Five essential things to know before you board a Princess Cruises ship

Telegraph

22-07-2025

Founded in 1965 and later acquired by British-owned P&O Cruises, Princess Cruises was swallowed up by US giant Carnival Corporation in 2003. Eschewing the swagger of other American lines, Princess wears its heritage in a more refined way, while rolling out inventive concepts that have helped change the face of the cruise industry.
Princess led the way in incorporating more private balconies on ships (its fleet still has one of the highest percentages of balcony cabins) and was the first to bring al fresco movie screens on board, with its Movies Under the Stars programme.
Other innovations include the exclusive, adult-only Sanctuary deck space, a concept later adopted by rivals, and a wearable device called Ocean Medallion that lets passengers order food and drinks from around the ship and acts as a cabin door key.
The California-based line has built up a solid reputation for offering a premium, 'classic cruising' ambience. Its ships are known for popular features such as the central atrium hub, the Piazza, and eateries including Sabatini's Italian trattoria and Crown Grill steakhouse. These are complemented by a signature chef's table and balcony dining experiences.
Underpinning all of this is Princess's Love Boat legacy. The line became a household name in the 1970s when its ships Pacific Princess and Island Princess took viewers to exotic destinations for the popular American TV series. Set on Pacific Princess, the show is credited with bringing cruising to a new audience, and Princess still references its Love Boat connections today.
1. Where does Princess Cruises sail?
The line's 16-strong fleet covers the world, with sailings to all seven continents and port calls at more than 330 destinations.
The Mediterranean and the Caribbean (private resort Princess Cays is located in the Bahamas) are strongholds in summer and winter, respectively, although Princess is also known for imaginative itineraries, particularly to Japan and Australia (where it bases ships), the Panama Canal and Hawaii.
Alaska is another region that it dominates, claiming to take more guests to the region than anyone else. Sailings to Alaska can also be combined with stays at the five wilderness lodges it owns. These 'cruise tours', combining cruises and land tours, are also offered in Europe, South America, Australia and New Zealand and Japan.
Sailings vary from two-night mini-breaks to grand voyages and world cruises. Princess also bases ships in Southampton – three will be home-ported there in summer 2025. It also offers a handful of departures from Dover.
2. Who does Princess Cruises appeal to?
Princess's elegant ships, high-end ambience and varied itineraries appeal to well-travelled couples in an older age range (the average is 59.4) than you would find on livelier lines like Royal Caribbean International or Carnival Cruise Line.
Families are catered for with nurseries that take babies aged from six months to teen hangouts that cater for youngsters up to 17. While Princess ships lack the watersides and rides of other family-focused lines, Caribbean Princess has an interactive children's splash zone.
Family-friendly accommodation, shore excursions and entertainment also make the line popular with multi-generational groups.
Princess was the first line to offer weddings at sea and offers three wedding packages as either legal or symbolic ceremonies.
It's worth noting the relatively steep gratuities that will be added to the final bill.
3. Princess Cruises' fleet
There are 16 ships in the Princess fleet, though its ranks will be swelled by the arrival of the second Sphere-class ship Star Princess in September. Other ships are grouped as Royal, Grand and Coral.
Sphere class
Star Princess (4,300 passengers), Sun Princess (4,300 passengers)
The newest and ground-breaking ship class for Princess feels more spacious and has a livelier vibe. When Sun Princess launched in spring 2024, it was hailed as the largest and most innovative Princess ship yet, with many new features. The enlarged Piazza is housed in a glass sphere, the main theatre has been replaced by smaller performance venues, including the Princess Arena and The Dome, and there is a themed magic experience called Spellbound by Magic Castle.
Favourite restaurants have been joined by new additions, including the romantic Love by Britto, offering a romance-inspired fixed-priced menu. The Sanctuary private deck area has been expanded to The Sanctuary Collection offering a private sun deck with pool and a dedicated restaurant and lounge.
Sails to: Mediterranean, Caribbean, Alaska, Panama Canal
Royal class
Discovery Princess (3,660 passengers), Enchanted Princess (3,660 passengers), Sky Princess (3,660 passengers), Majestic Princess (3,560 passengers), Regal Princess (3,560 passengers), Royal Princess (3,560 passengers)
These ships have more space than their predecessors, with a larger atrium, a glass-bottomed walkway on the top deck called the SeaWalk, extending over the edge of the ship, private poolside cabanas and a live TV entertainment studio, Princess Live!
Dining options include Chef's Table Lumiere – a custom-made table surrounded by a shimmering curtain that encloses diners in a curtain of light.
All outside staterooms on these ships also have balconies.
Sails to: Alaska, Asia, Australasia, the Pacific coast, Caribbean, US Eastern Seaboard, Mediterranean, Scandinavia, Europe, Canary Islands, British Isles, Hawaii, Pacific coast, Australasia
Grand class
Emerald Princess (3,090 passengers), Ruby Princess (3,080 passengers), Crown Princess (3,090 passengers), Caribbean Princess (3,140 passengers), Diamond Princess (2,710 passengers), Sapphire Princess (2,680 passengers), Grand Princess (2,610 passengers)
These popular ships encapsulate many of the activities and facilities for which Princess is known, while offering a more intimate ambience. The heart of the ship is the atrium and piazza, which is a gathering point for drinks, coffee and live performances. Entertainment is spread across the main theatre and lounges and the line's most popular restaurants are on board.
Diamond Princess has features which appeal to the Japanese market, as the ship is largely based there, while Caribbean Princess has a family pool deck.
Sails to: Mediterranean, Northern Europe, Caribbean, Panama Canal, West Coast US, the Mexican Riviera, Hawaii, Alaska, Pacific Coast, Hawaii, Australasia, World Cruise, Asia, Caribbean, South America, Antarctica, Europe, US Eastern Seaboard, Australasia
Coral class
Coral Princess (2,000 passengers), Island Princess (2,210 passengers)
These are the smallest ships in the fleet. The trade-off is facilities – while there is a good line-up, it doesn't match those of larger, sister ships. Coral Princess and Island Princess generally offer more destination-rich itineraries, along with world cruises and long voyages.
Sails to: Pacific Coast, Alaska, Hawaii, Panama Canal, the Caribbean, Australasia, Asia (Coral); Panama Canal, the Caribbean, US Eastern Seaboard, Hawaii, Pacific Coast, Alaska, Mediterranean
4. Loyalty scheme
Princess's Captain's Circle programme has four tiers, starting with Gold for one sailing, and progressing to Ruby, Platinum and Elite – the highest level reached after 15 cruises or 150 cruise days. Benefits range from early access to new itineraries and members-only events, to discounts on shore excursions and at on-board shops, and priority disembarkation.
5. Access for guests with disabilities
Ships have accessible staterooms and public areas. Braille and tactile signage is available on all ships and hearing telecommunications with advance notice. Service animals are welcome. For more details, see princess.com or call 0344 338 8663.