princess yachts reviews

Driven: Princess S78 Luxury Yacht Review

Not far from the steps where the Pilgrim Fathers boarded the Mayflower, and overlooked by the headland where Sir Francis Drake awaited the Spanish Armada, you’ll find an altogether more modern slice of Britain’s maritime heritage.

Princess Yachts was founded in 1965 and now ranks as one of the world’s leading luxury yacht producers. Its offerings range from 35-foot sports boats to 130-foot superyachts, all handbuilt within the confines of Plymouth’s historic naval city.

The whole area is steeped in seafaring tradition. The full-size mock-ups for the yachts’ interiors are, for instance, constructed in a Grade I listed 18th-century ropery, which once wound the rigging for Lord Nelson’s sailing ships. But it’s the blend of modern ideas with traditional craftsmanship that characterises a Princess yacht today.

Since 2016 the company has been run by Swiss-born American businessman Anthony Sheriff. The name may ring a bell, even if you’re not into boats – Sheriff was the man hired to set up McLaren Automotive as a standalone road car brand in 2003, and he went on to lead the supercar manufacturer for a decade, supervising the development of cars like the P1. This background gives him a unique appreciation of the differences between the two industries.

“The super-luxury side of the car industry is known for its craftsmanship, but we take that to a whole other level here,” he comments. “We have 3,200 people who make pretty much everything that you can actually see on the boat. Only the electronics and the engines are outsourced.”

By following its own ‘self-sufficient’ approach, Princess Yachts has total control over both the design and the manufacturing process. Everything down to the cleats on the deck and the wastewater tanks can be configured to suit the customer’s individual requirements. And at this end of the market – with starting prices ranging from £300,000 to £17 million – customisation is king. Want a walkthrough gallery to showcase your shoe collection or an onboard playroom for your chihuahua? These guys can help.

Where boatbuilding has generally lagged behind the automotive industry, however, is its adoption of new technology. Sheriff admits this was something of a culture shock when he first joined the company, and he has set about applying some of that supercar mentality. And he’s not alone either; Sheriff brought with him Paul Mackenzie – formerly head of McLaren’s Special Operations department and now the Plymouth firm’s chief technology officer.

“The yachting industry isn’t known for innovation. Having come from a supercar company with a background in Formula 1, the concept of not worrying about innovation was a bit foreign,” comments Sheriff. “We looked at the boats we make and asked, ‘how can we create a step change in performance?’”

Affectionately known as ‘Captain Carbon’, Mackenzie is a composite materials guru, whose skills have been put to good use on Princess Yachts’ latest creation, the R35. This 35-foot sports yacht is a radical departure from the rest of the Princess range, with an all-carbon fibre hull and a top speed of some 50 knots.

Just as significant is the active foiling system, which constantly trims the boat’s attitude to optimise comfort and stability. This allows a very narrow hull shape to be employed, which is said to result in a step-change in performance and agility. With that, however, comes a certain amount of inherent instability, which would normally make the R35 something of a handful, but its clever control system is designed to filter that out. It’s much like the driver aids that allow mere mortals to kid people that we know what we’re doing behind the wheel of a 700hp supercar.

Our chance to sample Princess Yachts’ craftsmanship first-hand, however, comes in the form of the S78. It looks suitably imposing as we approach from the jetty, as you’d expect from a boat that’s twice the length of a double-decker bus and built on three different levels.

You enter through the main deck, via an outdoor area at the stern with a group of sofas. Inside, there’s a large open-plan living space, including a galley and a dining area. It’s here that the owners would generally entertain their guests, and there’s room to throw quite a party.

The highest level is a ‘sports bridge’, accessed by a set of steps from the rear deck. Here you’ll find the upper helm, from where you can pilot the boat with the sun on your face and the wind in your hair. There’s also a second, larger, cockpit area on the main deck, which doubles up on the controls and provides additional instruments. Both have Naim audio systems fitted with waterproof speakers to provide the perfect soundtrack to your maritime getaway.

The most opulent surroundings are to be found on the lower deck, where the boat can sleep eight guests and two crew. As above, there’s a wonderfully handcrafted feel to everything you touch. Doors and cupboards have a well-oiled tactility to them, and the material choice – polished teak, gleaming chrome and deep, fluffy carpets – is reminiscent of a modern Rolls Royce .

Turn right at the bottom of the stairs, and you enter the stateroom, with a large double bed, a sofa and a media centre with a television and sound system. The three additional guest cabins – one at the bow and two on either side of the mid-section – are slightly smaller, but they still provide comfortable space for two people apiece. All four guest rooms have en suite bathrooms and wardrobes.

It’s worth taking in the sheer scale of this boat because it adds a rather different perspective to what comes next. For a start, there’s the price. This particular example would set you back around £3.4 million, which seems like a lot of money, but by my (very rough) calculations, it works out comfortably less than the equivalent area of floor space might cost you in Chelsea or Kensington, let alone Monaco.

