5 Things NOT To Do When Sailing on The Sun Princess, Dallas Travel Agent Near Me-Anne King

5 Things NOT To Do When Sailing on The Sun Princess

The Sun Princess and Star Princess are the two ships in Princess Cruise Line's Sphere Class. I sailed on the Sun Princess, and since the ships are so similar, I think my experience can apply to both. they are both turning heads across the cruise world. If you want to make the most of your sailing, there are a few helpful tips based on my personal experience.

5. Don’t stress about getting your Medallion before you sail

It’s easy to think you need to have your Princess Medallion shipped to your home before departure—but you really don’t. There's no need to pay the $10 shipping fee or risk forgetting your medallion at home. You can simply pick it up when you check in at the port. Easy, smooth, and one less thing to worry about.

4. Don’t forget to bring your own soda or water if you skip Princess Plus or Premier

If you’re not a big alcohol drinker and choose not to upgrade to Princess Plus or Princess Premier, here’s a smart money-saving tip: Don't forget to bring your own soda. Princess Cruises allows each guest to bring a 12-pack of canned soda or water (bottles are not permitted) onboard, and it’s perfect for stocking your stateroom. This little trick keeps you refreshed without paying cruise-ship prices for every soft drink. I also recommend doing the math to see if Princess Plus or Premier is worth the cost to you! Sometimes it is, and sometimes it's not.

3. Don’t believe all the negativity about the new layout

You may have read complaints about limited seating in the Sun Princess’s new theater-in-the-round or other design changes—but in real life, it’s much less of an issue. We typically dined early and attended the second show, arriving about 15 minutes before showtime, and there were always seats available. Plus, with the circular layout, nearly every seat has a great view. The Piazza is set up a little differently, but personally, I loved it. There are a couple restaurants that flow right into the piazza area, and while I did not dine there myself, I can see how it can get a little loud! Check your schedule and choose dining times around the main events in the Piazza.

2. Don’t forget to pack your patience when you’re ready to embark

I sailed out of Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale in November 2025, and while we arrived right at the start of our check-in window, the lines to get into the terminal were long. The slowest part was the security checkpoint, which only had two screening stations open at the time. Once we made it through the scanners and metal detectors, the process became much smoother. A little patience at the start of the day will set the tone for a much more relaxed embarkation experience.

1. Don’t wait to book your dining reservations

This is the big one. Book your dining as early as possible in the Princess app. If you’ve upgraded to Princess Premier, you’ll want to take full advantage of your specialty dining—but those restaurants fill up fast. While availability sometimes opens closer to sailing, if there’s a venue you’re excited about, reserve it as soon as you can to avoid disappointment. In most cases, dining reservations are available in the app as soon as your cruise is paid in full. Premium status and suite guests are able to make reservations immediately after booking their cruise.

The Sun Princess is a spectacular ship, and these small tips can go a long way toward making your cruise more enjoyable and stress-free.

If you’re thinking about sailing the Sun or Star Princess and want help picking the perfect itinerary or stateroom, I’d love to help! You can fill out my travel request and I'll be in touch. 🚢