Princess Cruises Guide

Princess Cruises is a premium cruise line known for destination-focused itineraries, comfortable ships, attentive service, and a more relaxed atmosphere than many of the largest mainstream cruise lines.

Cruise Style: Premium ocean cruising
Best Known For: Destinations, Alaska, service, traditional cruising, and a relaxed onboard experience
Ship Size: Mid-size to large ships
Best For: Couples, adults, multigenerational travelers, and cruisers who value the destinations as much as the ship
Not Ideal For: Travelers looking for nonstop activities, massive water parks, or a party-focused atmosphere

Princess has built its reputation around the idea that the cruise is about more than what happens onboard. Its ships are designed to provide a comfortable place to stay while giving travelers opportunities to explore the destinations along the way.

The cruise line is particularly well known for Alaska, where Princess has a long history of sailing and offers a range of itineraries and cruise-tour combinations.

Princess also has a strong connection to traditional cruising while incorporating newer technology, dining concepts, entertainment, and ship designs.

The overall Princess experience tends to be relaxed, polished, and destination-oriented.

You will find plenty to do onboard, but Princess generally does not try to compete with Royal Caribbean when it comes to sheer scale and attractions. Instead, the experience is more focused on enjoying the ship, relaxing by the pool, attending entertainment, dining, and exploring each port.

That makes Princess a particularly good middle ground for travelers who want something more elevated than a typical mainstream cruise without paying luxury-cruise prices.

Princess can be a strong fit if you:

Princess may not be the best match if your priority is:

Dining is an important part of the Princess experience, with a mix of included dining and specialty restaurants.

Depending on the ship and fare, travelers can choose from main dining, casual options, cafes, room service, and specialty restaurants.

Princess also offers dining packages and specialty dining experiences that can be worth considering depending on how you prefer to eat while cruising.

My take: Princess is a particularly good choice for travelers who care about food but don't necessarily need the culinary focus of a cruise line like Oceania.

Princess offers a broad selection of entertainment and activities without making the ship feel like an amusement park.

Depending on the ship, you may find:

Newer Princess ships also offer more contemporary entertainment and technology while maintaining the cruise line's traditional feel.

What is included in a Princess cruise depends on the fare, package, itinerary, and promotions available when you book.

Your cruise fare generally covers your accommodations, main dining, many onboard activities, and entertainment.

Additional costs can include:

Always compare the total value of the fare, rather than simply looking at the advertised cruise price.

Princess sails to destinations around the world, including:

Princess occupies an interesting position in the cruise market.

Compared with Royal Caribbean: Princess is generally more relaxed and destination-focused, while Royal Caribbean emphasizes larger ships, activities, and entertainment.

Compared with Holland America: The two lines have considerable overlap. Princess tends to have a somewhat more contemporary feel, while Holland America leans further into traditional cruising, culinary experiences, and live music.

Compared with Celebrity: Both offer a premium experience, but Celebrity generally has a more modern, design-forward feel, while Princess retains more elements of traditional cruising.

Compared with Seabourn: Seabourn is a major step up in luxury, intimacy, personalization, and inclusions. Princess offers a much more accessible price point and larger-ship experience.

Princess is one of my favorite cruise lines to recommend when the destination matters just as much as the ship.

It occupies a useful middle ground. You get a premium experience with good service, comfortable ships, strong dining, and plenty of onboard entertainment without moving into the price range of luxury cruising.

I especially like Princess for Alaska, where the cruise line's experience and land-tour options can make it an excellent choice for travelers who want to see more than just the coastline.

If you're looking for a cruise where you can spend the day exploring a destination, return to a comfortable ship, enjoy a good dinner, and settle into a relaxed evening, Princess is worth putting on your list.

Choose Princess if: You want a relaxed premium cruise with strong destinations, good service, and plenty to do without the intensity of a mega-ship.

Consider another line if: Your top priority is extreme onboard entertainment, an ultra-luxury experience, or a highly nightlife-focused cruise.

Choosing the right Princess ship, cabin, itinerary, and fare can make a significant difference in the overall experience.

If you're ready to start planning, I can help you compare Princess itineraries, cabins, promotions, and cruise options to find the right fit for your trip.

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