princess cruise alaska map

This is the announcement bar for Poornima to test the Close Button.  It will expire May 31 2024.

• Pre-Cruise FAQ
• Onboard FAQ
• Post-Cruise FAQ
• Cruisetours FAQ
• Special Offers Sign Up
• Cruise Deals

You have been logged out

Your window will update in 5 secs

Alaska Glaciers

Carved by the hands of mother nature, meet alaska masterpieces.

Alaska’s glaciers have shaped the surrounding landscapes for millions of years. Mountains, valleys and fjords all come from the slow march these monuments make every day. Today, the glaciers of the Great Land — once only accessible to the adventurous few — are ready for you to explore. With over 50 years of experience cruising to Alaska, we look forward to showing you these unique wonders. All Princess Alaska cruises include at least one glacier-viewing experience.

Glacier Bay National Park

Known as Alaska’s crown jewel, Glacier Bay National Park is otherworldly in its beauty and breadth. This UNESCO World Heritage Site covers millions of acres and contains seven tidewater glaciers as well as mountains and deep fjords. Its waters are even home to whales, seals and otters. Cruise to Glacier Bay National Park and let the landscapes and wildlife show you what makes it so worthy of the utmost protection.

Endicott Arm

Cut from age-old glacial movements, Endicott Arm is a narrow fjord over thirty miles long. Sailing down it gives you a view into some of the most dramatic vistas in the north. See the Alaska glaciers of Endicott Arm, including Dawes Glacier, and revel in the walls of ice that stretch stories above the waterline. Or delight in the cliffsides that are decorated with forests and wildlife.

College Fjord

College Fjord is the meeting place where many of Alaska’s glaciers congregate and flow to the ocean. At the water’s edge are massive valley glaciers and dozens of smaller monuments that dot the mountainous region. Thanks to the professors who first settled here in 1899, many of these glaciers are named after the country’s best institutions of higher learning, such as Harvard Glacier.

Hubbard glacier

Hubbard Glacier is an unforgettable sight. Alaska’s largest tidewater glacier rises hundreds of feet from the ocean floor and towers above the waves, radiating a brilliant blue in the daylight. Thanks to its exceptional movement speed — for a massive river of ice — the face of this Alaska glacier calves at an incredible rate, providing a breathtaking show for the lucky onlookers.

Mendenhall glacier

Tucked in the coastal mountains around Juneau, this nearly 14-mile-long glacier cuts through the landscape and ends in a freshwater lake. Mendenhall is the best of Alaska’s ecosystems. It’s home to wildlife, and its rivers are brimming with salmon and trout. Not to mention, its forests burst from every inch of terrain, creating a true wonderland of nature.

Matanuska glacier

With ice colored in vibrant blues and bright whites, Matanuska is a sight to be seen on an Alaska Copper River cruisetour. Considered an "ice flow", it floats through valleys under its own weight. This structure measures 24 miles in length and is responsible for creating a "weather hole" — a pocket of sunny skies and enjoyable climates that occurs due to warm valley air being pushed into the atmosphere.

You May Also Like

Alaska cruises.

See the Great Land’s glaciers, wildlife, and national parks.

Alaska Cruisetours

Combine a cruise + train + lodge + Denali for an in-depth Alaska experience.

UNESCO World Heritage Site and Cruise wonder of the world.

Map of Alaska

Alaska, America's "Last Frontier," is home to craggy glaciers, raging rivers, snow-capped mountains and miles upon miles of wild, windblown tundra. The state shares a border and much of its topographical characteristics with western Canada -- specifically, the snowy provinces of British Columbia and the Yukon.

Inside Passage cruises sail along the state's southeastern coast, from the cannery town of Ketchikan to Glacier Bay National Park. Alaska cruise tours, meanwhile, skim the coastline as well as explore the state's vast interior. Common targets for these vacations are Denali National Park, about 150 miles north of Anchorage, and Fairbanks, a former Gold Rush town some 200 miles northeast of Denali. Some cruise tours even cross the border into Canada, making stops as far east as Calgary, Jasper and Lake Louise, all popular points in the province of Alberta.

Ketchikan, AK

With its boat-filled harbor and colorful waterfront, Ketchikan welcomes visitors to southeastern Alaska's Inside Passage. Fishing opportunities abound in the self-proclaimed salmon capital of the world, and bear viewing spots often find the creatures munching on their catch of the day. The Totem Heritage Center displays 33 19th-century totem poles, making it the largest collection in the U.S. Expeditions to the country's largest national forest, Tongass, explore its 16.7 million acres by Jeep, canoe or on foot, while floatplane tours provide a bird's-eye view of Misty Fjords National Monument. Other outings explore the town's past as a Native American settlement and gold rush hub or take to the water with kayaks or paddleboards for encounters with harbor seals and the occasional humpback or killer whale.

