Princess Cruises has completed a two-week refurbishment of Royal Princess, introducing a range of food, beverage and accommodation upgrades as the 3,595-passenger ship prepares for its 2026-27 Australia and New Zealand season.
The work was carried out in a Singapore drydock and completed on October 30. It includes the introduction of the line’s Sanctuary Collection concept, part of a wider rollout across selected Royal-Class ships, alongside new and expanded hospitality venues in the ship’s central Piazza.
Among the most significant changes for guests is the addition of O’Malley’s Irish Pub, which replaces the former Vines venue on Deck 5. The pub will offer an Irish-inspired food and drink menu, providing another casual dining and social space in the ship’s public areas.
Bellini’s cocktail bar has been expanded into the space previously occupied by the Photo Gallery. Overlooking the Piazza, the enlarged venue will continue to focus on Bellini cocktails, Champagne, sparkling wines and other premium beverages, while offering increased seating capacity.
The Piazza remains the focal point of the vessel’s social and entertainment programme, and the venue changes are intended to strengthen its role as a day-to-evening gathering space.
The refurbishment also marks the arrival of the Sanctuary Collection on Royal Princess. Guests booking Sanctuary Collection accommodation will have access to dedicated facilities including the Sanctuary Club and the Sanctuary Restaurant, a private dining venue located on Deck 6 adjacent to the Concerto Dining Room.
As part of the project, the ship’s accommodation inventory has been expanded with 20 additional cabins. These comprise six mini-suites, seven ocean-view cabins, five single interior cabins and two standard interior cabins. Newly constructed ocean-view staterooms are among those available within the Sanctuary Collection.
Elsewhere, the Princess Casino has been redesigned to create a larger gaming area. The removal of a staircase between Decks 6 and 7 has allowed the operator to expand the casino floor and install additional slot machines.
Retail areas have also been refreshed. The onboard Effy jewellery boutique has been refurbished, while The Shops of Princess have been upgraded as the cruise line transitions to retail partner Starboard.
Following the refit, Royal Princess will reposition to Sydney for the southern hemisphere summer. The ship is one of three Princess Cruises vessels deployed in the region during the 2026-27 season, operating itineraries across Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific.
Rodrigo Llaguno, Chief Operating Officer of Princess Cruises, said: “The enhancements aboard Royal Princess introduce new accommodations, distinctive venues for entertaining, dining and socialising, and thoughtfully refreshed spaces designed to elevate every aspect of the guest experience.”
