Royal Princess Emerges from Dry Dock in Singapore with Major Upgrades, New Solo Cabins, and the Sanctuary Collection

The 3,600-passenger Royal Princess has officially completed a comprehensive 14-day dry dock in Singapore, emerging with a host of fresh enhancements designed to elevate the guest experience. As the pioneering vessel in Princess Cruises’ popular Royal-Class, the 13-year-old ship underwent extensive modernization work that wrapped up on October 30, 2026. The extensive modernization project has introduced brand-new cabin categories, expanded dining and lounge venues, a redesigned central Piazza, and the cruise line’s signature VIP Sanctuary Collection. Following the completion of the shipyard work, the vessel immediately set a course for Australia, where it will embark on a robust season of regional sailings.

The multi-week dry dock represents a significant investment in the upkeep and evolution of the ship, which first debuted as a groundbreaking platform for Princess Cruises. By integrating modern design concepts, updated technology, and shifts in passenger demographics, the cruise line has positioned the vessel to cater to evolving traveler preferences. From solo travelers seeking dedicated accommodations to luxury-minded guests looking for all-inclusive VIP amenities, the refreshed ship offers a more versatile onboard product than ever before.

New Cabins Added to Royal Princess

One of the most notable engineering and hospitality feats accomplished during the dry dock was the addition of 20 brand-new guest staterooms onboard the vessel. This expansion gives cruisers a wider selection of cabin categories to choose from, optimizing previously underutilized space on the ship. The introduction of these new accommodations addresses modern cruise demographics, which increasingly feature travelers who prefer specific stateroom configurations that were not prioritized when the ship was originally constructed over a decade ago.

Among the newly minted accommodations are specialized staterooms tailored specifically for solo travelers. The addition of five single interior cabins continues a prominent and rapidly growing industry trend of accommodating solo cruisers without forcing them to pay the steep single supplement fees that have historically made solo cruising cost-prohibitive. By providing dedicated spaces for individuals traveling alone, the ship aligns with broader shifts in the travel sector, where solo tourism has seen a massive surge in demand. These new cabins allow single travelers to enjoy the full shipboard experience in a space scaled appropriately for their needs, blending affordability with the comfort characteristic of the Princess fleet.

Debut of the Sanctuary Collection

With the completion of the dry dock, Royal Princess has become the latest vessel in the fleet to receive Princess Cruises’ acclaimed Sanctuary Collection, a rollout that has now been implemented across five Royal-Class ships. This all-inclusive VIP experience is designed for guests staying in qualifying suites, mini-suites, deluxe balcony cabins, and the newly added oceanview staterooms, offering them exclusive perks, elevated service standards, and dedicated private spaces throughout the ship.

As part of this fleetwide rollout, a brand-new Sanctuary Restaurant has opened on Deck 6, positioned conveniently right next to the Concerto Dining Room. This dedicated venue provides Sanctuary Collection guests with a private, sophisticated atmosphere for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, featuring specialized menus and attentive service distinct from the main dining rooms. In addition to the culinary upgrades, Sanctuary Collection guests receive exclusive access to the top-deck Sanctuary Club. This tranquil, adults-oriented retreat features plush loungers, personalized beverage and towel service, and a quiet sanctuary away from the busier, more active zones of the ship, allowing premium travelers to unwind in peace while at sea.

Big Changes to the Central Piazza

The heart of the ship—the vibrant, multi-story central Piazza—received a significant makeover during the dry dock, featuring two heavily revamped food and beverage venues designed to draw guests in throughout the day and night. The Piazza serves as the social epicenter of Royal-Class ships, hosting musical performances, acrobatic displays, and impromptu gatherings, making the refresh of its surrounding culinary spaces a vital part of the dry dock overhaul.

The renovations modernised popular gathering spots such as O’Malley’s Irish Pub, the sophisticated Bellini’s cocktail lounge, and the ship’s dedicated Suite Lounge. These venues received updated interior designs, refreshed furnishings, and optimized layouts to improve service flow and guest comfort. By refreshing these core social hubs, Princess Cruises has ensured that the central Piazza remains a dynamic, visually appealing focal point for passengers looking to socialize, enjoy a drink, or take in the lively atmosphere of the ship.

Expanded Casino Floor and Updated Retail

Entertainment and retail spaces onboard Royal Princess also underwent substantial redesigns to better serve passengers. Casino players will immediately notice a brand-new layout inside the Princess Casino. To maximize the gaming floor and create a more open, fluid environment, cruise line engineers removed the interior staircase connecting Decks 6 and 7. This structural adjustment opened up valuable floor space, allowing for the installation of additional slot machines and a more diverse array of gaming options to accommodate popular demand during peak evening hours.

On the retail front, the onboard shopping experience has been completely revitalized. The Effy jewelry boutique underwent a comprehensive redesign, updating its display areas and interior aesthetics to showcase its fine jewelry collections in a more contemporary setting. Furthermore, the broader retail operations aboard the vessel transitioned to a new partnership with Starboard Cruise Services, a leading retail operator at sea. This partnership brings updated merchandise assortments, exclusive brands, and a refreshed shopping environment to The Shops of Princess, aligning the ship’s retail offerings with current luxury and lifestyle trends.

What’s Next for Royal Princess?

Following the successful completion of her dry dock in Singapore, Royal Princess is making her way Down Under to kick off a major deployment for the 2026–2027 cruise season. The ship will establish a seasonal homeport in Sydney, Australia, from which she will operate an extensive schedule of regional voyages. The deployment comprises 42 distinct itineraries and a total of 62 departures, taking travelers on scenic journeys across Australia, New Zealand, and the wider South Pacific. This deployment highlights the strategic importance of the Australasian market for Princess Cruises, bringing the newly modernized vessel directly to a region with strong demand for premium cruise experiences.

After concluding her successful season in Australian waters in late March 2027, Royal Princess will transition to the next phase of her deployment schedule. The vessel is slated to embark on an extensive transpacific repositioning journey, crossing the ocean to bring the newly upgraded ship back toward North America for subsequent deployment, ensuring that guests across different continents will have the opportunity to experience the ship’s extensive renovations firsthand.