What is Princess Cruises and who is it best for?

Princess Cruises is one of the world’s most recognized cruise lines, sailing since 1965 and rising to international fame as the “Love Boat” through the iconic 1977–1986 TV series. Part of Carnival Corporation, Princess operates 17 ships and is best for: Couples and adults who enjoy a more refined, relaxed atmosphere versus the thrill-ride orientation of lines like Royal Caribbean Alaska cruisers — Princess has the most comprehensive Alaska program of any line, including its own network of wilderness lodges and rail connections Tech-forward travelers who appreciate the MedallionClass experience and OceanNow ordering Guests who value itinerary breadth — Princess sails more destinations than most mainstream lines, including world voyages and unique ports

How does Princess compare to Royal Caribbean and Norwegian?

Princess occupies a distinct position in mainstream cruising: Princess Cruises — Most refined and adult-oriented of the three; strongest Alaska and long-voyage programs; MedallionClass technology is unmatched; Princess Plus bundles make budgeting clean. Less focused on onboard thrill attractions. Royal Caribbean — More activity-driven; best for families with active kids; biggest ships with the most onboard attractions. Less destination-focused than Princess. Norwegian — Best dining flexibility; no assigned times; strongest specialty restaurant lineup; The Haven luxury complex rivals Princess’s Sky Suite experience. For guests who prioritize destination discovery over onboard attractions, Princess is typically the stronger choice.

What is the Sun Princess?

Sun Princess launched in February 2024 as the first ship of Princess’s new Sphere Class, carrying approximately 4,300 guests. She introduces several innovations to the Princess product: the Sphere atrium (a stunning five-deck central hub), the Piazza marketplace with enhanced dining and entertainment, Reserve Collection dining, and an expanded spa complex. Her sister ship, Star Princess, joined the fleet in fall 2025 — both ships share the exclusive Sanctuary Collection, an elevated adults-only retreat with its own restaurant and pool deck. Together they are the largest and most in-demand ships in the fleet, sailing Caribbean and Mediterranean itineraries.

What are Princess Plus and Princess Premier?

Princess offers two bundled fare packages above the base “Standard” fare: Princess Plus (approx. $60/person/day) includes: Premier Beverage Package (drinks up to $20 per item) Wi-Fi (one device per person) Crew appreciation (gratuities) Two casual dining meals per voyage Fitness classes Princess Premier (approx. $80/person/day) adds to the above: Unlimited casual dining Two specialty dining meals Wi-Fi for up to four devices Premium desserts package Photo package (prints and digital downloads) Princess Plus is the most popular choice and delivers strong value for most guests. Premier is the right pick if you plan to dine in specialty restaurants more than twice and want unlimited casual dining flexibility.

Is Princess Plus worth the upgrade from the base fare?

For most guests, yes — Princess Plus typically pays for itself quickly: A drink package alone runs $60–$90 per person per day purchased separately Wi-Fi (one device) is typically $20–$25 per day Gratuities are $18–$20 per person per day The bundled Princess Plus price is typically lower than purchasing these three items individually. Even moderate drinkers (2–3 alcoholic beverages per day) will usually find the package delivers value. Guests who don’t drink alcohol should calculate carefully, though the Wi-Fi and gratuity inclusion still provide meaningful savings.

Princess Cruises Cruise Line Guide: Ships, Inclusions & FAQs

About Princess Cruises

“From its modest beginnings in 1965 with a single ship cruising to Mexico, Princess has grown to become one of the premiere cruise lines in the world. Today, its fleet carries more than a million passengers each year to more worldwide destinations than any other major line. It's all here for you: delicious gourmet meals, fun entertainment, and always, incredible pampering.” — Princess Cruises

Princess Cruises began in 1965 with a single ship sailing to Mexico and a simple conviction: travel should feel personal, immersive and unforgettable. Six decades later, the line connects guests to more than 345 destinations across all seven continents, yet it still measures success by how travelers feel along the way. That warmth earned Princess a nickname that stuck — The Love Boat — after the 1970s television series introduced millions to the romance of cruising.

Innovation runs deep here. Princess was first to introduce affordable balconies, flexible dining options and weddings at sea officiated by the ship's captain. Its signature MedallionClass experience, built around a simple wearable Medallion device, streamlines boarding, delivers food and drinks wherever you happen to be, and pairs with fast MedallionNet Wi-Fi at sea. The line also pioneered Movies Under the Stars, the now-iconic poolside cinema found across the fleet.

