Princess Cruises Unveils Its Largest European Season for 2026

Princess Cruises, affectionately known for the “Love Boat” line, has announced an unprecedented expansion of its European cruise and cruise tour season for 2026. The upcoming season is set to be the largest in the company’s history, with five luxurious ships, including the brand-new Sun Princess, embarking on a record-breaking 222 cruises across the continent. From March to November 2026, travellers can choose from 59 unique itineraries covering 101 destinations in 29 countries, with cruise lengths varying from five to an extensive 42 nights. The season’s highlights include witnessing the 2026 total solar eclipse and sailing aboard the Sun Princess, the latest addition to the Princess fleet. The season also marks the return of roundtrip cruises from Copenhagen and introduces new itineraries departing from Rome. Bookings for this robust season will open on May 23, 2024. Terry Thornton, Princess Cruises’ Chief Commercial Officer, expressed confidence in the enduring popularity of European vacations, advising guests to book early to secure the best pricing. “Our 2026 season delivers the best of Europe, combining visits to well-known marquee ports and hidden gems that allow for a truly personalized journey,” said Thornton. 2026 Europe Highlights:

• Sun Princess: Embark on 7-, 14-, and 21-night Mediterranean voyages from Civitavecchia (Rome), Piraeus (Athens), and Barcelona. The 14- and 21-night voyages offer a Grand Mediterranean Adventure without repeating ports.
• Itinerary Sample: A seven-night voyage from Piraeus to Barcelona, with stops in Santorini, Kotor, Corfu, and Messina.
• Sky Princess: Returning to Southampton for its sixth year, the Sky Princess offers 7—to 28-night itineraries to Northern Europe, the Canary Islands, and the Mediterranean. Notably, on August 12, 2026, the Sky Princess will navigate the “path of totality” for a special Total Solar Eclipse Cruise.
• New Itineraries: A 28-night Northern Europe and Mediterranean voyage departs on September 12, 2026. It features an extensive list of destinations, including an overnight stay in Stockholm and visits to historic cities like Lisbon and Bordeaux.

NEW for 2026, the 3,660-guest Enchanted Princess offers Mediterranean itineraries roundtrip from Civitavecchia (Rome), ranging from five, seven, eight, and 14 nights.

• Itinerary Sample: A seven-night Mediterranean & Adriatic sailing roundtrip from Rome (Civitavecchia) to Dubrovnik, Kotor, and Corfu.

For the first time ever, the 3,560-guest Majestic Princess is sailing roundtrip from Southampton, offering British Isles and Northern Europe itineraries ranging from 11, 12, and 14 nights. British Isles voyages take guests to historic ports across England, Wales, Ireland, Northern Ireland, and Scotland, while Northern Europe itineraries include stops in Scandinavia, Iceland, the Netherlands, Germany, and Belgium.

• Itinerary Sample: A 14-night Northern Europe cruise visits Haugesund (Norway), Skjolden/Sognefjord (Norway), Olden/Nordfjord (Norway), Aalesund (Norway), Reykjavik (Iceland), Isafjordur (Iceland), Akureyri (Iceland).

Princess Cruises returns to Copenhagen after six years with the 2,670-guest Sapphire Princess, providing 12-night Northern Europe itineraries.

• Itinerary Sample: Visits to Skagen, Oslo, Gdynia, Klaipeda, Riga, Tallinn, Helsinki, Nynashamn (for Stockholm), and Visby.

Before sailing from Copenhagen, the Sapphire Princess sails in the Mediterranean for two months between March and April 2026 from Barcelona, plus itineraries sailing roundtrip from Civitavecchia (Rome). Cruisetours: Guests can combine a Europe cruise with multiple days on land to experience more of the region with five cruisetours to choose from. Guests can choose to sightsee in the cosmopolitan city of Madrid on the Highlights of Spain cruise tour, visit Florence and Rome on the Classic Italy cruise tour, explore Mediterranean treasures on the Best of Greece cruise tour or take in the spectacular landscapes of Ireland on the Ring of Kerry cruise tour. Grand Adventures and Passages: All five ships sail ultimate transatlantic crossings, offering voyages between 14- and 29-nights. More Ashore: 19 ports include ‘More Ashore’ late-night stays on select itineraries, and three ports provide overnight stays – Alta, Hamburg, and Stockholm. With Princess Plus and Premier inclusive packages, guests enjoy the ultimate in savings by adding popular amenities like Wi-Fi, beverages, fitness classes, crew gratuities, and more, with even more significant savings of up to 65% when amenities are purchased separately. The Sun Princess stands out as an engineering marvel, boasting innovative venues like The Dome and the Sphere Atrium, which elevate the ship’s central Piazza to new heights. With 30 dining and bar venues, including collaborations with celebrity chefs, the Sun Princess promises an unparalleled culinary experience. The Enchanted Princess, accommodating 3,660 guests, will also offer new Mediterranean itineraries, ranging from five to 14 nights, providing various options for travellers seeking Mediterranean charm. This expansion by Princess Cruises is a testament to the company’s commitment to offering diverse and enriching European travel experiences, allowing guests to explore the continent’s beauty and cultural richness like never before.