Regal Princess review searches usually come from cruisers who are looking for a large Princess ship and trying to decide whether this one still holds up, or whether it makes more sense to jump to a later Royal Class ship or all the way to Sphere Class.
That is the right question, but there is a better one underneath it: what if Regal Princess is the early Royal Class ship that makes the most practical sense?
Royal Princess started the class. Discovery Princess finished it. Regal Princess sits in a different spot. It took the original Royal Class idea and gave Princess a second shot at making it work. That makes Regal Princess interesting because it is not the first ship in the story or the last. It is the ship that helped prove the formula had legs.
My own Princess baseline still comes from one much older sailing on Ruby Princess when I was younger. What stayed with me was not some giant headline feature. It was the overall feel, calmer decks, stronger service, better dining room food, and a more grown-up atmosphere than the Carnival ships I had done before.
That memory still shapes how I think about Princess now, and it is part of why Regal Princess stands out to me. This feels like the kind of ship that still delivers the large-ship modern Princess feel, but without needing to sell itself as the newest thing in the fleet.
Britini and I have not sailed Regal Princess yet, but this is the kind of ship I would take seriously if the itinerary and value were strong and I wanted a Princess sailing that still felt modern without getting pulled into the newest-ship conversation.
Before you go deeper, these are the most useful Princess posts to read alongside this one:
- Princess cruise ships by age
- Princess cruise ship classes
- Princess cruise ships by size
- Royal Princess review
- Majestic Princess review
- Discovery Princess review
- Enchanted Princess review
- Sky Princess review
- Sun Princess review
- Star Princess review
The biggest takeaway: Regal Princess is still worth booking if you want a large, proven Princess ship that feels like an early refined version of Royal Class, especially when itinerary and pricing matter more than chasing the newest hardware.
Table of Contents
Quick Answer: Is Regal Princess Worth Booking?
Yes, especially for the traveler who wants modern Princess without paying for modern Princess hype.
| If This Sounds Like You | Regal Princess Makes Sense | You May Want Another Princess Ship |
|---|---|---|
| You want a large Royal Class ship with a more proven feel | Yes | No |
| You care more about itinerary and value than newest-ship status | Yes | No |
| You want the original Royal Class ship for fleet significance | Maybe not | Yes |
| You want the final polished Royal Class ship or newest Sphere Class ship | No | Yes |
My read is simple: Regal Princess may be one of the more sensible big-ship Princess options for cruisers who want the Royal Class feel without paying up for the ships that get more attention.
Regal Princess Review: Key Facts at a Glance
| Detail | Regal Princess |
|---|---|
| Maiden voyage | May 20, 2014 |
| Christening | November 5, 2014 |
| Class | Royal Class, second ship in class |
| Guests | 3,560 |
| Crew | 1,346 |
| Tonnage | 141,000 |
| Guest staterooms | 1,780 |
| Decks | 19 |
| Balcony cabins | 1,438 |
| Signature identity | Early Royal Class sister to Royal Princess, with the same large-ship balcony-heavy design |
Those details matter because Regal Princess still sits firmly in the large modern Princess category. It is not a small legacy ship, and it is not a transitional oddball either.
It is a core Royal Class ship that still gives you the scale, balcony inventory, and mainstream-premium atmosphere a lot of Princess cruisers want.
What You Need to Know Before You Book Regal Princess
Regal Princess Was the Second Shot at Royal Class
This is the biggest reason the ship matters.
Royal Princess introduced the class. Regal Princess followed just one year later and helped turn that design into a real fleet direction instead of a one-off experiment. That matters because second ships in a class often feel easier to place. The concept already exists, the identity is clearer, and the booking case becomes more practical.
That is exactly how Regal Princess reads to me.
This Ship Makes More Sense as a Booking Decision Than as a Novelty Decision
That is the mindset I would use here.
You do not book Regal Princess because it is groundbreaking. You book it because it still gives you the big modern Princess formula in a way that can make a lot of sense on price, itinerary, and overall fit.
That is especially useful in a fleet where newer ships can easily pull attention away from ships that may still be the smarter buy.
It Still Carries the Core Royal Class Identity
Regal Princess shares the core Royal Class DNA with Royal Princess, including the big balcony-heavy design, the large public spaces, and the general shift toward a more open, modern Princess style.
It also keeps recognizable Royal Class hooks like SeaWalk, which helps it feel tied to the class identity rather than just being “another ship from a while ago.”
What Regal Princess Does Best
It Delivers Big-Ship Princess Without the New-Class Debate
This is the clearest strength.
Now that Sphere Class exists, a lot of Princess readers are trying to decide whether they actually want the newest direction of the brand. Regal Princess gives you a clear alternative. It offers a large-ship Princess experience without turning the booking into a decision about whether you like the newer, more dramatic public-space shift of Sun Princess or Star Princess.
It Feels Like a Practical Upgrade From Older Princess Ships
If you want something that still feels recognizably modern, Regal Princess makes sense.
This is not the oldest end of the fleet, and it is not trying to ride novelty. It sits in a useful place for travelers who want a large ship with enough scale, enough balcony inventory, and enough modern Princess design to feel current without needing to be the latest thing.
