Princess Cruise Ship Classes Explained: 4 Fleet Types & Best Ships for 2026

When you understand Princess cruise ship classes, picking the right ship stops feeling random and starts feeling strategic. Instead of staring at a long list of names and build years, you’re matching how you like to cruise with four distinct ship “personalities”: Sphere, Royal, Grand, and Coral.

In this guide I’ll walk you class by class, ship by ship, then zoom back out so you can decide which Princess cruise ship classes actually fit your style, your budget, and your itinerary wish list for 2026 and beyond.

---

Overview of Princess Cruise Ship Classes

Princess is one of the easier mainstream fleets to understand. Right now, the active ships sort into four main Princess cruise ship classes:

• Sphere Class – Brand new, LNG-powered, biggest ships in the fleet.
• Royal Class – Large, modern workhorses with big atriums and lots of amenities.
• Grand Class – Classic mid-size ships with that “traditional Princess” vibe.
• Coral Class – The smallest pair, built for Panama Canal and destination-heavy itineraries.

Within those four Princess cruise ship classes you’ve got every active Princess ship:

• Sphere Class: Sun Princess, Star Princess
• Royal Class: Royal, Regal, Majestic, Sky, Enchanted, Discovery Princess
• Grand Class: Grand, Diamond, Sapphire, Caribbean, Crown, Emerald, Ruby Princess
• Coral Class: Coral Princess, Island Princess

Each class shares a common hull design, basic layout, and typical passenger capacity, which is why knowing the class gives you a huge head start before you ever drill down into individual deck plans.

At a high level:

• Sphere Class is all about maximum choice and modern hardware.
• Royal Class is the default “modern Princess” experience most people picture.
• Grand Class feels more intimate and classic, with a calmer onboard vibe.
• Coral Class takes you on the most ambitious itineraries in the smallest package.

From here, we’ll break down each of the four Princess cruise ship classes, then compare them side by side so you can see exactly where you fit.

For an even deeper look at how each ship lines up over time, check out my full guide to Princess cruise ships by age for ship-by-ship details and comparisons.

---

History & Evolution of Princess Cruise Ship Classes

To really understand Princess cruise ship classes, it helps to zoom out and look at how the fleet got here. Princess didn’t wake up one day with Sphere, Royal, Grand, and Coral neatly labeled. The fleet evolved in waves, each class solving a different problem: more space, better views, richer itineraries, or updated amenities.

You can think of it as four big “eras” of design layered on top of each other: the Grand-era push to bigger mainstream ships, the Coral-era focus on transit and destination, the Royal-era modernization, and finally the Sphere-era leap into large, LNG-powered flagships.

---

The Grand Class Era: When “Big Ship” Princess Was Born

Grand Class was the moment Princess stepped decisively into the modern mainstream cruise arena. Before this era, ships were smaller and more traditional, with more of a classic ocean liner feel. Grand Class brought:

• True big-ship capacity, without going full mega-ship.
• A central atrium that felt like a social hub instead of just a lobby.
• Multiple pools and outside spaces designed for warm-weather sea days.

If you sailed Princess in the 2000s, there’s a good chance your mental picture of the line is a Grand Class ship: a mid-size vessel where you never feel lost, but you always have at least a couple of shows and bars to choose from each night.

Those early Grand designs were tweaked over time: additional decks were added on later sisters, venues were shifted, and the upper decks were refined. But the core idea stayed the same. Princess wanted ships that could:

• Handle popular regions like the Caribbean and Europe.
• Offer enough dining and entertainment for week-long trips.
• Still feel like “classic cruising” rather than an amusement park at sea.

A lot of what Princess is known for today – especially among loyal repeat guests – traces straight back to this Grand-era philosophy.

---

Coral Class: Built For Transit, Not Just Tanning

Coral Class came out of a different design question:

“How do we build ships that can slip through the Panama Canal, handle long voyages, and make sea days about scenery instead of spectacle?”

Coral and Island Princess were the answer. They’re narrower and smaller than Grand Class ships, with:

• Layouts optimized for viewing rather than packing on attractions.
• Forward buffet and lounge spaces that put the ocean directly in front of you.
• Enough theaters and lounges to support long voyages without feeling repetitive.

In the family of Princess cruise ship classes, Coral is the “world traveler.” These ships aren’t trying to compete with massive family mega-ships; they’re trying to get you into unique ports, across major canals, and through long repositioning routes in comfort.

That’s why they’ve become the backbone of many world cruises and extended itineraries. As the rest of the fleet got bigger, Coral Class quietly became more valuable, not less.

---

Royal Class: The Modern Princess Template

Royal Class arrived as cruising changed in a different direction. Guests wanted:

• More dining choice.
• Larger atriums and social spaces.
• Cabins and suites that felt more like modern hotel rooms.

Princess answered with a new template: a taller, broader ship wrapped around a multi-story Piazza. Instead of one big show lounge and a handful of bars, Royal ships spread the action out:

• Multiple live-music venues.
• Stronger bar identity and variety.
• Additional specialty restaurants layered on top of the core main dining rooms.

At the same time, Princess tried not to lose its more relaxed feel. You won’t find go-karts or giant water coasters dominating the top deck. Compared to other big-ship brands, even Royal Class feels “grown up” and balanced.

This is where MedallionClass really becomes baked into the experience. While it was later rolled across the fleet, Royal ships were designed and refitted with the idea that people would:

• Use their phones more onboard.
• Expect faster ordering and service options.
• Want cabins that gracefully handle more devices and tech.

In practice, Royal Class became the default for many cruisers. If someone says “I’m taking my first Princess cruise,” odds are good they’re stepping onto a Royal ship.

---

Sphere Class: Princess Steps Into the Flagship Era

Sphere Class is the newest evolution and the clearest statement of where Princess is heading. The line didn’t just stretch a Royal hull and call it good. Instead, it introduced:

• An entirely new Dome concept that works as both a daytime pool area and a nighttime performance space.
• A re-thought Princess Arena, replacing the classic fixed theater footprint with something more flexible and cinematic.
• Park19 on the top deck, a real shift toward dedicated family-play spaces and activity zones.

This isn’t a minor iteration. In the family tree of Princess cruise ship classes, Sphere is like a new branch that still shares the DNA, but looks and behaves in noticeably different ways. It targets:

• Guests who want the ship to be a big part of the vacation experience.
• Families who might otherwise pick a bigger, flashier line.
• Travelers who care about greener technology like LNG propulsion.

At the same time, Princess kept the core brand elements – MedallionClass, a familiar service style, and a recognizable Piazza – so long-time loyalists don’t feel like they’ve stepped onto a stranger’s ship.

