Princess Cruises Ship Classes Compared

Princess Cruises ships range from about 92,000 to about 178,000 gross tons, and where a ship falls in that range shapes the whole trip. The Coral class ships sit at the lower end, the Sphere class ships at the upper end and the Grand and Royal classes fall in between. The Voyager class is set at 183,000 gross tons and a capacity of about 4,700 guests per ship, with the first delivery scheduled for late 2035.

Each class offers a different size, feel and onboard lineup, so we compare them side by side here to help you find the one that fits your cruising style.

Princess Cruises Ship Classes at a Glance

Before you dive into the details, here's how the five classes stack up:

*Princess Cruises has confirmed the Voyager class size, guest capacity and delivery years, and has said more details will follow. We will update this guide as more official information is released. In the meantime, our Cruise Experts are happy to answer your questions.

Sphere Class

Sphere Class ships are built around The Dome, a glass-enclosed structure at the top of the ship inspired by the terraces of Santorini. It serves as an indoor and outdoor pool by day and transforms into a stage for starlight entertainment at night. Below it, the suspended Sphere Piazza carries the ship's central atrium into open air, wrapped in glass across multiple decks.

The class also introduced the Sanctuary Collection, Princess Cruises' first dedicated premium suite tier, alongside an expanded lineup of dining venues that includes Umai Hot Pot, the Americana Diner and the Butcher's Block by Dario, plus the Spellbound by Magic Castle experience. For families with kids and teens aboard, three refined venues cover different age groups: Firefly Park (ages 3 to 7, capacity 70), Neon Grove (ages 8 to 12, capacity 100) and The Underground (ages 13 to 17, capacity 100).

• Sun Princess (2024): She introduced the Sphere Class with aerial performances by Cirque Éloize inside The Dome and the fleet's first Sanctuary Collection suites.
• Star Princess (2025): Sun Princess's sister ship followed with expanded dining venues, added casino space and the same glass-domed design that defines the class.

Princess Cruises' Sphere Class ships are great for cruisers looking for the fleet's broadest range of dining venues in one place, along with the Sanctuary Collection's added privacy for guests who want a quieter retreat within a larger ship.

Royal Class

Royal Class ships are known for the SeaWalk, an over-water glass-bottomed walkway that extends more than 28 feet beyond the ship's edge, with views to the sea 128 feet below. The class also introduced an expanded, Italian-inspired Piazza and Chef's Table Lumiere, a Princess dining experience enclosed in a curtain of light. Like the Sphere Class, families sailing with kids and teens will find three age-banded venues: The Treehouse (ages 3 to 7), The Lodge (ages 8 to 12) and The Beach House (ages 13 to 17).

• Royal Princess (2013): The first Royal Class ship, debuting the SeaWalk and Chef's Table Lumiere.
• Regal Princess (2014): Royal Princess's sister ship, with her own Wine Cellar among her dining venues.
• Majestic Princess (2017): Built with the Chinese market in mind, with Harmony Chinese Restaurant and Gong Cha aboard, and christened by NBA All-Star Yao Ming.
• Sky Princess (2019): Introduced Sky Suites, plus the Take Five jazz lounge.
• Enchanted Princess (2020): Added a private hot tub to her Sky Suites and introduced Bistro Sur La Mer.
• Discovery Princess (2022): The newest Royal Class ship, with the 360: An Extraordinary Experience dining concept and The Experience Center.

Royal Class suits cruisers who want a modern, upscale feel with standout dining experiences like Chef's Table Lumiere, plus the SeaWalk for a memorable view over open water.

Fun fact: the class takes its name from Royal Princess, the line's first Royal Class ship, christened in 2013 by Catherine, Princess of Wales. The name traces back further still. The original Royal Princess debuted in 1984 and was christened by Diana, Princess of Wales.

Grand Class

Grand Class ships center on a Piazza-style atrium and offer a quieter, more relaxed pace than the fleet's newer classes. Every ship carries a Crown Grill steakhouse and Sabatini's Italian trattoria as class-wide staples, with the variety showing up in each ship's smaller specialty venues instead of one standout feature.

Deck count also varies across the class. Grand Princess, the fleet's oldest ship, has 17. The rest have 18 or 19, depending on when they were built.

• Grand Princess (1998): The original Grand Class ship, and still the oldest ship in the Princess fleet.
• Caribbean Princess (2004): Home to the Reef Family Splash Zone, a dedicated family pool deck area.
• Diamond Princess (2004): Built with the Japanese market in mind, featuring the Izumi Japanese Bath, Makoto Ocean sushi and bidets in select suites.
• Sapphire Princess (2004): Diamond Princess's sister ship, sharing her Makoto Ocean sushi venue and adding her own Churrascaria Brazilian Grill.
• Crown Princess (2006): Home to Gatsby's Casino, one of the class's more distinctively named venues.
• Emerald Princess (2007): Shares Planks BBQ and Steamers Seafood with Crown Princess and Caribbean Princess, the only three Grand Class ships with both venues.
• Ruby Princess (2008): The newest Grand Class ship, with Café Caribe among her dining venues.

