Get ready to embark on a culinary adventure like no other on our thrilling 7-day Eastern Caribbean Cruise aboard the stunning new Princess Sun in February 2025! The highlight of our journey? The incredible food, of course! If you're wondering which restaurant to choose, which dish will tantalize your taste buds, or if you're simply eager to feast your eyes on some mouthwatering food photos, then this blog is your ultimate guide!
With our Sanctuary Club room, we had access to the Signature Restaurant on Deck 7. Occasionally, the menu resembled offerings from the regular Horizon Dining Room, but there were special evenings featuring lobster and escargot without additional charges. Typically, these items require an extra fee in regular dining rooms or specialty restaurants, so be sure to inquire about these special nights—we experienced two during our 7-day cruise. Below are some sample photos of the meals we enjoyed for breakfast, lunch, and dinner at the Signature Restaurant:
The Sanctuary Club, open daily from 8 AM to 6 PM, offers appetizers at various times throughout the day. Additionally, there is a consistent menu featuring complimentary food items available for order while you relax by the pool and enjoy the sun. The fries and fruit plate are particularly recommended.
The Sanctuary Lounge only offers a selection of small snacks and desserts. We encourage you to enjoy the complimentary open bar available from 5-7 PM daily. Please note that there are certain restrictions on the types of free drinks offered, so we recommend inquiring with the waiter for more details. If you have a drink package then this doesn't apply to you.
We explored the new concept on the ship, The Eatery, located on Deck 9. It features several food stations, akin to buffets on other ships, where servers assist you in obtaining your selections. We particularly enjoyed the salad bar, although we also indulged in some less healthy options. The shrimp chips at the Asian counter were a personal favorite. The delightful homemade chips, available only in the afternoon between lunch and dinner, are highly recommended. Additionally, the American Diner offers a similar experience with fewer options but also less crowding, which may be advantageous if seating is a concern.
For late-night snacks, you may explore the availability of "grab and go" boxes in the Eatery or visit the International Cafe on Deck 9, which offers a delightful selection of sandwiches and cookies.
We also experienced a complimentary room service breakfast one morning, which was delightful as we enjoyed the ocean view and the sea breeze while savoring a cup of hot coffee. I was pleasantly surprised by the variety of milk options available, which are not offered at the Eatery.
Let's now move on to specialty dining, beginning with our favorite restaurant onboard. This establishment truly surprised us, as we typically consider sushi as our last resort on a cruise due to concerns about the freshness of the rice and fish. However, Kai Sushi by Makoto on Deck 8 exceeded our expectations. We utilized our perk upon first boarding the ship to book this restaurant, which was complimentary for us, though it typically costs $45 per person for the omakase. This nine-dish experience featured exceptionally fresh fish and innovative flavors, which delighted us. Dishes featuring the bluefin toro were among our favorites.
The next restaurant we tried, highly recommended by numerous reviews, was the esteemed Crown Grill on Deck 7, a staple on all Princess cruises. Unfortunately, this choice did not meet our expectations. The steak was notably dry, the food arrived lukewarm, and there were significant delays in service. Additionally, I experienced a severe stomachache following the meal. Although the cost was $45 per person, the restaurant was generous with appetizers, sides, and desserts, providing extra portions. The shrimp cocktail stood out as the highlight, but it is available at various other locations on the ship.
Initially, we considered experiencing the hot pot offering on board, as it is not commonly available on cruise ships. However, after reviewing the menu and portion sizes, we concluded that they did not justify the price. Consequently, we decided to try Umai Teppanyaki on deck 8. One of our primary motivations for choosing Teppanyaki was the garlic fried rice. We find that Teppanyaki can be unpredictable, as the quality largely depends on the chef. Unfortunately, our experience was average. While it was not poor Teppanyaki, it certainly does not rank among my top five experiences. The portions were generous, but the flavor was somewhat bland. This meal was priced at $45 per person.
The Catch by Rudi on Deck 7 was the final specialty restaurant we visited on this ship. The pricing is also $45 per person. It ranks as our second favorite, just behind the sushi restaurant. Our only issue with this establishment was the lengthy wait time. The waitress was gracious enough to allow us to order additional appetizers while we awaited our meals. Although the lobster was enjoyable, I wish I had chosen a different dish, as it tasted quite similar to what I had at the Signature Restaurant. Our preferred dish was undoubtedly the Tales of Citrus. On a future visit, I plan to order either the catch of the day or one of the fish dishes. All the dishes were exceptionally fresh.
As we did not have any meal packages, we were hesitant to explore the lesser-known establishments such as Alfredo's Pizzeria, Sabatini's, and O'Malley's Irish Pub. If you believe any of these venues merit a visit, please feel free to inform me. I plan to have a dining package upon my return on the Sun cruise in 2026, and I will certainly update this blog with additional dining options.
We chose not to visit The Butcher's Block by Dario due to its meat-centric menu, which lacked variety. Similarly, Love by Britto seemed overpriced given the available dish options. We also decided against attending the magic show dinner "Spellbound" based on feedback from fellow cruisers who mentioned that the food quality was subpar and the performance was average. If you consume a significant amount of alcohol, the cost might be justifiable. I am interested in the afternoon tea experience though, although I was surprised to find that there is a charge for it, as it is typically offered as a complimentary event on other ships.
Some extra tips:
For those who appreciate fine dining, opting for accommodations towards the mid or aft sections of the ship will provide quicker access to the majority of the restaurants.
Guests with access to the Signature Dining room are advised to enjoy lobster night there. In specialty dining venues, consider exploring other menu options. Establishing a good rapport with the managers at the Signature Dining room may allow you to request lobster or escargot on evenings when they are not featured on the menu.
Specialty dining restaurants typically allow guests to order an additional appetizer or dessert, so feel free to inquire if you're undecided about certain menu items.
The complimentary coffee offered on this cruise tends to be quite diluted, so consider bringing your own coffee packs or purchasing specialty brews available on board.
We hope these tips inspire all future cruisers! We can hardly wait to embark on the Princess Sun again (especially the amazing Sanctuary Class). Have questions? Email us HERE. Are you ready to BOOK an unforgettable journey?
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