Princess Cruises Planning
Princess works best when the destination and the onboard pace both fit.
Princess pairs destination-focused itineraries with a relaxed, classic-premium onboard experience. The right match depends on the itinerary, ship, cabin, travel party, and whether the quoted fare or package includes the extras you plan to use.
60+ voyages · firsthand ship experience · personal planning
Start with the whole trip
Princess is at its best when the route leads and the ship supports it.
Princess can feel familiar across the fleet, but the exact ship, cabin, sailing length, sea-day balance, and package still shape the trip. Two Princess quotes can share the same logo and deliver very different vacations.
Destination variety, a polished onboard rhythm, dining, enrichment, and comfortable shared spaces.
Itinerary, ship, cabin location, sailing length, sea days, and your group’s preferred pace.
Standard, Plus, or Premier as shown in the live quote, beside the extras you will actually use.
Princess may fit you if…
- The itinerary and destination experience are central to the trip.
- You prefer a polished, relaxed onboard rhythm to nonstop high-energy attractions.
- You value traditional dining options, entertainment, enrichment, and comfortable shared spaces.
- You are traveling as a couple, with friends, solo, or with a multigenerational group that shares a similar pace.
- You want to compare a standard fare with an amenity package based on actual use.
Think twice if…
- Your top priority is the newest collection of thrill rides and active ship attractions.
- You want nightlife or pool-deck energy to drive the entire vacation.
- You assume drinks, Wi-Fi, crew appreciation, specialty dining, and excursions are included in every fare.
- You are selecting only by itinerary without checking the ship and cabin experience.
- Your travelers want very different onboard rhythms and nobody is willing to compromise.
The real cost
The standard fare covers the foundation—not every choice you may make.
Princess says the cruise fare generally includes accommodations, meals throughout the day in included venues, entertainment, and many activities. Specialty restaurants, shore excursions, alcoholic beverages, spa treatments, souvenirs, casino play, and other services commonly cost extra. Wi-Fi, crew appreciation, drinks, dining, and other benefits may be included in a selected package; the current quote and terms must be reviewed before booking.
Generally included
- Your stateroom and ocean transportation on the booked sailing.
- Main dining, buffet meals, and other included food venues available on the ship.
- Entertainment, shows, and many onboard activities.
- Access to pools, the fitness center, and shared public spaces, subject to ship-specific offerings.
- Selected non-alcoholic beverages in included venues.
- Youth activities where offered for eligible ages.
Commonly extra
- Crew appreciation unless the exact booked package, offer, or invoice says otherwise.
- Specialty dining, casual dining, and delivery charges outside the booked fare or package.
- Alcohol, specialty coffee, bottled water, soda, and other beverages beyond the booked package.
- Wi-Fi on Standard fares or upgrades beyond the booked device and access level.
- Shore excursions, spa and salon services, casino, photos, retail, and laundry.
- Transfers, pre- or post-cruise hotels, travel protection, medical care, and personal purchases.
Our Princess rule
Itinerary first, package second, ship always.
A strong itinerary does not erase the importance of ship size, cabin location, sea days, dining preferences, and the total package cost. We compare all of those pieces before recommending the sailing.
Look one level deeper
Four choices shape the Princess trip before the first day onboard.
Itinerary and time ashore
Compare ports, scenic cruising, sea days, departure point, sailing length, and the total travel time.
Ship and onboard pace
Compare the ship’s size, layout, venues, entertainment, pools, enrichment, and places to slow down.
Cabin and location
Check space, category, motion, noise, elevator access, walking distance, mobility needs, and sea-day comfort.
Package and extra spend
Price drinks, Wi-Fi, crew appreciation, dining, excursions, delivery, spa time, and the upgrades you would use.
Answer these three questions before you compare Princess sailings.
Is this trip primarily about the ports, the ship, or an equal balance?
Will the amenity package replace spending you would make anyway?
Does the ship and cabin location support your preferred pace, mobility, and time at sea?
Compare the vacation, not only the fare
Put drinks, Wi-Fi, crew appreciation, dining, and likely extras beside the fare.
The Cruise True Cost Kit helps you compare Standard, Plus, and Premier as quoted against the vacation you would actually buy.
Supplier inclusions, ships, venues, promotions, package costs, benefits, prices, and policies change. Verify the exact quote and current terms before booking.
Watch before you choose
Start with the cruise stories already in our library.
Tour Star Princess, compare six cruise lines for couples, and walk through the details first-time cruisers often miss before you narrow the itinerary, ship, and package.
Want help narrowing it?
Let’s match the Princess itinerary, ship, and package.
Tell us your travelers, dates, budget, port priorities, dining style, cabin needs, and likely extras. We’ll compare the itinerary, ship, room, package, and real vacation total.
Personal cruise planning is $25 per traveler for an individual booking. We follow up within two business days.
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
What does the Princess Standard fare generally include?
Princess currently lists the cruise foundation: accommodations, main dining and buffet meals, entertainment and shows, pools, the fitness center, and many onboard activities. Exact venues, activities, and access vary by ship and sailing, so check the current quote and ship details.
What do Princess Plus and Princess Premier add?
Princess currently presents Plus and Premier as amenity packages that add selected drinks, Wi-Fi, crew appreciation, dining, delivery, and other benefits to Standard. The exact benefits can differ by package, ship, sailing date, and purchase timing. Compare the current package chart and booking terms rather than relying on an older list.
Is Princess Cruises all-inclusive?
No. A package can cover many common onboard costs, but shore excursions, spa services, casino spending, retail, medical care, transportation, travel protection, and other purchases can remain extra. Treat the package as a tool for budgeting, not a promise that every vacation cost is covered.
Is a Princess package worth it?
It depends on what your travelers will actually use. Price drinks, Wi-Fi, crew appreciation, dining, delivery, and any package-only benefits beside the package cost. The better option is the one that fits your real spending and the exact terms on your sailing.
Do I need to compare the exact Princess ship?
Yes. Layout, cabin options, dining, public spaces, entertainment, pools, family features, and the overall pace vary across the fleet. Compare the exact ship and sailing rather than carrying one ship’s feature into every Princess quote.
Is Princess only for couples or older adults?
No. Couples, solo travelers, friends, and multigenerational groups can all find a fit. Princess also offers youth activities on applicable sailings. The better question is whether everyone shares a similar pace and whether the exact ship and itinerary provide what the group needs.
What does destination-forward mean?
It means the ports, scenic cruising, sailing length, and time ashore can be a major reason to choose the trip. We still compare the ship, cabin, sea days, and package so the onboard experience supports the itinerary rather than working against it.
What does personal cruise planning cost?
The approved planning fee is $25 per traveler for an individual booking. The planning page explains the service and next steps before you submit a request.
Choose with context
Choose Princess for the itinerary and pace that fit—not only the fare on the screen.
We’ll help you compare the route, ship, cabin, package, and real vacation total before you commit.