Donald BucoloThe brand-new Sun Princess has over 15 bars and lounges. With plenty of Princess favorites along with a few new concepts, many of the bars on Sun Princess offer a unique atmosphere and an equally impressive list of cocktails. We are back from one of the first sailings on this mega-ship and want to share everything you need to know about these watering holes. Get ready to put that drink package to good use with our complete guide to all the Sun Princess bars including all the menus and drink prices.
Complete Guide to Sun Princess Bars with Menus and Drink Prices
Indoor Bars and Lounges
Along with various indoor dining venues on Sun Princess, there is an array of bars and lounges. Many of these venues host live music and activities each evening of the cruise. So, you will want to make sure you visit them all during your voyage.
WHAT WE LOVED AND HATED ON SUN PRINCESS VIDEO REVIEW
Good Spirits (Deck 7)
Good Spirits takes guests around the globe in search of extraordinary, one-of-a-kind cocktail creations. While in a new location on Sun Princess, this popular bar serves up all the signature concoctions. Among my favorites are the Barbados Swizzler and Bangkok Mule. Heidi enjoyed the Sandia en Fuego.
On Sun Princess, Good Spirits is a distinct venue, tucked around the corner from the forward elevators. It showcases an immersive cocktail experience at a separate show bar each evening. Alongside some story-telling about the drinks themselves, skilled bartenders whip up these libations with a little help from guests.
There is also an immersive royal tea experience on select afternoons of the cruise. This bar tends to be open from 4 PM to late, with the last show usually occurring at 11 PM.
O’Malley’s Irish Pub (Deck 7)
One of our favorite bars on Sun Princess was O’Malley’s Irish Pub. Many cruise ships offer pubs, but O’Malley’s captures the energy and ambiance of an Irish pub you’d expect to find in Dublin. This traditional Irish pub boasts live music and a wide array of drinks.
Bartenders here pour unique cocktails featuring the exclusive Grace O’Malley spirits. O’Malley’s menu also includes a selection of beer and wine. On port days, O’Malley’s Irish Pub opens at 4 PM until late, with the venue opening as early as 1 PM on sea days.
Additionally, the venue serves a menu of classic pub-style food, like Traditional Bangers & Mash, from 5:30 PM to 9 PM nightly. The food here is not complimentary, but this casual fare is included in the Princess Plus or Princess Premier Packages.
O’Malley’s Irish Pub Bar Menu | Food Menu
Princess Live! (Deck 7)
The Princess Live! venue on Sun Princess received a significant facelift. This popular lounge now includes design elements of both Princess Live! and the guest favorite Explorer’s Lounge. The inviting, semi-open façade offers natural light and a cozy atmosphere.
The large LED screen and small stage host diverse activities and entertainment throughout the sailing. Here, guests on Sun Princess can enjoy game shows, live music, comedy shows, and trivia.
The Princess Live! bar menu features several classic cocktails and Princess favorites, like a Spiced Negroni. While activities occur throughout the day here, the bar does not open until 4 PM (to late) most days of the cruise.
Bellini’s Cocktail Bar (Deck 7)
In the center of Deck 7, Bellini’s Cocktail Bar is the main bar serving the Piazza. The bar features a signature cocktail menu inspired by the spirits of Italy. Signature drinks include staples like Prosecco, Limoncello, and more made with fresh ingredients.
Cruisers can sip and savor the finest bubblies while enjoying the Piazza entertainment and panoramic views from the floor-to-ceiling windows thanks to the Sphere. Most days of the cruise, Bellini’s opens from 7 AM to late.
Coffee Currents (Deck 7)
An addition to Sun Princess is a second coffee shop on the Piazza. Open from 6 AM to late, Coffee Currents serves the same menu of espresso-based drinks as the International Café a couple decks above. Like that java shop, the coffee drinks here are not complimentary. However, they are included in the Princess Cruises drink packages.
The appeal of this venue is that it boasts more seating and a lounge with ocean views. It is often less crowded as well. In addition, Coffee Currents does offer a small selection of complimentary bakery items that are available throughout the day.