• San Francisco
• American Cruise Lines
• Carnival Cruise Line
• Celebrity Cruises
• Crystal Cruises
• Cunard Cruise Line
• Disney Cruise Line
• Holland America Line
• Hurtigruten
• Lindblad-National Geographic Expedition
• Norwegian Cruise Line
• Oceania Cruises

Princess Cruises

• Regent Seven Seas Cruises
• Royal Caribbean
• Seabourn Cruise Line
• Silversea Cruises
• Un-Cruise Adventures
• Viking Ocean Cruises
• Ports Of Call

Ruby Princess Alaska Cruises 2024

Embark on an unforgettable Alaskan adventure aboard the magnificent Ruby Princess. As a member of the prestigious Princess Cruises fleet, the Ruby Princess stands as a testament to luxury and elegance. With a multitude of decks boasting meticulously designed plans, it accommodates a generous number of guests while ensuring ample space for relaxation and entertainment. The ship's expertly trained staff is dedicated to providing exceptional service, ensuring that every aspect of your journey exceeds expectations. At the heart of the vessel lies its main attraction, a stunning atrium, adorned with sparkling chandeliers and a grand staircase, setting the stage for an unforgettable voyage. Discover the wonders of the Last Frontier as Ruby Princess set sail from Vancouver in style and comfort aboard this remarkable vessel.

Princess Cruises' Alaskan voyages typically span seven to fourteen days, showcasing some of Alaska's most breathtaking destinations. Ports of call include scenic towns such as Skagway, Juneau, and Ketchikan, while cruisers also have the chance to marvel at natural wonders like Glacier Bay and College Fjord. Numerous shore excursions are available, offering experiences such as dog sledding, wildlife viewing, and cultural tours. With Princess Cruises, every day of your Alaskan journey presents a new opportunity for exploration and adventure.

Alaska itinerary on board Ruby Princess from Princess Cruises

Almost every Ruby Princess cruise to Alaska includes a visit to a tidewater glacier, glaciers which flow into the ocean, often with powerful calving. The most popular destinations are Glacier Bay, Hubbard Glacier, Strait of Georgia, Tracy Arm. The cruises nearly all call at Ketchikan, Skagway or Juneau, with some rarer alternatives for Haines, Hoonah and Sitka. Find and plan your next 2024 Alaska cruise out of San Francisco, California; Seattle, Washington; Vancouver, British Columbia; Whittier, Alaska; with Ruby Princess.

Ruby Princess Cruise Timetable 2024

7-day Alaska cruise from Vancouver

Ruby princess, princess cruises.

Date: June 11, 2024

Ports of Call: Vancouver, Juneau, Haines, Glacier Bay, Ketchikan, Vancouver; View Itinerary

Date: June 18, 2024

Ports of Call: Vancouver, Juneau, Skagway, Dawes Glacier, Ketchikan, Vancouver; View Itinerary

Date: June 25, 2024

Date: July 2, 2024

Date: July 9, 2024

Ports of Call: Vancouver, Juneau, Skagway, Glacier Bay, Ketchikan, Vancouver; View Itinerary

Date: July 16, 2024

Date: July 23, 2024

Date: July 30, 2024

Date: August 6, 2024

Date: August 13, 2024

Ports of Call: Vancouver, Icy Strait, Haines, Dawes Glacier, Ketchikan, Vancouver; View Itinerary

Date: August 20, 2024

Date: August 27, 2024

Date: September 3, 2024

Please note that port orders, dates, and itinerary details, including content, are subject to change. Verify specific details for your chosen sailing date on the Princess Cruises website.

• Privacy Policy
• Terms of Use

CRUISE PORT GUIDES

Juneau cruise port guide

Cruise Port Guide Juneau – Alaska – USA: docked

In Juneau there are about 5 docks available for cruise ships: S. Franklin Street dock, Intermediate Vessel Float, Cruise Ship Terminal, Alaska Steam Ship Dock and A.J. Dock. All of them are basically in front of the town centre and it is only a few minutes walk to the Main street, Franklin street and Boardwalk.

The only exception is the A.J. Dock. This dock is about 20 minutes walk from town, but there is a local shuttle bus provided for a small fee.

