Princess

Cruise Circle says...

Founded in 1965 and headquartered in Santa Clarita, California, Princess Cruises offer an enhanced cruise experience from one of the world's premium international cruise lines. Their California home filters through to their onboard experience; it's premium yet relaxed, modern without being fanciful and full of things to do, yet not overwhelming.

Princess, and their current fleet of 17 elegant ships sailing or under construction, cover the globe with voyages to over 330 cruise destinations across more than 100 countries, on all 7 continents. They have shown a long-term commitment to the UK market and base several ships in the UK during the summer, plus offer a strong European deployment. Further afield, you can explore the Caribbean, Hawaii, the Far East, Australia, Canada & New England and more. They are particularly strong in offering California Coastal cruises - perfect for doing that 'Highway 1' road trip without having to actually drive! Their exclusive Caribbean island destination, Princess Cays, has won multiple awards, offers a stunning beach day where you can enjoy incredible snorkelling, shop for local crafts and indulge in tasty BBQ.

Onboard, during the COVID-19 shutdown, Princess upgraded all of their ships to Princess MedallionClass®which has proven to be a game-changer in the industry. This coin-sized, wearable technology enables everything from touch-free boarding and access to your stateroom to delivery of your drinks & food orders to you wherever you are onboard. MedallionNet® internet has also been installed to offer greater connectivity for all from bow to stern.

The onboard experience can be described as casual, yet refined. Princess offer a strong emphasis on dining, Broadway-style entertainment and live music throughout the ship.

Who goes on Princess cruise ships?

Princess Cruises attracts a wide passenger base, but the majority are North Americans. There are real differences depending on ships and itineraries, but the bulk of Princess' passengers are 40-plus, although with new family offerings, the line is catering to a more diverse age range, particularly in Alaska and the Caribbean. If you sail on the larger Princess ships, you'll meet a range of passengers from solo travelers to big multigenerational family groups. The smaller Princess ships cater to more mature travelers who want longer, more exotic itineraries and need fewer family-friendly elements.

Do I have to dress up on a Princess cruise?

Princess is fairly traditional in dress. Depending on the length of the cruise, there are a varying number of formal nights, where women wear evening gowns and cocktail dresses and men wear tuxedos, dinner jackets or dark suits with a tie to dinner. On Smart Casual evenings, the line advises passengers to dress similarly to what they would wear to a nice restaurant at home. Pool or beach attire, shorts, baseball caps and casual jeans are out for the dining rooms, and diners must wear shoes even in the buffet.

Is everything included on Princess cruises?

No. Fares for a Princess cruise include complimentary dining in a handful of venues, as well as room service and water, tea and coffee, and select juices. A variety of theater productions, Movies Under the Stars and deck parties are also complimentary, and there is no fee for onboard activities with partners like Discovery at Sea, or for youth and teen activities, except late-night group babysitting. Enrichment lectures, classes and presentations are also free with a few exceptions. Specialty restaurants, gratuities, spa and salon services, internet access (MedallionNet), laundry, alcoholic drinks and soda, and shore excursions all cost extra.

What are Princess's most popular activities?

What types of activities are available vary from ship to ship, but generally speaking, cruisers typically gather around the pools by day and hang out day and night in the Piazza to enjoy spontaneous performances, live music and dancing. The line's signature Movies Under the Stars is also popular. On select ships theatrical productions by the creator of "Wicked," Steven Schwartz, draw a crowd in the evening. Most of the ship also turns out for deck parties, and partnerships with Discovery and Animal Planet bring families together on special shore excursions and activities like stargazing at sea.