. Its latest hotel, billed as its first luxury property, capitalizes on this feeling of seclusion: Gundari is in an 80-acre nature reserve known for its population of Eleanora’s falcons (from $640).

Unlike other luxury developments in the Cyclades, which often stoked ire among locals, Gundari hopes to set a different tone through its small-footprint commitments. The hotel has its own wastewater treatment system, and all of its stonework was made with rocks excavated on-site. An on-site farm, which employs traditional agricultural practitioners, will soon launch after-school programs.

Each of the 27 rooms comes with a private infinity pool, and its restaurant, run by Lefteris Lazarou — the chef behind Athens’s Michelin-starred Varoulko — will serve a rotating menu of unfussy seafood dishes, such as octopus carpaccio with fava bean cream and black garlic. From its cliffside setting, you can head down to white sand or pebbled beaches via e-bike.

The main port town of Karavostasis is little more than a fishing village. The second largest village, Ano Meria, has ancient hilltop ruins, traditional farmhouses and the Ecomuseum , which captures what homestead life was like. Chora, the island’s de facto capital, with its quintessential whitewashed squares on a cliff’s edge, has all the charm of busy towns on nearby islands but maintains an intact local community.

Follow New York Times Travel on Instagram and sign up for our weekly Travel Dispatch newsletter to get expert tips on traveling smarter and inspiration for your next vacation. Dreaming up a future getaway or just armchair traveling? Check out our 52 Places to Go in 2024 .

Exploring the Outdoors, One Step at a Time

Hiking is a great way to immerse yourself in nature and tune out the chaos of city life. the tips below will help you get ready before you hit the trail..

Hiking offers a host of mental and physical benefits. If you’re new to it, here’s how to get started .

Fourteen years and one Apple App of the Year award in, AllTrails has become something rare: a tool that works for both experts and newbies .

Make sure you have the right gear . Wirecutter has recommendations for anything you might need — from hydration packs  to trekking poles . And remember to try on hiking boots  at the right time of the day .

These clever apps and devices  will help you to find your way, triage an injury and generally stay out of trouble on the trail.

Planning to venture out for a nighttime  hike ? Opt for wide, easy-to-navigate paths.

Experts say failing to alert family or friends of your plans is one of the biggest mistakes hikers make. Here are some more safety tips .

Advertisement

• Norwegian Cruise Line

2-bedroom Deluxe Family Suite questions

By BCOS , April 24, 2023 in Norwegian Cruise Line

Recommended Posts

We ended up with an upgrade via bid, from a club balcony to a 2-br Deluxe Family Suite. We're sailing on the Jewel.

The description for our new cabin on the NLC website says, " In addition to the living area, dining area, private balcony and luxury bath with separate shower. Plus they can connect to other staterooms so you can spread out yet stay together. Includes butler and concierge service."

The floorplan looks like both bathrooms have showers, and I don't see a bathtub. The "luxury bath with separate shower" gave me the impression that there was a tub. Was that a misinterpretation on my part?

Also, are there any additional amenities to having this room that aren't self-evident? I do understand that the perks we had with our original booking (wifi package, excursion credit, and 1 bag of laundry) move up with us.

And finally, are there 2-br family suites and deluxe family suites ? Or are all of the 2-brs  deluxe ? 

Link to comment

Share on other sites.

We sailed on the Pearl (same class as the Jewel) in the 2br Family suite in 2016.  There used to be a tub, with a TV and a separate shower for the main bed room.  Since then I believe they have gotten rid of the bath tub and made it a big shower.  All the 2br's Deluxe Family Suites will be Fwd on deck 11, there is a Haven class of 2br's as well in the Haven of course with the designation of Villa.  Although a bid outdated in terms of the bathtub being gone here is my video our our suite.  The 2br suites no longer have a name like ours did. Also if you want to read my trip review, again a bit outdated, it's in my signature below.  