In town you will find lots of facilities for tourist. At the docks is the tourist information for any kind of information. You will find booths that are selling shore excursions and shuttle busses to the Mendenhall glacier. Other than that you will get lots in between saloons and souvenir shops.

Shuttle bus to Mendenhall glacier

All over town and especially around the docks you will find there is a local shuttle bus offered to the Mendenhall Visitors Centre where you will have a good view over the glacier. The shuttle costs 20 dollars round trip per person. Buy the tickets directly at the local tour operators you will find on the dock.

Taxis in Juneau

The taxis in Juneau are usually available at the dock, but keep in mind they are quite pricey. Therefore it might be better to prearrange it. To give you an idea on the cost:

A taxi from the dock to the Mendenhall Glacier:

$72 round trip for 1 passenger

$78 round trip for 5 passenger

$85 round trip for 10 passengers

Compared to the cost of the Mendenhall shuttle bus it will be cheaper to take a taxi if your group is 4 persons or more.

Public Transportation

The public transport system in and around Juneau has been created to serve the local community. It is not ideal for tourist to take because they don’t directly stop at the tourist sights and attractions. However, if you are on a budget and willing to walk for a bit, it might be interesting for you. Find the local bus station right in town. Bus 3 and 4 serve the area around Juneau. Nearest stop to Mendenhall Glacier is 1 mile walk. Nearest stop to Glacier Gardens is less than a mile walk. Nearest stop to Salmon Hatchery is only a few minutes walk. Buy your tickets at the bus office or on the bus itself. Tickets cost 2 dollars and you need to have exact fare. Busses depart around 2 times per hour. More information can be found on www.juneau.org/capitaltransit

Shore Excursions

Although Juneau is a charming town we strongly feel you should get outside of the city border to get a true feel for Alaska. The town is spread on about 9 blocks and you’ll be threw it before you know it. There are many tours that are offerred in Juneau. Think about kayaking, biking, hiking, flight-seeing, gold panning you name it. Tours can be bought on board of your ship and shore side.

There is more miles of trails than miles of road in Juneau. In fact, there is a total of 250 miles of trails, most starting within the city limits. Always visit the Visitors Centre first to check on the latest condition of the tracks and to pick up a map. The most popular hiking routes starting in the city of Juneau are the Perseverance trail and Mt. Robert trail. Find the information on these trails at the tourist information center in town. 

FAQ about cruise destination Juneau

– What will the weather be like? No idea! That’s the best answer we can give you. We notice that even the weather forecast is wrong all the time and weather can change rapidly. Be prepared for sunshine and rain and you should be good.

– Do I need a fishing license? Yes, only if you are 16 or older. You can purchase licenses and permits online. Visit the Alaska Department of Fish and Game website www. adding.alaska.gov for information about license.

Also visit our cruise port guides for:

Sitka – Ketchikan – Skagway – Victoria – Haines

Find your port of call:

• Mediterranean
• Norway – Cruise port guides
• Baltic & Scandinavia
• British isles
• Western Europe
• French Polynesia
• North America
• Central America
• Southeast Asia
• North Africa
• Middle East

For those looking for a work out Mt. Roberts trail is one not to be missed. It is a 4,5 mile (one way) track with an elevation 3600 ft that will bring you to spectacular scenery. Find the trailhead on the map above. You can also find a short cut to the top. Simply take the Mt. Robbert tram in downtown which can take you straight to the top. Before starting this hike you should always visit the tourist information first for any news you should know about and for the hiking map.

Mt. Roberts trail

Mt. Roberts trail, Juneau

This is the oldest man-made attraction of Juneau. It is especially popular amongst the Americans that are looking for a fun and relaxed afternoon at the bar. Find the Red Dog Saloon right in town.

Red Dog Saloon

278 S Franklin St, Juneau, AK 99801, USA

To reach the town of Juneau your ship will need to sail through the Gastineau Channel. Make sure to be on the outside deck to enjoy the scenery about an hour before arrival and an hour after departure.

Cruising through the Gastineau Channel

Gastineau Channel, Juneau

13 miles out of town you will find the Mendenhall glacier. It is one of the most accessible glaciers on earth. At the visitors centre you will find exhibitions and educational programs about ecosystem, protections of fish and wildlife. There are also several walks to get you closer to the glacier or to some really nice waterfalls. Chose to visit the visitors centre for an hour or plan a whole day of hiking around the area. Visit the Mendenhall glacier by taxi or public transport. Mendenhall Visitors Centre This is the visitors centre you will find at the Mendenhall glacier. It has excellent exhibitions inside explaining what a glacier is and the life span of the Mendenhall glacier. Visit the visitors centre by excurion, glacier express bus or public bus. See description above. Helicopter landing on the Mendenhall glacier The mendenhall glacier is one of the most accessible glaciers in the world and it is not very often that you have to opportunity to actually land on a glacier and explore this massive pack of ice by foot. If you want to experience something unique we highly recommend an excursion by helicopter to the Mendenhall glacier.