---

How The Classes Coexist Today

Right now, all four Princess cruise ship classes play specific roles instead of competing with each other head-on:

• Sphere Class serves as the tech-forward flagship for marquee routes and media attention.
• Royal Class is the broad-appeal workhorse that handles a ton of core itineraries.
• Grand Class is the reliable “classic” option that balances cost, size, and comfort.
• Coral Class is the specialty tool for world cruises, Panama Canal, and longer scenic routes.

For you as a cruiser, that’s good news. It means you don’t just have “old” and “new” ships. You have distinctly different Princess cruise ship classes, each tuned for a different style of vacation – and you can pick accordingly.

---

Sphere Class: New-Generation Flagship Experience

Ships in class: Sun Princess (2024), Star Princess (2025)
Approximate size: Around 177,800–177,882 gross tons, ~4,300 guests (double occupancy)

Sphere Class is where Princess is clearly saying, “Okay, we’re playing in the big leagues now.” These are the largest ships ever built for Princess, running on cleaner LNG fuel, and they sit at the top of both size and age when you rank Princess cruise ship classes.

Instead of just stretching Royal Class, Princess rethought a lot of the internal spaces. You can feel that in four places: the Dome, the Princess Arena, Park19, and the upgraded suite complex.

Sphere Class Layout & Atmosphere

On Sun and Star Princess, your first “wow” moment usually comes in two spots:

• The bright, multi-deck Dome near the bow, with a glass roof and a day–night personality.
• The expanded Piazza-style atrium, which feels more vertical and light-filled than on Royal or Grand ships.

The Dome acts as a relaxing pool and lounge space by day, then shifts into a dramatic performance and nightlife venue in the evenings. That dual use is very different from the more static pool layout on older classes.

Crowds feel more spread out because:

• Public spaces are layered over more decks.
• Dining and bar options are more numerous and more specialized.
• The suite enclave, Park19 family area, and Dome create several “gravitational centers” instead of everyone fighting for space in one or two spots.

It’s still Princess, but the feel is much more “modern resort at sea” than “classic Love Boat.”

Dining & Bars on Sphere Class

If you care about dining variety, Sphere sits at the top of all Princess cruise ship classes. You’ll find the usual suspects:

• Main dining rooms with set-time and flexible options
• Casual buffet and poolside grill
• Crown Grill steakhouse
• Sabatini’s Italian

But then Princess layers on experimental and specialty concepts that so far are unique (or mostly unique) to Sphere Class:

• Butcher’s Block by Dario – A meat-forward restaurant created with Italian butcher Dario Cecchini.
• Makoto Ocean – A sushi concept developed with chef Makoto Okuwa.
• Umai Teppanyaki & Umai Hot Pot – Shared space offering teppan and hot pot, something you almost never saw on earlier Princess ships.
• Love by Britto – An art-inspired venue connected to Romero Britto’s colorful style.
• Spellbound by Magic Castle – A reservations-only, ticketed “magic club meets cocktail theater” experience.

For you, that means two big things:

1. You can sail a full week and still feel like there are new places to try on day 7.
2. Specialty dining is no longer a once-per-trip splurge; it can easily become the centerpiece of your cruise.

If food and bar-hopping are your love language, Sphere Class is absolutely where you start in the Princess cruise ship classes lineup.

Entertainment, Park19 & Top Deck Life

Sphere Class ships are built for sea days and families in a way older Princess ships simply aren’t.

Key features:

• Princess Arena – A three-configurable main theater that can be set up in different shapes and seating layouts.
• The Dome – Daytime pool hangout, nighttime acrobatics and immersive shows under the glass.
• Secondary venues for comedy, game shows, and live music scattered near the Piazza and Dome.
• Park19 – A top-deck family hub with ropes course, climbing structure, and the Sea Breeze “soaring” ride that mimics hang gliding over the ocean.

Compared to Royal or Grand, these ships feel like Princess turned up to 11:

• More areas built specifically with kids and teens in mind.
• More screens, lighting, and production tech.
• More “Instagrammable” architectural moments.

If you’re worried that Princess might be too calm for your family, Sphere Class is likely your best counterargument.

Cabins & Suites on Sphere Class

Because Sphere is the newest of the Princess cruise ship classes, cabins and suites here benefit from everything Princess has learned:

• A huge ratio of balcony cabins (Princess quotes around 1,500 balcony staterooms on Sun alone).
• A fully modernized suite enclave with its own dedicated spaces and benefits.
• Cabins designed from day one around MedallionClass tech, USB power, and storage tweaks.

If you’re a balcony or suite person, these ships are built for you. Interior and oceanview cabins are still there, but they’re not the headline.

Routes & Itineraries

Sun and Star typically rotate between Europe and the Caribbean/Mexico depending on season, often on itineraries where the ship itself is as much of a draw as the ports.

If you want:

• A classic 7-night Caribbean with a big, flashy ship.
• A Mediterranean itinerary where sea days are part of the point.

…Sphere Class is built for that kind of cruising.

Who Should Pick Sphere Class

Go Sphere if you:

• Want the newest tech, biggest ships, and most venues Princess offers.
• Have kids/teens who need more than just a pool and kids’ club.
• Love food, concept bars, and multiple show styles in one week.
• Don’t mind crowds and higher per-night fares to get all of that.

If you prefer ships where you can recognize faces after a few days and you like a slower pace, you may be happier sliding down the list of Princess cruise ship classes to Royal, Grand, or Coral instead.

---

Royal Class: The Modern Princess “Standard”

Ships in class: Royal, Regal, Majestic, Sky, Enchanted, Discovery Princess
Approximate size: About 142,000–145,000 gross tons, ~3,560–3,660 guests (double occupancy)

Royal Class is what most people picture when they think of modern Princess. It sits squarely in the middle of the Princess cruise ship classes: not as gigantic or experimental as Sphere, but significantly larger and more venue-rich than the older Grand and Coral ships.

Overall Layout & Feel

The big signature across all Royal Class ships is the central Piazza atrium:

• Multi-deck open space with a circular or semi-circular layout.
• Surrounded by bars, casual eateries, coffee, and snacks.
• Live music or events happening at most times of day.

It works as the ship’s “living room.” You pass through it constantly, you meet friends there, you stop for a drink and get sucked into a string trio or a vocalist.

Other Royal Class hallmarks:

• Broad pool decks with decent separation between noisy and quiet zones.
• Several indoor lounges (for evening shows, game shows, and live music).
• A dedicated adults-only retreat, with the Sanctuary concept on many sailings.

