The Ultimate PRINCESS Cruises Guide: What it is, how it works, and what to expect
Cruise guide · Updated 2026 · Premium · MedallionClass · Alaska expertise · Sphere class · Plus and Premier packages
Princess Cruises is one of the most recognisable names in ocean travel, built over six decades from a single chartered ship sailing Mexican Riviera routes into a fleet of 17 ships carrying millions of guests annually to destinations across all seven continents.
It occupies the premium segment of the cruise market: above the mainstream lines in atmosphere, cuisine, and service consistency, but more accessible in price and scale than the ultra-luxury brands.
Its signature MedallionClass technology, its unmatched position in Alaska, and the arrival of the new Sphere-class ships Sun Princess and Star Princess define where the brand stands in 2026.
This guide covers the brand’s history, its four ship classes, the MedallionClass technology, the Plus and Premier package model, dining, Alaska and the cruisetour programme, and how Princess compares to the rest of the premium and luxury cruise field.
Table of Content
MedallionClass: the technology at the core of the experience
The Plus and Premier packages: how Princess prices its inclusions
🎙️ LISTEN TO THE BEYOND THE HORIZON PODCAST
A brief history of Princess Cruises
Princess Cruises was founded in 1965 by Stanley McDonald, an entrepreneur who chartered a former Canadian Pacific ship, the Princess Patricia, to run Mexican Riviera sailings from Los Angeles during what would otherwise have been the vessel’s off-season. The name and the logo came from that original ship. Within two years, McDonald had chartered a second vessel and sailed Alaska for the first time in 1969, beginning an association with that destination that would become the defining relationship in the brand’s history.
The line grew through acquisitions and fleet expansion across the 1970s, eventually being acquired by P&O in 1974 and later becoming part of the broader Carnival Corporation portfolio when Carnival merged with P&O Princess Cruises in 2003. Today Princess operates as a key division of Carnival Corporation and remains headquartered in Santa Clarita, California.
The moment that most shaped Princess’s cultural profile came not from a ship but from a television series. Beginning in 1977, the American ABC programme The Love Boat was set aboard Pacific Princess and ran for nine seasons, exposing the Princess brand to tens of millions of American households per week. The association between Princess Cruises and the warmth, accessibility, and gentle romance of The Love Boat became one of the most durable brand identities in the history of travel. The name has been used deliberately by Princess ever since, including in the positioning of Sun Princess as the brand’s “next-level Love Boat” at its 2024 launch.
The brand marked its 60th anniversary in December 2025, completing more than six decades of continuous operation and establishing itself as the third largest cruise line in the world by net revenue.
The Princess fleet in 2026
Princess operates 17 ships across four classes, spanning a wide range of sizes from the smaller and more intimate Coral-class vessels to the newest and largest Sphere-class ships.
Coral class
Two ships: Coral Princess and Island Princess, each carrying approximately 2,000 guests. These are the smallest and most intimate vessels in the current active fleet, well-suited to itineraries that require passage through the Panama Canal (which they can navigate due to their smaller beam) and to Alaska routes where a more collected, quieter atmosphere complements the landscape. Both have been refurbished and remain popular choices for guests who prefer a less populated ship without sacrificing the Princess service standard.
Grand class
Nine ships built between 1998 and 2008, including Grand Princess, Diamond Princess, Sapphire Princess, Crown Princess, Emerald Princess, Ruby Princess, Caribbean Princess, and others. Guest capacity ranges from approximately 2,600 to 3,100. The Grand-class ships were the backbone of the fleet for over a decade and, following refurbishments, continue to offer the consistent Princess experience across Caribbean, Mediterranean, and Pacific itineraries.
Royal class
Six ships, the most recent of which is Discovery Princess, which entered service in 2022. The Royal-class ships carry between 3,560 and 3,660 guests at approximately 142,000 to 145,000 gross tons. Features specific to the Royal class include the SeaWalk glass-enclosed walkway extending over the side of the ship, Piazza-style atriums spanning multiple decks, and the full suite of MedallionClass technology. Royal-class ships include Royal Princess, Regal Princess, Majestic Princess, Sky Princess, Enchanted Princess, and Discovery Princess.
Sphere class
The newest and largest class in Princess history. Sun Princess entered service in February 2024 and Star Princess followed in late 2025. Each carries approximately 4,300 guests at 177,800 gross tons, making them the largest ships ever operated by Princess. The Sphere class introduces the Dome, a glass-enclosed indoor-outdoor space at the top of the ship with panoramic views, and the Sphere Piazza, a reimagined central social hub. Both ships are powered by liquefied natural gas, the first in the Princess fleet to run on LNG. Sun Princess was named Condé Nast Traveler’s Mega Ship of the Year for 2024.
