5 things Princess Cruises does well—and 1 it doesn’t

Princess suits travelers who want a large, well-equipped ship without making the ship itself the whole holiday: couples, retirees, and families traveling across generations. It is a natural choice for Alaska, especially for anyone adding a land tour, and for Panama Canal transits, long voyages and world cruises, where its mid-size Coral-class ships and frequent repositioning sailings give plenty of options. Shorter Caribbean, Bahamas and Mexico sailings make it easy for first-time cruisers to try.

This assessment looks at the product and its fit for different travelers. The strengths are reasons to consider the line, rather than a promise that every guest will value them equally. Ship details and fare terms still matter.

1. Alaska beyond the ship

Princess's cruisetour options let guests combine a coastal cruise with inland travel. That is useful when seeing Alaska involves more than the Inside Passage. Compare the actual land nights and glacier calls, because different packages provide very different amounts of time in the places that matter.

2. A balanced large-ship atmosphere

Princess offers substantial facilities without making thrill attractions the whole point of the holiday. Couples and families traveling across generations can find a middle ground. The right ship matters, since older midsize vessels and newer large ships have different layouts and energy.

3. A broad choice of destinations

Caribbean, Mexico, Europe, Asia and longer voyages give guests many ways to return. A familiar onboard style can reduce uncertainty when the region is new. Choose the port schedule and ship together rather than expecting a brand name to make every itinerary equally appealing.

4. Ships suited to different kinds of journey

The smaller Coral-class ships and much larger newer vessels serve different travel priorities. A traveler can choose a more manageable layout or a wider venue selection. Look at the particular itinerary and deck plan before treating fleet size as a quality ranking.

5. Long trips as well as short introductions

Shorter sailings make the line approachable, while longer voyages and world cruises suit guests with more time. The range lets travelers build up from a first cruise. On an extended trip, cabin comfort and the sea-day routine deserve as much attention as the destination list.

The drawback: It does not make package choices effortless

The base fare and optional packages cover different sets of costs. Guests need to compare current terms with their likely spending, especially on drinks, internet and dining. The best choice depends on use, so a higher package tier should not be treated as automatic value for every traveler.

Before you book

Choose the itinerary and the ship together. Cabin dimensions, dining access and time in port can matter more than a broad premium label. Compare the booked fare with the drinks, internet and outings you would actually buy. A comfortable routine is valuable only when it suits how you want to travel.

The cruise format

The fleet runs from the roughly 2,000-guest Coral class, built to fit the original Panama Canal locks, through the 3,000-guest Grand family and six Royal-class ships to the 4,300-guest Sphere class. Itineraries range from short Caribbean and Mexico trips to Panama Canal transits, Alaska cruisetours, Antarctica and annual world cruises, and repeat guests earn perks through the Captain's Circle program.

Sources

Cruise Frog’s Princess Cruises profile; official cruise line information.

Editorial assessment of published product information; no firsthand sailing experience is claimed. Ship features, inclusions and departure programs vary. Updated October 14, 2026.

Photo credit

Sun Princess docked at Piraeus, Greece, July 2024. Photo: Adamdl06204917, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons. Original source. Image license. The image is cropped and resized for this page.