Princess Cruises

Princess Cruises is a premium travel brand and a subsidiary of Carnival Group, making it one of the 10 cruise lines and travel brands owned by the world's largest cruise ship owner, Carnival Corporation. As part of the conglomerate, Princess contributes approximately 20% of the group's revenue.

Company History and Changes

Princess Cruises (princess.com) was founded in 1965 by Stanley McDonald, who chartered the Alaskan ship SS Princess Patricia (1948-built/1995-scrapped, IMO 5284924) for round trips to the Mexican Riviera from Los Angeles during the off-season (winter). In 1967, Princess began chartering the ship MS Italia (1967-built/2012-scrapped, IMO 6513994), which featured a modern design, numerous innovations, more spacious upper decks, and larger public areas (midship, achieved by placing the engines aft).

In December 2025, the company will celebrate its 60th anniversary.

The new "Princess Italia" continued to operate the Mexican Riviera route from Los Angeles (the Princess logo on the funnel was first added in 1967). In 1969, the ship made its inaugural season in Alaska with round trips from San Francisco. When the charter ended in 1973, Princess chartered the "Carla C" ship (from Costa Cruises) and unofficially renamed it "Princess Carla".

The company's modern history began in 1974 when it was acquired by P&O UK. The new owner transferred its "Spirit of London" ship (renamed Sun Princess) and three more ships purchased from "Flagship Cruises" for the Princess brand: "Sea Venture" (Island Princess), Island Venture (Pacific Princess), and MS Kungsholm (Sea Princess). The first newbuild specifically for Princess was Royal Princess (1984, also served Princess under the name "Artemis").

A major company asset is "Princess Tours" (the Alaska division acquired in 1986), which includes 10 luxury railcars for scenic tours of Mt. McKinley, with a daily capacity of 700+ passengers. With the acquisition of Sitmar Line in 1988, P&O added three more vessels to the Princess brand (then under construction): in 1989 (Star Princess/2021-scrapped as Columbus) and in 1990 (Crown Princess, Regal Princess), plus two former Cunard liners (renamed Dawn Princess, Fair Princess) and Sitmar's "Fairsky" ship (renamed Sky Princess).

The "P&O Princess Cruises" company was established on October 23, 2000. It later merged with Carnival Corp on April 17, 2003, forming "Carnival Corporation & plc". The $5.4-billion merger created the largest cruise shipping company in the world, grouping 11 different travel brands as subsidiaries.

Currently, Princess Cruise Lines Ltd (USA) is part of Carnival's American division (Holland America Group), while the brand's marketing and sales in the UK are managed by Carnival plc (aka Carnival UK), which also oversees Cunard Line.

The company's current President is John Padgett (appointed in October 2021), who reports directly to the President of Holland America Group (Jan Swartz). John Padgett previously worked for Carnival Corporation (2014-2021, as Chief Experience and Innovation Officer) and Walt Disney Parks & Resorts (1996-2014).

Other top executives include Terry Thornton (CCO/Chief Commercial Officer), Jim Berra (CMO/Chief Marketing Officer), Carmen Roig (VP of Sales), and Vicki Johnson (Senior VP of Communications).

The Princess brand gained worldwide fame through its participation in the TV series "The Love Boat" (ABC, aired from 1977 to 1986), where its vessels (first Island and Pacific, later Royal, Sun, and Sea) were featured prominently.

• In May 2018, the cast of "The Love Boat" and Princess Cruises were honored with a Hollywood Walk of Fame star plaque. The plaque is located in front of the Dolby Theatre on Hollywood Blvd.
• Following the pilot episode on May 5, 1977, the show ran for 10 seasons, concluding on May 24, 1986.
• The Princess brand became popularly known as "The Love Boat cruise line". The series featured Princess-owned ships, including Island Princess (2017-scrapped as "Discovery"), Royal Princess (now Artania), and Sea Princess (2016-scrapped as "Veronica"), cruising to exotic destinations worldwide.

One of the most notable features of Princess Cruises is its "Personal Choice Cruising" program—an unstructured and individualized approach to shipboard vacations, based on the innovative "if you want it—when you want it" concept. This style offers a sense of flexibility, allowing passengers to customize their experience to suit their personal interests. Introduced in the mid-90s (on Sun-class Princess ships), the concept was realized through multiple dining venues, flexible entertainment options, and affordable balcony staterooms.

Company Changes in 2024

In April 2024, it was announced that starting September 14, 2024, three distinct main dining/table service options would be introduced fleetwide: Traditional, Reservable, and Walk-in Anytime. Each ship will feature three separate dining rooms—one for traditional dining (offering early and late seating), one with reservable times, and one for open seating. The new options will integrate with the OceanNow service, allowing passengers to order anything at any time and have it delivered anywhere onboard.

In July, in partnership with Anthony Felix Gemignani (American chef, restaurateur, and author), Princess Cruises set the GUINNESS WORLD RECORD title for the "World's Largest Pizza Party." The record was achieved fleetwide, with passengers enjoying over 60,000 slices of freshly oven-baked pizza. Chef Tony Gemignani created two exclusive pizzas for Princess Cruises, featuring combinations of Soppressata sausage with hot honey, and agave pesto with fresh goat cheese. He also shared three of his unique pizza recipes. In summer 2024, Gemignani's pizzas were introduced at the specialty restaurants Alfredo's and Gigi's, and the complimentary Slice Station on the Lido Deck, fleetwide.

In August, the MedallionNet Max (Wi-Fi package) was introduced, alongside MedallionNet Classic. Like MedallionNet Classic, MedallionNet Max costs $25 per day (single-device plan) and $45 per day (multi-device plan), but provides faster connectivity. It is available only to passengers purchasing the Princess Plus ($60) or Princess Premier ($80) beverage packages.

Also in August, the company's "Love Line Premium Liquors" collection was expanded with Slainte Irish Whiskey (created by Isaac Liev Schreiber, a 1967-born American actor, director, screenwriter, and producer). The whiskey is aged in bourbon oak barrels and finished in sherry casks. It is available in various cocktails at onboard bars, including Slainte Frozen Irish, Filthy Molly, Passion of the Irish, Tropical Alibi, and Spank Mint.

Company Changes in 2023

On March 23, 2023, Princess announced a partnership with Luigi Lavazza SpA (founded in 1895, Turin, Italy) as the brand's "Official Coffee Partner". As part of the agreement, Lavazza products and services are offered fleetwide, including coffee-themed dinners, Lavazza-based recipes, educational sessions, coffee tastings, and food pairings.

