Sun Princess Cabana Mini Suite Review | 7-Day Mediterranean Cruise Experience
- Emma Hamrick
- Aug 24
- 7 min read
Updated: Aug 24
When I first stepped aboard the Sun Princess, I knew the cruise was going to feel different. There was a buzz of excitement from both guests and crew, the kind of energy you only get when a ship is fresh on the seas and everyone’s curious to see how she sails. For my weeklong Mediterranean adventure with my family, I stayed in a Cabana Mini Suite with Reserve Class access—a new stateroom category that instantly became the highlight of the trip.
This post is my full Sun Princess Cabana Mini Suite review, but I’ll also dive into my impressions of the ship itself: dining, bars, crew, and the overall onboard experience. If you’re wondering whether the Cabana Mini Suite is worth it, or if Princess Cruises is the right line for you, here’s my honest take.
The Sun Princess Cabana Mini Suite Review
Our Cabana Mini Suite (Room 9328) felt like a private retreat tucked into the ship. The standout feature was the extended cabana balcony. Unlike some of the mini suites located on the shared-access deck, our room offered the privacy of a normal balcony cabin with the additional seating area of the cabana mini suite. While our balcony jutted out further than other decks, allowing higher decks to look down upon our balcony, we never felt like we were being watched. It was the perfect mix of privacy and openness, almost like our own living room at sea.
Inside, the room had a crisp, modern design with light wood tones and clean lines that made it feel airy and fresh. The main bed was incredibly comfortable (the kind you melt into after a long excursion day). Since I was sharing a cabin with my parents and brother, I got the privilege of sleeping on the sleeper sofa, which was essentially a glorified shelf. That said, the linens were amazing (seriously, if you know what kind of linens Princess keeps on their ships, please let me know so I can buy them for my house)! The bathroom felt surprisingly spacious for a cruise cabin, and the storage setup also impressed me—plenty of room for four adults' clothes, shoes, and gear.
But the real perk? Reserve Class access. This upgrade gave us entry to the private Sanctuary dining room and a private outdoor deck space down the hall from our room, which quickly became our favorite hideaways onboard. There are actually two mirror-image, private deck spaces; one on the port side and the other on the starboard. Each space includes seating for around 50 people and one hot tub. Seating was easy to come by, and we were able to enjoy the hot tub on our own frequently throughout the trip, unlike the upstairs decks. These private decks are absolute game changers. It felt like Princess had carved out a boutique hotel experience within the larger ship.
Dining in the Sanctuary Restaurant
I didn’t realize how much I’d appreciate the Sanctuary restaurant until we settled into our first dinner there. Typically, Princess ships have separate Reserve and Sanctuary class dining rooms, but the Sun Princess caters to both audiences in the single Sanctuary dining room on deck 8 aft. Unlike the public main dining rooms, this space felt personal and unhurried, albeit with fewer windows and a less impressive view. The service was attentive, with staff remembering our names and preferences after just one meal. In fact, I'd venture to say our waitstaff (Constantine, Mary, and Wayn) were the best I've experienced in my 12 cruises.
The menu struck a balance between cruise classics and elevated dishes. I loved starting meals with fresh seafood appetizers and salads. We also enjoyed the option of ordering special meats off the "trolley" each evening, an exclusive to the Sanctuary dining room. Desserts were equally memorable—small, indulgent portions that never felt too heavy.
Dining here made me appreciate how Princess is leaning into a more premium feel for those who book higher cabin categories. It wasn’t just about food—it was the atmosphere of being in on something special.
You can check out some of my meal highlights from the week below:
Other Dining Options Onboard the Sun Princess
While the Sanctuary Restaurant was our home base for most dinners, we did make a point to try other food options around the ship. For mornings on the go—especially with so many early excursions in the Mediterranean—the International Café was our lifesaver. Just steps from our stateroom on Deck 9, it became a daily stop for ham-and-cheese croissants, egg sandwiches, and coffee to take ashore. Was the food extraordinary? Not really. But the sheer convenience of grab-and-go bites made it one of my favorite practical spots on the ship.
We also sampled a few of the casual Lido options on the upper decks, though I’ll admit I found them a bit underwhelming. The tacos and shawarma were fine but nothing memorable, though oddly enough, the chips at the taco stand were addictively good.
The pizza at the Deck 9 Promenade Grill wasn’t to my taste—too bready and heavy—so I mostly stuck with salads from The Eatery. I did like that The Eatery had a slightly different buffet concept where food was served by crew members instead of self-service. It felt a little more sanitary in a post-COVID world, and the grab-and-go salads were perfect to take back to our private cabana balcony.
