A Sun Princess Cabana Mini Suite is a standard mini suite with an added outdoor lounging nook that has its own TV, and it comes in two very different versions depending on the deck: a private-balcony-only version on decks 10 through 12, and a Reserve Collection version on deck 9 that also unlocks a shared Cabana Deck with a hot tub and pool. Most articles treat these as one product. They are not, and picking the wrong one is the single biggest mistake first-time bookers make.
Cabana Mini Suite Or Cabana Deck Mini Suite: The Mix-Up Nobody Warns You About
Here’s the confusion that trips up almost everyone shopping Princess’s site. Princess actually lists three separate mini suite products that all have “cabana” somewhere in the name or description:
- Mini suite – the base version, no cabana at all, available fleetwide.
- Cabana mini suite – everything the base mini suite has, plus a private outdoor cabana nook attached to your own balcony, with its own TV. This one is exclusive to Sun Princess cabana mini suite and Star Princess.
- Cabana Deck mini suite (Reserve Collection) – everything above, plus key-card access to a shared Cabana Deck on deck 9, complete with loungers, soft seating, an outdoor shower, and a hot tub.
If you book expecting the shared deck and pool access and you land in a category CA or CB cabin on deck 10 or higher, you will not have it. That access is reserved for the deck 9 Reserve cabins, category CZ or W1 depending on the sailing. This is the single most useful thing to check before you pay a premium for “cabana.”
What You’re Actually Paying For Inside The Room
Strip away the marketing language and a Cabana Mini Suite on Sun Princess cabana mini suite runs about 329 square feet total, with roughly 60 square feet of that being the private outdoor cabana space. That’s noticeably more outdoor real estate than a standard mini suite balcony, which typically runs closer to 55 square feet.
Inside, you get the same core mini suite setup across every version:
- A separate sitting area with a sofa bed and coffee table
- Two flat-panel TVs, one indoors and one in the cabana nook
- The Princess Luxury Bed, developed with sleep consultants
- Beekman 1802 shampoo, conditioner, body wash, and lotion
- MedallionClass keyless entry that unlocks as you approach
- A dedicated stateroom attendant and 24/7 OceanNow delivery
The cabana nook itself is furnished separately from the main balcony seating. Think of it as a third zone: sleeping area, sitting area, and then a semi-enclosed lounging pocket that feels more private than a typical open balcony because of partial paneling on either side.
Deck By Deck: Where Cabana Mini Suites Actually Sit
This is where most competitor guides stop short, and it’s the part that actually changes your booking decision.
Deck 9 holds the Reserve Collection Cabana Deck mini suites, positioned forward on both port and starboard sides. These are the ones with shared Cabana Deck access. One quirk worth knowing before you book: deck 9 cabins have double-high full glass railing on the balcony, so you’re viewing the ocean through glass rather than over an open rail. Some guests love the wind protection. Others find it makes the space feel slightly more enclosed than a traditional balcony. Cruise Critic threads have also flagged that a handful of deck 9 cabana cabins sit directly next to the shared Cabana Deck itself, which means you may hear pool and lounge chatter through the day. If quiet matters more to you than proximity, ask your travel agent for a cabin further from the shared deck entrance rather than right beside it.
Decks 10, 11, and 12 carry the standard Cabana Mini Suite category (typically coded CA or CB), without shared deck access. One real passenger review documented staying in stateroom 10519 on deck 10, starboard side, during Sun Princess’s inaugural Caribbean sailing, and reported the layout matched the standard mini suite footprint with the added private cabana nook attached.
If your goal is the Star Princess Cabana Mini Suite Deck 10 experience specifically, this is the tier to book: private cabana, no shared deck, and generally a quieter hallway than deck 9.
Cabana Mini Suite vs Mini Suite: A Straight Comparison
Guests searching “Sun Princess Cabana Mini Suite vs Mini Suite” usually want one thing: is the upgrade worth the fare difference. Here’s how they actually stack up.
| Feature | Standard Mini Suite | Cabana Mini Suite (Decks 10-12) | Reserve Cabana Deck Mini Suite (Deck 9) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Approx. total size | ~279 sq ft incl. balcony | ~329 sq ft incl. cabana | ~329 sq ft incl. cabana |
| Private outdoor space | Standard balcony | Balcony + cabana nook | Balcony + cabana nook |
| Second TV outdoors | No | Yes | Yes |
| Shared Cabana Deck (hot tub, pool) | No | No | Yes |
| Reserve dining perks | No | No | Yes |
| Availability | All 17 ships | Sun & Star Princess only | Sun & Star Princess only |
The price gap between a standard mini suite and the Cabana Mini Suite on decks 10 through 12 tends to be modest since you’re mainly paying for the extra outdoor square footage and a second TV. The jump to the Reserve Cabana Deck version on deck 9 is larger, because you’re bundling in dining perks and shared amenity access, similar to what Reserve Collection guests get elsewhere on the ship.
Sanctuary, Reserve, and Cabana: Don’t Confuse The Collections
Princess runs three separate premium tiers across sun princess cabana mini suite and Star Princess, and cabana status doesn’t automatically mean you’re in the top tier.
