Cruise Review: A Detailed Look at Ship Design, Dining, Tech & More

Every cruise offers its own blend of design strengths, service highlights, and unexpected quirks—and this Princess sailing was no different. Using my EMRJ Travel evaluation rubric, I took a deep dive into the

This rubric was utilized to rate his cruise. I wanted to utilize both anecdotal and numerical rating to create an honest review.

ship’s layout, cabin features, culinary offerings, entertainment, and onboard technology. Here’s a thorough and honest look at what stood out, what surprised me, and what Princess delivered especially well.

Ship Design & Wayfinding: Attractive, Clean, and Mostly Intuitive

The overall ship design earns a strong score, thanks to its polished appearance and cohesive layout. The venues flow together nicely, and the common areas feel warm and welcoming. Lighting, sound levels, and overall ambience are well balanced, creating spaces that feel inviting without being overwhelming.

The piazza is the center of the ship.

Cleanliness and maintenance are standout strengths. Public areas are kept in very good condition, and when I reported a malfunctioning motion-sensor light in my cabin, not only was it fixed promptly—but a manager called afterward to ensure it was resolved. That level of follow-up isn’t common across all cruise lines.

Wayfinding, however, lands in the “adequate” category. While map displays exist and signage is present, Princess could benefit from clearer directional indicators, especially in busy corridors. Accessibility is decent, though elevators and some walkways get congested during peak hours. Overall, the ship impresses.

Cabin Experience: Quiet Comfort with Effective Technology

My cabin offered a comfortable and efficient layout with smart storage solutions and plenty of breathing room. It struck a good balance between function and comfort.

The bedding quality sits in the “average” range—certainly adequate for a restful night.. The room was chilly on the first night, in part because the thermostat wasn’t easy to locate or adjust. The bathroom is clean and functional, with good lighting and solid water pressure, but it doesn’t stand out visually or design-wise.

Not my cabin but the balcony cabin is very roomy .

One area where the cabin did shine was soundproofing. The quiet was remarkable, even with occasional hallway activity. For anyone sensitive to noise, this ship delivers excellent privacy.

Cabin technology earns high marks as well. The Princess Medallion integrates seamlessly for door access, ordering food, and locating fellow travelers. The TV system and lighting controls were reliable, even if not overly advanced. Overall, the cabin experience feels comfortable, efficient, and restful.

Dining & Culinary Experience: Strong Service with Some Upsell Fatigue

Dining aboard the ship was consistently pleasant. The Main Dining Room provided high-quality meals with good presentation and attentive service. While ocean cruising in general has moved away from the fine-dining feel of past decades, Princess still delivers flavorful dishes that stand above basic cruise fare.

Specialty dining—specifically the Chopped Steakhouse—offered a delicious experience. My French onion soup arrived piping hot, the entrées were cooked perfectly, and everything tasted fresh. That said, value is subjective, and the upsell trend is unmistakable. Between drink packages, dining packages, and add-ons, the push is constant—though to be fair, this is now the industry norm.

My dinner at chops was wonderful. It was several steps above the MDR

Buffet and casual dining options were organized, fresh, and noticeably clean. Crowd management was better than expected, even during breakfast rush.

Where Princess truly shines is service. Staff members are friendly, fast, and consistently professional. It’s clear that guest service remains one of the strongest pillars of the Princess experience.

Entertainment & Activities: Great Variety with Quality Performances

Evening shows on this sailing were enjoyable and professionally produced, earning a strong score. Princess has shifted away from full-scale theatrical productions, and while that may disappoint some cruisers, the performances offered were still entertaining and well executed.

The shows were surely full of many talented singers and dancers. The put on a great show each night.

Daytime activities were diverse and easy to participate in. Despite not booking excursions on this trip, I found the onboard options engaging and well-paced. The music and nightlife are another strong point: live musicians perform throughout the ship in lounges that feel both intimate and lively.

There was always something going on through out the ship including trivia and other activities

Pool and recreation areas are clean, comfortable, and not overly crowded—a pleasant surprise given that many cruise ships struggle with lounger availability. Princess manages this space well.

The pool is empty in this picture but I have seen no issues find the coveted lounge chair.

Technology & Connectivity: Great App, Not too Great Wi-Fi

Technology is where Princess sees its biggest split in performance. The good news: the Medallion app makes communication with crew easy, and the ability to locate fellow travelers is incredibly helpful. Digital communication is one of Princess’ greatest strengths.

The medallion is the size of an Apple AirTags and can be worn in many different ways. several guests wear the medallion as a fashion statement. Each crew member also wears a medallion to easily locate them on the ship.

The bad news: the Wi-Fi is slow. Surprisingly slow—especially given their marketing claims of having “the best at sea.” Streaming is difficult, uploads are sluggish, and even basic browsing can be hit or miss. One recommendation would be to have a reminder feature for your chosen activities.

Pre-cruise technology also presented challenges. The app would not save my phone number, the Medallion defaulted to terminal pickup despite choosing home delivery.. While customer service handled my questions efficiently, the digital onboarding process felt incomplete. Incomplete in that I never received an email indicating boarding time and such.

Final Thoughts

Princess positions itself as a premium line geared toward a more mature demographic, and that identity is clear throughout the sailing: quieter spaces, polished design, outstanding service, and a relaxing onboard experience. The Medallion technology adds convenience, maintenance is impressively responsive, and the entertainment lineup provides consistent quality.

If Princess can improve its pre-cruise digital workflow and significantly boost Wi-Fi performance, it would elevate the overall guest experience to a new level. But even with those flaws, this sailing offered a peaceful, well-managed, and enjoyable journey—one that balances comfort, atmosphere, and service in a way that many cruisers will appreciate.