Best to Worst: Princess Cruise Ships Ranked by Real Reviews

Princess Cruises is a favourite among cruisers worldwide, with a fleet of ships offering a variety of experiences. But which ship is the best, and which falls short of expectations?  

To help answer that, I’ve ranked every Princess ship based on real passenger reviews. Instead of relying on personal opinions, I’ve used data from the biggest cruise review sites – Cruise Critic, Cruiseline.com, and TripAdvisor – to create an average score for each ship.  

The results? Even the “worst” ship on the list still scores well, so there’s no need to worry if your favourite isn’t at the top. With that said, let’s dive into the rankings of 16 Princess ships.

1. Regal Princess

Step aboard the Regal Princess today, and you might find it hard to believe she’s been sailing for nearly a decade. While it wouldn’t be fair to call her brand new, she’s aged gracefully, with contemporary décor and a high standard of maintenance that keeps her looking fresh.

As the identical twin of the Royal Princess, she didn’t introduce anything groundbreaking, but guests still loved her balanced design. The ship offers a great variety of daytime and evening activities while managing to avoid the overcrowded feel of mega ships from other cruise lines.

I had the pleasure of cruising on the Regal Princess for 12 nights in the summer of 2024, and I absolutely loved it. If you’re curious, you can check out my detailed thoughts in my review: I Cruised on the Regal Princess for 12 Nights: My Review.

Of course, no ship is without its flaws. Some guests report minor complaints like inconsistent dining experiences, patchy WiFi, or the occasional dip in service quality—usually isolated incidents rather than widespread problems.

2. Coral Princess

I always enjoy the surprises these rankings reveal, and seeing Coral Princess as the second-most popular ship in the Princess fleet is definitely one of them.

She’s not the oldest ship in the fleet (you won’t have to wait long to find that one), but she is the second-oldest and, more notably, tied with her sister ship Island Princess as the smallest in the fleet.

So, what makes her so popular?

For starters, she offers more unique itineraries that appeal to travellers looking for adventure. Her smaller size creates a charming, intimate atmosphere, perfect for those who prefer a quieter, more personal cruise experience. While her onboard features are more limited compared to larger ships, this classic cruise ship’s feel, combined with her beautiful upkeep, wins over plenty of passengers.

3. Sapphire Princess

The Sapphire Princess is another veteran of the Princess Cruises fleet, having sailed for around 20 years. While some areas show their age, a significant refurbishment in 2018 helped modernise the ship, refreshing its look and removing many dated features.

As the largest ship in the Grand Class, she surprisingly carries the fewest passengers, giving her a spacious and relaxed atmosphere, though none of the Grand Class ships ever feel particularly crowded.

Guests often praise her for her excellent itineraries and the exceptional service provided by the crew. However, negative reviews frequently mention that the food can feel a little basic, and some areas, like the public bathrooms, still reflect the ship’s age.

4. Majestic Princess

Majestic Princess stands out in the Princess fleet as a ship originally designed for the Chinese cruise market.

As part of the Royal Class, she shares many similarities with her sister ships but includes unique features like the Harmony restaurant, which serves Chinese cuisine, and the Hollywood Pool Club, adding a distinctive touch to her design.

While reviews are generally positive, she does share some of the common criticisms of other Royal Class ships, namely, the standard staterooms can feel a bit cramped. Additionally, some guests have voiced frustrations about the reliance on the app and Medallion system, which can occasionally malfunction and disrupt the experience.

5. Royal Princess

The launch of Royal Princess in 2013 was a big moment for Princess Cruises. As the first new ship in five years and significantly larger than her predecessors, she introduced some exciting innovations, including the SeaWalk—a thrilling glass-bottomed walkway that extends over the side of the ship.

She remains a firm favourite among cruisers, thanks to her spacious design and the variety of activities available, especially on sea days. Despite her size, she manages to avoid feeling overly crowded, which is a huge plus.

The one common criticism? Some of the more basic staterooms are on the smaller side. But with so much to do onboard, most guests don’t find it to be a dealbreaker.

6. Island Princess

The Island Princess, launched in 2003, is yet another example of how the older Princess Cruises ships continue to win over passengers. As the second Coral-class vessel, she may lack some of the modern features found on newer ships, but that hasn’t stopped her from earning high praise.

Unlike some ships, her appeal isn’t primarily tied to unique itineraries—she offers familiar Mediterranean and Northern Europe routes. Instead, it’s the relaxing atmosphere of this smaller ship that guests love. She delivers a classic cruising experience, enhanced by modern décor and a great selection of dining options.

7. Grand Princess

It didn’t take long to reach the oldest ship in the Princess fleet! Launched in 1998, Grand Princess is not only the fleet’s senior vessel but also one of the oldest ships still sailing with any major American cruise line.

When she first debuted, she made waves as the largest and most expensive cruise ship ever built.

Her high reviews aren’t just about nostalgia, though. While she’s a favourite among older cruisers who enjoy a more traditional cruising experience, her appeal lies in her exciting itineraries to destinations like Alaska and Australia, as well as her excellent dining and evening entertainment options. These factors earn her a well-deserved spot near the top of the list.

8. Emerald Princess

Emerald Princess is a mid-sized ship within the Grand Class, though the class itself features several sub-classes. She offers a varied range of itineraries, including cruises along both US coastlines, trips to the Caribbean, Hawaii, and Canada/New England, making her a versatile choice for travellers.

Reviews for the ship are somewhat mixed. Guests often praise the food and service, but the evening entertainment tends to draw criticism. Some seasoned Princess cruisers also feel that the ship isn’t quite what it used to be, noting a rise in nickel-and-diming compared to earlier experiences.

