A complete list of Princess Cruises ships ranked from newest to oldest

What is the latest addition to the Princess Cruises fleet? If you're considering a cruise with Princess, this is important information to have.

The most recent Princess cruise ship usually boasts the newest restaurants, bars, attractions, and accommodations. It's the best option for those seeking the latest and most innovative experience for their cruise vacation.

Currently, the newest ship in the Princess fleet is Sun Princess, marking the debut of a new class of vessels for the company. It recently completed its inaugural voyage in February.

Other relatively recent additions to the Princess fleet include Discovery Princess, Enchanted Princess, Sky Princess, and Majestic Princess, all of which commenced sailing within the past seven years.

Princess Cruises currently operates a total of 16 ships. On average, the line introduces a new vessel approximately every two years and typically retains ships in its fleet for about 20 to 30 years before they are retired. The oldest ship in the Princess fleet, Grand Princess, is 26 years old.

Generally, the newest ships in the Princess Cruises fleet are larger and feature more venues compared to the older vessels. If you're looking for a variety of dining options, bars, and pool areas for your cruise vacation, it's advisable to choose ships that were built within the last decade.

The oldest ships in the Princess fleet, constructed in the late 1990s and early 2000s, can be up to 30% smaller than the latest additions to the fleet.

Here is a ranking of all Princess ships currently in operation, listed from newest to oldest:

1. Sun Princess

Inaugural voyage: 2024
Gross tonnage: 177,882 tons
Capacity: 4,300 passengers

2. Discovery Princess

Inaugural voyage: 2022
Gross tonnage: 145,000 tons
Capacity: 3,660 passengers

3. Enchanted Princess

Inaugural voyage: 2020
Gross tonnage: 144,650 tons
Capacity: 3,660 passengers

4. Sky Princess

Inaugural voyage: 2019
Gross tonnage: 144,650 tons
Capacity: 3,660 passengers

5. Majestic Princess

Inaugural voyage: 2017
Gross tonnage: 143,700 tons
Capacity: 3,560 passengers

6. Regal Princess

Inaugural voyage: 2014
Gross tonnage: 142,229 tons
Capacity: 3,560 passengers

7. Royal Princess

Inaugural voyage: 2013
Gross tonnage: 142,229 tons
Capacity: 3,560 passengers

8. Ruby Princess

Inaugural voyage: 2008
Gross tonnage: 113,561 tons
Capacity: 3,080 passengers

9. Emerald Princess

Inaugural voyage: 2007
Gross tonnage: 113,561 tons
Capacity: 3,080 passengers

10. Crown Princess

Inaugural voyage: 2006
Gross tonnage: 113,561 tons
Capacity: 3,080 passengers

11. Caribbean Princess

Inaugural voyage: 2004
Gross tonnage: 112,894 tons
Capacity: 3,149 passengers

12. Sapphire Princess

Inaugural voyage: 2004
Gross tonnage: 115,875 tons
Capacity: 2,670 passengers

13. Diamond Princess

Inaugural voyage: 2004
Gross tonnage: 115,875 tons
Capacity: 2,670 passengers

14. Island Princess

Inaugural voyage: 2003
Gross tonnage: 92,822 tons
Capacity: 2,200 passengers

15. Coral Princess

Inaugural voyage: 2002
Gross tonnage: 91,627 tons
Capacity: 2,000 passengers

16. Grand Princess

Inaugural voyage: 1998
Gross tonnage: 107,517 tons
Capacity: 2,600 passengers

What is the latest Princess cruise ship?

The latest addition to the Princess fleet is Sun Princess, which made its debut in February.

At 177,882 gross tons, Sun Princess is the largest ship ever constructed by Princess Cruises, featuring more dining options, bars, entertainment venues, and pool deck space than any other ship in the fleet.

Sun Princess is the inaugural ship in Princess Cruises' new Sphere Class, significantly larger than those in the previous Royal Class series. A second Sphere Class ship, Star Princess, is currently under construction and is set to launch in October 2025.