The next thing is the performance. Having watched the Princess’s crew steer her expertly out of the harbour, it’s my turn to take the helm. I’ve never been on a motor yacht before, and frankly, I was expecting a big, lazy gin palace, but the reality of this Princess is shockingly different. With two 24.2-litre V12s producing a combined power of 3,800hp, the S78 delivers genuinely exhilarating performance. Out on the deck, you really feel like you’re flat out, scudding across the top of the waves at 39 knots. That’s just shy of 44mph, but trust me, it feels like you’re doing at least three times that speed.

Turn the wheel, and the whole horizon tilts as the 54 tonnes of superyacht carve across the water like an overgrown speedboat. Out here on the sea, size is not the same impediment to performance that it is on land, and the S78 feels like a cross between a penthouse apartment and a Bugatti Chiron. It’s a strange experience, but one that adds to my growing impression that this boat actually represents something of a bargain. Of course, you’d have to factor in mooring fees, maintenance costs and prodigious thirst for diesel, but I can suddenly see why these yachts exert such a magnetic pull upon their owners.

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Princess F55 Review (2022 Edition)

The 17m, three-cabin Princess F55 is a classy cruiser that ticks a lot of boxes for owner-operators.

Princess has ranges that cover five distinct genres from traditional V Class sportscruisers to the pseudo explorer yachts of the X Class range, but this F55 is a staple of the modern Princess line-up and a timely reminder of what this British yard is all about. With three good cabins, well-arranged deck spaces, and twin shaft drive propulsion it's a tempting proposition for an owner-operator who values space on board but doesn't necessarily want to rely on crew when they go cruising. 

Princess's partnership with Olesinksi Design and Pininfarina seems to produce consistently appealing designs and the F55 is no different. Its lines are well-proportioned and perfectly judged, as is the spacious three-cabin interior. The F55 might be the most competent all-rounder in a highly competitive market, keep reading to see what it's like on board and out on the water. 

Princess F55 Key Facts

• LOA 58.005ft
• Model Year 2022
• Max Speed 29 knots
• Status In Production
• Generations 2
• Yacht Type Flybridge
• Use Type Cruising

Test & Review Video

YachtBuyer Score

In this article:

Our Verdict

Rivals to consider.

• Specification

Our Scores Explained

Performance & Handling

The F55 is available with two versions of the Volvo Penta D13 shaft drive block, with either 800hp or 900hp. For the small increase in price, the 900s are worth the outlay. Being the same block as the 800s they take up no more space in the engine room than their less powerful counterparts and that extra 200hp in total will be felt mid-season when there's some growth on the hull and a full complement of cruising kit on board. 

Princess quotes a 31-33 knot top speed and, depending on load, that is perfectly achievable. The 12.8-litre in-line 6s have plenty of punch and make easy work of shifting the F55's 31-tonne (at half load) weight on to the plane, where it will happily sit at 25 knots with noise readings in the saloon of just 73 dB(A).

Around the Marina

The F55 is only offered with shaft drives but if the joystick manoeuvrability of IPS holds great appeal don't worry, because Princess has an answer for that. As a cost option, there is a Volvo Penta joystick, which combines the twin shafts and Sleipner bow and stern thrusters to offer pod-style joystick control on a twin-shaft drive boat. The joystick isn't quite as smooth and responsive as an IPS installation but it's not far off and if the idea of using throttles and thrusters independently is a bit intimidating this is a great option to have.

Personally, I don't think a joystick is a must-have option because you have such great control with the throttles and brilliant proportional thrusters, but I would probably opt for the stern thruster for fine adjustments if you're going to berth stern-to, as is the norm in the Med.  

The absence of a door at the lower helm means that crewing isn't as easy as it is on, say, the Absolute 56 Fly or Sealine F530 but there are electric windows on both sides of the salon to aid communication with crew and natural ventilation on the main deck. 

Most skippers will probably opt to berth the boat from the upper helm, where you can see both ends of the boat very clearly when coming alongside. 

The day of our sea trial in Princess's home port of Plymouth brought with it stiff south westerlies and challenging sea conditions but the F55 took all of this in its stride. The twin 900hp engines have more than enough grunt to haul the boat out of deeper troughs without it getting bogged down and the hull irons out the worst of the bumps with ease. 

The handling is far more playful than you might expect of a boat of this style, the benefit being that amongst larger crests it is very easy - rewarding, in fact - to hand steer the boat through the worst of it. The steering is light but not artificially so and with just 2.5 turns from lock to lock, the boat reacts keenly to inputs from the helm station(s), banking eagerly and turning on itself within a couple of boat lengths.

It's quiet, too, with sound levels at the lower help barely registering above 70dB(A) at cruising speed, making this a very relaxing position to cover hard yards from. 