This is where Princess balances relaxation and activity for most mainstream cruisers.

Dining & Bars on Royal Class

Across the Royal Class ships, you’ll usually find:

• Multiple main dining rooms (with fixed and flexible options).
• A large buffet (Horizon Court / World Fresh Marketplace).
• Casual poolside spots (grills and pizza).
• At least two core specialty restaurants: Crown Grill (steak/seafood) and Sabatini’s Italian.

Some ships add extra flavor:

• Select vessels have The Catch by Rudi, a seafood restaurant with elevated dishes like whole fish, seafood towers, and creative plating.
• Others incorporate gastropub elements or refined wine bar concepts around the Piazza.

You don’t get the full experimental spread of Sphere, but you do get enough variety that a 7–10 night cruise never feels repetitive if you rotate between dining rooms, specialty options, and casual venues.

Entertainment & Sea Days

In the Princess cruise ship classes lineup, Royal Class is where entertainment really starts to feel fully built-out:

• A large main theater with production shows, guest entertainers, and occasional special events.
• Lounges for comedy, game shows, and live music.
• A big Movies Under the Stars screen over the pool, used for blockbusters, concerts, and themed nights.

You’ll also see:

• Trivia, dance classes, and enrichment talks sprinkled in daytime.
• Theme parties or events in the Piazza and lounges at night.

The vibe is busy but not chaotic. You can absolutely have a quiet cruise on Royal Class if you gravitate toward the spa, the Sanctuary, and early dinners. But if you want things to do from morning to late night, it’s very easy to fill your schedule.

Suites, Cabins & Medallion Integration

Royal Class ships marked a big step up in how Princess handles suites and premium accommodations:

• Traditional balcony and mini-suite cabins are common across the ship.
• Newer Royal Class ships (Sky, Enchanted, Discovery) add Sky Suites, massive accommodations overlooking the pool with large wraparound balconies.
• More Club Class mini-suites and refined suite perks compared with older ships.

MedallionClass is deeply integrated, especially on the later Royal ships. You’ll notice:

• Smooth cabin-door unlocking as you approach.
• Easier app-based ordering of drinks and food.
• Better location services and connectivity in most public areas.

If you’ve only sailed older Princess ships, Royal Class cabins and tech will feel like a major quality-of-life upgrade, even though the line intentionally keeps the overall experience familiar.

Routes & Deployment

Royal Class ships are flexed across:

• Caribbean (especially winter).
• Mediterranean & Northern Europe (spring to fall).
• Alaska, Australia, New Zealand, and Asia on selected deployments.

You’ll see them on:

• 7-night and 10-night “core” itineraries that draw first-timers and loyalists.
• Select repositioning cruises between Europe and North America.

If you only remember one thing: Royal Class is where Princess puts much of its mainstream capacity because the format works for almost every style of cruiser.

Who Royal Class Is Best For

You’ll usually be happy on Royal Class if:

• You want a modern ship but Sphere feels like overkill.
• You like a good buzz in the atrium, but don’t need a theme park on the top deck.
• You’re a couple, family, or multigenerational group looking for a safe, flexible choice.
• You’re new to Princess and just want to see “what the hype is about” in a very current way.

In the middle of the Princess cruise ship classes hierarchy, Royal Class is the default recommendation unless you have a very specific reason to go bigger or smaller.

---

Grand Class: Classic Princess With Room To Breathe

Ships in class: Grand, Diamond, Sapphire, Caribbean, Crown, Emerald, Ruby Princess
Approximate size: Roughly 107,000–116,000 gross tons, ~2,600–3,100 guests (double occupancy)

Grand Class is where things get interesting if you love itineraries, nostalgia, and a calmer onboard feel. These ships are smaller than Royal and Sphere, but still fully “big ship” in amenities. They also span a wide age range: Grand Princess dates to 1998, while Ruby entered service in 2008.

When you scroll down the list of Princess cruise ship classes, Grand often gets underestimated because of age alone. In practice, these are some of the most beloved ships among long-time Princess cruisers.

Layout & Onboard Atmosphere

Across Grand Class you’ll typically see:

• A central atrium/piazza (smaller than Royal’s but still lively).
• Classic theater up front, lounges midship/aft layout.
• Multiple pools but fewer top-deck attractions, with more emphasis on open deck space.

Instead of giant family parks and massive screen-filled venues, you get:

• Walkable promenade areas.
• Plenty of bars and lounges that feel “ship-like,” not mall-like.
• More places where you can sit with a book and a drink and just watch the water.

On sea days, Grand Class feels busy but not packed, especially compared with the largest Royal or Sphere ships. It’s easier to find a quiet chair, an empty corner of a lounge, or a near-empty deck in the early morning or later at night.

Dining on Grand Class Ships

Grand Class dining is more about refined basics than experimental concepts, although refits have added fun touches over time. Common threads:

• Main dining rooms with classic Princess menus.
• Casual buffets and poolside grills.
• Princess staples like Crown Grill or Sterling Steakhouse, plus Sabatini’s.

Then you have ship-specific twists:

• Some vessels add specialty concepts like Salty Dog Gastropub or regionalized venues.
• Diamond Princess leans into Japanese touches (ramen, sushi, baths) given its regional deployment.
• Caribbean Princess has a more family-focused pool deck and kid-friendly touches topside.

You don’t get the same sheer variety as Royal or Sphere, but you do get:

• A more relaxed dining rhythm.
• A ship where you learn where “your” spot is quickly, instead of constantly exploring new venues.

For many cruisers, especially those doing longer or port-heavy itineraries, that familiarity is exactly the point.

Entertainment & Activities

You’ll still find:

• Production shows in the main theater.
• Comedians, live music, and game shows in lounges.
• Movies Under the Stars on most Grand variants after refits.

What you won’t find on Grand Class compared to newer Princess cruise ship classes:

• Ropes courses, top-deck family parks, or thrill rides.
• Giant, reconfigurable theaters or multi-story indoor domes.

That makes Grand Class a great fit for people who want:

• A traditional cruise feel.
• Enough things to do, but not a schedule that feels like FOMO all day long.
• Plenty of time in port and in quiet onboard spaces.

Cabins, Refits & Comfort

Because Grand Class ships span a 10-year build window and have had multiple refits, condition varies by ship, but across the class you’ll see:

• Rollout of the Princess Luxury Bed across cabins.
• Refreshed soft furnishings and bathrooms on many ships.
• Added or updated Club Class mini-suites on select vessels.

