Princess Cruises Review: The Complete Guide to “The Love Boat” Line in 2026

Overview & Vibe

Princess Cruises built its identity on the 1970s television series “The Love Boat,” and decades later, that legacy shapes everything from the line’s demographic (predominantly 50+ couples and seasoned cruisers) to its marketing (emphasizing romance, discovery, and relaxation). This is not a ship for those seeking pool parties and neon-lit waterparks.

The vibe is country club casual: well-dressed but not stuffy, active but not frenetic, social but not overwhelming. Passengers tend to be well-traveled, appreciate good service, and prioritize enrichment activities like lectures and shore excursions over constant entertainment. If you want a cruise that feels like a sophisticated land vacation on water, Princess delivers.

What sets Princess apart is its destination focus. Whether you’re sailing the Inside Passage to Alaska, exploring the Mediterranean, or island-hopping the Caribbean, Princess designs itineraries with substantial port time and curated shore excursions. The line’s partnerships with local experts bring meaningful cultural immersion that newer cruise lines often lack.

The 2024 introduction of the Sphere class (Sun Princess and Star Princess) has modernized the fleet while maintaining the Princess identity. Combined with the innovative MedallionClass technology platform, Princess now offers a product that’s both classic and contemporary.

Princess’s evolution continues with fleet-wide enhancements including the Princess MedallionClass Net zero initiatives and expanded Oceans Alive environmental programming. The line has also invested in Crew Welfare initiatives that translate to better service quality and more attentive staff—something passengers consistently notice.

The demographic is predominantly North American (American, Canadian), though Mediterranean sailings attract significant European participation. If you’re seeking an international mix comparable to MSC or Costa, Princess may feel less diverse—but many passengers appreciate sailing with a like-minded North American community.

Fleet Breakdown

Princess operates 17 ships across four classes, ranging from the intimate Coral-class vessels to the magnificent Sphere-class megaships. Understanding the fleet helps you choose the right ship for your priorities.

Sphere Class (Newest & Largest)

Sun Princess (2024) and Star Princess (2025) represent Princess’s most ambitious ships. At 175,500 gross tons and 4,300 passengers, they are the largest ships Princess has ever built, featuring the innovative Sphere—a stunning glass dome structure inspired by the iconic geodesic sphere at EPCOT.

Key features on Sphere-class ships include:

The Sky Princess Wakeview Pool: An innovative infinity-edge pool at the ship’s aft provides stunning ocean vistas, creating a romantic setting particularly popular at sunset. The adjacent Wakeview Bar serves cocktails with these panoramic views.

Discovery Princess’s Tranquility Pool: A adults-only retreat offering a quieter alternative to the main pool areas, featuring private cabanas and dedicated service.

Princess’s Largest Casino: The Princess Grand Casino spans multiple levels with extensive gaming options, from slot machines to table games, in an elegant setting.

The Shops of Princess: An expanded retail area featuring premium brands including jewelry, watches, fashion, and Princess-logo merchandise. The retail staff are knowledgeable without being pushy—a balance many cruisers appreciate.

EnrICH Journeys Enrichment Program: This cultural ambassador program brings local experts aboard to enhance destination understanding, with particular depth on Alaska, Mediterranean, and Asia itineraries.

The Sanctuary: An adults-only retreat (extra charge) offering private cabanas, afternoon tea service, and a serene atmosphere for those seeking escape from the main pool deck.

Best for: Couples seeking modern amenities without losing Princess’s traditional character, first-time Princess cruisers ready for a larger ship, and Alaska enthusiasts who want the newest options.

Royal Class

Royal Princess, Regal Princess, Majestic Princess, Sky Princess, Enchanted Princess, and Discovery Princess form the backbone of the fleet.

SeaWalk & SeaView: The iconic glass-bottom walkway extending beyond the ship’s edge—dramatic for passengers with vertigo and spectacular for photographing ocean horizons. These architectural features first appeared on Royal Princess and remain unique to the class.