Today Princess is part of Carnival Corporation and headquartered in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, sailing a fleet of 17 ships led by the new Sphere Class sisters Sun Princess and Star Princess. It suits travelers who want big-ship variety — glaciers in Alaska, timeless European ports, Caribbean beaches — delivered with service the line likens to coming home, where crew members remember your name and personalize the journey.

New & notable: The new Sphere Class flagships Sun Princess and Star Princess have joined the fleet, with Star Princess now sailing Alaska — both showcase groundbreaking design that Princess calls the future of cruising.

Save on Princess Cruises with Pavlus Travel

Pavlus Travel has been helping travelers save on the world's best cruise lines since 1994. Book Princess Cruises through Pavlus and our exclusive discounts stack on top of the line's own current promotions — then our Lowest Price Guarantee keeps it that way. You never pay a service or planning fee, and you work one-on-one with a dedicated advisor who knows Princess Cruises inside and out, from first quote to final port.

Exclusive Pavlus savings on every Princess Cruises sailing
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The Princess Cruises Experience

MedallionClass Experience

A wearable Medallion device speeds boarding, unlocks your stateroom and brings food, drinks and services to you anywhere on board, paired with MedallionNet Wi-Fi.

345+ Destinations, 7 Continents

Princess sails to more than 345 destinations across all seven continents, from Alaska's glaciers to Europe's storied ports and the South Pacific.

The Love Boat Heritage

The 1970s series made Princess famous, and its legacy of connection and celebration still shapes the warm, personal service on board.

Sphere Class Innovation

Sun Princess and Star Princess, the new Sphere Class ships, represent the line's future with groundbreaking design and next-generation guest experiences.

Movies Under the Stars

Princess was the first cruise line to launch poolside cinema at sea, an iconic evening tradition that continues across the fleet.

What's Included with Princess Cruises

Inclusions vary by itinerary and stateroom category — your Pavlus travel advisor will walk you through exactly what your fare covers before you book.

The Princess Cruises Fleet (17 ships sailing bookable itineraries)

Caribbean Princess

Coral Princess

Crown Princess

Diamond Princess

Discovery Princess

Emerald Princess

Enchanted Princess

Grand Princess

Island Princess

Majestic Princess

Regal Princess

Royal Princess

Ruby Princess

Sapphire Princess

Sky Princess

Star Princess

Sun Princess

Where Princess Cruises Sails

Alaska 1,405 Caribbean 435 Europe 412 Japan 196 Mexico 70 Mediterranean 67 Australia 67 Southern Europe 66 Northern Europe 65 Hawaii 63 Asia and Asia Pacific 61 Transatlantic 56 Australia/New Zealand 53 Panama Canal 48 Canada / New England 48 British Isles 44

Good to Know Before You Book

Gratuities & tipping

The “Crew Appreciation” is a daily amount for each guest that will be automatically added to your onboard account for your convenience, to recognize the efforts of a wide variety of crew members who contribute to the experiences of all the guests.

Stateroom Category	Daily amount per guest
Suites	$20.00 USD per person per day
Mini Suites, Cabanas, and Reserve Collection	$19.00 USD per person per day
All other stateroom types	$18.00 USD per person per day

Amounts shown above are in USD. For ships operating in AUD, guests will pay the equivalent of the USD amounts above.

Cancellation policy

Cancellation By Guest

Sailings 1 to 13 days (including World Cruise or Circle Pacific Segments)
Days prior to Cruise or Land Package Departure	Item(s)* Assessed	Cancellation Fee
90 days or more	Deposit	Deposit if non-refundable
75 to 89 days	All Items	25% of Total Charges
61 to 74 days	All Items	50% of Total Charges
31 to 60 days	All Items	75% of Total Charges
30 days or less	All Items	100% of Total Charges

Sailings 14 to 24 days (including World Cruise or Circle Pacific Segments)
Days prior to Cruise or Land Package Departure	Item(s)* Assessed	Cancellation Fee
120 days or more	Deposit	Deposit if non-refundable
113 to 119 days	All Items	25% of Total Charges
91 to 112 days	All Items	50% of Total Charges
61 to 90 days	All Items	75% of Total Charges
60 days or less	All Items	100% of Total Charges

Sailings 25 to 44 days (including World Cruise or Circle Pacific Segments)
Days prior to Cruise or Land Package Departure	Item(s)* Assessed	Cancellation Fee
120 days or more	Deposit	Deposit if non-refundable
113 to 119 days	All Items	25% of Total Charges
61 to 112 days	All Items	50% of Total Charges
60 days or less	All Items	100% of Total Charges

Sailings 45+ days (including World Cruise or Circle Pacific Segments)
Days prior to Cruise or Land Package Departure	Item(s)* Assessed	Cancellation Fee
320 days or more	Deposit	Deposit if non-refundable
120 to 319 days	All Items	15% of Total Charges
113 to 119 days	All Items	30% of Total Charges
61 to 112 days	All Items	50% of Total Charges
60 days or less	All Items	100% of Total Charges

*Items: Cruise, Cruisetour, Cruise Plus Package, pre-purchased gift(s)/special services. Total Charges include Government Taxes and Fees, which are subject to the applicable cancellation fees.

