If you’re considering cruising with Princess Cruises, or more specifically, wondering what it’s like to sail aboard Majestic Princess in Europe, you’re in the right place. This is our honest and detailed trip report from our recent 8-night repositioning sailing from Barcelona to Southampton, calling at three brand-new ports for us: Malaga, Gibraltar, and Cadiz.
We last sailed with Princess back in 2021 during the post-pandemic cruise bubble, and while we loved the experience, we always knew we wanted to return once the full cruise experience was back to normal. So when we saw this itinerary aboard Majestic Princess, a ship with an interesting backstory and some recent updates ahead of her 2025 Europe and Caribbean season, we jumped at the chance.
In this post, we’re covering:
- Why Majestic Princess is a ship to watch (especially for UK cruisers)
- Our boarding experience in Barcelona
- Our first day and sea day onboard, including highlights and first impressions
- A look at the Princess Premier Package and what it includes
Let’s dive in…
🛳 Why Majestic Princess Is a Ship Worth Watching (Especially for UK Cruisers)
Majestic Princess was originally designed for the Chinese market, which gives her some unique touches not found on other Royal-class Princess ships. From the increased use of marble and gold finishes to her expanded retail areas and some subtle design differences, she feels like a luxurious blend of international flair and familiar Princess elegance.
In preparation for her 2025 deployment, she underwent refurbishments to align more closely with the rest of the Princess fleet — adding updated venues, fresh soft furnishings, and a more Western-focused onboard experience.
But here’s what makes her especially interesting for UK cruisers:
👉 Majestic Princess will be homeporting from Southampton in 2026 – making her an incredibly accessible option for Brits who want to try Princess without the need to fly.
If you’re Princess-curious and based in the UK, this is a ship to keep on your radar.
✈️ Boarding in Barcelona – Our Embarkation Experience
Our journey began in sunny Barcelona, where we boarded Majestic Princess for her repositioning cruise back to the UK. Because we have Elite status with Princess (from previous sailings), we were able to take advantage of priority embarkation.
Even without that perk, the process seemed smooth for most passengers — but our experience was particularly seamless:
✅ Medallion pick-up at the port terminal
✅ Quick health and ID checks
✅ Straight onboard and into our stateroom
Total time: less than 30 minutes from curb to ship
💡 Tip for first-timers: Princess uses the Medallion system . This small wearable device replaces your key card and handles everything from room access and payments to tracking your drinks package usage and ordering food poolside. Make sure you download the Princess app in advance and check your app status before boarding. It’ll save you a lot of faff on the day.
🧳 First Impressions Onboard
As we stepped into the Piazza — the ship’s central atrium — it all came rushing back. The live music, the glistening staircase, the polished marble… Princess really knows how to do elegant without being stuffy.
Our cabin was an accessible balcony cabin, we booked a guaranteed balcony, and were assigned this cabin a few weeks before we were due to sail, and it was in great shape. Clean, comfortable, and perfectly prepped. And of course, that moment when you step out onto your balcony and realise this is your view for the next week… magical.
🍹 Welcome Aboard – Sailaway Vibes & Drinks Package Perks
We headed straight to the pool deck for a sailaway drink, soaking in the Barcelona skyline as we gently pulled away from port. It wasn’t a loud party vibe like you might get on Royal Caribbean or NCL, but it had that relaxed, grown-up buzz that felt just right for Princess.
We had treated ourselves to the Princess Premier Package, which at the time included:
- Unlimited drinks (up to $20 per drink – cocktails, wine, beer, etc.)
- Unlimited specialty dining
- Unlimited casual dining (e.g., sushi, pizza, gelato)
- Wi-Fi for up to 4 devices each
- Prepaid gratuities
- Fitness classes
- Premium desserts and fresh juices
- Photo package
⚠️ Note: Some inclusions like premium desserts are no longer part of the Premier Package as of mid-2025, so check what’s current before you book.
For us, Premier made the cruise feel truly all-inclusive. We never once had to worry about budgeting or checking our account — it was all taken care of. That peace of mind? Priceless.
🍽️ Dining in the Main Dining Room – How It Works & What to Expect
For our first dinner onboard, we opted for the Main Dining Room — something we always like to try early in the cruise. But as with most embarkation days, things can feel a little chaotic at first.
Even though we’d pre-booked a dining time using the Princess MedallionClass app, we still had to wait a short while to be seated. That’s not unusual for the first night, as the crew get into their stride and many guests are still figuring out how the app and dining system works.
