Princess is one of my very favorite cruise lines. In my experience the crowd is mostly grown-ups, the service is wonderful, and the ships are just the right size: big enough for great dining and evening shows, but never so big that you feel lost.
Why Princess Is One of My Favorites
What I love most is how Princess brings each destination on board. In Alaska, its North to Alaska program invites local experts, Alaska Native speakers and fresh Alaska seafood onto the ship. In Hawaii you might take a hula or ukulele lesson, and on Mexico sailings mariachis play on deck. It turns a port day into a real connection with the place you’re visiting.
On board, you’ll find the Piazza, an Italian-inspired atrium with live entertainment, Movies Under the Stars by the pool (popcorn included), and The Sanctuary, a peaceful adults-only retreat. The newest ships, Sun Princess and Star Princess, add a stunning Sphere atrium and The Dome, a glass-domed venue at the top of the ship.
Every stateroom comes with MedallionClass, so your door unlocks as you walk up, and OceanNow can bring food and drinks to you around the ship. The Princess Plus and Princess Premier packages bundle Wi-Fi, drinks, crew appreciation and more, and I’ll compare them against the regular fare so you can see what makes sense for you.
Alaska is where Princess really shines, from glacier days in Glacier Bay to cruisetours that pair your cruise with nights at Princess’s own wilderness lodges. I’ve booked a Princess mini-suite myself and loved the extra room, so ask me about those too. I’ll help you choose the ship, the itinerary and the right stateroom, and take care of every detail.
Ready to sail with Princess?
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Is Princess Right for You?
Best For & What’s Included
Best for
- Couples and grown-ups who like a relaxed, mostly adult crowd
- Alaska: Glacier Bay, the Inside Passage and land-and-sea cruisetours
- Travelers who want to experience local culture on board, not just ashore
- Anyone who loves great service on a ship that’s not too big and not too small
Maybe not for
- Thrill seekers who want a big water park or roller coaster on board
- Travelers looking for a nonstop party atmosphere
- Texans set on sailing from Galveston (Princess has no Galveston sailings scheduled for 2026-27 or 2027-28)
Typically included
- Your stateroom, with MedallionClass keyless entry
- Main dining rooms and the buffet
- Pizza and soft-serve ice cream by the pool
- Shows, live music and Movies Under the Stars
- Pools and hot tubs
- Youth and teen centers for ages 3 to 17
- Room service and OceanNow delivery
Usually extra
- Crew Appreciation (gratuities), unless your fare includes Princess Plus or Premier
- Drinks and Wi-Fi, unless in your package
- Specialty restaurants
- Shore excursions
- Spa treatments
Checked on the cruise line’s official website, October 2026. Inclusions and offers change, so I confirm the details in your quote.
Local Culture On Board
Princess Brings Every Port to You
This is something Princess takes real pride in, and it’s one of the reasons I love it: in each region, local culture, food and people come right onto the ship.
Local personalities come aboard: Alaska Native speakers sharing Tlingit history and traditions, authors, photographers and a real Alaskan lumberjack, plus fresh Alaska seafood on the menus and Cook My Catch, where you can enjoy the fish you caught that evening.
On select Glacier Bay sailings, Park Rangers narrate from the bridge and on deck, kids can earn Junior Ranger badges, and the bow opens up for close-up glacier viewing, with hot chocolate to keep you warm.
On sailings that visit Skagway, sled dogs in training visit the ship’s Piazza with Iditarod champion Ryan Redington, who shares the story of Alaska’s huskies.
Hula dancing and ukulele lessons on Hawaii cruises, and mariachis on deck on Mexico sailings.
Street pan drum lessons in the Caribbean, Brazilian samba in South America, and traditional Māori performances in New Zealand.
Local dishes on the main dining room menus, and on Japan sailings, Japanese baths, regional cuisine and cultural performances like Rakugo storytelling.
Programs checked on princess.com, October 2026 (North to Alaska, the 2026 North to Alaska season release and the onboard activities page). Activities vary by ship, itinerary and season; I’ll tell you what’s planned for your sailing.
Karen’s Pick on Princess
Balcony or Mini-Suite?
I always book a balcony or higher, and I’ve stayed in a Princess mini-suite myself. A mini-suite gives you more room than a balcony stateroom, a separate sitting area with a sofa bed, two TVs and your own balcony, and it’s available on every Princess ship. Reserve Collection mini-suites add a premium location and extra perks, and on Sun Princess and Star Princess, Sanctuary Collection rooms include the Princess Premier package.
Stateroom details checked on princess.com, October 2026. More on cabin types →
How Booking With Karen Works
From First Question to Bon Voyage
Tell me your dream
Who’s going, the occasion, your dates and your budget, by phone or the quote form.
I compare the options
Ships, itineraries, staterooms and current promotions, laid out clearly side by side.
You choose, I book
Once you’ve picked your favorite, I handle the booking and the details.
I take care of the details
From booking to the day you come home, you work with me directly.
You pack and sail
All you have to do is pack, and enjoy every minute.
