Recently, ROL Cruise team member Becky and her partner Sean embarked on a holiday aboard Sky Princess. While Becky is a seasoned cruiser, this voyage marked Sean’s very first cruise experience. We caught up with him after returning home to find out what surprised him most about cruising, what stood out during the holiday, and whether he’d recommend Princess Cruises to fellow first-time cruisers.
Hi, Sean! You recently sailed aboard Sky Princess on your first cruise holiday. What were you most excited or nervous about before your cruise?
I was extremely excited to see Sky Princess in all her glory. I had read a lot about her on the ROL Cruise website and watched many YouTube videos detailing everything she had to offer. I was most excited to explore her evening spaces and dining venues. We had upgraded to the Princess Premier package, so I was looking forward to trying limitless cocktails and speciality dining.
As I had never cruised before, I was nervous about potentially feeling seasick or getting ill, but, much to my relief, I was unaffected, even as we travelled around the Bay of Biscay. Having a midship stateroom could have been the secret to this!
Did the experience match your expectations? Anything that surprised you?
The experience exceeded my expectations - it was fantastic. What stood out most was the exceptional level of service and the professionalism of the staff and crew. They were incredibly welcoming, kind and hardworking, and truly made the trip special. As a first-time cruiser, I couldn’t have asked for a better introduction to cruising.
What was the food and drink like on board? Did you have a favourite restaurant?
The food on board was excellent! We were lucky enough to be able to go to all the speciality dining restaurants on board, which were included as part of our Princess Premier package. It would be difficult for me to choose my favourite restaurant, as I am torn between the Crown Grill steakhouse and Sabatini’s Italian. Both served incredible food, and the staff were fantastic.
Throughout the ship, the food always tasted fresh and of fantastic quality. It was better than I could have possibly imagined. Even the smaller venues around the ship, such as the Salty Dog Grille and the Pizza Slice on the Lido Deck, were great.
Did you have a favourite spot on the ship?
I had two favourite spots on board. Bellini's Bar, situated in The Piazza, was a fantastic place to end the day, with live music and incredible bartenders. My other favourite venue was the Lido Deck, ideal for a stroll while taking in the impressive sea views.
Could you tell us a little about your itinerary?
We enjoyed four ports of call and two relaxing sea days throughout the voyage. Our first stop was La Coruna in Spain, where the port’s convenient location meant the town was practically right on our doorstep! It was a charming town to visit, with a nice coastal walk. Our second port was Bilbao, though the actual port was a short coach journey to the centre of town. Princess arranged a complimentary transport service so we could explore directly from the centre. Our other port was Le Verdon in France, which is the port for Bordeaux. Again, this had a complimentary shuttle service provided by Princess Cruises. The beach was the best part of our visit here, and we were lucky enough to have incredible weather, so it was even more pleasurable! Our final call was at Cherbourg, France, another enjoyable port town to explore, with lots of history and numerous small shops and cafes.
During the two sea days we spent on board, there was a wide variety of entertainment to keep us as busy as we wanted. The evenings in particular stood out, with a fantastic selection of live acts and shows that really added to the overall experience. Throughout the day, there were also plenty of lighter activities to get involved in, such as quizzes, bingo, and crafts, which gave the cruise a fun and social atmosphere. There was always something going on, without it ever feeling overwhelming. It felt like the balance was just right.
Would you recommend Princess Cruises?
I definitely would. It’s a fantastic option if you’re looking for a cruise that feels both relaxing and effortless, without compromising on quality. As a first-time cruiser, I found the overall onboard experience incredibly seamless, and touches like Princess Cruises’ MedallionClass technology and the Princess app really enhanced this. They’re modern, intuitive, and make everything from navigating the ship to ordering drinks feel incredibly easy. Altogether, it creates a stress-free holiday experience where guests can truly switch off and enjoy themselves.
Lastly, would you cruise again?
Absolutely! Princess Cruises provided a fantastic first-time cruising experience. In fact, I’d now feel a little apprehensive about trying anyone else, as the onboard experience was just that good.
