Royal Princess review searches usually come from cruisers who want to know whether this ship is still worth taking seriously, or whether it has simply been passed by the newer Princess ships that came after it.
That is the right question, but there is a better one underneath it: what do you do with the ship that started modern Princess?
Royal Princess is not just another older ship in the fleet. It is the first Royal Class ship, which means it introduced the design direction that shaped a huge stretch of the Princess fleet after it. That alone makes it more interesting than a simple age comparison might suggest. If you are looking at Royal Princess, you are not just booking a 2013 ship. You are booking the ship that reset what Princess looked like for years.
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 Royal Princess still stands out to me. This feels like the kind of ship that matters less for being the newest and more for showing where the modern version of Princess really began.
Britini and I have not sailed Royal Princess yet, but this is the kind of ship I would take seriously if the itinerary was right and I wanted a Princess ship with more fleet significance than hype.
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
- Majestic Princess review
- Discovery Princess review
- Enchanted Princess review
- Sky Princess review
- Sun Princess review
- Star Princess review
The biggest takeaway: Royal Princess is still worth booking if you want the ship that launched the modern Princess era, but you need to book it for its proven Royal Class foundation and itinerary fit, not because it can out-wow the ships that followed it.
Table of Contents
Quick Answer: Is Royal Princess Worth Booking?
Yes, but for a very specific kind of cruiser.
| If This Sounds Like You | Royal Princess Makes Sense | You May Want Another Princess Ship |
|---|---|---|
| You want to try the original Royal Class ship that started modern Princess | Yes | No |
| You care more about itinerary and ship significance than being on the newest hardware | Yes | No |
| You mainly want the most polished final version of Royal Class | Maybe not | Yes |
| You want the boldest, newest Princess ship in the fleet | No | Yes |
My read is simple: Royal Princess can still be a smart pick for travelers who want a large, recognizable Princess ship with real fleet importance, but it makes the most sense when the route, price, and overall fit work in its favor.
Royal Princess Review: Key Facts at a Glance
| Detail | Royal Princess |
|---|---|
| Naming ceremony | June 13, 2013 |
| Inaugural cruise | June 16, 2013 |
| Class | Royal Class, first ship in class |
| Guests | 3,560 |
| Crew | 1,346 |
| Tonnage | 142,229 |
| Guest staterooms | 1,780 |
| Decks | 19 |
| Balcony cabins | 1,438 |
| Signature feature | SeaWalk glass-bottom walkway |
Those details matter because Royal Princess is still a large ship by Princess standards, and it established many of the features that later Royal Class ships continued to build on.
It also introduced one of the ship’s defining visual elements, the SeaWalk, which remains one of the easiest ways to identify Royal Princess.
What You Need to Know Before You Book Royal Princess
Royal Princess Started the Royal Class Era
This is the single biggest reason the ship matters.
Royal Princess was the first ship in the Royal Class, which means it set the template for several Princess ships that came after it. If you have been looking at Sky Princess, Enchanted Princess, Discovery Princess, or Majestic Princess, Royal Princess is the place where that design story began.
That does not automatically make it the best Royal Class ship to book today. But it does make it a very different kind of booking decision from simply choosing “an older ship.”
This Ship Matters More for Fleet Legacy Than for Newness
That is an important mindset shift.
If you book Royal Princess expecting it to compete head-to-head with the newest Princess ships on wow-factor alone, you are probably asking it to do the wrong job. This ship makes more sense when you see it as the original modern Princess model… still large, still balcony-heavy, still recognizably Princess, but no longer the newest expression of that idea.
That can still be a very good booking if your priorities are right.
SeaWalk Is Still the Signature Visual Hook
SeaWalk is one of the clearest reasons Royal Princess feels distinct.
Princess describes it as a glass-bottom enclosed walkway extending more than 28 feet beyond the edge of the ship, with views 128 feet down to the water. That is the kind of feature that helped Royal Princess feel special when it launched, and it still gives the ship a more identifiable personality than some cruise ships that blur together over time.
It is not a reason by itself to book the ship. But it absolutely helps Royal Princess feel like more than just a date on a fleet list.
What Royal Princess Does Best
It Lets You Experience the Original Modern Princess Formula
This is the clearest strength.
Royal Princess gives you the starting point for modern Princess without needing to jump all the way back to the older Grand-class era. That makes it useful for travelers who want a big, balcony-heavy Princess ship and like the idea of sailing the ship that introduced the line’s newer design language.