Princess Cruises, at least on this class of ship, has three Main Dining Rooms, and each one is dedicated to a specific dining style:
- Traditional Dining – This is the classic cruise dining format. You’re assigned either first seating or second seating, and you’ll eat at the same table, with the same guests, at the same time each night. Many long-time cruisers love this, it creates a social experience and a dependable routine.
- Anytime Dining (Walk-Up) – One of the dining rooms is reserved for guests who prefer flexibility. No reservations, just show up when you’re hungry and wait for a table. This is first come, first served, and great if you want to dine on your own schedule (though peak times can mean queues).
- Reservation-Based Dining (Anytime with Booking) – This is what we chose. You use the app (or a screen around the ship) to book a time slot in advance, either before you board or during your sailing. It’s ideal if you want the flexibility of Anytime Dining but also want the peace of mind of having a confirmed slot and avoiding the wait.
📝 Top Tip: Book your dining slots for the first night before boarding — especially if you’re sailing on a busier itinerary or during peak season.
The food in the dining room was solid, classic cruise fare with a mix of international and American favourites. While Phil is gluten-free and often finds that speciality dining caters more reliably to his dietary needs, he had no issues in the main dining room this time. That said, we tend to gravitate toward the speciality venues for a little more variety and flexibility, which is one of the reasons why the Princess Premier Package really appealed to us.
🌊 Day 2: Sea Day Bliss
Our first full day onboard was a sea day, and it couldn’t have come at a better time. After a long travel day and a hectic run-up to our holiday, we just needed to breathe.
We spent most of the day:
- Lounging by the pool (deck chairs were plentiful in the indoor pool at least, the main pool was very popular and busy)
- Exploring different parts of the ship
- Sipping cold drinks and dipping into the MedallionClass app to order snacks wherever we were
The ship didn’t feel crowded — one of the things we’ve always appreciated about Princess ships is how well they handle space. There are lots of little corners to tuck into with a book, or sit by a window and watch the ocean roll by.
🍝 Formal Night & Dinner at Sabatini’s
That evening was formal night — and while we’re not huge fans of dressing up, we always enjoy seeing how other guests go all-out. On Princess, formal night is optional, and you’ll find everything from tuxedos to cocktail dresses to smart-casual trousers and shirts. No judgement — just a nice excuse to wear something special if you want to.
We made our way to Sabatini’s Italian Trattoria, one of Princess’ most popular specialty restaurants — and a real highlight of our trip.
The six-course tasting menu is inspired by the D’Angelo family and offers:
- Fresh handmade pasta
- Delicate seafood
- Classic Italian desserts with a twist
- Impeccable wine pairings
Sabatini’s is usually $55 per person, but with the Premier Package, it was included. The service was fantastic — relaxed, never rushed — and every course was as beautiful as it was delicious.
🎭 Evening Entertainment: Elegant & Easy
We finished the night with a visit to the Princess Theatre, where the performance leaned more classical than cabaret — a mix of operatic solos and musical theatre. It won’t be for everyone, but if you’re in the mood for something elegant and well-executed, it hits the spot.
Afterwards, we popped into Good Spirits, our favourite bar onboard, for a nightcap. The bartenders were friendly and knowledgeable, happy to make off-menu drinks and offer recommendations. If you like a good cocktail and a bit of theatre with your drink-making, don’t miss this bar.
✨ Final Thoughts (So Far)
In just two days, Majestic Princess reminded us why we enjoyed cruising with Princess in the first place. The service is polished but never pushy, the ship feels luxurious but accessible, and with the right package, it really can be a worry-free, all-inclusive experience.
With her upcoming homeporting from Southampton in 2026, she’s going to be a fantastic option for UK cruisers wanting something elegant, convenient, and refreshingly easy.
📍Next up: Malaga – our first port day, with sunshine, sangria, and Spanish charm in abundance.
📌 Would We Recommend Majestic Princess in Europe?
Absolutely — especially if:
- You’re a first-time cruiser looking for a refined but friendly experience
- You want a relaxed alternative to the big party ships
- You’re a British cruiser looking for a UK-departure option in 2026
- You enjoy good food, great service, and a ship that feels grown-up without being overly formal
Stay tuned for the next instalment of our Majestic Princess trip report, where we explore each port and share what we did, what we loved, and what we’d do differently.
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