Princess Royal Class Ships: Fleet List & Key Features Guide

With the Royal Princess, Princess Cruises introduced its Royal Class in 2013, which represented a significant advancement in onboard amenities and design. With features like expansive outdoor areas, a larger central atrium known as the Piazza, and numerous additional dining and entertainment options, these ships gave the fleet a new look and new ideas. Among the most notable features are MedallionClass technology, which enhances each visitor's experience and makes it more seamless, and the SeaWalk, a glass walkway that spans the ocean.

The Royal Princess, Regal Princess, Majestic Princess, Sky Princess, Enchanted Princess, and Discovery Princess are the six ships that make up the Royal Class. While maintaining the same high standards for which Princess Cruises is renowned, each ship retains its unique charm. Travelers who prefer bigger ships but still want the traditional Princess touch soon came to love these ships.

The Royal Class is frequently praised for its elegant architecture and cozy interiors. There's always something going on thanks to a lot of eateries, bars, and entertainment options like live performances and Movies Under the Stars. For passengers looking for a contemporary cruise with excellent amenities that still feel warm and inviting, these ships are ideal.

Here’s a closer look at everything you’ll find on Princess Cruises’ Royal Class ships.

List of Princess Cruises' Royal Class Ships

Royal Princess (2013)

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She kicked off the whole Royal class in June 2013, making her the original ship that set the tone for all the others. Royal Princess was the first to show off the features that now define these newer ships, like the massive Piazza atrium that spans three decks and acts as the central hub of the vessel. She also introduced the famous glass-bottomed SeaWalk, which is that crazy glass-enclosed walkway that juts out 28 feet over the ocean.

This ship, along with her twin, Regal Princess, has the original pool setup, featuring one large pool, a fountain area, and a smaller dip pool at the back. It’s also interesting to note that a member of the British royal family, Catherine, Princess of Wales, christened her, which gave the entire class its regal name.

Regal Princess (2014)

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Coming out just a year after her sister, Regal Princess kept the same winning layout. She boasts the large, open Piazza and that dramatic SeaWalk, too. Her structure is virtually identical to Royal Princess, sharing the original pool deck design with the fountains and the smaller aft Terrace Pool.

This ship did have a particularly fun christening, though; the original cast of the hit TV show The Love Boat did the honors. Cruisers who love a good steak or Italian meal can find the popular Crown Grill and Sabatini's Italian Trattoria onboard, offering many of the classic specialty dining options Princess fans appreciate.

Majestic Princess (2017)

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This ship really stands out because Princess built it specifically for the Chinese market, which meant some big design changes. While you get all the class standards like the Piazza, Majestic Princess traded some venues for ones tailored to her guests. For instance, she has a dedicated Asian restaurant called Harmony instead of the typical Sabatini's.

You'll also find a ramen bar called Chopstix near the pool instead of the usual poolside pizzeria. At the top of the ship, she skips the Sanctuary spa area, featuring instead the Hollywood Pool Club, which is a glass-domed swimming area, and the Hollywood Conservatory observation lounge. These unique venues make her a truly distinct ship within the Royal class family.

Sky Princess (2019)

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Sky Princess marks the start of the newer generation within the Royal class, bringing some of the biggest updates to the design. The biggest addition was the spectacular, two-bedroom Sky Suites, which give you truly massive balconies and 270-degree views right over the main pool deck.

Giving sun lovers more space, she ditched the fountain area on the main deck for a second large pool, and she got an aft infinity Wake View Pool. This ship was also one of the first in the fleet to fully showcase the incredible Ocean Medallion technology, letting guests use wearable devices for keyless stateroom entry, fast Wi Fi, and contactless payment.

Enchanted Princess (2021)

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She maintains Sky Princess's modern look, and the name fits her well because she exudes freshness and modernity.  Among the wonderful improvements Enchanted Princess has made to her direct predecessor are the well-liked, roomy Sky Suites and the enlarged pool areas.

