What's Included in Princess Cruises' Sanctuary Collection and Is It Worth It?
Published May 21, 2026
Updated May 21, 2026
Travel Experts
at The Cruise Web
Picture a private world within one of the most innovative ships Princess Cruises has ever built. That's the idea behind the Sanctuary Collection, an exclusive tier of staterooms and experiences available only on Sun Princess and Star Princess. Private venues, premium inclusions, and a quieter pace of cruising make it a natural fit for honeymoons, anniversaries, and milestone travel.
The concept launched in October 2024 aboard Sun Princess, replacing both the former Signature Collection and Reserve Collection stateroom categories on Princess Cruises' Sphere Class ships. Rather than a simple cabin upgrade, the Sanctuary Collection is a ship-within-a-ship experience. All 215 designated staterooms across three tiers unlock access to spaces and amenities the rest of the ship doesn't have.
Here's everything that's included.
Sanctuary Collection at a Glance
Feature | What's Included | The Fine Print / Restrictions |
|---|---|---|
Exclusive Venues | • Sanctuary Club (Pool, hot tubs, bar) • Sanctuary Restaurant (Private dining) | • Sanctuary Club: Adults-only (Ages 16+) • Sanctuary Restaurant: Open Breakfast/Dinner daily, Lunch on sea days |
Princess Premier Package | Built-in all-inclusive package ($105/day value) | Included automatically in your cruise fare |
Beverages & Dining | • Unlimited top-shelf drinks (up to $20/item) • Unlimited specialty & casual dining | • Items above $20 are charged a supplement • No reservations needed for Sanctuary Restaurant |
Wi-Fi & Gratuities | • MedallionNet MAX (4 devices per room) • Daily crew appreciation (tips) included | High-speed tier access |
Shore Excursion Credit | Credit scales based on cruise length: • 0–5 nights: $0 • 6–9 nights: $100 • 10–20 nights: $200 • 21+ nights: $300 | Applied per stateroom |
Not Included | Spa treatments, premium shore excursion upgrades, boutique purchases | Standard cruise exclusions apply |
Not sailing on Princess Sun or Star? Guests sailing on other Princess ships can experience the Reserve Collection, which offers exclusive main dining room access and priority services across the fleet.
What's Included in Every Sanctuary Collection Booking
Every Sanctuary Collection stateroom includes Princess Premier, Princess Cruises' highest-level all-inclusive package, built into the fare. Purchased separately, Princess Premier runs $105 per person, per day on Sun Princess and Star Princess.
Here's what that covers:
- Unlimited Premier Beverage Package (top-shelf drinks up to $20 per item)
- Unlimited MedallionNet MAX Wi-Fi for up to 4 devices per stateroom
- Daily crew appreciation (gratuities)
- Unlimited specialty dining and casual dining
- OceanNow Delivery Service and enhanced room service
- Reserved Princess Theater seating
- Unlimited Digital Photo Package
- Shore excursion credit ($0 / $100 / $200 / $300 based on cruise length)
Pro Tip: The 4-device allowance covers the full stateroom, making it ideal for families. Standalone Wi-Fi outside any package runs approximately $25 per person, per day on Sun Princess and Star Princess.
The Sanctuary Club
The Sanctuary Club is the adults-only (16 and older) top-deck retreat reserved exclusively for Sanctuary Collection guests on Sun Princess and Star Princess, accessible via Princess Medallion, and designed to feel like a private resort pool deck above the rest of the ship. No reservation needed and no additional charge.
What's waiting up there:
- Private pool and jacuzzis with panoramic ocean views
- Premium cabanas (available on a first-come, first-served basis)
- Luxurious bar area with elevated food and beverage offerings
- Curated entertainment programming, including live music and events
- Wellness programming, including sunrise yoga and other fitness activities
- Sail-away receptions and destination-specific events
One detail worth knowing: The Sanctuary Club also features a signature champagne wall, where guests can ring for a pour on demand, one of several curated touches that distinguish the Sanctuary Collection experience. It is also a popular choice for couples celebrating honeymoons and anniversaries, where the adults-only atmosphere and private setting add to the occasion.