It Still Feels Big Enough for Most Mainstream Cruisers
Royal Princess may not be the newest ship anymore, but it is still a large ship with plenty of scale.
That matters because some older ships can start to feel too obviously dated or too far removed from what modern cruisers expect. Royal Princess does not read that way on paper. It still looks like a mainstream-premium big ship with enough venues, enough cabin variety, and enough public-space presence to feel current enough for a lot of travelers.
It Gives You Princess Without the Sphere-Class Shift
This matters more now that Sun Princess and Star Princess exist.
A lot of cruisers will look at the newest Princess ships and realize they do not necessarily want the bigger layout shift or more dramatic public-space design. Royal Princess gives you a much earlier version of the modern Princess model… less flashy than Sphere Class, but also more familiar in concept for travelers who like the Royal Class foundation.
Royal Princess Review: How This Ship Compares to Other Princess Ships
This is the comparison that matters most.
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 Royal Princess fits in the broader fleet.
| Ship | Best Reason to Book | Watch Out For |
|---|---|---|
| Royal Princess | Original Royal Class ship with real fleet significance | Not the newest or most refined version of the class |
| Majestic Princess | More distinctive backstory and different ship personality | Still not the final polished Royal Class version |
| Enchanted Princess | Similar modern feel with stronger value potential | Less fleet significance if that matters to you |
| Sky Princess | Broad modern sweet-spot appeal | Can feel like the safer pick rather than the more interesting one |
| Discovery Princess | Final and most complete Royal Class version | May outclass Royal on polish if pricing is close |
| Sun Princess | Bold new direction for Princess | Bigger layout shift and different brand feel |
| Star Princess | Latest Sphere-class follow-up | Likely higher pricing and less need for some travelers |
Book Royal Princess if
- you like the idea of sailing the original Royal Class ship
- the itinerary is better than the newer alternatives
- pricing makes sense compared with later sisters
- fleet history and ship identity matter to you more than being on the latest hardware
Book Discovery Princess if
- you want the most complete-feeling Royal Class version
- pricing is close enough that the later ship makes more sense
Book Sky Princess or Enchanted Princess if
- itinerary or value is stronger there
- you want a more modern-feeling Royal Class pick without moving into Sphere Class
Book Sun or Star Princess if
- you actively want the newest Princess direction
- public-space wow-factor matters more than class legacy
If you are making that choice now, read Majestic Princess review, Enchanted Princess review, Sky Princess review, Discovery Princess review, Sun Princess review, and Star Princess review after this one because that is where the fit differences become much clearer.
Royal Princess Review: Cabins and Suites on This Ship
Cabins are still one of the practical strengths here.
Princess says Royal Princess has 1,780 staterooms, including 1,438 balcony cabins. That is a big reason the ship still feels relevant in the fleet. Balcony-heavy design remains one of the most useful things Princess does well, especially for longer and more destination-focused itineraries where private space adds real value.
What matters most here:
- strong balcony inventory
- the original Royal Class room formula
- cabin location still matters for convenience and noise
- a good fit for travelers who want private outdoor space without paying for the newest ship
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 dining or theater spaces, and how much elevator convenience matters to your day.
Royal Princess Review: Dining Expectations
Dining is still one of the main reasons I would look at Princess at all.
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 Royal Princess still looks aligned with that image. This is not the ship I would book for dining novelty first. It is the ship I would look at if I wanted a more classic Princess food-and-service baseline on a larger 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 Royal Princess probably makes the most sense.
The ship seems built for travelers who want Princess to feel polished, familiar, and recognizably mainstream-premium without needing the ship to be the whole story. That is a useful role in the fleet because not every cruiser wants novelty. Some just want a proven big-ship Princess experience.
Royal 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 interested in tone and comfort than volume.
Itineraries: Why Royal Princess Can Still Make Sense
This is one of the most practical parts of the decision.
Royal Princess can be a strong booking when the itinerary lines up because this is the kind of ship that benefits from destination-heavy cruising and longer sailings. Princess currently markets Royal Princess globally, and the ship’s big-ship foundation means it can still work well when you want a large modern platform without paying for the newest generation.
If I were choosing it, I would care at least as much about the route and price as I would about the ship’s age.
Who Royal Princess Looks Best For
Royal Princess looks strongest for:
- couples who want a calmer mainstream cruise
- travelers who care about ship significance and Princess fleet history
- 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 the original Royal Class experience rather than the newest version of it
Who Should Skip Royal Princess
Royal Princess is probably not your best fit if you are looking for:
- the newest Princess class in the fleet
- the most polished final version of Royal Class
- attraction-heavy family features
- a ship where novelty is the main selling point
- the strongest “latest hardware” argument in the Princess fleet
That matters because Royal Princess wins on significance and familiarity, not on being the newest or most refined ship available.