9. Ruby Princess

The Ruby Princess is a mid-sized ship that strikes a great balance, offering something for everyone. Unlike the smaller, more intimate ships in the fleet, she’s particularly well-suited for families. While she doesn’t boast an overwhelming number of features, there’s plenty to keep kids of all ages entertained during sea days, including a fantastic kids’ club.

Her itineraries are another highlight, featuring an appealing mix of Caribbean and Alaska cruises, with Panama Canal sailings during repositioning.

While the ship is generally well-maintained, some areas, especially the stateroom décor, are starting to show their age. However, this is a minor issue for most, as guests typically have a very positive experience onboard.

10. Diamond Princess

The Diamond Princess is a sister ship to the Sapphire Princess, and both were built in Japan. Unlike her sister, however, the Diamond Princess has largely stayed in Asia, with Yokohama as her home port.

This opens the door to some truly exciting itineraries, but it also gives the ship a more international vibe. While the crew primarily speak English, the cultural mix onboard might feel like a plus or a minus depending on your preferences.

Guests often enjoy her unique atmosphere, but there’s no denying she’s starting to show her age. Even a refurbishment in 2019 hasn’t fully masked her years. That said, if you’re a fan of international cuisine, this ship might deserve a higher spot on your list.

11. Sky Princess

Launched in 2019, Sky Princess is one of the largest ships in the Princess fleet, featuring an enhanced Royal Class design. It’s surprising to see her ranked this low, especially since she’s a favourite among UK cruisers, thanks to her modern design and wide range of facilities.

However, some criticisms bring her down. Guests often mention that the ship feels too busy at times, which can affect the quality of service. Additionally, being a newer and larger ship tends to be more expensive.

One of her standout features is the Sky Suite, boasting the largest balcony at sea. But with its high price tag, it’s an experience out of reach for most passengers and, therefore, doesn’t significantly influence overall review scores.

12. Enchanted Princess

The Enchanted Princess is one of the newer Royal-class ships, debuting between Sky Princess and Discovery Princess. Unfortunately, she shares some of the same criticisms as her sister ship Sky Princess, with guests often mentioning how busy she feels and how her cruises are priced higher than other ships offering a similar standard of experience.

As with other Royal-class ships, there are also complaints about the size of the staterooms and balconies. Unless you’re booking a suite, don’t expect particularly spacious accommodations.

13. Caribbean Princess

While part of the Grand Class, the Caribbean Princess is unique as the only Caribbean-class ship in the Princess fleet. Launched in 2003, she’s older than some of her fleetmates but has been well-maintained over the years.

Originally designed exclusively for Caribbean cruises, she now also sails in Europe. However, her lack of an enclosed pool—a design choice for her tropical origins—can be a drawback in cooler climates. True to her name, she’s built for sunny island hopping, offering a more laid-back daytime experience, but her evenings are lively and full of fun.

14. Sun Princess

Sun Princess is the first of Princess Cruises’ brand-new Sphere Class ships, and she really is a beauty, sleek, modern, and full of impressive dining choices. I had the chance to spend a day onboard and absolutely loved it.

That said, her debut wasn’t entirely smooth. Park19, the much-hyped outdoor recreation area, never properly opened and was later removed altogether after her first European season before she crossed the Atlantic. Understandably, that left quite a few passengers frustrated.

Even so, I’m confident her position will climb the next time I update this list. She’s a fantastic ship with a lot going for her. Interestingly, even 18 months after her launch, there are still just four reviews on TripAdvisor, so I’ve left those out for now — but once more guests sail on her, I think the ratings will tell a very different story.

15. Discovery Princess

As part of the Royal Class, Discovery Princess is slightly larger than her sisters, Royal Princess and Regal Princess, thanks to design changes introduced with 2019’s Sky Princess.

The extra space is mainly dedicated to suites and staterooms rather than additional entertainment features or facilities. As a result, the overall experience is similar to her sister ships. However, despite the added room, guests have reported more issues with slow service and the ship feeling crowded at times.

These could simply be teething problems, but when compared to the placements of Sky Princess and Enchanted Princess on this list, it raises questions about whether the design tweaks were as effective as hoped.

16. Crown Princess

The Crown Princess is both a Crown-class and Grand-class ship, offering the same comfortable mid-sized design as others in her class. While she provides a good balance of space and entertainment, there’s no denying that she’s starting to show her age.

That said, she has been updated over the years, so she doesn’t feel overly dated. Positive reviews often highlight her simple, classic style, which can be a refreshing change from the bells and whistles of feature-packed mega-ships. However, her lack of standout features means she doesn’t generate as much excitement, leaving her review scores closer to average.

Wrapping It All Up

There’s no definitive answer to which Princess Cruise ship is the best, it really depends on what you’re looking for. As these rankings show, the ships in the fleet are incredibly diverse. For example, cruising on the intimate Island Princess will feel completely different from sailing on the new Sun Princess.

Personal taste plays a big role too. While itineraries often guide the decision, it’s worth considering the ship’s atmosphere and facilities. A busier ship might offer more entertainment, but it could feel overwhelming if you’re seeking a quieter escape. What’s clear from these rankings is that newer doesn’t always mean better. Some of Princess’ older ships remain favourites for their relaxed vibe, while a few newer ones rank lower despite their modern features.

Ultimately, it’s about your own preferences. Remember, none of these ships are “bad”, every ship in the fleet scores above average, meaning most passengers enjoy their cruise experience.

If you’re planning a Princess cruise, take the time to think about which ship best matches your style of cruising. And as the Sun Princess, the newest addition to the fleet, makes its mark, it’ll be interesting to see where she eventually lands on this list.

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