Princess Cruises
The Love Boat grew up into cruising’s classiest all-rounder — and the undisputed heavyweight of Alaska, where Princess has been threading fjords since before most lines existed.
The Alaska Authority
Princess made television history as The Love Boat, but its real legacy is the north: more Alaska guests than any other line, hard-won Glacier Bay permits, and its own wilderness lodges at Denali that turn a cruise into a full land-and-sea expedition. At sea, the experience is polished without being stuffy — Movies Under the Stars on deck with popcorn and blankets, fresh pasta made to order, and the industry’s slickest tech in MedallionClass: a wearable coin that unlocks your door as you approach, finds your kids and your cocktails, and delivers drinks to wherever you’re lounging. The new Sphere class (Sun Princess, Star Princess) wraps it all in a three-deck glass dome.
The Vibe
Grown-up and gently romantic — string quartets at teatime, proper libraries, and sunsets treated as scheduled entertainment.
Signature Stuff
Glacier Bay scenic days, Denali cruise-tours, MedallionClass service, Movies Under the Stars, chocolate-and-champagne Love Boat traditions.
Who Will Love It
Couples, Alaska dreamers, and travelers who want refinement without luxury-line pricing. The cruise-tour combo is the single best way to see Alaska, full stop.
Destinations They Do Best
Ships in the Fleet
Guides to 17 Princess Cruises ships across 7 classes, with the tonnage, guest capacity, service date and — where recorded — the most recent refurbishment for each hull, grouped by class.
Sphere Class
Star Princess
Size 175,500 gross tons
Guests approximately 4,300
In service 2025
Ship guide ›Sun Princess
Size 175,500 gross tons
Guests approximately 4,300
In service 2024
Ship guide ›Royal Class
Discovery Princess
Size 145,000 gross tons
Guests approximately 3,660
In service 2022
Ship guide ›Enchanted Princess
Size 145,281 gross tons
Guests approximately 3,660
In service 2020
Ship guide ›Sky Princess
Size 145,281 gross tons
Guests approximately 3,660
In service 2019
Ship guide ›Majestic Princess
Size 142,216 gross tons
Guests approximately 3,560
In service 2017
Ship guide ›Regal Princess
Size 142,229 gross tons
Guests approximately 4,250
In service 2014
Ship guide ›Royal Princess
Size 142,229 gross tons
Guests approximately 3,600
In service 2013
Last refurbished 2018
Ship guide ›Grand (Gem) Class
Diamond Princess
Size 115,875 gross tons
Guests approximately 2,670
In service 2004
Last refurbished 2017
Ship guide ›Sapphire Princess
Size 115,875 gross tons
Guests approximately 2,670
In service 2004
Ship guide ›Grand (Crown) Class
Ruby Princess
Size 113,561 gross tons
Guests approximately 3,080
In service 2008
Ship guide ›Emerald Princess
Size 113,561 gross tons
Guests 3,114 at double occupancy
In service 2007
Last refurbished 2015
Ship guide ›Crown Princess
Size 113,561 gross tons
Guests approximately 3,080
In service 2006
Last refurbished 2018
Ship guide ›Grand (Caribbean) Class
Grand Class
Coral Class
Some lines visit Alaska.
Princess practically has a homestead.
Princess FAQs
Why is Princess considered the best line for Alaska?
Scale and access nobody else matches: the most Alaska sailings, coveted Glacier Bay permits, direct rail connections, and five Princess-owned wilderness lodges near Denali. Their cruise-tours pair a 7-night sail with 3–6 nights inland — the definitive Alaska trip.
What is MedallionClass?
Princess’s smart-ship system: a quarter-sized wearable that replaces your key card. Doors unlock as you walk up, crew greet you by name, and drinks or snacks can be delivered to wherever the medallion says you’re lounging. It sounds like a gimmick; by day two it feels like magic.
Is Princess formal?
Only if you want it to be. Most nights are smart casual; a couple of ‘dress-to-impress’ evenings per cruise apply mainly in the main dining rooms — and plenty of guests happily dodge them at the specialty restaurants. It’s elegance as an option, not a rule.
What is the difference between Princess Plus and Princess Premier?
Both are daily-rate bundles added to your fare. Plus covers a drinks allowance, WiFi for one device, your crew appreciation and a set number of casual dining meals. Premier lifts the drinks ceiling, extends WiFi to four devices, makes casual and specialty dining unlimited, and adds a shore excursion credit, photo package and reserved theatre seating. Both include crew appreciation, which is the detail that makes them better value than they first look. We will work out which one your habits justify.
How does crew appreciation work on Princess?
Princess adds a daily crew appreciation charge per guest to your onboard account, at a higher rate for suites and mini-suites than for standard staterooms. It can be adjusted onboard but not after the cruise ends. A separate service charge is added to drinks and specialty dining as you buy them. If you book either the Plus or Premier package, crew appreciation is already covered — one of the main reasons those bundles work out well.
How many formal nights are there on Princess?
It scales with the length of your voyage: none on sailings of four nights or fewer, one on five to six nights, two on a week to thirteen nights, and more again on longer voyages. Princess describes traditional formal attire — a gown or cocktail dress, and a tuxedo, dinner jacket or dark suit. The line asks guests to observe the dress code in the dining rooms, though the casual venues stay open throughout if you would rather not dress up.
How do we book dining on Princess?
Princess uses personalised dining: rather than being locked into one fixed sitting for the voyage, you reserve a preferred time in the main dining room, or book a specialty restaurant, and can do it day by day. The Medallion app is how most guests manage it, and booking your preferred slots before you sail is worth the five minutes. Traditional fixed-time dining is still available if you prefer the same table and waiters every evening.
What is the Captain's Circle?
Princess’s loyalty programme, and refreshingly easy to follow. You join at Gold on your first cruise, reach Ruby at three cruises or thirty days sailed, Platinum at five cruises or fifty days, and Elite at fifteen cruises or a hundred and fifty days. Benefits build from onboard credit and priority handling up to complimentary laundry and mini-bar setups at the top. Because the thresholds count days as well as cruises, longer voyages move you up faster.
Let's Plan Your Princess Cruise
Tell us who’s sailing and when — your specialist knows Princess’s fleet, fare sales, and cabin sweet spots, and the service is free.
Our planning costs you nothing — the cruise lines pay our commission, so your fare is the same as booking direct. A quote is yours to keep.
Weekend Bahamas run or 30-night grand voyage — same care.
Family reunions, weddings at sea, milestone birthdays — we love a full table.
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