Cabin layouts are generally straightforward:

• Plenty of balcony cabins (especially on later Grand variants like Ruby and Emerald).
• Interior and oceanview cabins that maximize bed space over seating space.
• Mini-suites and suites with more traditional design than Sphere or Royal but still comfortable.

If your priority is a solid, quiet cabin rather than a cutting-edge design statement, Grand Class will feel just fine.

Itineraries & Where Grand Class Sails

Grand Class ships play a flexible role in the fleet, showing up on:

• Caribbean, Mexico, and Alaska itineraries.
• Longer Europe runs, often including smaller or less-touristed ports.
• Regional niches like Japan (Diamond, Sapphire) and ex-UK or ex-Australia seasons.

Their size makes them a great compromise: big enough for amenities, small enough to go where some Royal or Sphere ships either can’t or won’t.

Who Grand Class Is Best For

You’ll mesh well with Grand Class if:

• You like a ship that feels big but navigable.
• You want more focus on where you’re going than on how many gadgets are onboard.
• You prefer a calmer ambiance, fewer crowds, and a more traditional cruise pace.
• You’re happy on a slightly older ship if the itinerary and price are right.

In the spread of Princess cruise ship classes, Grand is often where the best value lives for experienced cruisers who know they’ll use the ship as a comfortable base rather than a theme park.

---

Coral Class: Smallest Ships, Boldest Routes

Ships in class: Coral Princess (2002), Island Princess (2003)
Approximate size: Around 91,627–92,822 gross tons, roughly 2,000–2,200 guests (double occupancy)

Coral Class is the specialist of the Princess cruise ship classes. These two ships are smaller, narrower, and purpose-built to transit the classic Panama Canal locks and run long, destination-rich itineraries.

They don’t have the most restaurants, the biggest theaters, or the flashiest top decks. What they do have is:

• Excellent viewing spaces.
• Itineraries that the larger ships simply don’t attempt.
• A passenger count low enough that you actually get to know your shipmates.

Ship Design & Atmosphere

Coral and Island Princess feel different as soon as you walk their public decks:

• The buffet is positioned forward with expansive ocean views, which many Princess loyalists swear is the best layout in the fleet.
• You’ll find plenty of windows and glass throughout lounges and public spaces, making scenic cruising days feel immersive.
• There is a cozy, almost “liner-lite” vibe: you always know roughly where you are on the ship and where things are.

On a long itinerary, that familiarity is a big perk. After a week, the ship feels like a village. After a world cruise segment or a full world cruise, it almost feels like a temporary hometown.

Dining & Bars on Coral Class

The dining setup sticks closer to classic Princess patterns:

• Main dining rooms with traditional and flexible dining.
• A forward buffet with sea views.
• A specialty steakhouse, often in a Bayou Café & Steakhouse configuration on Coral, plus Sabatini’s Italian.

You won’t find the same spread of specialty concepts that Sphere or Royal ships offer. But on a long voyage, that can actually make evenings feel simpler:

• You settle into a rhythm between MDR, buffet, and one or two specialty dinners.
• You get to know your waitstaff and regulars by name.

Bars and lounges are sized to match the ship, which helps them feel busy without being cramped.

Entertainment & Long Cruises

Entertainment on Coral Class ships is intentionally not about spectacle. Instead, you’ll find:

• A solid main theater for shows.
• A couple of lounges with live music, dance hosts, and occasional guest entertainers.
• Enrichment lectures, port talks, and activities tailored to longer itineraries.

On, say, a 116-night world cruise or a long Panama Canal itinerary, your day is often shaped more by the destination and scenery than by needing a dozen headline acts. Coral Class is tuned to that reality.

Cabins & Comfort

Cabins on Coral and Island Princess are:

• Classic in layout and decor, with updates over the years.
• Heavy on oceanview and balcony options, which matches their scenic routes.
• Well-suited to long stays, especially mini-suites and suites for those doing world cruise segments.

They don’t feel as new as Sphere or Royal ships, but they’re comfortable and functional, and refits over time have kept them in good working shape.

Itineraries Where Coral Class Shines

This is where the smallest Princess cruise ship classes become the most interesting. Coral and Island Princess frequently operate:

• Full Panama Canal transits and partial transits.
• World cruises and extended world cruise segments (100+ days).
• Longer Australia, New Zealand, South Pacific, Arctic, and Baltic itineraries not always offered on bigger ships.

If your bucket list says “see the world” more than “ride a ropes course,” Coral Class could quietly be your best fit in the entire fleet.

Who Coral Class Is Best For

Choose Coral Class if:

• You care more about route and scenery than onboard flash.
• You’re booking a long itinerary where community and routine matter.
• You prefer a smaller ship where you don’t feel like a face in a crowd of 4,000+.
• You’re okay with older decor in exchange for better access to ports and transit experiences.

Among all Princess cruise ship classes, Coral is the one that feels most like a travel tool first and a floating resort second. For serious travelers, that’s often the whole point.

---

Detailed Ship-by-Ship Guide Within Each Princess Cruise Ship Class

Once you understand the four main Princess cruise ship classes, the next step is getting a feel for the actual ships inside each one. On paper, a Royal Class ship looks a lot like its sisters. In reality, each individual vessel has its own habits, routes, and personality.

This ship-by-ship guide walks through every active Princess ship, class by class, so you can see how they differ and which ones might be the best match for the way you like to cruise.

---

Sphere Class Ships

Sun Princess

Sun Princess is the flagship for the newest of the Princess cruise ship classes, and you can feel that everywhere you walk. The Dome, Park19, the Princess Arena, the expanded Piazza… it all feels like Princess took the core of the brand and stretched it in every direction. If you want to see where the line is heading over the next decade, this is the ship to watch.

She’s especially appealing if you like a cruise that feels like an event even on sea days. You’ve got multiple show styles, concept restaurants, and a top deck designed for families who don’t mind staying onboard all day. For many guests, the only real downside is that Sun Princess can feel busy; you’re sharing all this cool hardware with a lot of other people.

If you’re choosing between Princess cruise ship classes and you love the idea of “newest and boldest,” Sun Princess will sit right at the top of your list.

Star Princess

Star Princess is the follow-up Sphere Class ship, and she benefits from everything Princess has learned on Sun. Think of her as “version 1.1” of the newest Princess cruise ship classes: same Dome and basic structure, but with tweaks based on real-world guest feedback, routing, and demand.

She’ll likely alternate between Europe and warm-weather itineraries, with a mix of 7- to 14-night sailings that lean heavily on the ship as a destination. For families and groups planning a once-in-a-while big trip, Star Princess is going to be very tempting, especially if you like to say you sailed a ship within a year or two of launch.