Expanded Movies Under the Stars: The outdoor cinema experience has been refined with improved screen technology, better sound systems, and comfortable seating. On Alaska sailings, watching a film under the stars with glacier views creates unforgettable moments.

Princess Live Café: This specialty dining venue operates as a café during the day and transforms into a reservation-only restaurant at dinner, offering a convenient middle ground between main dining and specialty restaurants.

Best for: Budget-conscious cruisers who want a newer Princess experience, cruisers who prefer slightly smaller ships than Sphere class, and those who value proven designs over cutting-edge innovation.

Grand Class

Ships like Grand Princess, Caribbean Princess, Crown Princess, Emerald Princess, and Ruby Princess (116,000-130,000 gross tons) represent Princess’s bread-and-butter—reliable, well-maintained vessels with proven layouts. While older, they’ve received extensive renovations including MedallionClass upgrades.

These ships feature the Movies Under the Stars poolside screen, multiple dining venues, and the traditional Princess theater. The Explorer’s Lounge (a signature Princess venue for trivia and enrichment) hosts popular daily activities.

Best for: Repeat Princess cruisers, those prioritizing Alaska and Caribbean itineraries, and cruisers comfortable with proven designs over cutting-edge innovation. These ships often offer excellent value compared to newer builds.

Coral Class (Smallest Ships)

Coral Princess and Island Princess (under 92,000 gross tons, ~2,200 passengers) offer more intimate experiences. These are the only Panamax-class ships in the fleet, designed specifically to transit the Panama Canal locks. These vessels can navigate smaller ports and straits inaccessible to larger ships, making them ideal for:

Panama Canal transits (the smaller ships literally fit through the locks with more dramatic proximity)
South America itineraries including Cape Horn and Antarctica positioning
Mediterranean smaller ports like Dubrovnik, Cinque Terre, and smaller Greek islands
Asia intimate waterways and boutique ports

The Coral Princess and Island Princess specialize in the Panama Canal route, offering one of the few opportunities to transit the canal on a traditional cruise ship—a once-in-a-lifetime experience for many cruisers.

Best for: Intimate ship lovers, passengers prioritizing port access over onboard amenities, and those who prefer lower passenger densities. Also excellent for experienced cruisers seeking something different from the larger ships.

MedallionClass: The Technology Advantage

MedallionClass deserves its own section because it genuinely transforms the cruise experience. This quarter-sized wearable device (the Medallion) enables technology that would have seemed futuristic a decade ago.

Contactless Everything

Order food, drinks, and services from anywhere on the ship via the OceanNow app and have them delivered to your location—no waiting in lines. This alone saves hours over a typical cruise, particularly during peak times at the buffet or pool bars.

The Medallion-activated beverage service allows you to open tabs and pay automatically at any venue by tapping your Medallion—convenient for those who want to enjoy a cocktail without reaching for a wallet.

Interactive Wayfinding

The MedallionClass app provides real-time ship maps showing your location, nearby venues, and friends’ family members’ locations if you’ve connected through the app. Lost on a 4,300-passenger ship? You won’t be for long—the intuitive navigation helps even first-time cruisers feel confident.

OceanCompass

This feature guides you toward points of interest and entertainment based on your preferences. It can also be set to alert you when specific friends or family members are nearby (with mutual opt-in), helping groups stay connected without constant phone calls.

On-Demand Entertainment

Stream movies, music, and interactive games to your cabin TV or personal device. The Princess Ocean Library offers digital books and magazines for reading offline—a nice touch for sea days.

Simplified Dining

The OceanNow app lets you order from any venue and track delivery in real-time. At peak lunch hours at the buffet, this alone justifies the technology—skip the self-serve lines and have your food brought to a table.

Port & Shopping

MedallionClass enhances the port experience with Oceanside—a feature that provides destination information, shopping recommendations, and even price matching at partnered retailers in port. This adds unexpected value, particularly for cruisers who enjoy shopping for souvenirs.

