Princess Cruises Expands 2025-2026 Itineraries With Longer, Diverse Voyages

Princess Cruises is offering an expanded roster of itineraries for 2025-2026, spotlighting its commitment to immersive travel experiences across multiple continents. Central to this schedule are two notable vessels, the Sapphire Princess and the Royal Princess, each showcasing the cruise line’s adaptability and focus on iconic destinations ranging from the South Pacific to Alaska and beyond.

Sapphire Princess: South Pacific and Alaska Voyages

The 2004-built, 950-foot Sapphire Princess highlights Princess Cruises’ emphasis on extended routes and diverse seasonal programming. On April 8, 2025, the ship embarks on a 32-night journey roundtrip from Los Angeles, sailing through Melanesia, Polynesia, and Hawaii. Its itinerary features visits to Honolulu, Nawiliwili, Pago Pago, and Apia, with an overnight stay in Tahiti’s capital, Papeete, allowing guests a deeper cultural experience.

Upon returning to Los Angeles, the Sapphire Princess repositions to Vancouver to launch its summer deployment in Alaska. The season centers on the Voyage of the Glaciers itinerary, offering seven-night open-jaw cruises that include popular port calls at Ketchikan, Juneau, and Skagway, as well as scenic cruising at Glacier Bay National Park and Hubbard Glacier. By the winter of 2025, the ship shifts to South America, with scheduled stops in Antarctica, the Falkland Islands, Brazil, Uruguay, and Argentina for travelers seeking both natural wonders and immersive cultural encounters.

Royal Princess: Pacific Crossings and Alaska Season

Meanwhile, the Royal Princess is set for a 33-night repositioning voyage from Sydney, Australia, arriving in North America by mid-May 2025. En route, it calls on New Zealand, French Polynesia, and Hawaii, as well as coastal U.S. ports such as Los Angeles and San Francisco. Once the vessel reaches Vancouver, it begins a five-night journey to Seattle, transitioning into its summer Inside Passage program departing every Saturday. These sailings include visits to Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway, and Glacier Bay National Park.

In October, the Royal Princess pivots to offer winter cruises from Los Angeles, with seven-night roundtrip itineraries highlighting the Mexican Riviera. Most voyages visit Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlán, and Puerto Vallarta, while select departures feature the California Coast cruise with stops in San Francisco and Santa Barbara alongside relaxing days at sea.

Broader Princess Cruises Deployment in Alaska

Beyond Sapphire Princess and Royal Princess, Princess Cruises plans to station six other ships in Alaska for the 2025 season. The Discovery Princess, introduced in 2022, stands out as the largest vessel in the region, offering seven-night roundtrip routes from Seattle. Ruby Princess, Grand Princess, Caribbean Princess, and Coral Princess round out the Alaskan lineup, ensuring multiple itinerary options from diverse departure ports, including San Francisco and Vancouver.

Several of these ships also feature repositioning and extended cruises, with the Ruby Princess, for example, launching voyages lasting 11 to 26 nights that combine Alaska with Canadian destinations. Such deployments reflect Princess Cruises’ global reach, which extends to South America, Europe, and the Mediterranean in 2026.

Upcoming Highlights and Seasonal Trends

Long-haul escapades remain in high demand, as evidenced by both the Sapphire Princess and Royal Princess repositioning programs. These extended sailings allow passengers to sample multiple regions without relying heavily on air travel. Scenic cruising at world-renowned sites like Glacier Bay and Cape Horn continues to draw travelers seeking dramatic natural beauty.

Princess Cruises’ strategy involves responding to market feedback and forging regional partnerships that inform itinerary design. The overarching goal is to balance convenience, immersive cultural excursions, and unique destination offerings while adapting to changing consumer preferences. As the 2025-2026 season approaches, the cruise line maintains a dynamic schedule that spans tropical locales, polar regions, and everything in between.

With Sapphire Princess and Royal Princess at the helm, Princess Cruises underscores its commitment to providing extensive, varied routes that cater to travelers of all interests. From leisurely coastal calls to adventurous Antarctic passages, the fleet’s blend of scenic cruising and cultural discovery remains a driving force in its continual evolution.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What are the main features of the Sapphire Princess itineraries?

The Sapphire Princess specializes in extended and varied routes, starting with a 32-night journey from Los Angeles to the South Pacific and Hawaii. It then repositions to Alaska for seven-night Voyage of the Glaciers itineraries, followed by winter voyages to South America that include stops in Antarctica and Brazil.

What destinations are included in Royal Princess’s repositioning voyage?

The Royal Princess’s 33-night crossing from Sydney to North America includes calls in New Zealand, French Polynesia, Hawaii, and coastal ports along California. Once repositioned, it offers an Alaskan summer schedule followed by Mexican Riviera cruises from Los Angeles.

How does Princess Cruises work with local ports and destinations?

Princess Cruises collaborates with port authorities and regional stakeholders to promote sustainable tourism. This includes focusing on cultural immersion, environmental considerations, and tailored shore excursions that benefit local communities.

What types of experiences can guests expect on these itineraries?

Passengers can immerse themselves in diverse landscapes and activities, such as scenic glacier cruising, guided shore excursions focused on local cultures, and onboard amenities designed for relaxation. Many itineraries include overnight stays, allowing deeper exploration of each destination.

Will Princess Cruises offer similar repositioning voyages in the future?

Based on consistent demand for long-haul itineraries, Princess Cruises is expected to continue offering extended repositioning voyages. These sailings combine multiple regional highlights, reduce reliance on air travel, and provide a broad scope of travel experiences in a single journey.