Heidi BucoloPrincess Cruises has been synonymous with elegant cruising for more than 50 years, earning its reputation as “The Love Boat” through the iconic television series that showcased the romance of cruise travel. With a fleet of 16 ships (soon to be 17) sailing to various destinations worldwide, Princess is known for its traditional approach to cruising.
Princess has built a loyal following among travelers who appreciate a more relaxed pace compared to the high-energy atmosphere found on many contemporary cruise ships. But Princess Cruises isn’t for everyone. While the line excels at creating destination-rich experiences, it may fall short for those seeking cutting-edge amenities and non-stop entertainment.
We’ve sailed on multiple Princess ships across different classes and itineraries, from Alaska to the Mediterranean, so we have firsthand experience at what this cruise line has to offer. In our comprehensive Princess Cruises review, we breakdown the pros and cons detailing what makes Princess Cruises exceptional and where it might fall short of your vacation expectations.
The Pros of Princess Cruises
1. MedallionClass Technology
Princess has revolutionized the cruise experience with its innovative MedallionClass technology, centered around the OceanMedallion. This wearable device eliminates the need for traditional cruise cards and streamlines virtually every aspect of your cruise experience. It enables contactless cabin entry, allows you to order drinks or food from anywhere on the ship through the MedallionNet app, and even helps crew members provide personalized service by knowing your preferences and location.
This technology integrates into the cruise experience without feeling overwhelming or complicated. It simply enhances convenience while maintaining the relaxed cruise atmosphere guests expect.
2. Princess Plus and Princess Premier All-Inclusive Packages
Princess offers two comprehensive packages that bundle popular cruise add-ons into convenient, more all-inclusive options. The Princess Plus add-on includes WiFi, casual upcharge dining, a Plus beverage package, and crew appreciation, while Princess Premier adds a Premium beverage package, unlimited specialty and causal dining, shore excursion credit, and a photo package to create a nearly all-inclusive experience.
The packages are particularly valuable for guests who plan to dine at specialty restaurants, want to stay connected with WiFi, or enjoy alcoholic beverages throughout their cruise. Unlike some cruise lines that force you to purchase items separately, Princess makes it easy to bundle everything upfront for a more predictable vacation budget. Plus, they represent excellent value compared to purchasing items individually, often saving guests hundreds of dollars per person on a typical cruise.
3. Strong Presence in Alaska with Exclusive Experiences
Princess Cruises is widely regarded as one of the premier cruise lines for Alaska, with a presence in the region spanning over 50 years. The cruise line offers exclusive access to Glacier Bay National Park, one of Alaska’s most spectacular destinations that many other cruise lines cannot visit due to limited permits.
The cruise line’s Alaska expertise shines onboard too, from specialized Alaska programming and naturalists to tailored shore excursions that maximize wildlife viewing opportunities. For many travelers, Princess represents the gold standard for Alaska cruising, offering experiences that are only matched by sister brand Holland America Line.
Beyond their ships, Princess operates Cruisetours and Wilderness Lodges in the region. These land-sea combinations allow guests to explore Denali National Park, take scenic train rides through the Alaskan wilderness, and stay in remote lodges that provide unparalleled access to Alaska’s natural beauty.
4. Good Value Compared to Other Premium Lines
Princess Cruises bridges the gap between mainstream and luxury cruising, offering a refined experience at prices significantly lower than luxury lines. Guests can enjoy elegant dining, attentive service, and a sophisticated atmosphere while paying closer to mainstream cruise pricing. The value becomes even greater when you consider the inclusive packages, making it accessible to a broader range of travelers.
This positioning makes Princess particularly attractive to guests who have outgrown the loud and flashy mainstream cruise lines but aren’t ready (or can’t) make the financial leap to luxury options.
5. Wide Variety of Global Itineraries
Princess offers one of the most diverse itinerary portfolios in the cruise industry, with ships deployed across the globe sailing to more than 300 destinations and 100 countries worldwide. From traditional Caribbean and Mediterranean routes to exotic locations like Japan, South America, and the South Pacific, Princess provides options for virtually every travel interest.
The cruise line is particularly strong in destination-intensive regions, often offering longer itineraries that allow for more immersion. Many Princess itineraries also feature more time in ports or even overnight stays, giving guests extended time to explore beyond what other cruises lines offer.
6. More Traditional Cruise Experience
Princess Cruises maintains the classic cruise ship atmosphere that many travelers associate with the golden age of cruising, famously depicted in “The Love Boat” television series. This means a more refined, romantic environment rather than one that features high-energy activities and constant stimulation.
This traditional approach is evident from the moment you step aboard—Princess ships feature grand multi-story atriums and formal design elements that create an immediate sense of sophistication.
The cruise experience emphasizes timeless traditions like formal nights, afternoon tea service, and enrichment lectures. This classic atmosphere particularly appeals to travelers who remember cruising’s more formal past or those seeking an escape from today’s casual, anything-goes motto of other cruise lines.