On June 24, 2023, new "Princess Perfect Weddings" packages were announced, alongside the appointment of Randy Fenoli (1964-born American TV host and fashion/bridal designer, best known for his show "Randy to the Rescue" and "Say Yes to the Dress") as Princess Cruises' Love and Romance Ambassador. He will host a bridal fashion-themed voyage on Regal Princess (departing from Galveston, TX on December 3rd), featuring meet-and-greets and wedding gown consultations. Fenoli developed the exclusive "Randy Fenoli Weddings" package as the brand ambassador.

In October 2023, the company introduced a new pricing strategy, ensuring that only early bookings receive the best-priced deals (by eliminating last-minute cruise booking discounts). Additionally, the Best Price Guarantee and Princess Promotions were launched.

Rail & Sail" (Train+Cruise) Program in 2024

In April, the "Rail & Sail" (train+cruise) program was introduced, providing seamless access to Princess ships homeported in Florida (Fort Lauderdale and Port Canaveral/Orlando). The program is a partnership with Brightline/BLFX (high-speed intercity passenger railway in Florida connecting Miami with Orlando).

The program significantly reduces pre- and post-cruise travel time compared to conventional road travel options. A Brightline train with four custom-designed cars features Princess' signature logo and images of popular port destinations. Princess' branding is also prominently displayed within Brightline's five Florida train terminals.

With the Rail & Sail program, a luggage express service was introduced, allowing passengers to check their bags at the Brightline station and find them securely waiting in their stateroom. Princess guests also receive up to 15% discounts when booking "Smart and Premium Rail & Sail" packages through Brightline's website.

Brightline offers passengers access to a comprehensive train schedule (with daily departures) that includes 16 round-trip transits between Orlando and Fort Lauderdale. The travel options include:

Southbound (Orlando to Fort Lauderdale, with stops at West Palm Beach and Boca Raton) and Northbound (Fort Lauderdale to Orlando, with stops at Boca Raton and West Palm Beach). South Florida residents can also utilize Brightline services from downtown Miami and Aventura terminals, with stops in Fort Lauderdale or Orlando.

(NEW) Ship Boarding/Embarkation System (2023)

On August 1, 2023, Princess Cruises implemented a new boarding process fleetwide, aiming to make embarkation easier for passengers. As a result, scheduled arrival times on embarkation day were eliminated.

The new embarkation system requires all passengers to complete the necessary steps via the Princess App before the voyage.

• Green Lane qualifies passengers who have completed all the Travel Checklist steps and have received their Medallion device by mail (only available in the USA and Puerto Rico). Green Lane passengers enjoy the most streamlined embarkation and fastest boarding. Note: Passengers who are Green Lane-eligible but choose not to have their Medallions shipped to them will be classified as Blue Lane.
• Blue Lane qualifies passengers who have completed some, none, or all of the Travel Checklist steps but have opted not to have their Medallions mailed. Blue Lane passengers still enjoy expedited check-in but must pick up their Medallion at the cruise terminal.
• Accessibility Lane is for passengers experiencing mobility or accessibility difficulties. They have a separate, dedicated lane for faster check-in, regardless of their color designation.

The new embarkation system no longer requires passengers to select a specific arrival group time. Instead, guests can arrive within the designated check-in window at a time that suits them. However, Princess Cruises strongly recommends that all guests provide travel arrangement information via OceanReady (MedallionClass app and the Cruise Personalizer). The check-in details can be found in their travel summary.

Since August 2023, the company has also improved the Digital Boarding Pass, which is available in the Princess app 11 days prior to the ship's departure date. The updated boarding pass now includes the deck and stateroom number.

Princess Upgrade (New Cabin Upgrades Program)

In August 2022, Princess announced the "Princess Upgrade" program, which allows regular cabin upgrades across all stateroom types and categories, not just as promotions.

The program was officially launched on September 6, 2022, on five USA-based Princess ships (Caribbean, Discovery, Enchanted, Regal, Ruby). By the end of October 2022, the program was rolled out fleetwide.

"Princess Upgrade" is available for bookings within the Final Payment window, once full payment has been made. Customers then receive an invitation to submit a bid for any cabin type and category above their currently booked stateroom. The bid can be changed or canceled at any time before it is accepted.

Shipboard Retail Shopping

In September 2021, Princess and Harding signed a deal for Harding to take over the onboard retail shopping business for the entire fleet.

Harding+ (Bristol, UK-based global travel and cruise retail group) was acquired by Davidson Kempner Capital Management LP (1983-founded, NYC-based investment management firm with over $34 billion in managed assets). Harding has hubs in Bristol (England), Miami (Florida, USA), and Sydney (NSW Australia).

The existing Princess retail team joined Harding as part of the transition.

Each Princess ship has an onboard shopping arcade called "Shops of Princess".

New Ships

In April 2016, Princess' parent company, Carnival Corporation, placed a shipbuilding order for two new ships scheduled for delivery in 2019 (Sky Princess) and 2020-2021 (Enchanted Princess). Sky and Enchanted are the fourth and fifth ships in the ROYAL-class, designed the same as Royal, Regal, and Majestic). These ships were constructed at the Monfalcone yard as part of an agreement with Fincantieri (shipbuilder). At the time, Carnival Group had a total of 16 shipbuilding orders, with scheduled deliveries between 2016 and 2020. These 3,670-passenger vessels feature 80% balconied staterooms and several fleet-first features.

In late January 2017, Carnival Corporation announced two more orders for the fleets of Princess (Royal-class) and Holland America Line (Pinnacle-class). Carnival signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) with Fincantieri to construct both units, with deliveries scheduled for 2021 (Nieuw Ryndam-Rotterdam for HAL, at Marghera yard) and 2022 (Discovery Princess, at Monfalcone yard). When both contracts were finalized in February 2017, Carnival Corporation had a total of 19 newbuilds scheduled for delivery between 2017 and 2022.

In July 2018, two new-class liners (larger than the Royal-class) were ordered with a gross tonnage/volume of 175,000 and a passenger capacity of 4,300. These are the fleet's first dual-fuel (MGO and LNG) powered vessels. The contract with Fincantieri (Monfalcone) was signed in March 2019, with scheduled deliveries in 2023 and 2025. In 2018, Princess had five newbuilds on order with Fincantieri. The 2023-2025 units were Carnival Group's 10th and 11th LNG-powered ships.

By 2019, during drydock refurbishments (part of the company's USD 450 million fleet renovation program), over 45,000 "Princess Luxury Beds" were rolled out fleetwide (to more than 22,000 staterooms on all liners). The custom-made "Princess Luxury Bed" incorporates the latest sleep science technologies and was developed in partnership with Dr. Michael Breus (The Sleep Doctor) and Candice Olson (Canadian designer).

In December 2019, Princess signed an agreement with Panasonic Corporation to deliver 4K laser projectors for the entire fleet (the first unit was installed on Sky Princess). All liners will be outfitted with Panasonic PT-RQ50KU (4K Laser Projector with Solid Shine technology) to be used for the new 5-Skies production show featuring UHD imagery.

