Booking your first Princess Cruises sailing? Princess does a few things its own way, from the wearable Medallion that opens your stateroom door to the Plus and Premier packages offered at checkout. Here is what our advisors tell first-time Princess guests, so you know what to set up before you go and what to expect once you are on board.
1. Download the app and finish OceanReady early
Once you have booked, download the Princess app. Its OceanReady section is where you complete your pre-cruise tasks: uploading your passport, taking your security photo and filling in your travel documents. Princess says finishing these steps ahead of time helps boarding go faster, and the same app is used on board, so it is worth getting familiar with it at home.
Inside the app you will also find:
- JourneyView to browse and bookmark onboard events, book shore excursions and check your folio.
- OceanNow to order food and drinks brought to you around the ship.
- OceanCompass to find and message your travel companions and get directions on board.
2. Get to know the Medallion
The Medallion is a free, quarter-sized device you wear on a lanyard, or in an optional bracelet, necklace or clip. On ships with MedallionClass service, it unlocks your stateroom, speeds up boarding, lets crew deliver food and drink orders to wherever you are, and helps you locate the people you are traveling with. Princess offers MedallionClass on select ships and has been expanding it across the fleet, so ask us to confirm the details for your ship.
U.S. guests can have their Medallion mailed before the cruise or collect it at the terminal, while international guests pick theirs up at the port. If you would like yours at home before you leave, order it through OceanReady in good time and check with us whether any shipping charge applies.
3. Understand what your fare covers at mealtimes
Princess offers several complimentary dining choices, and you can walk in to the main dining rooms without a set time. Venues vary by ship, but included options generally cover:
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner in the main dining rooms, with nightly desserts.
- World Fresh Marketplace, the buffet, plus pizza by the slice, poolside burgers and hot dogs, and soft-serve ice cream on deck.
- The International Café in the Piazza, open around the clock for pastries, paninis, salads and soups.
- Popcorn and soft-serve during Movies Under the Stars, the poolside film screenings.
Specialty restaurants, such as Sabatini’s Italian Trattoria and Crown Grill, carry an extra charge, and Princess recommends reserving them. Some casual venues also charge a small fee, and drinks, including specialty coffees at the International Café, are extra unless you have a package. You can reserve specialty dining before you sail through Manage Booking.
4. Decide whether Princess Plus or Premier fits you
Princess bundles drinks, Wi-Fi and other extras into two packages. Here is how they compare for packages bought on or after July 22, 2025, according to Princess’s published terms:
| Feature | Princess Plus | Princess Premier |
|---|---|---|
| Drinks | Plus Beverage Package, with a daily alcohol limit | Premier Beverage Package, higher per-drink limits and no daily alcohol limit |
| Wi-Fi | One device per guest | Four devices per guest |
| Crew Appreciation | Included on cruises in U.S. dollars | Included on cruises in U.S. dollars |
| Casual dining | Four prix fixe meals at select venues | Unlimited prix fixe meals at select venues |
| Specialty dining | Not included | One specialty meal per mealtime, per day (cover charge only) |
| Extras | OceanNow delivery fee covered | Delivery fee covered, shore excursion credit, photo downloads and prints, reserved theater seating |
A few details are worth knowing before you choose:
- Buy early. The lower pre-cruise price applies only if you purchase at least 96 hours before departure.
- Check your departure state. On cruises leaving California, Washington and a few other states, the alcohol part of the package begins only once the ship reaches international waters.
- Younger guests under the legal drinking age receive the Zero-Alcohol Package instead.
- Not everything is covered. Minibar items, vending drinks and souvenir glassware are excluded, and benefits end when the cruise ends.
Package contents and pricing change from time to time, so check current terms with your advisor. We are happy to work out whether a package makes sense for how you like to travel.
5. Plan for Crew Appreciation
Crew Appreciation is Princess’s name for its gratuities. Plus and Premier cover it on cruises priced in U.S. dollars; without a package, plan for it in your onboard budget. Our guide to cruise gratuities by line explains how these charges work and how to budget for them.
6. Know which kind of Princess ship you are sailing
The two newest Princess ships, Sun Princess and Star Princess, belong to the Sphere Class. Each carries about 4,300 guests and adds spaces you will not find on older ships, including The Dome, a glass-enclosed area at the top of the ship with a pool and acrobatic performances, and around 30 restaurants and bars. The Piazza, a central hub, is also a familiar Princess feature.
If you want suite-level perks, Princess’s Sanctuary Collection bundles premium cabins with access to an exclusive top-deck retreat. It started on the Sphere Class ships and is expanding; our Cruise News update has the details. For help weighing cabin types, see how to choose a cruise cabin.
7. Start earning Captain’s Circle status
Captain’s Circle is Princess’s loyalty program, and you join automatically with your first cruise. Tiers are based on how many cruises or cruise days you complete:
- Gold after your first Princess cruise.
- Ruby after three cruises.
- Platinum after five cruises or 50 cruise days.
- Elite after 15 cruises or 150 cruise days.
Benefits grow at each level, from member events on board to perks like a Disembarkation Lounge at Platinum and complimentary laundry at Elite. Princess updates these benefits periodically, so ask us what applies when you book.
8. Pick a first itinerary that plays to Princess’s strengths
Princess sails many regions, including Alaska. Our guide to the best time to cruise Alaska can help you choose a month. Closer to home, ask us about sailings from San Francisco, Los Angeles and Seattle. If this is your first cruise of any kind, our first cruise guide covers the basics.
9. Let us handle the details
Our advisors can help you compare ships, cabins and packages, and keep an eye on current cruise deals. Send us a booking request, browse our cruise FAQ, or call 1-800-988-6444, Monday to Friday 9 to 5 and Saturday 9 to 2 Pacific.
