There’s a particular kind of anticipation that comes with a winter cruise departure from the California coast: The soft promise of sun ahead, the Pacific stretching wide and shimmering, and the quiet understanding that this isn’t just a cruise, but a much needed retreat. When I stepped aboard Princess Cruises’ Royal Princess for a Mexican Riviera sailing this past winter, I wasn’t looking for a cacophony of revelry, I was looking for ease, refinement, and a cruise experience that understood the cadence of seasoned travelers. What I found was a voyage that delivered all three, with complete intention.
A Seasonal Sweet Spot
Royal Princess operates with a rhythm that feels thoughtfully curated during fall and winter along the Mexican Riviera and the California coastline. Then, she pivots north to Alaska’s glacier-lined majesty in late-spring and throughout summer. In December, that translates to warm days at sea, timely arrivals into ports like Cabo San Lucas and Puerto Vallarta, and a ship that feels fully in its element: Sunlit, sociable, and quietly indulgent.
A Stateroom That’s a Private Retreat
My balcony stateroom felt less like a cabin and more like a well-appointed pied-à-terre at sea. Princess has long understood the importance of stateroom flow: Ample storage, a comfortable sitting area, and a bed that rivals many luxury hotels. The balcony, of course, became the centerpiece. Morning coffee with an open-ocean view, late-night room service beneath a sky scattered with stars; it’s the kind of understated luxury that defines this experience.
For those looking to elevate further, the Reserve Collection Suites contain an expanded living space, as well as, access to the exclusive dining room. Truly, this is a club level offering, from embarkation to dining reservations. It’s seamless and an indulgence that must be experienced.
Dining Royally
Dining aboard Royal Princess is less about volume and more about versatility. Whether elevated specialty restaurants or casual venues, all the eateries possess an air of uniqueness.
Sabatini’s Italian Trattoria became a personal favorite early on. There’s a warmth to the space’s dark woods, soft lighting, and a menu that leans into authenticity. Imagine handmade pastas, expertly prepared seafood, and a pacing that invites you to linger.
Crown Grill offers a different kind of indulgence – classic, confident, and impeccably executed. The steaks are the headline, but the seafood selections hold their own, as the crab cakes notably are a masterpiece! It’s the sort of place where a bold Cabernet isn’t just appropriate, it’s necessary.
At The Catch by Rudi, the experience becomes more chef-driven. The menu leans into fresh, clean seafood preparations that are refined without being fussy. It’s modern cruising at its best – ingredient-focused and globally aware.
Even Alfredo’s Pizzeria, often categorized as casual, feels elevated. The dough is properly blistered, the ingredients balanced, and the setting relaxed yet polished. Be sure to experience the delicious Honey Pie from award-winning pizza chef Tony Gemignani. This pizza is the perfect combination of sweet, spicy, and savory. Calabrese peppers, mozzarella, Parmigiano Reggiano, hot honey, applewood smoked bacon, and fried onions made this pizza a culinary gem! I enjoyed it multiple times throughout my voyage.
From the moment Royal Princess set sail, I became impressed with the fare of the International Café. Open 24 hours, this casual dining walk-up restaurant offers everything from delicate pastries to savory bites to expertly prepared espresso drinks.
For something more intimate, Ultimate Balcony Dining transforms your private living space into a functioning dining room. One morning, as the ship hugged the Pacific coastline, an abundant Champagne breakfast was delivered to my stateroom and professionally setup on my balcony. I’ve never experienced this aboard a cruise, and I was completely overwhelmed and impressed with this dining selection.
Later that day, I experienced a multi-course, chef-curated dinner at Chef’s Table Lumiere. This limited guest experience was a multi-course spectacle of flavorful dishes, wines, and attentive service. If you are a true gourmand, Chef’s Table aboard Royal Princess cannot be missed.
Elevated Entertainment
Evenings aboard Royal Princess unfold with a sense of occasion. The Princess Theater anchors the entertainment lineup, with Broadway-style productions, live orchestration, and polished staging. Reserved seating, which is available through the Premier Package, made a noticeable difference, eliminating the typical pre-show scramble to find seats.
Elsewhere, the ship hums with live music from jazz in intimate lounges, piano performances that stretch late into the night, and rotating tribute acts that are purposefully curated by Princess, rather than thoughtless filler (which I’ve experienced on some lines, but I digress). The entertainment aboard Royal Princess is designed for guests who’ve seen it all and still want to be impressed.
Movies Under the Stars is a signature feature on Royal Princess. Watching a film on (or just above the periphery) of the pool deck, while wrapped in a blanket with the ocean as backdrop, is a majestic experience. And at various points throughout the voyage (between movies), you might find yourself experiencing a Bellagio Hotel-styled fountain show at the pool deck!
Balanced & Centered at Sea
Days at sea are when Royal Princess truly shines. The Sanctuary, an adults-only retreat, provides a serene counterpoint to the ship’s livelier spaces. Private cabanas, attentive service, and a near-spa level of calm make it worth the reservation. I spent several hours here while the ship was docked in Puerto Vallarta (I’ve visited there multiple times in the past, so I opted to stay onboard and bask in the quiet surroundings of The Sanctuary, where I nodded off quite a bit).
The Lotus Spa is equally compelling. Treatments range from traditional massages to advanced facials, all delivered in a tranquil, modern setting. The Enclave thermal suite with its heated stone beds and hydrotherapy pool can quickly become a daily ritual, particularly on port days.
Fitness options are robust but unobtrusive. There’s a well-equipped gym with ocean views, group classes, and a jogging track that loops the upper deck. And for something more leisurely, multiple pools and whirlpools create a distinct socially serene atmosphere.
Plus vs. Premier
What distinguishes a good cruise from a great one often comes down to friction or the lack of it. Princess addresses this directly with its Plus and Premier packages.
The Plus Package is the baseline for a seamless experience: Plus Beverage Package, single-device Wi-Fi, four casual dining meals per voyage, waived OceanNow and room service delivery fees, and daily crew appreciation. It simplifies the experience in a way that feels essential rather than optional.
The Premier Package, however, is where the experience becomes truly elevated. This was the package that I selected and I felt as if I had free range of the ship’s offerings! Unlimited specialty and casual dining is one of the best aspects of this package, along with the Premier Beverage Package. (Yes, premium waters are included. I still don’t understand why some cruise lines expect guests to try to hydrate with libation packages in which premium waters are an exclusion rather than a base benefit.) Also, multi-device Wi-Fi is included, and unlimited professional digital photos create a sense of abundance. Add in reserved theater seating, waived service fees, and a shore excursion credit, ranging from $100 to $300 depending on voyage length, and the Premier Package becomes less about cost and more about access. For a traveler who values time and ease, it’s the clear choice.
A Closing Thought
What struck me most about Royal Princess wasn’t any single feature, it was the cohesion. The way dining, entertainment, and wellness flowed together. The way service anticipates rather than reacts. The way the ship meets you where you are, whether that’s poolside with a cocktail or dressed for a multi-course dinner at sea. This is truly what made my experience aboard this Princess voyage feel royal.
