by Sarah Kuta
Last updated: 11:00 AM ET, Tue October 14, 2025
Princess Cruises’ ship Sapphire Princess is back on the water after a two-week drydock in Portland, Oregon.
After undergoing refurbishments, the 2,670-guest vessel is offering new guest experiences. These include two popular specialty restaurants, Makoto Ocean and Crown Grill, which will open to travelers on November 16. Both restaurants are $60 per person and included as a specialty dining option for guests who book the Princess Premier package.
Sapphire Princess is now heading to Mexico before repositioning for a season of South America and Antarctica cruises. In the spring and summer of 2026, the newly refreshed vessel will offer Mediterranean and Northern Europe voyages before sailing a series of Canada and New England cruises in the fall of 2026.
Then, in March 2027, sister ships Sapphire Princess and Diamond Princess will reunite in Japan, offering Princess Cruises’ biggest Japan season ever through December 2027.
Makoto Ocean debuted on Sun Princess and Star Princess—and now it’s available to guests on Sapphire Princess. It takes the place of the Internet Café on Deck 7, bringing chef Makoto Okuwa’s Edomae-style sushi to sea. Guests can enjoy a premium menu of specialties, including truffle salmon, snow crab temaki and toro tartare, alongside handcrafted cocktails such as the Genmai Negroni (a refined Japanese twist on the classic) and Kodai No Hana (blending yuzu juice with Doburoku, an ancient sake).
The Crown Grill steakhouse replaces the former Savoy Dining Room on Deck 5, serving premium aged beef, chops and fresh seafood.
“With the addition of Makoto Ocean and Crown Grill, our guests aboard Sapphire Princess will enjoy two of our most popular dining experiences, elevating the culinary journey across her itineraries,” says Sami Kohen, vice president of food and beverage for Princess Cruises. “We’re especially proud to bring these enhancements as Sapphire Princess prepares for remarkable seasons ahead, including our historic dual-ship deployment in Japan in 2027.”
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