In September 2022, Princess signed a 5-year exclusive licensing agreement with Xponential Fitness Inc (an Irvine, CA-based company founded in 2017). Xponential Fitness is currently the world's largest global franchise group of boutique fitness brands. As of 2022, Xponential franchises 10 fitness brands (Club Pilates, Pure Barre, CycleBar, StretchLAB, Row House, YogaSix, Rumble, AKT Dance, STRIDE Fitness, BFT) and operates over 2,220 gym studios in 48 U.S. states and 13 countries. The deal with Xponential, along with the partnership with OneSpaWorld (providing gym professionals and wellness staff and services), made Princess the first major cruise company to offer multiple premium fitness brands for personalized and customizable gym/training experiences. During the agreement period (2022-2027), at least eight Xponential brands will be available on each Princess ship (120 licensed gym studios fleetwide).

In 2024 (Sun Princess) and 2025 (Star Princess) will debut the fleet's largest (SPHERE-class) vessels, with a gross tonnage/volume of approximately 175,000 tonnes.

Each ship has 21 floors, 2,157 staterooms, and the signature (fleet-first) facilities The Dome (a top-deck entertainment space covered by a glass roof) and Piazza Atrium (a three-deck-high, outward-facing midship suspended space with comfortable seating, 360-degree outside views, and a large, movable LED screen for live entertainment). Both SPHERE-class Princess ships also feature new cabin types for the fleet: Signature Collection Suites (exclusive access to the Signature Restaurant-Lounge & Bar-Sundeck) and Reserve Collection Staterooms (exclusive restaurant access).

Princess ships with MedallionNet Wi-Fi Internet

In early September 2018, Carnival Corporation's OceanMedallion technology was introduced on Caribbean Princess. This wearable device allows passengers to access "virtual concierge" services and amenities, as well as interactive entertainment. The new technology also includes MedallionNet, a Wi-Fi connectivity service powered by SES Networks, with access points installed in all staterooms. Passengers on MedallionClass cruise liners enjoy land-like internet connection quality, enabling streaming of movies, music, videos, video calls, and real-time sharing on social media platforms.

All MedallionClass ships (Princess' entire fleet) feature touchless embarkation/disembarkation (at homeport), keyless cabin entry, frictionless commerce, and contactless capabilities (wayfinding, on-demand service delivery), along with a shipboard family and friends locator, interactive entertainment (first-run movies, live TV, events, and activities planner).

In 2018, MedallionNet was installed on the Princess liners Caribbean, Regal, Royal, and Ruby. In 2019, MedallionNet was added to the liners Coral (Apr 5), Island (May 15), Crown (Jun 30), Emerald (Aug 3), Sky (Oct 12), and Golden (Dec 20). In 2020, the following liners were upgraded: Grand (Feb 21), Diamond (Mar 15), Majestic (Apr 18), Star (Jun 12), Enchanted (Jun 15), and Sapphire (Jul 27).

In 2021, "Ocean Sportsbook" was introduced, a real-time sports betting option available fleetwide on all ships. This service allows passengers to bet on sports such as football, basketball, baseball, hockey, cycling, car racing, boxing, martial arts, and other competitions.

When the ship is in international waters, passengers can use the MedallionClass app to place bets on sports during live events and on future sports events occurring after the voyage. With over USD 20 billion in wagers placed with U.S. sportsbooks in 2019-2020, online sports betting is growing and is expected to reach USD 155 billion by 2024.

Ocean Sportsbook is available on all vessels through a partnership with Miomni Gaming Ltd (a software developer founded in 1998) and is part of the Ocean Casino's digital platform. This platform allows wagers to be placed beyond the ship's Casino Lounge (across indoor-outdoor venues, sundecks, pool decks, wellness complexes, staterooms, etc.), on games including slots, poker, blackjack, roulette, bingo, lottery, and keno.

In June 2021, the cruise company introduced CrewCall, the industry's first on-demand service, available through the cabin's smart HDTV or the MedallionClass app. This service allows passengers to call a crew member to their current location for assistance or to request services. The app's "CrewCall Chat" enables passengers to text specific questions or requests to crew members via smart devices.

Cruisetours / Shore Excursions

Since 2017, Princess Cruises has offered a "Shore Excursions Best Price Guarantee" for tours in all ports of call. The program, launched fleetwide in December 2016, guarantees that if passengers find the same tour/excursion at a lower price elsewhere, they will receive 110% of the price difference as non-refundable onboard credit (OBC). In such cases, an email request must be submitted at least 7 days before departure (to shoreexcursions@princesscruises.com) for review by the Shore Excursion team. Booked passengers will be notified within 2 business days if their request meets the criteria.

• The "Best Price Guarantee" applies only to tours/shore excursions that are publicly available and priced online.
• The "Best Price Guarantee" does not apply to excursions in Asia or private vehicle/driver excursions in all ports.
• The Princess Shore Excursions program offers over 4,000 land tours/excursions in 360 destinations and over 150 itineraries.
• "Discovery" and "Animal Planet" themed excursions are also available as part of the new "Discovery at Sea" cruise tour program (through an exclusive partnership with Discovery Communications). These tours are unique, cannot be booked independently, and are available only through Princess. The program includes over 1,000 such tours worldwide.

The company's most popular/purchased cruise package is "Princess Plus" (costs US$50 per person per day). The package includes premium beverages, unlimited Wi-Fi (for 4 devices), selected specialty restaurant dining, digital photos (plus 3 printed 8x10 cm photos), Princess Prizes, and daily crew gratuities.

In 2022, the "Princess Premier Package" was introduced (costs US$75 per person per day). This package includes unlimited Wi-Fi (for 4 devices), premium/top-brand liquors, wines, cocktails, coffees, specialty dining (2 meals per person), unlimited digital photos (plus 3 printed), and crew gratuities.

Princess Alaskan Lodges (Cruisetour Packages)

Denali Princess Wilderness Lodge is a 663-room complex located approximately 2 km (1 mile) from Denali Park's entrance. The building features an expansive deck overlooking the Nenana River and views into the nature park. Accommodations are available exclusively to Princess Cruises customers, offered as optional pre-/post- Alaskan cruise tour packages.

In 2019 (the company's 50th year in Alaska), Denali Princess Wilderness Lodge debuted the 180-seat restaurant "Fannie Q's Saloon." The new dining venue serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner, offering locally inspired, authentic dishes (Braised Pork Shoulder, Bison Sliders, Bear-Lard Pie). The modern saloon features indoor and outdoor seating, with live entertainment in the evenings. Outside Fannie Q's Saloon is the Fireside Patio, which has 3 new BBQ firepits and refreshment drinks. Grizzly Burger (formerly Grizzly Bar and Grill) now offers the company's signature "Ernesto" – an exclusive ribeye burger created by Ernesto Uchimura (Japanese celebrity chef).