Hope it helps

we were on the jewel this past january, the main bedroom has a tub, and a separate stall shower, same with gem and star. we had i club balcony suite on the bliss in aug, and they had just a large stall shower

the 2nd bedroom (significantly smaller) has only a stall shower. quoting: a rose by any other name, 2 bedroom family suites are 2 bedroom family suites, regardless of what they are called.

that being said, however, some ncl ships have cabins designated as haven suites, and others called   suites.  the haven suites i believe are slightly bigger, and those particular vessels, while most of the perks are the same, if youre not in the "haven suite" you dont get access to the specially designated pool area, or the haven bar and dining room. fear not, however, breakfast and lunch for those in the suites still get to eat breakfast and lunch in moderno and cagney's respectively.

fyi, since the cabins are almost identical, the suites are a few $1,000 less than the aptly named haven suites, so if y ou book the haven you're essentially paying extra for the private pool, bar, and restaurant, with the ability to also  have dinner in the haven restaurant. while i love the haven, imho,  i would rather save the bucks and pass on the pool. Dinner, drinks, i can get anywhere else on the ship

Thanks! Sounds like the bathtub is a possibility, but not a certainty, huh?

We were also bidding on the 2-br Havens, and were in the lead at one point yesterday, but like you mentioned, complawyer, I wasn't convinced those things would be worth the extra. They very well might have, but in the end, I knew we'd be happy with either so I didn't let myself get sucked into a mysterious bidding war.

Are there any perks / amenities associated with the 2-br suites that we won't get since we didn't purchase our cabin the traditional way? 

ETA: Thanks for the video, jimsig!

2 minutes ago, BCOS said: Thanks! Sounds like the bathtub is a possibility, but not a certainty, huh?   We were also bidding on the 2-br Havens, and were in the lead at one point yesterday, but like you mentioned, complawyer, I wasn't convinced those things would be worth the extra. They very well might have, but in the end, I knew we'd be happy with either so I didn't let myself get sucked into a mysterious bidding war.   Are there any perks / amenities associated with the 2-br suites that we won't get since we didn't purchase our cabin the traditional way? 

Unless things have changed and I don't believe they have, you do not get the additional Latitude points for a suite when doing an upgrade.  

don't-use-real-name

If I am not mistaken the bath-tubs were or are being removed on all the JEWEL and DAWN class

ships - or as these ships go in for a dry dock renovation that is what is being done.

Recent cruise guests may confirm that this is the case ? ? ?

The bath tubs in the two bedroom suites on the Jewel were all removed during the last dry dock.  Prior to that, Frank Del Rio came on board, toured the staterooms, saw the bathtubs and said “get these out of here.”

There are no longer bathtubs in the suites in the Jewel.

Thanks, all, for this insight. We'll be in Alaska, and the idea of a jacuzzi tub after a chilly excursion was nice. But, I'll survive without it. 

It was never a jacuzzi tub.  They were regular bathtubs.

There are 4 hot tubs on deck 12.

quillwercruisers

21 hours ago, complawyer said:   fyi, since the cabins are almost identical, the suites are a few $1,000 less than the aptly named haven suites, so if y ou book the haven you're essentially paying extra for the private pool, bar, and restaurant, with the ability to also  have dinner in the haven restaurant. while i love the haven, imho,  i would rather save the bucks and pass on the pool. Dinner, drinks, i can get anywhere else on the ship

The Jewel Haven does not have a Haven restaurant or bar. So on that class of ship you are paying extra for the pool and coutyard....

but it does have a specifically designated area called the haven, and their cabins are higher in price. you've just reaffirmed my prior post. does any one want to pay the extra $$$$ for a pool and courtyard (both are relatively small), as the other perks are the same. there are a number of ncl ships where the cabins are designated haven that do not have the bar and restaurant. my point is you may as well book the cabins designated as "suites" and save your self the extra $$$

On 4/24/2023 at 4:46 PM, BCOS said: The floorplan looks like both bathrooms have showers, and I don't see a bathtub. The "luxury bath with separate shower" gave me the impression that there was a tub. Was that a misinterpretation on my part?

