Princess Cruises expands Sanctuary Collection to five more ships - Get updated on what's happening in tourism!

Princess Cruises is expanding its Sanctuary Collection to five additional ships, bringing exclusive onboard facilities, enhanced dining and personalised services to a wider range of passengers. The programme, previously introduced aboard Sun Princess and Star Princess, will now be extended to Royal Princess, Regal Princess, Discovery Princess, Sky Princess and Enchanted Princess.

Announced on 22 October 2026, the expansion forms the first phase of a multi-year fleet modernisation initiative. The concept combines selected suites and staterooms with access to private areas and additional amenities, allowing passengers to enjoy a more secluded experience while retaining the entertainment, restaurants and activities available throughout the ship.

Royal Princess will be the first of the five vessels to introduce the expanded offering, beginning with a 12-day South Pacific voyage departing on 4 January 2027. The remaining ships will follow during the first half of the year. Bookings are being introduced progressively, giving travel advisors and passengers the opportunity to select the new accommodation category for specific itineraries.

Private spaces and enhanced dining

At the centre of the concept is the Sanctuary Club, an exclusive area designed for relaxation away from the busier public spaces. Facilities will include dedicated lounges, a private pool area, upgraded loungers and shaded cabanas available at an additional charge. Food and beverage service will also be provided poolside.

Sanctuary Collection passengers will have access to a dedicated Sanctuary Restaurant, offering menus inspired by the destinations visited during their cruise. The accommodation category will include selected existing suites and staterooms as well as newly constructed oceanview cabins.

Passengers booking Sanctuary Suites will receive assistance from a dedicated concierge, who can coordinate dining reservations, entertainment and other arrangements. Suite guests will also have access to a private lounge with refreshments and personalised service.

The Sanctuary Collection will incorporate Princess Premier, the cruise line's most comprehensive inclusive package. Benefits include premium beverages, specialty and casual dining, high-speed Wi-Fi, crew appreciation, room service and OceanNow delivery.

Additional privileges include priority reservations, selected in-room amenities and tailored daily activities.

Princess Cruises President Gus Antorcha said the expansion would allow more passengers to experience the privacy and personalised services associated with an intimate luxury resort while continuing to enjoy the broader facilities of a large cruise ship.

Five ships join the programme in 2027

The introduction will follow a staggered booking schedule, with each ship offering Sanctuary Collection accommodation from a designated departure.

Royal Princess opened bookings on 22 October 2026 for voyages beginning on 4 January 2027 in the South Pacific. Regal Princess will follow, with sales starting on 5 November for a transatlantic sailing departing Port Everglades on 17 April 2027.

Discovery Princess will open bookings on 4 December for a seven-day Mexico cruise departing Los Angeles on 24 April 2027. Sky Princess will become available on 10 December, beginning with a 14-day Baltic itinerary from Southampton on 29 May 2027.

Enchanted Princess completes the announced rollout. Bookings will open on 17 December for a seven-day Mediterranean cruise departing Civitavecchia on 12 June 2027.

Passengers who booked a Reserve Collection stateroom aboard Royal Princess before 22 October 2026 will receive the new Sanctuary Collection experience without an additional charge. However, the Princess Premier package is excluded from this arrangement.

The expansion reflects a broader development in the cruise industry towards differentiated accommodation categories within larger vessels. By introducing private facilities and enhanced services alongside its established onboard offering, Princess Cruises is seeking to appeal to travellers who value greater privacy without moving to a smaller luxury ship.

Image Credit: © AI generated illustration using material courtesy of Princess Cruises