Like outdoor activities, Princess cruise tour passengers can meet mountain climbers who have conquered Mt. Denali at the Mt. McKinley Princess Wilderness Lodge (Denali State Park). Outside the lodge, there is a retired airplane.

• Fishing and sledge dog puppy activities are complimentary. The lodge's Denali show costs USD 20 per person.
• Playing with sledge dog puppies on a cruise ship is probably the last thing one would ever imagine doing. However, it is one of the new activities available on all Princess Cruises Alaska itineraries. The company's "North to Alaska" enrichment program debuted in 2017 and allows passengers to take photos and interact with baby sledge dogs in the ship's Atrium (lobby) area. Dog handlers are on hand to talk about this Alaskan sport.
• The "Puppies in the Piazza" experience is available on all Princess Alaskan cruise ships and roundtrip itineraries. Also new is the opportunity to taste your own catch of the day for dinner. New fishing excursions allow passengers to select their preferred preparation by the ship's culinary team.

During the company's 2018 Alaskan program, the custom-designed wilderness treehouse was inaugurated at the Mt. McKinley Princess Wilderness Lodge. The treehouse allows guests to view Mt. Denali while enjoying themed activities.

The treehouse was built during Discovery Channel's Animal Planet episode "Treehouse Masters," which premiered in August 2017. It was the first-ever treehouse in Alaska, designed and built by Pete Nelson. Powered by solar panels, the facility provides Princess cruise ship tourists with a unique "Alaskan land tour" experience. The treehouse is approximately 500 square feet (46 square meters) and can be accessed by hiking the "hill trail loop."

(NEW) Princess Cruise Gratuities

Since August 2024, the company's daily gratuities (per person) have been raised fleetwide as follows:

• USD 17 per person - interior, oceanview, balcony staterooms, for both adults and children
• USD 18 per person - mini-suites, Club Class staterooms
• USD 19 per person - suites

For example, a family of four in an inside cabin on a 7-night voyage would pay a total of USD 476 in crew gratuities.

On ships deployed in Australia and New Zealand, gratuities are not compulsory.

The daily gratuity is an automatic service charge added to the passenger's onboard account each day.

Passengers can prepay gratuities. The amount of gratuities is split between the ship's staff (dining, housekeeping, cabin stewards).

Princess Cruises Bear Mascot Stanley

Since summer 2017, Princess ships feature a special onboard attraction – the company's mascot bear, Stanley.

The adorable bear mascot was named in a Facebook contest with over 9,000 entries. The mascot's name honors Stanley McDonald (1920-2014). In 1965, he founded Princess Cruises and expanded it into one of the world's largest cruise ship companies. In 1975, he sold Princess to P&O Cruises (then called "Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Company") and remained its Chairman until 1980.

As the bear fell in love with ship cruising, he decided to skip winter hibernation and became a stowaway. Since 2017, Stanley has traveled around the world on all Princess ships. Stanley also made "surprise" appearances on the company's "Chinese ship" Majestic Princess during the inaugural festivities in Shanghai, China in July 2017. From China, Stanley the Bear embarked on all Princess itineraries.

During the day, Princess' "cruise ship bear" wears themed apparel tied to the ship's current itinerary destination. On Alaskan cruises, he wears a lumberjack outfit. In China, he wears a traditional Tang suit and cap. In Japan, he wears a Yukata outfit. On formal nights, the bear dresses up in the Captain's uniform. Stanley appears on all Princess ships, interacting with passengers through various entertainment activities and offering engaging photo opportunities. He also holds storytime hours for kids at the ship's youth facilities.

On the ship, passengers can participate in the daily contest "Where on the ship is Stanley?" The mascot also appears during the special Welcome Aboard shows throughout the voyage. Souvenir Stanley bear plush toys are available for purchase in the onboard shopping arcade "Shops of Princess." The toy costs USD 25. A portion of the proceeds from the toy's sales goes to the "Princess Animal Welfare Sponsor."

Princess cruise ship passengers can share their travel adventures with Stanley using the social hashtag #StanleyAtSea.

(Coronavirus Crisis) Passenger Shipping Pause 2020-2021-2022

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Princess suspended its fleet's passenger shipping operations by canceling all voyages with pre-scheduled departures between March 12, 2020, and July 2021.

Listed below are Princess Cruises' first departures by ship/homeport: CARIBBEAN (Nov 28, 2021/Fort Lauderdale), CORAL (Jun 16, 2022/Sydney, Australia), CROWN (May 7, 2022/Alaska from Seattle), DIAMOND (Sept 1, 2022/West Coast USA and Mexico from San Diego), DISCOVERY (Mar 27, 2022/Maiden Voyage/Mexican Riviera from Los Angeles), EMERALD (Oct 15, 2021/Panama Canal from Los Angeles to Fort Lauderdale), ENCHANTED (Nov 10, 2021/Maiden Voyage/Fort Lauderdale), GRAND (Sept 25, 2021/Los Angeles), ISLAND (Apr 27, 2022/Panama Canal from Fort Lauderdale to Los Angeles), MAJESTIC (Jul 25, 2021/Alaska from Seattle), REGAL (Jul 31, 2021/Southampton, UK Cruises to Nowhere), ROYAL (May 2, 2022/Alaska from Vancouver), RUBY (Oct 31, 2021/San Francisco), SAPPHIRE (Sept 24, 2022/Hawaii and Mexico from Los Angeles), SKY (Aug 30, 2021/Southampton, UK Cruises to Nowhere).

• DIAMOND's Asia 2021 program (round trips from Yokohama to Korea and Japan) and South America 2022 program (from Buenos Aires, Argentina, and San Antonio, Chile) were canceled.
• MAJESTIC's Alaska 2021 program (from Seattle) was first canceled, then rescheduled (July 25 to Sept 26).
• SAPPHIRE's Australia 2021 program was canceled and replaced with LA round trips to Hawaii, Mexico, and the California Coast.
• CROWN's Panama Canal 2021-2022 winter season (from Fort Lauderdale) was canceled.
• ISLAND's "World Cruise 2022" (112-day round trip from Fort Lauderdale) was canceled.
• CORAL's "World Cruise 2022" (108-day round trip from Australia/Sydney-Brisbane) was canceled.
• The 2021-built ENCHANTED's entire inaugural Mediterranean season (July 3 through November 15, with departures from Barcelona and Rome, including the Transatlantic crossing from Europe to the USA) was canceled.
• DISCOVERY's maiden voyage (November 3, 2021, Mediterranean from Rome) was rescheduled for March 27, 2022, as a Mexican Riviera cruise from Los Angeles.
• Due to Canada's ban, the Princess Alaska 2021 program was entirely canceled, affecting the schedules of six ships (Grand, Majestic, Royal, Crown, Coral, Emerald).
• The Princess-operated Alaskan wilderness lodges and transportation (trains and buses) remained closed in 2020 and 2021. Due to Canada's extended travel restrictions, Princess canceled all Alaskan, West Coast USA, and Hawaii departures from Vancouver and Seattle.
• Due to port closures and international travel uncertainties, Princess's Australia-New Zealand program was canceled through January 27, 2022. The "World Cruise 2021" (Island Princess) and "Circle South America Cruise 2021" (Pacific Princess) were also canceled. Travel agents' commissions on all canceled bookings were paid in full.
• Princess UK 2021 summer program (Southampton roundtrips planned for three ships: Island, Regal, Sky) was canceled through July.

