S.W. Black Travel Blog

Royal Princess Debuts Sanctuary Collection After Dry Dock

Written by S.W. Black Travel | 2 November 2026, 1:00:00 am Z

Royal Princess has emerged from dry dock as the first Princess Cruises ship to feature the new Sanctuary Collection. The premium ship-within-a-ship stateroom tier offers Sanctuary Club access, elevated amenities, and personalised service, while several dining and guest spaces have also received updates. 

The work marks the first completed Sanctuary Collection rollout within a plan covering five Royal-class ships. Newly built ocean-view staterooms, the Sanctuary Restaurant, O’Malley’s Irish Pub, expanded Piazza venues, and a refreshed casino form part of the changes now aboard.

The Sanctuary Collection Leads the Dry-Dock Update

The Sanctuary Collection is central to the latest work aboard Royal. Princess is introducing the premium tier across five Royal-class ships, with Royal becoming the first to complete the update.

Image courtesy of Princess Cruise

Royal Is First in the Five-Ship Rollout

Royal is the first Princess ship to emerge from dry dock with the Sanctuary Collection in place. Four more Royal-class ships are included in the wider rollout.

This gives travellers the first completed example of the new premium tier within the planned five-ship programme. The update establishes how the Sanctuary Collection is being introduced aboard an existing Royal-class vessel. Royal now leads the rollout as Princess extends the concept across the selected ships.

Sanctuary Club Access Defines the New Tier

The Sanctuary Collection provides access to the Sanctuary Club. Elevated amenities and personalised service are also part of the premium offering.

These benefits give the collection several elements beyond the stateroom itself. Guests booking eligible categories receive access to the dedicated club alongside the additional amenities and service. The combination forms the core of the premium tier described by Princess.

Several Stateroom Categories Are Included

Sanctuary Club access is available across several stateroom categories. Suites, mini-suites, deluxe balcony staterooms, balcony staterooms, and newly built ocean-view staterooms are included.

This range gives travellers several room types to consider within the Sanctuary Collection. Access is therefore not limited to suites. Stateroom category becomes one of the practical factors to compare when choosing how to experience the new tier.

New Staterooms and Dining Expand the Sanctuary Offering

The dry dock also added new physical elements connected with the Sanctuary Collection. Newly built ocean-view staterooms join the ship, while the Sanctuary Restaurant is now open on deck 6.

New Ocean-View Staterooms Join the Ship

Princess has added newly built ocean-view staterooms to Royal. These rooms provide Sanctuary Club access alongside the other eligible stateroom categories.

Their addition gives travellers another room type within the premium tier. The new ocean-view rooms join suites, mini-suites, deluxe balcony staterooms, and balcony staterooms within the Sanctuary offering. This broadens the stateroom selection associated with club access.

Image courtesy of Princess Cruise

The Sanctuary Restaurant Opens on Deck 6

The Sanctuary Restaurant is now open on deck 6. It sits adjacent to the Concerto Dining Room.

The venue adds a dedicated restaurant associated with the Sanctuary Collection. Its deck 6 location places it alongside one of the ship’s existing dining spaces. Dining, therefore, becomes another part of the wider Sanctuary experience introduced during the dry dock.

The Collection Extends Beyond the Stateroom

The Sanctuary Collection brings several components together. Eligible staterooms connect with Sanctuary Club access, elevated amenities, personalised service, and the Sanctuary Restaurant.

This gives the premium tier a wider onboard presence than a room category alone. Travellers considering a Sanctuary booking have both stateroom and onboard benefits to review. The dry-dock work places these elements together as part of the new collection aboard Royal.

Public Spaces Also Receive Updates

Princess has also refreshed areas outside the Sanctuary Collection. O’Malley’s Irish Pub, expanded Piazza venues, and a refreshed casino add further changes across the ship.

O’Malley’s Irish Pub Is Among the Enhanced Spaces

O’Malley’s Irish Pub is one of the guest spaces included in the update. The venue adds another named element to the ship’s post-dry-dock offering.

Its inclusion shows the work extended beyond the Sanctuary areas. Guests returning to Royal will find changes across more than the premium stateroom tier. The pub forms part of the broader list of enhanced spaces announced by Princess.

Piazza Venues Have Been Expanded

Princess has expanded venues within the Piazza. The update adds another change to one of the ship’s central public areas.

The Piazza enhancements sit alongside the new pub and refreshed casino within the wider dry-dock programme. Together, these changes broaden the scope of the work beyond staterooms and dining. Returning guests, therefore, have several updated areas to encounter around the ship.

Image courtesy of Princess Cruise

The Casino Has Been Refreshed

The casino has also received an update. Princess lists the space among the enhanced guest areas completed during dry dock.

This adds another type of venue to the overall refurbishment. The refreshed casino joins the Piazza updates and O’Malley’s Irish Pub within the wider programme of changes. The result is a dry-dock project spanning premium staterooms, dining, social spaces, and entertainment areas.

If the Sanctuary Collection is part of your next cruise decision, our Cruise Finder gives you a practical place to review Princess sailings by ship, itinerary, date, and voyage length. Start with the cruise route suited to your plans, then consider the stateroom category and onboard experience you prefer.

Royal is the first ship in the planned five-vessel rollout, with several stateroom categories linked to Sanctuary Club access. Cruise Finder helps you review relevant Princess options while keeping the new premium tier in view.

Plan Your Princess Cruise With the New Upgrades

Royal’s dry-dock programme introduces the Sanctuary Collection as the first completed update within Princess’ five-ship Royal-class rollout. The work also adds new ocean-view staterooms, the Sanctuary Restaurant, O’Malley’s Irish Pub, expanded Piazza venues, and a refreshed casino.

If you want help comparing Princess sailings and Sanctuary Collection options, speak with the S.W. Black Travel team for practical guidance on choosing the cruise and stateroom suited to your plans.