Princess Cruises
The Complete GuideEverything you need in one place — the fleet, staterooms, what's included (and what's not), dining, loyalty perks, and a clean timeline for check-in — curated by EricaM Travels so you can plan with confidence.
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The Fleet
All 17 ships, by class, with links
What's Included
Fare basics vs. Plus & Premier
Check-In Timeline
What to do, and by when
Pro Tips & Picks
Fan favorites, straight from reviews
A Line Built for Connection — On Board and Onshore
Princess pairs destination-rich itineraries with MedallionClass technology that keeps the little stuff (checking in, ordering a drink, finding your way around) effortless.
Princess is my go-to for clients who want a cruise that feels a little more relaxed and a little more elegant — without losing any of the fun. Whether it's your first cruise or your fifteenth, I'll help you pick the right ship, the right stateroom, and the right package for how you actually travel.
The Fleet
Every Princess ship, grouped by class, with a link straight to its official deck plans and details. Tap a ship to explore further.
Sphere Class
NewestPrincess's newest and largest ships. More dining, drinking, and entertainment venues than anywhere else in the fleet — built for guests who want maximum variety on board.
Sun Princess
Launched 2024 · 4,310 guestsThe debut Sphere-class ship — the most spacious and social ship Princess has built.
View Ship Details →Star Princess
Launched 2025 · 4,310 guestsSun Princess's sister ship, with the same lively, amenity-packed design.
View Ship Details →Royal Class
Mid-to-large ships with more lounge space, more restaurants, more bars, and more entertainment than Princess's classic ships — a favorite for first-time Princess guests.
Royal Princess
2013 · 3,560 guestsThe ship that introduced the Royal Class design.
View Ship Details →Regal Princess
2014 · 3,560 guestsRoyal Princess's sister ship, sailing the Caribbean and Europe.
View Ship Details →Majestic Princess
2017 · 3,560 guestsPopular in Asia-Pacific and Australia, with an elevated Italian design touch.
View Ship Details →Sky Princess
2019 · 3,660 guestsHome to the SeaWalk glass walkway — a Cruise Critic member favorite for dining variety.
View Ship Details →Enchanted Princess
2020 · 3,660 guestsConsistently praised by reviewers for exceptional, spirited crew service.
View Ship Details →Discovery Princess
2022 · 3,660 guestsThe newest Royal-class ship, sailing mainly the West Coast & Mexico.
View Ship Details →Grand Class
The largest group in the fleet — spacious ships that still manage to feel intimate, with plenty of room for both quiet corners and lively nights.
Diamond Princess
2004 · 2,710 guestsA longtime favorite for Alaska and Japan sailings.
View Ship Details →Sapphire Princess
2004 · 2,680 guestsDiamond Princess's sister ship, also a regular in Asia.
View Ship Details →Crown Princess
2006 · 3,090 guestsSails the Caribbean, Canada/New England, and Europe.
View Ship Details →Emerald Princess
2007 · 3,090 guestsA Cruise Critic member favorite — praised for easy navigation and consistently strong service.
View Ship Details →Ruby Princess
2008 · 3,080 guestsEmerald Princess's sister ship, a Caribbean & Australia regular.
View Ship Details →Coral Class
Destination-FocusedThe fleet's smallest, most intimate ships — built for itineraries where the ports are the main event, including the Panama Canal and smaller ports larger ships can't reach.
Coral Princess
2003 · 2,000 guestsA Panama Canal specialist, small enough to reach unique ports.
View Ship Details →Island Princess
2003 · 2,210 guestsCoral Princess's sister ship — quieter, cozier, and port-focused.
View Ship Details →Staterooms
From cozy interiors to full suites, here's what each category offers. Exact size varies a bit by ship.
Interior
136–162 sq ftThe best value at sea — a cozy, well-appointed room for guests who plan to spend their time exploring the ship and ports.
Oceanview
145–212 sq ftEverything about an Interior, plus a real window and natural light with sea views.
Balcony
179–279 sq ftA private balcony for fresh air and views on demand — the most popular category for a reason.
Mini-Suite
304–329 sq ftSuite-style perks — a separate seating area and a bigger balcony — in a more accessible size. Select ships offer Club Class Mini-Suites with priority specialty-dining reservations.
Suite
Up to 1,500 sq ftThe most space Princess offers, comparable to a large city apartment, with a fully separate living area.
Reserve & Sanctuary Collections
Select shipsThe top tier: premium locations, exclusive dining areas, wine on arrival, and — on Sanctuary Collection staterooms — access to the adults-only Sanctuary deck with Premier package benefits built in.
What's Included — and What Costs Extra
Every fare includes the essentials. Princess Plus and Princess Premier bundle the extras clients ask about most — drinks, wifi, dining, and gratuities — for one daily rate.
Princess Standard
- Stateroom accommodations & daily housekeeping
- Main Dining Room, buffet, and casual venues
- Basic room service
- Entertainment & Movies Under the Stars
- Pools, hot tubs & fitness center
- Kids & teen programs
- MedallionClass app & technology
Princess Plus
- 15 drinks/day (up to $15 each) — cocktails, wine, beer, spirits & soft drinks
- Unlimited specialty coffee & tea
- Up to 12 bottled waters/day
- 4 casual dining meals per voyage
- Room service & OceanNow® delivery fees waived
- Wifi for 1 device per guest
- Crew appreciation (gratuities) prepaid
Princess Premier
- Everything in Princess Plus, plus:
- Unlimited drinks, up to $20 each
- Unlimited casual & specialty dining
- Wifi for 4 devices per guest
- Shore excursion credit — up to $300/guest
- Unlimited digital photos + 3 prints
- Reserved theater seating
Pricing shown is per person, per day, and higher on Sun Princess & Star Princess (Sphere Class). Packages apply to guests 1–2 on a reservation. Ask Erica for current rates when you're ready to book.
