Princess Cruises is making major changes to Royal Princess as the cruise line expands its Sanctuary Collection to five additional Royal Class ships. The new premium experience will introduce a private Sanctuary Club, exclusive dining, and new stateroom categories, while also changing several existing public spaces onboard.
The changes were revealed in Princess Cruises' October 21 announcement, which confirmed plans to expand the Sanctuary Collection across Royal Princess, Discovery Princess, Enchanted Princess, Regal Princess, and Sky Princess. A comparison of Royal Princess' updated deck plans with its previous layout reveals several significant changes, including the removal of the Retreat adults only pool and sundeck, the conversion of part of Concerto Dining Room into a dedicated Sanctuary Restaurant, and the addition of new solo inside cabins.
The updated plans also show changes to the popular Good Spirits at Sea bar in the Piazza, which is now labeled Piazza Bar, along with new oceanview staterooms and changes to the ship's self service laundry facilities.
These changes represent a significant shift in how Princess Cruises is using space aboard its existing Royal Class ships, with more areas being reserved exclusively for passengers booking the new Sanctuary Collection.
Princess Cruises Is Replacing The Retreat With the Sanctuary Club
Sanctuary Club © Princess Cruises
One of the most significant changes coming to Royal Princess is the removal of the Retreat pool, Retreat adults only sundeck, and Retreat Bar. These spaces are being replaced by the Sanctuary Club, a private area reserved for guests staying in dedicated Sanctuary Collection accommodations.
The Retreat has been a popular feature on Princess Cruises' Royal Class ships, providing an adults only outdoor area away from the main pool deck. Unlike the new Sanctuary Club, the Retreat deck is available to passengers without requiring them to book a specific stateroom category.
Retreat Pool © Princess Cruises Blog / Freestyle Travelers
Under the new arrangement, the dedicated pool and outdoor relaxation area will become part of Princess Cruises' premium Sanctuary Collection experience. The cruise line says the Sanctuary Club will feature dedicated relaxation areas, upgraded loungers, shaded cabanas available for an additional charge, and food and beverage service delivered poolside.
The conversion means Royal Princess will lose an outdoor space that has always been available to all onboard passengers. Access to the new Sanctuary Club will be tied to the Sanctuary Collection rather than being available to all guests onboard.
The change also raises questions about the future of Sanctuary day passes on Royal Princess and the other Royal Class ships receiving the conversion. On ships such as Sun Princess and Star Princess, the Sanctuary pool area is integrated into the Sanctuary Collection and is not offered as a conventional daily pass experience for passengers staying in other accommodations.
Princess Cruises has not separately announced a day pass policy for every ship receiving a new Sanctuary Club. However, the revised Royal Princess deck plans indicate that the former Retreat space is being converted into a private area rather than retained as a separate public pool and sundeck.
For passengers who previously enjoyed the Retreat without booking a premium stateroom, this will be one of the most noticeable changes to the onboard experience.
Concerto Dining Room Will Become Part Sanctuary Restaurant
Concerto Dining Room © Princess Cruises
The Sanctuary Collection expansion will also bring changes to Royal Princess' main dining room arrangements.
The updated deck plans show Concerto Dining Room divided down the center, with the port side of the space being converted into a dedicated Sanctuary Restaurant. This will provide exclusive dining for passengers booked in Sanctuary Collection accommodations, separate from the ship's regular main dining room experience.
Princess Cruises says the Sanctuary Restaurant will feature menus inspired by the destinations visited during each voyage. The dining venue is intended to be a central part of the premium experience, offering Sanctuary Collection guests a dedicated restaurant in addition to access to the ship's other dining options.
The conversion will reduce the space available for the existing Concerto Dining Room, changing how one of Royal Princess' main dining venues is configured.
The Sanctuary Restaurant is part of a broader approach that Princess first introduced on Sun Princess and Star Princess. Rather than limiting the Sanctuary experience to a premium outdoor area, the cruise line is extending it to accommodations, dining, lounges, and onboard services.