If you’re comparing Sun vs Star within the Sphere slice of the Princess cruise ship classes lineup, the best ship is usually the one that offers the itinerary you want in the right season. Hardware-wise, you’ll be happy on either.

---

Royal Class Ships

Royal Princess

Royal Princess kicked off the Royal era and, for a lot of us, became the mental template for what “modern Princess” looks like. The multi-deck Piazza, the Seawalk, the big pool deck, the cinema under the stars… it’s all here in a package that feels polished without being over the top.

If you like the idea of cruising on something modern but don’t care whether it’s the newest ship in the fleet, Royal Princess is a nice middle lane. You still get MedallionClass, a solid mix of dining options, and a very active central atrium, but usually at a slightly friendlier price than the very latest Royal Class sisters.

Within the Princess cruise ship classes hierarchy, Royal Princess is often the ship I point to for people who want to see what “standard” looks like before they go up or down in size.

Regal Princess

Regal Princess is Royal’s near-twin, and in practice they feel incredibly similar. You’ll notice familiar venues, similar cabin layouts, and the same general flow between Piazza, pool deck, and theaters. That’s the whole point of consistent Princess cruise ship classes: learn one, and the others feel intuitive.

Where Regal Princess stands out is often in the itineraries and small tweaks that came after Royal launched. You may see different bar concepts, slightly different decor, and updated specialty menus depending on region and season. It’s the kind of ship where repeat Princess cruisers walk onboard and instantly know exactly where to get their first drink.

If you see both Royal and Regal offering roughly the same trip at similar prices, you can safely pick by sail date and cabin rather than overthinking the hardware.

Majestic Princess

Majestic Princess has always been the “slightly different cousin” in the Royal slice of the Princess cruise ship classes, thanks to her origins serving the Asia market. Even after being retooled for wider deployment, she still carries subtle traces of that background in her layout and venue mix.

That can be a perk if you like ships that are familiar but not identical. You still get the big Piazza, the pools, and the usual dining lineup, but with a few twists in decor, bar concepts, and sometimes menu emphasis. For some cruisers, Majestic feels like Royal Class with just a touch more personality and story behind it.

She’s a strong choice if you’ve already sailed Royal/Regal and want something that still feels like Princess but not like a carbon copy.

Sky Princess

Sky Princess is where the Royal Class formula really starts to sharpen. She was the first to introduce the big Sky Suites overlooking the pool deck, and that move said a lot about where Princess wanted to go with its higher-end accommodations.

Those suites aside, Sky Princess is a fantastic all-round ship for couples and families. The Piazza feels lively but not overwhelming, the outdoor spaces are well balanced between loud and quiet, and the dining lineup is deep enough to make a 10-night cruise feel varied. If you like the idea of newer hardware but Sphere seems like overkill, Sky Princess is a comfortable compromise.

In the mid-band of Princess cruise ship classes, Sky is often my pick for travelers who want modern style and slightly fresher decor without needing every new concept the line is experimenting with.

Enchanted Princess

Enchanted Princess feels like a confident extension of the Sky blueprint: big, clean lines, strong suite offerings, and entertainment that leans slightly more contemporary than classic. If you like evening energy but not chaos, she’s a sweet spot.

You’ll notice the Royal Class DNA everywhere: three-story Piazza activity, strong dining variety, and good indoor coverage for cooler-weather routes when she’s deployed in Europe. She’s built for guests who appreciate the Princess brand but also want a ship that looks and feels like it was designed recently, not back in the 2000s.

If you’re comparing Royal Class ships and find Enchanted Princess landing on the dates you can travel, she’s an easy yes for most traveler types.

Discovery Princess

Discovery Princess is the newest of the Royal Class siblings and, for many people, the most polished version of that design. She inherits everything Princess likes about the class and layers on the most current decor, suite mix, and tech refinements.

If you’re someone who notices little things like bar layout, traffic flow around the Piazza, and cabin lighting, Discovery often feels just that tiny bit more dialed-in than her sisters. For everyone else, the difference shows up as a subtle overall freshness that makes her feel very current within the Princess cruise ship classes ladder.

When you want something almost as new-feeling as Sphere, but prefer a more conventional Princess layout, Discovery Princess is usually the first Royal Class name worth hunting for.

---

Grand Class Ships

Ruby Princess

Ruby Princess is one of those ships that punches well above her age. On paper she’s part of a Grand Class cluster from the mid-2000s. In reality, she’s been thoughtfully updated and still runs incredibly popular itineraries in the Caribbean, Alaska, and Australia.

Her layout is textbook Grand Class: central atrium, multiple pools, a good spread of bars and lounges, no crazy top-deck rides. That makes Ruby ideal if you want a more traditional Princess experience with just enough modern touches to feel current. She strikes a nice balance between size and intimacy, especially for longer itineraries.

If you’ve mostly been looking at newer Princess cruise ship classes but want to save some money without sacrificing comfort, Ruby Princess is a great starting point.

Emerald Princess

Emerald Princess feels like Ruby’s close sister: similar size, similar layout, similar mission. She often hosts ex-UK and European sailings, plus other routes where Princess wants a comfortable, familiar ship that won’t overwhelm first-timers.

What a lot of guests appreciate about Emerald is how quickly she becomes navigable. By day two or three you know where “your” bar is, which route to take to breakfast, and which outer decks are quiet at sunset. That predictability can be a huge plus on port-heavy itineraries, where you don’t necessarily want the ship to be its own puzzle to solve.

In the context of Princess cruise ship classes, Emerald Princess is a classic Grand Class example: solid hardware, strong routes, and a calmer, more grown-up atmosphere.

Crown Princess

Crown Princess kicked off the Crown trio within Grand Class and helped set the blueprint for the later Emerald and Ruby. She was also one of the earlier ships to feature spaces like the Sanctuary, building out a more intentional adults-only retreat in the Princess world.

Onboard, Crown feels like a gently busy mid-size ship. There’s enough going on to keep sea days interesting, but not so much that you feel like you have to choose between five big shows every evening. For couples and small groups who like a balance of ports and onboard downtime, she’s easy to recommend.

If you’re browsing Grand Class options and see Crown Princess on an itinerary you like, your decision usually comes down to cabin location and price rather than any huge hardware differences.

Caribbean Princess

Caribbean Princess leans into her name. More than some of her Grand Class siblings, she was designed around warm-weather, family-friendly sailing, especially in the Caribbean. That shows up most clearly on her pool deck and kids’ spaces, which skew a little more family-focused than some of the other older ships.

