Cruising the Mediterranean Aboard the Sun Princess

A Multigenerational Adventure from Athens to Barcelona

There’s something uniquely magical about exploring the Mediterranean by sea, and our recent 7-night family cruise aboard the Sun Princess was the perfect way to do it. Traveling with three generations—including young kids, teens, young adults, and seniors—can be a logistical challenge, but Princess Cruises made it not only easy, but memorable for every age.

The Ship: Sun Princess Highlights

The Sun Princess is the newest gem in the Princess fleet, and she shines brightly with sleek, modern design and innovative spaces. One of the most eye-catching features is the Princess Dome, a glass-enclosed, multi-purpose venue that transforms from poolside lounge by day to immersive theatre space by night.

The shows were fantastic—top-notch talent and production—but a heads up: seating is limited, so arrive early!

Our family of four (me, Scott, and our young adult daughters, Emma and Kate) stayed in a Cabana Mini-Suite, and it was a game changer. The suite offered a spacious layout, comfy beds, and a semi-private cabana area with loungers and a cozy seating space—perfect for relaxing and enjoying a drink while watching the ocean roll by when it’s a little chilly on the balcony. Having that extra space made it easy for us to share a room without feeling cramped. Emma even opted to sleep in the cabana section rather than the pullman.

Food & Dining

Dining on the Sun Princess was a true highlight. The buffet was impressive in both quality and efficiency—though not self-serve, the staff kept the lines moving quickly and offered a wide variety of fresh, flavourful options.

The main dining room menus were also excellent, with diverse offerings each night to please everyone’s palate. For something special, we booked Umai Teppanyaki, one of the ship’s specialty restaurants. The chefs’ theatrics were fun, but the food itself wasn’t particularly memorable, in my opinion.

The standout dining experience? Spellbound.

Emma gifted Scott and I with this unique dinner-and-show experience. The atmosphere felt like stepping into an old-world magician’s parlor—dark wood, candlelight, and mystery in the air. The food and cocktails were both outstanding, and even the servers joined in on the magic. The performance itself was creative and engaging, though we all agreed it could’ve lasted a bit longer—we weren’t quite ready for it to end!

While there were plenty of food options onboard (more than we could try in just one week!), Park19, a much-anticipated outdoor adventure

space, was sadly not open—and we learned it actually won’t be opening at all. This was a letdown for the teens in our group. On the bright side, younger kids enjoyed their kids club and play areas, but overall, the ship is more geared toward adults than children or teens.

Other highlights? Soaking in one of the many hot tubs and enjoying Wakeview Pool, which offered some of the best panoramic views we’ve had at sea. Truly breathtaking.

Ports of Call

Bar, Montenegro

Our first stop was the lesser-known port of Bar, and we decided to explore independently. We ventured "off the beaten path" (a little too far, truth be told!) on our way to Stari Bar, a ruined old town nestled in the mountains. After a detour through some questionable neighborhoods near the train station, we flagged a taxi and made it safely to our destination—and we’re so glad we did!

Stari Bar was absolutely enchanting—narrow cobblestone lanes, crumbling stone archways, and panoramic views over the valley. One of the trip's highlights! We had lunch at The Sons Eatery, where I tried Turkish coffee for the first time. It was smooth and rich—until I hit the bottom, mistook the coffee grounds for something like chocolate residue, and took a bold sip. Lesson learned, but no regrets!

Corfu, Greece

Corfu was another do-it-yourself day, and this time we were joined by my parents. The port is within walking distance of town, which made it an easy and pleasant stroll. We climbed to the entrance of the Old Venetian Fortress, but unfortunately it was closed for the day. So instead, we wandered down to the waterfront, browsed the market stalls, and soaked up the laid-back island atmosphere.

Sicily (Catania)

From Catania, we joined a Princess excursion to Mount Etna. Walking along the rim of this active volcano was a surreal experience.

The volcanic landscape is unlike anything we’d ever seen. From there, we continued to Taormina, a picture-perfect Sicilian hill town with terracotta rooftops, elegant piazzas, and sweeping coastal views. We had an amazing pizza lunch at La Napoletana, where the service was just as impressive as the food. There’s nothing quite like eating in a quiet side street with the warm Sicilian sun overhead.

Naples, Italy

Along with my parents, we opted for another Princess excursion, this time to Pompeii—and it did not disappoint. Walking through the preserved ruins and imagining daily life before the eruption of Vesuvius was fascinating and moving.

Afterward, we explored Sorrento, stopping at Join Bar for coffee and pastries. The pistachio-filled pastry we shared was absolutely divine. We also learned how limoncello is made and got to sample some—zesty, sweet, and refreshing!

Barcelona, Spain

Our cruise ended in Barcelona, but that’s a story for another post!

Final Thoughts

While there were a few drawbacks (namely the lack of offerings for older kids and the disappointment over Park19), our cruise aboard the Sun Princess was an unforgettable multigenerational experience. The ship is stunning, the service was top-tier, and the Mediterranean ports delivered one memorable moment after another.

Would we recommend Sun Princess for a Mediterranean cruise?

Absolutely. Just maybe pack a little extra patience for the Dome theatre... and skip the last sip of Turkish coffee.

Have questions about cruising the Med with a big family or want tips on how to make the most of a multigenerational trip? Feel free to reach out or drop a comment below—I’d love to share more from our journey!