If you’re thinking about booking your first cruise with Princess Cruises, you could be in for a treat. But with so many cruise lines out there, you might be wondering: what makes Princess stand out, and what should you expect on board? This beginner’s guide will walk you through everything you need to know before choosing to a book a cruise with Princess Cruises.
I’ll admit it, this blog post is as much for me as it is for you. I’ve just booked my very first Princess Cruise for 2026, and while I’m no stranger to cruising, Princess is somewhat new territory for me. That’s exactly why I decided to put this guide together: to dive into what makes Princess unique, what’s included, and how it compares to other lines. With my whole family joining me (all first-time cruisers!), I wanted to get a clear picture, and now I can share that with you too.
Princess Cruises is one of the world’s leading cruise lines, part of the Carnival Corporation. Founded in 1965, it gained fame as the star of the hit TV show The Love Boat in the late 70s, and today operates a fleet of modern ships sailing across the globe. From the Caribbean to Alaska, Japan to South America, Princess offers a huge variety of itineraries to suit different travellers.
Princess strikes a balance between luxury and approachable comfort. It’s not as formal as Cunard, but it feels more polished than some of the big resort-style lines (Royal Caribbean, NCL, MSC). Expect smart-casual evenings, stylish décor, and an international mix of guests.
Friendly, attentive service is a hallmark of the Princess experience. Crew members are professional yet warm, and many passengers rave about the attention to detail.
Princess is particularly well-regarded for its food. You’ll find a range of included dining venues – main dining rooms, buffets, and casual grab-and-go spots – alongside specialty restaurants offering steak, sushi, Italian, and more. Princess also pioneered “Anytime Dining,” giving you the freedom to eat when you like rather than sticking to set times.
From Broadway-style shows and live music to Movies Under the Stars (outdoor film screenings on deck), there’s always something happening. Princess also runs enrichment programmes, cooking demos, and destination-focused talks.
Your base cruise fare includes accommodation, main dining venues, most onboard entertainment, and access to pools, gyms, and lounges. It’s an all-in-one holiday, but things like alcoholic drinks, specialty dining, shore excursions, Wi-Fi, and gratuities aren’t automatically included unless you upgrade to a package.
Not all drinks are included by default on Princess Cruises. What is included and what isn’t depends on the drink type and whether you’ve bought a beverage/drinks package. Here’s a breakdown:
Princess Plus is an add-on package that bundles together Wi-Fi, gratuities, and a drinks package (covering cocktails, wine, beer, soft drinks, and speciality coffees) for one daily price. Think Norwegian’s ‘More at Sea‘, but y’know… For Princess! It’s designed to make your holiday more stress-free and often works out cheaper than paying for each element individually. There’s also a Princess Premier package with additional perks like photo packages and premium dining.
Princess has introduced OceanMedallion, a wearable device that makes your cruise more seamless. It replaces your room key and cruise card, allowing you to unlock your cabin, order food and drinks anywhere on board, locate friends and family, and even speed up embarkation.
The latest addition to the Princess fleet is the Sun Princess, which debuted in 2024 as the first of the new Sphere Class ships. She’s larger, sleeker, and introduces fresh concepts like the Dome (a stunning glass-enclosed entertainment venue), new dining experiences, and updated staterooms.
Coming soon is Star Princess, launching in 2025. As Sun Princess’ sister ship, she’ll share many of the same modern features but with her own touches. Star Princess will sail her maiden season in the Mediterranean before repositioning to the Caribbean, giving cruisers another exciting way to experience Princess’ next-generation design.
At the other end of the spectrum are some of Princess’ smaller, older vessels, like Coral Princess and Island Princess, which first entered service in the early 2000s. While they don’t have all the bells and whistles of the newer ships, they offer a more traditional cruising experience with a smaller passenger count, which many people actually prefer. These ships often sail longer, more unique itineraries, think Panama Canal crossings or world cruises, where the focus is on the destinations rather than flashy onboard features.