For something sweet, Coffee & Cones delivered on indulgent desserts. With Princess Plus included, I felt a little freer to treat myself here—though some of the desserts were almost too decadent for mid-afternoon.
Overall, I’d call the casual dining scene serviceable rather than standout. For me, the highlights were really the Sanctuary dining room and International Café, with the rest being a mix of hits and misses.
Bars and Cocktails Around the Ship
Now, the cocktails on the Sun Princess deserve their own spotlight. Across the ship, I found the drink menus creative, well-balanced, and some of the best I’ve had at sea. My absolute favorite was the French Martini—so much so that my mom and I ordered it nearly everywhere: dinner, lounges, even at the International Café bar.
That said, not every venue was seamless. At peak times, some of the more central bars—like the International Café’s bar—felt overwhelmed. Service could be slow, and the bartenders sometimes seemed stretched thin. At Bellini’s in the Piazza, I loved the menu and atmosphere, but it was almost too popular. The space was consistently crowded, and one evening it took nearly 15 minutes for my mom’s Limoncello Spritz to appear (after the bartender actually forgot about it).
One of the more unique venues was Good Spirits at Sea, tucked behind the main theater. It’s a windowless room with an interactive cocktail show, where bartenders teach you how to make themed drinks from around the world. It’s fun, but the cocktails leaned a little sweet for my taste. In a funny mix-up, my mom’s stage-made cocktail actually got handed to another guest before she could try it—a story we laughed about later, but at the time it felt like her drinks were cursed!
Despite a few hiccups, I found the cocktails themselves consistently excellent. When you did get your drink, it was worth the wait, and the bartenders generally poured generously. For me, the bar scene was less about lounging in one favorite spot and more about hopping between venues depending on the vibe—sometimes the lively Piazza, sometimes the quieter Wake View Bar at sunset, and sometimes just a nightcap closer to our cabin.
The Crew and Service
I’ve cruised on several lines, but one thing that stands out with Princess is the crew. On the Sun Princess, the staff seemed genuinely excited to be part of this new ship’s story. Our cabin steward, Joey, greeted us with smiles and new towel animals each morning. He even made me a towel capybara because they are my favorite animal. Joey was a gem of a human and my all-time favorite room steward.
The waiters (Mary and Wayn), the Sommelier (Radu), and the head of restaurants (Constantine) chatted about their favorite ports, and the service felt warm and personal.
That personal connection—remembering drink orders, anticipating needs before we asked—added so much to the trip. It’s the difference between a vacation that feels transactional and one that feels truly cared for.
Even the captain was memorable! Captain Paolo Arrigo almost functioned as a cruise director, chiming in with daily updates that always made us laugh. His energy was infectious and made every early morning wake-up call a joy to wake up to.
The Overall Ship Experience
The Sun Princess is sleek, modern, and built to impress. Compared to older ships I've been on, she feels brighter and more connected to the sea, thanks to massive windows and open spaces. While the ship was buzzing with activity, it never felt overwhelming. There were always pockets of quiet if you wanted to step away.
Highlights for me included:
The Dome, a glass-enclosed space that shifts from a sunny daytime hangout to a nighttime entertainment venue.
The Piazza, the heart of the ship, is where live music and people-watching can keep you busy for hours.
The Reserve Deck 9, exclusive to our stateroom category, offers a peaceful alternative to the main pool decks.
Wake View Terrace Pool, an infinity pool at the ship's aft with amazing views on sea days
Princess Arena, the traditional "main theater" concept with enhanced technology for stage performances
The ship is clearly designed for both seasoned cruisers and first-timers, blending modern touches with the classic Princess style.
Takeaways: Is the Cabana Mini Suite Worth It?
So, would I book the Cabana Mini Suite again? Absolutely. This Sun Princess Cabana Mini Suite review wouldn’t be complete without saying that the stateroom completely elevated our cruise. Between the private cabana balcony, Reserve access, and thoughtful design, it felt like we had our own little luxury bubble on the ship.
But beyond the cabin, the Sun Princess itself impressed me. From memorable dining to thoughtful crew interactions, it was a cruise that felt both relaxing and exciting. Princess Cruises has managed to make a ship that feels grand without losing its personal touch—and for me, that’s what made this trip so special.
If you’re planning a Mediterranean or Caribbean cruise and wondering whether the upgrade is worth it, my answer is yes. The Cabana Mini Suite turns a great cruise into an unforgettable one.