Wheelhouse Bar (Deck 7)
This nautically themed bar is a staple on many Princess Cruises ships. While not found on the Royal Class, the Wheelhouse Bar makes a return on the Sphere Class. Open from 4 PM to late each night, this venue is the perfect pre-dinner or post-dinner spot for recounting the day’s events with friends and family.
Serving a naturally inspired menu with cocktails like the Anchor’s Away, it fits right into the vibe of this space. At the Wheelhouse Bar, there is also a selection of popular board games available for guests to enjoy.
While the nautical theming is more subtle and there is no live music here, the venue is tucked away from all the action and is a nice spot to relax away from the crowds.
Spellbound by Magic Castle (Deck 8)
Spellbound by Magic Castle blends the world of magic with the art of culinary and mixology to create a one-of-a-kind immersive experience. With its ornate décor including magical artifacts, vintage curiosities, and interactive special effects, it is quite possibly the most well-themed experience on any cruise ship.
After witnessing the spirit of Isabella take requests on the piano, guests nestle around the Parlor Bar for some sleight-of-hand and unique cocktails that are among the best on the ship. But, the experience isn’t over yet. Soon, guests are summoned for an exclusive magic show.
With three time slots nightly, that are limited to just 30 cruisers, this $149 experience will include dinner, an open bar, and plenty of magic and mystery. In our opinion, Spellbound is well-worth the up-charge!
Crooners Bar (Deck 8)
Located off the Piazza on Deck 8 is another Princess favorite bar. The mid-20th century Crooners Bar features signature martinis and old-school mixed cocktails, alongside live piano music. With a new design featuring natural light and well-themed decor, it is undoubtedly the most refined lounge on the ship.
The venue offers both bar seating and lounge seating off the Piazza so passersby can stop and listen to a tune or two. Crooners tended to be open from 11 AM to late every day, and most signature drinks are covered in the cruise line’s drink package.
International Café (Deck 9)
This resident coffee shop is open 24 hours a day for your caffeine fix. The coffee menu here features specialty lattes, espresso-based drinks, and premium teas. Cruisers will also find a full bar serving the standard menu and spirited coffees infused with spirits. Various sweet and savory small bites are also available throughout the day. The food selection here is a bit more varied than Coffee Currents.
While all of the food at the Café is included in the cruise fare, espresso-based drinks are an upcharge.
Given that this venue is right off the hallway leading to The Eatery, it can get crowded here. But, you can always take your coffee to-go and enjoy it on the new outdoor promenade.
International Café Coffee Menu
Outdoor Bars
With the enhanced lido spanning several decks, Sun Princess is home to multiple outdoor bars. With pool areas scattered around the ship, cruisers are never far from a refreshing cocktail, cold beer, or glass of wine while taking a dip or enjoying the ocean breeze.
Wake View Bar (Deck 8)
Aft on Deck 8 is a family-friendly outdoor space, the Wake View Terrace. This aft sundeck boasts some of the best views on the ship and a gorgeous infinity pool. While lounging poolside, guests can enjoy a refreshing drink with a twist at the Wake View Bar. The distinct cocktails here include the Aperol Froze or the Sand Meets the Sea.
With a signature cocktail menu that matches the yacht club vibe of this space, the Wake View Bar’s hours of operation are typically around 10 AM to 8 PM, weather permitting.
The Promenade (Deck 9)
New to Sun Princess is an outdoor promenade at the aft of Deck 9. Not far from The Eatery (the cruise ship’s buffet), there is a variety of al fresco seating options along with several quick service stations.
On both the starboard side and portside of the outdoor Promenade, guests can enjoy food items like pizza, burgers, and tacos. Of course, you won’t go thirsty either as there’s also a bar on both sides serving the standard menu of beers, wines, and spirits.
The Promenade bars are usually open most of the day, from 11 AM to 6 PM.
The Sea View Bar (Deck 17)
The Sea View Terrace is a two-story, partially covered sundeck located at the forward of Sun Princess beyond the new Dome. This sundeck is home to multi-level seating with fantastic views of the bow of the ship, an indoor-outdoor pool, and a signature bar. The best part is that it is completely free for guests to enjoy.