In late January 2021, Pacific Princess was sold to Sycamore Partners and left the fleet to join Azamara.

All affected bookings were automatically canceled and received 125% refunds in FCC (Future Cruise Credit) with rebooking, including a full (100%) refund on pre-purchased Princess Cruises packages and services. With rebooking, all funds are transferred to FCCs for any itinerary choice (through December 31, 2022). The rebooking bonus is an additional 25% FCC (applied automatically to the fare) that can be used on any itinerary booked by May 1, 2022. A full (100%) monetary refund was offered to all cancellations made by March 31, 2021. All bookings can be canceled up to 48 hours prior to departure (previously 72 hours). FCCs will continue to be issued for the amount of your cancellation fee.

The FCC is non-refundable, eligible for the revised cancellation terms, and cannot be used on the same sailing as the original booking. FCCs are automatically applied to your Captain's Circle profile on the canceled bookings. FCCs may take up to 30 business days to be processed.

The fleetwide suspension followed COVID-19 outbreaks on two vessels: Diamond Princess (in Japan) and Grand Princess (in the USA). All shipboard employees remained aboard the vessels. Each ship was planned to visit Princess Cays (a Carnival-owned private island resort) once weekly, where its crew could disembark and use the facilities.

Princess offers cruise travelers a complete package, featuring comfortable accommodations, comprehensive onboard entertainment, family-friendly options, and, of course, incredible shore excursions. Founded in 1965, Princess Cruises has refined its itinerary selection, allowing you to sail to destinations worldwide with a wide array of diverse itineraries.

The impressive selection offers over 160 itineraries, reaching more than 300 ports globally, with sailings ranging from 7 to 100+ days on Princess World tours. Princess cruise destinations include Alaska, Europe-UK, the Caribbean, Bermuda, regular Panama Canal transition cruises (introduced in 1967), the Mexican Riviera, South America and Pacific Islands (Hawaii and Tahiti), Asia, Australia-New Zealand, and Canada-New England.

A 14-day "Canada and New England" cruisetour (roundtrip from NYC New York) includes a 7-day Land Tour followed by a 7-day cruising itinerary. The Land Tour begins in Washington DC (hotel overnight), continues by bus to Mount Vernon Plantation (George Washington), Virginia's Historic Triangle (Jamestown Settlement and Williamsburg, hotel overnight in Williamsburg VA), Richmond VA (state capital), Monticello Plantation (Thomas Jefferson), Staunton VA (hotel overnight), Gettysburg PA (hotel overnight), Philadelphia PA (hotel overnight), and ends in NYC (ship embarkation on Day 8). The 7-day segment (NYC roundtrip) visits Newport RI, Boston MA, Bar Harbor ME, and in Canada - Saint John NB and Halifax NS.

Alaska 2025-2026 Ships (Deployment/Itinerary Changes)

Princess Alaska's 2025 season features 3 roundtrip itineraries and the new "National Parks Cruisetour." Also new for 2025 are two roundtrips: the 22-day from San Francisco CA (Ruby Princess, coinciding with Summer Solstice 2025) and the 17-day from Seattle WA (Grand Princess, with 3 days of scenic glacier cruising). Also new is the 16-day roundtrip "Inside Passage Cruise" from Los Angeles CA (Grand Princess).

Princess Alaska's 2025 program is based on 7 ships (including Caribbean Princess for the first time), 5 homeports (including Los Angeles), 21 destinations, 4 glacier-viewing experiences (88 Glacier Bay NP visits), with itineraries ranging from 4 to 22 days:

The 22-day "Ultimate Alaska Solstice with Glacier Bay National Park" roundtrip from San Francisco (Ruby Princess) departs June 6th, 2025.

The 17-day "Ultimate Alaska with Glacier Bay National Park" roundtrip from Seattle (Grand Princess) departs May 6th, 2025.

The 16-day "Inside Passage with Glacier Bay National Park" roundtrip from Los Angeles (Grand Princess) departs August 30th, 2025.

The 7-day "Voyage of the Glaciers" itinerary visits Juneau, Skagway, Ketchikan, and two glacier-viewing destinations (Glacier Bay NP and Hubbard Glacier or College Fjord). Princess ships Caribbean, Coral, and Sapphire offer weekly northbound and southbound departures from Vancouver, Canada to Anchorage/Whittier, USA, and vice versa. This itinerary operates between May 10th and September 13th, 2025.

The signature 7-day "Inside Passage Cruise" (roundtrips from Seattle and Vancouver) and the 11-day itinerary (roundtrip from San Francisco and Vancouver) include 4 call ports and a day of glacier viewing. All Inside Passage cruises visit Glacier Bay NP.

The ships Discovery and Royal sail from Seattle weekly (May 4-Sept 21, 2025), Grand Princess departs weekly from Vancouver (May 27-Aug 19, 2025), Ruby Princess sails 11-day roundtrips from San Francisco (May 4-Sept 13, 2025).

Three "Alaska Samplers" itineraries (4 to 5 days) offer short breaks to Alaska with the ships Discovery, Royal, and Grand. They offer 4-day sailings between Vancouver and Seattle stopping in Ketchikan (departures April 30th, May 13th, May 23rd, 2025). Caribbean Princess sails a 4-day roundtrip from Vancouver visiting Ketchikan (Sept 13th) and a 5-day roundtrip from Vancouver stopping in Sitka and Ketchikan (May 5th).

The Alaskan 2025 schedule has 26 cruisetours, including Denali Explorer, On Your Own, Connoisseur Deluxe Escorted, and Off the Beaten Path. The Direct-to-the-Wilderness rail service ensures a seamless transition between the ship in Whittier and the Denali area on the same day. Two Alaskan lodges (Mt McKinley Princess Wilderness Lodge and Denali Princess Wilderness Lodge) provide unique perspectives for experiencing North America's tallest mountain.

Alaska 2026

In July 2024, Princess announced its Alaska 2026 season—the brand's largest yet, based on 8 ships (Discovery, Grand, Coral, Island, Emerald, Ruby, Royal, Star), 180 departures, 5 homeports, and 19 destinations.

