Princess Cruises Adds Bridgetown as Seasonal Homeport From 2027

Princess Cruises will add Bridgetown, Barbados, as a seasonal homeport beginning in January 2027, expanding Southern Caribbean embarkation options for travelers flying from the United Kingdom. The cruise line announced the Barbados program on March 3, 2026, positioning it as an additional starting point alongside its seasonal operations from San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Eithne Williamson, vice president for the UK, Ireland, and EMEA at Princess Cruises, said the Barbados departures bring “greater choice and convenience” for UK guests traveling to the Southern Caribbean.

When Barbados sailings run and which ships are assigned

Princess will use two Crown-class ships for the Barbados homeport program across two winter deployments.

Crown Princess is scheduled to operate roundtrip cruises from Bridgetown from January through March 2027. Emerald Princess is slated to follow with Barbados embarkation options from November 2027 through March 2028. Princess has also said guests will be able to embark in San Juan, providing an additional option to start a cruise.

Both ships entered service in the mid-2000s (Crown Princess in 2006 and Emerald Princess in 2007). Each ship is listed at 113,561 gross tons and configured to carry up to 3,080 guests with 1,200 crew members.

How the Barbados itineraries are structured

Princess said the Barbados program will focus on Southern Caribbean itineraries ranging from six to nine nights, with most sailings planned as seven-night cruises that can be paired into 14-night vacations. Each Barbados departure is scheduled to include a call at San Juan.

Princess has described the broader seasonal program as totaling more than 30 voyages visiting 15 destinations, while noting that the port mix varies by sailing even though Crown Princess and Emerald Princess are sister ships. Princess’ website lists ten departures from Bridgetown between January 2027 and March 2028.

Examples of scheduled routes

• Jan. 15, 2027 (Crown Princess): Scheduled calls include San Juan, St. Maarten, Martinique, Grenada, and St. Lucia.
• Nov. 26, 2027 (Emerald Princess): Scheduled calls include San Juan, Tortola, St. Kitts, Dominica, and Grenada. Additional ports highlighted for the 2027-28 winter season include St. John’s, Antigua.

Flights from the UK and Princess’ Plane Sailing approach

Princess pointed to direct air connectivity to Barbados from London Heathrow, London Gatwick, Manchester, and Birmingham as a key factor supporting winter turnarounds in Bridgetown.

Unlike some competitors that emphasize traditional fly-cruise packages, Princess said the Barbados sailings are not positioned as a bundled UK fly-cruise offering that includes airfare. Guests can either arrange flights independently or book air through Princess’ Plane Sailing program, which the line says includes late-arrival protection for flight disruptions and 24/7 assistance.

Booking timeline and example fares

Princess opened bookings for the Barbados embarkation sailings on March 5, 2026. The line has marketed entry pricing that varies by sailing date, with higher lead-in fares around holiday periods.

• Example lead fare (inside cabin): A seven-night Crown Princess cruise was advertised from £699 (about $933 USD) per person, excluding airfare.
• Example holiday lead fare (inside cabin): A seven-night Christmas and New Year’s voyage on Emerald Princess was listed from £759 (about $1,013 USD) per person, excluding airfare.

Barbados in a busier winter homeport market

Princess’ Bridgetown plan comes as Barbados continues to attract winter homeport activity aimed at UK and European travelers. For the 2026-27 winter season, P&O Cruises is scheduled to base Britannia and Arvia in Bridgetown, and MSC Cruises has planned Barbados embarkations using MSC Opera and MSC Seaview.

For Princess, the Barbados addition also builds on its renewed presence in Puerto Rico. The line returned to homeporting in San Juan in October 2025 with Grand Princess, scheduled to remain through March 2026 before Crown Princess takes over for the 2026-27 winter season. Princess has also pointed to broader expansion from US ports, including the debut of Star Princess in Port Canaveral and scheduled visits to Celebration Key, Carnival Cruise Line’s private destination in Grand Bahama.

The first Barbados roundtrip itineraries are scheduled to begin in January 2027 on Crown Princess, with Emerald Princess continuing Barbados embarkations from November 2027 through March 2028.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

When do Princess Cruises sailings from Barbados begin?

The first roundtrip cruises from Bridgetown are scheduled to start in January 2027, operated by Crown Princess.

Which Princess ships will offer Barbados departures in 2027-28?

Crown Princess is scheduled to sail roundtrip from Barbados from January through March 2027. Emerald Princess is scheduled to offer Barbados embarkation options from November 2027 through March 2028.

Do Barbados cruises with Princess also visit San Juan?

Yes. Princess has said every sailing departing from Barbados is scheduled to include a call at San Juan, Puerto Rico, and the line has also said passengers can embark in San Juan.

Can UK guests book flights through Princess, and is this a bundled fly-cruise package?

Princess does not market the Barbados program as a traditional bundled UK fly-cruise package that includes airfare. Guests can arrange flights independently or book air through Princess’ Plane Sailing program, which Princess says includes late-arrival protection for flight disruptions and 24/7 assistance.

What is the starting price for a Princess Cruises sailing from Barbados?

Princess has advertised example lead-in pricing from £699 (about $933 USD) per person for an inside cabin on a seven-night Crown Princess cruise, excluding airfare. A seven-night Christmas and New Year’s voyage on Emerald Princess was listed from £759 (about $1,013 USD) per person for an inside cabin, excluding airfare.