What You Need to Know About Princess Cruises

Princess Cruises is one of the world's largest cruise line operators, offering voyages to destinations across the globe. If you're considering booking a cruise, understanding what Princess is—how it operates, what kinds of experiences it offers, and what factors might influence whether it's a good fit for you—can help you make a more informed decision. 🚢

What Is Princess Cruises?

Princess Cruises is a cruise line subsidiary owned by Carnival Corporation, one of the largest cruise operators in the world. The company operates a fleet of ships that range in size and capacity, sailing itineraries that typically span the Caribbean, Alaska, Mediterranean, Asia, and other regions. The line positions itself as a mid-to-upscale cruise operator—positioned above some of the largest mainstream lines but below ultra-luxury cruise brands.

The company has been operating since 1965, which means it has decades of operational experience and established infrastructure. It carries millions of passengers annually across its fleet, making it one of the recognized names in the cruise industry.

The Fleet and Ship Types

Princess operates different classes of ships, and understanding the differences matters because they affect your onboard experience.

Larger, newer ships in the Princess fleet typically carry 3,500 to 4,000 passengers and offer more dining venues, entertainment options, and cabin variety. Smaller or older ships in the fleet carry fewer passengers (sometimes 2,000–3,000) and offer a different atmosphere—often more intimate, with fewer crowds in dining areas and public spaces.

The specific ship you sail on shapes your cruise experience more than the cruise line name alone. A smaller Princess ship will feel notably different from a larger one, even though they operate under the same company.

Itineraries and Destinations

Princess offers cruises to multiple regions, typically including:

  • Alaska: Glacier viewing, wildlife, and outdoor experiences
  • Caribbean: Beach, island-hopping, and warm-weather escapes
  • Mediterranean: European port cities, cultural sites, and longer voyages
  • Asia-Pacific: Japan, Southeast Asia, Australia, and surrounding regions
  • Transatlantic and repositioning cruises: Longer voyages between regions

The specific itinerary you choose determines the ports you visit, the length of your cruise, and the overall experience. A 7-day Caribbean cruise differs significantly from a 10-day Mediterranean voyage, regardless of which cruise line operates it.

Cabin Types and Pricing Variables

Princess offers a range of cabin categories, from interior cabins (no window) to outside cabins, balcony cabins, and suites. Each category comes with different amenities and price points.

Several factors influence what you'll pay for a Princess cruise:

  • Cabin type and location (interior vs. balcony, deck level, proximity to midship)
  • Sailing date and season (peak vs. off-season)
  • How far in advance you book (early bookers typically find lower fares than last-minute bookings)
  • Special promotions or onboard credit offers the cruise line is running
  • Your age and group size (some fares offer discounts for children or groups)
  • Additional services like beverage packages, specialty dining, or excursions

Pricing in the cruise industry is dynamic, meaning the same cabin category on the same sailing can vary significantly depending on when and where you book. Two passengers on the same ship paying different prices for the same cabin type is entirely normal.

What's Included vs. What Costs Extra

Most Princess cruises include:

  • Accommodation in your chosen cabin
  • Main dining room meals
  • Basic entertainment and activities
  • Access to most pools, fitness facilities, and public areas
  • Certain onboard entertainment (shows, live music)

Typical costs beyond the base fare:

  • Alcoholic beverages (unless you purchase a beverage package)
  • Specialty restaurants (steakhouses, Italian venues, other specialty dining)
  • Spa services and treatments
  • Excursions at ports
  • Gratuities (automatically added to your account unless you adjust them)
  • Photography services
  • Certain premium activities or classes

Understanding what's bundled versus what requires extra payment helps you budget accurately for your cruise. Different cruise lines have different inclusion policies, but the general framework is consistent across the industry.

Service Level and Onboard Experience

Princess positions itself as offering a balanced cruise experience—not a basic, crowded mega-ship environment, but also not an ultra-luxury product with white-glove service and small passenger counts.

What this typically means:

  • Staff is generally professional and courteous, though service quality can vary by individual crew member and ship occupancy
  • Dining is casual to moderately formal, depending on the venue and dining plan you choose
  • Entertainment ranges from Broadway-style productions to comedy acts, live music, and deck parties
  • The atmosphere tends to be social and multigenerational, with activities catering to families, couples, and older adults

Your actual experience depends heavily on the specific ship, the particular sailing date, the season, and your own expectations. A ship at full capacity on a summer sailing will feel busier than the same ship during an off-season cruise.

Dining and Special Accommodations

Princess offers flexibility in dining arrangements. Many cruises include assigned seating in the main dining room (where you dine at the same table and time each evening), but open seating and specialty restaurant options are also available—sometimes for an additional charge.

If you have dietary restrictions or preferences (vegetarian, vegan, kosher, halal, gluten-free, allergies), you'll need to notify Princess in advance. The cruise line works to accommodate these needs, though the breadth of options may vary by ship and region.

Customer Service and Complaint Resolution

Like all cruise lines, Princess has processes for onboard issues and customer disputes. How responsive or satisfactory these processes are depends on the nature of your complaint and the specific situation. Some issues resolve smoothly; others become more complicated.

Before booking, it's reasonable to review recent passenger feedback on independent review sites to understand common experiences—both positive and negative—from recent sailings. This gives you a sense of potential strengths and weaknesses.

What Factors Should You Evaluate for Your Situation?

Before choosing Princess (or any cruise line), you'll want to consider:

  • Your destination preferences — Does Princess offer the itinerary you want?
  • Ship size — Do you prefer a larger ship with more options or a smaller ship with a quieter atmosphere?
  • Travel dates and budget — Does Princess have a sailing that fits your calendar and price range?
  • Cabin type needs — Does your ideal cabin category align with your budget?
  • Dining and beverage preferences — Do their dining options and package offerings match what you value?
  • Special needs or preferences — Can they accommodate dietary restrictions, accessibility needs, or other requirements?
  • Onboard atmosphere — Do recent passenger reviews suggest an experience that appeals to you?

The Bottom Line

Princess Cruises is an established, widely-available cruise line that operates in major cruise markets and destinations. Whether it's the right choice for you depends entirely on your specific itinerary preferences, budget, cabin desires, and the particular ship and sailing you're considering. The cruise industry offers many options—comparing specific sailings across different lines, rather than choosing based on brand alone, typically leads to better decisions.