Starting out in 1965 with a humble ship cruising between LA and Mexico, Princess Cruises has grown to become one of the most popular cruise lines in the world. Originally owned by P&O Cruises, the line now operates under Carnival’s umbrella when they acquired P&O Cruises in 2003. Today, its fleet carries more than a million passengers across the globe each year to more destinations than any other major line.
Princess Cruises: come back…
From relaxing pursuits and enriching activities to world-class entertainment and gourmet cuisine, when you step aboard, you are setting a course for a world of wonderful new discoveries.
Sound appealing? That’s what Princess guarantee when you choose to cruise with them. With numerous accolades to their name, Princess promises that you will ‘come back new’ after your time aboard. Whether you would like a mega-ship holding 3500+ passengers, or something a little smaller, Princess Cruises have a ship to suit you.
Princess Cruises have a long history with the UK cruise market and this continues to show with their dedication to the modern British cruise industry. Often having up to four ships home-porting right here in Britain, they offer you more choice than any other international cruise line. Furthermore, with a fleet of 18 ships (and growing) sailing to over 380 destinations worldwide, they promise to bring the globe to life.
Who sails with Princess Cruises
Princess are a family-friendly cruise line who pride themselves on the array of signature features and experiences they offer. Having ships based across the globe makes them an accessible choice for many cruisers, providing a rich and vibrancy across the fleet. Given their heritage, all announcements onboard are made in English and the currency is in US Dollars.
Life onboard
Immersive destinations. World-class cuisine. Joyful rejuvenation. That’s what’s on offer (and a whole lot more!) when you step onboard one of Princess’ beautiful ships. Onboard you will find a warm and inviting atmosphere, along with gorgeous, inspired spaces to help you make the most of your cruise.
Entertainment
From live production shows created by Broadway legends to world-class magicians and top headliner comedians, with Princess you will find entertainment to suit all tastes. Spend time in the beautiful Piazza where live music, folkloric performances, acrobats and jugglers, and even cocktail and food carving demonstrations await. Take part in The Voice of the Ocean or engage in one of many destination-themed activities onboard. Plus, with their incredible Discovery at SEA enrichment program, you can bring the spirit of adventure to every Princess cruise with Discovery and Animal Planet. You certainly won’t be short of things to see and do.
If relaxation is what you seek then Princess Cruises will not disappoint, offering a variety of ways to rejuvenate body, mind and soul. Find nirvana at the Lotus Spa or Sanctuary – a tranquil retreat reserved just for adults. Why not unwind by one of the deck pools, absorbing the fresh sea air and spectacular views, cocktail in hand. Then after an evening of spectacular entertainment and great food, retire to your stateroom where one of Princess’ luxury beds await.
Dining
From hand-tossed pizza to dazzling multi-course gourmet dinners, you’ll find enticing food and dining options throughout the day, as lovingly prepared as a home cooked meal.
Promising exceptional cuisine and tantalising treats, Princess Cruises offer a whole host of dining options throughout the day (and night!), most of which are included in your cruise fare! From a pool-side pizzeria and
As well as the above, there
PS. Keep your eyes peeled for the traditional British pub lunch.
Drinks
Craft cocktails, curated wines, premium coffee and more elevate your voyage from amazing to unforgettable
Princess Cruises offer a wide range of hot and cold soft drinks and alcoholic beverages for you to choose from throughout your cruise. Prices are perhaps a little higher than us Brits are accustomed to paying, which isn’t aided by the fact that all bar charges have an 18% gratuity automatically added to them.
There are an array of beverage packages to choose from should you wish to take advantage of having one set price. These range from a simple coffee package ($35.65 for 15 coffees), to a premier beverage package which includes all individual beverages up to $12 USD each. This comes at a cost of $59.99 USD per person, per day, plus 18% gratuity. There is also a non-alcoholic version currently priced at $9.99 per person, per day*.
*Please note, although I have tried my best to provide the most up-to-date information, all options and prices are subject to change.
Dress code
Princess advise you to dress for a cruise with them in the same way you would for any stylish land-based resort. During the day this can include casual sportswear, shorts, lightweight trousers, jogging suits. Plus don’t forget your swimwear and flipflops for lounging by the pool on those sunny itineraries (or jumpers for the chilly ones!).
During the evening there are two dress codes: smart casual and formal. Formal requires elegant separates, tuxedos or dark suits, evening gowns or cocktail dresses. Smart casual attire includes smart
Restrictions: Shorts and halter tops are not permitted in dining rooms and shoes must be worn at all times. Pool or beach attire, baseball caps and casual jeans (with fraying and/or holes) are not permitted. However, smart jeans are acceptable on smart casual evenings.
Tipping onboard
Princess adds a discretionary gratuity automatically to your shipboard account on a daily basis. These are $16.50 USD per person when staying in a suite or $15.50 USD per person for mini-suites and club class guests, and $14.50 USD per person (including children) for interior, oceanview and balcony staterooms. This is shared amongst crew members who help to create your cruise experience. It is possible to adjust the amount charged to your account by visiting Customer Relations. There is also a 18% gratuity added to bar charges.
Princess Plus
Introduced in 2019, Princess Plus is a fare option that offers guests exceptional value for money. When booing a Princess cruise in the UK, you are now able to choose a Princess Plus fare for only £35pp per day more than the standard Princess Fare. This includes all-inclusive drinks, unlimited Wi-Fi and gratuities for your entire voyage! Find out all the details about Princess Plus right here.
Meet the Princess Cruises fleet
With several different classes of ship, Princess Cruises has a large fleet that continues to grow! Below are just a selection. To find out more about their entire fleet, head to the Princess Cruises website.
Why book with Princess Cruises?
- Immersive Destinations. Winning numerous awards for their itineraries and shore excursions, Princess Cruises have teamed with local experts to help you make the most of every stop along the way. With a choice of 380 destinations across 7 continents, you won’t be short of inspiration when choosing your next cruise. With late-night and overnight stays on offer in every region, you can delve even deeper into the local culture.
- Multi-award-winning. Princess Cruises are one of the most decorated cruise lines in operation today. They continue to push the boundaries of cruising and have achieved numerous awards of excellence across their fleet.
- Sail from Southampton. If you’re not keen on flying but fancy what Princess has to offer, then fear not. During the Summer season, there is a great choice of sailings direct from Southampton!
- Exquisite, destination-focused cuisine. Princess Cruises pride themselves on their culinary expertise. Destination-focused menus inspired by your itinerary adds a whole other dimension to your cruise experience. Moreover, with so many dining choices on offer, you won’t know where to begin when you step onboard!
- The Captain’s Circle. Princess Cruises offer a fantastic loyalty scheme known as the Captain’s Circle. This can include a whole host of delights from invites to special events, to priority embarkation, onboard discounts, complimentary canapés and much more!
That’s a wrap!
That concludes this cruise line spotlight featuring Princess Cruises. I hope it has provided an insight into what you can expect should you choose to cruise with them! Below I have included an array of links that you may find helpful. Of course, if you have any specific questions that you would like me to answer then please do let me know! I will always try to help where I can.
Keep smiling and happy sailing!
Further Reading:
P&O Cruises: Showcasing the Best of British – The Cruising Baker
Cruise Review: Princess’ Royal Princess– The Cruising Baker @ Go Cruise With Jane
Top 10 Frequently Ask Questions – Princess Cruises
Captain’s Circle – Princess Cruises
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