The Sea View Bar has a signature menu of maritime-inspired cocktails, like the Under the Sea and the fruity Peach Fresca. Like other outdoor bars, the Sea View Bar tended to be open from 10 AM to 6 PM during our Mediterranean cruise.
The Cascade Bar (Deck 17)
Behind the Sea View Terrace is a multi-level covered deck and the first-of-its-kind true glass-enclosed dome ever constructed on a cruise ship. While technically inside the Dome, the Cascade Bar is another unique bar for cruisers lounging poolside or enjoying the nightly entertainment in The Dome.
With an indoor cascading waterfall welcoming guests, this unique space offers drinks with distinct flair and flavor, like the Lilypad with olive oil washed gin. During our cruise, the Cascade Bar was open limited hours as the Dome was often closed for show rehearsals.
Lido Bar (Deck 17)
Given the typical cruise buffet was moved off the pool deck on Sun Princess, the cruise line introduced a new food stall concept on the Lido deck. The new Lido Eats is a poolside eatery offering quick service burgers, tacos, pizza, and salads. To help wash down all of these lunchtime bites, there is also a bar on the starboard side of this Deck 17 outdoor dining space.
During our cruise, the Lido Bar opened from 11 AM to 10:30 PM. This walk-up bar has no dedicated seating, but there are plenty of chairs and tables around the Lido Eats dining area and loungers around the pool. Like many of the outdoor bars, the Lido bar offers beers, wines, and cocktails from the standard bar menu.
The Mix Bar (Deck 17)
At the aft end of the main pool deck on the starboard side, cruisers can get classic cocktails, beers, and wines by the glass at the Mix Bar. This poolside bar is open most days from 11 AM to 6 PM mixing up the standard menu. With drinks like the Dirty Banana, Baileys Colada, and 24K Margarita, it’s the perfect spot to grab all your poolside libations.
Coffee and Cones (Deck 17)
Cruisers will want to head aft on Deck 17 portside for a pick-me-up or a sweet treat. At Coffee and Cones, cruisers can get espresso-based drinks and free soft serve. However, cruisers can also indulge in one of the premium ice cream selections that are part of the Princess Plus and Princess Premier packages. These premium desserts can also be purchased a la carte for $12.
Sun Bar (Deck 18)
The Sun Bar serves the Deck 18 sundeck. This small bar is open from 9 AM to 10 PM on most days. Cruisers can enjoy various beers, wine, and the cruise line’s signature 24K Margarita while catching some rays or taking a dip in one of the whirlpools.
Note that the starboard side of the Sun Bar is the outdoor smoking section.
The Sanctuary Bar (Deck 18)
All the way aft on Deck 18 is an exclusive sundeck reserved for those 16 or older. Starting at $79 a day, guests can enjoy a tranquil and private space at the largest Sanctuary in the Princess Cruises fleet and the first to feature a pool. Suite guests also get a reserved section of the Sanctuary.
While relaxing in this exclusive retreat, guests have access to the Sanctuary Bar.
The Sanctuary Bar opens from 8 AM to 5 PM and shakes up specialty cocktails, like the Sunset on Ice with Prosecco or a Caribbean Punch.
Comments
Have you sailed on Princess Cruises newest ship yet? Which of the Sun Princess bars are you most excited to try? Drop us an anchor below to share your favorite spot to grab a drink on a Princess cruise.
2 comments
MJ
When you say the bars are open “until late” what time is that usually? Does it change day to day for example if it’s a sea day or port day?
Thanks guys, this review was a fantastic read!
Don Bucolo
Great question. Until late varies from cruise line to cruise line. Typically, that means the bar is open until midnight or 1 am. Some cruise lines have the casino bar or nightclub open later, but it is rare to have a venue that is open beyond 2 am. We didn’t stay up much past midnight on our Sun Princess cruise, but the few bars we were at did close around that time. Hope this helps! Happy cruising.