If you’re after adrenaline-filled activities like surfing simulators, bumper cars, and waterparks, Royal Caribbean has the edge. Princess, by comparison, focuses more on relaxation, elegant dining, and destination immersion. Think of Royal as more high-energy and family-oriented, while Princess is better for those who want a refined but still approachable holiday.
✅ Good for: Travellers who prefer relaxation, enrichment, and destination-focused itineraries.
❌ Avoid if: You want non-stop thrills, theme-park-style ships, and packed daily activities.
Carnival Cruise Line is known as the “fun ships,” with lively parties, bright décor, and budget-friendly pricing. Princess, on the other hand, feels more grown-up and sophisticated. While Carnival suits younger groups and families looking for affordability and plenty of nightlife, Princess is more about relaxation, culture, and quality dining.
✅ Good for: Cruisers who like a calmer pace, cultural enrichment, and more refined dining.
❌ Avoid if: You’re looking for late-night parties, flashy entertainment, and the cheapest fares possible.
Celebrity Cruises is Princess’ closest competitor in style. Both offer elegant ships, good food, and a more refined atmosphere. Celebrity tends to lean slightly more modern and design-focused, with chic interiors and a touch of luxury branding. Princess, however, often comes in at a lower price point and is particularly strong for itineraries like Alaska.
✅ Good for: Travellers who want stylish ships, strong dining, and value for money.
❌ Avoid if: You’re after ultra-luxury or cutting-edge modern design above all else.
Cunard is one of the most traditional cruise lines at sea, known for its British heritage, white-glove service, and formal atmosphere. Think ballroom dancing, afternoon tea, and gala evenings. Princess, by contrast, feels less formal and more approachable while still maintaining elegance. It’s refined without being intimidating.
✅ Good for: Travellers who enjoy elegance and sophistication but prefer a more relaxed, flexible atmosphere.
❌ Avoid if: You want a strictly traditional cruise experience with formal dress codes and a classic ocean liner vibe.
MSC Cruises is a European brand with a distinctly international flair, offering stylish ships at competitive prices. They’re family-friendly and feature lots of entertainment, but the onboard experience can feel busier and more fast-paced compared to Princess. Princess leans toward a calmer, more destination-focused style with consistently strong service.
✅ Good for: Cruisers who want an international atmosphere, quieter onboard life, and well-curated itineraries.
❌ Avoid if: You’re looking for flashy onboard attractions, bustling nightlife, or the lowest-cost fares in Europe.
Princess isn’t as child-focused as Disney or Royal Caribbean, but families are welcome. There are kids’ clubs for different age groups, family-friendly dining, and pools suitable for younger cruisers. However, the atmosphere is generally quieter, so Princess may appeal more to families who want cultural enrichment and a calmer experience rather than all-day thrills.
If you enjoy cocktails, wine, or coffee, look into the Princess Plus or Princess Premier packages. These bundle drinks, Wi-Fi, and gratuities into one price, often saving money compared to paying as you go.
Daytimes are casual. Think resort wear. In the evenings, smart casual is the norm, with a couple of formal nights per cruise. That usually means cocktail dresses or dress shirts, but you won’t need a ball gown unless you want to dress up.
Princess is especially famous for Alaska cruises, offering some of the most comprehensive itineraries and exclusive experiences (like their rail tours and wilderness lodges). They also have a strong presence in the Caribbean, Mediterranean, and Asia.
If you’re visiting North America, Caribbean, or even Europe, the onboard prices will be US Dollars (USD). However, if your ship is home-ported in Australia or New Zealand, the onboard currency will be Australian Dollars (AUD).
Either way, you won’t need to carry cash around the ship. All purchases are charged to your stateroom account via your OceanMedallion, and you simply settle your balance at the end of the cruise.
You can usually find me on a cruise ship, somewhere in Europe, or sneaking a beach day. I share beautiful photos, travel tips, and the occasional ‘why did I book this?’ moment.
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