Royal Princess is back in service after two weeks in a Singapore shipyard, and the 3,595-guest ship looks a little different inside. Princess Cruises said on Oct. 30 that the drydock ran from Oct. 16 to Oct. 30. The work added the Sanctuary Collection, 20 new cabins, an Irish pub in the Piazza, a bigger Bellini's and a reworked casino.
The ship now heads to Sydney for a season of Australia, New Zealand and South Pacific cruises. That means Australian cruisers will be among the first to try the changes.
The Sanctuary Collection arrives
The headline change is the Sanctuary Collection. Princess calls it a premium, all-inclusive way to sail, with access to the Sanctuary Club, extra amenities and more personal service. We covered the plan to roll it out across five Royal-class ships earlier this fall.
On this ship, you can book the collection in suites, mini-suites, deluxe balcony cabins and balcony cabins. The newly built ocean-view cabins can also be booked as part of it. Note that you need a cabin that is sold as part of the collection. A regular balcony cabin does not include the perks on its own.
Sanctuary Collection guests also get their own dining room. The Sanctuary Restaurant is on Deck 6, next to the Concerto Dining Room, and only collection guests can use it.
Read the fine print on the Sanctuary Club
There is one date to circle. Princess says the Sanctuary Club on Royal Princess becomes part of the Sanctuary Collection on April 22, 2027. Until then, all guests 16 and older may preview the club. The space was formerly the Retreat Pool and The Sanctuary.
So if you book the collection for a sailing before late April 2027, the club will not yet be a private perk. If a quiet pool deck is the main reason you are paying more, check your sailing date first.
Twenty new cabins
The drydock also added 20 cabins. Princess lists six mini-suites, seven ocean-view cabins, two inside cabins and five single inside cabins. The solo cabins are worth a look if you cruise alone, since they let you skip paying for a second guest.
O'Malley's replaces Vines
The Piazza is the ship's social hub, and two of its venues changed. O'Malley's Irish Pub now fills the old Vines space on Deck 5. Princess describes it as a neighborhood pub with Irish-inspired food and drinks. If Vines was your favorite stop, it is gone on this ship.
Nearby, Bellini's has grown into the former Photo Gallery space. The larger bar overlooks the Piazza and serves its signature Bellini-style cocktails, Champagne and other sparkling wines.
A bigger casino and new shops
The Princess Casino was reconfigured to open up the room and add more slot machines. To make space, Princess removed the staircase that linked Decks 6 and 7. The Effy jewelry boutique was refreshed, and the ship's shops moved to a new retail partner, Starboard.
"The enhancements aboard Royal Princess introduce new accommodations, distinctive venues for entertaining, dining and socializing, and thoughtfully refreshed spaces designed to elevate every aspect of the guest experience," said Rodrigo Llaguno, Princess Cruises' chief operating officer.
Where Royal Princess sails next
Royal Princess will be based in Sydney for the 2026-27 season. It is one of three Princess ships in the region. Princess says the season has 42 itineraries and 62 departures, including longer trips around Australia and New Zealand and shorter coastal getaways.
Looking further ahead, Princess has already shared its plans for the 2028-29 Australia and New Zealand season.
What this means for your booking
If you are booked on Royal Princess this season, expect the new pub, bar and casino layout from your first night. If you are thinking about the Sanctuary Collection, compare the price against what you would spend on the extras it includes. And keep that April 22, 2027 club date in mind.
See ship details on our Royal Princess page, or compare the rest of the Princess fleet.