Sapphire Princess: Everything You Need To Know Before You Sail

Thinking about booking Sapphire Princess—or already counting the days to your sailing? Here’s what I’d want to know before choosing the ship and how I’d make the most of the cruise once on board.

Bill and I sailed on the Sapphire Princess for 17 nights, round trip from Buenos Aires to Antarctica on one of her last voyages there. Now she sails to destinations such as Japan, Singapore, Australia, New England and eastern Canada, and Europe.

Before our cruise, I spent many hours researching the ship, reading reviews, and watching YouTube videos. I still learned more during our first two days on board than I did from all that research.

This is the guide I wish I had before we booked and before we sailed. I’m not going to walk you through every room, bar, and piece of furniture on the ship. I’m going to focus on the things that actually help you decide whether Sapphire Princess is right for you—and the tips that will make your cruise easier once you get there.

Feel free to use the Table of Contents below to jump to the sections you are most interested in.

Quick Facts About the Sapphire Princess

• Built: 2004, Refurbished 2018
• Capacity: 2,670 passengers, 1,100 Crew
• Cabins: 1,337
• Length: 952 feet, Decks: 18
• Pools: 4, Hot tubs 6
• Restaurants and Bars: 15
• Onboard Currency: US Dollar

The Overall Vibe

Our sailing felt relaxed, friendly, and pretty low-key. Most passengers were middle-aged or older, although the mix will depend heavily on the destination and time of year.

By about 10:00 PM, the ship was usually much quieter. There was still live music, the casino, and late-night activity, but this was not a party ship on our sailing.

What the Sapphire Princess Feels Like

Sapphire Princess offers a traditional cruise ship style – lots of rich wood, lots of brass, lots of glass, but it does not feel dated or tired. It has a comfortable, casual elegance that makes it easy to relax.

The ship is large enough to offer plenty of choices, but does not feel impossibly huge. The busiest places were the World Fresh Marketplace Buffet during peak meals, the atrium during live music or sales events, and the open decks when there was something especially interesting to see off the port or starboard sides.

Who May Not Love It

• Travelers looking for a brand-new, ultra-modern ship
• People who want a loud party atmosphere or nonstop nightlife
• Families choosing a ship mainly for water slides and large thrill attractions
• Anyone who gets annoyed by frequent sales pitches and onboard upsells
• Travelers who want the ship itself to be the main attraction rather than the itinerary

For destination-focused cruises, Sapphire Princess makes sense. It is comfortable, practical, and easy to settle into. But if your dream cruise is mostly about the newest onboard attractions, I would compare it with newer ships before booking.

Tips for Navigating the Sapphire Princess

This was our biggest rookie mistake. We wandered in circles for the first couple of days because we had not taken the time to understand the layout.

Soon, we stopped thinking only in deck numbers and started thinking in three zones: Forward, Midship, and Aft.

Learn Forward, Midship, and Aft

• Forward means the front of the ship, sometimes also called the bow of the ship.
• Midship means the center.
• Aft means the back of the ship, sometimes also called the stern of the ship.

Sapphire Princess has three main elevator banks, one in each part of the ship. Learn which one is closest to your cabin—and which one is closest to the place you are going.

Learn Port and Starboard

Port and starboard confused me at first because they do not change based on the direction you are facing.

• Port is always the left side of the ship when you are facing forward. This is where the even numbered cabins are. Bill’s Travel Tip: Port has four letters, left has four letters.
• Starboard is always the right side when you are facing forward. This is where the odd numbered cabins are.

Knowing those two words makes cabin locations, announcements, and directions so much easier. The Princess App will also give you walking directions to your destination. Check out the Sapphire Princess Deck Plans here.

Decks and Cabin Numbers

The levels of the ship are called Decks and they each have a name. It brought back fond memories of Julie McCoy, the cruise director on the Love Boat television show telling passengers, “You are in room A230 on the Aloha Deck”. 😊

The cabins are numbered sequentially and the letter in front of the room number corresponds to the deck you are on. Our room number was D737, at the aft (back) of the ship on the starboard (right) side of Dolphin Deck 9. At first, I kept thinking we were on Deck 7 due to the number of the room.