• 7-day (14-day B2B) "Voyage of the Glaciers" itinerary is operated by 4 ships (Discovery, Grand, Coral, Island) and visits two Alaskan glaciers.
• "Inside Passage" itineraries (7- to 20-day) visit 4 glaciers, with departures from Seattle (ships Royal and Star), San Francisco (ship Ruby), Vancouver BC Canada (ship Emerald), and Los Angeles (ship Emerald).
• The 20-day "Ultimate Alaska Solstice" (ship Ruby) and the 16-day Inside Passage (ship Emerald) are longer voyages offering extended exploration opportunities.

Adventures Ashore: Princess Cruises' Alaskan shore excursions include "Cook My Catch" (fishing tours), helicopter tours, and whale-watching excursions.

The "North to Alaska with Princess" program offers cultural and educational activities like naturalist talks, Northern Lights (planetarium experience), and an Alaska seafood menu.

Alaskan Cruisetours (Cruise, Rail, and Lodge) packages combine the sea voyage with land tours, including visits to Denali NP. The Alaska 2026 season offers 20+ cruisetours, including the 15-night "National Parks Tour" (five parks, 7-day cruise, scenic train travel, and 8 nights ashore at Princess-owned wilderness lodges).

Europe 2025-2026 Itineraries (Mediterranean-Baltic-Iceland-Greenland-UK-USA-Transatlantic)

Princess Cruises' 5 European liners in spring and fall offer Transatlantic voyages (RepositionCruises.com) between Europe and the USA: Port Everglades/Fort Lauderdale (Florida), Galveston (Texas), or NYC (New York) and Barcelona, London, or Civitavecchia-Rome.

A total of 4 cruisetours (cruise+land packages) offer more "shore time" for visiting popular tourist sites with expert guides, hotel stays, and traditional regional cuisine. These are titled "Highlights of Spain," "Classic Italy," "Ring of Kerry," and "Best of Greece."

UK and Europe 2026 Itineraries

In May 2024, Princess announced its largest European season to date, planned for 2026, with a fleet of 5 ships and a total of 222 voyages.

Running from March through November (2026), the program includes 59 unique itineraries, 101 destinations (29 countries), with voyages ranging from 5 to 42 nights. The schedule lists the new Sun Princess ship, roundtrips from Copenhagen Denmark, and new itineraries from Civitavecchia-Rome.

Sun Princess offers 7-, 14-, and 21-night Mediterranean voyages from Civitavecchia, Piraeus-Athens, and Barcelona. Longer voyages (Grand Mediterranean Adventure) are B2Bs without repeating ports.

The Sky Princess returns to Europe for a 6th year, homeporting in Southampton and offering voyages from 7 to 28 nights, covering Northern Europe, the Canary Islands, and Mediterranean itineraries. Among the new offerings is a 28-night "Northern Europe and Mediterranean" itinerary (roundtrip from Southampton) visiting ports like Skagen, Copenhagen, Stockholm, Helsinki, and Zeebrugge.

Also debuting in Europe in 2026 is the Enchanted Princess ship, offering Mediterranean roundtrips from Civitavecchia (5 to 14 nights).

The Majestic Princess will be homeported in Southampton and is scheduled to visit destinations in the British Isles and Northern Europe.

In 2026, Princess will return to Copenhagen (after 6 years) with the Sapphire Princess, offering 12-night Northern European itineraries.

The company offers 5 unique cruisetours, combining European voyages with extended land tours, including visits to Madrid, Florence, Rome, and destinations in Greece and Ireland.

The Europe 2026 program also features Grand Adventures and Passages, with all 5 ships offering scheduled Transatlantic crossings (RepositionCruises.com) ranging from 14 to 29 nights.

Itineraries 2025-2026 Mexico, West Coast/California Coast, Hawaii, Tahiti

Los Angeles’ hometown cruise line Princess is further solidifying its West Coast USA heritage with the newly released fall 2024 through spring 2025 season.

Featuring over 75 voyages visiting Hawaii, Mexico, and the California Coast from 3 convenient homeports - San Francisco, CA, Seattle, WA, and Los Angeles - West Coast USA voyages are now open for booking.

The West Coast USA 2025 season features more than 75 voyages (21 different itineraries) visiting 28 destinations across 7 countries, 4 ships (Discovery, Grand, Majestic, Ruby), and roundtrip departures from 3 homeports (Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle).

Discovery Princess sails 7-day Mexican Riviera voyages visiting Mazatlan, Puerto Vallarta, and Cabo San Lucas.

Weeklong California Coast cruises aboard Discovery Princess visit San Diego, Santa Barbara, and more.

Grand Princess and Majestic Princess operate 10-day Baja Peninsula & Sea of Cortez itineraries.

Grand Princess' 16-day roundtrips from LA to the Hawaiian Islands visit the Big Island/Hawaii, Kauai, Maui, and Oahu.

Grand Princess and Sapphire Princess have longer (32- and 33-day) Transpacific itineraries to the South Pacific and the Hawaiian Islands (RepositionCruises.com), also visiting the Tahiti Isles.

The San Francisco-homeported Ruby Princess offers roundtrips to Hawaii, Mexico, California, and the Pacific Northwest USA. The liner also offers a 16-day "Hawaiian Islands" roundtrip from Vancouver, BC, Canada.

Majestic Princess operates the Classic California Coast itinerary out of Seattle. The 11-day roundtrip visits San Francisco, Santa Barbara, Los Angeles, and San Diego (with a late-night stay).

The expansive 2026-2027 West Coast season features 69 voyages across 26 destinations and 12 itineraries. Departing from Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Vancouver, the program highlights 8 ships, including the inaugural season of the newly launched Star Princess.

Sailings from Los Angeles

• Star Princess: A 7-day "Mexican Riviera" round-trip voyage, departing April 19th, 2027.
• Discovery Princess: Offers 7-day "Mexican Riviera" cruises, visiting Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlan, and Puerto Vallarta from October 2026 to April 2027.
• Emerald Princess: Features a variety of itineraries, including:

16-day "Hawaiian Islands" cruises (September 2026 to March 2027).

7-day "Classic California Coast" sailings in November 2026 and March 2027, including a spring break departure.

A 10-day "Baja Peninsula & Sea of Cortez" New Year’s voyage, departing December 30th, 2026.

A 4-day "West Coast Getaway" over Thanksgiving, departing November 24th, 2026.

• Island Princess: Embarks on a 32-day journey through the South Pacific Islands and Hawaii, departing September 23rd, 2026.
• Grand Princess: Sails a 10-day "Baja Peninsula & Sea of Cortez" itinerary, featuring an overnight in Cabo San Lucas, departing September 25th, 2026.

