Is Princess Considered a Luxury Cruise Line Find Out Now

Princess Cruises is not classified as a luxury cruise line, but rather positioned in the premium, mainstream market offering elevated experiences at competitive prices. While it lacks the all-inclusive opulence of true luxury lines, it delivers exceptional service, diverse itineraries, and upscale amenities—making it a top choice for travelers seeking value-enhanced cruising without full luxury price tags.

Key Takeaways

• Princess is premium, not ultra-luxury: Offers refined experiences without top-tier luxury pricing.
• MedallionClass tech enhances service: Streamlines onboard experience via wearable device innovation.
• Dining options rival luxury lines: Specialty restaurants deliver high-end culinary experiences onboard.
• Itineraries focus on destination immersion: Overnight stays and local excursions enrich travel value.
• Spacious staterooms prioritize comfort: Many suites offer premium amenities and private balconies.
• Value-driven luxury inclusions: Packages bundle drinks, Wi-Fi, and gratuities for convenience.

What Defines a Luxury Cruise Line? Understanding the Spectrum of Cruise Experiences

When it comes to choosing a cruise vacation, the term luxury often conjures images of white-glove service, gourmet dining, spacious suites, and personalized attention. But in a market crowded with cruise brands offering everything from budget-friendly voyages to ultra-premium experiences, the line between premium and luxury can blur. One name that frequently appears in discussions is Princess Cruises. Known for its global itineraries, modern ships, and consistent service, Princess has built a loyal following. But is Princess Cruises truly considered a luxury cruise line? The answer isn’t as straightforward as you might think.

To determine where Princess Cruises fits in the cruise hierarchy, we must first understand what constitutes a luxury cruise line. Luxury isn’t just about price—it’s a holistic experience defined by exclusivity, service quality, accommodations, dining, amenities, and value-added inclusions. True luxury lines like Regent Seven Seas Cruises, Oceania Cruises, and Silversea offer all-inclusive packages, smaller ships, higher crew-to-guest ratios, and bespoke experiences. In contrast, mainstream and premium lines like Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, and Princess occupy a different tier—offering high-quality service and amenities but at a more accessible price point. This blog post dives deep into the nuances of Princess Cruises, evaluating its offerings against the benchmarks of luxury cruising. Whether you’re a first-time cruiser or a seasoned sailor, this analysis will help you decide if Princess aligns with your expectations of luxury.

Princess Cruises: Brand Positioning and Market Segment

Where Princess Fits in the Cruise Industry Ecosystem

Princess Cruises, founded in 1965 and now a subsidiary of Carnival Corporation, operates one of the largest fleets in the world, with 15 modern ships ranging from 2,000 to 3,600 passengers. The brand positions itself as a premium cruise line—a tier above mass-market brands like Carnival and Costa, but below true luxury operators. This positioning is reflected in its pricing, service model, and onboard experience. While Princess doesn’t market itself as a luxury brand, it incorporates many elements that luxury cruisers appreciate, such as refined dining, immersive destination experiences, and elegant public spaces.

According to industry analysts, the cruise market is segmented into four primary categories:

• Mass Market (e.g., Carnival, Royal Caribbean): Focus on entertainment, affordability, and large-scale amenities.

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• Premium (e.g., Princess, Holland America, Celebrity): Emphasis on service, comfort, and destination-focused itineraries.
• Luxury (e.g., Regent, Oceania, Silversea): All-inclusive pricing, smaller ships, high staff ratios, and curated experiences.
• Ultra-Luxury/Expedition (e.g., Seabourn, Ponant, Viking): Niche, high-end experiences with a focus on exclusivity and adventure.

Princess Cruises firmly occupies the premium tier, offering a more refined experience than mass-market lines while remaining accessible to a broader audience. Its ships are larger than those of luxury brands, which means more guests and, consequently, a slightly lower crew-to-guest ratio. However, the brand compensates with consistent service, modern amenities, and a strong emphasis on destination immersion—a hallmark of premium and luxury cruising alike.

