Crown Princess Charm
Oceanview cabin
We recently sailed on the Crown Princess for our very first cruise with Princess Cruises, a 4-night voyage from Melbourne to Tasmania and Sydney in an Oceanview cabin. As longtime Cunard cruisers, we were curious to see how the Princess experience compared — and overall, it delivered a relaxed, traditional style of cruising with plenty to enjoy.
Embarkation at Station Pier was quick and efficient. Despite arriving early for our allocated window, we were checked in and onboard within around 15 minutes. One of the first things that stood out was the elegant multi-deck Piazza, the social heart of the ship and a hub for cafés, bars, live music and entertainment throughout the day.
We had successfully bid on an upgrade from an Inside to an Oceanview cabin prior to sailing, and it proved to be a great move. The room was compact but comfortable, with a king bed, generous storage and a surprisingly large walk-in wardrobe. The bathroom was standard for this class of ship, and while the lack of bedside USB ports showed the ship’s age, everything was clean and well maintained.
Chicken Tacos from the Salty Dog, delicious!!!
Décor throughout the ship reflects her 2006 build — rich timber, brass accents and a slightly early-2000s feel — but the layout offers plenty of classic cruise venues. Crooners quickly became a favourite for its live piano and martini bar atmosphere, while the Wheelhouse Bar and Salty Dog Gastropub delivered a cosy, nautical pub vibe. The Explorers Lounge hosted many of the activities including trivia, karaoke and live music.
Dining was a strong point. We had several enjoyable dinners in the Botticelli Dining Room with excellent service throughout, and while the Horizon Court buffet offered standard cruise fare, it was reliable for any meal of the day. The standout casual venue was the Salty Dog Grill, where the tacos were easily among the best poolside options we’ve had at sea. Slice Pizzeria and the International Café were also regular go-to spots for quick bites and snacks.
Outdoor areas are a major feature of the Crown Princess, with multiple pool spaces, hot tubs and the beautiful aft Terrace Pool overlooking the wake — though cold and rainy weather meant we didn’t get to enjoy them as much as we would have liked. Movies Under the Stars is a great touch in better conditions, and The Sanctuary provides a peaceful adults-only retreat for an additional cost.
The Princess Plus package was great value!
Entertainment was more traditional in style, highlighted by a fantastic performance from The Trawlermen in the Princess Theatre. Skywalkers Nightclub at the top of the ship offered incredible views by day and a lively atmosphere at night.
While the Crown Princess doesn’t offer the high-energy attractions of newer ships, that’s not what she’s trying to be. This is classic cruising — relaxed, elegant and focused on good food, live music and sea days. Yes, she shows her age in places and the upcoming dry dock will be very welcome, but the overall onboard experience was warm, comfortable and thoroughly enjoyable.
With better weather — and those Salty Dog tacos in hand — we’d happily sail on the Crown Princess again.