Discovery Princess Review- the best technology on any cruise
We recently got back from an amazing cruise on the Discovery Princess where we sailed through Alaska’s Inside Passage. We set sail out of Seattle for a 7 night cruise. Although we are not new to cruising, it was our first time sailing with Princess. And let’s just say, we are ready to plan another trip.
We were so excited to set sail on the Discovery Princess.
Sailing through Alaska is a bucket list trip for many people. We are so happy to have experienced Alaska’s beauty with our kids. We were not sure if the kids would have enough to do on the cruise, but we were wrong. If you are traveling with kids, Discovery Princess is a great option for kids of all ages.
We really did not know what we were coming into and were blown away by the beauty and technology on the ship. We had never seen a ship with such advanced technology. It truly created such an elevated experience on board.
The Discovery Princess is one of those ships that you’ll want to return to over and over again!
*Disclosure* We were invited by Princess Cruises to experience Discovery Princess. All opinions are my own.
About Discovery Princess
Discovery Princess is one of the newer ships from Princess Cruises. It first set sail in March of 2022 and is the final Royal-Class ship. The ship is beautiful and features a multi-level piazza with bars and dining options. There are 1,830 guest cabins and suites. Discover Princess has an occupancy of 3,660 guests and a crew of 1,300.
Discovery Princess boasts luxury and comfort all at the same time. The ship did not feel overwhelmingly big, yet had plenty to see and do for our 7 night cruise.
Medallion Class Experience
We were blown away with the technology on the Discovery Princess. The driving force of this experience is a wearable Medallion that you wear throughout your trip.
Prior to our trip on the Discovery Princess, we each received a quarter size medallion with our names on them. The medallions are a wearable piece of technology that are used to pay on the ship, track location and so much more. It’s essentially your identity when on board.
What I found fascinating was the sensors that were installed through the cruise. These sensors would let staff know who is nearby based on their Medallion location. There were times when I went to order a coffee and they would address me by name since they had access to my Medallion location on their screen.
The Medallion also allows you to order food and drinks from wherever you are on the ship. The servers are able to find you based on your location and deliver your order to you.
The Medallion Class experience completely sets Discovery Princess apart from other cruise lines we’ve been on.
Other ships a part of Princess Cruises’ ‘fleet
There are 17 cruise ships a part of Princess Cruises’ fleet. The newest ship, Sun Princess, debuted this year. In 2025, Princess Cruises will unveil Star Princess.
- Caribbean Princess
- Coral Princess
- Crown Princess
- Diamond Princess
- Discovery Princess
- Emerald Princess
- Enchanted Princess
- Grand Princess
- Island Princess
- Majestic Princess
- Regal Princess
- Royal Princess
- Ruby Princess
- Sapphire Princess
- Sky Princess
- Star Princess- 2025
- Sun Princess
Princess Cruise Packages
If you have sailed on a cruise before, you are probably aware of the various cruise packages that can be purchased to elevate your experience. Every cruise line offers different packages that include different dining upgrades, WiFi options, and other various upgrades and experiences.
We usually opt for a premium package, mainly because we like to try and compare the premium dining options. We love trying different cuisines and the premium dining is always so fun to try!
Princess Cruises offers two upgraded packages- Plus and Premier. Both packages offer various upgrades to beverages, room service and more. The cost for Plus is $60 a day per guest and $90 a day per guest for Premier.
The Premier is the top package offered by Princess Cruises and includes unlimited specialty dining, unlimited drinks, unlimited fitness classes and so much more. You can compare both packages here.
Dining on Discovery Princess
If you’ve sailed on a cruise before, you know that there is no shortage of food. One of the best parts of taking a cruise is all of the delicious international food you are able to try.
Discover Princess offers a variety of dining options. There are restaurants that are included for everyone and some options are only available to those with a Plus or Premium package.
Standard Dining
World Fresh Marketplace- this is a buffet with a variety of food options. We opted to dine here many times out of convenience and the food was always so good.
International Cafe- this 24 hour cafe is located conveniently in the piazza. They served delicious sandwiches, pastries and coffee/tea options.
Main dining rooms- there are 3 main dining rooms on the Discovery Princess. The Juneau Dining Room, Skagway Dining Room and Ketchikan Dining Room are all good options for dinner on the fancier side.