Some things to note:

• The lifeboats hang mid-ship on Emerald Deck 8 so some of these cabins are more likely to have obstructed views with no balconies.
• Every exterior room on Dolphin Deck 9, Caribe Deck 10, Baja Deck 11 and Aloha Deck 12 has a balcony. The Balconies are larger on Decks 9 and 10 than on 11 and 12.
• Cabins at the front of the ship tend to have more movement from wind and waves.

Note the extremely LONG hallways in the passenger cabin areas. I learned quickly to check the even/odd cabin numbers to make sure I was going down the right hallway to our room.

Be prepared for a lot of walking!  Our room was at the very end of this hallway so it meant we walked quite a bit to get to other parts of the ship.

Not Every Deck Goes All the Way Around

This is the part that confused us most. A deck may look like it should connect from one end of the ship to the other, but sometimes restaurants or crew areas can block the way.

Deck 6 caused us the most trouble. We would walk confidently in one direction, hit a dead end, and then have to go up a deck to continue.

When that happens, go up to Deck 7, cross the ship, and then return to the deck you need.

Use Deck 7 as Your Main Route

Deck 7 became our favorite navigation deck because it connects most of the ship and also gives you access to the Promenade Deck outside.

The outside path wraps almost all the way around the ship. Near the front, you go up a short set of stairs to Deck 8, cross the bow area, and then return to Deck 7 on the other side.

We found it useful for walking, getting fresh air, avoiding crowded indoor hallways, and checking what was happening on both sides of the ship.

Study a Ship Map Before You Sail

I would definitely study a deck plan before boarding. You do not need to memorize every restaurant and lounge. Just find your cabin, the nearest elevator bank, the Buffet, the Princess Theater, and Deck 7.

Once on board, take 20 minutes to walk the main public decks. That small effort on Day One will save you hours of wrong turns later.

Premier vs Plus vs No Package: Which Makes Sense?

Before our cruise, we agonized trying to decide whether a drink and Wifi package was worth it and which one.

Princess changes the price and the exact package benefits often, so I am not going to give you a list that may be outdated by the time you read this. I’ll link to the current comparison so you can see exactly what is included on your sailing. Princess Premier vs Plus Packages – Official Site

Our Recommendation

• If you will enjoy multiple specialty dinners, want unlimited premium drinks, and need faster Wi-Fi across multiple devices, the Premier Package is worth it. Everything is included so you can stop weighing every small purchase.
• If you’re fine with up to 15 drinks/day, one device on Wi-Fi, and no photo package, the Plus Package may be a better fit. For many travelers, Plus is the sweet spot. It covers several expenses people commonly buy anyway without adding benefits they may never use.
• If you drink lightly or not at all, don’t care about Specialty dining, and want to manage costs closely, à la carte works just fine without buying a package.

Before buying a package, estimate what you’d actually spend on drinks, Wi-Fi, dining, and gratuities. You may be surprised which option comes out ahead.

And always check the latest Princess package information before you book. The pricing, limits, and included benefits change often.

What We Chose

Bill and I chose the Premier Package, and we used it fully. At the time, it included unlimited premium alcohol and non-alcoholic drinks (to serve my Diet Coke addiction), unlimited specialty dining, Wi-Fi on multiple devices, crew appreciation gratuities, free Room Service and OceanNow delivery, professional photos, and a few other benefits.

We ate at Crown Grill repeatedly, tried different drinks without worrying about every charge, and I used both my phone and laptop during sea days. The Crew quickly came to refer me as the “Two Diet Coke Girl” because I always had them bring me two cans at a time.

Next time though? Depending on the destination, I’d probably choose the Plus Package instead. Fifteen drinks a day is enough Diet Coke and wine for me. If we sail somewhere with regular cell coverage, I’ll probably use my Airalo eSIM on my phone and the included Wi-Fi for my laptop.

The package was one of the biggest factors affecting our overall trip budget. If you’re trying to estimate the total cost of a cruise, I break down every dollar we spent in my Antarctica Cruise Cost Guide. Of course, different itineraries may have different pricing.

What to Expect from Dining Options

Food is one of the biggest questions people have before a cruise. My honest answer? We ate very well overall, but not every meal was memorable.

Some dishes looked beautiful and tasted bland. Others were simple and fantastic. Once we found our favorites, dining became one of the easiest parts of the cruise.