Royal Princess Is Adding Six Solo Inside Cabins
Royal Princess Solo Inside Stateroom © Princess Cruises & Princess Cruises Blog
Another notable change shown on the revised deck plans is the addition of six dedicated solo inside staterooms.
To make room for the new cabins, portions of the ship's existing self service laundry facilities are being repurposed. The revised layout indicates that the laundry space will be reduced, with part of the area converted into the new solo accommodations.
The addition gives Royal Princess a small number of dedicated cabins designed for passengers traveling alone. Solo travelers have historically had fewer accommodation choices on many cruise ships, with some having to book a cabin designed for two passengers or pay a single supplement.
The six new inside staterooms provide another accommodation option, although the limited number means availability may be restricted on popular sailings.
Princess Cruises has not announced a fleetwide total for new solo cabins across all five ships receiving the Sanctuary Collection expansion. The six staterooms identified on Royal Princess should therefore be viewed as specific to the revised layout of this ship rather than a confirmed count for the entire Royal Class fleet.
New Forward Facing Oceanview Staterooms Join the Sanctuary Collection
Sanctuary Oceanview Room © Princess Cruises
Royal Princess will also receive new oceanview staterooms in previously crew designated areas toward the forward part of the ship.
These newly constructed accommodations are part of the Sanctuary Collection expansion and will be sold as premium staterooms with access to the exclusive amenities included in the package.
Princess Cruises specifically confirmed in its announcement that the expanded Sanctuary Collection will include newly constructed oceanview staterooms. The new cabins add another accommodation category to the program, alongside select existing staterooms and suites.
The location of these cabins is notable because they occupy space that was not previously part of the ship's regular passenger cabin inventory. Their addition demonstrates how Princess is modifying existing ships to create more accommodations tied to the premium experience without introducing an entirely new ship design.
The revised deck plans also indicate that all cabins on the Lido Deck are now classified as Sanctuary Collection accommodations. This represents a substantial change to the way those staterooms are categorized and sold.
For passengers comparing Royal Princess cabin options, the revised deck plans will be important when determining which accommodations qualify for Sanctuary Collection access and which benefits are included with each booking.
Good Spirits at Sea Is Now Labeled Piazza Bar
Good Spirits Bar © Princess Cruises
Another change on the updated Royal Princess deck plans involves Good Spirits at Sea, the cocktail bar located in the ship's Piazza. The venue is now labeled simply as the Piazza Bar.
Good Spirits at Sea has become a recognizable part of Princess Cruises' bar lineup, combining signature cocktails with storytelling and presentations centered on the drinks being served. Its presence in the Piazza has made it a popular stop for passengers looking for cocktails while enjoying the entertainment and activity in the ship's central gathering space.
The updated name raises questions about whether Princess intends to discontinue the Good Spirits at Sea concept on Royal Class ships or simply change the venue's branding.
At this stage, the revised deck plan label confirms the name change shown for the space, but it does not establish whether the signature cocktail menu, drink presentations, or the broader Good Spirits at Sea concept will be discontinued. Princess Cruises has not announced a fleetwide end to the concept.
What Other Changes Are Coming to Royal Princess?
The Sanctuary Collection expansion includes more than the new pool area, restaurant, and accommodations. Princess Cruises has outlined several additional benefits that will be included for qualifying guests.
Sanctuary Collection bookings made after the program becomes available on each ship will include Princess Premier, the cruise line's most comprehensive package. The package includes premium unlimited beverages, specialty and casual dining, high speed Wi Fi, crew appreciation, complimentary room service, and OceanNow delivery, among other benefits.
Guests will also receive priority access and reservations, curated in room amenities, tailored daily programming, and dedicated service throughout the voyage.
Passengers staying in Sanctuary suites will receive additional benefits, including assistance from a dedicated suite concierge and access to a private Suite Lounge. The lounge will provide a separate setting for relaxation, refreshments, and personalized concierge assistance.
