The Complete Guide to Princess Cruises

Princess Cruises has been a leader in the cruise industry for decades, offering innovative experiences, world-class service and itineraries that span the globe. With more than a dozen ships, more than 300 worldwide ports and a history of industry firsts, Princess Cruises is synonymous with adventure, luxury and value.

First launched in 1965, Princess Cruises became a part of Carnival Corporation in 2003, creating what is now one of the largest vacation companies in the world. Carnival Corp. also owns and operates other big names including Carnival, Holland America Line and Cunard.

Princess Cruises stands out for its ability to blend luxury with accessibility. With 15 state-of-the-art ships and the ability to carry more than 2 million passengers annually, Princess offers itineraries to over 330 ports worldwide. Whether you’re sailing to the icy landscapes of Alaska or the sun-soaked shores of the South Pacific, there’s an itinerary for every type of traveler.

Its ships have unique designs. Way back in the 1980s, Princess pioneered the concept of the affordable veranda, bringing the luxury of a private balcony to more guests. Today, its fleet boasts one of the highest percentages of balcony cabins in the cruise industry.

Then there are some designs you don't see — especially in the realm of sustainability. It was the first cruise line to adopt shore power in 2001 and has received ISO 14001 Environmental Management System certification. The Sun Princess is powered by LNG, showcasing the company’s commitment to eco-friendly practices.

Newer ships have gone above and beyond with high-end architecture. For example, the Sun Princess, which debuted in 2024, is not just LNG-powered, but it has unique features like the Dome, a glass-enclosed space that hosts acrobatic performances created in partnership with Cirque Éloize.

And then of courses there's some fun — largely inspired the charming connection between Princess Cruises and the iconic TV show "The Love Boat." Princess made waves in 1998 by launching the first wedding chapel at sea, allowing captains to officiate ceremonies. In 2020, it even earned a Guinness World Records title for the largest multi-location vow renewal ceremony.

Here’s a quick overview of some of Princess Cruises' key features.

• Cabin types: Princess Cruises ships feature room types that are standard across most cruise lines. These include interior, ocean view, balcony, mini-suite and suite rooms. Princess Cruises’ inside rooms are contemporary and well-furnished, as are its higher-end offerings. 

• Main U.S. routes: You’ll find Princess Cruise ships throughout the U.S., though routes are heavily season-dependent. Look for Caribbean cruises out of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and for destinations along the West Coast, out of Los Angeles.  

• Loyalty program: Captain’s Circle is the name of Princess Cruises’ loyalty program, which provides elite benefits based on how much you’ve cruised with the line. 

• Guests carried annually: About 2 million.

• Worldwide ports: About 330.

Princess Cruises destinations and itineraries

Princess Cruise offers a large array of itineraries and destinations. Its sailings range in length from brief getaways to a roughly half-year journey that travels around the globe, and it stops in seven continents and more than 300 ports of call.

» Learn more: Do you need a passport for a Caribbean cruise?

Alaska: Princess Cruises is a leader in Alaskan cruises, offering access to Glacier Bay National Park — a privilege shared with only a few other cruise lines like Holland America and Norwegian Cruise Line.

Sail past towering glaciers, watch for humpback whales and bald eagles and explore ports like Juneau, Ketchikan and Skagway.

Land-and-sea tours allow you to pair your cruise with stays at Princess-operated lodges, including one in Denali National Park called. The company's “direct-to-the-wilderness” rail service allows you to step off the ship onto a unique, glass-domed train for unparalleled views as you head to your land adventure.

Food is even unique to Alaska. Through a unique excursion called "Cook My Catch," you can fish for your own dinner. Additionally, Princes serves a Wild for Alaska Seafood menu with fresh Alaska salmon, Alaska cod (caught by hook and line only), halibut, rockfish, Dungeness crabs, wild spot prawns and razor clams. Drinks are Alaska-inspired, including the Spiced Rum Hot Chocolate and one called “Alaskan Polar Bear.”