World Fresh Marketplace Buffet

The World Fresh Marketplace Buffet (formerly known as Horizons Court) is the main buffet on Deck 14 Aft. It is the easiest place to grab breakfast, lunch, dinner, or a quick snack without making a reservation.

• There was always a salad area, fruit, bread, soup, and dessert.
• Other stations changed by time of day and theme.
• Some dishes became repeat favorites. Others looked better than they tasted.
• It was loud and busy during peak meal times.
• Window tables always filled quickly.

Kari’s Travel Tip:  Find a table before filling your plate. Otherwise you might be wandering around with a full plate of food in your hand, looking for a table. One of us sat down at the table while the other got food, then we switched.

Main Dining Rooms

The sit-down main dining rooms (International, Pacific Moon, Sante Fe and Vivaldi.) offered multiple courses and very attentive table service. The same menu is served in all four dining rooms, although it changes every day. You can find the menus on the Princess App.

Most meals were very good, with a few standouts like lobster night and several of the curries.

The International Dining Room, Vivaldi and Sante Fe all required booked reservations for dinner which we did not secure early enough. The Pacific Moon allows “walk ins” and we ate there several times. If you are open to a shared table, you can get seated right away. If you want a private table, they will give you a buzzer to come back when a table opens up.

Shared tables can be a fun way to meet people — especially early in the cruise when everything feels fresh. We made some friends who we then dined with later on. You just tell the host/ess that you’re willing to be seated with other people. You’ll meet people from all over the world and hear their travel stories.

But after two weeks of keeping conversation going, we started to feel socially tired. The last few nights, we began requesting our own table.

International Dining Room for Breakfast and Lunch

We discovered this option almost at the end of our cruise.

The International Dining Room was the only main dining room open for walk-in breakfast and lunch on our sailing. It was rarely crowded, we could order off the menu, a waiter brought the food hot, and the entire meal felt calmer than the busy World Fresh Marketplace Buffet.

When we wanted a peaceful breakfast or lunch, this became our favorite option.

Crown Grill

Crown Grill was our favorite specialty restaurant.

We ate dinner there enough times that the servers started recognizing us and remembering what we liked. My favorites were the iceberg salad and Chilean sea bass with prawns. Bill loved the ribeye, baked potato, and French onion soup.

If specialty dining is included in your package, make reservations early. If you are paying separately and only want to try one specialty restaurant, Crown Grill would be my first choice.

Sabatini’s Italian Trattoria

Sabatini’s specialty restaurant was good for traditional Italian food. We ate there twice and found a familiar mix of pasta, risotto, and Italian desserts, kind of like an upscale Olive Garden.

Makato Ocean Sushi Bar

We never ate at the Makato Ocean Sushi Bar on Deck 7 as we are not big sushi fans. That restaurant always seemed to have lots of seating available which isn’t a great sign.

Alfredo’s Pizzeria

Alfredo’s was a great lunch option with thin-crust pizza, antipasto, and table service.

It felt like a nice middle ground between a full dining-room meal and the Buffet. Lunch was often easier than dinner, so I would try it earlier in the day.

Other Casual Options

The ship also had casual walk-up choices such as Prego Pizzeria, Trident Grill, Swirls Ice Cream Bar, and the International Café.

The International Café was especially useful because it was open 24 hours and offered small bites when most other restaurants had closed.

You will not go hungry on Sapphire Princess. The bigger challenge is figuring out which option matches your mood: fast, quiet, social, or special.

Note: Most of the restaurants are closed by 9:00 PM, but the World Fresh Marketplace Buffet is open until 10:00 PM and Alredo’s Pizza is open until 11:00 PM. The International Café is open 24 hours a day!

Entertainment Options on Sapphire Princess

If you’re worried about getting bored on sea days, don’t be. On most sailings, the Princess Patter lists dozens of activities from morning until night. You can stay busy all day or do almost nothing.

Theater Shows

The Princess Theater offered musical performances, comedy, and production shows. Some were excellent. Others simply did not interest us.

We usually found decent seats by arriving 10 to 15 minutes early. Even with Premier Package reserved seating available, we didn’t feel like we needed it.

Live Music

Live music was one of the easiest entertainment options because it happened throughout the ship.

Bill enjoyed moving between places such as Wheelhouse Bar, Crooners, and Explorers Lounge. Some performers were better than others, but there was usually something pleasant happening in the afternoon or evening.