Sailings from San Francisco

• Ruby Princess: Returns with round-trip itineraries from October 2026 to April 2027, including:

16-day Hawaii voyages, with a special New Year’s sailing.

An 11-day Mexican cruise over Christmas.

A 7-day "Pacific Northwest Coast" itinerary in November 2026 and April 2027.

A 5-day "West Coast Getaway" to San Diego during Thanksgiving.

Sailings from Vancouver: Wine enthusiasts can enjoy specialized cruises aboard 5 ships departing from Vancouver in September 2026. These itineraries include stops in San Francisco, Santa Barbara, Catalina Island, and San Diego, with durations of 6 to 7 days. Ships on these sailings include Coral Princess, Discovery Princess, Grand Princess, Island Princess, and Star Princess.

Holiday Voyages: Princess Cruises offers several holiday sailings round-trip from Los Angeles or San Francisco, including voyages to Hawaii and Mexico over Christmas and New Year’s, as well as shorter "West Coast Getaways" during Thanksgiving.

Itineraries 2025-2026-2027 Americas, Australia-New Zealand

The company's 2025 South Pacific (Australia and New Zealand) schedule also includes the longest world voyage ever to sail from Australia. The program is based on 3 liners: Royal and Crown (both homeported in Sydney, NSW) and Diamond (alternating between Brisbane and Melbourne). It offers visits to 14 countries across 112 departures and 72 itineraries.

Crown Princess' "World Cruise 2025" is the longest-ever voyage leaving from Australia. It visits 25+ UNESCO sites and features 8 late-night port stays. The ex-Australia itinerary continues to Southeast Asia, then via the Suez Canal to Europe (Mediterranean and Northern Europe), follows a Panama Canal transit, and then heads via the South Pacific back to Australia. The voyage also includes 9 maiden Princess ports.

The AU-NZ program is based on 7 homeport cities, including Hobart (Tasmania), which is a departure port for Princess for the first time. Other departure ports include Adelaide, Auckland, NZ, and Fremantle/Perth.

There are also two relocation voyages between Australia and Japan/Tokyo (RepositionCruises.com) with stops in Hong Kong, China, Taiwan, Papua New Guinea, and the Philippines.

From Sydney, NSW, 13- to 15-night roundtrips to the South Pacific islands are offered.

Princess' Australia 2025-2026 season was initially based on 3 ships (Crown and Discovery from Sydney, and Grand from Brisbane). However, Grand's winter 2025-2026 (October-April) deployment in Australia-New Zealand was canceled in May 2024 and replaced with 7-day Southern Caribbean roundtrips from San Juan, Puerto Rico.

South Pacific, Australia, New Zealand 2026-2027

The 2026-2027 (October-August) fleet deployment for Australia, New Zealand, and the South Pacific features 42 itineraries (62 departures) and is based on 3 ships (Royal, Crown, Grand) and 5 homeports (Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Fremantle-Perth, Adelaide).

The itineraries range from 2-night getaways (portless cruises) to the 79-night Circle Pacific Voyage. Royal Princess is based in Sydney, Grand Princess primarily operates from Brisbane, and Crown Princess offers diverse sailings, including a 28-night Round Australia cruise.

Australia's 2026-2027 season highlights include:

The 79-night Circle Pacific Voyage (Grand Princess) spans 23,600 nautical miles across 3 continents. Embarkation ports include 3 options (Sydney, Brisbane, or Auckland). The itinerary includes 32 destinations (13 countries, 15 UNESCO sites), with an overnight in Hong Kong and late-night port stays (Honolulu, Juneau, Osaka, Singapore, Papeete), along with scenic cruising through College Fjord, Alaska.

Discover Broome in Western Australia, Burnie in Tasmania, Port Lincoln in South Australia, and Picton on New Zealand's South Island. South Pacific destinations include Fiji, Samoa, and Papua New Guinea. Legendary cities like Sydney, Melbourne, Auckland, and Adelaide anchor the itineraries.

The season introduces 3 new cruisetours that combine land and sea travel:

1. Tropical Highlights Cruisetour features the Great Barrier Reef, Paronella Park, and Mena Creek Falls.
2. Southern Australia Cruisetour includes Melbourne, the Great Ocean Road, Adelaide, and Kangaroo Island.
3. Australian Outback Cruisetour showcases the Great Barrier Reef and Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, both UNESCO sites.

South America & Antarctica 2025-2026 Itineraries

Sapphire Princess embarks on 4 journeys to Antarctica, the Falkland Islands, Elephant Island, Antarctic Sound, and Gerlache Strait. Sapphire also visits South American destinations, accompanied by the fleetmate Majestic Princess.

The season boasts 15 departures, 11 distinct itineraries, 26 destinations, and 14 countries. A 17-day Antarctic voyage (roundtrip from Buenos Aires) offers an overnight stay in Argentina's capital.

The 51-day "South America Grand Adventure" on Majestic Princess (Los Angeles to Fort Lauderdale) includes overnight stays in Callao/Lima, Buenos Aires, and Rio de Janeiro.

Highlights include:

• Antarctica – 17 days – Four Voyages (Buenos Aires roundtrip) to Antarctica (four days of cruising, visits to Elephant Island, Antarctic Sound, and Gerlache Strait), departures in December 2024 and January 2025.
• Cape Horn & Strait of Magellan – 14 or 15 days – Four Voyages (Cape Horn, Strait of Magellan), departures in December 2024 and February 2025.
• Andes & South America – 18 days – Two Voyages: Discover the Andes and South America's beauty, with visits to Puerto Vallarta, Lima, and other destinations. Departures in December 2024 and March 2025.
• Brazilian Adventure – 18 days – Two Voyages, departures in November 2024 and January 2025.
• Grand Adventures – 32-51 days – Five Voyages, departures in December 2024 and March 2025.

Passengers also have the option to enhance their voyage with two cruisetours:

• Iguazu Falls Adventure: Immerse yourself in the grandeur of the world's largest waterfall system, Iguazú Falls, and explore the vibrant city of Rio de Janeiro.
• Machu Picchu Explorer: Embark on a train journey through picturesque valleys to the ancient wonder of Machu Picchu, followed by a tour of historic Cusco.

Princess' 2025-2026 South America & Antarctica program (November 2025-January 2026, on Sapphire Princess) offers 5 unique itineraries (7 departures) visiting 20 destinations across 11 countries.

The program's highlights are:

• Antarctica Adventures: Enjoy 17-day cruises with 4 days exploring Antarctica, including a special festive voyage celebrating Christmas and New Year's at sea with an overnight stay in Buenos Aires.
• Cape Horn & Strait of Magellan: Experience a 16-day journey with scenic cruising past the Amalia Glacier and an overnight in Buenos Aires.
• Ultimate Adventure: Embark on a 53-day voyage from Los Angeles to Buenos Aires, with overnight stops in Lima (Callao) and Buenos Aires, connecting South America and Antarctica.
• UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Visit 12 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including Lima's Historic Centre and the Church of Atlantida in Montevideo.

