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As the theme tune for The Love Boat filled the speakers, so our final call for this seven-day excursion finally began. Everywhere I look I am met with the dreamiest of blue waters, as far as the eye can see. There are smiling faces all around as we merrily sing along to the iconic 70s theme tune. No, I have not been magically transported to some yesteryear heyday, but rather I am the Sun Princess - an astronomical vessel that's as fabulous as it is massive.

Being the newest and , the excitement for this cruise was undoubtedly now at fever pitch, made even more thrilling thanks to the vessel's associations to the popular series, Love Boat, which I just happened to be an avid fan of. But it was one concept onboard which proved to be the real game-changer and made my epic voyage one of happy memories and smooth sailing.

The Sun Princess holds strong ties to the original Love Boat as it was the name of a ship which appeared in the original series, with the iconic TV show being filmed aboard various Princess Cruise ships.

Launched by Princess Cruises in February 2024, the Sun Princess is the cruise line's first Sphere Class ship and its largest to date, far surpassing that of the Discovery Princess.

It is also the first vessel in the Princess Cruises fleet that's powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG), allowing for a cleaner energy source that reduces harmful emissions, making it a milestone in maritime sustainability.

Dubbed the "Giant of the sea", the ship measures an impressive 345 metres in length and 50 metres in width, with a staggering total of 177,882 gross registered tons. Immediatly I am blown away by its sheer size, which to me resembles that of a floating shopping mall, filled to the brim with a host of luxurious features, all designed to leave a lasting impression.

Princess Cruises takes intrepid travellers to roughly 330 of the world's most sought-after destinations, with 2025 being extra special as it marks the cruise liner's 60th anniversary and 40 years of sailing in the Mediterranean.

Our seven day Sun Princess voyage began in Barcelona in Spain and was followed by stops at Gibraltar, Marseille in France, Genoa and Florence in Italy, ending in Rome and certainly brought a new meaning to cruising through life.

However, the real game-changer for me came in the form of a small wearable device that replaces the more run-of-the-mill Cruise Cards. The Medallion Class Experience is a new concept for Princess Cruises and proved to be ever so handy.

The device helps staff onboard to locate you and deliver drinks or snacks, anytime, anywhere, and also allows for touch-free boarding on the ship and into your rooms and was particularly useful when it came to locating your other ship-mate onboard - no easy feat on such a large vessel.

The dining onboard the Sun Princess was also another highlight with poolside tacos, mouth-watering pizzas, endless options in the main dining room, or, my personal favourite, the speciality restaurants, providiing that truly unique dining experience.

Love by Britto was hands down the best for me, with each dish and drink being specially designed with love in mind. Umai Teppanyaki also served up some noteworthy memories for me as all food prepared right in front of you thanks to the never a dull moment chefs.

Spellbound also proved to be a real spectacle with magicians performing mind-bending tricks, all surrounded in gorgeously themed rooms, including a Victorian-themed bar serving up all kinds of delights.

One slight disadvantage came when embarking on shore on excursion days, however, which felt clunky at times and more a feeling of being herded like cattle rather than embarking on a luxurious day out.

But once past the cattle herding, the locations upon arrival were truly magnificent with Portofino being my personal favourite.

Found in the Metropolitan City of Genoa on the Italian Riviera, Portofino's harbour forms the hub of this charming region with elegant boutiques and restaurants scattered alongside its waters and colourful homes perched high above its stunning waters.

Visiting the Rock of Gibraltar was also a delight, being a history buff myself. I was blown away by the miles of tunnels built into the rock which were once a crucial part of Gibraltar's defence strategy during .

Provence in France certainly evoked feelings like stepping right into a fairytale, with the region famed for its diverse landscapes that includes the Southern Alps and the Camargue plains with pine forests, rolling vineyards and lavender fields a plenty.

Back on board, and my balcony room was the stuff of maritime dreams, providing me those much-needed moments lost in thought, as I gazed out at the expansive sea surrounding me.

The size of the room, however, was less than ideal and occasionally felt slightly cramped, still, a decent shower, a comfortable couch and generous cupboard space were all welcomed additions.

But for me, the absolute cherry on the cake during my time on the Sun Princess came down to the onboard staff. I immediately felt their passion and pride each time they greeted me, which made me feel special and part of their Princess Posse.

Despite still not being able to quite get my head around how such a massive ship is able to float so effortlessly, I most certainly felt the love from all, with my Sun Princess voyage truly being a Love Boat ride like no other, which, I shall remember for years to come.