For those who take their food seriously, she offers the popular Salty Dog Gastropub and the recently refurbished Chef's Table Lumiere experience, a private dinner served behind a glittering curtain.  This ship, which made its debut in 2021, is essentially the sister ship of Sky and Discovery, offering modern cruisers a dependable and excellent experience.

Discovery Princess (2022)

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In 2022, Discovery Princess, the last ship in the Royal class lineup, was delivered, effectively completing the series. With its luxurious, top-tier Sky Suites and upgraded pool areas, including the picturesque infinity Wake View Pool at the back, she is essentially a twin to Sky and Enchanted.

You can find the Salty Dog Gastropub and other favorites here, as she shares the entire collection of updated onboard specialty dining options and public areas with her immediate sisters. No matter which of the later Royal class ships you choose, a modern Princess cruise experience is guaranteed thanks to her debut, which secured the line's largest and most popular ship class.

Princess Cruises' Royal Class Ships: Design and Accommodation

The magnificent, multi-deck Piazza serves as the lively central atrium and social center of the Royal-class ships, which are built to embrace the ocean. Since about 80% of all staterooms have a private balcony, the emphasis on private outdoor space is a crucial component. Passengers are guaranteed uninterrupted views of the sea thanks to this design decision. Princess Cruises' trademark comfort is maintained while the overall décor style shifts toward a sleek, sophisticated vibe.

There are many different types of accommodation available, from standard balcony and interior rooms to well-liked mini-suites and actual suites. In addition to contemporary conveniences, staterooms are furnished with the renowned Princess Luxury Bed for maximum comfort. The Deluxe Balcony, a larger category with a sofa bed and additional living space, is a major improvement over the standard Balcony. All cabins are designed for a comfortable, well-appointed onboard experience, and the larger suites offer perks like priority services and upgraded amenities.

While all Royal-class ships share a foundation, the newest vessels, Sky Princess, Enchanted Princess, and Discovery Princess, introduced the line's most exclusive accommodation: the Sky Suite. These are massive two-bedroom suites featuring a huge, over 1,000-square-foot wraparound balcony, offering the most spacious and luxurious experience in the fleet. This addition makes the three newest ships the top choice for passengers seeking the latest and most expansive suite designs and amenities.

Princess Cruises' Royal Class Ships: Dining Experiences

The main dining experience offers flexibility with options for Traditional, Flexible, or Walk-in dining in the main dining rooms, allowing guests to choose when and with whom they wish to eat. For casual, complimentary fare, the World Fresh Marketplace buffet provides diverse global cuisine, while venues like the International Café in the Piazza are open 24 hours for pastries, light bites, and gourmet beverages. Passengers can also enjoy complimentary, award-winning pizza at Alfredo’s Pizzeria and gourmet hot dogs and tacos at the Salty Dog Grill.

For a surcharge, guests can indulge in several high-end specialty restaurants that are signature to the cruise line. The Crown Grill is a premium steakhouse known for its aged, hand-cut beef and fresh seafood, presented in an elegant, wood-rich setting with an open kitchen. Italian cuisine is celebrated at Sabatini’s Italian Trattoria, which offers handmade pasta and traditional dishes, with a refreshed menu inspired by renowned Tuscan winemakers. For seafood lovers, the Ocean Terrace Seafood Bar offers an à la carte selection of fresh sushi, sashimi, and other ocean treasures with beautiful views.

A core element of the dining philosophy is providing maximum flexibility, embodied by the various MedallionClass innovations. Guests can utilize the OceanNow® Delivery service to have food, drinks, and retail items delivered virtually anywhere on the ship. Experiential dining is elevated through concepts like Chef's Table Lumiere, an extravagant multi-course dinner hosted by the executive chef in a private space surrounded by a curtain of light. For those with a love of wine, the Caymus Winemaker's Dinner offers expertly paired menus, showcasing Princess's commitment to diverse and memorable culinary journeys at sea.

