Princess Cruise Line

If you ever want a cruise that emphasizes destinations, comfort, and cultural immersion — with a touch of luxury but without going full “ultra‑premium” — Princess Cruises is one of those lines that often hits the sweet spot. Let’s unpack what makes them special, what to expect, and whether it might be right for your next voyage.

Origins & What Princess Cruises Is

• Founded: 1965, by Stanley McDonald. Its start was humble: one ship cruising to Mexico.

• Rise to Fame: One of their early big exposures came from television — Pacific Princess, which became the show The Love Boat (1977). That helped popularize the idea of a sea vacation for many people.

• Ownership & Headquarters: Princess Cruises is part of Carnival Corporation & plc. Their headquarters is in Santa Clarita, California.

Fleet, Reach & Itineraries

• Fleet Size & Ships: They have about 15 modern vessels (or ships in service).

• Ship Classes: Notably, they have their Royal‑class ships (Royal Princess, Regal, Majestic, Sky, Enchanted, Discovery) which represent newer designs with updated amenities. More recently, they introduced the Sphere Class (Sun Princess, Star Princess) which are among their largest and most feature‑rich.

• Destinations & Itineraries: Princess sails globally. Some of their itineraries include the Caribbean, Alaska, Europe, South America / Antarctica, Asia, Hawaii, Mexico, the Panama Canal, and the South Pacific, among others. Cruise lengths range broadly — from very short (3 days) to very long (over 100 days) world cruises.

• Ports & Itineraries Count: More than 330 ports worldwide, about 170 different itineraries offered.

Onboard Experience: What You’ll Find

Princess Cruises aims to balance comfort, enrichment, and good service. Here’s what people tend to enjoy:

• MedallionClass Vacations: This is Princess’s tech‑enhanced service model. It uses a wearable device (often called OceanMedallion®) to streamline many aspects: boarding, interactions, on‑demand services (food, drinks), enhanced WiFi, etc. The idea is to reduce friction and make things more personalized.

• Cabins / Staterooms: They offer a range from interior, oceanview, balcony, suites. In newer or renovated ships, there are upgraded amenities: better showers, larger TV screens, more modern décor. There is also a Reserve Collection of premium location cabins with extra perks.

• Dining, Entertainment & Amenities:

  • Multiple dining venues: main restaurants, specialty (extra cost) ones.

  • Live entertainment: shows, musicals, music lounges, poolside movies (“Movies Under the Stars®”).

  • Onboard enrichment: local cultural presentations, shore excursions that are more immersive, animal‑ or nature‑focused when relevant.

  • Relaxation zones: quieter spaces, nice public areas, spa, etc. Also new is the Sanctuary Collection (for a more premium, adults‑oriented retreat) on certain ships.

Innovation & What’s New

Princess is investing in newer ships and greener technologies:

• Sphere Class ships: The Sun Princess (launched 2024) and Star Princess (launched 2025) are their newest large ships; they feature modern amenities, more dining/entertainment variety, and use more advanced tech.

• Guest‑led enhancements: They’ve been upgrading staterooms, the onboard spaces, shows, service (through their “Come Back New” promise) to keep pace with modern traveler expectations.

• Luxury / Premium Add‑Ons: Things like the Sanctuary Club / private lounge / exclusive dining / private deck or pool access for premium suite or Sanctuary passengers. These help create a more upscale feel for those who want more luxury.

Things to Know & Trade‑Offs

Like any cruise line, there are trade‑offs depending on what you’re looking for.

• Some say Princess skews toward a more mature / relaxed audience; if your travel style is high‑energy, action‑packed, nonstop thrills, it might feel a bit more low‑key.

• Specialty dining, premium services, etc. will cost extra — as with most cruise lines. Even though the base cruise includes a lot, if you want all the bells & whistles, be ready to budget.

• On larger ships especially, some public spaces or dining times may see crowds. Embarkation/disembarkation might take longer.

• Being newer or recently renovated helps — older ships may lack some of the ultra‑new amenities (design, tech, etc.). Ship selection matters.

Who Princess Cruises is Best For

Princess Cruises tends to be a great fit if you:

• Want a fairly upscale cruise without going into ultra‑luxury pricing

• Appreciate good food, comfort, service, and a mix of relaxation + enrichment (lectures, culture, scenic destinations)

• Desire a global itinerary — not just party cruises, but wanting to see varied parts of the world, maybe Alaska, Europe, Antarctica, etc.

• Prefer a more tranquil or refined vacation atmosphere (though still with nice entertainment, amenities, etc.)

Final Thoughts

Princess Cruises lives in that sweet zone between casual/fun mass‑market cruising and luxury. They’ve got enough polish, enough new ships, and enough variety that many travelers feel like they’re getting a very good value. If what you want is a cruise that’s comfortable, interesting, with lots of different ports, good food, and a chance to unwind without losing touches of luxury — Princess should be high on your list.