She’s a great option for families who like the idea of the classic Princess experience but don’t need the latest Sphere-style bells and whistles. Kids can enjoy the pools, splash areas, and youth programs, while adults still get a very recognizable Princess bar and dining lineup.

Within the older half of the Princess cruise ship classes, Caribbean Princess is one of the more approachable choices for families who don’t want to go full mega-ship.

Sapphire Princess

Sapphire Princess is part of a slightly different sub-branch of the Grand Class tree, originally built in Japan and often sailing varied itineraries across Asia, the Pacific, and beyond. She has some layout quirks and a feel that’s just a little different from the Crown/Emerald/Ruby trio, which many loyal Princess fans actually love.

What stands out is how well Sapphire suits longer itineraries. There are enough indoor and outdoor spaces that you can “claim” your favorites, and her size keeps things feeling personal. This is the kind of ship where you recognize your favorite bartenders, and they recognize you.

For travelers who like the idea of seeing the world on a slightly smaller canvas, Sapphire makes a strong case inside the Grand slice of the Princess cruise ship classes.

Diamond Princess

Diamond Princess shares some design DNA with Sapphire but has been heavily tuned for the Japan market, with onboard touches like Japanese baths, localized menus, and cultural programming. That gives her a unique personality in the fleet.

Sailing Diamond feels like a blend of global cruise culture and local Japanese flavor. You still get Princess core experiences, but layered with ramen, sushi, language basics, and traditional touches that tie into the ports you’re visiting. That’s what makes her so interesting if you want more than just a generic Western ship passing through Asia.

In the broader picture of Princess cruise ship classes, Diamond is what I’d call a “destination-specialist Grand ship” – classic in size, but tailored closely to where she sails.

Grand Princess

Grand Princess is the oldest ship in the active fleet and the original namesake for Grand Class. She’s smaller than her younger Grand sisters and has carried millions of guests over the years, but ongoing refits have kept her very much in play.

For many long-time Princess fans, Grand has that “I’m home” feeling the moment they step into the atrium. The layout is intuitive, the venues feel human-sized, and it’s easy to slip into a routine. On longer sailings, that’s an underrated advantage: you don’t burn mental energy just figuring out where things are.

If you’re curious about the older end of the Princess cruise ship classes but worried about comfort, Grand Princess is a good test case. She won’t feel like a new Royal or Sphere ship, but she doesn’t need to. She’s there to take you places comfortably, not to out-flash the newest hardware.

---

Coral Class Ships

Coral Princess

Coral Princess is one of the two smallest ships in the fleet and, honestly, one of the most interesting. She was built to slip through the original Panama Canal locks and to handle longer, more complex itineraries that demand good sightlines and steady performance.

Onboard, Coral feels more like a classic ocean liner than a floating resort. The forward buffet with big windows, the wraparound viewing spaces, and the sensible walkways all support scenic cruising days. You’re not roaming a dozen specialty venues looking for tonight’s gimmick; you’re moving between views, meals, and quiet bars.

If your personal cruise bucket list leans heavily toward the Canal, world segments, and long, slow routes, Coral Princess is a top pick inside the Coral slice of the Princess cruise ship classes.

Island Princess

Island Princess is Coral’s sister and partner in crime for world cruises and extended itineraries. Structurally they’re very similar, but Island sometimes takes the spotlight for particularly ambitious routes: long repositionings, bucket-list region combos, and extended canal runs.

Life aboard Island Princess is all about rhythm. Sea days are shaped by lectures, trivia, music, and long lunches with great views. Port days are shaped by the fact that she can get into places big ships skip. Over a long voyage you’ll know not just the layout, but the people – both guests and crew.

For travelers hunting the most “travel-forward” experiences in the Princess cruise ship classes lineup, Island Princess is one of the best platforms Princess has ever built.

---

Princess Cruise Ship Classes Compared

Here’s a simple side-by-side view of the four Princess cruise ship classes so you can see how they really differ at a glance. Numbers are approximate and rounded for clarity.

Class	Example Ships	Approx. Size / Guests (double)	Vibe & Energy Level	Best For
Sphere	Sun, Star Princess	~177,800 GT / ~4,300 guests	High energy, very modern, feature-packed	Families, groups, “ship as destination”
Royal	Royal, Regal, Sky, etc.	~142,000–145,000 GT / ~3,600	Modern but calmer than Sphere, versatile	Most first-timers & mixed groups
Grand	Ruby, Emerald, Crown, etc.	~107,000–116,000 GT / ~2,600–3,100	Classic, quieter, more intimate feel	Value hunters, itinerary lovers
Coral	Coral, Island Princess	~91,600–92,800 GT / ~2,000–2,200	Smallest, destination-focused, cozy	World cruises, Panama Canal, long trips

You can think of the four Princess cruise ship classes as four sliders:

• Size: Sphere biggest → Coral smallest.
• Venues & variety: Sphere most → Coral least.
• Noise & activity: Sphere most energetic → Coral most relaxed.
• Route complexity: Coral & Grand most adventurous → Sphere & Royal more “core market” focused.

Once you know where you are on those sliders, your ideal class almost picks itself.

---

How To Choose The Right Princess Cruise Ship Class

So with all four Princess cruise ship classes on the table, how do you actually choose? Here’s the process I walk people through as Jim when I’m helping them dial in a Princess sailing.

Start With How You Actually Cruise (Not How You Wish You Cruised)

Be brutally honest for a minute:

• Do you actually use waterslides, ropes courses, or sky rides?
• Do you prefer late nights with live music, or are you in bed by 10 after a long port day?
• Do you care more about the ship itself or the ports?

If your perfect day is:

• Sleep in, long brunch, a few hours by the pool, trivia, then dinner and a show…
• And you like having lots of choices for where that can happen…

You’ll gravitate to Sphere or Royal Class.

If your perfect day is:

• Early breakfast, all-day port exploration, a sunset sailaway, then a relaxed dinner and maybe a drink before bed…

You’re probably more of a Grand or Coral Class cruiser.

The more you lean toward sea days and ship time, the more you’ll enjoy the newer half of the Princess cruise ship classes lineup. The more you lean toward itinerary and scenery, the more the older, smaller half makes sense.

