I spent four nights on Enchanted Princess from Southampton, visiting Rotterdam and Guernsey. Here’s what the cruise was really like, from life on board to what I thought of the ship itself.
I’d wanted to try Princess Cruises for a while, so when they announced a summer season sailing from Southampton, I jumped at the chance.
I booked a four-night sampler cruise calling at Rotterdam and Guernsey, with a relaxing sea day in between. These short cruises can be quite different from longer ones, but they’re a great way to get a feel for what a cruise line is really like. Think of it like “testing the water” before booking a longer or more expensive cruise.
In this post, I’m sharing what it was really like cruising on Enchanted Princess — from the bars and restaurants to the onboard entertainment. If you’re wondering whether Princess Cruises might be for you, this should help you decide.
A few facts about Enchanted Princess
Taking to the seas in 2021, Enchanted Princess is one of Princess’s newest and largest ships.
She has 19 decks with 1, 830 cabins and can carry up to 3,660 guests. There are 24 bars and restaurants on board ranging from casual snack bars to fine dining.
Onboard entertainment includes theatre shows, live music lounges and a cinema screen on deck that shows movies and live sports. Health and wellbeing facilities are plentiful with a spa, gym, jogging track and sports court.
If like me you like to see where ships are cruising you can view the bridge cam to see where Enchanted Princess currently is.
Princess Medallion Class
Some cruise lines are now introducing wearable tech for a smoother onboard experience, and Princess are leading the way with their MedallionClass.
Free for all guests, this handy device is about the size of a £2 coin and is waterproof, sandproof, and heat resistant. It’s your cabin key, how you pay for drinks, play in the casino, and it links with the MedallionClass app so you can order food and drinks wherever you are, check deck plans, and find your friends on the ship.
You’re given a free lanyard so you can wear it around the ship. However, if you prefer something a bit more stylish, you can buy accessories like wristbands and pendants to personalise your look. I just stuck with the lanyard, which worked perfectly fine. If I was a more regular Princess cruiser, I’d probably look into the other options.
While it’s a clever idea, it was a bit hit and miss on our cruise. It took quite a while for drinks to arrive once ordered — in fact, it was usually quicker to go to the bar or order from the staff serving around the lounges.
The Wi-Fi, billed as the “best Wi-Fi at sea”, was also quite patchy and hardly worked for me at all, though my friend had better luck.
In theory, the technology is a great idea, but it’s still relatively new so some teething issues are to be expected. As it develops over time, it’ll probably be a bit of a game-changer and make for a brilliant experience onboard. I’m looking forward to trying it again on a future Princess cruise.
Pre-cruise admin
As always before setting sail, there was a bit of pre-cruise admin to complete, including signing up to Princess’s app and filling in personal details and health declarations.
Downloading the MedallionClass app was straightforward, and it was easy to link my booking. Once you’ve added your details, you’re asked to upload your passport information and a recent photo. The process was simple to follow, and once everything was completed, I was allocated a departure lane.
Closer to the cruise date, there was also the option to select a boarding time. On around half the cruises I’ve done so far, this hasn’t been possible — you just get whatever time you’re assigned — so it was a nice touch being able to pick a slot that suited me.
In the app, there’s also an option to order your Princess Medallion. For my sailing, picking it up at the port was the only option, but in some cases, it can be delivered to your home before you travel. You can check this when you register.
Embarkation
I usually travel solo and get the train to Southampton, but for this cruise, I was with a friend who had driven down. It was my first time using parking at the port, and I have to say, I was very impressed.
When we arrived at the terminal, we joined a short queue of cars. Before long, a member of the car park team came over, took a few photos of the car, and collected the keys. Once that was done, we were free to head into the terminal. There were plenty of staff around directing people to the right luggage drop-off point — something I always appreciate as I have a habit of missing mine!
Once inside the terminal, things became a little less smooth. Although I think this was perhaps a bit of bad timing on our part more than anything. There was a long queue to check in, although it did move fairly quickly. Once we had gone through the pre-cruise departure checks of passports, health declaration, vaccines and testing confirmation we were directed to a seating area.
Boarding was being staggered to avoid crowding at security, but there seemed to be a bit of confusion among the staff. One person was filling the seating area from the back, while another was letting people board from the front, so a small group of us ended up being forgotten for a while. It wasn’t a huge deal, but it was a bit frustrating watching people who’d arrived after us being waved through while we were still waiting. Especially as it was such a hot day in the terminal.