The revised deck plans should be consulted alongside the cruise line's announcement to understand how these benefits translate into physical changes aboard each ship. Not every benefit requires a new venue, and the exact configuration may differ between ships.
Are Vines, the Princess Photo Studio, and Club 6 Also Changing?
Vines Wine Bar © Princess Cruises
Before Princess Cruises formally announced the Sanctuary Collection expansion, there was speculation about several other possible changes to Royal Princess.
These included replacing Vines Wine Bar with O'Malley's Irish Pub, converting the Princess Photo Studio into a dedicated bar and lounge, and officially rebranding the former Club 6 space as a dedicated smoking casino.
The updated deck plans do not appear to show those additional venue conversions.
Vines will remain onboard, rather than O'Malley's Irish Pub, which was added to the other Royal Class ships such as Majestic Princess in previous drydocks. The Princess Photo Studio will retain its large footprint in the Piazza, and the former Club 6 space is labeled Double Down Bar on the revised plans.
For now, the clearest changes are those visible in the revised deck plans and described in Princess Cruises' official announcement. Additional venue changes should not be assumed without further information from the cruise line.
When Will Princess Cruises Add the Sanctuary Collection to Its Royal Class Ships?
Royal Princess is the first ship included in the newly announced expansion, with Sanctuary Collection staterooms going on sale October 22, 2026. The first qualifying voyage identified by Princess is a 12 day South Pacific cruise departing January 4, 2027.
Princess Cruises has also confirmed the following booking dates for the other ships receiving the new experience.
Regal Princess staterooms are scheduled to go on sale November 5, 2026, beginning with a transatlantic voyage departing Port Everglades on April 17, 2027.
Discovery Princess staterooms are scheduled to go on sale December 4, 2026, beginning with a seven day Mexico cruise roundtrip from Los Angeles departing April 24, 2027.
Sky Princess staterooms are scheduled to go on sale December 10, 2026, beginning with a 14 day Baltic voyage from Southampton departing May 29, 2027.
Enchanted Princess staterooms are scheduled to go on sale December 17, 2026, beginning with a seven day Mediterranean voyage from Civitavecchia departing June 12, 2027.
Princess Cruises says the expansion represents the first phase of a multi year fleet modernization initiative. The announcement does not provide a completion date for the physical work on every ship, so the booking dates should not be interpreted as a complete schedule for all ship modifications.
Guests who had already booked a Reserve Collection stateroom on Royal Princess before October 22, 2026, will receive the Sanctuary Collection experience and its additional amenities at no extra cost, excluding the Princess Premier package, according to the cruise line.
What the Sanctuary Collection Expansion Means for Princess Cruises
The expansion marks a significant change in how Princess Cruises is positioning its Royal Class ships. The Sanctuary Collection was first introduced on Sun Princess and Star Princess, where qualifying accommodations are linked to private spaces, exclusive dining, and a premium package of onboard benefits.
Bringing the concept to five existing Royal Class ships extends that model across more of the fleet. For passengers booking qualifying accommodations, the change introduces additional dining and relaxation options along with a collection of bundled amenities.
However, the changes also affect passengers who do not book Sanctuary Collection accommodations. On Royal Princess, the conversion of the Retreat into the Sanctuary Club removes a previously accessible adults only outdoor area from the ship's general guest experience. The division of Concerto Dining Room and the redesignation of cabins also change how existing public and accommodation spaces are used.
The addition of solo inside cabins and new oceanview accommodations expands the available cabin categories, while the change from Good Spirits at Sea to Piazza Bar raises further questions about the future of one of Princess Cruises' established cocktail concepts.
As Princess continues its fleet modernization initiative, Royal Princess will provide an early look at how the Sanctuary Collection is being incorporated into existing ships and what those changes mean for the wider passenger experience.
We will continue monitoring updated deck plans and announcements from Princess Cruises as more details become available about the Sanctuary Collection expansion and any additional changes to the cruise line's Royal Class ships.
