Sky Princess

Theater and Shows on Sky Princess

Princess' main theater is home to two musical productions, as well as guest acts like magicians and comedians.

Both musical productions are high energy, with fabulous costumes and songs you know. "Rock Opera" is a more traditional cruise song-and-dance show with no story line, but has a soundtrack that spans classic rock, musical theater and opera, and costumes inspired by New York City's glamourous Met Gala. It was our favorite show of the cruise.

The highly enjoyable "5-SKIES" has a storyline, which sees "Gamer 1" trying to complete five levels of a virtual reality game in order to save a princess. It features a lot of high-tech special effects (including some pyrotechnics), dazzling costumes and one of the coolest dance sequences we've ever seen feature dancers in bungee cord hookups.

Daily Things to Do on Sky Princess

There’s no shortage of activities on Sky Princess. The level of daytime entertainment on Sky Princess depends on whether it's a port day or a sea day. On sea days the daily schedule (detailed in the daily Princess Patter, on touch screens throughout the ship and on the MedallionClass phone app, where you can also check Sky Princess’ sailing schedule) is packed with games, trivia, spa seminars, art lectures and auctions, movies and more.

Much of the fun can be found at the Princess Live! recording studio/lounge/secondary theater -- it's that versatile. It's in Princess Live! that the cruise director records his or her morning show every day, but it's also where trivia, Battle of the Sexes, bingo and other interactive games are held, even into the evening. There's lots of seating (lounge style not theater style), but it gets pretty packed during many of the activities.

Another spot active during the day is the central Piazza, where you'll often find live music and the occasional music-themed trivia.

Nightlife on Sky Princess

Sky Princess is lively at night, with live music found in several spots onboard (we highly recommend spending at least one evening at the Take Five jazz lounge) and shows that draw standing-room-only crowds in the theater. On top of that, the cruise director or assistant director often hosts some type of interactive game, usually a themed trivia in Princess Live!

The Sky Princess casino is active at night, with dozens of slot machines, gaming tables, and a bar. It is located on Deck 6, adjacent to the second level of the Piazza, which is one of the busiest areas on the ship.

Sky Princess Bars and Lounges

Bellini's (Deck 5): The atrium bar, located in the Piazza, offers standard cocktails and is popular for pre-dinner drinks for anyone dining at the Soleil Dining Room.

Vines (Deck 5): Located just off the Piazza, Princess' signature wine bar is a nice place to get a glass and people watch. You'll also find wine tastings here throughout your cruise.

Good Spirits (Deck 6): A small walk-through bar located between the port and starboard sides of the ship, Good Spirits is a cocktail bar, with a specialized menu curated by celebrity mixologist Rob Floyd. At select times, the bartenders "perform," creating select drinks while accompanying videos describe the destination that inspired the drink and go into detail about some of the ingredients. The top drink here is the spicy Sandia en Fuego. For something sweeter, try the Tahiti-inspired Vanilla Sky.

Take Five (Deck 6): A first of its kind for Princess Cruises, Take Five is a live jazz lounge with a talented trio that plays every afternoon and evening. Often the sets are themed (Harlem, the women of jazz, Latin). There's a dance floor but we never saw it used, which is not to say it doesn't get crowded; people on our sailing preferred to sit and listen. The lounge has a Prohibition Era-inspired bar menu and the bartenders all dress up in speakeasy style.

Churchill's (Deck 6): This blink-and-you'll-miss-it lounge is where cigar smokers gather to do their thing. Avoid it if you don't like cigar smoke.

Crown Grill Bar (Deck 7): Located just outside the Crown Grill steakhouse, this lounge is more than just a pre- and post-dinner venue. Every night you'll find live music here, whether it's a piano player, steel drum musician or guitarist. During the day you'll often see people reading or even napping on the comfy chairs that line either side of the Deck 7 walkway that goes right through the bar.

Princess Live! Cafe (Deck 7): One of the two spots onboard to grab a gourmet coffee or tea for an extra fee. Unlike the International Cafe, you won't find any treats here, only drinks for purchase.

Concierge Lounge (Deck 14): This small lounge is only for suite passengers and is manned throughout the day by a concierge who can help with a variety of arrangements from dinner and spa reservations to shore excursions. It has plush armchair and sofa seating and is a quiet spot for anyone who wants something a little more private than all the walkthrough venues on the public decks.

Wake View Bar (Deck 16): Located all the way at the back of Deck 16, this outdoor bar offers lovely views out over the infinity pool and the wake of the ship. It's perfect for those brag-worthy sunset photos.

