Complete Guide to Princess Cruise Ships By Age

If you still remember the original episodes of “The Love Boat,” there’s no need to feel dated. Even though the original Love Boat (Pacific Princess) has since retired, Princess Cruises is still sailing cruise ships and building on its legacy of romance at sea. This even includes a new series called “The Real Love Boat” on CBS.

From 1977 to 1986, audiences fell in love with the at-sea hijinks of the captain, crew, and passengers of Pacific Princess in a scripted, comedy and drama. Since then, Princess Cruises has evolved with a fleet of more than a dozen ships featuring modern touches, like a partnership with the Discovery Channel, while still paying homage to its “Love Boat” past.

With new-builds — and an entirely new ship class — on the horizon, Princess Cruises is anything but a retro cruise line. Although the original Sun Princess and Star Princess left the fleet in 2020 (along with Golden Princess and Sea Princess), their 2.0 versions are already under construction. 

Find out which ships remain in the fleet, when they were built, and how to choose your next Princess cruise based on the characteristics, amenities, and age of each ship.    

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Guide to Princess Cruise Ships by Age

What is the newest Princess Cruises ship?

The newest ship in the Princess Cruises fleet currently sailing at the time of publication is Discovery Princess. Launched in early 2022 (delayed from November 2021), Discovery Princess is the sixth and final ship in the line’s Royal Class.

Sun Princess, currently under construction at Fincantieri shipyard, will usher in the all-new Sphere Class when it launches in February 2024. Following suit in 2025 is Star Princess, the second in the latest generation of ships for Princess Cruises. When they debut, the Sphere-class ships will by far be the largest in the Princess fleet.

What is the oldest Princess Cruises ship?

In terms of Princess cruise ships by age, the oldest cruise ship currently in service is Grand Princess, which debuted in 1998. At the time, Grand Princess was the largest and most expensive passenger ship ever built, carrying 2,600 passengers and costing an estimated $450 million.

Despite its age, Grand Princess is not the smallest ship in the fleet. That title goes to Coral Princess, carrying just 2,000 passengers at less than 92,000 gross registered tons (GRT).

What is the average age of a Princess Cruises ship?

The average age of a Princess Cruises ship is about 13.5 years old. Ten ships are more than a decade old, while four ships have been built in the last few years.

Despite the actual age of a Princess ship, the line works to refurbish or update its entire fleet regularly. So, the vessels never feet outdated. For example, the cruise line’s oldest ship (25 years-plus) was last refurbished in March 2019.

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How many Princess cruise ships are there?

There are 15 Princess cruise ships sailing at present, with two more on order in the coming year. This brings the total to 17 ships in the Princess Cruises fleet.

Princess Cruise Ships By Age: Ranked Newest to Oldest

• Star Princess —2025 (175,500 GRT | 4,300 passengers)
• Sun Princess — 2024 (175,500 GRT | 4,300 passengers)
• Discovery Princess — 2022 (145,000 GRT | 3,660 passengers)
• Enchanted Princess — 2020 (144,650 GRT | 3,660 passengers)
• Sky Princess — 2019 (144,650 GRT | 3,660 passengers)
• Majestic Princess — 2017 (143,700 GRT | 3,560 passengers)
• Regal Princess — 2014 (142,229 GRT | 3,560 passengers)
• Royal Princess — 2013 (142,229 GRT | 3,560 passengers)
• Ruby Princess — 2008 (113,561 GRT | 3,080 passengers)
• Emerald Princess — 2007 (113,561 GRT | 3,080 passengers)
• Crown Princess — 2006 (113,561 GRT | 3,080 passengers)
• Sapphire Princess – 2004 (115,875 GRT | 2,670 passengers)
• Diamond Princess — 2004 (115,875 GRT | 2,670 passengers)
• Caribbean Princess — 2004 (112,894 GRT | 3,149 passengers)
• Island Princess — 2003 (92,822 GRT | 2,200 passengers)
• Coral Princess – 2003 (91,627 GRT | 2,000 passengers)
• Grand Princess — 1998 (107,517 GRT | 2,600 passengers)

How many ship classes does Princess Cruises have?

Princess Cruises has just three ship classes, with a fourth debuting in 2024. These classes are the Sphere Class, Royal Class, Grand Class, and Coral Class. Each class has distinct offerings of its own while still maintaining classic Princess features.

