Royal Princess has returned to passenger service after a two-week dry dock in Singapore added 20 guest cabins and introduced a series of new and redesigned onboard spaces.
The Princess Cruises ship underwent work from 16 to 30 October 2026. The completed refit includes six additional mini-suites, seven ocean-view cabins, two interior cabins and five single interior cabins.
Royal Princess has also gained O’Malley’s Irish Pub, a larger Bellini’s cocktail bar, dedicated Sanctuary Collection facilities and changes to its casino and retail areas. The ship left Singapore following the dry dock and is now heading towards its 2026–27 Australian season.
Twenty cabins added during Singapore dry dock
The accommodation work has increased the number and range of cabins aboard Royal Princess. Princess confirmed that the 20 additions comprise:
- Six mini-suites
- Seven ocean-view cabins
- Two interior cabins
- Five single interior cabins
The inclusion of five cabins designed for single occupancy is a notable part of the project. Cruise-ship accommodation has traditionally been configured principally for two guests, often leaving solo travellers to pay a single supplement when occupying a double cabin.
Princess has not disclosed the precise construction cost of the additional accommodation. The work forms part of a wider refit involving passenger venues, dining, entertainment, shopping and premium facilities.
O’Malley’s Irish Pub replaces Vines
O’Malley’s Irish Pub has opened in the former Vines venue on deck 5. The Princess concept combines Irish-inspired food, drinks and a pub-style social atmosphere.
The venue has already appeared aboard other Princess ships and becomes one of the most visible changes around Royal Princess’s central Piazza. Its addition also means that Vines, the ship’s former wine bar in that location, is no longer listed as occupying the space.
Princess describes O’Malley’s as a neighbourhood-style pub intended for dining, drinks and entertainment. Individual opening times, menus and any applicable charges may vary during a voyage.
Bellini’s expands across the former photo-gallery space
Bellini’s has been enlarged into the area previously occupied by the Photo Gallery, giving the cocktail bar a larger position overlooking the Piazza.
The venue continues to specialise in Bellini-inspired cocktails, champagne, sparkling wine and other drinks. Together with O’Malley’s, its expansion is intended to give passengers more places to meet and socialise around the ship’s main atrium.
The changes alter the use of two established spaces rather than simply adding venues without affecting the previous layout. Passengers familiar with Royal Princess from earlier cruises will therefore notice a substantially different arrangement around the Piazza.
Sanctuary Collection arrives aboard Royal Princess
The dry dock has prepared Royal Princess for the introduction of Princess Cruises’ Sanctuary Collection. The premium accommodation programme covers selected suites, mini-suites, balcony and ocean-view cabins and includes access to dedicated spaces and additional services.
A Sanctuary Restaurant has opened on deck 6 beside the Concerto Dining Room. Princess says the restaurant is reserved for eligible Sanctuary Collection guests and offers destination-inspired menus.
The ship also has a Suite Lounge providing a private setting for eligible suite guests, with refreshments and concierge assistance among the planned services.
Royal Princess began Sanctuary Collection preview sailings when it returned to service on 30 October. Princess lists 4 January 2027 as the programme’s formal onboard availability date for Royal Princess.
There is a further distinction concerning the Sanctuary Club. Princess says the club will become exclusive to Sanctuary Collection guests from 22 April 2027. Until then, adult passengers aged 16 and above may preview the area, which incorporates spaces formerly known as the Retreat Pool and The Sanctuary.
Casino redesigned with more gaming space
The Princess Casino has been reconfigured to create a more open gaming floor and provide additional room for slot machines.
As part of that work, the staircase previously connecting decks 6 and 7 within the area has been removed. Princess says the change has allowed the casino to accommodate an expanded selection of gaming options.
The cruise line has not published a breakdown of the number of new machines or tables installed. Availability and opening hours remain subject to local regulations and the ship’s position during each itinerary.
Retail areas receive an overhaul
Royal Princess’s Effy jewellery boutique has been refreshed during the dry dock. Princess says the redesigned shop provides an updated setting for the brand’s fine-jewellery collections.
The wider Shops of Princess operation has also been upgraded as the ship transitions to new onboard retail partner Starboard.
These changes complete a refit that reaches across several different parts of the passenger experience rather than concentrating solely on cabin capacity.
Royal Princess begins its journey towards Australia
Royal Princess welcomed passengers back aboard in Singapore on 30 October after completing the two-week yard period. The ship is travelling through Asia and the Asia-Pacific region before reaching Sydney.
It will then operate an Australian summer programme from Sydney, including cruises visiting Australia, New Zealand and destinations in the South Pacific.
Princess says Royal Princess will be one of three company ships sailing in the region during the 2026–27 season. Across the regional programme, the cruise line has announced 42 distinct itineraries and 62 departures.
A completed milestone in Princess’s wider rollout
The physical completion of the Royal Princess refit is the first ship-specific milestone following Princess’s announcement that Sanctuary Collection will expand across five existing Royal-class vessels.
Regal Princess, Discovery Princess, Sky Princess and Enchanted Princess are scheduled to introduce their versions of the programme during 2027. Royal Princess is therefore the first of those five ships to complete the associated dry-dock alterations and begin preview sailings.
This development is separate from the original fleet-wide announcement. The new cabins and venues are now installed, and Royal Princess has returned to passenger operations.
Frequently asked questions
How many cabins were added to Royal Princess?
Princess Cruises added 20 cabins: six mini-suites, seven ocean-view cabins, two interior cabins and five single interior cabins.
How long was Royal Princess in dry dock?
The ship’s Singapore dry dock ran from 16 to 30 October 2026, a period of two weeks.
What replaced Vines aboard Royal Princess?
O’Malley’s Irish Pub now occupies the former Vines location on deck 5.
What happened to the Photo Gallery?
Bellini’s cocktail bar expanded into the former Photo Gallery space, creating a larger venue overlooking the Piazza.
When does Sanctuary Collection begin aboard Royal Princess?
Preview sailings began on 30 October 2026. Princess lists 4 January 2027 as the formal onboard availability date, with the Sanctuary Club becoming exclusive to eligible guests from 22 April 2027.
Where will Royal Princess sail next?
After travelling from Singapore to Sydney, the ship is scheduled to operate a 2026–27 Australian season featuring Australia, New Zealand and South Pacific itineraries.