The driving position is good at both helms and with slide adjustment on the seats and adjustable steering wheels, it should be easy for skippers of all shapes and sizes to get comfortable. At the lower helm, there is enough headroom to stand and drive, even for those over 6ft, and the lift bolster on each seat provides a comfortable spot to lean on. Both around the marina and at sea, the F55 is polished and easy to handle. 

Design & Build

The Princess/Olesinksi partnership is almost as old as time itself and the two brands appear to be able to knock out cohesive, ageless designs with staggering consistency. Adding the Turin-based design house Pininfarina into that mix has done nothing to upset that synergy and has bestowed the modern Princess with a swooping curvy architecture that is restrained and beautifully clean. 

Does the F55 lack a bit of visual punch? There's an argument that it does, certainly in contrast to the rakish Azimut 53 and more bombastic designs from the likes of Absolute and Galeon. 

Fit and finish are as high as we have come to expect from Princess and attention to detail is impressive. The quality and sculptural finish of the mooring gear alone sets the tone on a boat where it's clear that designers and engineers have gone the extra mile to provide aesthetic functionality. It's not just the stuff you can see, either. Digging behind the scenes is easy because access panels are hinged and open on simple pop catches, so getting behind the helm, for example, couldn't be simpler. 

It's the same story in the engine room where the motors are mounted with plenty of space around all sides, there are lashings of sound-deadening material, and plumbing and wiring are neatly labeled with functions and flow directions. It's an easy boat to drive but, for an owner-operator, it's also a very easy boat to live with. 

Interior Accommodation

The curvature that characterizes the F55's exterior continues inside where the neatly rounded edges are not only good on the eye but much more friendly to knock into at sea, compared to a sharp corner. There is a variety of wood and upholstery choices but the mix of oak wood and blue upholstery on our test boat (not pictured) struck a somewhat austere tone without the personal touches of an owner.

The quality can't be faulted, though, from the execution of the woodwork to the delightfully subtle use of recessed lighting and the dedicated storage for everything from cutlery to crockery and glassware.

The galley's position aft works especially well with the top-hinged window to port, which opens the kitchen to the cockpit and creates a bar between the two areas. The galley itself features a domestic fridge-freezer and induction cooking plus a decent dishwasher, replacing the slightly hopeless drawer-style machine that was fitted to the Mk1 F55. 

Another change from the previous generation boat is that there is no longer the spear of GRP running into the saloon windows, which makes for even better views out of the vast glazed area. The bulwarks neatly drop with the window line so even when sitting in the main saloon area the views out are superb. The levels of natural light drawn into the main deck are superb, too. 

Our test boat had a stylish coffee table at the dinette but there is the option to have a proper table on a hi-lo mechanism for those who want the option to dine inside the boat. 

The boat has a three-cabin layout with the option to add a (rather good) crew cabin in the transom as an option. The layout comprises three cabins and two bathrooms with the VIP and twin guest cabins sharing a bathroom, though the VIP has private access from inside the cabin. At this size, there is enough beam for the beds in the twin to be side by side, rather than bunks, and Princess has added to the functionality by adding (as an option) an electric mechanism so the two berths can slide together or apart in a matter of seconds to create a pair of twins or a decent double. 

The VIP ensuite is forward and has well over 6ft of headroom at the end of the bed and a good amount of floor space so it's easy to get changed.  There's a good variety of storage too with eye-level lockers all around, deep drawers built into the base of the bed, and a large hanging locker on the starboard side. It would be good to see fiddled edges on the areas on either side of the bed, so loose items can't slide off when the boat is at sea. 

Heading amidships there is day head access to the VIP ensuite and, in the companionway leading to the master suite, a locker to house the washer and dryer, neatly placed between all three cabins.

The master cabin, as is the norm on boats in this sector, is full-beam with its own private ensuite on the port side. Princess has cleverly employed a pocket door here, which slides into the bulkhead, a neat space-saving trick that maximizes the amount of room in an ensuite that isn't enormous but is nicely finished, though. 

The stateroom is spacious with plenty of headroom and a flat floor around the large double berth. Here, the hull windows are at their largest and the effect is wonderful. Princess has made the most of the view on the port side by installing a compact dinette where the owner could have a quiet coffee or do a bit of work in private. It's a great space and of more use than the ubiquitous chaise lounge.

Storage is impressive throughout as the starboard side of the cabin is almost exclusively dedicated to stowage solutions, be that deep drawers, a pop-out bureau, or the double floor-to-ceiling wardrobe. In a trio of really good cabins, the master is the icing on the cake. 

A single crew cabin is an option but it's a well-designed space that could act as an ad hoc guest cabin if required. It's as nicely finished as the rest of the accommodation, has decent good light thanks to a strip of glazing in the transom, and has 6ft of standing headroom. By putting the sink inside the cabin there is more space to move around in the ensuite wet room. If crew space is a priority, the Galeon 550 may be a better option as it has space for two crew.