Sphere Class

• Sun Princess
• Star Princess

The latest evolution in the Princess Cruises fleet will take place in early 2024 with the launch of the new Sun Princess. Roughly 18 percent bigger than the Royal Class, Sphere-class ships will be the fleet’s largest ships by far. Totaling 21 decks, these ships double the passenger count of the Coral Class. The ships exude elegance, with gold-flecked finishes and calming colors.

New to Princess are enhanced top-deck attractions like a climbing wall, splash pad, and ropes course, debuting on Sun Princess.

A multi-level glass-enclosed dome will host a pool with tremendous views by day and a stage by night, where acrobatics will be performed in partnership with Cirque Eloize.

New dining venues abound. Beginning in the Piazza atrium is an all-new café concept Coffee Currents as well as Kai Sushi and an upscale Alfredo’s Pizzeria. The Horizon Court Buffet has been rebranded to the World Fresh Marketplace.

The Lido Deck features pools, bars, and eateries, while original spaces like the Wake View Terrace and Sea View Terrace make the most of enjoying the ocean with unencumbered views and an infinity pool. Need more relaxation? The Lotus Spa will be two stories on Sphere Class.

Premiering on Sun Princess is a brand-new concept for Princess Cruises, which is the Signature Collection suite enclave, providing access to a private lounge, restaurant, sun deck, and upgraded stateroom amenities. Elsewhere, the Sphere Class will feature the most balconies of any ships in the fleet with 1,500 balcony-featured staterooms.

Even the kids’ spaces are receiving an overhaul. Kid and teen club updates unveil the Firefly Park Kids Club, Neon Grove Tweens Club, and Underground Teen Lounge.  

Royal Class

• Royal Princess
• Regal Princess
• Majestic Princess
• Sky Princess
• Enchanted Princess
• Discovery Princess

After a five-year hiatus, Princess Cruises introduced the world to the Royal Class with Royal Princess in 2013, christened by Kate Middleton aka Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Cambridge. Defining characteristics of this six-ship class include a glass “seawalk,” a sprawling spa and thermal suite called the Enclave, and more suites, spread across 19 decks.

In terms of cabin design, Sky Suites landed in 2019 with the launch of Sky Princess and welcomed the cruise line into a new era of larger and plusher staterooms. These 1,800-square-foot suites not only offer a sense of heightened luxury but are the first staterooms by the cruise line that can accommodate five people. There are also more Deluxe Balcony accommodations on the Royal Class.

Princess works with award-winning Broadway composer Stephen Schwartz, which has resulted in original musicals like “Magic to Do” and “The Secret Silk,” which you can see onboard. Select Royal-class ships even offer the chance to play “Deal or No Deal.”

Pair your show with some dinner at Royal-class sushi and seafood venue Ocean Terrace. Finish the night off with a sweet treat of gelato at the onboard gelateria. Like much of the fleet, you can always find a solid slice of pizza around the ship at a pizzeria like Alfredo’s.

The Catch by Rudi is a new seafood-centric venue available on four ships in this class as of this fall. Exclusively on Enchanted and Discovery Princess is “360: An Extraordinary Experience,” an immersive, seven-course meal inspired by the destination and paired with drinks. Also new to the fleet, beginning with Sky Princess, is the Take Five bar pairing live jazz music with craft cocktails.

Majestic Princess, launched in 2017, stands apart from the rest of the class as it was originally built and designed for the Chinese market, down to the signage. The ship has since been updated and redeployed to the West Coast but will sail Europe and the Caribbean in 2025. Remnants of its Chinese influence onboard include Chopsticks Noodle Bar and Harmony, a specialty Chinese restaurant created in partnership with Michelin-starred Chef Richard Chen.

If you’re looking to sail the line’s current newest ship, Discovery Princess is doing short cruises from Los Angeles and Vancouver, as well as seven-night sailings in Alaska and along the California coast.

Grand Class

• Grand Princess
• Diamond Princess
• Sapphire Princess
• Caribbean Princess
• Crown Princess
• Emerald Princess
• Ruby Princess

The largest ship class of the Princess fleet, the Grand Class ships span 10 years (1998-2008) and seven ships. Ships in this class feature 18 or 19 decks.

