Princess Cruises

Princess began in 1965, when Stanley McDonald chartered a ship to sail from Los Angeles to the Mexican Riviera. The line became famous as the setting of The Love Boat in the 1970s and 1980s, and it remains a West Coast-rooted brand within Carnival Corporation. It is one of the biggest names in Alaska, where it operates its own wilderness lodges and rail cars for cruisetours into Denali National Park.

The fleet of around 17 ships covers several generations. The Sphere class, starting with Sun Princess and Star Princess, is the largest and most modern, with a glass-domed entertainment and pool venue called The Dome and a family zone called Park19. The Royal class (Royal, Regal, Majestic, Sky, Enchanted and Discovery Princess) is the backbone, known for the SeaWalk, a glass-bottomed walkway over the ocean. Older and smaller Grand-class, Coral-class and other ships, such as Ruby, Emerald, Crown, Caribbean, Diamond and Sapphire Princess, sail longer and more port-intensive routes, including world cruises.

Itineraries range from seven-night Alaska and Caribbean cruises to Panama Canal transits, Hawaii round trips from California, Japan and Australia seasons, and long voyages in Europe and South America.

Princess is comfortable and low-key. The typical passenger is 50 or older, often a couple or a group of friends, with more families in summer and on Alaska sailings. Ships are mid-size to large, carrying roughly 2,000 to over 4,000 guests, and the center of each is the Piazza, a multi-level atrium with live music, street performers and a café. Dress is smart casual most nights, with one or two optional formal nights on a seven-night cruise where many guests do dress up. MedallionClass technology runs through the ships: a wearable OceanMedallion unlocks your cabin, helps you find companions and lets crew deliver drinks and food to almost anywhere onboard. The adults-only Sanctuary offers a quiet, padded-lounger retreat for an extra fee.

Main dining rooms offer traditional fixed-time seating or flexible Anytime Dining with reliable, multi-course menus. The World Fresh Marketplace buffet, the International Café in the Piazza and Alfredo’s Pizzeria (on Royal- and Sphere-class ships) are included and popular. Specialty restaurants carry a cover charge: Crown Grill steakhouse, Sabatini’s Italian, and on the Sphere class, The Catch by Rudi seafood and Umai Teppanyaki. The Chef’s Table Lumière is a multi-course experience under a curtain of light. Room service is available, with some items carrying a charge.

Princess Theater stages production shows, and many ships run Movies Under the Stars on a giant outdoor screen with popcorn and blankets. The Piazza hosts acrobats, live bands and trivia, and comedians, magicians and piano bars fill the evenings. Sphere-class ships add The Dome, a glass-roofed space that switches from pool by day to performances by night. Expect enrichment talks, art auctions and a casino, but no thrill rides.

Princess runs kids and teen clubs for ages 3 to 17, split by age, with science, art, games and Alaska-focused Junior Ranger activities on sailings there. The Sphere class’s Park19 adds a family play zone. Families are most common in summer and holidays, and the programs are good rather than extravagant compared with Royal Caribbean or Disney.

Cabins are practical and comfortable, with the Princess Luxury Bed a frequent highlight. Royal-class ships have a high share of balcony cabins. Mini-suites and suites add space and perks, and Club Class mini-suites include a reserved dining area. Sphere-class ships add new suite categories with extra privileges, including access to The Sanctuary on some. Interior cabins are a good value on longer sailings.

Drinks are extra unless you buy a package. Princess Plus bundles a beverage package, Wi-Fi and crew gratuities, while Princess Premier adds premium drinks, specialty dining, professional photos and more. Standalone beverage packages are also sold. Water, coffee, tea and juice at breakfast are included.

Princess adds a daily crew appreciation charge per guest to your account, with a higher rate for suites. You can prepay or adjust it onboard. The charge is included if you buy Princess Plus or Princess Premier. Bar purchases carry an automatic service charge.

Captain’s Circle tracks your sailings with cruise credits, with suites earning extra. Tiers run Gold, Ruby, Platinum and Elite, unlocking perks such as discounts, free laundry, Wi-Fi time and priority embarkation at higher levels.