Credentials you can check
Compare lines

Compare Princess with any other cruise line, and see who wins on what matters.

No more hopping between pages. Line them up on the money-and-complexity facts, gratuities, what's included, drink rules, cancellation, then one call gets you today's fare for your dates. can offer.

Call now · +1-833-684-4250
vs
Verified from official sources· checked Oct 21, 2026 123/156 facts verified from official sources

These differences add up. Call and we'll sort them for your trip.

☎Get your options, call now

Princess is best described as relaxed premium. Relaxed premium sailing with strong itineraries. Below is an independent, source-checked look at what actually matters before you book, and the money-and-complexity details worth a phone call.

Relaxed premium

The facts that cost money

These are the details that quietly change your final bill and vary by fare, cabin and sailing. We verify each from its source and re-check every 30 days. Where we have not verified something we say so and put you through to an advisor, rather than guess at it.

Daily gratuitiesA published service charge added to your onboard account each day$20.00/day suites; $19.00/day mini-suites, cabanas & Reserve Collection; $18.00/day all other staterooms (per guest, Crew Appreciation)
What's included vs. extraDining and entertainment vs. specialty dining, drinks, wifi, excursionsTwo packages, Princess Plus and Princess Premier, bundle drinks, casual & specialty dining, Wi-Fi and crew appreciation; without a package these are paid separately.
Drink package ruleWhether all adults in the cabin must buy itThe package applies to the first two guests on the booking, both must buy in.
Wi-FiIncluded, or tiered packages at extra costMedallionNet Max is included with Princess Premier (4 devices per guest) and Princess Plus (1 device). Without a package, MedallionNet Classic is bought separately. No Wi-Fi is included in the base Standard fare.
Deposit & final paymentWhen the balance is due before sailingBookings made from 2 Sep 2026: final payment 120 days before departure for every cruise length. Booked before then: 90 days (1-13 day cruises), 120 days (14+ days). Cruises of 45+ days also take 10% at booking and a further 20% at 320 days out.
Cancellation & refundsPenalty schedule as the sailing gets closerBookings from 2 Sep 2026, cruises up to 44 days: 120+ days = deposit; 113-119 = 25%; 91-112 = 50%; 61-90 = 75%; 60 or fewer = 100%. Booked before then, 1-13 day cruises: 90+ days = deposit; 75-89 = 25%; 61-74 = 50%; 31-60 = 75%; 30 or fewer = 100%. Cruises of 45+ days run a longer schedule.
Refundable vs non-refundableFare/deposit types and what you forfeitMost lines sell both a refundable-deposit fare and a lower non-refundable-deposit fare. On a non-refundable fare the full deposit is held in penalty if you cancel, although payments beyond the deposit are refunded, and change fees apply to the booking. (General, fare types and penalties vary by line and sailing.)
Solo traveller supplementSingle supplement and whether solo cabins existA solo traveller in a two-person cabin normally pays a single supplement, roughly the cost of two fares. Some ships have cabins built and sold for one person, where double-occupancy rates do not apply, but they are a small part of the inventory and availability varies by ship and sailing. (General, the supplement and the cabin types vary by line.)
Kids, minimum age & clubsMinimum age to sail and kids-club age bandsInfants must be at least 6 months old; 12 months for trans-ocean crossings and remote itineraries with more than two consecutive sea days. Clubs: The Treehouse 3-7, The Lodge 8-12, The Beach House 13-17.
Onboard credit termsRefundable vs non-refundable onboard creditOnboard credit comes from a promotion or your loyalty status, not the base fare, and it comes in two kinds. Complimentary credit is non-refundable and has no cash value, so it has to be spent on board. Purchased credit is refundable to you before you leave the ship. Where you hold both, the non-refundable credit is normally spent first, and anything left at the end of the last evening is forfeited. (General, terms vary by line and offer.)
Loyalty programmeProgramme name and how tiers workCaptain's Circle, Gold (1st cruise), Ruby (3 cruises / 30 days), Platinum (5 / 50), Elite (15 / 150).
Travel documentsPassport vs birth certificate on closed-loop sailingsPassport required for international; birth certificate + photo ID accepted on select closed-loop U.S. sailings (Alaska, Canada/New England, Caribbean, Hawaii, Mexico).