^For those passengers booking a reduced deposit promotion, the initial cancellation fee amount will not exceed the deposit required/paid.

CANCELLATION POLICY EXCEPTION(S):
A. If you have purchased a specially priced promotion where the deposit is 100% non-refundable from the point of payment, you are not entitled to any refund, payment, compensation, or credit whatsoever of your deposit under any circumstance if you cancel your booking.
B. If you have purchased a specially priced promotion that is 100% non-refundable from the point of payment, you are not entitled to any refund, payment, compensation, or credit whatsoever of your Cruise Charges for your Cruise or Cruisetour if you cancel your booking.

Last updated: July 3, 2026. Click this link to view the latest policy provided by the cruise line.

Smoking on board

Keeping the comfort of their guests a priority, and in consideration of consumer studies which show smokers are a small minority of guests, Princess has implemented the following smoking policy:

Designated Smoking Areas
Clearly marked “Designated Smoking Areas” are available onboard and include a sufficient number of ashtrays that are emptied regularly. Generally, these areas include cigar lounges, a section of the nightclub, as well as a portion of the open decks. The Casino and Casino Bar are non-smoking areas on board, with the exception of designated slot machines where guests are permitted to smoke only while playing at those machines. All table games are non-smoking. The Casino will also have one or more non-smoking nights (6 pm to closing), depending on length of voyage. Show lounges, dining rooms and all food services areas on board all Princess ships are non-smoking. As a safety precaution, guests are reminded to properly dispose of cigarettes, cigars and pipe tobacco, which are never to be thrown overboard as this may be sucked back into the ship and cause fires.

Stateroom Smoking Policy
Princess Cruises prohibits smoking in guest staterooms and balconies. This reflects the preferences of a vast majority of their guests who value having their primary living space (both stateroom and balcony) smoke-free. As balconies are a hallmark of Princess Cruises, they believe it is important to keep this peaceful space clear of smoke. Violations to this policy will result in a $250 fine for each occurrence, which will be charged to the guest’s stateroom account. Keeping with the global trend toward more restrictive smoking policies and honoring the wishes of their guests, Princess feels this enhances the onboard experience.

Electronic Cigarettes
The use of electronic cigarettes is allowed within the confines of the guest's stateroom (balcony not included) and within designated smoking areas only.

Traveling with minors

Age requirements: 

Passengers under the age of 21 years must travel in a stateroom with a passenger 21 years or older who shall assume responsibility for their care during the cruise. For family groups booking multiple staterooms, the minimum age for each stateroom is 16 years of age, provided they are traveling with a parent or legal guardian. Princess Cruises are unable to accept group reservations for student or youth groups that do not conform to the minimum age requirements. Each passenger agrees and warrants that he/she will supervise any passenger in his/her care at all times to ensure all policies, along with all other rules of the Carrier and ship, are strictly adhered to by all passengers under their supervision.

Age requirements for children:

 Children over six (6) months of age at the date of sailing will be accepted on the following itineraries: Alaska, Canada & New England, Caribbean, Europe, Mexico and Panama Canal.

Only children over the age of one (1) year at the date of sailing will be accepted for the following itineraries: Africa, Antarctica, Asia, Australia and New Zealand, Indian subcontinent, South America, South Pacific, Hawaii, Tahiti, Transatlantics and world cruises.

The minimum age for Escorted cruisetours is five (5) years old.

Infants/Young Children and Swimming Pools :

Parents/guardians are reminded to bring their children dressed in appropriate attire with towel and sunscreen. Youth staff will not conduct children's activities in the adult or splash pools. Parents must supervise their children at all times when using the pools. Infants and young children in diapers and/or swim diapers, and children who are not toilet trained are NOT permitted in any of the pools or spas due to public health concerns.

Documents for passengers under the age of 18:

 Several countries require special documentation for children traveling with only one parent or with neither parent; these requirements are subject to change without notice. Many foreign countries require any single parent or guardian to bring a permission slip for the minor to travel abroad. It is your responsibility to ensure that you possess the proper documents for all of the countries that you will visit. Please verify requirements with the consulates of the countries visited prior to your cruise.

