Cruise Line Briefing
Princess Cruises: Is It Right for You?
An independent advisor’s guide to the traveler fit, ships, packages, cabins, strengths, and tradeoffs.
Princess occupies a useful middle ground: a polished, traditional cruise experience with broad destination reach and particular strength in Alaska. The real decision is which ship, itinerary, cabin, and package create the right version of Princess for you.
Already booked directly? Send the reservation details promptly so I can review whether it may still be eligible for transfer.
The Advisor’s View
Jack’s assessment
Princess is a strong choice for travelers who want a destination-focused cruise with a polished, familiar onboard experience. It is especially compelling in Alaska, where its ships, rail service, wilderness lodges, and cruisetours can connect the voyage with a deeper journey inland.
I most often recommend Princess to couples, multigenerational families, and travelers who value itineraries, comfortable pacing, traditional cruise touches, and the option to bundle more of the trip through Princess Plus or Princess Premier. The deciding question is not simply whether Princess is a good line. It is which Princess ship, itinerary, cabin, and package best fit the way you want to travel.
The most common misconception
Princess is not one uniform experience. Its newest Sphere-class ships feel meaningfully different from older Royal-, Grand-, and Coral-class vessels. Ship generation, passenger capacity, cabin location, dining setup, and itinerary can matter as much as the Princess name.
When I recommend another line
Travelers seeking an adults-only atmosphere, high-energy nightlife, extensive attractions for children, or a genuinely all-inclusive luxury product may be better served by another cruise line. I would rather recommend the right alternative than force a Princess booking.
Traveler Fit
Who tends to enjoy Princess Cruises?
Princess works best for travelers who value strong itineraries, comfortable premium surroundings, familiar cruise traditions, and a relaxed onboard pace.
Strong Princess Fit
Princess may be right for you if…
You want a destination-led cruise with polished service, broad appeal, and enough onboard choice without a relentlessly high-energy atmosphere.
- The itinerary matters as much as the ship Princess is especially strong in Alaska and also offers extensive choices in Europe, the Caribbean, Japan, and other destination-rich regions.
- You prefer a relaxed premium experience Service is generally polished and approachable, with a more traditional rhythm than high-energy contemporary resort ships.
- You appreciate familiar cruise traditions Main dining rooms, production shows, live music, deck time, and quieter evenings remain recognizable parts of the experience.
- You want choices without a crowded resort feel Newer Princess ships offer more venues and features, while the overall atmosphere remains calmer than many family-focused megaships.
- You are traveling as a couple or across generations Princess often works well for couples, adult families, and multigenerational groups whose interests differ but who want to share the same voyage.
Consider Another Line
You may prefer another option if…
You want an adults-only atmosphere, a small-ship experience, highly inclusive pricing, or nonstop attractions and nightlife.
- You want an adults-only ship Princess welcomes families. Adult spaces are available, but the ship as a whole is not designed exclusively for travelers age 18 and older.
- You prefer small ships and uncommon ports Many Princess ships are large, so travelers seeking fewer guests, intimate service, or access to smaller ports may prefer another line.
- You want most extras included in the base fare Princess Standard leaves several common extras outside the fare. Plus and Premier can simplify the experience, but only when the package matches how you will travel.
- You want nonstop nightlife and attractions Princess offers entertainment and activity, but it is not built around water parks, thrill rides, or an always-on party atmosphere.
- You assume every Princess ship feels the same Ship generation matters. A voyage on a newer Sphere-class ship can feel substantially different from one on an older vessel, even under the same brand.
Traveler fit depends on the ship, itinerary, cabin, package, travel companions, and preferred pace. When the answer is not obvious, send me the sailing for review.
Distinctly Princess
What differentiates Princess Cruises?
Princess combines destination-focused itineraries with a relaxed premium onboard experience. Its strongest advantages become clearer when you compare the itinerary, ship generation, cabin, and package rather than judging the line by price alone.
Alaska expertise on land and sea
Princess has a particularly deep Alaska program, with glacier itineraries, rail connections, wilderness lodges, and cruisetours that extend beyond the ports. The right choice depends on how much time you want inland as well as which glaciers and ports matter most.
