Top 10 FAQs from New Cruisers

What’s Included That Makes Cruising a Great Value?

Your cruise fare includes accommodations, meals throughout the day including our 4-course dining rooms, 24-hour room service, entertainment, and an endless array of activities, including newly launched Discovery at Sea programs like Stargazing, kids crafts and more! Plus, you won’t have to pay for costly airfare, trains, or cabs to get you from one city to the next. When you take everything into consideration you'll discover that you can actually save money by going on a cruise, as opposed to a land-based vacation.

Additional fees may apply for services such as specialty restaurants, shore excursions, laundry, etc.

Will I Get Seasick?

Our larger ships are more stable with heavier weight and therefore are less prone to rolling motion. Most ships are so large and well-stabilized that it doesn’t even feel like you’re moving, especially in calmer waters such as Alaska’s Inside Passage and the Caribbean. The middle of the ship tends have less motion, as it is the natural balance point.

If you are prone to sea sickness, consider itineraries with fewer sea days. Port intensive cruises will give you the opportunity to spend more time on land. Consult your physician for a drug or alternative remedy if you’re susceptible to motion sickness.

What Should I Wear?

Casual sportswear, including shorts, lightweight pants and jogging suits, is the order of the day both at sea and ashore in hotter climates. We recommend you bring a sweater, a jacket or an all-weather coat for cool evenings, and for shore excursions, depending on your destination. You'll also want comfortable shoes for strolling on deck.

For evening dining, keep with what you would wear to a nice restaurant at home: skirts/dresses, slacks, and sweaters for ladies, pants and open-neck shirts for men. Cruises five days or longer include at least one formal dining night: evening gowns and cocktail dresses for ladies and tuxedos, dinner jackets or dark suits for men.

Are All Princess Ships Alike?

Princess has a variety of ships, some that can carry over 3,500 guests. Every vessel in our fleet is designed to give you plenty of room to yourself with spacious decks, comfortably elegant public spaces and inviting balcony staterooms. Yet each also creates wonderful opportunities to socialize with a variety of sensational activities and entertainment to suit your mood. Explore the ships or view our ship comparison chart (PDF).

Is There Phone and Internet Access?

Mobile phone service is available for use when the ship is at sea, in international waters, and in other areas where such use is permitted. All charges will be conveniently billed to you directly by your mobile device provider.

Your mobile phone provider must have a roaming agreement with Maritime Communications Partner (MCP)or Wireless Maritime Services (WMS). Please contact your provider for more details on rates and availability.

Internet access is available on all Princess vessels through our 24-hour onboard Internet Cafe and wireless network -- which is available in some staterooms and various public areas including our world famous Piazzas. Please note that Internet access via satellite is significantly slower than high-speed connections on shore. Multiple internet time packages are available to purchase before, or during your cruise to access the internet at sea.

Will I Be Bored?

Only on Princess can you enjoy evenings spent watching Movies Under the Stars, with complimentary blankets and popcorn. Meet friends for a small bite, wine by the glass and enjoy street performer-style entertainment in the Piazza. Or spend a few hours of tranquility in The Sanctuary – a retreat just for adults where you can enjoy a massage, signature drinks and snacks or the spectacular sea views from your plush lounge chair.

Princess offers onboard activities like culinary demonstrations, bingo, wine tasting, and spa services. As well as presentations, where you learn about the culture top sites of the ports you will be visiting, plus live entertainment.

Whether you feel like a multi-course meal in a formal dining room or hand-tossed Naples-style pizza by the pool, Princess obliges your every mood. Discover all of the dining options available.

Is Cruising Safe?

1.7 million passengers sail with Princess annually. Your safety is our top priority. All of our onboard medical facilities meet or exceed the standards established by the American College of Emergency Physicians. Our onboard medical facilities are staffed by full-time registered doctors and nurses. In addition to twice-daily office hours, they are available 24 hours a day in the event of an emergency.

All ships must follow rules and regulations to protect passengers' (and crewmembers') safety while onboard. The Coast Guard conducts quarterly inspections of all ships that operate from U.S. ports, making sure they comply with emergency-response requirements. Ships operate under international rules that regulate everything from fire safety to navigation and maritime security. We were the first in our industry to have a virtual training facility for our bridge crew, which we call the SeaSmart program. We also have voluntarily installed fire sprinklers in all cabins and balconies on all our ships.

What Are the Rooms like and How Do I Choose?

All staterooms include 100% cotton, high-thread count linens, a flat-screen TV, a refrigerator, safe and complimentary room service. Plus, the little extras you find in the best hotels — fresh fruit (by request), evening bed turn-down, chocolates on your pillow, complimentary shampoo, conditioner and body lotion — are provided in every stateroom. Watch a brief video about our staterooms.

We offer a wide range of staterooms options from spacious balcony staterooms to more expansive Mini Suites, as well as Club Class Mini Suites which feature an array of VIP touches. There are also luxurious Full Suites with premium upgrades and complimentary features like laundry and professional cleaning services and more. Our Oceanview and Interior staterooms are a great value for budget conscious travelers. For groups and families, we offer the convenience of connecting staterooms and Family Suites, which sleep up to eight guests.

What Is a Shore Excursion and How Do I Make Reservations?

Exploring ports of call will be one of the highlights of your cruise, and one of the best ways to do this is on a shore excursion. You will find a variety of options available to suit your taste including family friendly options with discounted rates for children.

Excursions offered through Princess are carefully selected and provided by reputable tour operators who meet the high standards of Princess. Your security and comfort are of paramount importance. Every effort is made to ensure that each tour operates safely.

Princess organizes your tours in advance so your time in port is maximized and worry-free. We closely monitor tour departures and returns and we are able to hold the ship in the event your tour is delayed.

You can book your shore excursions with Cruise Personalizer® from approximately 12 weeks before travel, and up to 5 days before you depart. Learn more about our ports and excursions, or watch one of our cruise destination videos.