Asia and South Pacific: Princess Cruises offers immersive itineraries in Asia, including stops in Japan, Vietnam, and Thailand. South Pacific itineraries highlight the natural beauty of Tahiti, Bora Bora and Fiji.

Caribbean: The Caribbean is a signature destination for Princess Cruises, offering itineraries that include stops in the Bahamas, St. Thomas, Jamaica and beyond. Relax on pristine beaches, explore vibrant coral reefs, or dive into the local culture with excursions to historic landmarks and bustling markets. Many Caribbean itineraries include a stop at Princess Cays, the cruise line's private island in the Bahamas.

Europe: Itineraries range from the sun-soaked Mediterranean to the breathtaking fjords of Scandinavia. Visit iconic cities like Rome, Barcelona and Santorini or delve into lesser-known gems such as Dubrovnik and Tallinn.

World cruises: For the ultimate adventure, consider a World Cruise with Princess. These epic journeys, lasting more than 100 days, traverse multiple continents and offer in-depth exploration of global cultures. And hey, here's a reason to justify the price tag. Longer cruises generally have lower per-day costs, making them a fantastic value for extended vacations.

You could theoretically book your room and avoid paying for anything else out of pocket considering how much is included with your sailing. The included restaurants (more on those later) are delicious, and there's tons of entertainment and activities oboard.

Here are some highlights of what you get when you sail with Princess.

Destination-themed activities: These vary depending on your location. You can partake in hula dancing and ukulele lessons in Hawaii or listen to mariachis on deck in Mexico. There's almost always local dishes served in the main dining rooms.

Recreation: Exact amenities vary by ship, but there's almost always a gym and jogging track, as well as sometimes other types of courts for sports including basketball, ping pong and shuffleboard.

Pools and hot tubs: Dip in the freshwater pools or hot tubs. Princess also runs activities including competitions. And in the evenings, they run Movies Under the Stars.

Shops and galleries: Onboard shops sell products from brands like Swarovski, Chanel, Estée Lauder, Clinique, Lancôme, Calvin Klein, Citizen and Tissot. Of course, window shopping is free, but budget for anything you buy (and these luxury goods are generally not cheap).

Casinos: Again, this one is free to wander through, but you'll need actual cash to play.

Broadway-caliber production shows: These vary by ship (and even by night), but you can generally expect highly-produced shows.

What's not included

While most cruises include many services and amenities with the base fare, not everything comes at that rate. There are some extras that you may need to pay more for. That includes:

• Specialty dining.

• Premium drinks (like sodas, handcrafted coffee drinks and alcohol).

• Wi-Fi.

• Tips.

• Spa treatments.

• Short excursions.

Sure, you technically could get away with not paying much more than the base fare. But it's best to leave some wiggle room in your vacation budget. Many of the star attractions of a Princess cruise incur an extra fee (more on those later).

Princess ships tend to be a little more upscale than some other options, which means it can be more expensive to travel on one. However, that doesn’t mean you’ll necessarily be paying luxury prices.

Prices for rooms can vary dramatically based on all sorts of factors, including the cabin you choose and when you travel.

Princess Cruise packages

The Princess Standard fare includes your cabin, use of most facilities, all standard meals, snacks and entertainment. But, to upgrade to fancier meals and other luxurious, you might consider one of two packages.

This eliminates many (or all) of the a la carte fees you'll otherwise face onboard for those aforementioned extras like Wi-Fi and fancier drinks beyond the standard water, tea and coffee. Though packages obviously incur an extra fee, they can usually net cheaper than purchasing items a la carte once you start adding a few to your budget.

The Princess Plus fare includes all the amenities of the Princess Standard fare but also provides Wi-Fi service to one device, crew gratuities, premium beverages (including most alcoholic drinks), fitness classes, food delivery and two nights of dining at a casual sit-down restaurant.

Meanwhile, the Princess Premier package includes all of the above, with Wi-Fi available on multiple devices, a superior drink package, two nights of specialty dining, unlimited casual dining, a photo package and reserved seating at shows.