Princess fleet at a glance
Coral class: 2 ships, approximately 2,000 guests each, Panama Canal capable
Grand class: 9 ships, 2,600 to 3,100 guests each, launched 1998 to 2008
Royal class: 6 ships, 3,560 to 3,660 guests each, launched 2013 to 2022
Sphere class: 2 ships, approximately 4,300 guests each, Sun Princess 2024, Star Princess 2025, LNG-powered
Itinerary range: Alaska, Caribbean, Mediterranean, Europe, Asia, Australia, Panama Canal, world voyages
All ships: MedallionClass technology fleet-wide
MedallionClass: the technology at the core of the experience
Princess’s most distinctive competitive advantage is MedallionClass, a proprietary guest experience platform built around the OceanMedallion, a quarter-sized wearable device that guests receive before boarding and carry throughout the voyage.
The Medallion connects to the ship’s sensor network and the Princess App to enable a range of functions that collectively reduce friction across every part of the onboard experience. Cabin doors unlock automatically as the Medallion approaches, eliminating the need to search for a keycard. Boarding is touchless and significantly faster than conventional check-in. The app allows guests to order food and drinks from anywhere on the ship and have them delivered to their location, tracked in real-time. Family members can be located anywhere on the ship through the app. Dining reservations, spa bookings, and shore excursion scheduling are all managed through the same platform.
MedallionNet Max, the fleet-wide high-speed internet service powered by a combination of satellite networks including Starlink, rolled out fully across the fleet in 2026, providing stable streaming-quality connectivity even in remote Alaskan fjords and Pacific Ocean crossings.
The practical effect of MedallionClass is a shipboard experience that feels more responsive and less logistically demanding than most cruise lines at this scale. Guests with young children describe the family location feature as one of the most valuable tools they have used at sea. Solo travellers and working guests value the connectivity. The overall reduction in administrative friction is one of the most consistently praised elements of the Princess experience across all age groups.
The Plus and Premier packages: how Princess prices its inclusions
Princess operates a three-tier fare structure. The standard fare (Princess Standard) covers the base cruise with accommodation, main dining, entertainment, and access to the MedallionClass platform. Above that sit two add-on packages that significantly alter the onboard cost experience.
Princess Plus
Priced at $65 per person per day for most ships (and $70 for Sun Princess and Star Princess) when purchased before the voyage, the Plus package adds the following for 2026 sailings:
Plus Beverage Package: cocktails, wine by the glass, beer, spirits, specialty coffee, and non-alcoholic beverages up to $15 per drink
Single-device MedallionNet Wi-Fi
Four casual dining meals per voyage at no additional charge
Waived OceanNow delivery fee and room service fee
Daily crew appreciation charge included
Princess Premier
Priced at $100 per person per day for most ships ($105 for Sphere-class), the Premier package upgrades to the full experience:
Premier Beverage Package: unlimited beverages up to $20 per drink
Four-device MedallionNet Max Wi-Fi
Unlimited casual and specialty dining
Shore excursion credits: $100 for 6-to-9-night voyages, $200 for 10-to-20-night voyages, $300 for voyages of 21 nights or longer
Unlimited digital professional photos
Reserved seating for theatrical shows
Daily crew appreciation included
For most guests planning to drink wine with dinner, use Wi-Fi regularly, and take at least one specialty dining meal per voyage, the Plus package represents a meaningful improvement in daily onboard simplicity at a reasonable daily cost. The Premier package makes most sense for guests who plan to take multiple shore excursions, eat specialty dining nightly, and want to avoid any onboard financial calculations.
Dining across the fleet
Princess dining spans from the included main dining rooms to specialty restaurants charged separately or covered by the Plus and Premier packages.
The main dining rooms on all Princess ships operate with flexible dining times and a daily-changing menu drawing on regional cuisine from the itinerary. The standard is consistently above what most mainstream lines offer, though not at the level of true culinary-focused lines like Oceania or Celebrity’s more premium venues.
Specialty dining includes the Crown Grill steakhouse, Sabatini’s Italian restaurant, and various ship-specific options. Casual dining venues have expanded under the updated package structure, with a $14.99 cover charge applying per visit for Standard guests outside the Plus or Premier packages.