Destination-focused itineraries
Princess is strongest when the itinerary is the reason for the trip. Alaska, Europe, Japan, the Caribbean, and longer voyages offer broad choices, while enrichment and regional programming help connect the ship experience to the places being visited.
MedallionClass convenience
The wearable Medallion supports touchless cabin entry, onboard navigation, locating travel companions, and delivery to many areas of the ship. It can make a large vessel feel easier to use, although some delivery and service benefits depend on the package selected.
A fleet with meaningful differences
A Grand-class ship, Royal-class ship, and newer Sphere-class ship do not deliver the same experience. Size, layout, dining, balcony options, public spaces, and passenger flow vary enough that choosing the right ship matters.
Standard, Plus, or Premier
Princess lets travelers choose a base fare or bundle many common expenses through Plus or Premier. Drinks, Wi-Fi, gratuities, dining, and other benefits can change the real trip cost substantially, so the best package depends on how you will actually travel.
Traditional without feeling formal
Princess retains familiar cruise traditions—main dining rooms, production shows, live music, enrichment, and attentive service— in a generally relaxed atmosphere. It suits travelers who want a recognizable cruise experience without constant high-energy activity.
Package Comparison
Princess Standard, Plus, or Premier?
Princess offers the same underlying cruise with three very different approaches to onboard spending. Standard keeps the initial fare lower. Plus bundles the expenses many travelers expect to incur. Premier adds broader dining, higher beverage limits, more connectivity, and several voyage-level benefits. The right choice depends on what you will actually use—not which package has the longest list.
Princess Standard
Included in the base cruise fare
Often the best fit for travelers who drink little, do not need continuous Wi-Fi, prefer included dining, or want to pay only for the extras they actually use.
Princess Plus
$65 per person, per day*
Usually the first package worth pricing for travelers who expect to use Wi-Fi, beverages, crew appreciation, and some casual dining during the voyage.
Princess Premier
$100 per person, per day*
Best considered by travelers who will use premium beverages, multiple devices, extensive specialty dining, excursion credit, professional photos, and reserved theater seating.
| Benefit | Standard | Plus | Premier |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pre-cruise price | Base cruise fare |
$65 per person, per day $70 on Sun Princess and Star Princess |
$100 per person, per day $105 on Sun Princess and Star Princess |
| Best fit | Light onboard spenders who prefer à la carte choices | Travelers who expect to use the core bundled benefits | Travelers who will use premium drinks, dining, Wi-Fi, and additional benefits |
| Beverages | Purchased separately | Up to 15 qualifying drinks per day, valued at up to $15 each; specialty coffees and teas included | Unlimited qualifying drinks valued at up to $20 each; specialty coffees and teas included |
| Wi-Fi | Purchased separately | One device per guest | Four devices per guest |
| Crew appreciation | Added separately | Included | Included |
| Casual dining | Included venues remain available; participating prix-fixe venues cost extra | Four participating prix-fixe meals per guest, per voyage | Unlimited participating prix-fixe meals |
| Specialty dining | Purchased separately | Not included | Included, subject to one meal per mealtime, per day, availability, and package terms |
| OceanNow and room-service delivery | OceanNow access and most phone-ordered room-service deliveries carry separate fees | Delivery access and eligible room-service delivery included | Delivery access and eligible room-service delivery included |
| Shore-excursion credit | Not included | Not included | $100 for 6–9 days; $200 for 10–20 days; $300 for voyages of 21 days or longer |
| Photos and theater seating | Not included | Not included | Eligible digital photos and prints, plus reserved production-show seating, subject to package terms |
Calculate the whole voyage
Package prices are charged per person, per cruise day. A small daily difference becomes meaningful on a longer itinerary, so I compare the total package cost against the benefits you are realistically likely to use.
Check the ship
Sun Princess and Star Princess carry higher package pricing. Dining venues and other package opportunities also vary by ship, so the same package may not deliver identical practical value across the fleet.