These are exactly the details that surprise people at the pier and on the final bill. Call and we'll confirm every one for your ship, cabin and dates, with today's fare.

Call now · +1-833-684-4250

At a glance

Founded1965
HeadquartersSanta Clarita, California
Parent companyCarnival Corporation & plc
Ships in fleet17
Loyalty programmeCaptain's Circle
StylePremium Mainstream

Is this the right line for you?

✓ A strong fit for

  • Multi-generation groups needing common ground
  • Alaska travellers wanting a land extension
  • Unusual destinations, Japan, Australia, world segments
  • Couples and older travellers
  • Cruisers who value itinerary over onboard spectacle

✕ Probably not for

  • Travellers wanting waterparks and thrill attractions
  • Those seeking nightlife-driven sailings
  • Budget-first shoppers
  • Anyone wanting a strictly adults-only atmosphere

What's included, and what isn't

Included in your fare

  • Main dining room, Set or flexible seating
  • Buffet, Open most of the day
  • Select casual venues
  • Main theatre productions
  • Pools and sports decks
  • Fitness centre, Classes may carry a fee
  • Kids club
  • Water, drip coffee, tea, select juice

Costs extra

  • Gratuities
  • Alcohol, soda, speciality coffee, Packages available
  • Speciality restaurants, Cover charge or à la carte
  • Wi-fi, Tiered packages
  • Shore excursions
  • Spa and salon
  • Casino and arcade
  • Laundry and pressing

Choosing a cabin

🛏️

Interior

The most affordable rooms, no window, but the same comfy beds, bathroom and service. Perfect if you plan to be out exploring.

🪟

Oceanview

A sealed window or porthole onto the sea, natural light and a view, without the extra of a balcony.

🌅

Balcony

Your own private outdoor space for morning coffee and sail-aways, the most popular choice for good reason.

👑

Mini-Suite

The top tier, more space and usually extra perks like priority boarding, a private lounge, sundeck or concierge service.

👑

Suite

The top tier, more space and usually extra perks like priority boarding, a private lounge, sundeck or concierge service.

👑

Reserve Collection (premium tier, 15 ships)

The top tier, more space and usually extra perks like priority boarding, a private lounge, sundeck or concierge service.

👑

Sanctuary Collection (Sun & Star Princess)

The top tier, more space and usually extra perks like priority boarding, a private lounge, sundeck or concierge service.

The right cabin, and the numbers to avoid on each ship, is exactly what an advisor knows.

Call now · +1-833-684-4250

Cruising with children

Kids clubThe Treehouse (3-7), The Lodge (8-12), The Beach House (13-17)
Minimum sailing age6 months; 12 months for transatlantic crossings and remote itineraries (Cruisetours 5 years). Guests under 21 must share a stateroom with someone 21+.

What's on board for kids & teens: Youth & Teen Centers for ages six months to 17. The Sphere-Class venues are Firefly Park Kids Club (ages 3-7, with a supervised play area for six months-2 years during Family Play Times), Neon Grove Tweens Club (ages 8-12) and The Underground Teen Lounge (ages 13-17). Note: Sun Princess does NOT use the older Princess youth-center names The Treehouse / The Lodge / The Beach House.

Travelling with kids? An advisor books connecting cabins, dining times and the right club, and finds the family deals.