On Sun Princess and Star Princess, the dining programme is more extensively developed, with a broader range of concepts and the Sphere-class-specific dining architecture. The 60th anniversary commemorative sailing in March 2026 departing from Los Angeles included exclusive dining events tied to the anniversary programming.
Alaska and the cruisetour programme
Alaska is the single strongest differentiator in the Princess portfolio and the area where the brand’s competitive advantage over all other cruise lines is most pronounced.
Princess has been sailing Alaska since 1969, over five decades of continuous operation in the region. It has been voted Best Cruise Line in Alaska by Travel Weekly readers 22 consecutive times. It takes more guests to Glacier Bay National Park than any other cruise line. Park rangers from the National Park Service board Princess ships sailing through Glacier Bay to provide live commentary and answer questions, an arrangement that reflects the depth of the relationship between the line and the destination.
For 2026, Princess operates its largest Alaska season on record: 180 sailings to 19 destinations across eight ships, including Star Princess making her Alaska debut from Seattle on May 3. Five homeports serve the 2026 season: Seattle, Vancouver, San Francisco, Whittier, and Los Angeles.
The cruisetour programme is the most comprehensive land-and-sea Alaska offering available from any cruise line. Princess owns and operates five wilderness lodges in Alaska: two in the Denali area, one in Fairbanks, one on the Kenai Peninsula, and one in the Copper River region. Guests can combine a seven-day cruise with rail travel aboard Princess’s Direct-to-the-Wilderness glass-dome railcars and multiple nights at these lodges. Over 20 cruisetour options are available for 2026, including the 15-night National Parks Tour that visits five Alaskan national parks: Glacier Bay, Denali, Wrangell-St. Elias, Kenai Fjords, and the Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park in Skagway.
No other cruise line owns the land infrastructure that Princess has built in Alaska over five decades. The private wilderness lodges, the rail access, and the National Park Service relationship combine to produce an Alaska experience that cannot be replicated by booking separately.
How Princess compares to other cruise lines
Princess Cruises
Best for: Alaska expertise, consistent premium quality, MedallionClass technology, and accessible premium pricing
The undisputed leader in Alaska with the deepest land infrastructure and the only private wilderness lodge network in the region. MedallionClass is the most developed shipboard technology platform in the premium segment. The Plus and Premier packages offer a clear and well-structured path to a near-all-inclusive experience. Carries 2,000 to 4,300 guests depending on ship class.
Celebrity Cruises
Best for: Design leadership and culinary credentials
The more design-forward choice with Edge-class architecture and Daniel Boulud’s Forbes Five-Star-rated Le Voyage. A stronger culinary identity at the premium level. Less Alaska infrastructure than Princess but a strong summer Alaska season. Ships carry 3,000 to 3,480 guests in the active fleet.
Holland America Line
Best for: Longer itineraries and a slightly older, more traditionally-minded demographic
A sister brand under Carnival Corporation, positioned at a similar premium tier but with a stronger emphasis on world voyages, extended itineraries, and a more formal social atmosphere. Less technology-forward than Princess. Also strong in Alaska with its own lodge infrastructure.
Azamara
Best for: Destination immersion and smaller-ship intimacy
Much smaller ships (686 guests) with overnight port calls, AzAmazing Evenings, and a genuinely immersive destination programme. Less comprehensive in amenities and onboard activities than Princess but more focused on what happens ashore.
Oceania Cruises
Best for: Culinary depth and longer voyages
Stronger culinary programme with Jacques Pépin, itineraries up to 199 nights, ships carrying 670 to 1,250 guests. Less technology-forward than Princess. Not family-oriented. A narrower itinerary focus than Princess’s global programme.
Regent Seven Seas
Best for: The most comprehensive all-inclusive package in the market
Fully all-inclusive including shore excursions, business class flights, specialty dining, and beverages. Ships carry 700 to 850 guests at a significantly higher price point than Princess. The right comparison for guests considering Princess Premier and wondering whether a fully all-inclusive ultra-luxury line might offer better total value.
Who Princess is best suited for
Princess works for a broader range of travellers than most premium lines, and that range is a feature rather than a flaw.