Grand Class ships are great if your travel style focuses on a relaxed, traditional cruise at a comfortable size, with the fleet's familiar dining and entertainment staples throughout.

Coral Class

Coral Class ships are the smallest and oldest in the current Princess fleet, with a cozier, more traditional feel than the line's newer classes. Both ships share the same core lineup: Sabatini's Italian Trattoria, the New Orleans-inspired Bayou Cafe & Steakhouse and the adults-only Sanctuary retreat.

• Coral Princess (2003): Features a 24-hour International Café and an extra splash pool on Deck 12, plus a dedicated pool within the Sanctuary.
• Island Princess (2003): Slightly larger than her sister ship, with three suite styles ranging from 470 to 740 square feet and La Patisserie in place of the International Café.

Coral Class is perfect for cruisers who want a quieter, more intimate ship with the fleet's classic dining and entertainment staples, in a smaller setting than Grand, Royal or Sphere Class.

Voyager Class

Princess Cruises announced the Voyager Class in April 2026: a planned three-ship order with Fincantieri, to be built at the shipyard in Monfalcone, Italy. Each ship is set at 183,000 gross tons with a capacity of about 4,700 guests, making Voyager Class the largest ships by capacity in the Princess fleet once delivered. The first ship is scheduled for delivery in late 2035, with the second and third following in 2038 and 2039.

The ships will be dual-fuel powered, running primarily on liquefied natural gas. Princess has said the design will include reimagined outer decks, staterooms and Piazza spaces, building on the Sphere Class platform, with more details to follow.

Voyager Class ships aren't open for booking yet. We'll update this guide with ship names, amenities, photos and booking details as Princess Cruises releases them.

How to Choose a Princess Cruises Ship Class

Traveling with kids or teens

Every Princess Cruises ship offers dedicated spaces for younger cruisers. Sphere Class stands out as the fleet's latest ships, so Sun Princess and Star Princess's kids' and teens' venues are part of their brand-new construction. Royal Class ships offer the same three age-banded venues by name: The Treehouse, The Lodge and The Beach House.

Grand and Coral Class ships also have dedicated kids' and teens' centers, though Princess's materials don't break those out by age group the way Sphere and Royal do. If you need more information, our Cruise Experts can research and get you an answer.

Ship size and onboard variety

If you want the widest range of dining and entertainment venues in one place, Sphere and Royal Class offer the most variety, thanks to their larger size. If you prefer a quieter pace with fewer crowds, Grand and Coral Class offer a cozier alternative, with the fleet's classic staples throughout.

Newest platform vs. well-established favorites

Sphere Class is currently the newest platform in the fleet, with Voyager Class set to take over that title once her first ship is delivered in late 2035. If you'd rather sail a well-established ship with a proven track record, Grand and Royal Class ships have been sailing for over a decade in most cases, with itineraries and onboard offerings that are beloved by guests.

Book Your Princess Cruises Vacation with The Cruise Web

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Note: The contents of this article are accurate as of the publication date. Ships, inclusions, and venues are subject to change at any time.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What are the Princess Cruises ship classes?

Princess Cruises currently sails four ship classes: Sphere, Royal, Grand and Coral. A fifth class, Voyager, was announced in April 2026 and is scheduled to begin delivery in late 2035.

How do the classes compare in size?

Gross tonnage ranges from about 92,000 for Coral Class up to about 178,000 for Sphere Class, with Royal Class at about 141,000 to 145,000 and Grand Class at about 107,500 to 115,900. Voyager Class ships are set at 183,000 gross tons each.

What is the Voyager Class?

Voyager Class is a planned three-ship platform announced by Princess Cruises in April 2026. Each ship will be 183,000 gross tons with a capacity of about 4,700 guests, built by Fincantieri in Monfalcone, Italy and powered by dual-fuel LNG technology.

When is the first Voyager Class ship scheduled for delivery?

The first Voyager Class ship is scheduled for delivery in late 2035, with the second and third ships following in 2038 and 2039.

Do all Princess Cruises ship classes offer the same dining and entertainment?

Every class shares certain staples, including a Crown Grill steakhouse and Sabatini's Italian Trattoria. Beyond those, each class and individual ship also carries its own specialty venues, so the full lineup varies by ship.

The Cruise Web's Cruise Experts can help you find out which venues are on which ship.

How do I choose a Princess Cruises ship class?

It depends on what matters most for your trip: onboard variety and newer amenities point toward Sphere or Royal Class, a quieter and more traditional pace points toward Grand or Coral Class, and traveling with kids or teens is well supported across every class.

Why book a Princess Cruises vacation with The Cruise Web?

The Cruise Web has matched travelers with the right cruise since 1994. Your dedicated Cruise Expert works exclusively for you, not for Princess Cruises, and can help you compare classes, cabins and itineraries at no added cost, plus access exclusive offers through our top-producing Princess Cruises partnership.