Factor In Who You’re Traveling With

Think about your travel party:

• Families with kids & teens
  • Sphere Class and newer Royal Class ships will be easier wins.
  • More kid programming, better pools, more casual food variety, and enough “wow factor” to keep everyone happy.
• Couples & friend groups
  • Royal Class is the most flexible; Sphere if you want extra buzz, Grand/Coral if you want quiet.
• Multigenerational groups
  • Royal Class hits the sweet spot: plenty for grandkids, enough comfort and calm for grandparents.
• Longer-trip travelers & retirees
  • Grand and Coral Class shine on long voyages, especially where lectures, scenery, and routine matter more than big hardware.

Matching your people to the right Princess cruise ship classes upfront avoids those “We booked the wrong ship” conversations on day 2.

Look At Itinerary First, Then Pick Class

This is the part most people reverse. They fixate on the ship, then try to force an itinerary to match. With Princess, it’s often smarter to:

1. Choose where you want to go (Caribbean, Alaska, Med, Japan, Canal, etc.).
2. See which ships and classes actually cover that region in your dates.
3. Pick the best match among those options.

Examples:

• Panama Canal or world cruise segment?
  • Coral and Island Princess jump to the top of the list, regardless of age, because they’re purpose-built for those routes.
• Summer Med with kids?
  • A Royal Class ship is usually the easiest fit, with Sphere as the “maximized” option if dates and budget line up.
• Quick Caribbean getaway on a budget?
  • A Grand Class ship often delivers lower fares while still feeling like a full Princess experience.
• Bucket-list Japan sailing?
  • Diamond Princess (Grand variant with Japan-focused tweaks) is designed exactly for that niche.

When you use Princess cruise ship classes as a filter on top of itineraries, your choices get a lot clearer.

Budget & Cabin Strategy

Price is where class really shows up. Newer, bigger, flashier ships almost always command a premium, especially in peak seasons.

Roughly speaking (not exact, just pattern):

• Sphere Class: Highest per-night pricing on most routes.
• Royal Class: Middle to upper-middle, depending on season and ship.
• Grand Class: Often the best mainstream value.
• Coral Class: Sometimes premium due to special itineraries, sometimes value on shoulder-season runs.

The trick is to decide what you’re optimizing for:

• If you’re going budget-first, it can make more sense to:
  • Choose a Grand Class ship,
  • Book a better cabin category (like a balcony instead of an inside),
  • On a route you’re really excited about.
• If you’re going ship-first, you might:
  • Pick Sphere or a newer Royal,
  • Accept a more modest cabin (interior or standard balcony),
  • On a shorter or more common itinerary.

In other words: would you rather have the best cabin on a “classic” ship, or a basic cabin on the newest one? There’s no wrong answer, but your choice of Princess cruise ship classes will fall out of that decision pretty naturally.

Mobility, Seasickness & Comfort Concerns

If you or someone you’re traveling with:

• Uses a mobility aid
• Gets overwhelmed by crowds
• Or is particularly sensitive to motion

Then class choice matters.

• Sphere & Royal Class
  • Larger ships can feel more stable in typical seas simply because of their size.
  • But you’ll walk more, and crowds around elevators and the Piazza can feel intense at peak times.
• Grand & Coral Class
  • Easier to navigate end-to-end.
  • Elevators and stairwells are less mobbed.
  • Slightly more motion on some routes, but also more quiet corners to sit near the center of the ship.

If seasickness is a big worry, you won’t solve it with class alone; you’ll still want midship, lower-deck cabins. But class can influence your comfort in terms of crowding, walking, and sensory load.

---

Princess Cruise Ship Classes by Traveler Type

Once you understand the basics of Princess cruise ship classes, the real magic is matching each class to how you actually like to travel. A ship that’s perfect for a family with three kids might be the wrong move for a quiet couple who just wants long lazy sea days and interesting ports.

Let’s break it down by traveler type so you can see which Princess cruise ship classes tend to fit each style best.

---

Best Princess Cruise Ship Classes for Families With Kids

If you’re cruising with kids or teens, the ship itself matters almost as much as the itinerary. You want:

• Enough activities to keep them busy.
• A casual vibe so you don’t feel like you’re shushing them every five minutes.
• Food options that work for picky eaters and late-night snackers.

For most families, the classes rank like this:

• Top pick: Sphere Class
• Very strong: Royal Class
• Situational: Grand Class (on the right ship & route)
• Niche: Coral Class (best with older, more independent kids)

Why Sphere Class works for families:

• Park19 gives kids and teens their own playground at the top of the ship.
• The Dome’s day/night personality keeps sea days interesting without leaving the ship.
• More casual and specialty venues means it’s easier to feed different tastes without drama.

Why Royal Class is a close second:

• Excellent kids’ and teens’ clubs on a proven platform.
• Plenty of pool space and entertainment, just a bit less “wow factor” than Sphere.
• Strong balance between family fun and adult spaces.

If your kids are younger and need constant stimulation, Sphere and Royal will feel easiest. If they’re older and more focused on ports than slides, you can absolutely consider a Grand or even a Coral ship, as long as you’re honest about how much time they’ll want to spend onboard.

---

Best Princess Cruise Ship Classes for Couples

Couples are spoiled for choice across all four Princess cruise ship classes; it just depends on the mood you’re chasing.

If you want:

• Buzz, nightlife, and lots of venues:
  • Sphere or newer Royal ships fit best. You’ll have multiple bars to try, a variety of shows, and public spaces that feel alive until late.
• A blended vibe with both quiet corners and decent energy:
  • Royal and Grand Class ships are ideal, especially on port-heavy itineraries where you’re not expecting to stay out until 2 a.m. every night.
• Peace, long sea days, and conversation:
  • Coral Class ships win here. Fewer people, more views, less pressure to “do it all.”

For honeymooners or milestone anniversaries, I often suggest:

• Sphere or Royal Class if you want that “big resort” feel with lots of date-night options.
• Grand or Coral Class if the cruise is more about shared experiences in port and quiet evenings together watching the wake.

The nice thing is that Princess in general skews romantic and adult-friendly, so you’re not forced into one specific class the way you might be on a more youth-obsessed line.

---

Best Princess Cruise Ship Classes for Solo Travelers

If you’re sailing solo, your priorities are often slightly different:

• You want spaces where it’s easy to meet people without feeling awkward.
• You want a ship that’s big enough to be interesting but small enough to feel manageable.
• You don’t want to feel overwhelmed by families or constant noise.

For most solo cruisers, the sweet spot is usually:

• Royal Class if you want more venue variety and social opportunities.
• Grand Class if you want something calmer and more intimate.

Sphere Class can be fun solo if you love energy and don’t mind feeling like a small fish in a big pond. Coral Class can be fantastic on long voyages if you’re comfortable making friends organically over time in a smaller community.