Call now · +1-833-684-4250

Accessibility

Tender ports can be difficult or impossible with a wheelchair or scooter; the line publishes guidance per itinerary

Where and when it sails

RegionsAlaska, Australia, Caribbean, Europe, Japan, World
Typical lengths3 to 14 nights, plus longer world voyages

Home ports:

Anchorage (Whittier), Alaska
Boston, Massachusetts
Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Honolulu, Hawaii
Los Angeles, California
Miami, Florida
New York, New York
Port Canaveral, Florida
San Francisco, California
Seattle, Washington

What actually drives the cost

Cruisetour vs cruise onlyLand extensions add rail, hotels and transfers as a separate budget line.
RegionJapan, Australia and world segments price very differently from Caribbean sailings.
Balcony value by itineraryOn Alaska and Norway a balcony is worth far more than on a Caribbean sailing.
Ship classThe fleet spans several generations with meaningfully different facilities.
Voyage lengthLonger repositioning and world segments often carry the lowest per-night cost.
What you add onGratuities, drinks, speciality dining and excursions change the all-in total.

Prices move daily by ship, date and cabin. One call gets you the real number for your trip.

Call now · +1-833-684-4250
Updates

Latest Princess updates

No updates right now. Call and we'll confirm the latest policy from the source.

Questions people actually ask

Why do people choose Princess for Alaska?

The line pairs one-way sailings with rail-based land tours reaching the interior national park. Assembling that independently is difficult, which is why most travellers book it by phone.

Is Princess good for families?

It works well for multi-generation groups travelling together, but it isn't built around children the way family-focused lines are. If children are the primary consideration, other lines offer more.

What does the wearable device actually do?

Boarding, cabin access, onboard payments and locating your party. It's more useful with a large group, set it up before boarding rather than at the terminal.

Helpful guides

Free, factual reading to help you decide, then one call books it.

Choosing a cabinInterior to suite, what you get, what to watch for, and the cabins to avoid.Read guide →What's includedThe gap between the fare and your final bill, explained plainly.Read guide →Cruise gratuities explainedThe daily service charge, how it works, who it goes to, and how to plan for it.Read guide →Find an affordable cruiseThe real levers that move the price, without the fake-deal gimmicks.Read guide →Deposits, payment & cancellationThe booking timeline that keeps you in control of your money.Read guide →Are drink packages worth it?How to tell, plus the whole-cabin rule that catches people out.Read guide →Cruise Wi-Fi explainedPackages, tiers and what to realistically expect at sea.Read guide →Refundable vs non-refundableWhich fare type fits your plans, and where insurance helps.Read guide →Hidden cruise costsThe extras first-timers forget to budget for, in one checklist.Read guide →How cruise pricing worksWhy fares vary, how lines price a sailing, and how to time it right.Read guide →Onboard credit, explainedWhere it comes from, refundable vs not, and how to spend it well.Read guide →Contemporary vs premium vs luxury linesWhat the three tiers really describe, and which one fits your trip.Read guide →Big ship vs small shipFloating resort or intimate vessel? How to pick the size that fits.Read guide →How to choose a cruise lineMatch the line to how you travel, in three quick steps.Read guide →Solo cruisingThe single supplement, solo cabins, and how to travel alone well.Read guide →Groups & familiesConnecting cabins, kids' clubs, group dining and split payments, sorted.Read guide →Accessible cruisingAccessible cabins, tendering, and what to confirm before you book.Read guide →

Talk to a cruise specialist

Free, no obligation, and no pressure.

☎+1-833-684-4250

We are an independent travel agency. We are not affiliated with, sponsored by, endorsed by, authorised by, or an agent of Princess. Princess and its ship names and logos are trademarks of their owner, used here descriptively only.

Credentials you can check

Licensed, ASTA member and Bahamas-certified

You are in good hands. We hold recognised travel-industry credentials and the official Islands of the Bahamas certifications. Tap a badge to verify it.

Training and certifications

A principal of BookMeCheapest LLC holds the Certified Bahamas Specialist diploma from The Islands of The Bahamas.

Training completed by individuals at BookMeCheapest LLC, the team that researches and publishes this site. Calls are answered by independent travel companies, not by any cruise line, and not by the people named here. These are professional development courses run by tourist boards and cruise lines for travel professionals. Completing one is a training achievement, not a partnership, appointment or endorsement. We are not affiliated with, authorised by, or an agent of any cruise line or tourist board.

Call now, +1-833-684-4250Toll Free · 8am-11pm ET, every day