The Sanctuary Restaurant
The Sanctuary Restaurant is a private dining venue reserved exclusively for Sanctuary Collection guests. Open for breakfast and dinner daily, and lunch on sea days, it requires no reservations and operates separately from the main dining room and specialty restaurant booking system.
The menu features an elevated culinary experience with offerings unique to this venue, complemented by Princess Premier wine service already included in every Sanctuary Collection fare.
For guests who value a quieter, more refined dining experience without waiting for a table, the Sanctuary Restaurant is one of the most practical and appreciated perks of the collection.
The Cruise Web's Cruise Experts can help you run the numbers on your specific sailing and figure out whether the Sanctuary Collection makes sense for your travel style and budget.
Curated Events and Amenities
The Sanctuary Collection goes beyond private spaces and premium inclusions. Princess curates a dedicated program of events and amenities exclusively for Sanctuary Collection guests, adding a layer of personalization that sets this experience apart from the rest of the ship.
What that looks like in practice:
- Destination-specific events tied to the ports and regions on your itinerary
- Curated onboard programming exclusive to Sanctuary Collection guests
- Wellness activities, including sunrise yoga and fitness sessions
- Sail-away receptions
- Personalized service and attention throughout the voyage
These aren't amenities available to the broader ship and then extended to Sanctuary guests. They are designed specifically for this group, keeping the experience intimate, intentional, and distinctly separate from the main ship programming.
The Signature Suite Lounge
The Signature Suite Lounge is exclusive to full suite guests only. Sanctuary Balcony and Sanctuary Mini-Suite guests have access to the Sanctuary Club and Sanctuary Restaurant, but the Signature Suite Lounge is a separate, private space reserved for a smaller group within the Sanctuary Collection.
What makes it distinctive:
- Two-story lounge with floor-to-ceiling windows and aft-facing views
- Full bar setup with dedicated bartenders
- Ultra-personalized service
- Curated events aligned to specific destinations
- A quieter, more intimate alternative to the Sanctuary Club
For guests booking a Vista Suite, Signature Suite, Grand Suite, or Sky Suite, the Signature Suite Lounge is included automatically. No reservations, no additional charge.
Sanctuary Collection Cabin Tiers
The Sanctuary Collection spans three stateroom types across 215 designated cabins on Sun Princess and Star Princess, located across Decks 10-17.
Every stateroom tier unlocks access to the Sanctuary Club (situated on Deck 18), Sanctuary Restaurant, Princess Premier package, and all curated Sanctuary Collection events and amenities.
The difference between tiers comes down to space, layout, and suite-exclusive perks.
Sanctuary Balcony
The entry point into the Sanctuary Collection. Sanctuary Balcony staterooms offer premium balcony views and full access to every Sanctuary Collection venue and inclusion. There are 12 Sanctuary Balcony staterooms on each ship.
Sanctuary Mini-Suite
The most plentiful tier in the collection with 123 staterooms per ship. Sanctuary Mini-Suites offer additional living space with a separate seating area and a pull-out sofa, making them a practical choice for couples or those wanting more room to spread out.
Sanctuary Full Suites
Full suite guests receive everything included at the Balcony and Mini-Suite tiers, plus exclusive access to the Signature Suite Lounge. The Sanctuary Collection includes four full suite categories:
Tier Group | Specific Room Category | Cabins Per Ship | Crucial Tier Perk |
|---|---|---|---|
Balcony | Sanctuary Balcony | 12 | Entry point into the collection |
Mini-Suite | Sanctuary Mini-Suite | 123 |
|
Full Suites | • Vista Suite (36) • Signature Suite (30) • Grand Suite (10) • Sky Suite (4) | 80 total |
|
Suite guests also receive a complimentary mini-bar setup and a Lavazza in-room coffee maker, along with priority embarkation and disembarkation.
Is the Princess Sanctuary Collection Worth It?
For the right traveler, the value case is straightforward. Every Sanctuary Collection booking includes Princess Premier, which runs $105 per person, per day on Sun Princess and Star Princess when purchased separately. That single inclusion covers unlimited beverages, unlimited dining, Wi-Fi, and gratuities before a single Sanctuary-exclusive perk is factored in.
