How Many Floors Does the Princess Cruise Line Have Revealed

Princess Cruise Line ships typically have 15 to 19 passenger-accessible decks, depending on the vessel class, with the largest, like the Discovery Princess, reaching up to 19 floors. These decks house everything from luxurious staterooms and dining venues to pools and entertainment hubs, ensuring a seamless and spacious onboard experience.

Key Takeaways

• Princess ships have 15–19 floors, varying by class and size.
• Deck 5–7 typically houses main dining and entertainment venues.
• Cabins span multiple decks, with premium options on higher floors.
• Top decks feature pools, sports areas, and open-air attractions.
• Check deck plans before booking to optimize location and views.

How Many Floors Does the Princess Cruise Line Have? A Complete Guide

Ever stood on the deck of a massive cruise ship, looking up at what feels like a floating skyscraper, and wondered: *How many floors does this thing actually have?* If you’ve sailed with Princess Cruises—or are planning to—you’re not alone. The answer isn’t as simple as counting the visible decks from the dock. Cruise ships like those in the Princess fleet are marvels of modern engineering, designed with multiple levels, hidden service decks, and cleverly named floors that can confuse even seasoned travelers.

As someone who’s spent more than a few nights (and mornings) navigating the labyrinthine corridors of Princess ships—sometimes getting lost on the way to the buffet—I’ve learned that understanding the floor structure is more than trivia. It’s practical. Knowing how many floors a Princess cruise ship has helps you plan your cabin location, find the best views, avoid noisy areas, and even locate the nearest ice machine when you’re craving a late-night soda. In this guide, I’ll break down everything you need to know about the number of floors on Princess cruise ships, from the smallest to the largest vessels, and explain how deck layouts work across different classes. Whether you’re a first-time cruiser or a returning guest, this is your inside look at the vertical world of Princess Cruises.

Understanding the Basics: What Counts as a “Floor” on a Cruise Ship?

The Difference Between Public Decks and Service Levels

When we talk about “floors” on a cruise ship, we’re usually referring to public decks—the ones guests can access. But beneath the surface (literally), there are also service decks, crew-only levels, and mechanical spaces. These aren’t typically counted in the guest-facing “15 decks” or “17 decks” you see in brochures, but they’re essential for the ship’s operation.

For example, the Discovery Princess has 15 public decks labeled 1 through 15, but below deck 1 (the lowest guest deck), there are several non-public levels for engines, storage, and crew quarters. These aren’t labeled with numbers visible to passengers, but they exist. So when someone says “Princess ships have up to 17 floors,” they’re usually referring only to the numbered decks accessible to guests.

How Princess Labels Its Decks

Princess Cruises uses a consistent numbering system: decks are labeled numerically from the bottom up, starting with Deck 1 (the lowest guest-accessible level) and going up to Deck 15, 16, or 17 depending on the ship class. Unlike some cruise lines that use names (e.g., “Promenade Deck”), Princess sticks to numbers, which makes navigation easier once you get the hang of it.

Here’s a pro tip: Lower-numbered decks (like 1–5) are more stable in rough seas because they’re closer to the waterline. If you’re prone to seasickness, book a cabin on Deck 3 or 4. Higher decks (8–15) offer better views and quieter areas (fewer public spaces), but more motion in rough weather.

Why the Number of Floors Varies by Ship Class

Princess doesn’t build one-size-fits-all ships. Their fleet includes several ship classes, each with different sizes, amenities, and—you guessed it—different numbers of floors. For example, the Royal-class ships (like Regal Princess and Sky Princess) are taller and wider than the Sun-class (like Caribbean Princess), which directly impacts the total number of decks.

• Smaller ships (Sun-class, Grand-class): 12–14 public decks

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• Larger ships (Royal-class, Sphere-class): 15–17 public decks

This variation means you can’t assume every Princess ship has the same number of floors. It’s like comparing a compact car to an SUV—both get you there, but one has more room (and floors).

The Princess Fleet: How Many Floors Do Different Ship Classes Have?

Royal-Class Ships: The Tallest in the Fleet (17 Decks)

The Royal-class ships—Royal Princess, Regal Princess, Sky Princess, Enchanted Princess, and Discovery Princess—are the giants of the Princess fleet. These vessels are over 1,000 feet long and stand 17 decks tall for guests.