Pools

The Sapphire Princess boasts 4 different pool areas. The largest outdoor pool on Deck 14 also features a giant movie screen which showed popular movies – guests could pull up a lounge chair and watch. We even watched some NFL Playoff games leading up to the Super Bowl at the Pool Bar.

No one was swimming when we we were in Antarctica, but the pool was very busy when we were in Buenos Aires.

The indoor pool is also on Deck 14, more in the middle of the ship.

Fitness Center

The Sapphire Princess features a large Fitness Center on the front of the boat on Deck 15 with loads of treadmills, bikes and weight machines. It was never too busy when we were up there. There’s also a scale if you need to decide whether you need more activity or more food! 😊

Trivia, Games, and Activities

There were multiple trivia sessions, scavenger hunts, dance classes, karaoke, sudoku, and group games every day. The Daily Princess Patter was left in our room each day with tomorrow’s schedule.

We joined a few things, skipped most of them, and never felt pressured. My advice is to choose one or two activities that sound genuinely fun instead of trying to fill every hour.

Lectures and Presentations

On our Antarctica Cruise, there was a team of Naturalists on board who gave presentations about the things we were going to see and experience. Some talks were genuinely interesting and added context to the itinerary. If you don’t go watch them live when scheduled, you can watch them later on the TV in your cabin.

Others were sales presentations disguised as educational events. Read the description carefully. If the talk mentions jewelry, watches, art, skin care, spa services, or shopping, there is a good chance it is really a pitch.

Casino

The casino was one of Bill’s favorite stops. It had slots, table games, raffles, and the usual mix of fun and frustration. It was not very busy on our particular cruise and Bill thought the starting bids were quite high compared to other casinos.

The Sanctuary

The Sanctuary is a huge, serene, adults-only retreat space at the front of the ship on Deck 16. It ended up being one of my favorite hidden spots on the ship. Both times we visited, we had the entire place to ourselves. If you’re looking for a quiet place to read, enjoy the view, or just escape the crowds for a while, don’t overlook this spot.

How to Save Money on Board Sapphire Princess

Cruising can make it easy to lose track of spending because nearly everything is charged to your room.

We kept our extra spending very low (under $30) because we decided ahead of time what mattered to us and ignored the rest.

Ignore the Endless Sales Pitches

Shopping tables appeared regularly in the atrium with watches, handbags, scarves, jewelry, and other products. There were art auctions, spa offers, cosmetic treatments, and repeated invitations to book our next cruise.

We simply kept walking.

You do not need to attend every event, listen to every pitch, or take advantage of every so-called deal. If shopping is not part of your vacation plan, treat the displays as background noise.

Use What Is Already Included

• Main dining rooms and the Buffet
• Many casual food options
• Theater shows and live music
• Trivia, games, and daily activities
• Pools, walking decks, and public lounges
• Basic beverages included with your fare

You can have a full cruise experience without buying something extra every day.

Stay Within Your Package

A package only helps you control costs if you understand what it includes.

• Check drink price limits before ordering.
• Know whether specialty dining is included or discounted.
• Confirm how many devices can use Wi-Fi.
• Ask whether room service or delivery fees are covered.
• Watch out for items that are not included even when the package sounds unlimited.

We checked our onboard account in the Princess app throughout the cruise. That made it easy to catch unexpected charges while they were still easy to question.

Book Only the Extras You Care About

It is easy to get caught up in the idea that you should do everything because you are already on the ship.

You do not need specialty dining every night. You do not need professional photos at every backdrop. You do not need spa treatments, art, jewelry, or a future cruise deposit unless those things genuinely matter to you.

Spend money on the things you’ll actually remember. Skip the rest without guilt.

Compare Shore Excursions

Cruise line excursions are convenient, but they aren’t always your best option. We always compare them with independent tours through companies like Viator and GetYourGuide. Sometimes the cruise excursion wins. Sometimes it doesn’t. Compare the itinerary, reviews, cancellation policy, and timing before deciding.

12 Tips I Wish I’d Known Before Sailing Sapphire Princess

#1 – Learn the Layout on Day One

Learn the layout on Day One. Spend 20 minutes finding your cabin, the nearest elevator bank, Deck 7, the buffet, and the theater. You’ll save yourself hours of wandering later. Here’s the link to the deck plans.

