Welcome to your essential guide to Princess Cruises, where classic elegance meets modern adventure on the high seas. If you are dreaming of a vacation that balances sophisticated relaxation with world-class exploration, you have found your perfect match. Princess Cruises has mastered the art of creating an atmosphere of comfortable luxury, offering a refreshing alternative to the floating amusement parks of other lines. Here, the focus is on connection, discovery, and the sheer joy of sailing to some of the most breathtaking destinations on Earth.
The Princess Philosophy: Elegance Over Excess
Imagine a cruise where the horizon is the main attraction and the gentle rhythm of the ocean sets the pace for your days. This is the heart of the Princess experience. While other lines compete with go-kart tracks and towering waterslides, Princess has deliberately chosen a different path. It caters to discerning travelers—often middle-aged couples, retirees, and multigenerational families—who value premium dining, captivating entertainment, and serene spaces over high-octane thrills. As Princess executives often say, the line is dedicated to warm, gracious service in an atmosphere designed to spark genuine connections among passengers. Instead of bustling attractions, the top decks are havens of relaxation with expansive pool and lounge areas, perfect for soaking up the sun and the joy of being at sea.
A Fleet Built for Comfort and Discovery
As the world’s fifth-largest cruise line, Princess boasts a diverse fleet of 17 ships, each offering a unique blend of amenities and itineraries. The fleet is a masterclass in ship design, ensuring that every vessel feels spacious and well-equipped without being overwhelming.
- The Newest Stars: The Sun Princess and Star Princess are the “belles of the ball.” These stunning new ships, debuting in the last two years, measure around 177,000 tons and carry 4,300 passengers. They are filled with innovative new venues and represent the pinnacle of the Princess fleet.
- The Royal Class: Five sophisticated ships launched since 2013, measuring between 142,000 and 145,000 tons and carrying around 3,600 passengers. These vessels are chock-full of amenities and represent a modern cruising standard.
- The Grand Class: The largest cohort in the fleet, with seven ships unveiled between 1998 and 2008. Slightly smaller at 107,000 to 116,000 tons, their size allows them to access a wider range of ports, making them ideal for unique itineraries.
- The Coral Class: The smallest ships in the fleet, at around 92,000 tons and carrying 2,000 passengers. These intimate vessels are perfect for exploring more secluded destinations.
Charting the Course: Destinations & Itineraries
Princess Cruises is a true global explorer, sailing to over 100 countries across all seven continents. With approximately 170 unique itineraries offered in a typical year, you can visit everything from three-day Pacific coast samplers to 131-day world-circling voyages. The line visits more than 345 ports and takes passengers to over 100 UNESCO World Heritage sites.
Alaska: The Last Frontier, Mastered
Princess is an undisputed leader in Alaskan cruising, dominating the market alongside its sister line, Holland America. In the summer, an impressive eight Princess ships sail the pristine waters of Alaska. But the experience doesn’t stop at the port. Princess operates its own wilderness lodges, tourist trains, and buses, offering seamless 10- to 17-night “cruisetours” that combine a stunning cruise with immersive land-based touring. As an authorized concessioner of Glacier Bay National Park, Princess offers an unparalleled connection to this majestic wilderness.
Global Exploration
Beyond Alaska, Princess has a significant presence in Europe, deploying five or six ships during the summer to explore the Mediterranean, the British Isles, and the Norwegian fjords. The line is also a major player in Australia and has become a favorite for immersive cruises around Japan, catering to a global audience of travelers.
Life Onboard: Sophisticated Fun & Relaxation
Life aboard a Princess ship is a delightful blend of activity and tranquility. The onboard experience is curated to be both engaging and restorative.
World-Class Entertainment
Forget go-karts; Princess offers entertainment with depth and style. The main theaters host elaborate, Broadway-style production shows, including collaborations with Tony Award-winning composer Stephen Schwartz (“Wicked”). You might also find comedians, live musicians throughout the ship’s central Piazza (a lively, multi-level atrium), and unique interactive experiences like “The Voice of the Ocean” singing competition. On the newest ships, Spellbound at Sea offers a magical, speakeasy-style nightspot inspired by the legendary Magic Castle in Los Angeles.
Relaxing Top Decks
The top decks are designed for unwinding. Instead of roller coasters, you’ll find an abundance of pools, hot tubs, and lounge chairs. The signature Sanctuary offers an adults-only, extra-charge retreat for ultimate peace. A beloved Princess tradition is Movies Under the Stars, where the main pool area transforms into an outdoor theater at night, complete with blankets and popcorn for a cozy cinematic experience.
Enrichment and Activities
Princess believes in enriching the mind as well as the spirit. You can enjoy culinary demonstrations, wine tastings, dance classes, and destination talks from local experts and naturalists, especially in places like Alaska. Stargazing sessions on the top deck with a specialist are a magical way to connect with the cosmos.
Home Away From Home: Cabins & Suites
Think of Princess cabins as the “Marriott” of the cruise world: comfortable, functional, and reliably pleasant. While they may not be avant-garde, they are designed for a great night’s sleep and relaxing downtime. Princess was a pioneer in making balcony cabins widely available, and they are the most common type of accommodation. You’ll also find windowless inside cabins and ocean-view rooms.
Suites are less common, but the line has recently expanded its offerings.
Source: The ultimate guide to Princess Cruises ships and itineraries