Layer on top of that the Sanctuary Club, Sanctuary Restaurant, curated events, and for suite guests, the Signature Suite Lounge, and the Sanctuary Collection starts to look less like a cabin upgrade and more like a different way of experiencing the ship entirely.
It is worth it if you:
- Value a quieter, less crowded onboard experience
- Would purchase Princess Premier regardless of cabin category
- Want private dining without managing specialty restaurant reservations
- Prefer an adults-only pool and deck environment
- Are celebrating a honeymoon, anniversary, or milestone trip and want the experience to feel distinctly elevated
It may not be the right fit if you plan to spend most of your time ashore, prefer the energy of the main pool deck, or are looking for the lowest possible entry fare on these ships.
View Upcoming Sailings aboard Sun Princess
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Ready to Experience the Sanctuary Collection?
The Sanctuary Collection is one of the most distinctive premium experiences in modern cruising, and booking it the right way makes a difference. The Cruise Web's Cruise Experts can help you find the right stateroom tier, sailing, and itinerary for your travel style, with access to exclusive offers you won't always find booking direct.
With over 30 years of experience and hundreds of 5-star Google reviews, our team knows Princess Cruises inside and out.
Call us at 1-800-377-9383 or visit cruiseweb.com to start planning your Sun Princess or Star Princess voyage today.
View Princess Cruises DealsFrequently Asked Questions About the Princess Sanctuary Collection
What is the Princess Sanctuary Collection?
The Sanctuary Collection is an exclusive tier of staterooms and experiences on Sun Princess and Star Princess. It operates as a ship-within-a-ship concept, giving guests access to private venues, curated events, and the Princess Premier package, all included in the fare.
What ships have the Sanctuary Collection?
The Sanctuary Collection is available exclusively on Sun Princess and Star Princess, Princess Cruises' two Sphere Class ships.
What is included in the Sanctuary Collection?
Every Sanctuary Collection booking includes access to the Sanctuary Club, Sanctuary Restaurant, and all curated Sanctuary Collection events and amenities, along with the full Princess Premier package covering unlimited beverages, unlimited specialty and casual dining, MedallionNet MAX Wi-Fi for up to 4 devices, gratuities, shore excursion credits, reserved theater seating, OceanNow Delivery Service, and an Unlimited Digital Photo Package.
What is the Sanctuary Club?
The Sanctuary Club is an adults-only top-deck retreat reserved exclusively for Sanctuary Collection guests on Sun Princess and Star Princess. It features a private pool, jacuzzis, premium cabanas, a bar, wellness programming, and curated entertainment. Access is limited to guests 16 and older and is included at no additional charge.
What is the Sanctuary Restaurant?
The Sanctuary Restaurant is a private dining venue exclusively for Sanctuary Collection guests. It is open for breakfast and dinner daily, and lunch on sea days, with no reservations required. It is included in every Sanctuary Collection booking.
What is the Signature Suite Lounge?
The Signature Suite Lounge is a two-story private lounge with floor-to-ceiling windows, dedicated bartenders, and ultra-personalized service. It is exclusive to full suite guests within the Sanctuary Collection and is not available to Sanctuary Balcony or Sanctuary Mini-Suite guests.
What stateroom categories are included in the Sanctuary Collection?
The Sanctuary Collection includes three stateroom tiers: Sanctuary Balcony, Sanctuary Mini-Suite, and full suites. Full suite categories include the Vista Suite, Signature Suite, Grand Suite, and Sky Suite.
Is the Sanctuary Collection all-inclusive?
Every Sanctuary Collection booking includes the Princess Premier package, covering beverages, dining, Wi-Fi, gratuities, and shore excursion credits. Spa treatments, premium shore excursion upgrades, and items above the $20 beverage cap are not included.
Are there age restrictions for the Sanctuary Collection?
Any guest can book a Sanctuary Collection stateroom. However, access to the Sanctuary Club top deck is limited to guests aged 16 and older.
How does the Sanctuary Collection differ from the Reserve Collection?
The Sanctuary Collection is exclusive to Sun Princess and Star Princess and includes private venues, the full Princess Premier package, and curated programming. The Reserve Collection is available across the broader Princess fleet and offers exclusive main dining room access and priority services.
