Princess cruise tips for first timers
The short answer
Princess is calmer and more traditional than the big party ships, and especially strong in Alaska. Your OceanMedallion is your key and wallet, so set it up before sailing. Budget Princess's Crew Appreciation of $18 per person per day in standard cabins, and pack for a couple of dressier nights.
What a Princess cruise feels like
Princess ships are relaxed and comfortable, with good food and entertainment. Princess sails to Alaska, which some first-timers choose for that trip.
First-timer tips specific to Princess
- Set up your OceanMedallion through the MedallionClass app before you sail. It's a small wearable that opens your cabin and pays for extras.
- Choose an Arrival Group at check-in at participating ports; staggered arrival times keep the terminal moving.
- Budget Crew Appreciation. Princess adds it daily, by cabin category.
- Pack for formal nights. Princess holds a number of formal dining nights on most sailings.
- Look at the Plus and Premier packages, which bundle drinks and WiFi, if you'd buy both anyway.
Princess is a lovely first cruise for couples and for Alaska. It's calm, it's comfortable and the service is reliable.
Princess's rules, from its own pages
Princess Cruises: the rules, from Princess Cruises's own pages
- Daily gratuities
Crew Appreciation, charged daily by stateroom category
Suites: $20.00 USD per person per day. Mini Suites, Cabanas and Reserve Collection: $19.00. All other stateroom types: $18.00.
The amount is added automatically to your onboard account.
You may adjust it at your discretion at any time during the cruise, but only before you disembark. It is not refundable after the cruise.
Source: Princess Cruises, checked September 21, 2026
- Drink packages
Premier, Plus, Zero-Alcohol and Classic Soda packages
Premier: drinks up to $20 each, top-shelf spirits and reserve wines by the glass. Listed at a value of $84.99 a day.
Plus: drinks up to $15 each — cocktails, wine by the glass, beer, specialty coffee, soda, bottled water, juices and smoothies. Listed at a value of $64.99 a day.
Both give 25% off wine bottles and large bottles of water and cans of soda.
Source: Princess Cruises, checked September 24, 2026
- Dress code
Casual most nights, with a number of formal dining nights
On formal nights the dress code is observed: evening gowns, cocktail dresses, tuxedos, suits, or a dinner jacket with slacks.
Wrinkle-free fabric is recommended for packing.
The page we read is Princess's packing guide, so we have not recorded the venue-by-venue rule.
Source: Princess Cruises, checked September 21, 2026
- Bringing alcohol
One 750ml bottle of wine or champagne per guest
Guests of legal drinking age may bring one bottle of wine or champagne, 750ml or less, per voyage. Present it to security at embarkation.
Drinking it in a public area costs a US$20 corkage fee.
Each extra bottle beyond the allowance also costs US$20 corkage. Quantities security considers excessive are refused.
Source: Princess Cruises, checked September 24, 2026
- Minimum age
Under-21s must share a stateroom with a guest 21 or older
You must be 18 or older to register and book on Princess.com.
Guests under 21 must share a stateroom with a guest aged 21 or older who takes responsibility for them.
Family groups in several staterooms: at least one guest in each room must be 16 or older, traveling with a parent or legal guardian.
Source: Princess Cruises, checked September 24, 2026
- Check-in
Arrival Groups — staggered check-in windows at the terminal
Every guest either picks an Arrival Group or has one assigned automatically.
Arriving inside your window reduces congestion and lets the crew assist each guest.
Arrival Groups are only offered at participating ports. Princess publishes the port list and adds to it over time.
Source: Princess Cruises, checked September 21, 2026
Packing for Princess
Add formal-night clothes (a cocktail dress or suit, or a dinner jacket), layers for Alaska and a lanyard or clip for your Medallion. The cruise packing list covers the rest.
First-timer questions
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