A 7-night Mediterranean cruise on Sun Princess in April will run most couples $3,500–$6,500 total (cabin + extras), with gratuities at €12/person/night, drink packages if purchased, specialty dining, and port costs adding $800–$1,500 on top of the base fare.
Photo: Royal Caribbean International
Sun Princess launched as one of the most-talked-about new ships in the industry — and it comes with a price tag to match. If you're trying to figure out what a week in the Mediterranean actually costs on this ship in April, here's the honest breakdown before you start googling excursion prices at 11pm.
What a 7-Night Mediterranean Sun Princess Cruise Actually Costs
April is shoulder season in the Med — not peak summer, not rock-bottom winter pricing. You'll find reasonable base fares but the add-ons stack fast. Princess runs a Princess Plus and Princess Premier bundle system that changes the math significantly depending on how you drink and dine.
| Cost Category | Budget Traveler | Mid-Range | Splurge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cabin (7 nights, per person) | $699–$999 (interior) | $1,100–$1,500 (balcony) | $2,000–$3,500+ (mini-suite/suite) |
| Gratuities | ~$126/person (€12/night) | ~$126/person | ~$126/person |
| Drink Package (if added) | $0 (pay as you go) | ~$595/person (Princess Plus bundled) | Included in Premier |
| WiFi | $0–$105/person | Included in Plus/Premier | Included in Premier |
| Specialty Dining | $0 (MDR only) | $100–$200/couple | $300–$500/couple |
| Shore Excursions | $150–$300/person | $400–$600/person | $800–$1,500+/person |
| Misc (photos, spa, casino) | $50–$100 | $200–$400 | $500–$1,000+ |
| Estimated Total (per person) | $1,100–$1,600 | $2,200–$3,200 | $4,000–$7,000+ |
Note: Cabin prices are per person based on double occupancy. April Med sailings out of Rome, Barcelona, or Athens. Gratuity shown in USD equivalent at roughly €12/person/night.
Photo: MSC Cruises
Key Factors That Drive the Cost
Princess Plus vs. Princess Premier — Don't Skip This Decision Princess now sells most of its value add-ons in two bundles. Princess Plus (typically $60/person/day) includes the Plus Beverage Package (up to $15/drink), crew appreciation (gratuities), Wi-Fi (1 device), and two specialty dining meals. Princess Premier (typically $80/person/day) upgrades drinks to $20/drink, adds unlimited specialty dining, and includes premium desserts and photo packages. For a 7-night sailing, Plus adds ~$420/person on top of your fare — but replaces gratuities, Wi-Fi, and most of your bar tab. Run the math against your actual drinking habits before you book.
Gratuities in the Mediterranean Mediterranean sailings bill gratuities in euros: €12/person/night standard, €16/person/night in Yacht Club/suites (note: this is the MSC rate — Princess runs its own separate structure). For Princess specifically, standard gratuities are baked into Plus/Premier or charged at approximately $16–$18/person/day if you're on a basic fare. Over 7 nights, that's $112–$126/person if you're not on a bundle.
April Weather = Great Itinerary Pacing, But Watch Port Fees April itineraries often hit Rome (Civitavecchia), Naples/Pompeii, Santorini, Mykonos, Dubrovnik, or Barcelona. Port fees and taxes can add $150–$250/person to your booking total — these are non-negotiable and should already be in your quoted price, but double-check.
Specialty Dining on Sun Princess Sun Princess has a strong specialty dining lineup including Spellbound (unique theatrical experience), Catch by Rudi, and Crown Grill. Expect $35–$55/person cover charge for most venues, or about $100–$160/couple per dinner. If you're booking à la carte, budget 2–3 specialty meals for the week and you'll spend $200–$350 as a couple.
Shore Excursions: The Budget Killer This is where Mediterranean cruises get expensive fast. Princess-sold excursions in Santorini or Rome run $80–$200/person per port. Independent options are 30–50% cheaper — a private boat tour in Santorini booked directly is often $60–$90/person vs. $150+ through the ship. Budget $400–$600/person for 5 ports if you're mixing ship and independent excursions.
Wi-Fi Sun Princess uses MedallionNet, Princess's proprietary satellite system. If you're not on Plus/Premier, a single-device plan runs approximately $15–$25/day pre-purchased (less than onboard pricing). The ship's connectivity in the Med is generally solid in port and decent at sea.
Photo: Travel Mutiny
Practical Tips to Save Money on Sun Princess Mediterranean
1. Buy Princess Plus at booking, not onboard. The bundle is almost always cheaper when included at booking vs. added later. Watch for Princess promotions that include Plus in the base fare — these pop up regularly in January–March for April sailings.
2. Pre-book specialty dining online. Princess runs discounts of 15–20% on specialty dining booked through the Cruise Personalizer before sailing. Same meals, cheaper price.
3. Skip the ship excursions in the major ports. In Rome, Naples, and Barcelona you don't need Princess's hand to hold you. Public transit, private drivers, and independent tour operators cut costs dramatically. Do book through the ship for ports like Santorini cable car or any tender port where timing is tight — losing your ship is an expensive lesson.
4. Book your cabin early for April. April Med sailings on new ships like Sun Princess sell out. Balcony cabins on the mid-ship go first. Pricing on Princess tends to increase as inventory drops — the lowest fares are typically 9–12 months out.
5. Check CruiseHub for bundle deals. Sometimes booking through a travel agent partner captures onboard credits or fare discounts not visible on Princess.com directly. Worth a 10-minute check at CruiseHub before you commit.
6. Watch for drink package break-even math. If you drink 3–4 alcoholic beverages plus specialty coffees daily, Princess Plus pays for itself. If you're a 1-drink-at-dinner type, skip the package and pay as you go — you'll come out ahead.
Recommended Cabin Categories for a Mediterranean Itinerary
| Cabin Type | Best For | Approximate Fare (7 nights, per person) |
|---|---|---|
| Interior | Budget-focused, rarely in the cabin | $699–$999 |
| Oceanview | Light sleepers who want natural light | $850–$1,150 |
| Balcony (mid-ship) | Couples, best value for Med scenic cruising | $1,100–$1,500 |
| Mini-Suite | Extra space, priority boarding, soaking tub | $1,600–$2,200 |
| Reserve/Club Class Mini-Suite | Dedicated dining section, faster service | $1,900–$2,600 |
| Suite | Full luxury, concierge, specialty dining perks | $2,800–$5,000+ |
The mid-ship balcony is the sweet spot for a Mediterranean sailing. You'll spend time on that balcony watching Santorini sunsets or sailing into Dubrovnik harbor — it earns its premium over an interior in a way it doesn't always on a Caribbean crossing.
A week on Sun Princess in the Mediterranean is genuinely one of the better cruise experiences available right now — the ship is stunning, the itineraries are excellent in April, and the Princess Plus bundle makes budgeting straightforward once you commit to it. The trap is underestimating shore excursions and specialty dining. Budget those honestly upfront and you won't have sticker shock at the end of the voyage.
Use CruiseMutiny to run a full cost estimate for your specific sailing dates and cabin category before you book — it takes the guesswork out of what you'll actually spend.