Helm Station

Both helms benefit from good ergonomics thanks to sliding seats with bolster sections and adjustable steering wheels so most skippers will be able to find a driving position that suits them. The upper helm is more stylish than its counterpart downstairs, especially in the silver paint finish that comes as part of the optional Allure pack. 

Two large MFDs (one is standard) and a smaller engine data screen handle navigation and engine information. The amount of storage for loose items at the upper helm is particularly impressive with everything from shallow slots for mobile phones to cupholders and a deep glovebox that could swallow all manner of kit. 

The lower helm is similarly well designed, though the test boat only had one large MFD whereas most buyers will likely opt for two. The dashboard design is smart and clear, with dark materials dominating so you don't get a reflection of the dash top in the windscreen on really bright days. 

There are electric windows on both sides of the boat but no side door at the helm, which means the F55 isn't quite as easy to crew single-handed as the likes of the Sealine F530 and Absolute 56 Fly.

The F55 is tightly proportioned - and all the better looking for it - but it doesn't feel as spacious on deck as a Sunseeker Manhattan 55 or Absolute 56 Fly. The spaces are well-balanced, and the inclusion of sun pads with angled backrests, a sofa, and a walk-through section on the foredeck make the very most of this extra living space. 

Most boats in this sector stow their tenders on a hi-lo bathing platform (though the Prestige 520 has a tender garage) and the F55 has the capacity (450kg) to launch and recover a Williams 435 Sportjet. However, if the boat is fitted with the optional Seakeeper gyro stabilizer and a passerelle, the platform's capacity drops to 125kg. Worth thinking about if you want a decent tender on the back. 

There is symmetrical access on either side of the transom into the cockpit where there is a decent dinette with a hefty teak table. The quality stands out once again in the substantial stainless steel handrails built into the table support, inset cupholders, and the finger slots that are carved into the table edge to make it easier to lift the sections. 

There is a gentle ascent onto the side decks from the cockpit where tall guardrails and well-placed grab rails on the flybridge structure make moving along the sides of the boat safe and easy.  Fender storage is a touch limited but then the crew cabin can double up as a store for the occasions when the fenders need to be off the decks. 

The flybridge is a really well-designed place with a focus on seating. The dinette bench runs right across the aft end of the top deck and there is enough space on the other side of the table for a couple of stools or free-standing chairs. The wet bar is compact but has all you need to serve guests up top including a sink, BBQ grill, fridge, and optional icemaker. The bar's proximity to the flybridge hatch means those doing the cooking need to be careful not to step back and disappear down the flybridge staircase.

There is the option to have a hard top with a sunroof over the flybridge but the canvas Bimini with built-in LED lighting is a cheaper alternative that looks better and can be collapsed forward of the helm if shelter isn't required. 

Value For Money

You do tend to pay a premium for a Princess but it's easy to see where that extra money is going. The F55 feels like a quality product through and through, uses high-end components, and comes as standard with options that many rivals would charge extra for.

This eye on quality, the timeless styling, and the fact that Princess doesn't produce in enormous numbers means residual prices tend to be better than the competition, too. 

At the time of the review in August 2022, the price of the boat we tested was GBP £1.78M inc VAT. 

The exact elements of the specification will be determined by where the boat is kept. If it's off to the Med then air-con, a passerelle, and possibly the hard top are must-haves. 

No matter where the boat is going to live, the Allure pack is worth having as it adds an extra bit of polish here and there that really brightens up the deck spaces. 

The NAIM audio system is another good addition, not only because it sounds sensational but it also comes with an inverter that is linked to TV meaning you don't have to fire the generator up to raise/lower it when the boat is disconnected from shore power.

The larger engines are a no-brainer given the small increase in cost and the gain in performance, plus most secondhand buyers will probably be looking for a boat with larger engines. The Seakeeper is a very expensive option but a game-changer if you plan to spend a lot of time on anchor. Keep in mind that if you have that and the passerelle you won't be able to have a tender heavier than 125kg on the bathing platform. 

There was a time when a boat of the F55's size would be a flagship for Princess but its range is in a different stratosphere these days. Even so, the F55 feels like a core Princess product and, in many ways, demonstrates Princess at its best. The styling is timeless, quality and attention to detail are outstanding and there are very few compromises on deck or within the impressive three-cabin interior. 

At sea, its twin 900hp engines provide effortless performance and a decent cruising band. The hull is soft riding and refined and the handling is far more engaging than one might expect for a boat of this style. 

It's a well-worn line but it still rings true: some will find the design a bit plain for this sort of money and if you agree with that statement then something from Azimut, Sunseeker, or Galeon offers more visual punch. But as an all-round package, there are few boats in this sector better executed or easier to live with than the F55. 

Reasons to Buy

• Timeless appeal
• Quality and attention to detail
• Solid ride and handling
• Excellent helm ergonomics

Things to Consider

• No side door at lower helm
• Styling may be a little safe for some

This is one of the most hotly contested sectors in the market so, as good as the F55 is, it faces stiff competition from some of the biggest names in production boat building. 