Couples and families who want a consistently polished premium experience without the formality of traditional luxury lines or the noise of mainstream megaships
Alaska travellers at any experience level: Princess is the default first choice for a first Alaska cruise and the most comprehensive option for experienced Alaska visitors who want to go deeper with a cruisetour
Technology-oriented travellers who appreciate the MedallionClass platform and the friction-reduction it provides across the daily experience
Travellers who want a clear and honest package structure through Plus or Premier rather than constantly calculating onboard costs
Multigenerational groups: Princess ships accommodate children and adults equally well, and the MedallionClass family location feature is genuinely useful
World cruise travellers: Princess’s world cruise programme is one of the longest-established in the industry and regularly sells out well in advance
Princess is less suited to travellers seeking the most intimate small-ship experience, those who want adults-only environments, or those for whom the absolute pinnacle of culinary or design experience is the primary criterion. For those priorities, Celebrity, Oceania, or an ultra-luxury line will be a closer fit.
Frequently asked questions
What is MedallionClass and the OceanMedallion?
The OceanMedallion is a small wearable device provided to every Princess guest that connects to the ship’s sensor network and the Princess App. It enables touchless boarding, automatic cabin door unlocking, food and drink delivery to any location on the ship, family member tracking, and a unified platform for dining reservations, shore excursions, and onboard purchases. MedallionNet Max, powered in part by Starlink, provides fleet-wide high-speed internet. The full platform is included with every Princess fare at no additional charge; Wi-Fi is added through the Plus or Premier package.
What is the difference between Princess Plus and Princess Premier?
Both are add-on packages priced per person per day. Plus ($65 per day, $70 on Sphere-class ships) adds a beverage package up to $15 per drink, single-device Wi-Fi, four casual dining meals, and waived delivery and room service fees. Premier ($100 per day, $105 on Sphere-class) upgrades to unlimited beverages up to $20 per drink, four-device Wi-Fi, unlimited specialty and casual dining, shore excursion credits based on voyage length, unlimited digital photos, and reserved theatre seating. Standard fare guests pay separately for Wi-Fi, beverages, casual dining cover charges, and delivery fees.
What are the Sphere-class ships?
Sun Princess and Star Princess are the two Sphere-class vessels, the newest and largest in Princess history at 177,800 gross tons carrying approximately 4,300 guests. Both are LNG-powered. Sun Princess entered service in February 2024 and was named Condé Nast Traveler’s Mega Ship of the Year. Star Princess entered service in late 2025. The Sphere class introduces the Dome, a glass-enclosed panoramic space at the ship’s top, and the Sphere Piazza social hub. Package pricing for Sphere-class ships is $5 per day higher than the rest of the fleet for both Plus and Premier.
Why is Princess considered the top choice for Alaska?
Princess has been sailing Alaska since 1969 and has been voted Best Cruise Line in Alaska by Travel Weekly readers 22 consecutive times. It takes more guests to Glacier Bay National Park than any other line, with National Park Service rangers boarding ships during the Glacier Bay transit. Princess owns five private wilderness lodges in Alaska and operates over 20 cruisetour options combining sailing, rail travel, and lodge stays near national parks including Denali, Kenai Fjords, and Wrangell-St. Elias. The 2026 season is the largest in the brand’s history at 180 sailings across 19 destinations.
What is an Alaska cruisetour?
A cruisetour combines a standard Alaska cruise with a land programme that includes rail travel aboard Princess’s glass-dome Direct-to-the-Wilderness railcars and overnight stays at Princess Wilderness Lodges near major national parks. Over 20 cruisetour options are available for 2026, ranging from 10 to 15 nights total. The most comprehensive option, the 15-night National Parks Tour, includes visits to five Alaskan national parks. The land portion is unique to Princess because the lodges are owned and operated by the cruise line rather than contracted from third parties.
Who owns Princess Cruises?
Princess Cruises is a wholly owned subsidiary of Carnival Corporation and plc, the world’s largest cruise company. It was acquired by P&O in 1974, and became part of Carnival Corporation when Carnival completed its merger with P&O Princess Cruises in 2003. Princess operates independently with its own management, fleet, and brand identity, headquartered in Santa Clarita, California.
Plan your Princess Cruise with ÆRIA Voyages
Every traveller’s ideal Princess voyage looks different depending on the destination, the ship class, the cabin category, and the package level that fits their habits. I help clients navigate those questions, from choosing between a Royal-class and Sphere-class sailing, to building an Alaska cruisetour that includes the right lodges and rail segments, to understanding whether Premier offers better value than adding the equivalent inclusions à la carte.
If you are curious about pricing, current availability, or whether Princess is the right fit for your travel vision, I would be glad to talk it through.
Yvan Junior Blanchette
Travel & Cruise Specialist
ÆRIA Voyages📩 yvanblanchette@aeriavoyages.com
📞 1-888-460-3388
🌐 aeriavoyages.com