Already booked directly with a cruise line?
Good news: I can take over your reservation, as long as it’s still within the cruise line’s allotted transfer window. Reach out soon after you book, and I’ll check yours and look after the details from there.
Watching for price drops: After you book, I keep an eye on your fare. If the price drops before final payment and the cruise line allows a reprice, I’ll work to get you the lower rate. I’ve saved clients money this way!
Quick replies: I respond to every new inquiry within 24 hours, and usually within about 4 hours, depending on what time your request comes in.
Photo Gallery
Life on Board with Princess
Pool deck · Ruby Princess
The Piazza · Regal Princess
Movies Under the Stars · Golden Princess
Crooners bar · Ruby Princess
Slice Pizzeria · Ruby Princess
Balcony stateroom · Ruby Princess
Coral Princess in Ketchikan, Alaska
Discovery Princess in Juneau, AlaskaTap any photo to enlarge. Photos by Wikimedia Commons photographers under free licenses, see Photo Credits.
Princess’s Private Island
Your Private Island Day
Princess’s private destination on the southern tip of Eleuthera in The Bahamas, with white sand, clear turquoise water, snorkeling, kayaking and reservable cabanas. Adults can rent a private air-conditioned bungalow in the adults-only Sanctuary area. Ships anchor offshore and tender guests to the beach.
New for Princess: starting with Star Princess in November 2026, Princess ships begin calling at Celebration Key, the new cruise destination on Grand Bahama.
Names and status checked on princess.com, October 2026. Private-destination calls depend on your ship and itinerary; I’ll confirm them in your quote. Photos: Wikimedia Commons, see Photo Credits.
Where Princess Sails
Princess Destinations
Princess sails to all seven continents. Itineraries change each season; I’ll check current sailings for your dates.
Princess’s big strength: Inside Passage and Glacier Bay cruises from Seattle and Vancouver, Gulf of Alaska sailings, and cruisetours with nights at Princess’s wilderness lodges.
Eastern, Western and Southern Caribbean from Fort Lauderdale, Port Canaveral and San Juan, with beach days at Princess Cays.
Seven-day round trips from Los Angeles to Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlán and Puerto Vallarta.
Sixteen-day round trips from Los Angeles and San Francisco, with hula and ukulele lessons on board.
Princess has sailed the Panama Canal since 1967, with experts narrating the transit. Full and partial transits.
The Mediterranean and Northern Europe, Japan and Southeast Asia, Australia and New Zealand, South America and world cruises.
Regions and home ports checked on princess.com (2026-27 West Coast and 2027-28 Caribbean announcements), October 2026.
Take a Look Aboard
Princess Videos
Opens Princess Cruises’s official YouTube channel.
Princess FAQ
Questions About Princess Cruises
What makes Princess different?
For me it’s the way Princess brings local culture on board: naturalists, Alaska Native speakers and fresh seafood on Alaska sailings, hula and ukulele lessons in Hawaii, pan drum lessons in the Caribbean and mariachis on deck in Mexico, plus regional dishes in the main dining rooms.
What is North to Alaska?
Princess’s onboard Alaska program, first introduced in 2015. It brings local personalities, culture and Alaska seafood on board, with Alaska Native speakers, Park Ranger commentary on select Glacier Bay sailings, Junior Ranger activities for kids, and Puppies in the Piazza on sailings that visit Skagway.
What are Princess Plus and Princess Premier?
Optional packages you can add to your fare. Both include Crew Appreciation, MedallionNet Wi-Fi and a drinks package; Premier adds more Wi-Fi devices, specialty dining, a shore excursion credit on longer cruises, photos and reserved show seating. I’ll price your cruise with and without them so you can compare.
What is a Princess mini-suite?
A step up from a balcony stateroom: more room, a separate sitting area with a sofa bed, two TVs and your own balcony. Mini-suites are available on every Princess ship.
Does Princess sail from Galveston?
Not right now. Princess’s last Galveston season ended in March 2026, and none are scheduled for 2026-27 or 2027-28 (checked October 2026). For the Caribbean you’ll fly to Fort Lauderdale, Port Canaveral or San Juan, and I can help plan the flight and a pre-cruise hotel night.
Can I keep my Captain’s Circle benefits if I book with you?
Yes. Share your Captain’s Circle number and I’ll add it to your reservation.
Does it cost more to book Princess with you?
No. There are no planning fees, my services are free to you, and requesting a quote is free too.
Checked on the cruise line’s official website, October 2026. Inclusions and offers change, so I confirm the details in your quote.
Make It More Than the Cruise
Arriving the day before you sail takes the stress out of embarkation day, and a night or two after a Europe sailing turns a cruise into a bigger trip. I’ll arrange your pre- and post-cruise hotel nights, cruise parking and transfers along with your cruise. Just ask when you request your quote.
Tours & Excursions with Viator
Shore Excursions for Your Princess Cruise
Snorkel trips, island tours, food walks and more in your ports of call. Browse and book tours and excursions through my Viator link.
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