Princess Cruises Best & Worst Ships

Princess Cruises: The Good, the Bad, and the Slightly Rusty

Ah, Princess Cruises. Once the darling of the high seas, now a mixed bag of shiny new liners and, let’s be honest, some ships that feel like they’re on their last sea legs. Whether you’re a fan of the regal brand or just considering your options, it’s crucial to know which Princess vessels are the floating palaces and which are closer to floating dumpsters. Let’s dive right into the best and worst of the fleet.

The Crown Jewels: Princess Ships to Seek Out

If you’re looking for the cream of the crop, look no further than the Regal Princess and her sister ship, the Majestic Princess. Both ships are part of the Royal Class, and they live up to their lofty titles with ease.

• Regal Princess: Built in 2014, this ship is still turning heads with its stunning atrium and state-of-the-art facilities. The Regal Princess scored a sparkling 95 out of 100 on the CDC’s Vessel Sanitation Program (VSP), making it one of the cleanest in the Princess fleet. Check out our cleanliness rankings for the full lowdown.
• Majestic Princess: Launched in 2017, this beauty was initially designed for the Chinese market but now graces the global seas. From the exquisite dining options to the SeaWalk, a glass walkway that extends 28 feet beyond the edge of the ship, the Majestic brings the wow factor. A recent refurbishment has ensured she remains top-tier in luxury cruising.

Both ships feature Princess’s signature MedallionClass experience, offering seamless check-ins, keyless stateroom entry, and other tech-savvy perks. These ships also regularly feature in our ship database as top picks.

Avoid These Rusty Buckets

Now, let’s talk about the ships that might need a little more TLC than they’re currently receiving. Here, the Grand Princess and Sun Princess stand out, and not in a good way.

• Grand Princess: She was revolutionary when launched in 1998, but time has not been kind. Despite a refurbishment in 2019, this ship’s age is showing through in smaller staterooms and fewer modern amenities. Her most recent CDC inspection scored a respectable 92, but her overall ambiance feels dated.
• Sun Princess: Built in 1995, the Sun Princess seems to have taken the phrase “golden years” literally, with decor that could use a serious update. A 2022 refurb effort polished some aspects, but new carpets don’t entirely disguise the vessel’s age. The *Sun Princess* managed to scrape a 90 in its last VSP inspection, which is technically passing but far from stellar.

For both of these ships, the mix of older design and basic features could make you feel like you’re cruising back in the ’90s, rather than into the future. So, unless you’re nostalgic for that era, best to sidestep these in favor of something newer.

Newest vs. Oldest: A Tale of Two Ships

Comparing the newest and oldest ships in the fleet is like comparing a smartphone to a rotary phone. The Discovery Princess is the freshest face, launched in 2021. She offers all the luxurious bells and whistles: infinity pools, expanded dining options, and the latest MedallionClass features. Her first CDC inspection netted an impressive score of 96.

On the other hand, the oldest sister, the Pacific Princess (1999), was retired in 2020, leaving the Grand Princess to carry the mantle of the oldest active ship. And while the Grand Princess has its charms, she just can’t compete with the innovative designs and amenities found on the later models in the fleet.

Refurbishment Status: Who’s Getting a Facelift?

Princess concentrates its refurbishment efforts wisely, focusing on ships with potential rather than those that are merely clinging to relevance. In recent years, the Coral Princess saw significant updates in 2019, bringing her closer to modern expectations with improved eateries and refreshed staterooms.

The Emerald Princess also received a facelift in 2019, including upgraded exterior spaces and tech enhancements. Yet, despite these efforts, neither ship can fully match up to their newer counterparts in the fleet.

For the latest info, our Princess Cruises Dossier gathers all the nitty-gritty details on each ship’s refurbishment and service history.

CDC Scores: The Dirty Truth

When it comes to cleanliness, Princess Cruises tends to perform well, but it’s a mixed bag. The aforementioned Regal Princess and Discovery Princess come in strong with scores of 95 and 96, respectively. In contrast, the Caribbean Princess has struggled, dipping to a score of 85 during a surprise inspection last year. While still passing, it’s a little too close to “foul waters” territory for my taste. Explore our ship database to see where other Princess ships fall in the cleanliness rankings.

A Glimpse into Princess’s Future

With more new ships on the horizon like the Sun Princess (2024) and continuous updates to the existing fleet, Princess Cruises is poised to maintain its place in the upper tier of cruise lines. The focus is clearly on enhancing guest experiences with technology and luxury, while gradually phasing out the less competitively aged vessels.