Eventually, it was our turn to board. From car to cabin, the whole process probably took around 90 minutes. I think we were the exception to the rule though as I heard many people say they’d boarded much faster.
So, it’s worth keeping an eye out when you are going through the boarding process to make sure you don’t get accidentally overlooked.
Itinerary
The itinerary for this cruise was Rotterdam and Guernsey with a sea day in between. It was billed as a sampler cruise, a good way to get a taste of Princess Cruises without committing to a longer duration cruise.
Rotterdam
At first glance, Rotterdam might not seem that exciting but it is actually a great port of call for these short Northern Europe cruises.
It is about 30 kilometres inland (19 miles) so there is an interesting sail in and out. You dock pretty much in the city centre and it is just a short walk over the bridge to some of Rotterdam’s main attractions. If you wish to explore further afield, you can easily get to The Hauge, Dordrecht and even Amsterdam from the cruise terminal.
Guernsey (tender port)
Located in the English Channel, just off the coast of France, Guernsey is an island that is a British crown dependency. Although technically not part of the UK, it is part of the British Isles and is the second largest of the Channel Islands.
Guernsey is a tender port. The harbour cannot accommodate cruise ships, so they anchor offshore of St Peter’s Port. You can then take a tender (on a smaller boat) to the Albert Pier in the centre of the town. Due to the weather and winds, it can be quite hit and miss as to whether you will be able to make it ashore or not.
If you do make it, there are plenty of things to do in Guernsey. From visiting the Little Chapel, Castle Cornet or just wandering around the pretty harbour and town, you can easily fill the time on shore. You can also explore the nearby island of Herm or Sark on a boat trip or excursion.
I was lucky on my visit and we made into port. I spent a lovely day wandering around Guernsey, it made for a great stop on this mini cruise.
Cabins on Enchanted Princess
Over three-quarters of the cabins on Enchanted Princess are balcony cabins. These range from regular balconies to deluxe balconies to mini-suites and suites. There are also 340 inside cabins and six Premium Oceanview cabins.
My friend and I had booked a regular balcony cabin and were allocated cabin A116 one deck 12, the Aloha deck.
Small but perfectly formed, it was one of the nicest and most comfortable cabins I’ve sailed in so far. It was located towards the front of the ship however, there was still easy access to all the facilities on the ship.
The cabin was set to a twin bed configuration and the beds were very comfortable.
The bathroom was small, with barely enough room to move around, but it did the job. The shower was good, although it had the dreaded shower curtain rather than a screen. Toiletries including hand soap, shower gel and a combined shampoo and conditioner were provided. As were plenty of towels.
Facilities in the cabin included a fridge, safe, tea and coffee making facilities and a small dressing/writing table.
The balcony was a reasonable size, just enough space for two chairs and a table but it was fine for sitting out enjoying the view with a cuppa or drink. My friend and I spent quite a lot of time out there.
It was the first time I’ve shared a cabin on a cruise and I was pleasantly surprised that it didn’t feel cramped at all.
Read More | What is it like to cruise in a standard balcony cabin on Enchanted Princess?
What restaurants are on Enchanted Princess?
With 25 different bars and restaurants onboard Enchanted Princess, you are spoilt for choice. The biggest problem is trying to get around to try all the different options, particularly on a short cruise.
Many are included in your cruise fare, however some speciality restaurants come with a small additional charge. Room service is also available with a wide range of items. Many of which are complimentary.
Restaurants included in your cruise fare
Main Dining Rooms
There are three main dining rooms, Amalfi, Capri and Santorini. They are open for breakfast and dinner. On sea days they may be open for lunch. Check Princess Patter (a newsletter left in your cabin each evening) for daily opening times.
They generally serve the same menu. Breakfast options include cereal, fruit, pastries and cooked dishes. Dinner options include dishes such as beef tenderloin, leg of lamb, sautéed shrimp, caesar salad, seared salmon and pan-roasted chicken breast.
Tables can be booked via the MedallionClass app. You can also just turn up and if a table is available you will get seated.
We tried this and had no trouble but we were eating fairly early at 6.45pm. If you would like to eat between 7-8pm it’s probably worth booking in advance. There was quite a queue when we left.
Gigi’s Pizzeria
A relaxed pizza restaurant in the Atrium. Pizzas are freshly made and you can watch your meal being prepared in the open kitchen at the end of the restaurant.
Billed as the ‘best pizza at sea, I have to say it was pretty good and has a strong claim to that title!