One criticism that the F55 may face is that its styling is a bit safe, which isn't something you can accuse the Azimut 53  of. Designed by Alberto Mancini, it is dripping with Italian style inside and out and its IPS drivetrain promises easy close control and smooth performance out on the water. On board, there are three good cabins and the option for a crew space. It is expensive, however. 

There is strong homegrown talent in the form of the Sunseeker Manhattan 55 . This is one of the most popular models that Sunseeker has built in recent times and it's not hard to see why. A class-leading flybridge deck, head-turning looks, three spacious cabins and 30-knot performance from the same D13 900s as the Princess make for a mightily compelling cruising machine. Those looks won't appeal to everybody, though. 

The Absolute 56 Fly is one of the cleverest boats in the sector and uses the available space on board brilliantly. It's IPS only, though, so if you don't want pods it's not for you. The reward is outstanding internal packaging including a very clever VIP double with the bed mounted facing forward on the centreline, creating one of the best guest cabins in the sector. It won't age as gracefully as the Princes but in terms of quality and attention to detail, Absolute is right up there these days.

Specifications & Performance

• Builder Princess
• Range F Class
• Length Overall 58.005ft
• Beam 15.978ft
• Draft 4.626ft
• Yacht Type (Primary) Flybridge
• Use Type (Primary) Cruising
• Cruising Speed Max Speed
• Fuel Capacity 726 Gallons
• Fresh Water Capacity 164 Gallons
• Engine Model 2x Volvo Penta D13-900

Performance Data

Princess F55 version 2022. *Data collected by Yacht Buyer during testing.

Test Engines Twin Volvo Penta D13-900

• Liters Per Hour
• Liters Per Mile
•   CRUISE

Yacht Load: 85 Litres of water 97 Litres of fuel

Princess F55 Layout

A hard top is an option but it does the looks no favours; the bimini is a good compromise if you need shelter on the top deck

The aft galley layout makes it equally easy to serve guests in the saloon and cockpit  

A crew cabin is an option. If you don't have it this area becomes a large dry storage space 

Jack Haines

Jack is YachtBuyer's Reviews Director. He is a writer, editor and presenter with 15 years’ experience testing over 350 motorboats of all shapes and sizes, from 20ft RIBs to 120ft yachts (and even the Royal Navy Frigate HMS Sutherland ). 

More Princess Reviews

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F55 competitor reviews.

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All-New Absolute 52 FLY Review (2022 Edition)

Galeon 560 Fly Review (2023 Edition)

by Jack Haines

Reviews Director

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Princess Yachts V39

The new V39 isn't just eagerly awaited, it's the new jewel in the boating crown. Which probably explains why it's already sold out until autumn...

Replacing a best-seller is always hard work. The V42 missed the mark back in 2009, but the new V39 doesn’t just hit the target, it absolutely decimates it. Princess has created a fresh and exciting sports cruiser that not only blends a perfect cocktail of size, style, pace and space, but exudes a depth of quality and breadth capability that’s every bit the match of its seven-figure sisters. Princess Yachts International tells us that production has already sold out until the autumn. We’re not surprised.

• Overall score: 91%

Price as reviewed:

£343,632.00

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A Review Of The Princess Yachts S80

Launching at the Cannes Yachting Festival this September, the new Princess S80 is your exclusive connection to the ocean in a luxurious, comfortable, and exhilarating experience. Designed by the renowned naval architect Olesinski and Italian design team Pininfarina, every space on board delivers a chic, stylish ambience that complements the world around you. The S80 incorporates all of the best innovations and evolutions that Princess Yachts has developed over the last decade, making them one of the most sought after yacht builders on the planet.

After just debuting the Princess S72 at Boot Düsseldorf, the excitement emanating from the British shipyard over the direction of the company is palpable. What better place to announce the new flagship model for the S-class range that at Princess Yachts America's home boat show in West Palm Beach, Florida?

"I like to describe the S80 as a cross-over yacht that melds the popularity of the flybridge design, with the speed and performance of an express cruiser," said Jay Hendrix , Vice President for SI Yachts. "Many flybridge builders today have 'boxy' designs that are functional, but take away from the sexiness that you want in a yacht. The lines on the Princess S80 are provocative, it's a fast, sexy machine, but it still provides the functional areas for you to enjoy."

The new S80 will replace the Princess S78 which has been in production since 2017.

(Princess released this short animated video of the S80.)

Specifications of the Princess S80

• Total Length Overall Including Pulpit: 83' 5"
• Beam: 19' 11"
• Draft: 5' 10"
• Displacement: 147,375 lbs.
• Standard Engine: (2x) MAN V12 1,900mhp
• Optional Engine: (2x) MAN V12 2,000mhp
• Top Speed: 34 knots
• Cruising Speed: High 20-knot range
• Fuel Capacity: 1,717 gallons
• Water Capacity: 370 gallons
• Accommodations: 4 cabins + crew

Thanks to joystick control, good visibility, and easy movement from bow to stern, managing the Princess S80 as an owner/operator is doable. For owners that wish to travel with a captain, there are accommodations aft for up to 3 crew members. In addition to the two bunks and bath in the crew cabin, there is an additional area with optional third berth, microwave, fridge, and furniture.

