What You Get on a Princess Cruise and Whether It's Worth the Price
Princess Cruises sits in the middle of the cruise market — not the budget lines like Carnival, not the luxury operators like Regent or Seabourn. You pay more than Carnival but less than lines that charge $500 a day per person. What matters is whether the extra cost buys you something real: better food, fewer crowds, newer ships, or genuinely different itineraries.
The honest answer depends on what you value. Princess ships carry 2,000 to 4,000 passengers, which is smaller than Carnival's megaships but larger than many premium lines. Cabins are a bit roomier than Carnival's, dining is a step up, and the onboard experience feels less chaotic. But you are still sharing the ship with thousands of people, and you still pay extra for drinks, specialty restaurants, and shore excursions. If you want to know whether Princess makes sense for your budget and what you actually get, the sections below break down the real differences.
Key Takeaways
- Princess charges roughly $150 to $250 per person per day for a standard cruise, which is higher than Carnival but lower than premium lines like Holland America or Celebrity.
- Cabins on Princess ships are generally larger than Carnival's, and the main dining room food is noticeably better, but you still pay extra for specialty dining and alcoholic drinks.
- Princess itineraries often include longer voyages and more exotic ports than Carnival, particularly in Alaska, the Mediterranean, and the Caribbean, which can justify the higher base price.
- The onboard experience is quieter and less crowded than Carnival, with fewer screaming children and less party-focused atmosphere, which appeals to older travelers and couples.
- You can find Princess cruises at discounted rates through travel agents or during wave season (January through March), sometimes bringing the per-day cost close to Carnival's.
How Princess Prices Compare to Other Cruise Lines
A seven-day Princess cruise in the Caribbean typically costs $1,050 to $1,750 per person for an inside cabin, or $1,400 to $2,500 for a balcony cabin. That breaks down to roughly $150 to $250 per person per day before taxes and fees. Carnival's comparable cabins run $700 to $1,400 for the same week, or $100 to $200 per day. Royal Caribbean falls between them, usually $1,200 to $2,000 for the week.
The gap widens on longer voyages. A 14-day Princess cruise to Alaska or the Mediterranean costs $2,100 to $4,200 per person, or $150 to $300 per day. Carnival rarely offers voyages that long, and when they do, the per-day cost is lower but the total price is higher because you are committing to two weeks instead of one.
Taxes, fees, and port charges add another $150 to $300 per person on top of the advertised price, regardless of which line you choose. Drinks, specialty dining, and shore excursions are extra on all three lines, though Princess includes more in the base price than Carnival does.
What's Included and What Costs Extra on Princess
Your Princess fare includes the cabin, main dining room meals, basic entertainment, most onboard activities, and access to the buffet and casual dining venues. Soft drinks, coffee, and water are free. That is the same as Carnival and Royal Caribbean.
What costs extra: alcoholic drinks (unless you buy a beverage package for $60 to $80 per day), specialty restaurants like the steakhouse or Italian trattoria ($15 to $30 per meal), shore excursions ($50 to $300 depending on the port), spa services, and casino play. Princess charges for these the same way Carnival does, though the specialty restaurants are slightly better quality.
One real difference: Princess includes a beverage package in some fares during promotional periods, particularly on longer voyages. If you drink alcohol regularly, this can save $400 to $600 over a week. Carnival rarely includes this, so you have to pay separately or buy the package.
Cabin Size and Quality: Where Princess Pulls Ahead
Princess inside cabins average 160 to 185 square feet, compared to Carnival's 130 to 160. Balcony cabins on Princess run 180 to 210 square feet, versus Carnival's 160 to 185. That extra space is noticeable if you are spending time in the cabin, particularly on sea days or during bad weather.
The cabin finishes are also better. Princess uses higher-quality bedding, larger bathrooms with better lighting, and more storage space. The furniture and fixtures feel less plastic-y than Carnival's. If you are sensitive to cabin quality, this matters enough to justify part of the price difference.
Suites on Princess are genuinely luxurious compared to the standard cabins, with living areas, separate bedrooms, and priority dining reservations. But suites cost significantly more, so they are not a fair comparison to Carnival's suite offerings.
Food and Dining: Better Than Carnival, Not Premium-Line Quality
The main dining room on Princess serves better food than Carnival's. The menus change nightly, the portions are generous, and the preparation is more careful. You will not find undercooked chicken or rubbery pasta as often. The service is also more attentive, with waiters who remember your name and preferences by the second night.
