1965: Company founder Stanley B. McDonald charters Princess Patricia and forms Princess Cruises.
1966: In 1966, Princess Patricia is returned to her owners.
1967: Princess Italia, one of the first modern ships built specifically for cruising, is chartered. Later, the first Panama Canal cruise is successfully completed.
1968: 1968 is a big year for the cruise line. Princess Carla is chartered, the seawitch logo makes its first appearance, Boise Cascade purchases Princess Cruises, and the first transatlantic sailing take place on Princess Italia.
1969: Princess Italia sails her first season in Alaska.
1970: In 1970, Stanley B. McDonald repurchases Princess Cruises from Boise Cascade. Meanwhile, Princess Carla is returned to her owners.
1972: Island Princess is welcomed to the fleet and Princess Tours is founded.
1973: Princess Italia is returned to her owners.
1974: Another big year for the cruise line, with a lot of positive changes. Princess Cruises is acquired by the Peninsular & Oriental Steam Navigation Company (P&O) and Pacific Princess and Sun Princess join the fleet.
1975: The TV series The Love Boat is developed, and Princess Cruises agree to become the backdrop for the show.
1979: Princess Tours acquires Johansen Royal Tours.
1980: Stanley B. McDonald departs from the company.
1981: Princess Cruises begins calling at its first private Caribbean island, Palm Island.
1984: Royal Princess joins the fleet.
1985: Pacific Princess officially launches the cruise line’s first Mediterranean season.
1986: Sea Princess joins the fleet, debuting the new “Voyage of the Glaciers” route, which sails from Vancouver to Whittier. Palm Island is replaced with a new private island, Mayreau.
1987: Denali Princess Wilderness Lodge officially opens. Meanwhile, the first Caribbean cruises from Miami, the first Asia cruises and the first Northern Europe cruises all take place.
1988: Dawn Princess, Fair Princess and Sky Princess are all welcomed to the fleet. Sun Princess is sold.
1989: Star Princess joins the fleet.
1990: Crown Princess joins the fleet, and the Kenai Princess Wilderness Lodge officially opens. The Captain’s Circle loyalty programme is also launched.
1991: As Regal Princess joins the fleet, Sea Princess is transferred to P&O.
1992: A new private island is launched, Princess Cays.
1993: Golden Princess is chartered, and Dawn Princess is sold.
1995: Sun Princess joins the fleet (debuting the largest number of balcony cabins) as Fair Princess is transferred to P&O Australia.
1996: Golden Princess is returned to her owner, and the C.R.U.I.S.E. customer service program debuts.
1997: Dawn Princess joins the fleet as Star Princess is transferred to P&O.
1998: Grand Princess and Sea Princess join the fleet. The first world cruise departs, and the first wedding chapel and wedding program at sea debut.
1999: Island Princess is sold.
2000: P&O Princess International is demerged from P&O. Later, Ocean Princess joins the fleet as Sky Princess transfers to P&O Australia. The first Bermuda cruise is completed.
2001: Personal Choice Dining debuts on Grand Princess, and Golden Princess joins the fleet.
2002: Star Princess and Tahitian Princess join the fleet as the original Pacific Princess is sold, Crown Princess is transferred to A’ROSA and Ocean Princess is transferred to P&O Cruises. Copper River Princess Wilderness Lodge is opened in Alaska.
2003: P&O Princess International is acquired by Carnival Corporation. Coral Princess, the new Pacific Princess and the new Island Princess join the fleet as Sea Princess is transferred to P&O Cruises. Lastly, the first Antarctica cruise takes place.
2004: Diamond Princess, Caribbean Princess and Sapphire Princess join the fleet and the first Movies Under the Stars screen debuts on Caribbean Princess.
2005: Princess Cruises enters its 40th year. Royal Princess is transferred to P&O Cruises, and Sea Princess returns to the Princess Cruises fleet.
2006: Crown Princess joins the fleet, debuting the first Sanctuary.
2007: Emerald Princess and the new Royal Princess join the fleet, debuting the first Chef’s Table. Meanwhile, Regal Princess is transferred to P&O Australia.
2008: Ruby Princess joins the fleet, and the Ultimate Ship Tour debuts.
2009: Tahitian Princess is renamed Ocean Princess and Royal Princess is transferred to P&O Cruises.
2011: Grand Princess completes the most significant drydock transformation.
2012: The first Entertainer of the Year competition is held onboard.
2013: Japan-based cruising launches. A new Royal Princess, which is christened by The Duchess of Cambridge, joins the fleet.
2014: New Regal Princess joins the fleet. Meanwhile, the new Princess@Sea Messenger debuts, giving guests the opportunity to stay connected with fellow cruisers using a mobile messenger app.
2015: Princess Cruises celebrates its 50th anniversary.
2016: The cruise line launches its “Come Back New Promise” - a $450 million, multi-year product innovation, cruise ship renovation and guest experience enchantment campaign.
2017: Princess Cruises, with parent company Carnival Corporation, introduces MedallionClass Vacations enabled by the Medallion®, the cruise industry’s most advanced wearable device. Majestic Princess also joins the fleet.
2018: Princess MedallionClass debuts onboard Caribbean Princess, along with MedallionNet, the fastest Wi-Fi at sea.
2019: Sky Princess joins the fleet, debuting the new Sky Suites. Princess Cruises celebrates 50 years of cruising to Alaska. The Reef Family Splash Zone debuts on Caribbean Princess.
2020: As Golden Princess, Sea Princess, Star Princess and Sun Princess leave the fleet, Enchanted Princess joins. Elsewhere, Princess Cruises breaks the GUINNESS WORLD RECORD title for the largest multi-location vow renewal after 1,443 couples reaffirmed their love for one another during simultaneous ceremonies onboard three ships.
2021: Every ship in the fleet offers the Princess Cruises MedallionClass Experience and Princess MedallionNet, the best Wi-Fi at sea. Pacific Princess leaves the fleet.
2024: Princess Cruises sets new GUINNESS WORLD RECORD title as it organises the World’s Largest Pizza Party, with more than 60,000 slices of pizza devoured at the same time. The new Sun Princess joins the fleet.
Future: We can’t wait to see what’s in store for Princess Cruises!