Buy early when appropriate
Princess’s lower package price requires purchase at least four full days—or 96 hours—before departure. Later or onboard purchases currently cost an additional $5 per person, per day.
Before You Commit
What to understand before you deposit
The advertised fare is only the starting point. The particular ship, stateroom, Standard or package choice, deposit terms, cancellation schedule, dining plan, and promotion can materially affect the value of a Princess reservation.
Select the ship, not only the line
Princess is not one uniform experience. Review the ship class, age, refurbishment history, public-space layout, dining venues, passenger capacity, and the way that particular vessel serves the itinerary. Sun and Star Princess differ substantially from the line’s older ships.
Understand the deposit and cancellation rules
Princess uses different final-payment and penalty schedules based on voyage length. A nonrefundable or specially priced deposit may remain at risk before the main penalty period begins, and name or departure-date changes can be treated as cancellations. The booking confirmation controls.
Examine the exact stateroom
Category names do not tell the full story. Deck, location, balcony type, obstruction, connecting doors, nearby public spaces, possible motion, cabin-assignment rules, and the difference between standard, Reserve Collection, and Sanctuary Collection accommodations all deserve review.
Compare Standard, Plus, and Premier
Plus and Premier are broader than drink packages: they can bundle Crew Appreciation, Wi-Fi, beverages, dining, and delivery. Premier adds further benefits. Compare what you will actually use, note that package pricing differs on Sun and Star Princess, and remember that shipboard packages do not cover an Alaska cruisetour’s land portion. Review the package comparison before defaulting to the highest or lowest option.
Plan dining before the best times fill
Princess offers traditional, reservable, and walk-in main dining, but preferred seating, specialty restaurants, and experiential venues can fill. A package may cover an eligible meal; it does not guarantee a particular restaurant or time. Confirm when reservations open for your booking and ship.
Verify the promotion and total trip cost
Public offers, group pricing, military benefits, Future Cruise Deposits, casino offers, onboard credits, and package promotions do not always combine in the same way. Then account for flights, hotels, transfers, insurance, excursions, and land-tour meals. The largest advertised discount is not necessarily the best complete booking.
The cheapest fare and the best booking are not always the same.
Send me the ship, departure date, route, stateroom, package, price, and promotion you found. I will review the reservation as a complete decision—including whether a recently booked direct Princess reservation may still be eligible for transfer.
Policy summary reviewed . Fares, inclusions, promotions, and booking rules change. Confirm the terms attached to your reservation or review Princess Cruises’ current cancellation and refund policy before committing.
Advisor Support
What Tradecraft Travel adds to a Princess booking
Princess can show you available ships, itineraries, and staterooms. It cannot determine which ship generation fits your preferences, whether Standard, Plus, or Premier offers the right value, or how the cruise should connect with the rest of your trip. That is where the advisory relationship begins.
Fit before inventory
I begin with the traveler rather than the available cabin. Your preferred atmosphere, itinerary pace, dining style, budget, travel companions, and expectations help determine whether Princess—and which Princess ship—is the right recommendation.
A complete booking review
I examine the ship, itinerary, stateroom category, deck location, fare terms, promotion, payment schedule, and Standard, Plus, or Premier package options. For recently booked direct reservations, I can also review whether a transfer may still be possible.
Planning beyond the sailing
The cruise is only one part of the trip. I can help connect it with flights, hotels, transfers, insurance, shore experiences, and post-cruise travel. For Alaska, that may also include comparing sea-only itineraries with Princess cruisetours, rail journeys, and wilderness-lodge stays.
Support after the deposit
I remain involved as final payment approaches and departure planning begins. You have one point of contact who already understands the reservation, your priorities, and the decisions that shaped the trip.
Keep the comparison working for you.
Use these briefings to explore Princess Cruises, compare your options, and prepare for a better booking decision.
Find Your Best-Fit Cruise Style
Translate your preferred atmosphere, ship size, itinerary, cabin priorities, dining style, and budget into a clearer shortlist.
