Discovery Princess

As the sixth and final Royal Class-ship (the first arrived in 2013) from Princess Cruises, the 2022-launched Discovery Princess represents equal parts past and future for the line. The deck plan is mostly identical to the original in the series, but the brand’s latest MedallionClass technology is on deck, as are a number of other updates since the ship first came on the scene.

For instance, the Salty Dog Gastropub has become O’Malley’s Irish Pub, reflecting that found on the line’s newer vessels, and Sabatini’s Italian Trattoria has swapped places with The Catch by Rudi (originally Bistro Sur La Mer). The latter is another recent evolution for the brand as parent company Carnival Corporation veteran Chef Rudi Sodamin now leads Princess’ dining as its Head of Culinary Arts, the result of which is elevated cuisine across the board.

Comparing Discovery to earlier Royal Class ships will reveal that there is no longer a fountain show (nor its requisite hardware) featured on the Lido Deck, and the Experience Center was not fleshed out as an escape room on this one. But the once-ballyhooed SeaWalk and its glass floor cantilevered over the ocean has carried over. One final revision: the smokey Churchill’s Cigar Lounge has been transformed into a healthier Arcade.

Sometimes likened to “The Cheesecake Factory,” Discovery continues Princess’ previous penchant for beige and golden tones radiating from The Piazza atrium throughout. Its unchanged interior design choices notwithstanding, the ship does offer a premium experience to its 3,660 guests, and given its tonnage of 145,000, a relatively generous passenger-to-space ratio.