The Newest Mega-ship from Princess Cruises Has Stately Suites, Incredible Entertainment, and an Awesome Omakase Restaurant.

On the maiden voyage of this new 4,300-passenger ship last November, Sheryl Crow was performing “All I Wanna Do” as we sailed from Fort Lauderdale, Florida. And aboard the lively and sometimes loud Star Princess, we were all feeling her lyrics, looking to “have some fun.”

Also aboard were Camila and Matthew McConaughey, and the couple made a quick appearance, as the godparents of the vessel. (Their Pantalones Organic Tequila is sold in large quantities on Princess ships.)

The soundtrack—and celebs—may have been nods to Millennial and Gen X audiences, but they weren’t the only ones I noticed on my three-night sailing to the Bahamas. With this new ship—and its existing sibling ship Sun Princess—this cruise line seems to be looking to appeal to as many people as possible.

Those who come aboard are sure to eat well, sleep well, and enjoy views galore from many lovely spaces around the ship. You’ll find people who don’t mind crowds and like their vacations packed with activities from early morning to late at night—including nighttime dance parties that stretch to the wee hours.

This mega-ship has 21 decks to explore and amusements that include an excellent entertainment line up with well-executed stage shows, lots of live music, intimate magic shows, and movies shown on a giant outdoor screen. Star Princess also appeals to the eco-conscious, with features that include propulsion by liquified natural gas (LNG), a cleaner energy source than other marine fuels.

I must admit, as a Baby Boomer, that there were a few things I didn’t like, including the ship’s central three-deck Piazza, a key gathering spot. On earlier Princess ships, this venue felt like an Italian town square, surrounded by cafes, bars, and restaurants. But on this ship, the venue is encased in a big glass bubble which causes sound to reverberate to extreme levels—particularly when there’s a game show, party, or other entertainment taking place. For some, that may be fun—think buzzing rock concerts—but for us it was a bit too much.

I suppose I shouldn’t have been surprised. Like the song says, “this ain’t no disco, it ain’t no country club either.”

Here’s a closer look at the many features and amenities of Star Princess and my review of the ship.

Staterooms and Suites

Star Princess is a big ship with 2,157 staterooms including 100 connecting rooms for families or groups of friends. A thousand staterooms have balconies, and others are categorized as inside or oceanview. Many staterooms are small, as is typical of ships of this size, with footprints that can be smaller than 150 square feet. The upside is that these rooms are very affordable, and all are done up in contemporary colors and understated decor.

Larger options include 123 mini-suites, which come with perks including access to the private Sanctuary Club pool. The biggest and best accommodations on the ship are the 1,262-square-foot Signature Sky Suites that sleep up to five guests, with two bedrooms and two baths. Other Signature Suites range from 304 to 636 square feet including balconies. All suites unlock perks such as exclusive lounging and dining.

Bars and Restaurants

Like its sibling ship, Star Princess is outfitted with 30 restaurants and bars, meaning whatever you are craving you can probably find—in many cases at an upcharge. The free venues include a dramatic three-level dining room (with one level reserved for Sanctuary guests) and the Eatery, a boosted buffet where crew dish up Asian, Mexican, and other options. There’s also free pizza, tacos, and salads at stands on the pool deck.

For-a-fee options include Butcher’s Block by Dario, an over-the-top beef-focused concept from the famed Italian butcher Dario Cecchini; a seafood-centric restaurant; and a hot pot and teppanyaki dining experience. There’s also a large O’Malley’s pub, where things like fish & chips and cans of Guinness Stout go for a la carte prices. Princess regulars will be happy to find familiar venues including the nautically inspired Wheelhouse Bar and Crown Grill steakhouse.

One standout for me was Makoto, where the renowned chef Makoto Okuwa, a master of Japanese cuisine, lends his expertise. The omakase style restaurant offers an upscale 10-course menu for what I considered a very reasonable upcharge given the quality; sake pairings are also available.

Where Star Princess Sails

The ship sails weeklong itineraries to the Caribbean in fall and winter, and it spends the months May through September in Alaska.

Caribbean itineraries are roundtrip from Fort Lauderdale and alternate between Western Caribbean destinations including Honduras, Belize, and Mexico and Eastern Caribbean locales that include the Dominican Republic and the Bahamas. In fall 2027, Star Princess will move its homeport to Port Canaveral, near Orlando, but offer similar itineraries.

The Alaska cruises are roundtrip from Seattle, calling in Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway, and Victoria, B.C., with a day of nature viewing at the Dawes Glacier. In between the Caribbean and Alaska are 16- to 23-day repositioning sailings through the Panama Canal and along the Pacific Coast of the U.S.

Shore Excursions

In addition to the typical lineup of bus, walking, and biking tours, Princess offers guests beach opportunities and catamaran snorkel experiences in and around the Caribbean. In Alaska, Princess has what it calls Local Connections, experiences conceived and guided by local experts such as a pub crawl conceived by a bar historian in Ketchikan, Alaska.

Amenities and Entertainment

Expect tons to do on Star Princess. Live music seems to fill the ship, including at the Piazza, where game shows and “Name that Tune”–style events overflow with crowds. Comedians do dirty late-night acts for adults; aerialists whirl here and there. There’s also Silent Trivia and silent dancing, both involving headphones, and a new addition at the ship’s casino is a non-smoking area with 68 slot machines.

What most impressed me was the caliber of the stage shows, such as a take on “Romeo and Juliet,” called Meridien, which is performed in the Princess Arena. I can be a cynic about cruise show productions, but this one impressed with technologically enhanced sets, talented singers, actors, and dancers and songs that included OneRepublic’s hit song “Counting Stars” and Sara Bareilles’s “Brave.” Princess says the show was two years in the making.

The other big hit for me was Spellbound by Magic Castle, an experience inspired by the legendary magician Cardini (Richard Valentine Pitchford) that replicates a 1920s speakeasy complete with mood lighting, furnishings, and curiosities from Hollywood’s Magic Castle. I was awed by the signature cocktails, for sure, but even more impressed by the pro magicians who perform in the space, whether it’s sleight of hand or an engaging routine from a mentalist.

For more tranquil relaxation, there are five pools and nine hot tubs; my favorite may have been the “hidden” Wake View Terrace pool on Deck 8, which was less crowded than the two Lido deck options. Elsewhere, the Lotus Spa provides a soothing sanctuary and full menu of pricey treatments. The fitness center is separate, with nice ocean views.

Family-friendly Offerings

Star Princess works well for families because it has numerous facilities where kids will want to hang out. Counselors supervise age-appropriate activities for children aged 6 months to 17 years. At Firefly Park Kids Club, for those aged 3 to 7, activities include the nifty feature of an outdoor play area equipped with tricycles. Neon Grove is the place for kids aged 8 to 12, entertained with activities that include gaming consoles and skee-ball. The Underground is for teens, who can be cool in a lounge equipped with video games, music, and a dance space.

Accessibility

Like sibling ship Sun Princess, Star Princess has more accessible staterooms than other ships in the company’s fleet. There are 51 in total, available in most categories including suites; one top-end Signature Sky Suite is accessible, which is notable. Many areas of the ship are accessible for those using mobility aids. Princess makes many details and specifics, including provisions for those who use mobility devices and for those with other specific needs, available online.