Dining on Sky Princess is excellent and one of the ship's main strengths, with the exception of the buffet, which we found to be only a bit better than average. Food in the main dining rooms is good to great and is always outstanding at the complimentary Alfredo's Pizzeria. Bistro Sur La Mer is an excellent addition to the lineup of extra-fee options, as is the gelateria. It’s hard to pick a favorite among Sky Princess’ restaurants, but for something special, Chef’s Table Lumiere doesn’t disappoint.

Sky Princess can accommodate most dietary restrictions, though to be safe cruisers should let the line know ahead of their sailing. Vegetarian items are marked on menus in all sit-down restaurants.

Families should note: Kids' menus, high chairs and booster seats are available in onboard restaurants.

Free Dining on Sky Princess

Soleil (Deck 5), Cielo and Estrella Main Dining Rooms (Deck 6)
Meals: Breakfast (B), Lunch (L), Dinner (D)
Sky Princess has three main dining rooms: Soleil, Cielo and Estrella. All three are open for dinner to anytime diners (people who have chosen to eat any time between 5 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.). Only the Deck 6 Cielo Dining Room has reserved space for those who enjoy set seating, where you eat at the same time every night, at the same table and with the same people.

Breakfast is only served in the Deck 6 Estrella Dining Room, as is lunch and afternoon tea.

Breakfast has everything you could possibly want in the morning, from pastries, fruit and cereals to several preparations of eggs and griddle items. Lunch features a variety of items including appetizers, sandwiches, full main courses and desserts.

Dinner in the main dining rooms is a grand affair on Sky Princess, with a slew of choices for soup/salad, pastas, appetizers, main entrees, sides and desserts, plus a selection of always-available items (appetizers and entrees) and upcharged Crown Grill steakhouse selections.

Special dietary needs can usually be accommodated, especially if you give the maitre d' or your waiter a heads up each evening for the next day's meals. Always feel free to ask for a second appetizer or entree, or for a half portion if a full portion will be too much.

The menu also offers two wine pairings each night, one white and one red, paired with a specific main course dish.

Club Class Dining, Estrella Dining Room (Deck 6)
Meals: B, L, D
A section of Sky Princess’ Estrella Dining Room is reserved for suite and Club Class mini-suite cruisers for breakfast and dinner (and lunch on sea days). The menu here is slightly more upscale than the standard main dining room offerings, though you can also choose to order from the regular menu if you want. A separate entrance means those with access to Club Dining never have to wait in line.

World Fresh Marketplace (Deck 16)
Meals: B, L, D
Sky Princess' buffet, World Fresh Marketplace, features a wide variety of stand-alone food stations, making it easy and quick to navigate. You'll have to do a full circuit (front to back, not side to side) to ensure you don't miss anything, particularly at lunch.

Breakfast has the usual array of morning items from griddle choices to breakfast meats, eggs (several ways), yogurts, cereals and fruit.

Lunch is a mix of hot dishes, pastas, vegetarian dishes, carving stations, soups and salads; dinner is similar, though with a smaller selection. The food is about average for a buffet, with some selections outstanding and others simply OK.

Pastries (at all meals) and desserts are always located in the Pastry Shop, a special walk-through bakery that connects both sides of the buffet (located more midship than aft). The double chocolate chip cookies are a delight; put two on a plate and then take it over to Swirls for some soft-service ice cream and, voila, a delicious ice cream cookie sandwich.

Free self-serve water, lemonade and iced tea, and coffee machines are located throughout the buffet, but you can also ask a waiter to get a glass or cup for you.

**Salty Dog Grill (Deck 16)
Meals: L, D
**This gourmet, poolside grill offers up a variety of burgers (including veggie burgers), hot dogs, tacos, chili and loaded fries. Everything is free at Salty Dog Grill, except the "Ernesto" burger, a rib eye and short rib patty loaded with pork belly, Gruyere, caramelized kimchi, beer-battered jalapeno and onion aioli.

Slice Pizzeria (Deck 16)
Meals: L, D
The spot to grab an after-swim slice, this pizza counter has a smaller menu than Alfredo's with two options of thin slice pizza (margherita and pepperoni), an Italian deli Stromboli, two choices of California Toast (herbed Ciabatta toast with parmesan and toppings) and a loaded dish called a meatballs and cheese pizza boat.

Swirls (Deck 16)
Meals: Snacks
This small ice cream counter is hidden away in a corner of the pool deck. Here you'll find soft-serve vanilla, chocolate and swirl ice cream available in a cup or cone, along with rainbow or chocolate sprinkles.

