Quick Facts:
- Founded: 1965
- Founder: Stanley B. McDonald
- Headquarters: Santa Clarita, California, USA
- Parent Company: Carnival Corporation & plc
- Fleet Size: 16 ships (as of 2025)
- Flagship Class: Sphere-class
- Market Segment: Premium
Princess Cruises holds a unique position in cruise history, balancing innovation, global reach, and a refined yet approachable onboard style. Founded in 1965 by Stan McDonald, the line began with a single chartered ship sailing to Mexico and quickly expanded into one of the most recognizable names in the industry.
As covered in CruiseInd’s deeper look into Princess Cruises’ history, the line’s rise was shaped by a combination of strategic acquisitions, television fame through The Love Boat, and forward-thinking fleet development. These elements helped turn Princess into a global premium brand long before the concept was formally defined.
Today, Princess Cruises operates as a key division of Carnival Corporation & plc, known for its strong focus on destination immersion, technological advancement, and fleet consistency.
Onboard Experience
Princess Cruises trademark service is summed up in their C.R.U.I.S.E. credo: Courtesy, Respect, Unfailing In Service Excellence. Many staff onboard wear this on their uniforms. The line’s ships blend contemporary design with traditional seagoing atmosphere, making them appealing to both experienced travelers and those new to cruising.
Dining plays a central role in the Princess experience, highlighted by partnerships with world-class chefs and by fleetwide culinary initiatives like the 360 Experience, an immersive multi-sensory dining concept. Venues such as Crown Grill and Sabatini’s Italian Trattoria are staples onboard any Princess ship.
The line is also recognized for its emphasis on technology through OceanMedallion, a wearable device that enables personalized service, keyless stateroom entry, and on-demand food and beverage delivery. Entertainment is diverse, including large-scale production shows, live music, and the Movies Under the Stars outdoor theater concept. The first line to bring this to the seas.
Ships such as Regal Princess, Majestic Princess, and Discovery Princess exemplify the modern Princess experience, combining advanced engineering with an elegant, international style. Each features the signature Piazza Atrium, SeaWalk glass-floor walkway, and expanded dining and entertainment venues that reflect the line’s evolution into a technologically advanced yet traditionally grounded brand.
Operations and Deployment
Princess Cruises operates globally with an extensive deployment network that includes Alaska, the Caribbean, Europe, Asia, Australia, and South America. The brand is particularly synonymous with Alaska cruising, maintaining the largest share of the market through its integrated land-and-sea product, Princess Lodges, and rail services under the Princess Alaska Rail brand.
The fleet structure has long been defined by the groundbreaking Grand-class, first introduced in 1998 with Grand Princess. This class of ships set a new standard for the industry, introducing the now-iconic “wedding-cake” superstructure and expansive balcony staterooms that have since become a hallmark of modern cruise design. The Grand-class lineage eventually evolved into the Royal-class, forming the backbone of the current fleet and influencing nearly every major ship design that followed.
Princess continues to expand with the brand new Sphere-class, beginning with Sun Princess and Star Princess, which mark a new generation of LNG-powered vessels designed around sustainability, open spaces, and guest personalization.
Future Outlook
Princess Cruises is entering a new era defined by sustainability, technology, and design evolution. The introduction of the Sphere-class ships and the ongoing integration of the OceanMedallion platform signal the line’s commitment to blending classic cruising with future-focused innovation.
With its balance of tradition and progress, Princess remains a cornerstone of the global cruise market. The line’s ability to evolve—while maintaining its reputation for service, comfort, and destination depth—ensures its continued influence across Carnival Corporation’s extensive portfolio.