Princess 54 Review (2008 Edition) by NautiStyles

On Deck

Stepping onto the swim step, this beautiful yacht comes with a Novurania dinghy powered by a 30 horsepower Honda. There isn’t a hydraulic swim step here, but the crane is tucked right behind, ready to lift the tender in and out. A custom-built boarding rail makes getting on and off easier, which is a thoughtful touch.

The cockpit feels pretty nice and spacious. The seating is deep, which is so much better than those top benches you sometimes find. It’s all laid in teak, with a beautiful wood table showing off the kind of woodwork Princess Viking is known for. Cup holders are exactly where they need to be, and yes, there’s even a big TV back here.

Heading forward, the walkways aren’t the widest, but they’re definitely safe, and the rails are a good height. There are massive fender holders, and because the deckhouse is raised, the forward cabin beneath gets some decent headroom. On the bow there’s a pretty good size lounge pad that looks perfect for relaxing at anchor. The anchor setup is solid too, with a deep locker, another hatch housing a rinse down, a windlass remote, and extra storage. Everything is nicely accessible and all tucked away.

On the flybridge, the scale is surprising. It actually feels pretty large for this size of yacht, with seating for dinner with eight people if you add a couple of folding chairs. The table is a good size, the canvas just needs a little cleaning, and the Bimini can be fully enclosed or opened for extra sunshine. At the helm there are two seats so you can have a co-pilot, plus a Garmin chart plotter, bow and stern thrusters, Volvo engine controls, a Furuno autopilot, analog gauges, a rudder indicator, and excellent visibility all around.

The flybridge has some fun extras too. There’s a massive subwoofer, paired with a fusion stereo. A wet bar with grill, sink, and big storage keeps entertaining easy, and there’s even more storage tucked all around for safety kit and lifejackets. The aft arch carries the radar and sat dome, while forward there’s an awesome nap spot. It’s a sunpad with its own little headrest pillow, very very inviting and one of those details you instantly want on your own boat.

Just before heading inside there’s a surprise detail - a little remote station tucked into a custom-made box so you can run the boat from the aft deck. With bow and stern thruster controls plus engine controls, it makes docking or easing into a slip much less stressful. There’s also a big lazarette here that doubles as crew space or just a great storage room. Inside are the generator, cable master, a little workbench for tools, and the Fire Boy system, with the batteries mounted below. It feels a bit like a man cave, a proper space to stow gear and lock things away.

Sliding the cockpit doors open, the salon feels bright and modern, with brand new flooring replacing what was once carpet. The layout is a little untraditional because there’s no galley up here, which means this whole level is given over to lounging and entertaining. There’s a large seating area with a low-high table that can drop down for coffee or raise up for dining. A huge TV dominates one side, bigger than the usual TV lift arrangement, and there’s storage all around with drawers, glassware racks, and an ice maker and wine fridge neatly fitted in. Clearly the owner likes to entertain.

The large windows are a highlight, dropping right down to the railings so you can see out at water level. Even with mesh sunshades fitted, the light still pours in, making it feel open and comfortable.

Forward, a raised dinette creates a second seating area. For anyone considering liveaboard use, this would work perfectly as a home office or editing spot, but it’s also an excellent dining space. The sofa here has storage beneath, and it’s all in good condition.

At the lower helm, two leather seats that look more like armchairs add a cozy feel. The setup mirrors the flybridge with trim tabs, throttles, Volvo displays, thruster controls, Garmin plotter, Furuno instruments, analog gauges, and VHF. There are handy cup holders right where they’re needed, and even a central vacuum system hidden below - a little luxury that comes in handy on longer stays aboard.

From here, the galley is a step down, open enough to stay connected with the salon while still tucked into its own space. It’s a good size, fitted with drawer-style fridge and freezer units, a convection oven, dishwasher, and upper lockers for storage. The two-burner Wolf stove has a proper hood above it, something often missing on boats this size, and the sink is a heavy-duty stainless model with plenty of worktop around it. For a galley down arrangement, it feels surprisingly workable and makes excellent use of the space.