Princess Cruises' Royal Class Ships: Entertainment and Activities

At night, the Princess Theater comes alive with high-quality, original Broadway-style production shows, often featuring music from top composers like Stephen Schwartz. Guests can also enjoy blockbuster films and concerts under the stars on the giant poolside screen at Movies Under the Stars®, complete with complimentary blankets and popcorn. For more intimate performances, the European-inspired Piazza is the ship's social hub, hosting everything from live musical acts and acrobats to dance parties and various social events throughout the day and evening.

Beyond the main shows, the ships offer a variety of interactive daily and evening activities designed for guest participation. These include engaging game shows like The Voice of the Ocean and Deal or No Deal, along with classic favorites such as trivia contests and bingo. Guests looking to learn something new can join fun dance classes, including ballroom, salsa, or line dancing. A key venue for many of these events is the unique Princess Live! Café, a television studio space that broadcasts game shows and other programs, all while guests relax and enjoy a specialty coffee or beverage.

Live music is woven into the ship's atmosphere, with various live music venues hosting everything from acoustic soloists and resident jazz artists to party bands that keep the dance floor moving. The wide range of musical styles ensures there is a soundtrack for every mood. For those seeking enrichment, the cruise line offers destination-themed activities, including expert talks and dance classes focused on the regions being visited, further enhancing the connection to the ports of call.

Princess Cruises' Royal Class Ships: Relaxation and Wellness

For personal renewal, the Lotus Spa is the spot to go, featuring an extensive menu of pampering spa treatments, from massages to facials. Adjacent to the spa, the fitness center has cardio equipment and free weights for a full workout, and you can join wellness yoga sessions and other fitness classes to stay active at sea. If you need a completely quiet space, The Sanctuary is an exclusive, adult-only retreat area. It's a tranquil haven where you can reserve a spot and enjoy attentive service, perfect for escaping the buzz of the main deck areas.

The Royal Class ships feature multiple pool decks and hydrotherapy pools. The main pool areas are lively spots to soak up the sun, surrounded by loungers and open for all guests. Scattered around the decks, you'll find numerous hot tubs which offer a warm, bubbling escape, day or night. For those seeking quiet water time, some ships also feature a Wakeview pool at the stern, providing spectacular views right at the back of the ship, offering a slightly more serene environment than the central deck.

Beyond The Sanctuary, another retreat area that offers deep tranquility is The Enclave at the Lotus Spa. This thermal suite features a hydrotherapy pool and a range of heat experiences, like a Turkish-style steam bath and various aromatherapy chambers designed for detoxification. These zones help guests rejuvenate and are part of the larger emphasis on wellness, giving you serene options to recharge your mind and body throughout your vacation.

Princess Cruises' Royal Class Ships: Technology and Innovations

Princess Royal Class ships have changed cruising with their OceanMedallion technology. This little, quarter-sized wearable device is your key to a truly effortless vacation. It allows for easy check-in and expedited boarding, so you can get to the fun faster. Plus, it serves as a keyless stateroom entry and a simple way to make onboard purchases without digging out a card or cash. Crew members can even use it to recognize you and offer personalized service. Essentially, the Medallion connects you to the whole ship's smart system, making everything from getting into your room to paying for a drink totally seamless and touch-free.

The technology extends right to your phone with mobile app integration. Using the MedallionClass app, you can order food and drinks for delivery right to your location, make dining reservations, and even see a real-time map to navigate the ship or locate friends and family. This system runs on MedallionNet Wi-Fi, which they call some of the best internet at sea. This connectivity is fast and reliable enough for streaming, video chats, and sharing all your vacation photos, which makes staying connected to home easy while still enjoying your time away.

Princess Cruises' Royal Class Ships: Destinations and Itineraries

The Royal Class ships from Princess Cruises are a big deal, and they sail all over the world, hitting some seriously popular spots. You can find these grand ships visiting incredible places like the glaciers of Alaska, the sunny isles of the Caribbean, and the historic cities of Europe. They also head out east to Asia and down to Australia, making sure that no matter what kind of trip you want, a Royal Class ship can probably get you there. These ships, which include Royal Princess, Regal Princess, Majestic Princess, Sky Princess, Enchanted Princess, and Discovery Princess, are designed to offer a fantastic experience while sailing to these bucket-list destinations.