**Alfredo's Pizzeria (Deck 7)
Meals: L, D
**Princess Cruises' popular sit-down pizza joint, Alfredo's offers eight pizza choices (the self-named Sky Princess pizza gets high marks), along with antipasti (including a vegetarian option), soup and salad, and two pasta dishes. Those with a sweet tooth will want to try the tiramisu; it's delicious. For the first time on a Princess ship, Alfredo's also features outdoor seating. Alfredo's is one of the busiest dining spots onboard; be prepared for a 10 to 15 minute wait, particularly during lunch hours.

**International Cafe (Deck 5)
Meals: Snacks
**Located in the atrium, the International Cafe is one of our favorite grab-and-go spots at sea. Small bites are available all day long and can include sandwiches, parfaits, soup, quiches, salads, pastries, cakes and more, depending on the time of the day.

**Room Service
Meals: B, L, D
**A free continental breakfast, along with a single hot item, can be ordered for breakfast by hanging your order form outside your room the night before. Cold items are the usual (fruit, yogurt, cereals and pastries), while the hot choice is an egg, bacon and cheese breakfast muffin.

Lunch and dinner items include a mix of free and extra-fee items and run the gamut from salads and sandwiches to hot dishes and desserts.

Specialty and Other For-Fee Restaurants on Sky Princess

Sabatini's (Deck 5); prix fixe
Meals: D
A Princess staple, Sabatini's on Sky Princess features a trattoria menu from Los Angeles-based chef Angelo Auriana. The menu is divided into five sections (soup/salad, antipasti, pasta, main entree and dessert), with cruisers able to choose one item from each section. We highly recommend the burrata for your appetizer.

The venue is located on Deck 5 across from the guest services desk and is the only restaurant closed off by doors, so it offers the quietest and most intimate dining atmosphere.

Chef's Table Lumiere (Deck 6); prix fixe
Meals: D
A foodie's dream, Chef's Table Lumiere offers the highest level of dining you can find on Sky Princess and is as much of an experience as a dinner. The multicourse meal is selected and prepared by the head chef and served at a beautiful glass table located inside the Cielo Dining Room. Offered several times per cruise (just how many times is based on the length of the sailing and the passenger demand), each meal is limited to about 12 people. Diners with specific food allergies or special needs can be accommodated if they let the ship know when registering for the dinner.

Bistro Sur La Mer (Deck 7); prix fixe
Meals: D
This French bistro, the brainchild of Emmanuel Renaut, is much more casual than you might expect from a three-Michelin star chef. Located in the busy Deck 7 walk-through thoroughfare, it's easy to mistake it for a bar with table seating. It's loud, with music wafting up from the Piazza two decks below and noise from passersby, but that all lends itself to a relaxed sidewalk bistro feel. The vibe is more chill than romantic, and it's a delight. (Anyone who prefers a quiet dining vibe should definitely skip it.)

The Sky Princess’ Bistro Sur La Mer menu is equally casual, yet excellent, with everything from red snapper, scallops and fish 'n' chips (delicious, by the way) to filet mignon and braised veal shank. Every meal starts with polenta fries and fresh goat cheese "olives," which look exactly like olives (they've actually got a thin olive skin layer on the outside) but are creamy and loaded with taste once you bit into them. After this, diners can choose one appetizer (from seven, divided into sea and land options), one entree (four choices, also divided into sea and land options) and a dessert.

Wine-lovers will want to check out the curated wine list from master sommelier Doug Frost.

Ocean Terrace Sushi Bar (Deck 7); a la carte pricing
Meals: L (sea days), D
This raw bar, located between Alfredo's and Bistro Sur La Mer, serves up a flight of oyster shooters, sushi and sashimi, ahi tuna poke, king crab cocktail, caviar and more. Rolls, sushi and sashimi are priced individually, while the four-course Chef's Special is a set price. Ocean Terrace is also the spot onboard to get caviar. Even if you're just there for a beverage, you can still have a snack of complimentary edamame, asparagus or cucumber salad.

Crown Grill (Deck 7); prix fixe
Meals: D
Princess' signature steakhouse, Crown Grill features an array of chops, seafood and steaks. It's also got some of the best creamed spinach you can find at sea. The traditional steakhouse has a date-night vibe but is partially open along one side so you can hear the piano or guitar music from the Crown Grill Bar. Diners can select more than one appetizer and sides are served family style, but for more than one entree, you'll need to pay a surcharge.

Gelato (Deck 5); a la carte pricing
Meals: Snacks
Just one of a few venues in the world outside of Italy that is certified as serving authentic gelato, Sky Princess' gelato bar serves 14 flavors including salted caramel, pistachio, tiramisu and stracciatella. Toppings are free, and there are also 10 types of gelato crepes on offer. You'll also find three flavors of sorbet and no-added sugar vanilla and chocolate.