Owner Cabin

The master is midship and full beam, and it feels big as soon as you step in. There’s proper walkaround space on both sides of the bed, and the headroom works well - even someone taller would be comfortable here. The design touches show off that classic Princess woodwork, warm and beautifully finished, which gives the cabin a really inviting feel.

Storage is everywhere, from wardrobes to drawers and little vanity-style spaces with mirrors and spots for jewellery or personal items. The huge windows are a standout feature, and they open to create a real cross-breeze - something that would actually get used on board. It’s not just for show.

The ensuite continues the practical theme. It has the same clever shower design seen in other parts of the boat, where extra space is created when you’re drying off or moving around. It’s a layout that would be genuinely nice to live with. There isn’t loads of extra storage in the master head, but with a few baskets or organisers it would be easy to make it work.

Guest Accommodation

To starboard there’s a twin cabin with good headroom and plenty of storage, including a wardrobe and extra lockers. The closing mechanisms are quiet and solid, and for a guest cabin the size works really well. This cabin shares a head with the forward VIP, so you do need to step out to get to it, but the layout feels sensible. The shared head has a smart design where the shower screen swivels to give you extra space, which makes it easier for two people using the bathroom around the same time. Large portholes bring in plenty of light, so the space feels open and usable.

The VIP forward has an island bed and storage all around, with a decent size wardrobe to port. For a guest space it feels comfortable, with an overhead hatch adding ventilation and natural light. There’s direct access to the ensuite head, which links back to the twin cabin, making it a proper VIP setup.

Together with the master, these cabins give the yacht a flexible three-cabin layout that would suit family or friends on longer trips.

Crew Accommodation

Aft of the cockpit, the lazarette doubles as potential crew space. It’s a surprisingly big compartment, fitted with the generator, cable master, batteries, and even a small workbench for tools. While it’s currently more of a storage and systems area, it could serve as crew quarters if needed. The setup gives flexibility, whether it’s used for a skipper or just as a very handy man cave.

Dropping into the engine room reveals a clean and straightforward layout with plenty of space to move around. Twin Volvo Penta D12 engines sit at the heart, each producing 775hp, giving the yacht a cruising speed of 22 knots and a top end around 28 knots. Fuel tanks are mounted outboard on both sides, and access for service is good, with sea strainers aft and in reach. The exhaust system runs outboard with big mufflers, and there’s an oil changing system fitted to make routine service less of a chore.

The automatic fire suppression system is mounted forward, ready but tucked neatly out of the way. Everything feels well laid out, clean, and accessible, which makes a difference when maintaining a boat of this size. For performance, the deep-V hull and that kind of power mean she’s built for proper cruising, with the handling and pace you’d expect from a Viking Princess of this era.

With a beam of 4.57m, this yacht may be subject to wide-beam surcharges at some marinas, particularly in slips designed for narrower boats, so berthing costs could run higher than average. The twin Volvo D12s are proven engines and, when properly maintained, have a good reputation for reliability, but their size means fuel burn at planing speeds is something to budget for. The Onan 13.5 kW generator is another solid unit, giving enough power for extended time at anchor. This yacht was built in 2008, so her resale value will be tied closely to condition and maintenance history, with upgrades like the new flooring and entertainment system adding appeal. For anyone looking at her as a liveaboard, the space and layout work well, and having bow and stern thrusters makes her much less intimidating to dock, even as a first big boat.

Potential rivals to consider in this size and style would be the Sunseeker Manhattan 52 and the Fairline Squadron 55, which offer similar layouts and performance.

The Princess 54 feels like a genuinely comfortable liveaboard option, with a big welcoming master, a proper VIP, and a flybridge that’s roomy enough for entertaining or just stretching out in the sun. The layout makes sense, the storage is everywhere you’d want it, and the new touches inside lift the whole boat. It’s the kind of yacht that makes you start picturing how life could look aboard, and that’s always exciting.