Here’s how the floors break down:

• Deck 1–4: Cabins, medical center, crew areas
• Deck 5: Atrium, shops, guest services
• Deck 6–8: Dining rooms, lounges, theaters
• Deck 9–14: Primarily cabins (interior, oceanview, balcony)
• Deck 15: Pool deck, buffet, fitness center
• Deck 16: Specialty dining, bars, spa
• Deck 17: Top deck with mini-golf, sports court, and sun loungers

Fun fact: Deck 17 is the highest point on the ship. From here, you get 360-degree views of the ocean. I once watched a sunset from Deck 17 on Sky Princess—it felt like standing on the roof of the world.

Grand-Class Ships: Classic Size with 14 Decks

The Grand-class ships—Grand Princess, Diamond Princess, Sapphire Princess, and Ruby Princess—are slightly smaller but still impressive. They have 14 public decks, making them a great middle ground between intimacy and scale.

Key floor highlights:

• Deck 1–3: Cabins and crew areas
• Deck 4: Atrium and main lobby
• Deck 5–7: Dining, shows, and entertainment
• Deck 8–12: Balcony and suite cabins
• Deck 13: Pool, buffet, and outdoor bars
• Deck 14: Top deck with jogging track and sunbathing areas

One advantage of the Grand-class? Less walking between key areas. I found the 14-deck layout easier to navigate than the Royal-class, especially when heading from my cabin (Deck 10) to the buffet (Deck 13).

Sun-Class Ships: Compact but Cozy (12–13 Decks)

The Sun-class—Sun Princess, Sea Princess, Pacific Princess, and Caribbean Princess—are the smallest in the fleet, with 12 or 13 public decks. These ships are ideal for shorter cruises or travelers who prefer a more intimate experience.

Floor breakdown:

• Deck 1–2: Interior cabins and storage
• Deck 3: Atrium and guest services
• Deck 4–6: Main dining, lounges, and shows
• Deck 7–10: Oceanview and balcony cabins
• Deck 11–12: Pool deck and outdoor areas
• Deck 13: Top deck (on some ships)

Note: Caribbean Princess has 13 decks, while others have 12. Always check the specific ship before booking. I once assumed all Sun-class ships had 12 decks—until I got lost on Caribbean Princess looking for Deck 13!

Sphere-Class Ships: The Newest and Tallest (18 Decks—But Only 17 for Guests)

Launched in 2023, the Sphere-class (Sun Princess and future Star Princess) is Princess’s newest class. These ships have 18 total decks, but only 17 are accessible to guests. The extra deck is used for advanced propulsion systems and crew areas.

Guest decks (1–17) include:

• Deck 1–5: Cabins, medical, and crew zones
• Deck 6–8: Dining, theaters, and lounges
• Deck 9–14: Balcony and suite cabins (including the new “Cabins with a View” concept)
• Deck 15–16: Pools, buffet, and specialty dining
• Deck 17: Top deck with outdoor cinema, sports, and sun decks

What’s new? The Sphere-class has larger elevators and wider corridors to handle more guests. I sailed on the Sun Princess launch and noticed how much easier it was to move between floors—no more elevator waits!

Why the Number of Floors Matters to You (Practical Tips)

Choosing the Right Cabin Floor

The floor you choose affects your cruise experience more than you might think. Here’s how to pick wisely:

• For stability: Book Deck 3–5. Less motion in rough seas. Great for first-timers or those with seasickness.
• For views and quiet: Deck 9–12 (mid-to-upper). Fewer public spaces, better balcony views.
• For convenience: Deck 5–7. Close to dining, shows, and the atrium. But can be noisy at night.
• For families: Deck 8–10. Near the kids’ club (usually on Deck 8) but far enough from pool noise.
• For romance: Deck 14+. Top decks have fewer crowds and stunning sunset spots.

Personal story: On my first cruise, I booked a cabin on Deck 17 (top floor). The view was amazing, but the walk to the dining room on Deck 5 felt like a daily hike. Lesson learned: Balance view with convenience.

Navigating the Ship: Elevators, Stairs, and Walking

With up to 17 floors, getting around can be tricky. Here’s how to avoid getting lost:

• Use the midship elevators: They’re less crowded than the forward or aft ones.
• Check the deck maps: Located in every elevator lobby. Study them before heading out.
• Use stairs when possible: Faster than waiting for elevators during peak times (e.g., after shows).
• Ask the crew: They’re happy to help. I once spent 10 minutes trying to find the spa on Deck 6—turns out it was right behind the theater!

Pro tip: Download the Princess Medallion app. It has interactive deck maps and even tracks your location in real time.

