Cruise Line · Mid-Range
Princess Cruises
Princess suits couples, repeat cruisers, and travelers prioritizing Alaska, the Panama Canal, or longer destination-immersive itineraries over onboard mega-ship spectacle — a calmer, more traditional cruise experience than Royal Caribbean or Carnival.
A Bit of History
Princess Cruises was founded in 1965 with a single ship sailing to Mexico, and grew steadily through the following decades before its profile was permanently changed by an outside event: the 1977 television debut of The Love Boat, filmed aboard Princess ships and turning the line into a cultural shorthand for cruising itself for an entire generation.
That television-driven brand recognition helped Princess grow into one of the most established operators in Alaska and the Panama Canal, itineraries the line has invested in more heavily than most Caribbean-focused mainstream competitors.
What Makes Princess Cruises Different
Princess is the rare cruise line whose defining brand moment came from television rather than the sea — The Love Boat's decade-long run turned Princess into cultural shorthand for cruising itself, a marketing advantage no competitor has matched since.
Destinations & US Homeports
Destinations Served
US Departure Ports
Sample Packages & Itineraries
Starting prices are per person, based on double occupancy, and vary by season and cabin category.
7-Night Alaska Voyage of the Glaciers
AlaskaPrincess is one of the most established Alaska operators, with its own lodges and rail partnerships for land tours.
7 nights · Departs from Seattle, WA or Vancouver, Canada
7-Night Caribbean
CaribbeanA more relaxed pace than the mega-ship lines, with a mix of Eastern and Western itineraries.
7 nights · Departs from Fort Lauderdale, FL
10–14 Night Panama Canal
Panama CanalFull or partial canal transits, a Princess specialty among mainstream lines.
10–14 nights · Departs from Fort Lauderdale, FL or Los Angeles, CA
10–12 Night Mediterranean
MediterraneanMulti-country European itineraries with a slower, more destination-focused pace.
10–12 nights · Departs from Fly-cruise from Rome, Barcelona, or Athens
Which Trip Length Is Right for You?
First-Timer (7 nights)
Caribbean or a 7-night Alaska Inside Passage sailing are Princess's most approachable starting points.
Classic (10–14 nights)
Panama Canal or extended Mediterranean itineraries are where Princess's destination focus really shows.
Longer (14+ nights)
Consider a positioning cruise or a segment of a longer world itinerary if you want more time at sea.
Cabin Categories
Interior
$70–110/night
Standard no-window cabin, a solid budget option for destination-focused itineraries like Alaska.
Ocean View
$100–150/night
Especially popular on Alaska sailings for scenery viewing without the balcony premium.
Balcony
$150–220/night
The most popular category, particularly valuable for glacier and fjord viewing.
Suite
$300–600+/night
Includes access to a dedicated concierge lounge and priority dining reservations.
Recommended Budget by Group Size
Estimated cabin cost for the itinerary above — actual fares vary by season and sailing date.
Couple
$2,100–$3,080 for a 7-night balcony cabin
Based on double occupancy; compare the Plus/Premier bundled fares against à la carte.
Family of 4
$3,200–$4,600 for a 7-night balcony cabin
Assumes 2 kids at discounted 3rd/4th-guest fares sharing the same cabin.
Group of 6+
$4,700–$6,900 for 7 nights
Best split across 2 cabins near each other rather than one large room.
Onboard Amenities
Movies Under the Stars
Poolside big-screen movie nights, a long-running Princess signature feature.
The Sanctuary
An adults-only, extra-fee relaxation deck with private cabanas.
Discovery at SEA
Onboard science and nature programming developed with the Discovery Channel.
Extensive Alaska shore excursion network
Includes Princess-operated wilderness lodges and rail partnerships for land-based extensions.
Chef's Table
A multi-course, behind-the-scenes dining experience hosted by the ship's executive chef.
Piazza atrium entertainment
An Italian piazza-style central atrium with live music and casual dining.
Hidden Gem
The Sanctuary's adults-only bow seating
A quieter, extra-fee relaxation deck at the front of the ship that most guests overlook — worth it specifically for sea days on longer Alaska or Panama Canal itineraries.
Things to Know Before You Book
Gratuities
Automatically added daily, typically around $16–18 per person depending on stateroom category.
Plus and Premier fare bundles
Princess sells most cabins under bundled fare tiers that include Wi-Fi, drinks, and gratuities upfront — compare the bundled total against booking à la carte.
Dining
Traditional fixed and flexible 'Anytime Dining' options are both available, a middle ground between rigid and fully flexible dining structures.
Alaska land packages
Princess's own wilderness lodges and rail tours make pre- or post-cruise Alaska land extensions notably easier to book than with most competitors.
Wi-Fi
MedallionNet is generally considered one of the faster shipboard internet systems in the mainstream segment.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- + Among the strongest Alaska and Panama Canal itinerary networks
- + Calmer, more traditional onboard atmosphere
- + Fare bundles can offer genuine value if you'd buy the inclusions anyway
- + Strong repeat-cruiser loyalty program
Cons
- – Less onboard activity variety than Royal Caribbean or Carnival
- – Fewer dedicated kids' facilities than family-focused competitors
- – Fleet skews older on average
- – Fare bundle comparisons take some homework to get real value
Compare Other Cruise Lines
BudgetCarnival Cruise Line
The biggest name in mass-market cruising — vibrant, affordable, and built for a good time over a quiet one.
3–8 nights (short getaways are a Carnival specialty)
Mid-RangeRoyal Caribbean International
Home to the world's largest cruise ships — a bet that bigger, more amenity-packed vessels are the future of mainstream cruising.
3–12 nights
Mid-RangeNorwegian Cruise Line
Freestyle Cruising — no set dining times, no formal nights required, built around flexibility.
3–14 nights