Salty Dog Grill- located conveniently near the pool. Here you can grab burgers, hot dogs, and french fries.
Slice- this is your spot if you are looking for a ready-to-serve slice of pizza.
Swirls Ice Cream Bar- no cruise is complete without unlimited soft-serve ice cream.
Casual Dining
Depending on the package upgrade you purchase, you will be able to enjoy the following casual dining options on your cruise.
Gigi’s Pizzeria- delicious pizzas, pastas and appetizers. We dined here a few times and loved the open wood-fire pizza oven.
Ocean Terrace Sushi Bar- this was my daughter’s favorite restaurant on the ship. The menu is small but the sushi is delicious. With the Premium package, you can enjoy all the sushi and nigiri you want when onboard the Discovery Princess!
Gelato– a delicious spot for premium gelato and ice cream sundaes!
Speciality Dining on Discovery Princess
We had the chance to try a few specialty restaurants and they were delicious. Purchasing the Premier package on Discovery Princess will give you access to dine at all of these speciality restaurants.
Crown Grill- a delicious steak and seafood restaurant. Danny had one of the best lobster tails he’s ever had. I opted for the steak and it was cooked to perfection. I would highly recommend dining here.
The Catch by Rudy- a highly sought after seafood restaurant. I did not have a chance to dine here but I heard amazing reviews from people who have. If you are a seafood lover, you should check this out.
You can find the full list of dining options on the Discovery Princess here.
Entertainment and Activities on Discovery Princess
There is no shortage of things to do when on the Discovery Princess.
On sea days, you will find a packed itinerary of things to do to ensure your entire family finds something of interest. On port days, the entertainment continues the moment you get back on the ship!
Shows on Discovery Princess
Discovery Princess is home to some incredible productions. The Princess theatre has shows almost nightly to entertain guests with music and dancing. Some of the shows we saw when on the Discovery Princes were Rock Opera and Spotlight Bar.
We also saw an incredible magician put on a family-friendly act. Our family also enjoyed the Deal or No Deal game show where the entire audience was able to participate and win prizes.
For those interested in a more relaxing evening, you can also enjoy movies under the stars. Grab popcorn and a blanket and enjoy a movie from the pool deck.
Fitness
The Discovery Princess has an incredible gym that overlooks the sea. I especially loved the variety of fitness classes that were offered. They had pilates, yoga, and cycling classes daily. A Premium package includes unlimited classes! Even without a package, everyone is still able to access to the gym and amenities.
If you prefer running outside, the Discovery Princess has a running track on their top deck. This is a fun way to get in your exercise with some fresh air and amazing views. You will also find a basket ball court, tennis, and mini golf.
Camp Discovery- Kids Club
This is our third cruise. In the past we sailed with Disney and Royal Caribbean. I wasn’t sure how my kids were going to react to the kids club as they like to compare them.
We toured Camp Discover when getting on the ship and the kids loved it. We dropped them off and when we went to pick them up, they did not want to leave! The girls said it was their favorite kids club at sea. The staff were so attentive with the kids and had plenty of activities for them to do. The girls also especially liked the small group of kids, which allowed them to create genuine connections and make friends.
The kids went to the kids club every single day on the ship. They would join us for dinner and would immediately want to get dropped off. They came home with so many fun crafts and projects too!
Kids over 8 years old are able to check themselves out, with parental consent. I also especially liked that I could track them with their Medallions so I always knew where they were.
Lotus Spa
The Discovery Princess also has a beautiful spa on board the ship. I took advantage on a sea day and received an incredible massage. The spa offered a variety of services but does fill up quickly. I would recommend making an appointment on the first day of your trip/
Overall Thoughts on the Discovery Princess
The Discovery Princess is a beautiful ship that offers some of the best technology at sea. We were blown away with how the technology interacted with each other for an elevated cruising experience.
Discovery Princess is also a great cruise for families. It provides a perfect balance of luxury and comfort. Families can enjoy a variety of activities together. Or kids can take advantage of the kids club while parents enjoy a “night out.”
Experiencing Alaska on the Discovery Princess allowed us to visit multiple destinations. One of the highlights from our trip to Alaska was seeing the glaciers from the comfort of our state room.
You can learn more about the Discovery Princess here.
You may also like to read some of my other cruising content to help you choose the right cruise for you!
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