After sailing the Sun Princess with my two kids (ages 9 and 12) as a concierge travel advisor, I can confidently say Princess Cruises is a great choice for families who want excellent food, a standout kids club, and a more relaxed cruise experience — though families looking for waterslides and thrill attractions may prefer other lines.
When many travelers think of Princess Cruises, they picture couples or older travelers rather than families with kids. But after sailing aboard the Sun Princess with my mom and my two children (ages 9 and 12), I discovered that Princess can actually be a fantastic option for families; especially those looking for a more relaxed cruise experience.
Princess Cruises operates 16 ships that sail around the world, including itineraries in the Caribbean, Alaska, Europe, the Mediterranean, Asia, Australia, and South America. While the line doesn’t focus on thrill attractions like water slides or go-karts, it offers excellent food, thoughtful service, and plenty of activities for both adults and kids.
Sun Princess Stateroom Experience
We stayed in an Oceanview stateroom on Deck 5, and I was pleasantly surprised by how convenient the location was. Being lower on the ship meant we were only a few decks away from the kids club, the main dining rooms, and the Piazza.
The room had plenty of storage with drawers and shelves, plus a comfortable seat by the window where I enjoyed my morning coffee. One feature I really appreciated was that Princess still offers twice-daily stateroom service, something many cruise lines have reduced to once per day.
Overall the room was quiet and comfortable. The beds were quite firm for my taste, but our steward quickly added a mattress topper, which helped.
Princess Cruises: Medallion Technology
One feature that really stood out was the MedallionClass system.
Instead of a traditional cruise card, guests receive a wearable device called the OceanMedallion. It functions as your room key, onboard charge card, and identification throughout the ship.
Your stateroom door unlocks automatically when you approach, and you can order food or drinks directly from your phone using OceanNow in the Princess Cruises App, with delivery anywhere on the ship.
For families, one of the most useful features is the ability to locate family members onboard through the app or screens near the elevators. It works a bit like an AirTag and made it much easier for me to feel comfortable letting my kids explore together.
Dining: One of the Best Parts of the Cruise
The food on Sun Princess was honestly some of the best I’ve had on any cruise.
We didn’t try any specialty restaurants because the included dining options were already excellent. The main dining room and buffet offered a wide variety of dishes, and the poolside tacos and nachos were a favorite for casual lunches.
One thing I especially appreciated about the buffet was that most of it was not self-service. With the exception of a few grab-and-go items, the food was placed behind glass and served by crew members. This reduces the number of passengers touching utensils and helps limit the spread of germs.
Dining in the main dining room also worked well for our family. My 12-year-old, who enjoys trying new foods, happily ordered from the adult menu every night. My 9-year-old is a bit pickier and alternated between the kids menu and adult options. Even the hot dog he ordered one evening looked great.
Service was generally quick, though the made-to-order burger station could get busy during peak times. When that happened, guests were given pagers so they could return when their food was ready.
Entertainment Onboard
There was always something happening onboard throughout the day and evening. Activities during the day ranged from line dancing, trivia, bingo, and interactive game shows to live music in several venues.
Evenings also included Movies Under the Stars, where guests could watch films outdoors with blankets, chair cushions, and popcorn. My mom and I especially enjoyed the outdoor movies, a comedy show, and several game shows. Our favorite performance, however, was a Motown group that had the entire crowd singing along.
Even kids who aren’t interested in the youth club would likely find several entertainment options to enjoy, especially those around age ten and older.
A Fun Surprise: Irish Music at Sea
One unexpected highlight of the cruise was the live Irish music in the ship’s pub.
Irish music is something my family already enjoys. My daughter used to take Irish dance, and we both play a bit of Irish fiddle, so discovering these performances onboard was a treat.
The musicians created a lively atmosphere with guests singing and clapping along. They even hosted a class teaching passengers how to play the musical spoons, which we joined just for fun.
Kids Club & Family Activities
Princess offers youth programs for several age groups:
- Firefly Park: Ages 3–7
- Neon Grove: Ages 8–12
- The Underground: Ages 13–17
Clubs run throughout the day and evening, with supervised activities typically available until about 10 p.m.
Both of my kids spent most of their time in Neon Grove and absolutely loved it. There were relatively few children onboard—probably fewer than 100—which made the club feel less crowded and helped them get to know the other kids more easily.
Activities included Mario Kart competitions, Gaga ball, crafts, music, and group games. One highlight was a special showing of the Spellbound magic experience, where the kids enjoyed their own private magic show and even learned a trick.
When they weren’t at the club, my kids were usually swimming or grabbing ice cream by the pool. Because there weren’t many children onboard, the pools were rarely crowded and they always had room to play. Princess also offered daily family activities such as Jr. Chef at Sea, family trivia, face painting, and evening game shows.
Both of my kids said this was their favorite cruise kids club so far—even better than the ones on Royal Caribbean, which had previously been their favorite.
Families sailing during school holidays will likely see more kids onboard and busier pools, but that’s true on any cruise line.
For families with very young children, Princess Cruises does not provide childcare for kids under three years old. However, toddlers can use the Firefly Park play structures during certain hours, and the ship offers family amenities like cribs, high chairs, and jarred baby food.
Final Thoughts
Our cruise on Sun Princess was a fantastic experience for our family.
Between the excellent food, relaxed atmosphere, great entertainment, and a standout kids club, it ended up being one of our favorite cruises so far.
While Princess may not offer the thrill attractions found on some mega-ships, it delivers something different: a cruise that feels more relaxed while still offering plenty for both adults and kids to enjoy.
For families who value great food, thoughtful service, and a calmer onboard experience, Princess Cruises can be an excellent choice.
Frequently Asked Questions About Princess Cruises for Families
1. Does Princess Cruises have a kids club?
Yes, Princess Cruises offers youth programs for three age groups: Firefly Park for ages 3–7, Neon Grove for ages 8–12, and The Underground for ages 13–17. The names of the kids’ clubs may vary from ship to ship. Clubs run throughout the day and evening with supervised activities typically available until about 10 p.m. Activities include Mario Kart competitions, Gaga ball, crafts, group games, and special experiences like a private Spellbound magic show. Princess does not offer childcare for children under three, but toddlers can use the Firefly Park play structures during designated parent-accompanied hours.
2. How does the Princess Cruises Medallion work for families?
The OceanMedallion is a small wearable device that replaces the traditional cruise card. It functions as your room key, onboard charge card, and ID — your stateroom door unlocks automatically as you approach. For families, the most useful feature is the built-in location tracking, which lets parents see where their children are on the ship through the Princess Cruises app or on screens near the elevators. You can also order food and drinks from your phone using OceanNow and have them delivered anywhere on the ship.
3. Is Princess Cruises or Royal Caribbean better for families with kids?
It depends on what your family values most. Princess Cruises offers a calmer onboard atmosphere, higher-quality included dining, and a less crowded kids club experience — my children actually preferred the Princess kids club over Royal Caribbean’s. However, Princess does not have the thrill attractions found on Royal Caribbean mega-ships like waterslides, rock climbing walls, or surf simulators. Families who prioritize great food, thoughtful service, and a more relaxed pace will love Princess, while families who want nonstop action and amusement-park-style attractions may prefer Royal Caribbean.
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