Brand Evolution and Competitive Differentiation

Over the past two decades, Princess has undergone a significant transformation. The introduction of the MedallionClass experience in 2017 marked a turning point, integrating wearable technology to personalize service, streamline boarding, and enable contactless payments. This innovation brought Princess closer to the tech-forward expectations of modern luxury travelers, even if the core service model remained premium.

Compared to true luxury lines, Princess differentiates itself through:

• Global Itineraries: Princess offers extensive world cruises and extended voyages (up to 110 days), rivaling some luxury operators.
• MedallionNet Wi-Fi: One of the best internet experiences at sea, a rare perk in the cruise industry.
• Partnerships with Local Experts: Princess collaborates with destination experts to offer authentic shore excursions, a feature often found in luxury cruising.
• Onboard Enrichment: Programs like Discovery at Sea and The Culinary Arts Center provide educational and cultural experiences.

While these features elevate the Princess experience, they don’t fully bridge the gap to luxury. The key differentiator remains inclusions and exclusivity—luxury lines bundle gratuities, premium drinks, shore excursions, and even airfare, while Princess charges extra for most of these.

Onboard Experience: Luxury Elements vs. Premium Reality

Accommodations: Comfort with a Touch of Elegance

Princess Cruises offers a range of staterooms, from interior cabins to spacious suites. The Sky Suites on the Discovery Princess and Enchanted Princess are the closest the brand comes to luxury accommodations. These suites feature:

• Over 1,000 square feet of space
• Floor-to-ceiling windows with private balconies
• Dedicated butler service
• Priority boarding and disembarkation
• Access to the exclusive Sky Lounge

These suites rival those found on mid-tier luxury lines like Oceania, but they come at a premium price—often 2–3 times the cost of a standard balcony stateroom. Most Princess guests, however, book mid-tier balcony or mini-suite rooms, which are well-appointed but lack the personalized touches and space of true luxury suites. For example, a standard balcony stateroom on Princess measures around 222–234 square feet, compared to 300+ square feet for a standard suite on Regent Seven Seas.

Dining: Gourmet Options, But Not All-Inclusive

One of the most significant distinctions between premium and luxury cruising is dining. Luxury lines typically offer all-inclusive fine dining with no extra charges for specialty restaurants. Princess, while offering excellent culinary options, operates on a premium à la carte model.

Princess features:

• Main Dining Rooms: Complimentary, with rotating menus and open seating options.
• Specialty Restaurants: Up to 10 options, including Chef’s Table Lumiere (a private, multi-course experience), Sabatini’s (Italian), and Ocean Terrace (sushi and seafood). These range from $25 to $55 per person.
• 24-Hour Room Service: Complimentary, but with a limited menu.
• MedallionClass Personalization: Guests can pre-order drinks and meals via the app, enhancing convenience.

While the quality of food is high—especially in specialty venues—the extra charges for premium dining contrast sharply with luxury lines, where such experiences are included. For instance, on Oceania Cruises, all restaurants, including Jacques by Jacques Pépin, are complimentary. This makes Princess more akin to a premium hotel chain with optional upgrades than a true luxury resort.

Service and Crew-to-Guest Ratio

Service is the cornerstone of luxury cruising. True luxury lines maintain a crew-to-guest ratio of 1:1.5 to 1:2, ensuring personalized attention. Princess, with larger ships carrying 3,000+ guests, has a ratio closer to 1:3 to 1:4, which is excellent for a premium line but not on par with luxury standards.

That said, Princess staff are trained to deliver consistent, attentive service. The Medallion wearable allows crew to recognize guests by name, anticipate preferences, and deliver personalized touches. For example, a guest who orders a specific cocktail at dinner may find it waiting at their next venue. While not as seamless as the butler service on Silversea, it’s a significant step toward luxury-level personalization.

Tip: To enhance your service experience on Princess, consider booking a suite or purchasing a Princess Premier add-on, which includes gratuities, premium drinks, Wi-Fi, and priority dining reservations.

