Royal Princess completes Singapore drydock ahead of Australian season
Princess Cruises has completed a two-week refurbishment of its Royal Princess cruise ship in Singapore, adding new accommodation, redesigned public spaces and dining facilities ahead of the vessel’s deployment in Australia.
The 3,595-guest ship underwent drydock work between 16 and 30 October 2026. The programme included the construction of 20 additional guest cabins, modifications to the ship’s central Piazza area, and improvements to its casino and retail facilities.
The refurbishment also prepares Royal Princess for the introduction of Princess Cruises’ Sanctuary Collection, a premium accommodation and onboard experience being extended across five Royal-Class vessels.
Following the Singapore drydock, the ship is heading to Sydney for its 2026–27 Australian summer season, with itineraries covering Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific.
Additional cabins and redesigned facilities
The refurbishment added 20 cabins comprising six mini-suites, seven ocean-view cabins, two interior cabins and five single interior cabins.
Princess Cruises also introduced O’Malley’s Irish Pub on deck 5, replacing the former Vines venue, while Bellini’s cocktail bar has been expanded into space previously occupied by the ship’s Photo Gallery.
The Princess Casino was reconfigured to provide additional floor space for gaming facilities, including the removal of a staircase connecting decks 6 and 7. Retail modifications included refurbishment of the Effy jewellery boutique and the transition of onboard retail operations to Starboard.
The changes form part of a wider programme to update passenger facilities across the Princess Cruises fleet.
Sanctuary Collection expansion
The drydock also introduced accommodation and facilities associated with Sanctuary Collection, including newly constructed ocean-view cabins and a dedicated Sanctuary Restaurant on deck 6.
The restaurant is reserved for guests booked in eligible Sanctuary Collection accommodation, which also includes selected suites, mini-suites and balcony cabins.
According to the cruise line’s published schedule, Royal Princess began offering Sanctuary Collection preview sailings on 30 October 2026, ahead of the experience’s scheduled full introduction on 4 January 2027.
Princess Cruises is also expanding Sanctuary Collection to Regal Princess, Discovery Princess, Sky Princess and Enchanted Princess during 2027.
The cruise line has separately identified 22 April 2027 in its refurbishment announcement as a milestone for the Sanctuary Club arrangements aboard Royal Princess.
Return to Australia
Following completion of the work in Singapore, Royal Princess is preparing to operate from Sydney during the 2026–27 cruise season.
The vessel will form part of Princess Cruises’ three-ship deployment in the Australia and New Zealand region, where the company has scheduled 62 departures across 42 itineraries.
The deployment will include voyages around Australia and New Zealand, South Pacific destinations and shorter coastal cruises.