Sportbridge Deck

Everyone loves the view from a flybridge; it's a wonderful place to entertain, enjoy dining outside, sunbathe, and look up at the stars on a clear night. Yet some boat owners prefer the main deck to be the focal point of the yacht, complete with an expansive aft deck, and more speed. The Sportbridge is the perfect compromise and no one does it better than Princess Yachts. On the S80, you will enjoy these amenities on board:

• U-shaped leather sofa with coffee table
• Teak-laid deck
• Loveseat that is aft-facing and moveable
• Outdoor wetbar with sink, BBQ, drawer fridge
• Helm station with twin upholstered seats
• Dual electronics station and controls
• Optional dining table if desired

Cockpit & Hydraulic Swim Platform

The versatile cockpit/aft deck on the Princess S80 offers a variety of options for seating, socializing, dining, and sun lounging. Farthest aft is the hydraulic swim platform that features a retractable bathing ladder. Two large sunbathing areas are just up a few steps and provide ample room for lounging. Forward under the shade of the hardtop are additional seating and outdoor dining options. Here are a few of the features you'll find on the aft deck of the S80:

• Teak laid deck that is self-draining
• Hot/Cold transom shower
• Tender garage fit-out with electro-hydraulic door (up to 14' tender)
• Twin sunpads with headrests and drink holders
• Teak extendable dining table for 6-8 guests
• LED lighting overhead and at deck level
• Twin aft-facing bench seats which are movable

Foredeck Lounge Area

No space on your yacht should go without a function that benefits the enjoyment on board. In the past, the bow area on a flybridge-style vessel was reserved for fender storage, windlass, anchor, and other equipment. Thankfully, many yachts of this size are now utilizing the foredeck for a lounge area that is a delightful area to enjoy whether at anchor or slow cruising the ICW. Features on the S80's foredeck include:

• U-shaped forward facing seating with storage locker and coffee table
• U-shaped aft-facing seating with storage locker and coffee table
• Freshwater wash down
• Twin coach roof lockers for storage, fenders
• Twin anchoring system
• Teak laid deck

Salon, Galley, & Interior Helm Station

With the sunroof and cockpit doors opened, combined with the large, picture-sized windows, you and your guests will love having the salon and galley connected to the aft deck. Spacious and open, the salon offers a contemporary feel with perfectly arranged seating areas, luxurious details, and lots of natural light. The galley is functional with top-quality appliances and is a centerpiece of the main deck, making it easy to serve guests. The interior helm is elevated for improved visibility. Here are a few of the features you'll find in this section of the S80:

• Large sofa starboard side in the salon & coffee table
• 55" LED Television
• NAIM audio system
• Option - If desired you can request the salon space be turned into a formal dining area
• Sub-Zero refrigeration - full height
• Miele slimline dishwasher
• Granite and quartz countertop
• Miele combination convection oven/grill/4-zone cooktop
• Navigator seat at the helm
• Adjustable Pininfarina steering wheel

Lower Deck Accommodations

The Princess S80 features 4 beautifully-appointed cabins on the lower deck to comfortably accommodate up to 8 guests. Each cabin is well-lit, spacious, offers plenty of storage for luggage, and will deliver a restful night's sleep. The master suite is full-beam and has a dedicated, private staircase that leads to a lobby in the companion way. The VIP suite is placed forward on the S80 and is nearly as spacious as the master. All 4 staterooms feature en suite bathrooms.

• Owner's suite features a large double bed with tables and drawers on each side
• Owner's suite has a port side dressing table with storage, mirror, and chair
• 55" LED TV in master cabin along with NAIM Audio system; 43" TV in VIP
• USB charging ports in each cabin
• Built-in safe in both master and VIP suites

The Princess S80 truly delivers the luxury experience and exhilarating performance you desire in a yacht of this magnitude. For more information on pricing and availability of the Princess S80, or to discuss any pre-owned Princess Yachts on the market, please contact us via email at [email protected] . 

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Princess Yachts   Reviews

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Why on earth would A GOOD COMPANY LET THEMSELVES DOWNthe owners of…

Why on earth would the owners of Princess Yatchs think that they own the airspace. Boss man devoid of GDPR rules. Security needs to learn about SIA rules...anyone can ask to see his badge, once he has made contact with them. Also the usual excuse for anyone who cannot get their own way.....WE WILL CALL THE POLICE. a complete waste of public money and their time. Just think before you make up your own rules. The gentleman at the end of the YouTuber video, was a credit to the company, the others....need to keep quite until they know the law.