Value Proposition: What’s Included and What’s Not

Pricing Structure and Add-Ons

One of the clearest indicators of whether a cruise line is luxury is its inclusion model. Luxury lines operate on an all-inclusive basis, while premium lines like Princess use a base fare + add-ons approach.

Here’s a breakdown of what’s included in a standard Princess cruise:

• Accommodation
• Main dining room and buffet meals
• 24-hour room service (limited menu)
• Entertainment (shows, movies, live music)
• Fitness center and pools
• MedallionNet Wi-Fi (basic tier)

What’s not included (and can add hundreds or thousands to your bill):

• Gratuities ($16–$20 per person, per day)
• Specialty dining ($25–$55 per person)
• Premium drinks (alcohol, specialty coffee, bottled water)
• Shore excursions ($50–$300+ per tour)
• Spa and salon services
• Upgraded Wi-Fi (faster tiers cost $20–$30 per day)

This à la carte model is common among premium lines but contrasts with luxury brands like Regent Seven Seas, where everything is included—even airfare, shore excursions, and premium spirits.

The Princess Premier Add-On: A Step Toward Luxury?

In 2023, Princess introduced the Princess Premier package, a bundled add-on priced at $75–$90 per person, per day. This includes:

• Unlimited premium drinks (including alcohol)
• Gratuities
• Premium Wi-Fi
• Unlimited specialty dining
• Photo package
• Laundry and dry cleaning

For travelers seeking a more inclusive experience, Princess Premier bridges the gap between premium and luxury. When added to a base fare, it can create a package that rivals mid-tier luxury lines in value. For example, a 7-day Alaska cruise with Princess Premier might total $2,800 per person, compared to $4,500+ for a similar itinerary on Oceania Cruises—but with fewer inclusions in excursions and airfare.

Tip: If you plan to use specialty dining, drink packages, and Wi-Fi, Princess Premier can save you 20–30% versus purchasing these items individually.

Destination Focus and Unique Experiences

Immersive Itineraries and Local Engagement

Luxury cruise lines often emphasize destination immersion, with longer port stays, overnight visits, and exclusive shore excursions. Princess excels in this area, particularly in regions like Alaska, the Mediterranean, and the Caribbean.

Princess offers:

• MedallionClass Expeditions: Small-group, expert-led tours (e.g., glacier kayaking in Alaska, wine tasting in Tuscany).
• Overnight Stays: On select itineraries, ships remain in port for two days, allowing deeper exploration.
• Local Partnerships: Collaborations with historians, chefs, and artisans for onboard lectures and cooking demos.
• World Cruises: Princess operates one of the most extensive world cruise programs, with itineraries up to 111 days.

These features align closely with luxury cruising values. For instance, a Princess Alaska cruise might include a Denali Explorer rail journey, a Glacier Discovery helicopter flight, and a Wilderness Lodge overnight—experiences typically associated with luxury operators.

Onboard Enrichment and Cultural Programming

Princess invests heavily in enrichment programming, a key differentiator from mass-market lines. The Discovery at Sea program partners with Discovery Channel to offer:

• Interactive science exhibits
• Wildlife spotting with naturalists
• Stargazing sessions with astronomers

The Culinary Arts Center hosts cooking classes by celebrity chefs, while the Princess Theater features West End-caliber productions. These offerings rival those of luxury lines, which often include lectures by historians, authors, and diplomats.

Example: On a Mediterranean cruise, a guest might attend a cooking class with a Sicilian chef, followed by a lecture on ancient Greek history, and end the day with a private wine tasting—experiences that mirror those on Oceania or Regent.