Just off the Jewel Sunday the 24th. We were in 11518. No tub, but a wonderfully huge shower with 3 windows, a rain head, 2 body heads, and a wand. Descriptions say queen bed, but ours was a king and so so so comfy! 

The second bath was small but not tiny. The shower was a stall with a corner toilet. The bed had a hump when made out, not the most comfortable.

The balcony had 2 nice chairs, not loungers. 

The Butler was Felix and was acceptable, but had to be told each and every day that we wanted the same thing. He didn't ask when we wanted the birthday cake so had it the first day when we returned to the room after dinner. Tipped first day and last day... Likely too much for the service. He did want to please, but I don't want to tell you every day that I want the same thing.

The concierge was Teo and was wonderful! We got everything we asked for, even over and above. Tipped first day and last day and would feel I hadn't tipped enough but we didn't get expedited debarkation (no biggy)... Ran into a rude woman who screamed to get out of her way, she paid a lot to get off quickly. I told her I had as well, but we were no better than the rest of the people waiting to get off. She called me a liar, that I couldn't afford a suite. 🤣 Some ppl!!!

Food was not very good on this cruise. Azure host and servers were rude and disrespectful. Granddaughter went to sleep as entree was served and they charged my son and his wife $11 EACH to deliver the entree to the room!!! We were setting at a different table, or I would have grabbed them up and taken them myself! I should have called my Butler and told him to come get the entree's!!!

We finally found Daisy in the Palace MDR  and she gave wonderful suggestions, service, and would bring an alt... Just in case! She was an old style server, having our drinks already on the way once she saw us arrive and she also had the hostess save us a table each night, since we were a party of 8. She catered to the 2 children in our group bringing wildly over the top desserts! We tipped her extremely well and skipped our second specialty dining night, to dine with Daisy, as the first dinner in Cagney's was AWFUL. Shrimp was slimy, soup was brown gravy with lobster bits, steak cooked to perfection without any seasoning whatsoever. The 3rd guest in our room didn't have a dining package and it cost $108 for that meal. Totally not worth it!

Have a great trip and enjoy that room... It's awesome and I'm missing that shower and view already!!!

Please sign in to comment

You will be able to leave a comment after signing in

• Welcome to Cruise Critic
• Hurricane Zone 2024
• Cruise Insurance Q&A w/ Steve Dasseos of Tripinsurancestore.com June 2024
• New Cruisers
• Cruise Lines “A – O”
• Cruise Lines “P – Z”
• River Cruising
• Cruise Critic News & Features
• Digital Photography & Cruise Technology
• Special Interest Cruising
• Cruise Discussion Topics
• UK Cruising
• Australia & New Zealand Cruisers
• Canadian Cruisers
• North American Homeports
• Ports of Call
• Cruise Conversations

Announcements

• New to Cruise Critic? Join our Community!

Write Your Own Amazing Review !

Click this gorgeous photo by member SUPERstar777 to share your review!

Features & News

LauraS · Started 11 hours ago

LauraS · Started Friday at 05:25 PM

LauraS · Started Friday at 02:57 PM

LauraS · Started Thursday at 06:25 PM

LauraS · Started Wednesday at 03:59 PM

• Existing user? Sign in OR Create an Account
• Find Your Roll Call
• Meet & Mingle
• Community Help Center
• All Activity
• Member Photo Albums
• Meet & Mingle Photos
• Favorite Cruise Memories
• Cruise Food Photos
• Cruise Ship Photos
• Ports of Call Photos
• Towel Animal Photos
• Amazing, Funny & Totally Awesome Cruise Photos
• Write a Review
• Live Cruise Reports
• Member Cruise Reviews
• Create New...