Date of experience : March 16, 2024

Miserable experience!

My wife and I upgraded to an F62 after having a problem free F52. Since delivery we have had nothing but problems and our boat has not been without problems for 2 1/2 years! they now appear to have given up on trying to fix our numerous problems after paying over $3m. We didn't buy a new boat, especially a Princess to have these kinds of problems and to be treated like we have!

Date of experience : January 30, 2024

My new V50 has been dogged by problems…

My new V50 has been dogged by problems since handover. I am still waiting for warranty work but the Argo Team in Banus have been excellent. My complaint is with Princess Yachts who had no quality control on my boat and now trying to dodge legitimate warranty claims. I honestly wouldn’t buy this brand again.

Date of experience : July 01, 2023

This is a company built on bullying

This is a company built on bullying. The staff are treated appallingly and are spoken to like dirt. Managers are protected by a corrupt HR department and there is a prison like atmosphere to many departments I worked within. There is zero flexibility, no chance for progression and you are constantly made to feel that you are incapable of better. Depression and anxiety are rife within the company and any aspirations or ambitions a staff member may have are quashed as soon as possible. Horrendous place to work. Also it is worth noting that I was not a trouble employee I was in fact a model employee who had zero discipline issues. I left quietly and without any fall out. I bettered myself outside the confines of the company so this review doesn't come from a place of bitterness caused by my own making.

Date of experience : April 29, 2019

Why would ANYBODY join a firm that has…

Why would ANYBODY join a firm that has just posted a £69,000,000 loss ?

Date of experience : November 06, 2023

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Inside the Stylish, Sporty Princess Yachts S60

• By Kevin Koenig
• Updated: April 19, 2018

While sport-bridge models are occasionally maligned as nothing more than a compromise between a motoryacht and an express cruiser, the Princess S60 represents a solid counterargument to that gripe. There simply isn’t a whole lot of half-stepping to this yacht. That thought struck me in a relatively unlikely place: while looking at the television in the amidships master stateroom. Normally, I could not care less about onboard TVs. To my mind, yachts are meant for enjoying the great outdoors. But this particular television seemed huge for the yacht’s length overall.

“Yeah, she’s 40 inches, the biggest we could fit in here,” said James Nobel, marketing director for Princess Yachts America.

The TV was set inside a piece of Makassar ebony that gave the décor a mega-yacht feel. I also appreciated the amount of stowage in the stateroom, in particular the six high-gloss walnut drawers to starboard and another, larger one to port, forward of a settee. The woodwork was exemplary, and that as well as the snug fit of the drawers back into their compartments were testaments to the high level of craftsmanship that Princess imbues in its yachts at its shipyard in Plymouth, England.

There, workers infuse each S60’s hull and superstructure with vinylester resin before adding a ­carbon-fiber hardtop, which saves weight and lowers the yacht’s center of gravity. Carbon fiber is also used at key structural points for extra strength. It takes about five months — a relatively quick turnaround — to build an S60, which is good because, as of press time, Princess had delivered six of them following the model’s debut at the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show.

Another aspect of the S60 that shows no signs of compromise is her lines, which blend a flybridge yacht’s spaciousness into the low-slung profile of an express cruiser. Curvaceous salon windows soften the yacht’s exterior appearance, while elongated hullside windows lengthen it. The result is a pleasing aesthetic flow befitting of this stylish and sporty model.

Good Guests: In addition to the full-beam amidships master stateroom, the S60’s forepeak VIP stateroom enjoys a good deal of natural light from streamlined hullside windows and has a stowage locker to starboard. A starboard-side guest stateroom has twin berths that can slide together for couples.

Our test S60 had twin 1,200 hp MAN V8-1200 power plants in her belly, where the engine room had 6 feet of headroom and an easily accessible 21.5 kW Onan generator aft (smaller, twin 1,000 hp Caterpillar 12.9 engines are also available). The MANs are certainly powerful engines for a sport cruiser that displaces just shy of 60,000 pounds, and they perform in muscular fashion. Princess says the S60 can get up to 38 knots, though on test day we saw a slightly more modest full-throttle top-end of 35.5 knots. That’s still plenty of pop, particularly if you’re manning the yacht from the upper helm with the wind in your face.

The hull, which has a fine entry that culminates in a moderate 16 degrees of deadrise at the transom, was grippy and nimble during my sea trial off Palm Beach, Florida, under bluebird skies. I turned the yacht hard over at her 28.5-knot cruise speed in two and a half boat lengths. Despite 15-knot winds, the Atlantic was mostly lying down, and the S60 dismissed the 1-footers with quiet ease.

At the lower helm — where there were twin Garmin GPSMap screens as well as a Raymarine engine monitor — sightlines were admirable, even during ­hard-over turns, when the sightlines on some yachts of this ilk tend to get a bit tight. The leather helm seats were designed for Princess’ S series and are accordingly sporty, looking much like the minimalistic type of seat you might find cradling the driver of an Aston Martin or Maserati. The stitching was flawless, another testament to the skilled hands at work in Plymouth.

