Princess Cruises: The Complete Insider Guide

01The Fleet

Newest · 4,300 guests

Sphere Class

Sun Princess & Star PrincessLargest Princess ships ever. The Dome — glass-enclosed entertainment venue with aerial acrobats + pool by day. Piazza with 3-story atrium. Most innovative Princess ships.

Flagship · 3,600 guests

Royal Class

Royal, Regal, Majestic, Sky, Enchanted, DiscoveryThe backbone of the fleet. SeaWalk glass-bottom walkway. Movies Under the Stars. Princess MedallionClass tech on all. Best all-around Princess experience.

Mid-Size · 2,600–3,100 guests

Grand Class

Grand, Golden, Star (older), Ruby, Emerald, Crown, Coral, IslandGreat for Alaska, Panama Canal, longer exotic voyages. Classic Princess feel. Fewer crowds.

Intimate · 2,000 guests

Pacific / Sun Class

Smaller ships for niche itineraries. Being phased out as Sphere class arrives.

02What’s Included vs. What Costs Extra

Included (Princess Plus or Premier)

Most bookings include one of these packages

🌟 Princess Plus (/day value, usually bundled): MedallionNet WiFi, Plus Beverage Package (drinks up to ), crew appreciation/gratuities

👑 Princess Premier (/day value): everything in Plus + unlimited specialty dining, premium desserts, photo package, reserved seating

🍴 Main dining rooms — Anytime or Traditional seating

🍕 Alfredo’s Pizzeria — hand-tossed, made to order

☕ International Café — 24hr pastries, paninis, gelato

🍽 Horizon Court buffet

🎬 Movies Under the Stars — poolside big screen

🏊 Pools, fitness center, Camp Discovery kids clubs

🎭 Entertainment & shows

Costs Extra (Beyond Plus/Premier)

Budget for these add-ons

🍴 Specialty dining on base fare — Crown Grill steakhouse, Sabatini’s Italian, Ocean Terrace sushi

🌐 Premium WiFi on base fare

🧖 Spa & salon

🌊 Shore excursions

🎲 Casino

🌴 The Sanctuary — adults-only retreat, /half day

📸 Photo packages if not Premier

03Preparing for Your Cruise: The Timeline

1

At Booking

Pay deposit. Confirm Princess Plus or Premier is included (most bookings include Plus minimum). Create Princess account. Download the MedallionClass app. Order your OceanMedallion (wearable — shipped to you pre-cruise or pickup at port).

2

90 Days Before

Book specialty dining (Crown Grill, Sabatini’s). Reserve The Sanctuary passes. Book shore excursions — Princess Excursions have a best-price guarantee.

3

60 Days Before

Set up MedallionClass profile in the app — it unlocks keyless stateroom entry, on-demand food/drink delivery to anywhere on ship, and locate-friends feature. Book spa treatments.

4

14 Days Before

Complete online check-in via the MedallionClass app. Upload passport/travel docs. Set up onboard account. Select arrival time.

5

Embarkation Day

OceanMedallion is your key to everything — room key, payment, ID. Wear it as pendant, clip, or wristband. Skip-the-line boarding with MedallionClass. Head to Alfredo’s for embarkation lunch (free, excellent pizza).

04Dining & Entertainment

Included Dining

Main Dining Rooms Anytime flexible or Traditional set time

Alfredo’s Pizzeria Hand-tossed, included — best free pizza at sea

International Café 24hr pastries, paninis, gelato

Horizon Court Buffet

Salty Dog Gastropub Gourmet pub food, select ships

With Premier: All Specialty Dining Included Unlimited

Crown Grill Steakhouse, 67080$

Sabatini’s Italian, 67080

Ocean Terrace Sushi

Bistro Sur La Mer French, Sphere class

Shows & Entertainment

Princess Theater Broadway-style production shows

Movies Under the Stars Poolside big screen — popcorn & blankets under the stars

The Dome Sphere class — acrobatic/immersive shows

Piazza Atrium Live music nightly

Princess Live! Comedy shows

05Insider Tips

1 Princess is the #1 cruise line for Alaska — they literally own a wilderness lodge and railroad there (Mt. McKinley Princess Lodge). If you’re doing Alaska, this is the line.

2 MedallionClass technology is a game-changer — your OceanMedallion opens your door as you walk up, lets you order drinks from a deck chair via the app, and tracks your kids’ location on the ship.

3 Princess Plus is almost always included in the fare now — if it’s not, request it. The WiFi + drinks + tips bundle is essential.

4 Movies Under the Stars is a uniquely Princess experience — fresh popcorn, cozy blankets, big screen by the pool at night. Don’t miss it.

5 Alfredo’s Pizzeria is the best included pizza at sea — hand-tossed, made to order. Go for lunch to avoid dinner crowds.

6 The Sanctuary is a adults-only retreat with padded loungers, dedicated steward service, and no kids — worth every penny on sea days.

7 Princess skews slightly older than Royal Caribbean but is NOT a seniors’ cruise — it’s perfect for multi-generational families and couples who want elegance without stuffiness.

8 Crown Grill is one of the best steakhouses at sea — if you have Premier (unlimited specialty dining), eat here multiple times.