It Works Best When the Value Is Right
This is probably the smartest way to think about Regal Princess.
Regal Princess looks strongest when the fare or itinerary makes it a better overall deal than later sisters. If the price gap to Discovery Princess, Sky Princess, or Enchanted Princess is small, those newer ships may be easier to justify. But if Regal Princess is the better overall package, it becomes a very defensible choice.
Regal Princess Review: How This Ship Compares to Other Princess Ship
This is the comparison most readers will care about.
Start with Princess cruise ship classes if you want the class-level breakdown first, then use Princess cruise ships by size and Princess cruise ships by age to see where Regal Princess fits in the broader fleet.
| Ship | Best Reason to Book | Watch Out For |
|---|---|---|
| Regal Princess | Practical early Royal Class pick with large-ship Princess appeal | Not the original, not the final, and not the newest |
| Royal Princess | Original Royal Class ship with fleet significance | Older and more about legacy than pure booking logic |
| Majestic Princess | More distinctive backstory and ship personality | Different appeal, but not necessarily more practical |
| Enchanted Princess | Similar modern feel with stronger value potential on the right fare | May be the better buy if pricing is close |
| Sky Princess | Broad modern sweet-spot appeal | Often easier to recommend if cost is similar |
| Discovery Princess | Final and most complete Royal Class version | Stronger pure booking case if pricing is close |
| Sun Princess | Bold new direction for Princess | Bigger layout shift and different overall feel |
| Star Princess | Latest Sphere-class follow-up | Likely higher pricing and a different booking conversation |
Book Regal Princess if
- the itinerary is stronger
- the price is meaningfully better than later Royal Class ships
- you want a large Princess ship without caring about class legacy or newest-hardware buzz
- you like the Royal Class formula but do not need the latest version of it
Book Royal Princess if
- the original Royal Class story matters to you
- you want the ship that started modern Princess
Book Discovery Princess, Sky Princess, or Enchanted Princess if
- pricing is close
- you want a later Royal Class ship that may feel a little more refined
- you care more about getting the easiest overall recommendation than getting the value angle right
Book Sun or Star Princess if
- you actively want the Sphere-class shift
- public-space wow-factor matters more than proven Royal Class comfort
If you are making that choice now, read Royal Princess review, Majestic Princess review, Discovery Princess review, Enchanted Princess review, Sky Princess review, Sun Princess review, and Star Princess review after this one because that is where the fit differences become much clearer.
Regal Princess Review: Cabins and Suites on This Ship
Cabins are still a practical strength here.
Princess says Regal Princess has 1,780 staterooms, including 1,438 balcony cabins. That is still a strong setup for travelers who want private outdoor space on longer or more destination-focused cruises. It also keeps Regal Princess feeling very much like a modern Princess ship, even if it is no longer new.
What matters most here:
- strong balcony inventory
- the core Royal Class room formula
- cabin location still matters for convenience and noise
- a good fit for travelers who want a large ship without paying for the newest version of it
On a ship like this, I would still pay close attention to what is above and below the room, whether you want easier access to theater or dining, and how much elevator convenience matters to your daily routine.
Regal Princess Review: Dining Expectations
Dining is still one of the main reasons I would look at Princess.
My one early Princess sailing on Ruby Princess left me with the impression that Princess felt more polished in food and service than many mainstream lines, and Regal Princess still looks aligned with that image. This is not the ship I would book because it has the most cutting-edge onboard concepts. It is the ship I would look at if I wanted a more classic large-ship Princess dining and service baseline on a modern platform.
What I would expect overall:
- a strong main dining room foundation
- enough specialty options to keep longer sailings interesting
- a calmer dining rhythm than party-first cruise lines
- a good fit for travelers who care about food quality and atmosphere more than gimmicks
Atmosphere and Onboard Feel
This is where Regal Princess probably makes the most sense.
The ship seems built for travelers who want Princess to feel polished, familiar, and easy to settle into. It is large enough to feel current, but not so new that the entire booking conversation has to revolve around what has changed in the brand.
That is a useful role in the fleet because not every cruiser wants novelty. Some just want a proven large-ship Princess experience that still feels current enough for 2026.
Regal Princess still looks more adult-leaning, calmer, and more measured than what you get on lines built around nonstop activity. That does not mean dull. It means the ship still seems more focused on tone and comfort than volume.
Itineraries: Why Regal Princess Can Still Make Sense
This is one of the most practical parts of the decision.
Princess currently markets Regal Princess as sailing from places like Galveston, and its broader ship positioning has long included Caribbean and European itineraries. That gives Regal Princess a practical deployment profile that works well for travelers who want a large Princess ship with familiar mainstream appeal.
If I were choosing it, I would care just as much about the route and price as I would about whether a newer Royal Class or Sphere Class ship existed somewhere else in the fleet.