- Sanctuary Mini Suite includes the Princess Premier package, dining at the adults-only Sanctuary Restaurant, and top-deck lounge access. This is the highest tier and sits apart from the cabana designation entirely.
- Reserve Collection Mini Suite includes a bottle of wine, Reserve dining, and upgraded bathrobes, in a priority location, but without the cabana nook unless you specifically book the Cabana Deck version.
- Cabana Mini Suite (decks 10-12) is a mid-tier option: extra outdoor space, no dining perks, no shared lounge.
I’d frame it this way: if what you actually want is more indoor-outdoor living space for lounging with your own coffee in the morning, the plain Cabana Mini Suite gets you there without paying for dining perks you may not use. If you want the social scene, the pool, the hot tub, and exclusive dining, the Reserve Cabana Deck version on deck 9 earns its price tag.
What Real Cruisers Are Saying
Forum threads on Cruise Critic and Reddit consistently circle back to the same question: since the fare for a plain mini suite and a Cabana Mini Suite is sometimes identical on certain sailings, is the cabana version automatically the better pick? The honest answer from passengers who’ve sailed both is that it depends on your layout preference. Several posters noted that a standard mini suite actually has slightly more usable interior floor space, since the cabana version pushes some of that square footage outward into the nook rather than the main cabin. If you spend most of your time inside reading or getting ready, the interior-heavy standard mini suite might suit you better. If you want a spot to sip coffee outside without competing for balcony chairs, the cabana layout wins.
A quick field note from experience with Sphere-class ships
cabin location on deck 9 forward can catch more motion in rough seas than a midship cabin on deck 11 or 12. If you’re prone to seasickness, a Star Princess Cabana Mini Suite on deck 10 or 11 is usually the steadier ride, even before you factor in the Cabana Deck noise question.
Is A Cabana Mini Suite Worth It
For most travelers, yes, if the fare gap between it and a standard mini suite is small. The extra 50 square feet of semi-private outdoor space with its own TV genuinely changes how a family of two or three uses the room during sea days. Where it stops making sense is if you’re comparing the Reserve Cabana Deck version against a full Sanctuary Mini Suite at a similar price. In that matchup, Sanctuary usually delivers more all-inclusive value through the Princess Premier package.
How To Pick The Exact Right Cabin
- Check the category code before booking. CA or CB means standard Cabana Mini Suite. CZ or W1/W4 means Reserve Cabana Deck Mini Suite with shared access.
- Ask for a cabin away from the forward Cabana Deck entrance if you’re booking deck 9 and value quiet mornings.
- Pick midship over forward on decks 10 through 12 if motion sensitivity is a concern.
- Confirm balcony type. Deck 9 has the glass-railing balconies described above, which some guests prefer and others find less airy than an open rail.
- Compare the fare gap to a plain mini suite first. If it’s under $15-20 per person per night, the cabana upgrade is close to a no-brainer for the extra space alone.
Frequently Asked Questions About Sun Princess Cabana Mini Suite
What is the difference between a Cabana Mini Suite and a Mini Suite on Sun Princess?
A Mini Suite has a standard balcony. A Cabana Mini Suite adds a separate outdoor lounging nook with its own TV, bringing total space to roughly 329 square feet versus about 279 for the standard version.
What are the benefits of a Princess Mini Suite at Sun Princess?
You get a separate sitting area with a sofa bed, two TVs, the Princess Luxury Bed, MedallionClass keyless entry, and a dedicated attendant, the same baseline amenities across every mini suite tier on the ship.
Is a Mini Suite on Princess worth it?
For most cruisers wanting more room than a standard balcony cabin without paying full suite prices, yes. The added sitting area and sofa bed make it a practical step up for couples and small families.
What does a Mini Suite get you on Sun Princess?
A larger stateroom with a separate seating area, sofa bed, coffee table, private balcony, and two flat-panel TVs, plus the same MedallionClass and OceanNow features found across every cabin category.
Does every Cabana Mini Suite on Sun Princess include access to the Cabana Deck?
No. Only the Reserve Collection Cabana Deck mini suites on deck 9 include shared access to the outdoor Cabana Deck with its hot tub and pool. Standard Cabana Mini Suites on decks 10 through 12 do not.
Which deck has the best Cabana Mini Suites on Sun Princess?
Deck 9 offers the Reserve Cabana Deck version with shared amenity access but can run louder near the shared deck entrance. Decks 10 through 12 offer a quieter, private-only cabana experience at a lower price point.
Is the Star Princess Cabana Mini Suite the same as on Sun Princess?
Yes. Star Princess is a sister ship in the same Sphere class, and its Cabana Mini Suite and Reserve Cabana Deck Mini Suite categories mirror Sun Princess in size, layout, and deck placement.
Can families of four fit in a Cabana Mini Suite?
Yes, with the sofa bed converted for a third or fourth guest, though space gets tight. Families prioritizing extra sleeping room over the cabana nook may prefer checking cabin-specific configurations before booking, since not every mini suite sleeps four comfortably.