Because of their breadth, Grand-class ships each offer slight differences but encompass plenty of things to do while remaining comfortable and understated mid-size ships. You’ll find Vines Wine Bar just off the Piazza, a circular three-deck-high atrium that serves as a defining characteristic of most Princess ships. Here is where you’ll toast during the captain’s welcome or grab an afternoon latte at the International Café.

Elsewhere, guests sailing the Grand Class can enjoy the serenity of peaceful top decks dedicated to swimming, sunning, and lounging. Princess cruisers won’t find the jampacked waterparks or adrenaline-fueled top-deck attractions of competing cruise lines. Instead, passengers can simply unwind with stunning sea views or take advantage of the jogging track or sports court. The Sanctuary, an adults-only sun deck, is located on these upper decks. A promenade is located on Deck 7.

Back inside, there is a spa, library, the Princess Theater, shops, and options for cocktails like the Wheelhouse Bar. Select Grand-class ships — Emerald and Ruby — feature enhanced dining options including the Salty Dog Gastropub. (These ships also feature an expanded spa and thermal suite.) Grand Princess features an outdoor Salty Dog Grill. All ships in this class feature the line’s signature Crown Grill Steakhouse (also referred to as Sterling on some ships).

Guest rooms on Grand Class include a variety of interior, oceanview, balcony, mini-suite, and suite staterooms, including a two-bedroom family suite on select ships.

Other distinctions among Grand-class ships include Diamond Princess and Caribbean Princess. Diamond’s design appeals to the Japanese market as it exclusively sails in Japan and South Korea. The Caribbean Princess is known as the line’s “family ship” for its kid-friendly splash pool called The Reef Splash Zone — an all-ages attraction that’s unique among the fleet.

Itineraries vary by ship and season. You can sail Alaska, Hawaii, or the South Pacific aboard Grand Princess; the Pacific Northwest, California Coast, and Australia with Crown Princess; or Alaska, West Coast wine country, Hawaii, the Mexican Riviera, and more from San Francisco aboard Ruby Princess.

Coral Class

• Coral Princess
• Island Princess

Coral Princess and Island Princess launched in January and July of 2003, respectively. The two 16-deck ships of the Coral Class are the smallest in the Princess Cruises fleet. This allows them to access ports not available to their larger sister ships. That makes these vessels perfect for more exotic cruise itineraries, including world voyages. Among its features, Coral-class ships were custom built to navigate the Panama Canal.

Because of their size, Coral-class ships don’t have all the amenities of some newer builds, but passengers often prefer their intimate size. Dining revolves around a main dining room, buffet, and bar and grill. Specialty dining is limited to the Bayou Café & Steakhouse, Sabatini’s Italian Trattoria, a pop-up Crab Shack, or the Chef’s Table. Entertainment consists of original productions in the theater and the line’s signature open-air Movies Under the Stars.

Both ships feature a casino and the Lotus Spa, as well as plenty of kid and family programming. Ultimate Balcony Dining is available across the fleet but is a Princess specialty catering breakfast or dinner to your private balcony. These ships feature interior, oceanview, balcony, mini-suite, and some suite staterooms.

In terms of itineraries, Coral Princess has been sailing several short Australia/New Zealand itineraries, which draw local Aussies onboard. The ship also voyages to Asia, the South Pacific, and Alaska. Island Princess sails a number of 10-night or longer eclectic world cruise segments, from the Med to Morocco.

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What is the MedallionClass?

Not to be confused with a class of ships, Princess offers MedallionClass cruise vacations through its wearable technology called an Ocean Medallion. This device, which resembles a watch or a bracelet, serves as your onboard keycard. It also provides the ability to expedite boarding, customize your service preferences, locate family members, or have food and drinks delivered to you anywhere on the ship.

Guests can interact with their Ocean Medallion through the MedallionClass smartphone app. Or they can visit portals around their ship or on their stateroom TV. Ocean Medallion technology debuted onboard the Regal Princess in 2017 but is now available across the entire Princess fleet.

Who owns Princess Cruises’ ships?

Princess Cruises is one of many cruise brands owned by the Carnival Corporation & plc. The American cruise line’s headquarters are in Santa Clarita, California and incorporated in Bermuda.

Princess Cruises first began in 1965, sailing cruises to the Mexican Riviera from Los Angeles. It was acquired by shipping company P&O in 1974. Now known for its British and Australian cruise brands — also under Carnival Corp. — P&O spun off P&O Princess Cruises in 2000 before merging with Carnival Corporation in 2003.

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