Tip | Head here for lunch on embarkation day before everyone realises how good it is!
International Cafe
Tucked away in the corner of The Piazza, the International Cafe is a great place to grab a cuppa and a small bite to eat.
Open 24 hours a day, the food on offer changes as the day unfolds. In the morning you’ll be drawn in by the smell of freshly baked croissants and pastries. Cakes and sweet treats will tempt you for an afternoon tea while throughout the day a range of sandwiches, pies and salads are available.
Being located in the heart of the ship, I found it a great spot to get a tea or coffee and watch the world go by on the ship or catch some of the entertainment that pops up in The Piazza.
Slice Pizzeria
If you are spending the day by the pool or just wandering around the top decks and feel a bit hungry, Enchanted Princess has you covered. Slice Pizzeria serves slices of pizza with a variety of toppings which change daily.
The Salty Dog Grill
If you fancy something a bit more substantial than a slice of pizza head next door to the Salty Dog Grill. Options here include handmade burgers, cooked to order alongside hot dogs, sandwiches, tacos and fries.
I ate here a couple of times and tried the hamburger and chicken burger. Both were great and perfect for a fairly fast and convenient bite to eat.
World Fresh Marketplace
Located up on deck 16, is the World Fresh Marketplace. A buffet serving breakfast, lunch, dinner and everything in between.
This was easily the best buffet I’ve seen on a cruise ship. There was so much choice. You’d be hard-pressed not to find something to eat here. The selection is huge and includes a gluten-free section and vegetarian dishes.
At breakfast, there is a wide range of cereals, smoothies, pancakes and a cooked breakfast with all the usual suspects such as scrambled eggs, bacon, beans, mushrooms etc. There was also plenty of fruit available.
My tip is the made-to-order omelettes, they were fabulous.
For lunch and dinner, you’ll find regionally inspired dishes alongside international favourites. On the cruise I was on this covered everything from roast dinners to pasta to curries.
Speciality Restaurants on Enchanted Princess
If you want to make your cruise that little bit extra special there are several speciality restaurants onboard Enchanted Princess. These come with a small additional charge.
Chef’s Table Lumiere
A luxury dining experience created and hosted by the ship’s executive chef. As well as an extra charge, there is a limited capacity so best to book in advance to avoid disappointment.
Crown Grill
A steak and seafood restaurant with a theatre-style open kitchen so you can watch your cooked-to-order food being prepared. The cover charge is $29.
One of my friends ate here and went back again, it was that good. Well, worth the cover charge.
You can also start or end your evening in the Crown Grill bar, located just outside the restaurant. As well as the bar, there are plenty of seats and if you time it right, live music.
The Catch by Rudi
This restaurant was added after I cruised on Enchanted Princess. It serves a wide range of seafood with a cover charge of $39.
Ocean Terrace
A stylish sushi bar overlooking the atrium. Here you can sit at the bar or in the small seating area and enjoy some sushi or sashimi washed down with a cocktail or glass of wine. Items are charged per dish so you can easily pick and choose from the menu.
Sabatinti’s Italian Trattoria
An authentic Italian restaurant serving freshly made pasta and sauces. So good, you’ll be forgiven for thinking you are in Italy. There is a cover charge of $29 and this includes a choice of appetizer, pasta, main course and dessert.
The Salty Dog Gastropub
Pub favourites with a posh twist. Expect to see dishes such as burgers, ribs and mac & cheese. Desserts include doughnuts and strawberries and cream. There is a cover charge of $18 per person here which includes an appetiser and two plates from the menu. Drinks are extra.
Treats and other eateries
Swirls
If you are looking to cool down while on the pool deck, head over to Swirls for some complimentary soft scoop ice cream. It’s worth it, trust me! In the evening popcorn and nibbles are available so if plan to catch a movie under the stars you can have the full cinema experience.
Gelato
Located in the heart of The Piazza, you’ll find Enchanted Princess’s Gelateria, Gelato. Offering a variety of homemade gelato, sundaes and waffles, it is a great place for a sweet treat. There is also a wide range of toppings and sauces available.
While my friend and I were eating our gelato, we spotted an officer picking up six tubs, for his colleagues I guess, so if that isn’t a seal of approval, I don’t know what is.
Bars on Enchanted Princess
Bellinis
Super stylish cocktail bar in the heart of the atrium, overlooking The Piazza. This is a great spot for a pre or post dinner drink or just somewhere to grab a cocktail and watch the entertainment and live music play out.
