The popular “ship-within-a-ship” trend is officially expanding across the high seas, and Princess Cruises is making a major move to bring luxury resort-style privacy to more of its fleet.
The cruise line announced plans to roll out its premium Sanctuary Collection across five of its Royal-Class vessels: Royal Princess, Discovery Princess, Enchanted Princess, Regal Princess, and Sky Princess. First introduced on newer Sphere-Class ships Sun Princess and Star Princess, the concept carves out an exclusive, private enclave on board, pairing top-tier accommodations with private relaxation decks, dedicated dining rooms, and high-end perks.
The initiative marks the first phase of a multi-year fleet modernization effort aimed at giving travelers the intimacy of a boutique hotel while keeping the entertainment, diverse itineraries, and amenities of a mega-ship just steps away.
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“The Sanctuary Collection has quickly become one of the most distinctive and desirable ways to experience Princess,” said Gus Antorcha, president of Princess Cruises. “Expanding Sanctuary Collection across five additional Royal Class ships allows more guests to enjoy the privacy, personalized service and premium amenities they would expect from an intimate luxury resort, while still having the destinations, entertainment and choices of a Princess cruise just steps away.”
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Guests booking the collection gain access to the private Sanctuary Club, an adults-oriented retreat outfitted with plush loungers, a dedicated pool, shaded cabanas available to rent, and poolside food and cocktail service. The experience also includes entry to the private Sanctuary Restaurant, which serves destination-inspired menus away from the busier main dining rooms, as well as an exclusive Suite Lounge with a dedicated concierge for suite guests.
Perhaps the most significant value add is the inclusion of the line’s top-tier Princess Premier package for all Sanctuary Collection bookings. The all-inclusive bundle covers unlimited premium beverages, specialty dining credits, high-speed Wi-Fi, crew gratuities, and complimentary room service delivery.
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Travelers will start seeing the retrofitted spaces on the water throughout the first half of 2027. Royal Princess will debut the upgrades first during a 12-day South Pacific voyage setting sail on January 4, 2027. Four more ships will follow that spring, beginning with Regal Princess on an April 17 Transatlantic voyage, Discovery Princess on an April 24 Mexican Riviera sailing, Sky Princess on a May 29 Baltic itinerary, and Enchanted Princess on a June 12 Mediterranean cruise.
Across cruise message boards, the expansion sparked immediate conversation among frequent cruisers weighing the practical logistics and the growing appetite for private spaces at sea.
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On Cruise Critic, some travelers viewed the move as a natural, industry-wide evolution that brings older vessels up to contemporary luxury standards.
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“I understand why many are upset for losing space and facilities they are accustomed to. However for me, I think it’s great to elevate the suite experience on the Royal class ships to be on par with the Sun & Star,” wrote Cruise Critic member KCsealegs, who noted the update prompted an immediate Alaska booking on Royal Princess for May 2027.
Others on the boards took a more measured, pragmatic view of how major lines are adapting their layouts to match competitor offerings.
“The ‘ship within a ship’ model has been pushed out on many other cruiselines,” noted Cruise Critic commenter CruisinFinsUp. “Princess just had to figure out a way to retrofit the older ships.”
For cruisers who prize quiet sea days, uncrowded pool decks, and seamless dining without sacrificing big-ship itineraries, the fleet upgrade ensures you won’t have to book only the newest mega-ships to get an upscale, all-inclusive retreat.
Related: Princess Cruises Is Returning to This Fan-Favorite Homeport in 2028
This story was originally published by Parade on Oct 26, 2026, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Parade as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
