Grand Princess

Grand Princess is for cruisers who want to experience a romantic trip that feels like being transported back to the 90s. Yes, an era without iPhones, Instagram, or F1 simulators onboard cruise ships. Grand Princess, after all, debuted in 1998 and still retains many elements from that era of cruising. 

It’s a good choice for passengers who don’t want to spend a fortune on a cruise but still want the great service Princess is known for, all while enjoying a romantic and nostalgic experience.

What we like about Grand Princess

Grand Princess is classy and offers some of the most affordable trips on a Princess cruise ship. While a cruise on the modern Sun Princess usually starts at $600, you can score a 4-day cruise onboard Grand Princess for as low as $360. The ship also features some very cool itineraries, including Alaska, Australia, and even Tasmania. A 7-day Alaska cruise starts at $730, while a 6-day Australia cruise starts at $760. Those are some pretty good prices, especially if you care more about an elegant, romantic cruise with excellent service than about the entertainment options onboard.

The diverse itineraries and attractive prices are certainly among the best aspects of Grand Princess, but there are also other factors worth noting. This isn’t the newest ship in the fleet, but a recent update has added new venues such as the adults-only Sanctuary, Alfredo’s Pizzeria, the Tea Leaves salon for fans of British afternoon tea, the Crown Grill Steakhouse, and even the One6 nightclub. Vines remains one of the best bars onboard if you just want to relax with your loved one. There’s also a library for those who prefer to grab a book and unwind, and the casino is always a popular spot. Once again, all of this contributes to that old-era style of cruising.

Even with the new venues added, including the specialty restaurants Alfredo’s Pizzeria and Crown Grill Steakhouse, some of the best food onboard can be found at the Salty Dog and other complimentary venues. The pizza is also excellent, and some of the best you’ll find across all cruise lines, comparable to the great ones offered by MSC Cruises. Honestly, good pizza deserves its own paragraph, and this one earns it.

What we don’t like about Grand Princess

Although Grand Princess does capture that cozy and romantic feeling, the ship also shows its age - after all, it’s been sailing for over 25 years. You might notice creaky doors, rust spots on the ceiling, dents in the walls, and the occasional maintenance issue, like an elevator out of service or air-conditioning units acting up. Let’s just say the ship is long overdue for a refurbishment.

There are also some dated aspects. The buffet, for example, feels more like an old-school cafeteria. It’s small, a bit cramped, and long lines aren’t uncommon. It’s also divided into two lanes in such a way that if a food item runs out on one side, you have to walk all the way around the entire buffet to reach the other.

The ship also lacks a central stairwell connecting all decks, so passengers are forced to either walk all the way forward or aft, or wait… sometimes several minutes… for an elevator. This adds to the sense of crowding, which is further accentuated by the ship’s narrow hallways.

Conclusion

Is Grand Princess the best ship in the fleet? No, not by a long shot. What it does offer, however, are some very attractive prices for Princess Cruises along with fun itineraries. If you can score a good deal, you’ll still enjoy the same great service the brand is known for. Just keep in mind that the ship is a bit old school… but hey, maybe that’s exactly what you’re looking for on a romantic vacation.