The buffet is comparable to Carnival's — adequate but not exciting. The casual dining venues (pizza, burgers, salads) are the same quality across all three lines. The real difference is the main dining room experience, which is noticeably more pleasant on Princess.
Specialty restaurants cost extra but are worth it if you want a break from the main dining room. The steakhouse serves a decent filet mignon, and the Italian restaurant is genuinely good. These are not fine dining, but they are better than the casual options and worth $25 to $30 per person if you plan to eat there once or twice during the cruise.
Itineraries and Destinations: Where Princess Offers Real Advantages
Princess operates more seven-day and longer voyages than Carnival, particularly to Alaska, the Mediterranean, and the South Pacific. If you want to spend two weeks exploring the Greek islands or sailing through Alaska's Inside Passage, Princess has more options. Carnival focuses on short Caribbean cruises from Florida and Texas, which are cheaper but less adventurous.
Princess also calls at more interesting ports. Instead of Cozumel and Grand Cayman for the hundredth time, you might visit Belize, Roatan, or the Cayman Islands on a different route. The Mediterranean itineraries include ports like Civitavecchia (Rome), Barcelona, and Palma that Carnival rarely visits.
If you are looking for a standard three- or four-day Caribbean cruise, Carnival's itineraries are nearly identical to Princess's, and the price difference is not worth it. But for longer voyages and more exotic destinations, Princess's itinerary advantage justifies the higher cost.
Atmosphere and Crowd: Quieter and Less Party-Focused
Princess attracts an older demographic than Carnival — the average age is around 55 to 60, versus Carnival's 45 to 50. This means fewer screaming children, less loud music in the evening, and a generally calmer atmosphere. The casino and nightclubs are less rowdy, and the pool deck does not feel like a spring break party.
If you are traveling as a couple or with friends and want a relaxing vacation, this is a real advantage. If you are traveling with young children or want high-energy entertainment, Carnival might actually be a better fit, despite the lower quality.
The ships are also less crowded per square foot than Carnival's megaships. You can find a quiet spot to read or sit without feeling like you are in a shopping mall. This is worth something, though it is hard to put a dollar value on it.
How to Get the Best Price on a Princess Cruise
Princess fares drop significantly during wave season, which runs from January through March. You can often find the same cruise for 30 to 50 percent less if you book during this window. A cruise that costs $1,500 per person in May might cost $1,000 in February.
Travel agents often have access to better rates than the Princess website, particularly if you book through an agency that specializes in cruises. They can also bundle airfare, transfers, and onboard credits, which can save another $200 to $400 per person.
Last-minute deals appear 30 to 60 days before departure if the ship is not full. These are unpredictable, but you can save 20 to 40 percent if you are flexible on dates and willing to book with short notice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Princess better than Carnival?
Princess offers larger cabins, better food, and a quieter atmosphere, but costs 30 to 50 percent more. If you value comfort and relaxation, Princess is worth it. If you want the cheapest cruise and do not mind crowds, Carnival is the better choice. For most people, the answer depends on your budget and what you prioritize.
What is the difference between Princess and Royal Caribbean?
Royal Caribbean charges slightly less than Princess but more than Carnival. Royal Caribbean's ships are newer and bigger, with more activities and entertainment. Princess has better dining and a calmer atmosphere. Both are solid mid-range options; Royal Caribbean appeals to families, Princess to couples and older travelers.
Do you have to pay for drinks on Princess?
Yes, unless you buy a beverage package or your fare includes one. Soft drinks and coffee are free. Beer, wine, and cocktails cost $7 to $15 each. A daily beverage package costs $60 to $80 and covers most drinks. If you do not drink alcohol, you save money on Princess compared to lines that charge for soft drinks.
Are Princess cabins really bigger than Carnival's?
Yes, on average. Princess inside cabins are 20 to 50 square feet larger, and the bathrooms are noticeably bigger. The finishes are also better quality. If you spend a lot of time in your cabin, the extra space and comfort are noticeable and worth something.
Can you find cheap Princess cruises?
Yes, particularly during wave season (January to March) or if you book 30 to 60 days before departure. You can sometimes find Princess fares that compete with Carnival's, though the base price is usually higher. Travel agents often have better rates than the Princess website.