Crooners
Step back in time at Crooners, an elegant yet relaxed bar that transports you to the Frank Sinatra and Rat Pack era.
With plenty of seating and a menu of classic drinks, you can easily lose a few hours here. I did! If you time it right (check your Princess Patter) you can sip your drink along to the tunes from the resident piano players.
Good Spirits
A snappy cocktail bar, named after a popular TV series (will take Princess’s word for that), that serves drinks inspired by the destinations the ship visits. Mixologists will help you find the perfect cocktail here. There is a relatively large seating area however, being part of the atrium it does get very busy.
This was my favourite bar on the ship and my friend and I often headed here after the evening theatre show. It has a great atmosphere and some amazing cocktails.
Princess Live Cafe
A coffee shop and cocktail bar in one. Located just outside the Princess Live Lounge, you can grab a drink before heading into to watch the entertainment.
Take Five
An elegant jazz lounge with nightly performances. This is probably one of the more popular bars on board (and once you hear the fabulous musicians you’ll see why, they were brilliant) so get there early to get a seat.
The Mix
Sandwiched between the Slice Pizza Bar and The Salty Dog Grill, the vibrant Mix Bar is an all-day (and evening) bar. The queues were quite long here on my cruise. Probably not helped by the very hot weather, but be prepared for a bit of a wait on busy sea days.
Sea View bar
Located up on deck 16, at the opposite end of the pools to The Mix, is the Sea View bar. Open until 6pm, it is the ideal place to grab a drink and relax by the pool or in a hot tub.
The Retreat Bar
If the main deck area and bars are too busy, then The Retreat may come to the rescue. The free adults-only area is usually a little quieter and has its own bar.
Vista Lounge
A multi-purpose entertainment lounge and bar. Head here for live music, comedians, DJs, trivia quizzes and destination presentations.
Wake View bar
Located at the aft, the Wake View bar offers stunning views over…yep you guessed it the wake and horizon. You’ll find an infinity-style pool here too, so you can grab a cocktail or glass of wine and enjoy the view from the pool.
This is usually my favourite area of a cruise ship, however, on Enchanted Princess there were lots of sun loungers here instead of a seating area. So, it was a little difficult to find somewhere to sit and enjoy the view while sipping a drink. It was also underneath one of the smoking areas so wasn’t always that pleasant.
Entertainment
I went to two shows on my short cruise, and it didn’t take long to see how much Princess invests in onboard entertainment. It definitely felt a step above other cruise lines I’ve travelled on.
Rock Opera was a standout. Created exclusively for Princess Cruises, it features a small live orchestra and a cast of incredible singers performing everything from rock to opera and musical theatre. I’d read a lot of about this show and it did not disappoint.
The second show I saw was a concert by the vocal group Mobo, who took us on a musical journey through the 60s, 70s, and 80s. They were fabulous , one of the real highlights of the weekend.
Most evenings, there’s something happening in the Princess Theatre, with shows usually starting around 8pm and again around 10pm. So whether you like to eat early or late, you should be able to catch one.
If theatre isn’t your thing, there’s still loads to do in the evenings. You’ll find live music in the Vista Lounge, quizzes in Princess Live, and even Movies Under the Stars on deck, complete with free popcorn.
Wellbeing on Enchanted Princess
Health and fitness
If you like to keep on top of your health and fitness while on a cruise, you’ll find plenty of things to help on Enchanted Princess.
There is a large well-equipped gym, with bikes and treadmills and a free weights area. Many of the machines face the floor-to-ceiling windows so you can work out with a fabulous view as a distraction.
Up on deck 18, there is a large sports court with basketball hoops. As well as basketball, sports that can be played here include volleyball, football and tennis. There is also a running/jogging track where seven laps equal a mile.
If you are looking for something a little less strenuous, then the nine-hole mini-putting course is worth a round or two.
Lotus Spa
A relaxing spa offering a wide range of treatments including facials, massage and acupuncture. You can book individual treatments or spend a full day there.
Things to do on Enchanted Princess
There is a huge range of activities and entertainment on board. Whether you like spectacular shows, activities you can take part in or just want to kick back and relax, you’ll find something to do.
Watch the world go by in The Piazza
A three-story atrium surrounded by bars and restaurants, The Piazza is the heart of the ship. You can enjoy a meal, grab a coffee and snack or sip a cocktail while watching the world go by. There is often some pop-up entertainment here, from singers to dance lessons so never a dull moment.