Here’s a glimpse at what comes with each fare package on a Princess cruise:

Among the most recent highlights of booking either of those two packages is improved cruise Wi-Fi.

Princess is an industry leader with its MedallionNet Max service. Its 5G and Starlink access means speeds fast enough for FaceTime and streaming. But here's where those two aforementioned packages are critical: you only get access to MedallionNet Max if you purchase one of those two bundles.

» Learn more: The best ways to book a cruise

Princess Cruises takes culinary experiences seriously. You technically never have to pay extra for food, as there are plenty of restaurants that are included with the price of your fare.

The main dining room is the most formal of all the free eateries, where you'll dine on what are still high-quality meals served by wait staff.

Then there's the casual dining. The main buffet has a different name depending on the ship, but the vibes are the same. There are all sorts of cuisines that change. You'll find Indian food, Asian food, Mexican food, kid-friendly foods like grilled cheese and fries, and plenty of desserts — all on the same night. These are cafeteria style, so grab as much as you'd like. There are healthy options too, with plenty of protein, fresh fruits and salads, and grilled vegetables.

Elsewhere onboard you'll find various complimentary eateries. Many of those sit on the pool deck, where you'll generally find the same sorts of food you'd expect served on a pool deck, like pizza and burgers.

There's even a 24-hour option. Located in the Piazza, the International Café serves different foods depending on the hour, but you can expect to find breakfast parfaits, sandwiches, soups and tons of desserts.

Specialty restaurants

For some of the more unique — and often, fancier — restaurants, you'll either need to pay an a la carte bill or purchase a package that includes specialty dining.

Some speciality restaurants are found on all (or at least nearly all) ships. Those include crowd favorites like Crown Grill for premium seafood and steak or Sabatini’s Italian Trattoria for Italian flavors.

Exclusive to the Sun Princess is one of the best new restaurants, Umai Teppanyaki. This is something of a dinner with a show, where teppan cuisine is cooked right in front of you. Watched as your NY strip steak and black tiger shrimp are grilled right before your eyes. It's protein-heavy, but there's also sides like edamame pods and seaweed salad.

Another one unique to the Sun Princess is Butcher's Block by Dario. It's a family-style feast including beef tartare, T-bone steak and rump roast carpaccio.

Experiential dining

Then there's a category of dining that Princess refers to as "experiential dining." These also incur additional fees, but they alone can give you reason to sail with Princess again. One of its crown jewels is called Love by Britto, a seven-course culinary experience on the Sun Princess created in collaboration with art icon Romero Britto and chef Rudi Sodamin.

The Sun Princess is also home to Spellbound by Magic Castle. Though they serve dinner, you're really going for the drinks, as this Victorian-themed restaurant, bar and magic show combines to make for one of the best cruise line bars anywhere at sea. It's a floating recreation of the iconic Hollywood institution, The Magic Castle, and it serves up dinner and unlimited drinks — many of which are theatrical in nature.

For example, a tequila-based drink called "The Magician" transforms from blue to purple as the server pours it into the glass. That's on top of entertainment — which is top-notch as far as magic shows go. But it won't come cheap. Admission costs $149 on top of your cruise fare.

Casual dining

Some of the more unique (but casual) eateries do incur an additional fee, unless you opt for that package. You might opt for these if you want something different than what's in the standard dining room, but don't wait a super frilly meal.

Highlights of the casual dining include O’Malley’s, found on a handful of ships including the Sun Princess, Discovery Princess and Enchanted Princess.

Most ships also have a Neapolitan pizza joint called either Alfredo’s or Gigi’s Pizzeria By Alfredo. As part of a celebrity partnership with Pizza Chef Tony Gemignani, the 13-time World Pizza Champion and undisputed greatest pizza maker in modern history, Princess serves a set of pizzas created by Gemignani specifically for the cruise line. These are hardly your average pizza, but rather include premium ingredients from Soppressata sausage and hot honey to Gorgonzola and sweet fig preserve.