For passengers under 21 years of age or those who are traveling with children, please note:

• Entry into the disco after 10 p.m. is limited to passengers 18 years and over. Be sure to check with the Youth and Teen Centers for special dance parties designed for kids and teens.
• Children who are toilet-trained and accompanied by a parent or guardian are permitted in the sauna and hot tub(s) unless otherwise specified.
• Passengers under the age of 13 are allowed in the evening entertainment show lounges if they are with their parent or guardian.
• In line with domestic U.S. age limits, as well as the company policy, the casino, cash prize bingo and horse racing are reserved for passengers 21 years and older. Additionally, only those passengers 21 years and older will be allowed to purchase or consume alcohol. Picture identification may be requested.

• Passengers under the age of 18 are prohibited from purchasing cigarettes or tobacco products while on board.

Youth and teen programs :

Princess offers entertaining options for all ages, with the Pelicans and Shockwaves programs made especially with junior cruisers ages 3-12 in mind. And for cruisers age 13-17, Princess cruises offer a unique Teen Center. Pelicans and Shockwaves give kids the chance to enjoy everything from arts and crafts, game tables, movies, splash pools (on select ships) and more. For toddlers, there’s even a special play area and outdoor deck.

Children are welcome on all Princess ships, but facilities vary. Pacific Princess® and Ocean Princess® do not have dedicated Youth and Teen Centers. However, when 20 or more children ages 3 to 17 are traveling on these ships, they will enjoy a varied schedule of supervised activities organized by a Youth Activities Coordinator. All Youth and Teen Centers are fully supervised by the staff of Youth Activities Coordinators.

Don’t miss the orientation and registration meeting on the first night of your cruise. You and your children can meet the Youth and Teen staff and learn more about the exciting shipboard programs. Parents are always welcome to join their children in the Youth and Teen Centers.

Additional Reminders:

 Children under 3 are not permitted in the Youth Center unless accompanied by a parent at all times. Youth Center staff cannot administer medication, bottle-feed, change diapers, or provide meal service. Private in-cabin babysitting is not available on any Princess ship. All children participating in the Youth program must be potty-trained. Children who are not potty-trained are not permitted in hot tub or pool facilities.

Children with Special Needs :

Princess welcomes all children and teens ages 3-17 to participate in the programs. Let the staff know of all medical and/or special needs for your children. Princess will make every effort to accommodate them. Please be advised that Princess Youth staff do not offer individual one-on-one supervision.

Just for Teens:

 Remix offers teens a range of activities including teen only dance parties, sports tournaments and talent shows. Or, have fun meeting other teens with the Dating Game. Those seeking a creative retreat will enjoy hip-hop dance classes, T-shirt painting, casino nights, mocktails, pizza parties or special teen-only dinners.

Dining with kids:

The dining options onboard the ships allow parents the freedom and flexibility to dine with their children or on their own. Parents may wish to spend time with their children while they eat an early dinner at the pizzeria, in the 24-hour Horizon Court buffet, or in their stateroom with 24-hour room service. Or, families may wish to dine together in one of the elegant, upscale restaurants, which offer a special children’s menu. Anytime Dining is recommended for families who want to dine together, so children may fully participate in the evening youth activities.

Babysitting:
Princess ships want parents to enjoy their vacation too. They offer group complimentary babysitting in Camp Discovery during the day, and for a small fee, also in the evening hours. Parents can explore our Vegas-style casino, nightclubs, the Lotus Spa® and The Sanctuary – a haven just for adults featuring a pool, cabanas and a spa-inspired menu.

Pregnancy policy

Pregnant women are not allowed to sail if they are entering the 24th week of their pregnancy by the last day of the cruise. All pregnant women are required to produce a physician’s letter stating that mother and baby are in good health, fit to travel and the pregnancy is not high-risk. The letter must also include the estimated date of delivery (EDD) calculated from both Last Menstrual Period (LMP) and ultrasound (if performed).
It is strongly recommended you review your health insurance coverage before cruising. Many policies, including Medicare, will not pay for services or hospitalization outside of the country or for emergency evacuation. You may want to consider Princess Vacation Protection to protect your vacation investment – which is available for purchase up to the time of final payment of your cruise fare. If you did not secure Princess Vacation Protection, it is recommended you secure other travel protection.

Policies are provided by Princess Cruises and can change; your Pavlus advisor will confirm current terms for your specific sailing before you book.

About Princess Cruises: Premium large-ship