#2 – Check Your Cabin Floor Plan

We originally booked an obstructed ocean view cabin and at the last minute were upgraded to a mini-suite with a huge balcony. Hurray! But when we arrived, we discovered twin beds arranged on separate walls and we were told they could not be pushed together (but then we did it anyway).

Study the room layout before booking, not just the cabin category. We did enjoy having a seating area on such a long cruise.

#3 – Consider a Balcony for Scenic Itineraries

I am usually too frugal to spend extra for a balcony. But when the scenery is a major part of the cruise like Alaska or Antarctica, having a private outdoor space can completely change the experience.

#4 – Make Important Dining Reservations Early

Popular specialty restaurants and preferred dinner times can fill quickly. Book the meals that matter most, then leave room for flexibility.

#5 – Try the International Dining Room for Breakfast or Lunch

Skip the buffet once or twice and have breakfast or lunch in the International Dining Room instead. It was quieter, less crowded, and one of our favorite discoveries.

#6 – Find a Table Before Getting Food at the Buffet

Just trust me on this one.

#7 – Balance Shared and Private Dining

Shared tables are fun…until they’re not. Don’t feel bad asking for a private table when you need a break.

#8 – Read the Princess Patter

The Princess app is useful, but the printed daily schedule left in your room each day made it easier for us to scan the full day and double-check times.

#9 – Check Your Account on the App

The Medallion and app are part of daily life on the ship. Check your account regularly instead of waiting until the last night.

#10 – Do Not Confuse Sales Events with Enrichment

Not every presentation is educational. Some are really sales pitches. Read the description carefully before giving up an hour of your day.

#11 – Do Not Try to Do Everything

The schedule is designed to give you options, not homework. Pick the activities you care about and enjoy doing nothing sometimes.

#12 – Check Current Information Before You Sail

Packages, restaurant policies, prices, routes, and onboard offerings can change. Use this guide for strategy, then confirm the current details for your specific sailing.

FAQs About Sapphire Princess

What Is the Best Cabin on Sapphire Princess?

It depends on your itinerary. For scenic cruises like Alaska, I’d seriously consider a balcony. Otherwise, choose the location and layout that best fits your budget. Look at the exact floor plan and location before booking. P.S. We stayed in D737

Is Sapphire Princess a Party Ship?

That was not our experience. Our sailing was relaxed and fairly quiet at night. The atmosphere can change based on the itinerary, season, and passenger mix, but I would not choose Sapphire Princess specifically for a party cruise.

Is There Enough to Do on Sea Days?

Absolutely. Between shows, trivia, live music, lectures, and simply enjoying the scenery, we never ran out of things to do.

Do You Need the Princess App?

Yes. You’ll use it regularly for reservations, your onboard account, and finding information throughout your cruise. I used it all the time to figure out where Bill was on the ship.

Final Verdict: Is the Sapphire Princess Worth It?

After 17 days on board, I would describe the Sapphire Princess as comfortable, traditional, and destination-focused.

It is not the ship I would choose for water slides, thrill rides, or a nonstop party. It is the ship I would choose for an interesting itinerary where I want good service, plenty of dining choices, live entertainment, and enough space to settle into a routine.

What We Loved

• The crew was friendly and several people remembered our routines by the end of the cruise.
• We had enough dining choices that meals did not become repetitive.
• Crown Grill was consistently excellent.
• The Medallion made room access and onboard purchases easy.
• There were plenty of activities, but no pressure to participate.
• The ship felt comfortable and practical rather than flashy.
• Once we understood the layout, getting around was easy.

What We Did Not Love

• The constant sales pitches for jewelry, art, spa treatments, and future cruises
• The noisy buffet during busy meal times
• A few cabin features that showed the ship’s age
• The confusing deck layout during our first few days
• Some food that looked beautiful but tasted bland
• The cost of cruising compared with our usual independent travel style – this was a big Bucket List splurge for us

Who I Would Recommend It To

• I would recommend Sapphire Princess to travelers who choose a cruise mainly for the itinerary and want a comfortable ship with traditional amenities.
• It is especially well suited to people who enjoy sit-down dining, live music, theater shows, sea days, and a calmer onboard atmosphere.
• I would look elsewhere if you want a brand-new mega-ship, major thrill attractions, or a loud party scene.