7. Some of the Best Pizza at Sea
Princess Cruises consistently receives rave reviews for its pizza quality, with many cruise enthusiasts like ourselves ranking it among the best at sea. There’s complimentary slices available at a poolside pizzeria, but the real star is Alfredo’s (or Gigi’s) Pizzeria which serves made-to-order selections in a sit-down venue.
This pizza features fresh ingredients, perfectly seasoned sauce, and properly cooked crusts that rival many land-based pizzerias. And it’s included in the “casual dining” which is part of the Princess Plus and Premier packages. Also on the menu, Tony Gemingnani’s specialty pizzas are amazing!
8. More Relaxing Environment Without Over-the-Top Distractions
Princess ships provide a tranquil cruise environment focused on relaxation and destination exploration rather than overstimulating entertainment and onboard attractions. You won’t find ropes courses, waterslides, or bumper cars competing for your attention. Instead, the emphasis is on comfortable spaces for reading, socializing, and enjoying the ocean views.
This isn’t to say that Princess doesn’t have any onboard activities or entertainment because they absolutely do. There’s still classic cruise favorites like trivia, game shows, live music, and productions in the main theater that complement the enrichment and relaxation.
9. Ultimate Balcony Dining Experience
Princess Cruises offers one of the most romantic dining experiences at sea through their Ultimate Balcony Dining service, where guests can enjoy either a multi-course breakfast or dinner served on their stateroom balcony. This exclusive service transforms your balcony into a private restaurant, complete with linens and attentive service.
This balcony dining can be coordinated with scenic sailing or sunset views, creating a truly memorable experience. While this service comes at an additional cost, what could be better than sipping mimosas and indulging in a gourmet breakfast while admiring glaciers in Alaska?
10. Top-Notch Specialty Dining
In our opinion, Princess has some of the best specialty restaurants at sea, with venues like Crown Grill, The Catch by Rudi, and Sabatini’s Italian Trattoria consistently earning high praise from guests. Crown Grill delivers perfectly prepared steaks in an elegant steakhouse atmosphere; Sabatini’s serves authentic Italian cuisine; and The Catch by Rudi showcases fresh seafood dishes.
What sets Princess apart is not just the quality, but also the value. These specialty restaurants are included in the Princess Premier package, allowing guests to enjoy multiple upscale dining venues without the per-meal charges you’d find on other cruise lines.
Not to mention, Princess Cruises offers some unique experiences on select ships that are certainly worth the upcharge like Love by Britto or 360: An Extraordinary Experience.
11. Movies Under the Stars
Princess Cruises pioneered the outdoor movie experience at sea with its Movies Under the Stars program, featuring large LED screens positioned poolside where guests can catch a flick under the open sky. It includes complimentary popcorn and creates a unique twist on the drive-in movie concept.
Movies Under the Stars is a perfect evening activity for couples or families. The outdoor setting, combined with ocean breezes and star-gazing, transforms movie watching into a special experience. It’s become such a signature Princess feature that many guests specifically plan their evenings around it.
The Cons of Princess Cruises
1. Fewer Bells and Whistles
Princess Cruises lacks many of the headline-grabbing attractions found on contemporary cruise ships from the likes of Royal Caribbean or Norwegian Cruise Line. You won’t find surf simulators, go-kart tracks, or elaborate water parks on Princess ships. Instead, the entertainment and activities are more traditional and low-key.
While a pro to many cruisers, this conservative approach to amenities can disappoint travelers who expect cutting-edge attractions and constant stimulation during their cruise. Guests accustomed to the high-energy, theme park-style atmosphere of megaships may find Princess offerings underwhelming or boring.
That’s not to say that families or young adults can’t have a great time on a Princess cruise; they just need to set the expectations ahead of time.
2. Ships Can Feel Dated Compared to Newer Vessels
As with any cruise line, the Princess experience can differ significantly from one ship to the next. When looking at the Princess fleet, about half of its ships are approaching 20 years old. And while they’ve received refurbishments over the years, they can feel outdated when compared to the newest vessels from other cruise lines or even newer ships in the Princess fleet like Sun Princess.
Cabin layouts and public spaces often reflect their construction era rather than current expectations. Thus, older Princess ships may feature smaller cabins, narrower corridors, and less efficient layouts. Further, the décor and furnishings, while well-maintained, can appear dated to travelers familiar with the sleek, modern aesthetics of recently launched ships.
3. No Ship-Within-a-Ship Luxury Concept
Unlike competitors that offer exclusive suite complexes with private restaurants, lounges, and pools, most Princess ships don’t provide a true “ship-within-a-ship” luxury enclave. While the Sphere Class does introduce this concept, it still doesn’t measure up to NCL’s The Haven or MSC’s The Yacht Club.
