Crown Princess has returned to service following a scheduled drydock in Singapore, re-entering the Princess Cruises fleet with a series of refurbished and newly introduced onboard spaces. The work focused on updating high-traffic guest areas while maintaining the ship’s existing layout and capacity as it prepares for an extended deployment in Australia and a 2026 World Cruise.

Casino Redesign Focuses on Layout and Guest Flow

The 113,561-ton vessel, which accommodates up to 3,080 guests, underwent general refurbishment during the drydock period. Alongside routine maintenance, the refit introduced several venue changes intended to update entertainment, dining, and retail offerings. Among the most notable updates are the addition of O’Malley’s Irish Pub, a redesigned Gatsby’s Casino, and a new EFFY Lounge.

Princess Cruises confirmed that the enhancements are part of a wider programme to modernise guest-facing spaces across the fleet, with Crown Princess positioned as a key ship for upcoming itineraries in the Asia-Pacific region.

A central feature of the refurbishment is the reimagined Gatsby’s Casino, which has been reconfigured to improve comfort and movement within the space. The updated casino retains its core gaming offer while introducing a revised layout, a redesigned casino bar, and upgraded gaming equipment.

Guests will continue to find traditional table games such as blackjack and roulette alongside a refreshed selection of slot machines. The casino overhaul also includes an updated cashier area and the introduction of new slot machine themes. Princess Cruises said the changes aim to enhance usability while preserving the familiar casino experience offered across its ships.

Casino gaming remains a key component of onboard entertainment for the cruise line, and the Crown Princess refit reflects a broader industry focus on modernising gaming areas at sea. While the ship’s casino refresh is part of internal fleet updates, the cruise sector more widely has seen growing attention on gambling and betting offerings as part of guest entertainment.

New Dining and Retail Venues Added During Drydock

The refurbishment also saw the introduction of O’Malley’s Irish Pub, replacing the former Wheelhouse Bar. The venue follows a concept already popular across the Princess Cruises fleet, offering pub-style comfort food and a dedicated drinks menu.

O’Malley’s serves dishes such as burgers, fish and chips, and late-night bites, supported by an extensive beverage selection that includes curated beer and whiskey flights. The space seats 134 guests, including 12 bar seats, and features live music designed to create a relaxed social setting.

Another addition is the EFFY Lounge and High-End Vault, which now occupies the space previously used as the Internet Café. The lounge showcases jewellery from the New York City-based brand EFFY, known for its craftsmanship and use of high-quality gemstones. The new venue expands the ship’s retail offering while repositioning underused space into a premium shopping environment.

These changes accompany a series of general enhancements carried out throughout the vessel, though Princess Cruises has not detailed every area affected during the drydock.

Ship Prepares for Australia Season and World Cruise

Following its return to service, Crown Princess is sailing to Sydney, where it is scheduled to arrive on January 4, 2026. From there, the ship will operate a programme of Australia-based cruises running through May 2026.

On May 10, 2026, Crown Princess will depart on a 114-day World Cruise, sailing roundtrip from Sydney. The extended itinerary places the refurbished ship at the centre of Princess Cruises’ long-haul deployment plans for the year.

Lorna Warren, vice president of hotel operations and guest experience for Princess Cruises, said the drydock provided an opportunity to refine the onboard experience.

“Every drydock is an opportunity to elevate the guest experience, and Crown Princess’ latest enhancements reflect our ongoing commitment to evolve and modernize our onboard offerings,” she said in a press release. “From introducing guest-favorite venues like O’Malley’s Irish Pub to refreshing our casino experience, these updates ensure Crown Princess is perfectly positioned to deliver an unforgettable season as she sails Down Under for our upcoming Australia season and World Cruise.”