Princess Cruises uses a seasonal approach for its ships, moving them around to follow the best weather and demand. You'll often find ships like Sky Princess and Enchanted Princess spending time in the Caribbean, homeported in places like Fort Lauderdale (Port Everglades) or Port Canaveral during the winter. When summer hits, those ships often cross the Atlantic for European cruises, sailing from home ports such as Southampton. For the Alaska season, you might see ships like Discovery Princess sailing from Seattle or Vancouver, while Majestic Princess frequently spends time exploring Asia or Australia when she's not visiting other regions like Alaska.

If you're looking for a long cruise, the Royal Class ships sometimes take on the famous World Voyages or other long transoceanic journeys, like Trans-Atlantic and Trans-Pacific sailings, repositioning the ships between their main seasonal regions. Royal Princess and Regal Princess are busy year-round, sometimes sailing to the Mexican Riviera from Los Angeles or Galveston. These longer cruises let you truly settle in and see a whole lot of the world on an amazing trip. You’ll find Princess strategically placing these modern vessels in the regions where they shine the brightest during the year.

What Sets the Royal Class Apart

When you think about cruising with Princess, you’re looking at a fleet that offers something for everyone, from smaller ships perfect for the Panama Canal to the massive, brand-new Sun Princess. But right in the sweet spot of size, modern amenities, and beautiful design sits the Royal Class.

This class of ships, which includes favorites like Royal Princess, Regal Princess, and Discovery Princess, represents a huge leap forward in what Princess offers, blending the traditional cruising elegance they’re known for with genuinely modern features.

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Royal Class vs. The Fleet: Size and Capacity

The easiest way to understand the Royal Class is to see how it compares size and guest capacity to the other main ship classes in the Princess fleet. The Royal Class ships are significantly larger than older classes but retain a classic Princess feel, unlike the newest, even bigger Sphere Class.

The jump from the Grand Class to the Royal Class is clear: you get about 30,000 more gross tons of space and 500 to 1,000 more passengers. This extra room isn’t just about fitting more people, it’s about creating spacious public areas and adding new venues that older ships simply don’t have the real estate for.

Modern Features That Define the Royal Class

Royal Class ships are packed with contemporary features that give them a distinct edge, and a noticeably different onboard experience compared to the older classes.

• The Piazza Atrium: This central meeting point is three decks high and substantially larger than the atriums on the Grand or Coral Class ships. It’s a huge, open space that hosts daily performances, cafes, bars, and shops, truly feeling like the buzzing city square of the ship.
• The SeaWalk: This cantilevered, glass-bottomed walkway extends over the edge of the ship, giving you a thrilling view of the ocean below. It’s an iconic feature of the Royal Class that you won't find on older ships.
• Balcony Focus: On Royal Class ships, over 80% of the outside staterooms have a private balcony. This design commitment to private outdoor space is much higher than in the older classes, where you might see more oceanview or interior cabins.
• OceanMedallion Technology: While many older ships have been refitted, the Royal Class ships were designed to fully integrate the OceanMedallion experience from day one. This tech allows for seamless stateroom entry, fast Wi-Fi, and the ability to order drinks or food to your exact location on the ship.

Why Cruisers Prefer Royal Class for Comfort and Style

Cruisers who pick the Royal Class love the sense of light and open space. The ships feel bright and airy with modern, high-end finishing throughout the public areas.

The Royal Class is the go-to choice for people who want the newest ships and the widest array of dining and entertainment options without stepping up to the immense size of the Sphere Class. You still get Princess’s signature personalized service, but it’s paired with the amenities of a much larger, more resort-like vessel.

The greater percentage of balcony cabins gives people the sense of having their own quiet haven, and features like the tranquil Enclave thermal suite in the spa let you find peace even on a large ship. It truly delivers a stylish, contemporary cruise vacation that maintains the traditional warmth of the Princess.