Catch some live music
One thing that really stood out for me on my cruise was the amount of live music on offer. From piano bars to jazz nights to bands singing contemporary songs on deck, it seemed that everywhere you turned you could find some live music. Whatever your musical taste, you’ll find something to make you sit up and listen.
Enjoy a movie under the stars
Throughout the day and evening, movies and live sports are often shown on the big screen on deck. At night the sun loungers are set up with extra cushions and free popcorn is available to give you an outdoor cinema experience with a difference.
While I didn’t get the chance to watch a movie, I did manage to catch some of the football being shown. Sitting on deck watching made a nice change from having to watch sport in the pub venues on other ships.
Test your nerve and do the sea walk
The sea walk is a glass floor 128ft above the sea. It provides spectacular views out to the horizon and if you are brave enough to look down, the sea.
Take a dip in a pool or hot tub
There are four pools on Enchanted Princess including two large pools on the Lido deck (16) if you like swim or dip. Alternatively, you can relax in one of eight hot tubs dotted around on decks 16-18. If you are lucky enough to get in one on the Lido deck you can even watch a movie while sipping a cocktail.
The pool and tubs can get quite busy, particularly on a warm and sunny day, so be prepared for the pool to be crowded and perhaps a wait to be able to get into a hot tub. Don’t be fooled by the picture below of Enchanted Princess in fog in Guernsey, it’s not usually that quiet…
If you would like to avoid some of the crowds, then it is worth heading infinity wake view pool at the back of deck 16 or The Retreat (adult-only area) on deck 17. Another option is The Sanctuary with private cabanas, sun loungers and food on hand. However, this comes at an extra cost.
Test your knowledge in a trivia quiz or game show in the Princess Live Lounge
If you want to get your brain working (I know, I know you are on holiday), then pop along to the Princess Live Lounge for daily trivia quizzes.
Take a stroll around the Shops of Princess
There are shops on decks six and seven selling everything from branded Princess items to luxury beauty brands (makeup and perfume) to small electrical items, duty-free items and gifts.
Have a flutter in the casino
I must be the only person that has been to Las Vegas twice and not yet had a flutter in the casinos. However, that doesn’t stop me from having a watch of some of the games in progress in the onboard casino. As well as the table of games there are plenty of slot machines to play. You can use your medallion to pay.
Things to know before you cruise
Is there a formal night on Enchanted Princes?
Yes, if your cruise is over four nights then you will have at least one formal night. If your cruise is under four nights, there may or may not be. According to Princess’s website, there are no formal nights on cruises that are 0-4 nights.
However, the four-night cruise I was on did have a dress to impress night. So it might be worth packing your best going out outfit just in case.
Does Enchanted Princess have kettles in cabins?
Yes, on the sailings out of the UK there was a kettle in each cabin. There were also plenty of teabags and coffee sachets.
Is bottled water free on Princess Cruises?
Water (or soft drinks) are not included in your cruise fare. Bottled water is included in the drinks packages. You can also take your own bottled water onboard.
Can you take your own soft drinks on Enchanted Princess?
Yes, you can take your own soft drinks onboard.
The last word
I really enjoyed my few days on Enchanted Princes. The cabin was lovely, there was a great choice of different bars and restaurants and the entertainment was superb. The food options and quality were probably one of the best I’ve experienced on a cruise ship.
The MedallionClass and app, while a bit glitchy, is a great idea and you can see a lot of cruise lines going down a similar route in future.
Overall, Princess ticked a lot of boxes for me. Great entertainment, huge food choice, and a comfy cabin.
That said, there were some disappointments. The lack of a nice aft bar/seating area and too many smoking areas (sorry smokers). For a modern ship, it felt a little dated in areas. Though this is perhaps as it feels designed for a more international audience than the last couple of cruise ships I’ve been on.
It was also very busy, with lots of queues and it was difficult to get a drink at times. Room service would also take anything up to a few hours to arrive. Not the end of the world but a little frustrating at times. The poor staff (who do an amazing job) seemed run off their feet at times.
I wouldn’t rush back for a short sampler, but for the right itinerary I’d happily sail Princess again.
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Done the same cruise and very much enjoyed it had the mini suite very spacious will be definitely booking again with Princess
Hi Graham, great to hear. The cabins are lovely aren’t they? I think that will be one of the things that draws me back to Princess too. Rgs Emma