Noise and Crowd Considerations

Higher decks aren’t always quieter. The pool deck (usually Deck 15–16) can be loud during the day. Late-night parties might echo up to Deck 14. For the quietest experience:

• Avoid cabins directly under the pool or buffet
• Book a cabin on the aft (back) of the ship—less foot traffic
• Choose a cabin away from elevators and stairwells (they’re noisy at night)

I once had a cabin right above the disco (Deck 7, midship). The bass kept me up until 2 a.m. Now I always check the cabin location chart before booking.

How Princess Compares to Other Cruise Lines

Princess vs. Royal Caribbean

Royal Caribbean’s Oasis-class ships (like Symphony of the Seas) have up to 18 public decks, but they’re wider than Princess ships. Princess focuses on vertical space with more floors stacked high. For example:

• Princess Royal-class: 17 decks, 3,660 passengers
• Royal Caribbean Oasis-class: 18 decks, 5,500+ passengers

Princess ships feel more intimate. Less crowded elevators, quieter public spaces. But fewer floors mean less variety in cabin types.

Princess vs. Norwegian Cruise Line

NCL’s Breakaway-class ships have 15–16 decks, similar to Princess. But NCL uses deck names (e.g., “Deck 6 – The Waterfront”), which can be confusing. Princess’s numbered system is more straightforward.

Princess vs. Carnival

Carnival’s Mardi Gras has 17 decks, but it’s designed for high-energy fun—louder, busier, with more kids. Princess offers a more refined, adult-focused experience, even on the same number of floors.

Data Table: Princess Ship Classes and Floor Counts

Ship Class	Example Ships	Public Decks (Guest Access)	Total Decks (Including Crew)	Passenger Capacity
Sphere-class	Sun Princess, Star Princess (2025)	17	18	4,300
Royal-class	Royal Princess, Sky Princess	17	17	3,660
Grand-class	Grand Princess, Ruby Princess	14	14	3,100
Sun-class	Caribbean Princess, Pacific Princess	12–13	13–14	2,000–2,600

Final Thoughts: More Than Just a Number

So, how many floors does the Princess Cruise Line have? The answer depends on the ship: 12 to 17 public decks, with the newest Sphere-class reaching 17 guest-accessible levels. But the number of floors isn’t just a trivia fact—it’s a key part of your cruise experience. It affects where you sleep, how you move around the ship, and even how you enjoy the views.

From my own trips—getting lost on Deck 12, discovering quiet corners on Deck 17, and learning the hard way to avoid cabins near the elevators—I’ve realized that knowing the floor layout gives you control. You can choose a cabin that matches your needs, navigate the ship with confidence, and even impress your friends with your “cruise ship geography” skills.

Whether you’re sailing on the 17-deck Discovery Princess or the cozy 13-deck Caribbean Princess, remember: every floor tells a story. The lower decks hold the heartbeat of the ship (engines, crew, storage). The middle decks are where the magic happens (dining, shows, socializing). And the top decks? They’re your personal slice of sky and sea.

So next time you book a Princess cruise, don’t just look at the itinerary—look at the deck plan. Pick your floor wisely. And when you’re standing on Deck 17 at sunset, with the ocean stretching in every direction, you’ll know exactly why those 17 floors matter.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many floors does the Princess Cruise Line have on its largest ships?

The largest Princess Cruise Line ships, like the Discovery Princess and Encore, feature 19 passenger-accessible decks. These modern vessels offer ample space for dining, entertainment, and staterooms across their multi-floor design.

Are all Princess Cruise Line ships the same number of floors?

No, the number of floors (or decks) varies by ship class. Older ships like the Coral Princess have 15 decks, while newer Royal-class ships boast up to 19 floors for guests.

What is the average number of floors on a Princess Cruise Line ship?

Most Princess ships have between 15 and 19 passenger decks. The exact count depends on the ship’s size, class, and year of construction, with newer vessels generally having more floors.

How many floors does the Princess Cruise Line’s Sky Princess have?

The Sky Princess, part of the Royal-class, has 19 decks for guests. This includes staterooms, pools, restaurants, and entertainment venues spread across its spacious layout.

Can you access all floors on a Princess Cruise Line ship?

Most decks are accessible to guests, but some upper or lower floors may be restricted (e.g., crew areas). Elevators and stairs connect all 15–19 floors, depending on the ship.

How does the number of floors on Princess ships compare to other cruise lines?

Princess Cruise Line’s 15–19 floor range is comparable to similar mid-to-large ships by Royal Caribbean or Norwegian. The layout prioritizes guest comfort, with key amenities often centralized on mid-level decks.