To learn more about Sun Princess, including its onboard venues and the experience of sailing on her, check out TPG's detailed first look at Sun Princess following an early voyage.

What is the oldest ship in the Princess fleet?

The oldest vessel in the Princess Cruises lineup is Grand Princess. Launched in 1998, it serves as the namesake for the Grand Class of ships, which are central to the Princess fleet.

In total, there are seven Grand Class ships in the Princess fleet, making it the largest class within the line. Introduced between 1998 and 2008, these ships are smaller than the Sphere and Royal Class vessels, ranging from 107,000 to 116,000 tons. Their more compact size enables them to offer a broader array of itineraries, allowing access to smaller ports that larger ships cannot reach.

Nonetheless, the Grand Class ships are spacious enough to feature numerous onboard venues. They accommodate between 2,600 and 3,100 passengers based on double occupancy.

What new Princess cruise ships are on the horizon?

Currently, Princess has one new ship on order: Star Princess. As mentioned earlier, it is the second ship in the Sphere Class series, which will initially consist of just two vessels (there's a possibility for more Sphere Class ships to be ordered in the future — we’ll see).

As previously stated, Star Princess is slated to launch in October 2025. Its debut was originally scheduled for earlier in 2025 but has been postponed several months due to construction challenges.

The Sphere Class vessels are being constructed at the Fincantieri shipyard located near Monfalcone, Italy.

What is the latest Princess cruise ship available for reservations?

Star Princess is currently the newest Princess cruise ship you can book. Although it isn't operational yet, its inaugural sailings scheduled for October 2025 are already available for booking, along with future itineraries through March 2026.

What is the newest class of Princess cruise ships?

The Sphere Class represents the latest class of vessels in the Princess fleet. It will consist of at least two ships, with the first, Sun Princess, already in service.

Weighing in at 177,882 tons, Sun Princess is approximately 22% larger than the previous largest ships in the Princess fleet — marking a notable increase in size for the line. Interestingly, despite being 22% bigger, it is designed to accommodate only 17% more passengers.

This means that the ship has a higher space-to-passenger ratio, resulting in a more spacious feel, even if it's just slightly more so.

Not only is Sun Princess significantly larger than previous Princess ships, but it also introduces suites that grant exclusive access to a private restaurant, lounge, and sun deck — indicating Princess's intention to attract more upscale travelers.

Overall, the ship is built to accommodate 4,300 passengers at double occupancy.

What distinguishes newer Princess ships from older ones?

Generally, newer Princess ships are larger than their older counterparts, offering more extensive and larger onboard venues compared to the line's earlier vessels.

On the latest Princess cruise ships, such as those in the Sphere Class and Royal Class, you'll encounter the largest central atriums resembling piazzas in the fleet, surrounded by numerous bars and restaurants; various entertainment venues hosting live performances, comedy shows, and more; as well as expansive pool decks that offer more sunbathing space than smaller Princess vessels.

You'll also discover unique features exclusive to Royal Class ships, including a glass-floored "SeaWalk" that extends over the ship's side on certain vessels.

Princess's oldest cruise ships are considerably smaller than the newer ones and lack many of these features. They provide a more intimate atmosphere, especially among larger, mass-market ships, accommodating fewer passengers. While Sphere Class and Royal Class ships can host over 4,500 guests, the line's older ships, particularly the smaller Island Princess and Coral Princess, typically sail with around 2,000 passengers.

This makes them an appealing option for those looking to experience Princess Cruises without the hustle and bustle of large crowds. The oldest ships attract a niche of Princess enthusiasts who value intimacy in their cruise experience and are willing to forgo certain onboard amenities. Additionally, they are often more economical to sail on, in terms of daily rates.

Moreover, due to their size, the older ships in the Princess fleet can navigate itineraries to destinations that larger ships may find challenging to access. Not every port can accommodate a ship as sizable as the Sun Princess.

It's important to note that all Princess Cruises ships undergo regular renovations and upgrades every few years. This means even the oldest vessels feature new carpeting, updated furniture, and modern cabin decor. Often, entire restaurants and bars have been refreshed with concepts that were originally introduced on newer ships.