Ask yourself:

• Do I want to be “in the mix” constantly? → Tilt toward Sphere or Royal.
• Do I want easy navigation and a ship where I’ll recognize faces fast? → Tilt toward Grand or Coral.

---

Best Princess Cruise Ship Classes for Multigenerational Groups

When you’re cruising with grandparents, parents, and kids together, you need a ship that can host three generations without making anyone miserable. That’s where the middle of the Princess cruise ship classes lineup really shines.

For multigenerational groups, I usually look at:

• Royal Class as the starting point.
  • Enough kid-friendly features to keep the younger set happy.
  • Plenty of bars, lounges, and quieter spaces for grandparents.
  • A wide range of cabin categories so everyone can book to their budget.
• Sphere Class for bigger, more energetic families.
  • Great if you’ve got very active kids and teens and adults who are okay with more noise, restaurants, and options.
• Grand Class for more laid-back families.
  • If the kids are older and you’re all more about ports and sea views, a Grand ship can give you a quieter, more affordable base where everyone still has space.

The main thing is to match energy level: if your group is high-octane, go newer and larger. If your group wants time to talk, read, and nap, older and smaller will often make everyone happier.

---

Best Princess Cruise Ship Classes for Budget Travelers

If your first filter is “what gives me the most cruise for the money,” you don’t necessarily want the newest ships in the fleet. Prices move around, but as a general pattern:

• Grand Class ships often have the friendliest price points relative to what you get.
• Royal Class can offer decent deals outside of peak dates, especially on shoulder-season itineraries.
• Coral Class may look pricier per night on bucket-list routes, but can be good value on certain segments.
• Sphere Class usually commands the highest fares for the newest hardware.

The trick for budget travelers is to combine:

• An older class (Grand or sometimes Coral),
• A smart cabin choice (often a balcony in a quieter area instead of a tiny inside on a brand-new mega-ship),
• And a route you’re genuinely excited about.

You’re often better off in a nicer cabin on a Grand Class ship than squeezing into the cheapest option on a Sphere ship just to say you sailed the newest thing.

---

Best Princess Cruise Ship Classes for Long Itineraries & World Cruises

If you’re doing anything longer than about 14 nights, ship feel starts to matter more than ship novelty. You want:

• A layout you can navigate half-asleep.
• Enough venues that you don’t get bored, but not so many that you feel guilty for “missing things.”
• A passenger count small enough that community can form.

For that kind of trip, the best fits are usually:

• Coral Class – purpose-built for Panama Canal and world cruises; small enough to feel personal, large enough to keep you engaged.
• Grand Class – especially on longer Europe, Asia, or repositioning voyages where classic atmosphere and sea views matter.

Royal and Sphere can certainly do longer cruises too, but their energy level and venue count are almost too high for some people over 3–4 weeks. With Coral and Grand, the ship settles into a pleasant rhythm that matches the pace of a long journey.

---

Best Princess Cruise Ship Classes for Mobility & Accessibility Needs

If someone in your party:

• Uses a wheelchair, scooter, or walker, or
• Struggles with long walks and crowded spaces

…then considering class is smart.

Here’s the balance:

• Sphere & Royal Class
  • Pros: Newer hardware, good elevator capacity, wide promenades, many accessible cabins.
  • Cons: Larger distances between venues, more crowds at peak times, more vertical movement.
• Grand & Coral Class
  • Pros: Smaller footprints, shorter walks, easier to learn the layout, often quieter hallways.
  • Cons: Older bones, occasional bottlenecks in older elevator banks, fewer alternative routes at times.

If mobility is a major concern, I often recommend a Grand or Coral Class ship with a smartly located cabin (midship, near elevators, on a deck with lots of public spaces) or a Royal Class sailing in a quieter season, where crowds are lower and moving around is less stressful.

---

Frequently Asked Questions About Princess Cruise Ship Classes

Are Sphere Class ships really that different from Royal Class?

Yes. Both are large and modern, but Sphere Class ships are:

• Bigger, with more venues and more balcony cabins.
• Built around the Dome, Park19, and a reimagined Princess Arena, which change how you use the ship.
• More family- and activity-focused on the upper decks than Royal Class.

Royal Class still feels like modern Princess, just with fewer headline “wow” spaces and a more conventional layout.

Which class is best for a first-time Princess cruiser?

If you’re brand new to Princess and don’t have kids demanding slides, I usually steer people toward Royal Class first. It’s the most representative of the line’s style right now and sits in the middle of the Princess cruise ship classes on size, energy, and price.

Sphere Class is great too, but it’s a little like starting your cruising life on “expert mode” with tons of options and bigger crowds.

Are Grand and Coral Class ships too old now?

They’re older, yes, but “too old” depends entirely on what you expect.

• You will see more classic decor and some layout quirks.
• You also get itineraries and a sense of calm you will never get on the newest mega-ships.

Princess has invested in refits, bedding upgrades, and MedallionClass rollouts fleetwide, so you’re not stepping onto a time capsule. If you care most about ports and views, the older half of the Princess cruise ship classes can actually feel like the smarter choice.

Which Princess cruise ship classes are best for kids?

In order of kid-friendliness (for most families):

• Sphere Class – Park19, Dome shows, more casual options, more buzz.
• Royal Class – Strong kids’ and teens’ clubs, plenty of pools and activities.
• Grand Class (select ships) – Caribbean Princess and a few others with upgraded splash areas.
• Coral Class – Best for older kids/teens who like itinerary and scenery; least “gadgety.”

If you’re traveling with young kids who need constant stimulation, aim high on the list of Princess cruise ship classes. If your kids are older and happy exploring ports and hanging out in the teen club, Grand or Coral can work beautifully.

Do all classes have MedallionClass technology?

Yes. All active Princess ships are MedallionClass, regardless of age.

On newer ships (Sphere and later Royal), the tech feels more native and the Wi-Fi/network backbone is designed around heavy device use. On older Grand and Coral ships, it was retrofitted, but you still get:

• Wearable Medallion for door access.
• Location features.
• Onboard ordering and other app-based conveniences.

Which class is best for a world cruise?

Almost always Coral Class, specifically Island Princess and Coral Princess, because of:

• Their size and suitability for long, complex itineraries.
• Their scenic-forward layouts and strong viewing spaces.
• The community feel that develops on smaller ships across 60–100+ nights.

You may see segments on Grand or Royal ships, but the true world-cruise engines are Coral Class.

For the latest official fleet facts, deck plans, and ship specs, you can always double-check this guide against the official Princess Cruises ships page, which lists every active ship by name with up-to-date details.

---

Jim’s Take