This means that even suite guests must compete with all the other passengers on the ship. While suite guests receive some perks and priority access, they don’t get the exclusive experiences that other lines offer. The absence of this luxury concept can be particularly disappointing for guests paying significantly more for suite accommodations, expecting the premium pricing to come with exclusivity.
4. Limited Activities for Kids and Teens
Princess Cruises does offer youth programs but they fall short of the extensive facilities and programming offered by more family-focused cruise lines. The kids’ clubs do vary by the class of ship but are typically smaller and offer fewer age-specific activities and amenities. Teen facilities and programming are limited too, often consisting of a lounge area with video games. This can lead to bored teenagers, especially on sea days.
While Princess is certainly an option for multi-generational groups or families, those with children who seek the over-the-top activities and attractions throughout their cruise vacation might be better suited with another cruise line. However, if your family vacation is focused on long days ashore enjoying the ports of call, this may not be an issue at all.
5. Underwhelming Accommodations
When comparing Princess accomodations to other cruise lines, we have to say that they are typically underwhelming. Standard balcony cabins on many Princess ships lack dedicated seating areas, forcing guests to upgrade to a deluxe balcony cabin or mini-suite if they want a sofa.
Additionally, most Princess cabins still feature shower curtains rather than glass doors in the bathrooms, making them feel dated and less luxurious than what many modern travelers expect. The shower curtains can stick to you during use and don’t provide the open feeling that glass enclosures offer.
On a positive note, the new Sphere class ships have addressed these problems, and the cabins certainly feel more modern.
6. Fewer Dining Options
Princess ships typically offer fewer complimentary dining venues compared to contemporary cruise ships from other major lines. Beyond the main dining room and buffet, options are limited. There’s typically a poolside pizzeria and burger joint, along with the International Cafe which serves light sandwiches and snacks. Even specialty dining options, while high quality, are fewer in number than what guests might find on comparable ships from other cruise lines.
These limited dining experiences can be particularly problematic on longer itineraries where guests want more variety to their dining routines.
7. More Subdued Entertainment and Nightlife
Princess entertainment tends toward the conservative and traditional, with less elaborate shows and parties. The main theater productions, while professionally done, often lack the innovation found on other cruise lines. Nightlife options wind down earlier as well. You likely won’t find many cruisers dancing in the club until 2 AM and ordering late night pizza.
This more subdued entertainment, while appealing to some demographics, can feel lackluster to guests seeking dynamic, engaging shows and activities that keep the energy high through the night. Personally, we could do without the late-night parties, but we do miss the Broadway-level productions found on other lines like Royal Caribbean.
8. Fewer Short Getaway Options
Princess focuses primarily on longer itineraries, typically seven days or more, with limited options for short weekend getaways. This makes the cruise line less accessible for travelers with limited vacation time or those wanting to try cruising without committing to a full week. Further, this focus on extended itineraries can price out casual cruisers who prefer shorter, more affordable cruise experiences.
If you’re looking for a quick escape or are short on vacation time, you may need to consider another cruise line. Princess cruises aren’t the ones you see in the advertisements as “the world’s biggest weekend” or the ones considered “booze cruises”.
9. Ships Can Be Difficult to Navigate
Princess ships, particularly older vessels, can feature confusing layouts with disconnected sections that make navigation challenging for first-time guests. The traditional design approach sometimes prioritizes elegance over intuitive wayfinding.
For instance, dining venues might not be accessible from all staircases or elevators, or you might only be able to access certain venues from one side of the ship. Some hallways might lead to dead ends, requiring you to use another deck to get from the forward to the aft of the ship. Thus, this is why we always recommend taking some time on embarkation day to explore the ship and get your bearings.
Is Princess Cruises Right For You?
Princess Cruises delivers a refined, destination-focused cruise experience that emphasizes elegance, tradition, and relaxation over high-energy entertainment and cutting-edge amenities. Princess creates vacations that feel more like classic ocean voyages than floating theme parks.
However, the cruise line’s traditional approach can make it less appealing for families or younger couples seeking all the latest cruise ship innovations and attractions that modern megaships offer.
Whether Princess Cruises aligns with your vacation vision depends on what you value most.
Princess Cruises might be perfect for you if:
- You prefer a sophisticated, refined cruise atmosphere
- Destination exploration is more important than onboard amenities
- You appreciate an effortless, personalized cruise experience
- You’re planning an Alaska cruise and want top-notch onboard programming
- You want good value with the option for all-inclusive pricing
- You value high quality dining options
You might want to consider another cruise line if:
- You’re traveling with young children or teenagers
- You want the latest ship amenities and attractions
- You prefer high-energy entertainment and nightlife
- You’re looking for shorter cruises
- You expect extensive casual dining options
- You want the exclusivity of luxury ship-within-a-ship complexes
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