The catch: MedallionClass works best when fully adopted. Ships without it (or passengers who don’t use the app) get a lesser experience. Book MedallionClass ships whenever possible. The technology is now standard on most Princess vessels, but always verify before booking if MedallionClass is important to you.

Dining

Princess offers one of cruise lines’ most democratic dining approaches: the traditional two-seating main restaurant combined with flexible options that cater to different preferences. The quality in the main dining room consistently exceeds expectations for the category.

Traditional Main Dining

The three main restaurants (depending on ship size: Palm Springs, Santa Fe, and Continental, or variations) serve multi-course dinners with rotating menus emphasizing fresh ingredients and thoughtful preparation. The menu philosophy balances familiar comfort food with adventurous options, ensuring something for every palate.

On formal nights, the culinary team typically shines—lobster tail, prime rib, and elaborate desserts are executed at a level that competes with specialty restaurants on other lines. The Princess Cruise Line culinary team (based in Seattle) works with regional ingredients, particularly on Alaska sailings where fresh seafood is exceptional.

The Chef’s Table Light option provides a condensed version of the full Chef’s Table experience—an intimate multi-course tasting menu with wine pairings in the main dining room for a reasonable supplement.

Anytime Dining

Princess was an early adopter of flexible dining, and their implementation works well. You can:

Book specific times via the app or reservations
Walk in when space is available
Use your Medallion to be notified when your table is ready

This option suits cruisers who want to eat on their own schedule without the commitment of traditional seating. The flexibility is genuine, not just a marketing claim—many passengers appreciate avoiding rigid dining times.

Specialty Dining (Extra Cost)

Sabatini’s Italian Trattoria ($30-35 per person): Princess’s signature specialty restaurant, offering genuinely excellent pasta, risotto, and Italian seafood in an intimate Tuscan-inspired setting. This is worth the premium—reservations often fill quickly on embarkation day.

Crown Grill ($35-40 per person): Serves premium steaks and seafood in a sophisticated steakhouse atmosphere. Quality is strong and consistent, with excellent service from dedicated waitstaff.

The Chef’s Table Experience ($95-100 per person): Offers a multi-course progressive dinner with kitchen tours, premium wines, and behind-the-scenes insights from the executive chef. An excellent choice for foodies celebrating special occasions—the experience creates lasting memories beyond just the food.

Ocean Bleu (on newer ships): A sophisticated seafood restaurant offering fresh catches with ocean views. The quality is excellent, though the experience is less distinctive than Sabatini’s or Crown Grill.

Included Alternatives

The International Cafe serves espresso drinks, sandwiches, and pastries 24/7 as part of your fare—a genuine convenience that competitors often charge for. The World Fresh Marketplace buffet features live cooking stations, ethnic cuisine themes, and healthier options than many competitors.

Fresh Roll stations on newer ships offer made-to-order sushi andpoke bowls at lunch—a welcome addition for health-conscious cruisers.

Entertainment & Enrichment

Princess approaches entertainment differently than younger-skewing cruise lines. The emphasis is on enrichment and sophisticated evening options rather than high-energy nightlife, and this distinction matters enormously for the target demographic.

Theater Productions

The Princess Theater hosts Broadway-style shows with professional casts performing well-known musicals and variety acts. Productions are well-produced with strong vocals, though the repertoire leans toward classic (think “The Great American Songbook” and familiar Broadway hits) rather than contemporary.

The ShowLounge features comfortable stadium seating with excellent sightlines from every seat—something that sounds obvious but isn’t universal on cruise ships. Shows typically run 45-60 minutes with two performances most evenings.

Movies Under the Stars

The outdoor screen poolside shows movies, sporting events, and Princess’s signature Live at the Piazza concerts. This casual entertainment option has become iconic for Princess and is particularly beloved on Alaska sailings where watching films with glacier views creates unforgettable moments.