Royal Princess Review: Common Mistakes to Avoid
Assuming Royal Princess Is Just Too Old Now
Why it is a problem: Age alone does not tell you whether a ship still feels relevant or fits your cruise better.
Extra considerations: Royal Princess is older than later Royal Class ships, but it still offers the core large-ship modern Princess formula that shaped much of the fleet.
Better alternatives: Use Princess cruise ships by age and Princess cruise ships by size before using age as your main filter.
Expecting It to Outshine the Later Royal Class Ships
Why it is a problem: Royal Princess matters more as the original than as the most polished version.
Extra considerations: Discovery Princess, Sky Princess, and Enchanted Princess may be stronger pure booking choices if price is close.
Better alternatives: Compare it directly with Discovery Princess review, Sky Princess review, and Enchanted Princess review before booking.
Ignoring Why the Ship Is Actually Interesting
Why it is a problem: If you treat Royal Princess as just another older ship, you miss the reason it still matters.
Extra considerations: This ship makes the most sense when you value fleet legacy, original class identity, and itinerary fit.
Better alternatives: Choose Royal Princess because you want the ship that started modern Princess, not just because it happens to be available.
Step by Step: How to Decide Whether Royal Princess Is Right for You
1. Decide whether you care more about fleet significance or later-class refinement
That is the key choice here.
2. Compare Royal Princess with Discovery Princess, Sky Princess, and Enchanted Princess
This is the most practical next move.
3. Think about whether Sphere Class appeals to you at all
If not, Royal Princess becomes easier to place in the fleet.
4. Look at itinerary and total price before ship age
This ship can still make sense when the route is right.
5. Choose your cabin carefully
Even on a proven large ship, location still affects noise, convenience, and daily flow.
FAQs About Royal Princess review
Has Royal Princess launched yet?
Yes. Royal Princess began service in June 2013.
What class is Royal Princess?
It is the first ship in the Royal Class.
What is Royal Princess known for?
It is best known for launching the Royal Class era and for signature features like the SeaWalk glass-bottom walkway.
Is Royal Princess newer than Majestic Princess, Sky Princess, or Discovery Princess?
No. It is older than all of them, but it is still the ship that started the class.
Is Royal Princess good for couples?
Yes. Couples are one of the clearest fits for this ship.
Is Royal Princess too old to book in 2026?
No, but it makes the most sense when you book it for fit, itinerary, and class legacy rather than newness.
Does Royal Princess feel more upscale than Carnival?
Usually yes. Princess often comes across as calmer, more polished, and more grown-up overall.
Is Royal Princess better than Discovery Princess?
Not automatically. Discovery Princess may be the stronger pure booking choice, while Royal Princess is the more historically important ship in the class.
What is the biggest reason to book Royal Princess?
The chance to sail the original Royal Class ship that helped define modern Princess.
Would I book Royal Princess?
Yes, especially if the itinerary was strong and the price made sense versus the later Royal Class ships.
Jim’s Take on Royal Princess review
Royal Princess review comes down to one simple idea for me, this is the Princess ship I would book when I care more about where the line is coming from than where it is trying to go next.
That is a real niche, but it is a useful one. Not every cruiser wants the newest class or the most dramatic new public spaces. Some just want a large Princess ship with real fleet meaning and a proven formula behind it. That is how Royal 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. Royal Princess seems like the ship where that more modern version of Princess first took shape.
Britini and I have not sailed it yet, so I am not going to pretend otherwise. But if I wanted a Princess ship with real history, strong balcony inventory, and a clearer sense of where the fleet changed direction, Royal Princess would absolutely be worth a serious look.
Final Recommendation After Royal Princess Review
If you want a Princess ship that still feels important, large enough, and relevant in the fleet, Royal Princess is absolutely worth considering.
Book it for the original Royal Class identity, the SeaWalk signature feature, the strong balcony-heavy setup, and the chance to sail the ship that started modern Princess.
Skip it if you specifically want the newest class, the final polished Royal Class ship, or the most forward-looking Princess experience.
The smartest way to think about Royal Princess is simple: it is not the newest Princess ship. It is the one that changed what a Princess ship looked like for years. Learn more facts about royal princess cruise ship.