Data Comparison: Princess vs. Luxury Cruise Lines

Side-by-Side Benchmarking

To objectively assess where Princess stands, here’s a comparison of key metrics against three leading luxury lines:

Feature	Princess Cruises	Regent Seven Seas Cruises	Oceania Cruises	Silversea Cruises
Ship Size (Avg. Guests)	3,000+	700–1,200	1,200–1,800	500–1,000
Crew-to-Guest Ratio	1:3–1:4	1:1.5–1:2	1:1.8–1:2	1:1.5–1:1.8
All-Inclusive Pricing	No (add-ons required)	Yes (including air, excursions)	Yes (including excursions)	Yes (including excursions)
Specialty Dining	Up to 10 (extra cost)	All included	All included	All included
Gratuities	Extra ($16–$20/day)	Included	Included	Included
Wi-Fi	MedallionNet (basic included)	Unlimited, included	Unlimited, included	Unlimited, included
Shore Excursions	Extra ($50–$300+)	Included (up to 10 per cruise)	Included (up to 10 per cruise)	Included (up to 10 per cruise)
Butler Service	Suites only	All suites	All suites	All suites

This table clearly shows that while Princess offers many luxury-like features, it lacks the inclusivity, exclusivity, and service density that define true luxury cruising. However, for travelers who value destination depth, modern amenities, and personalized tech over all-inclusive pricing, Princess delivers exceptional value.

Conclusion: Is Princess a Luxury Cruise Line? The Verdict

So, is Princess Cruises considered a luxury cruise line? The answer is nuanced: Princess is not a luxury cruise line by traditional industry standards, but it incorporates many luxury elements that appeal to discerning travelers. It operates in the premium tier, offering a refined, comfortable, and destination-rich experience with modern innovations like MedallionClass and Princess Premier.

For travelers seeking true luxury—where every detail is included, service is seamless, and the ship feels like a private retreat—lines like Regent, Oceania, and Silversea are better choices. However, for those who prioritize global itineraries, cultural immersion, and high-quality service at a more accessible price, Princess delivers a compelling alternative. It’s a brand that aspires to luxury while remaining grounded in the premium segment.

Ultimately, the decision depends on your priorities. If you value inclusivity, exclusivity, and all-in-one pricing, choose a luxury line. If you’re willing to manage add-ons for greater flexibility, destination focus, and modern tech, Princess Cruises offers a near-luxury experience with premium pricing. With the right add-ons and cabin selection, you can enjoy a cruise that feels luxurious—even if it’s not officially labeled as such. In the world of cruising, sometimes the experience matters more than the title.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Princess considered a luxury cruise line?

Princess Cruises is best described as a premium, upper-midscale cruise line rather than a luxury one. While it offers elevated service and amenities, it lacks the all-inclusive pricing and ultra-exclusive touches of true luxury lines like Regent or Seabourn.

What makes Princess Cruises different from luxury cruise lines?

Princess Cruises focuses on value-added experiences like inclusive beverage packages and specialty dining, while luxury lines emphasize all-inclusive fares with higher staff-to-guest ratios. Princess offers a more casual yet refined experience compared to the formal, ultra-personalized service of luxury brands.

Does Princess Cruises have luxury amenities?

Yes, Princess Cruises includes premium amenities like the adults-only Sanctuary, specialty restaurants (e.g., Sabatini’s), and upgraded staterooms (Mini-Suites with balconies). However, these are optional upgrades rather than standard inclusions, a key distinction from luxury lines.

Is Princess Cruises’ service on par with luxury lines?

Princess Cruises delivers attentive service, but luxury lines typically offer a more intimate, personalized experience due to smaller ships and higher staff ratios. Princess strikes a balance between quality service and affordability for a broader audience.

Can you compare Princess Cruises to luxury cruise lines like Oceania?

While Oceania and other luxury lines include gratuities, premium dining, and shore excursions in fares, Princess Cruises charges à la carte for most extras. Princess appeals to travelers seeking a polished experience without luxury-level pricing.

What is the target audience for Princess Cruises?

Princess Cruises caters to travelers who want a refined, well-rounded experience with modern amenities at a mid-to-upper price point. It’s ideal for those who value destination-focused itineraries and inclusive perks over ultra-luxury exclusivity.