Caribbean 2025-2026 Itineraries

In 2025, the Caribbean will feature the fleet's latest and largest ships of the SPHERE class – Sun Princess and Star Princess. Homeported in Port Everglades/Fort Lauderdale, Florida, both ships offer 7-day roundtrips to Eastern and Western Caribbean destinations.

Both sister ships will start service in Europe/Mediterranean – Sun Princess in February 2025, followed by Star Princess in August 2025.

Princess Cruises' 2025-2026 itinerary program includes 278 voyages across the USA, Caribbean, Mexico, and Pacific Islands.

The program features a Mexican Riviera cruise (Royal Princess) celebrating the company's 60th anniversary (the brand's inaugural cruise started in December 1965 on the SS Princess Patricia).

Caribbean Itineraries

Sky Princess will be the first ROYAL-class liner homeported in Port Canaveral/Orlando, Florida, offering 8-day Eastern and Western Caribbean sailings, as well as 6-day roundtrips to the Eastern Caribbean.

The Caribbean deployment (including ships Caribbean, Emerald, Enchanted, Island, Majestic, Regal, and Sapphire) includes 29 ports/destinations in 22 countries, with 178 departures across 25 different itineraries (ranging from 4 to 20 days).

Princess' largest summer Caribbean season to date (2026 summer) is based on two ships (Regal and Caribbean, homeported in Port Everglades and Port Canaveral, respectively), offering over 90 sailings.

From Port Canaveral, Caribbean Princess offers 7-day roundtrips to Eastern and Western Caribbean destinations, with the option to combine itineraries for a 14-day Caribbean Adventurer. Notable sailings include:

• 6-day Eastern Caribbean with Turks & Caicos: Nassau, Amber Cove, Grand Turk – May 11, 2026
• 7-day Eastern Caribbean with Turks & Caicos: Nassau, Princess Cays, Amber Cove, Grand Turk – Various dates from May to October 2026
• 7-day Western Caribbean with Mexico: Cozumel, Costa Maya, Roatan – Various dates from May to September 2026
• 7-day Eastern Caribbean with Puerto Rico: San Juan, Amber Cove, Grand Turk – Various dates from May to October 2026.

From Fort Lauderdale, Regal Princess offers 7- and 8-day roundtrips to the Eastern, Southern, and Western Caribbean, which can also be combined into a 14-day B2B. Highlights include:

• 8-day Southern Caribbean with ABC Islands: Aruba, Bonaire, Curacao – April 3, 2026
• 7-day Eastern Caribbean with Bahamas: Princess Cays, Amber Cove, Grand Turk – Various dates from April to August 2026
• 7-day Western Caribbean with Mexico: Cozumel, Belize City, Roatan – Various dates from April to August 2026
• 7-day Eastern Caribbean with St. Thomas: Princess Cays, San Juan, St. Thomas – Various dates from April to August 2026.

Additionally, Princess offers two special Southern Caribbean Islander/relocation itineraries:

(Caribbean Princess) 13-day Southern Caribbean Islander: Fort Lauderdale to Port Canaveral – April 28, 2026

(Regal Princess) 14-day Southern Caribbean Islander: Fort Lauderdale to New York – September 5, 2026.

Japan 2025 Itineraries

Princess Cruises' 2025 Japan season (March through August) includes 35 voyages (ranging from 7 to 22 days) scheduled for the ship Diamond Princess homeported in Tokyo (Yokohama).

The program offers visits to 36 different destinations across three countries, with key highlights:

• Spring Flowers Voyages: These 10-day and newly introduced 11-day cruises in March and April cover Japan's four main islands, following the predicted blooming season from south to north.
• Southern Islands Itineraries: Featuring 9 days of exploration with two stops in the Okinawan islands and two calls to Taiwan, including a return to Hualien.
• Sea of Japan Voyages: These 9-day and 10-day voyages trace the historic Kitamaebune trading route, showcasing various ports along the way.
• Hokkaido Voyages: The 10-day cruises include visits to Otaru (for Sapporo), Hakodate, and Kushiro.
• Japan Explorer Voyages: Covering iconic destinations such as Shimizu (for Mt. Fuji), Osaka or Kobe (for Kyoto), Hiroshima, and more on a 10-day itinerary.
• Scenic Cruising: Passengers have the opportunity to experience the picturesque Kanmon Straits, the waterway separating Honshu and Kyushu.

Additionally, Princess' Japan 2025 season coincides with several traditional summer festivals, including the Aomori Nebuta Festival, Kochi Yosakoi Dance Festival, Tokushima Awa Dance Festival, and Kumano Fireworks Festival in August. Guests can enjoy the unique festivities during their voyage.

To enhance the shore experience, Princess is offering late-night and overnight port stays, allowing tourists to immerse themselves in the local culture and lifestyle. The list includes four late-night "More Ashore" ports – Aomori (for Nebuta Festival), Kochi (for Yosakoi Festival), Shimizu (for Mt. Fuji), and Tokushima (for Awa Odori Festival).

For travelers seeking a more comprehensive exploration of Japan, Princess Cruises offers the Japan Cruisetour option. This includes a combination of a cruise and a land tour, allowing guests to delve deeper into the cultural treasures of Kyoto and Tokyo. Highlights of the tour include visits to Kyoto's intricate gardens, Nijo Castle, Kinkakuji Temple (Golden Pavilion), Great Buddha of Todaiji Temple, Kasuga Taisha Shrine, bustling Tokyo, and the UNESCO World Heritage site of Mt. Fuji, with breathtaking views from Togendai and Lake Ashi.

Fleet Deployment/Concise Review

Princess Cruises Panama Canal Itineraries

Princess was the first line to cruise through the Panama Canal locks back in 1967. Caribbean Princess was the first large-sized liner to pass through the new Agua Clara locks in 2017. Regular crossings are scheduled for the liner Emerald Princess (maiden season in 2019), which passes through the Agua Clara Locks (Canal's Atlantic side) and the Cocoli Locks (Canal's Pacific side). The new locks were opened in June 2016 as part of a 10-year, USD 5.4 billion "Neo-Panamax" canal expansion.

Princess' Panama Canal program is based on 5 ships, with 10- to 21-day itineraries also visiting ports in Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central/South America. Each Princess cruise ship transit of the Panama Canal features live narration (from the Navigation Bridge) and a day of scenic sailing through Gatun Lake. Full transits additionally feature coastal cruising (wildlife and rainforests) along Panama and Costa Rica, as well as top-rated Caribbean beaches.