Pro tip: Bring warm layers and grab a blanket from your cabin—Alaska Movies Under the Stars can get cold, even in summer.

Enrichment Programs

Princess’s enrichment offerings stand out from competitors:

Discovery at Sea Programs: Partnership with Discovery and Animal Planet featuring nature documentaries and marine biology presentations. The Deadliest Catch-style presentations on Alaska sailings are particularly popular.

Scholarship@Sea Options: University-level lectures from subject matter experts covering history, culture, science, and current events. These intellectual presentations are genuinely educational—many passengers plan their sea day activities around specific lectures.

CreativeArts Workshops: Interactive craft-making with dedicated instructors, including watercolor painting, jewelry making, and photography workshops.

Local Port Experts: Scholars and experts who accompany ships and provide contextual lectures for upcoming ports. Their insights transform superficial port visits into meaningful cultural experiences.

Nightlife

Evening options include multiple lounges, piano bars, the casino, and the Night Club (a versatile venue for late-night dancing). The energy is sophisticated rather than wild—think martinis and conversation, not foam parties.

The Calypso Reef and Skywalker’s Nightclub (location varies by ship) provide dancing and live music into the wee hours, though the scene is never as intense as mass-market competitors.

Alaska-Specific Programming

Princess’s Alaska sailings feature exclusive programming unavailable elsewhere:

Taku Journeys: Enhanced Alaska-focused shore experiences combining luxury with adventure

Mountain Valley High Tea: A scenic afternoon tea service at spectacular Alaskan stops

Alaska Wildlife Explorer: Partnerships with the Alaska Whale Foundation for educational excursions

Klondike Experience: Themed evenings celebrating Alaskan gold rush history

Yankee Chef Breakfasts: Extended breakfast experiences in spectacular scenic areas

Pricing (2026 Rates)

Princess positions itself in the premium-mid market—above mass-market lines like Carnival and NCL, but below luxury lines like Regent and Seabourn. Here’s the 2026 pricing breakdown, per person, based on double occupancy, before extras:

Interior Cabins

Caribbean 7-night: $900-$1,400 per person
Mediterranean 7-night: $1,100-$1,700 per person
Alaska 7-night: $1,200-$1,800 per person

Balcony Cabins (Most Popular Option)

Caribbean 7-night: $1,400-$2,200 per person
Mediterranean 7-night: $1,600-$2,500 per person
Alaska 7-night: $1,800-$2,800 per person

Mini-Suites & Suites

Balcony Mini-Suite: $1,800-$3,000 per person for 7 nights
Club Class Mini-Suite: $2,000-$3,200 per person for 7 nights
Suite (Penthouse): $2,500-$4,500 per person for 7 nights

What’s included: Traditional dining rooms, buffet, basic entertainment, pool access, youth centers, room service (appetizers and desserts), use of beach towels

Extras to budget:

Gratuities (Crew Appreciation): ~$16 per person, per day
Beverage packages: $49-69 per person, per day (Princess Plus $65/day includes drinks, WiFi, gratuities; Princess Premier $100-105/day adds more)
Shore excursions: $75-250+ per person
Specialty dining: $30-100 per person
Spa treatments: $100-300+ per treatment
WiFi: $16-25 per device, per day

Package value: Princess’s Princess Plus and Princess Premium packages bundle gratuities, beverage packages, and WiFi at 40-60% savings versus buying à la carte. For most cruisers who enjoy alcoholic drinks, these packages make strong financial sense.

Who Should Sail Princess Cruises?

