Quick overview
If you’re curious about Princess Cruises, here’s a compact guide. Princess, part of Carnival Corporation alongside Holland America, Seabourn, Cunard and Carnival, operates a 17-ship fleet that sails globally. The line is especially known for strong West Coast departures and Alaska itineraries that often combine land and sea segments and visits to Glacier Bay National Park. Princess was highly ranked in Traveler’s Readers’ Choice Awards in 2025.
Onboard vibe and highlights
Expect a generally older, multigenerational crowd and an atmosphere that leans elegant but relaxed—less hectic than many mega-ship offerings. Programming emphasizes destination enrichment and varied evenings, from game shows and silent discos to movies under the stars. Dining ranges from casual options (Irish pub, pizzeria, sushi counter) to specialty restaurants like Crown Grill and Chef’s Table; the premier dining package delivers a more all-inclusive meal experience.
MedallionClass technology
Princess’s MedallionClass simplifies life onboard: a wearable medallion links to your account and stateroom for touchless payments and automatic stateroom access, plus faster service and location-based conveniences.
Promotions and savings
– Epic Voyages: Princess’s Epic Voyages are themed sailings of 14+ days (including transatlantic and South Pacific routes). On select 40+ day Epic Voyages booked by March 17, 2026, travelers can receive up to $1,000 in onboard credit to spend on excursions, specialty dining, spa treatments or other extras.
– Instant savings by cruise length: Current tiered instant savings offer:
– 4–5 day cruises: up to $200 in instant savings
– 6–8 day cruises: up to $500 in instant savings
– 9+ day cruises: up to $1,000 in instant savings
Military and repeat-guest benefits
– Military: U.S. and Canadian military personnel—active, retired, veterans or disabled—are eligible for onboard spending money up to $250 (amount varies by cruise length; starts at $50 for voyages of six days or less).
– Captain’s Circle loyalty program: Repeat guests enter the Captain’s Circle. New members start at Gold after their first cruise; reach Ruby after three cruises or 30 cruise days. Additional tiers include Platinum and Elite, offering perks such as early itinerary access, special pricing, members-only onboard events and other benefits.
Onboard rewards, credit card offers and referrals
– Casino perks: Frequent casino players may earn rewards like discounts, VIP invitations, tournament access and progress toward comps or future cruise offers.
– Princess Rewards Visa Card: The card currently offers a sign-up bonus of 20,000 points (roughly $200 in onboard credit) after spending $1,000 in the first 90 days. Cardholders earn 2x points per $1 on Princess purchases (including onboard spending)—terms and conditions apply.
– Referrals: Referral promotions let you give friends $25 in onboard spending and receive $25 for each valid referral.
Booking flexibility and extras
– EZair Flights: Princess’s flexible flight booking through EZair lets you reserve flights with no money down and change or cancel without fees until final cruise payment.
– Promotional emails: Signing up for Princess promotional emails can sometimes earn a $50 onboard credit for a future cruise.
Quick notes
– Princess positions itself as a reasonably affordable premium cruise line with a wide range of dining and onboard activities.
– MedallionClass streamlines payments and stateroom access.
– Promotions and savings typically carry booking deadlines and eligibility rules—always check the fine print before you book.
Further reading
Traveler reviews cover ships such as Sun Princess, Discovery Princess and Enchanted Princess if you want ship-specific feedback before you decide.