Princess Cruises offers a range of cabin options at various price points.

Regardless of cabin type, Princess Cruises ensures every room is equipped with modern amenities and thoughtful details:

• Princess luxury bed: The signature Princess Luxury Bed was developed in collaboration with Dr. Michael Breus, "The Sleep Doctor," and designer, Candice Olson, star of the hit HGTV shows "Candice Tells All" and "Divine Design." Beds include a plush, two-inch thick pillow top, a nine-inch, single-sided medium firm mattress, individually wrapped coils, a European-inspired duvet and Jacquard-woven cotton linens.

• Flat-screen TVs: Offering on-demand movies, live TV and ship programming.

• Bathrooms with toiletries: All cabins include complimentary Lotus Spa toiletries.

• Complimentary room service: Available 24/7 for all guests.

Here's a breakdown of various cabin specifics:

Interior cabins are the most affordable option. These are best for budget-conscious travelers and those who don’t mind the lack of natural light.

Oceanview cabins feature a picture window or porthole that lets in natural light, offering a view of the ocean or the ship’s destination. These cabins are slightly larger than interior rooms, providing a more open feel. This offers a more open feel without the cost of a balcony.

Balcony cabins unlock the signature Princess experience. After all, Princess Cruises is famous for pioneering the concept of affordable veranda cabins, once exclusive to luxury suites. Balcony cabins are among the most popular accommodations in the fleet, offering a private outdoor space. For the best views, choose balcony cabins on higher decks or aft-facing balconies for uninterrupted ocean vistas. Though, mid-ship balconies tend to offer a smoother ride in rough seas and might be better if you're prone to seasickness.

Mini-suites bridge the gap between standard cabins and full suites, offering more space and added amenities. Expect a separate sitting area with a sofa bed, an upgraded bathroom with a combination shower/tub and a larger balcony compared to standard balcony cabins. With this class, you get some additional service like expedited seating and dining on your schedule (no reservations needed) and a bottle of wine in your stateroom upon arrival.

Suites offer the most luxurious experience. Even within the realm of suites, there's variation in size and amenities. But, expect walk-in closets and upgraded bathrooms, often with whirlpool tubs and separate living and sleeping areas. Service is excellent here too, with priority embarkation and disembarkation, complimentary laundry and specialty dining perks.

Each vessel has the word Princess in the name. The Sun Princess is the newest, but that'll change when Star Princess enters service in 2025.

Many of the line’s ships score well with reviewers, including the Discovery Princess ship, which is one of six Royal Class vessels. These vessels feature a larger atrium (the social hub of the ship), private poolside cabanas, a glass-bottomed over-water SeaWalk and more staterooms with balconies

Both Sun Princess and Star Princess tie for largest Princess Cruise ship in the fleet. Both have a capacity of 4,310. That beats out the old record for largest ship, which was held in a tie across a few ships — Sky Princess, Enchanted Princess and Discover Princess. Each of those ships have a capacity of 3,660.

The Captain’s Circle is the loyalty program for Princess Cruises, and after you complete your first cruise, you’re automatically a member with Gold tier status.

Captain’s Circle levels

The Captain’s Circle levels are Gold, Ruby, Platinum and Elite. Here’s how to reach each tier as well as the benefits you’ll receive.

Gold

• How to earn: Complete one Princess cruise. 

• Best benefits: Preferential pricing, members-only events. 

Ruby

• How to earn: Complete three cruises or 30 cruise days.

• Best benefits: Vacation protection upgrade, shoreside access to priority phone line.

Platinum

• How to earn: Complete five cruises or 50 cruise days. 

• Best benefits: 50% off Wi-Fi package, priority boarding, early access to dining reservations, exclusive member lounge, 10% discount on spa treatments. 

Elite

• How to earn: Complete 15 cruises or 150 cruise days. 

• Best benefits: Early access to new itineraries, 10% off-shore excursions, complimentary mini-bar setup, complimentary laundry services, priority embarkation and disembarkation.

(Top photo courtesy of Princess Cruises)