What Typically Costs Extra
Dining & Drinks
Most food on board is included in your fare — specialty venues carry a cover charge, but they're worth budgeting for on at least one night.
Included With Every Fare
Specialty Dining (Fee Applies)
Included with Princess Premier — otherwise, a per-person cover charge applies.
Sabatini's Italian Trattoria
Hand-crafted fresh pasta, made table-side with tradition and precision.
Cruiser FavoriteCrown Grill
A premium steakhouse — aged cuts, gourmet salts, and a refined dining room.
Cruiser FavoriteThe Catch by Rudi
Chef Rudi Sodamin's seafood house — oysters, grilled fish, pasta & steaks.
Chef's Table & Chef's Table Lumière
An intimate, multi-course tasting menu with wine pairings from the executive chef. Very limited seating.
Makoto Ocean
A Japanese sushi experience from Chef Makoto Okuwa.
The Butcher's Block by Dario
A specialty steak experience inspired by renowned butcher Dario Cecchini.
Umai Teppanyaki & Umai Hot Pot
Japanese teppanyaki grilling and Asian hot pot, on select ships.
Love by Britto
A colorful, art-forward specialty restaurant collaboration.
Vines Wine Bar
Wine flights paired with a crudités & charcuterie board — a favorite happy-hour stop.
Captain's Circle
Every Princess cruise earns you credit toward the next tier — and once you reach a level, it's yours for life. No annual requalifying.
Gold
After your first cruise- Welcome to Captain's Circle
- Members-only offers & rates
- Circle Savings booking discounts
Ruby
After completing 3 cruises, or 30 cruise days- Everything in Gold
- Exclusive shoreside access to the Captain's Circle Help Desk line
Platinum
After completing 5 cruises, or 50 cruise days- 50% off MedallionNet® wifi packages
- Early access to dining reservations
- 10% off Lotus Spa treatments & the Photo Gallery
- Platinum & Elite Lounge access
- Complimentary Destination Collection
Elite
After completing 15 cruises, or 150 cruise days- 10% off The Shops of Princess & shore excursions
- Priority ship-to-shore water shuttle embarkation
- Complimentary Grapevine wine tasting event
- Complimentary minibar set-up & deluxe canapés on formal nights
Your Check-In Timeline
Princess calls this process OceanReady® — a few quick steps in the Princess Cruises app or Cruise Personalizer that get you from booked to boarding.
Start OceanReady® in the App
Set up your Cruise Personalizer profile: travel documents, a security/profile photo, emergency contact, and payment method for onboard charges.
Book the Extras That Fill Up Fast
Reserve specialty dining, shore excursions, and MedallionNet® wifi through the app or Cruise Personalizer — the best times and slots go early.
Complete Your Checklist to Get Your Medallion Mailed
Finish OceanReady by this point and your Medallion can be shipped to your home (US, Canada & Puerto Rico) for about $10 per stateroom. Miss the window? No problem — pickup at the terminal on embarkation day is always free.
Finish the Mandatory Travel Checklist
Travel documents, passage contract, and your security photo must be complete in the app to board — this step isn't optional.
Head to the Terminal
During online check-in you'll select a staggered arrival/check-in window — plan to arrive within that window (not earlier) and at least a few hours before the ship's scheduled departure. Boarding closes well before departure, and the ship cannot wait for late arrivals.
Green Lane
Completed every OceanReady® step — breeze straight through.Blue Lane
Didn't finish the checklist — staff will help you complete it terminal-side.Mind the All-Aboard Time
Be back on board well before the posted all-aboard time. Princess is clear on this one: the ship will not wait for late-arriving guests, and missing the final boarding time may mean forfeiting your fare with no refund.
Pro Tips & Popular Picks
A roundup of what real cruisers consistently call out as the best of Princess — plus the small stuff that makes a big difference on board.
Popular Picks
- Emerald Princess, Sky Princess & Enchanted Princess are the ships cruisers praise most for crew service and easy navigation.
- Alfredo's poolside pizza was voted Best Pizza at Sea by USA Today — and it's free.
- Crown Grill & Sabatini's are the two specialty restaurants repeat cruisers rave about most.
- Want maximum variety? Sun & Star Princess (Sphere Class) have the most dining and entertainment venues at sea.
- Want ports over parties? Coral & Island Princess (Coral Class) are favorites for a quieter, destination-first pace.
Sourced from a roundup of recent member reviews on Cruise Critic and other cruise-travel publications — not a personal ranking.
Erica's Insider Tips
- Complete OceanReady 13+ days out, and grab a lanyard or holder so your Medallion doesn't wander off.
- The International Café in the Piazza is open 24/7 with free pastries, sandwiches & salads — a go-to late-night stop.
- Ask your room steward for extra pillows, a plush robe, or a mattress topper — available in every stateroom category, just ask.
- Have a balcony? Book Ultimate Balcony Dining for a white-tablecloth breakfast or dinner, just for your stateroom.
- Grab a charcuterie board at Vines Wine Bar to pair with a flight — a favorite (and affordable) happy-hour move.
- Catch a free Movie Under the Stars on the pool deck, with complimentary popcorn and soft-serve.
- Book your next cruise while you're onboard for a reduced deposit and onboard credit — then hand it straight to me to manage.
Ready to Book Your Princess Cruise?
Tell me your dates, your must-see ports, and your travel style — I'll match you to the right ship, stateroom, and package.