Princess Cruises is a well-established and highly recognized premium cruise line, part of Carnival Corporation & PLC. It gained widespread fame as the star of the iconic 1970s TV show "The Love Boat." Princess is known for its innovative ships, diverse worldwide itineraries, and a consistent focus on customer service and creating memorable experiences. It appeals to a broad demographic, including couples, multi-generational families, and mature travelers who appreciate a blend of classic cruising traditions with modern amenities. Many guests are drawn to Princess for its strong emphasis on destination immersion and its MedallionClass™ technology, which enhances the onboard experience.
Fleet and Design:
Princess Cruises operates a fleet of 17 modern ships, ranging in size but all designed for comfort, elegance, and ample public spaces. The ships feature a classic yet contemporary style, often with a high percentage of balcony cabins – a concept Princess pioneered to make private verandas more accessible.
The fleet is broadly categorized by class:
- Sphere Class (Newest Ships):
- Sun Princess: Launched in 2024, this is the newest and largest ship in the fleet (177,882 gross tons, 4,300 guests). It marks a new design direction with a unique multi-level glass dome (SkyDome), innovative entertainment, and new dining concepts.
- Star Princess: Set to debut in October 2025, this sister ship to Sun Princess will further expand the Sphere Class offerings.
- Royal Class: (e.g., Discovery Princess, Enchanted Princess, Sky Princess, Majestic Princess, Regal Princess, Royal Princess). These are large, modern ships (around 142,000-145,000 gross tons, 3,500-3,660 guests) known for features like the SeaWalk (a glass-bottomed walkway), Movies Under the Stars® (a giant poolside LED screen), and expanded dining and entertainment options.
- Grand Class: (e.g., Caribbean Princess, Crown Princess, Emerald Princess, Grand Princess, Ruby Princess, Sapphire Princess, Diamond Princess). These mid-sized to large ships (around 107,000-115,000 gross tons, 2,600-3,100 guests) offer a wide range of activities and dining choices, maintaining a classic Princess feel.
- Coral Class: (e.g., Coral Princess, Island Princess). These are smaller ships (around 91,000-92,000 gross tons, 2,000-2,200 guests), known for their ability to traverse the Panama Canal and offer a more intimate experience.
All cabins, from inside to lavish suites, are designed for comfort and feature the signature Princess Luxury Bed, flat-screen TVs, and complimentary toiletries.
Destinations (2025-2026):
Princess Cruises is a global leader, offering cruises to more worldwide destinations than any other major line, reaching all seven continents and over 330 ports. Their itineraries range from short getaways to extensive Grand Voyages and World Cruises. For 2025 and 2026, their popular destinations include:
- Alaska: Princess has a long-standing reputation as the "Best Cruise Line in Alaska," offering extensive Inside Passage and Voyage of the Glaciers cruises, as well as unique CruiseTours that combine a cruise with land excursions to Princess-owned wilderness lodges in the heart of Alaska.
- Caribbean & Bahamas: Diverse itineraries year-round from various U.S. homeports, including calls at Princess Cays, their private resort in the Bahamas.
- Europe: Comprehensive coverage of the Mediterranean (Greek Isles, Italy, Spain, France, Croatia, Turkey, Adriatic) and Northern Europe (Norwegian Fjords, Baltic Sea, British Isles, Iceland). Many no-fly options are available from Southampton.
- Asia: Immersive cultural journeys to Japan (including unique Japan-intensive voyages for fall foliage and cherry blossom seasons), China, Southeast Asia (Vietnam, Thailand, Singapore), and India.
- Australia & New Zealand: Extensive programs exploring coastal wonders and unique wildlife, with multiple ships deployed in the region.
- South America & Antarctica: Voyages to the Chilean Fjords, Patagonia, the Amazon, vibrant cities, and expedition-style cruises to the Antarctic Peninsula.
- Hawaii & South Pacific: Classic island-hopping and tropical getaways.
- Panama Canal: Full and partial transits.
- Canada & New England: Scenic voyages, particularly popular for fall foliage.
- World Cruises & Grand Voyages: Extended, immersive journeys that span continents, offering deep cultural experiences.
Onboard Experience & Inclusions:
Princess Cruises aims to provide a relaxed, comfortable, and enriching experience. Their signature MedallionClass™ experience is a key differentiator, leveraging wearable technology (the OceanMedallion™) for expedited boarding, contactless payments, location services for family/friends, and personalized service, including direct delivery of food and drinks. The dress code is generally "smart casual" with optional "dress-up nights."
Princess offers various fare options, with the basic fare covering essentials and enhanced packages adding more inclusions:
Standard (Basic) Fare Inclusions:
- Accommodation: Your chosen cabin category (inside, oceanview, balcony, mini-suite, suite) with the Princess Luxury Bed, flat-screen TV, and complimentary toiletries.
- Dining: A wide range of complimentary dining options:
- Main Dining Rooms: Offering multi-course meals with flexible "Anytime Dining" or traditional fixed seating.
- Buffet Restaurants: Casual options for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
- Casual Eateries: Such as the Poolside Grill, Pizzeria, and 24-hour International Café (for light bites, sandwiches, pastries).
- Afternoon Tea: A complimentary British tradition.
- Basic Room Service: Complimentary continental breakfast and limited items 24/7.
- Entertainment: High-quality production shows in the Princess Theater, live music in various lounges (including jazz, classical, and pop), comedy acts, Movies Under the Stars® (poolside cinema with popcorn and blankets), nightclubs, and a casino.
- Activities & Recreation: Access to pools, hot tubs, a well-equipped fitness center (with complimentary basic classes), sports courts, mini-golf, library, and card rooms.
- Youth & Teen Centers: Supervised programs for children and teens across various age groups.
- MedallionClass™ Experience: Includes expedited embarkation/disembarkation, keyless stateroom entry, OceanNow® (delivery of food/drinks/retail items anywhere on board), and personalized service. (MedallionNet® Wi-Fi requires package purchase).
- Basic Beverages: Filtered water, iced tea, and regular coffee from self-service stations are included.
"Princess Plus" and "Princess Premier" Packages (Upgrades for 2026 onwards):
These popular value-added packages significantly enhance the inclusive experience and generally add:
- Drinks: Includes a wide selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages (e.g., Plus Beverage Package for up to $15 value per drink with "Plus," Premier Beverage Package for up to $20 value per drink with "Premier").
- Wi-Fi: Faster and more extensive Wi-Fi access (e.g., single device with "Plus," up to 4 devices with "Premier").
- Crew Appreciation (Gratuities): Pre-paid gratuities for the crew are included.
- Specialty Dining: A certain number of meals in specialty restaurants (e.g., Crown Grill steakhouse, Sabatini's Italian Trattoria, Harmony Chinese, Ocean Terrace sushi) are included without cover charges.
- Shore Excursion Credit: A credit towards excursions, with values varying by voyage length ($100 for 6-9 days, $200 for 10-20 days, $300 for 21+ days with "Premier").
- Fitness Classes: Unlimited fitness classes (e.g., yoga, spin) included in some packages (check specifics as this benefit has seen changes).
- Photo Package: Unlimited digital professional photos with "Premier."
- Reserved Seating: For theatrical shows with "Premier."
- Fees Waived: For OceanNow® and room service delivery.
Princess Cruises effectively combines traditional cruising elements with modern technology and a strong focus on culinary excellence and diverse destinations, making it a compelling choice for a wide range of travelers seeking a well-rounded and comfortable cruise holiday.
Exported from Firebase on 2025-08-02T14:17:19.897Z