Who Regal Princess Looks Best For
Regal Princess looks strongest for:
- couples who want a calmer mainstream cruise
- travelers who care more about itinerary and value than newest-ship status
- cruisers who want a large balcony-heavy Princess ship without Sphere Class
- food-focused travelers who like a more polished mainstream feel
- readers who want a big modern Princess ship without overthinking the fleet hierarchy
Who Should Skip Regal Princess
Regal Princess is probably not your best fit if you are looking for:
- the newest Princess class in the fleet
- the original Royal Class ship for fleet significance
- the final polished Royal Class ship
- attraction-heavy family features
- a ship where novelty is the main selling point
That matters because Regal Princess wins on practicality and fit, not on being the newest, the first, or the final word in Royal Class.
Regal Princess Review: Common Mistakes to Avoid
Assuming Regal Princess Is Just a Less Interesting Royal Princess
Why it is a problem: Regal Princess is easy to overlook because it sits between the original Royal Princess and the later, more polished Royal Class ships.
Extra considerations: That middle position can actually make it a smart practical booking when the itinerary and value are right.
Better alternatives: Compare it directly with Royal Princess review, Discovery Princess review, Sky Princess review, and Enchanted Princess review before dismissing it.
Expecting It to Compete on Novelty Alone
Why it is a problem: That is not what Regal Princess does best.
Extra considerations: This ship makes more sense as a value-and-fit Royal Class choice than as a wow-factor ship.
Better alternatives: Book Regal Princess because the package makes sense, not because you want the flashiest Princess ship.
Ignoring Price Gaps to Later Royal Class Ships
Why it is a problem: Regal Princess gets harder to justify when later ships cost nearly the same.
Extra considerations: Discovery Princess, Sky Princess, or Enchanted Princess may be easier to recommend if the fare gap is small.
Better alternatives: Compare it directly with Princess cruise ships by age and Princess cruise ships by size, then make the call based on total booking value.
Step by Step: How to Decide Whether Regal Princess Is Right for You
1. Decide whether you want a practical Royal Class ship or a more distinct fleet story
That is the real choice here.
2. Compare Regal Princess with Royal Princess, Sky Princess, Enchanted Princess, and Discovery Princess
This is the most practical next move.
3. Think about whether Sphere Class appeals to you at all
If not, Regal Princess becomes easier to place.
4. Look at itinerary and total price before ship age or hype
This ship can still make a lot of sense when the package is right.
5. Choose your cabin carefully
Even on a proven large ship, location still affects noise, convenience, and daily flow.
FAQs About Regal Princess review
Has Regal Princess launched yet?
Yes. Regal Princess began service in May 2014.
What class is Regal Princess?
It is the second ship in the Royal Class.
Is Regal Princess newer than Royal Princess?
Yes. It launched one year later, in 2014.
Is Regal Princess better than Royal Princess?
Not automatically, but it can be the more practical booking if you care more about fit and value than the original Royal Class story.
Is Regal Princess good for couples?
Yes. Couples are one of the clearest fits for this ship.
Is Regal Princess too old to book in 2026?
No, but it makes the most sense when you book it for itinerary, price, and proven Royal Class comfort rather than newness.
Does Regal Princess feel more upscale than Carnival?
Usually yes. Princess often comes across as calmer, more polished, and more grown-up overall.
Is Regal Princess better than Discovery Princess?
Not automatically. Discovery Princess may be the stronger pure booking choice, while Regal Princess may make more sense on price or itinerary.
What is the biggest reason to book Regal Princess?
The chance to get a large proven Royal Class Princess ship when the overall value is better than the more hyped alternatives.
Would I book Regal Princess?
Yes, especially if the itinerary was strong and the price made more sense than the later Royal Class ships.
Jim’s Take on Regal Princess review
Regal Princess review comes down to one simple idea for me, this feels like the Princess ship you book when you want the big-ship Royal Class experience without making the ship itself the entire story.
That is a useful role in the fleet. Not every cruiser wants the original ship for legacy or the latest ship for novelty. Some just want a large Princess ship that still feels modern enough, polished enough, and easy enough to justify when the route and fare line up well. That is how Regal Princess reads to me.
My one early Princess sailing on Ruby Princess still shapes how I see the line. I liked the calmer feel, the stronger service, and the sense that Princess was aimed at people who wanted something a little more refined than the louder mainstream alternatives. Regal Princess seems like the kind of ship that keeps that appeal intact in a large modern format… without asking you to care too much about where it ranks in the fleet hierarchy.
Britini and I have not sailed it yet, so I am not pretending otherwise. But if I wanted a big Princess ship and the value was clearly better than the later Royal Class ships, Regal Princess would absolutely be worth a serious look.
Final Recommendation After Regal Princess Review
If you want a Princess ship that feels large, proven, and practical rather than flashy or historically important, Regal Princess is absolutely worth considering.
Book it for the large-ship Royal Class comfort, the strong balcony-heavy setup, the calmer Princess atmosphere, and the chance to get a smarter total value than the more talked-about ships.
Skip it if you specifically want the original Royal Class ship, the final polished version of the class, or the newest direction of Princess.
The smartest way to think about Regal Princess is simple: it is not the most famous Princess ship. It may be one of the more sensible ones. Learn more about regal princess cruise ship.