Use the Cruise Matchmaker →
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Princess Cruises questions, answered
These are the practical questions travelers most often ask while deciding whether Princess fits their travel style, which fare approach makes sense, and whether a particular ship and itinerary are worth booking.
Policies and inclusions can change. The fare and terms attached to the specific reservation control, so current details should be verified before a deposit is placed.
Is Princess Cruises adults-only?
No. Princess welcomes families and provides youth programming for children and teens on many sailings. Infants generally must be at least 6 months old, or at least 12 months old on trans-ocean crossings and certain remote itineraries with more than two consecutive sea days.
Princess still tends to feel more adult-oriented than lines built around water parks, characters, and high-energy family attractions. The guest mix varies by ship, destination, sailing length, and school calendar.
Is Princess Cruises all-inclusive?
No. The Standard cruise fare includes your stateroom, main dining rooms, the buffet and selected casual venues, most entertainment, and many onboard activities.
Crew appreciation, Wi-Fi, alcoholic and specialty beverages, specialty dining, shore excursions, spa services, and other optional purchases generally cost extra unless they are included through a package, promotion, or stateroom benefit.
What is the difference between Princess Standard, Plus, and Premier?
Standard keeps the initial cruise fare lower and lets you buy extras individually. Plus bundles commonly used benefits such as crew appreciation, Wi-Fi, eligible beverages, and limited casual dining. Premier adds higher beverage limits, more connected devices, broader dining benefits, and additional voyage-level inclusions.
The right answer depends on the ship, voyage length, package version, and what each traveler will actually use. See the full Princess Standard, Plus, and Premier comparison on this page.
Does Princess offer traditional or flexible dining?
Princess supports several main-dining approaches, including traditional early or late seating, reservable dining times, and walk-in dining. The precise arrangement can vary by ship and venue.
Reservations are capacity-controlled. Travelers with a strong preference for a particular time, table size, or specialty restaurant should make arrangements early through the Princess app or the options available in Manage Booking.
Does Princess Cruises have formal nights?
Yes. Princess schedules formal evenings on many sailings and asks guests to observe the published dress guidance in dining venues. The number of formal nights generally depends on the length and character of the itinerary.
Princess’s stated formal guidance includes an evening gown, cocktail dress, or elegant pantsuit, and a tuxedo, dark suit, or dinner jacket with slacks. Travelers should check the guidance for their specific voyage rather than assuming every evening has the same dress expectation.
Is Princess Cruises good for solo travelers?
Princess can be a good fit for independent travelers who value destination-rich itineraries, enrichment, traditional cruise service, and the option to join activities without being placed in a hosted singles program.
Solo pricing requires careful comparison because many staterooms are priced for double occupancy and the effective single supplement can vary substantially by ship, sailing, category, and promotion. I compare the total solo price rather than assuming the lowest advertised per-person fare applies.
What is the difference between an Alaska cruise and a Princess cruisetour?
An Alaska cruise remains ship-based and visits the ports and scenic-cruising areas shown in its itinerary. A Princess Alaska cruisetour combines a cruise with an inland itinerary that may include Princess rail service and stays at Princess wilderness lodges near Denali or other interior destinations.
The land portion operates differently from the ship: meals, gratuities, transfers, and included activities vary by itinerary. The day-by-day inclusions should be reviewed before comparing a cruisetour price with a cruise-only fare.
Can I transfer a direct Princess booking to Tradecraft Travel?
An eligible reservation made directly with Princess may be reassigned to a travel advisor, but Princess must approve the request and the booking’s age, payment status, fare, and other conditions can affect eligibility.
Send the reservation details promptly so I can review the current transfer rules before any deadline passes. Reassigning the servicing advisor does not guarantee a lower fare or additional benefits, and it does not transfer the reservation to a different passenger.
Before You Book
Considering Princess? Send me the sailing before you deposit.
I will help you evaluate the traveler fit, fare restrictions, cabin, itinerary, current promotion, and overall trip—not just the price displayed on the booking screen.
No obligation. Recently created direct reservations may also be worth reviewing promptly for possible advisor transfer.