An electrically powered, three-pane skylight covers about half the salon and illuminates the lower helm. The skylight combines with the aforementioned windows to make the entire S60’s salon ­naturally well-lighted.

 Total Control: The Princess S60 comes with three command centers: on the main deck, on the sport bridge and in the cockpit, to starboard. The cockpit station is useful for docking and has an emergency stop button.

The galley is aft and to port, a design choice that is becoming standard among Princess builds. The aft galley lends itself well to more casual boating, since the galley acts as a bridge between the salon and the cockpit. Its aft counter has a top-hinged window that opens to let the space double as an alfresco bar in the cockpit, to further meld the interior and exterior. This feature complements the cockpit’s U-shaped dining settee to make it a more complete entertaining area.

And complete is the key word. There’s little that this yacht can’t do. She’s fast, cruisable and fun with loads of stowage and entertainment space, and cool design details inside and out make her stand out in a crowded field.

So, if you hear someone making the argument that sport-bridge yachts are lacking in one area or another, point him toward the Princess S60 and let the yacht do the talking.

The Princess S60’s flybridge has numerous amenities, despite the space being slightly smaller than those aboard similar-size flybridge motoryachts. Twin in-house-built helm chairs are to port with a convertible sun pad across from them. A wet bar is amidships with a sink, grill and fridge. Aft is L-shaped seating with a teak dining table that has foldout wings. Because the S60 is a sport-bridge design, Princess could place a sunroof forward; it connects the salon below to the elements. Allowing for that sunroof is one reason the flybridge space may seem a bit smaller than on competing models (which don’t have it at all).

Let It Shine

The Princess S60 is a boat built for fun. In addition to the convertible sun pad on the flybridge, the S60 has two more places to lay out and get a tan. One is on the foredeck — perhaps the best exterior space to find privacy on this yacht, particularly if moored stern-to in some elegant European harbor. The foredeck sun pad is part of a lounge setup that includes additional seating. The other sun pad is aft and gets sunlight because of the flybridge’s abbreviated overhang. The aft sun pad is above the garage, which can house a personal watercraft or tender for when you need to breeze into port to get more sun lotion.

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Ship review: Princess Cruises’ Sun Princess

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Overview: The largest ship in the Princess fleet, and the first in the all-new Sphere class, brings a host of pioneering features. There’s a big focus on light and space, most visible in the eye-catching orbs that protrude from the sides of the 4,300-passenger ship and the glass dome dominating the front.

Family facilities are enhanced with the Park19 activity zone, which includes the new-to-ocean Sea Breeze aerial rollercoaster zipline. Sun Princess is also the first in the fleet to be powered by liquefied natural gas.

Cabins: The 2,157 staterooms include 1,500 balcony cabins – the most on any Princess ship – 50 suites and 100 connecting cabins. The new Signature Collection suites include access to a private lounge, dining room and sun deck, although they are in different areas rather than a dedicated ship-within-a-ship complex.

Also new are sunny Cabana Mini-Suites that come with their own cabana area and a balcony. Decorated in muted tones, cabins are well designed and include innovative touches, such as motion sensor lighting in bedside cabinets.

Food and drink: Princess fans will find favourites, such as Sabatini’s Italian and the Crown Grill steakhouse (pictured below), plus a lot more among the 29 restaurants and bars. The speciality restaurants, which all cost an extra $45, include the new Umai Teppanyaki, which serves up great food and entertainment in equal measure.

Horizons dining room has been given a facelift and now takes up three floors – with the best tables overlooking the back of the ship, a casual American diner at the top and more formal dining on the other levels.

Meanwhile, couples can push the boat out with the $149 tasting menu at the artistically inspired Love by Britto, while pub lovers can head to O’Malley’s for toe-tapping Irish tunes.

Facilities: Sun Princess has five pools, including the spectacular Wake View infinity pool, and a large gym. The glass-enclosed Dome (pictured below) is a pool and lounging area by day and performance venue by night, with thrilling aerial shows. The redesigned Princess Arena showcases four productions – three of them new – in an adaptable space that can host theatre in the round.

Meanwhile, the lively Piazza, the central three-storey atrium, is an all-day entertainment hub with a packed programme of music, performances, game shows and classes, such as line dancing.

USP: Accessed through a tucked-away door, Spellbound is a unique and atmospheric bar and small theatre venue combining magic, mystery and mixology, with cocktails such as Escape from Houdini’s Chest served from a smoke-filled casket. It costs $149, including a themed meal.

Book it: A seven-night Mediterranean with France & Italy cruise, departing on April 5, 2025, and sailing from Barcelona to La Spezia, with calls at Gibraltar, Marseille and Genoa, costs from £849 per person in an interior cabin, excluding flights. onesourcecruises.com ; princess.com

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