The Complete Guide to Princess Cruises

Princess Cruises is a U.S. cruise line owned by Carnival Corp., which also owns and operates other lines including Carnival, Holland America and Cunard.

First launched in 1965, Princess Cruises offers passengers the opportunity to sail all over the world, including to North America, South America, the Caribbean, Europe, Asia, Australia and Antarctica.

Here’s a quick overview of some of Princess Cruises' key features.

• Cabin types: Princess Cruises ships feature room types that are standard across most cruise lines. These include interior, ocean view, balcony, mini-suite and suite rooms. Princess Cruises’ inside rooms are contemporary and well-furnished, as are its higher-end offerings. 

• Main U.S. routes: You’ll find Princess Cruise ships throughout the U.S., though routes are heavily season-dependent. Look for Caribbean cruises out of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and for destinations along the West Coast, out of Los Angeles.  

• Loyalty program: Captain’s Circle is the name of Princess Cruises’ loyalty program, which provides elite benefits based on how much you’ve cruised with the line. 

Princess Cruises destinations

Princess Cruise offers a large array of itineraries and destinations. Its sailings range in length from two-day getaways to a 116-day journey that travels around the globe, and it stops in seven continents and 330 ports of call.

» Learn more: Do you need a passport for a Caribbean cruise?

Princess Cruises prices

Princess ships tend to be a little more upscale than some other options, which means it can be more expensive to travel on one. However, that doesn’t mean you’ll necessarily be paying luxury prices.

Prices for rooms can vary dramatically based on when you travel. The cost is higher during the holidays. For example, a seven-day Western Caribbean cruise leaving from Fort Lauderdale can cost as little as $548 for an interior room. However, if you’re traveling during the winter holidays, the price skyrockets up to $1,178 for the same room.

What is the best Princess cruise ship?

There are a total of 16 vessels currently operating — each with the word Princess in the name. When Star Princess enters service in 2025, it'll make that number 17.

Many of the line’s ships score well with reviewers, including the Discovery Princess ship, which is one of six Royal Class vessels. These vessels feature a larger atrium (the social hub of the ship), private poolside cabanas, a glass-bottomed over-water SeaWalk and more staterooms with balconies.

» Learn more: How to plan a cruise in 6 steps

What is the newest Princess Cruises ship?

For now, Sun Princess is the newest ship, having debuted just in 2024. But it won't be the newest for long. Star Princess is set to take its maiden voyage in 2025.

Both Sun Princess and Star Princess tie for largest Princess Cruise ship in the fleet. Both have a capacity of 4,310. That beats out the old record for largest ship, which was held in a tie across a few ships — Sky Princess, Enchanted Princess and Discover Princess. Each of those ships have a capacity of 3,660.

While most cruises include many services and amenities with the base fare, not everything comes at that rate. There are some extras that you may need to pay more for.

Here’s what comes with each fare package on a Princess cruise:

• The Princess Standard fare includes your cabin, use of facilities, all meals, snacks and entertainment. 

• The Princess Plus fare includes all the amenities of the Princess Standard fare but also provides Wi-Fi service to one device, crew gratuities, premium beverages (including most alcoholic drinks), fitness classes, food delivery and two nights of dining at a casual sit-down restaurant.

• The Princess Premier package includes all of the above, with Wi-Fi available on multiple devices, a superior drink package, two nights of specialty dining, unlimited casual dining, a photo package and reserved seating at shows. 

» Learn more: The best ways to book a cruise

But while you technically could get away with not paying much more than the base fare, it's best to leave some wiggle room in your vacation budget. Many of the star attractions of a Princess cruise do incur an extra fee.

That includes Spellbound by Magic Castle, which is considered one of the best cruise line bars anywhere at sea. The floating recreation of the iconic Hollywood institution, The Magic Castle, serves up dinner and unlimited drinks — many of which are theatrical in nature. For example, a tequila-based drink called "The Magician" transforms from blue to purple as the server pours it into the glass. That's on top of entertainment — which is top-notch as far as magic shows go. But it won't come cheap. Admission costs $149 on top of your cruise fare.

The Captain’s Circle is the loyalty program for Princess Cruises, and after you complete your first cruise, you’re automatically a member with Gold tier status.

Captain’s Circle levels

The Captain’s Circle levels are Gold, Ruby, Platinum and Elite. Here’s how to reach each tier as well as the benefits you’ll receive.

Gold

• How to earn: Complete one Princess cruise. 

• Best benefits: Preferential pricing, members-only events. 

Ruby

• How to earn: Complete three cruises or 30 cruise days.

• Best benefits: Vacation protection upgrade, shoreside access to priority phone line.

Platinum

• How to earn: Complete five cruises or 50 cruise days. 

• Best benefits: 50% off Wi-Fi package, priority boarding, early access to dining reservations, exclusive member lounge, 10% discount on spa treatments. 

Elite

• How to earn: Complete 15 cruises or 150 cruise days. 

• Best benefits: Early access to new itineraries, 10% off-shore excursions, complimentary mini-bar setup, complimentary laundry services, priority embarkation and disembarkation.

(Top photo courtesy of Princess Cruises)