Consider Princess if you:

Are 50+ and appreciate a refined, unhurried atmosphere
Prioritize Alaska or Mediterranean itineraries (Princess excels at both)
Value enrichment programming and educational content
Want to cruise with a partner seeking romance without party scenes
Appreciate the convenience of MedallionClass technology
Enjoy traditional cruise elegance over contemporary amenities
Want excellent dining in main restaurants without specialty restaurant premiums
Are celebrating a milestone anniversary or special occasion

Skip Princess if you:

Seek high-energy nightlife, water slides, or carnival-style amenities
Travel primarily with young children or teenagers who need constant entertainment
Prefer ultra-contemporary ship design over classic cruise aesthetics
Want all-inclusive pricing without managing extras
Get seasick easily (some older ships have smaller cabins and less stabilizers)
Desire an international passenger mix and cultural diversity

Pros & Cons

Pros

✅ Exceptional Alaska expertise with curated shore excursions and local partnerships
✅ MedallionClass technology genuinely improves the cruise experience
✅ Strong enrichment programming including scholarship-level lectures
✅ Refined but approachable atmosphere attracts like-minded cruisers
✅ Solid dining quality in main restaurants, excellent Sabatini’s
✅ Good destination focus with substantial port time on most itineraries
✅ Spacious balconies on newer ships provide excellent Alaska viewing
✅ International Cafe 24/7 included—a genuine convenience
✅ Movies Under the Stars creates iconic moments on Alaska sailings
✅ Package value strong with Princess Plus/Premium bundles

Cons

❌ Demographic skews older—limited energy for younger travelers or families
❌ Fewer thrill amenities than competitors (no water slides, limited zip lines)
❌ Entertainment programming dated compared to contemporary cruise lines
❌ Smaller standard cabins on some ships feel cramped
❌ WiFi packages expensive for those who need connectivity
❌ Alaska balcony premiums steep but worth it for glacier viewing
❌ No specialty dining included (unlike some competitors)
❌ Nightlife limited for those seeking late-night energy

Stateroom Experience

Princess’s cabin offerings represent the traditional cruise aesthetic: warm woods, tasteful fabrics, and thoughtful layouts that maximize space. The standard accommodations won’t win design awards, but they’re comfortable and well-maintained.

Interior cabins: Functional with effective lighting and adequate storage for a week’s packing. The “Standard Interior” designation varies by ship class—newer ships have better designs.

Oceanview cabins: Feature larger windows than interior cabins (some obstructed on certain deck configurations), better ventilation, and a more open feeling. The “Standard Oceanview” is worth the modest premium over interior for any cabin-bound time.

Balcony cabins: The most popular option, featuring private verandahs with chairs and table. The outdoor space adds significantly to the cruise experience, particularly on Alaska sailings where you want fresh air and glacier views from your cabin.

Mini-suites: A significant step up with more space, larger balconies, sitting areas, and upgraded bathrooms with better shower configurations. For Alaska sailings, the extra space and premium views justify the price.

Suites and Penthouse: The top tier offers more space, better locations, premium bedding, priority embarkation, and access to the Club Class dining area. The Owner’s Suite on Sphere class ships offers dramatic ocean views and separate living areas.

One observation: Princess’s standard cabins are smaller than some competitors at similar price points. If cabin space matters significantly, consider upgrading to mini-suite for a meaningful difference.

Final Verdict

Princess Cruises occupies a sweet spot in the market: sophisticated enough for discerning travelers, accessible enough for first-time cruisers, and focused enough on destinations to deliver meaningful experiences. For Alaska sailings specifically, Princess is arguably the best mainstream choice available.

The line isn’t trying to compete with Virgin Voyages for cool factor or Royal Caribbean for thrills. Instead, Princess delivers reliable excellence in the areas its loyal passengers care about: good food, engaging enrichment, efficient service, and memorable destinations.

If you’re a couple in your 50s or 60s seeking a well-run cruise focused on exploration rather than entertainment, Princess should be on your shortlist. Compare it to Holland America Line (similar demographic, slightly different personality) or Celebrity Cruises (slightly elevated product, similar mature audience) to find your best fit.

For broader context on choosing your ideal cruise line, see our comprehensive Beginner’s Guide to Cruising.

AFFILIATE DISCLOSURE: This page contains affiliate links. If you book through links on this page, we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. We only recommend products and services we genuinely believe in.