Mendenhall glacier

Mendenhall glacier, Juneau

The port of Juneau offers 5 different docking locations for cruise ships. Most of them are located in front of the city center. You simply walk of the pier and everything is there. Read the full Juneau cruise port guide to read about the exceptions and things to see and do.

Juneau cruise dock

Patsy Ann is the “Official Greeter of Juneau, Alaska”. 50 years after she met her last ship this Bronze statue was created on the docks at Juneau so she could once again regain her status and Official Greeter of Juneau.

Juneau, Alaska

This is where you can witness the spawning process of the Alaska Salmon, eat some Alaska Salmon, try the touching tanks and see the hatchery. Find the Hatchery about 4 mile / 6 km north of town. Take a taxi or bus 3 or 4 to it.

Macauley Salmon Hatchery

2697 Channel Dr, Juneau, AK 99801, USA

The famous preseverance trail is a 3 mile long (one-way) trail with an elevation of 700 feet. The trail starts in down town Juneau. See map above for the start of the trail. Perseverance is the name of a mine that used to be located here. Along the way you will see the remains of the mine, the Last Chance Mining Museum, the Exner Falls and Gold Creek. Visit the visitors information centre to check the latest update on the track and to pick up the hiking map.

Perseverance trail

Perseverance trail, Juneau

Named in Reader’s Digest as America’s Most Interesting Landmark. Visit the breathtaking upside-down flower rainforest created by Steve Bowhay. Walk around in the lower levels of the gardens. Get the change to see an eagles nest up high in the trees or go for a 60 minute guide tour through the rain forest to reach the brilliant view over the Gastineau channel. The Glacier Gardens are about 7 miles from Juneau. Reach the Glacier Gardens through shore excursion, taxi or public transport (nearest bus stop of bus 3 and 4 is about 5 minutes walk from the gardens)

Glacier Gardens

7600 Glacier Hwy, Juneau, AK 99801, USA

Find all kinds of mining tools, machines and other artifacts here on display. Learn more about the mining industry in Juneau. How they were able to find gold, the efforts and techniques that were involved. You can even look for gold yourself. The gold creek is right at the doorstep of the museum. Buy everything you need at the museum and go gold panning yourself. You’ll most often find something, even though its only tiny gold flakes. Find the museum at about 30 minutes uphill walk from town. Follow the Perseverance trail.

Last Chance Mining Museum

1001 Basin Rd, Juneau, AK 99801, USA

A city that can only be reached by sea, air or birth canal will rely on transportation other than cars. Float planes are the way to go in Juneau and they are also great for sightseeing. Consider taking a flight seeing tour over the Taku glacier, Mendenhall glacier or Glacier Bay. This truly is one of the best experiences you could ever treat yourself to.

Juneau’s float planes

What started off as a small little shack on the pier selling king crab and chowder is now one of the most popular restaurants in town. It’s quite pricy, but well worth the experience. Find the new Tracy’s Crab shack on the pier at the cruise terminal. See map above for the exact location.

Tracy’s Crab Shack

432 S Franklin St, Juneau, AK 99801, USA

The Mt Roberts tramway takes you straight from the dock to Mt. Roberts. Have a scenic walk here to several photo stops, see the Mt. Robert movie, visit the raptor centre or do some shopping. You might even want to leave the upper station and go hiking over the mountain tops where you will have beautiful views over the surrounding islands and mountain range. Alway be informed about the weather or anything unusual by the tourist information. Find the Mount Robert Tram right in town. See map above for its exact location.

Mt Robert tram

490 S Franklin St, Juneau, AK 99801, USA

This blue monument is the oldest continuously used Orthodox church in South East Alaska. With the Juneau’s gold rush kicking off various missionaries tried to covert the Native people. Many Tlingits chose to embrace the Orthodox church. This building is a beautiful example of the Russian American architecture and this church is known to be the last Orthodox church of this shape. Visit the church to learn much more about its history. Find it in the centre of town

St. Nicolas Russian Orthodox Church

326 5th St, Juneau, AK 99801, USA

This memorial is dedicated to the 53 Japanese Americans of Juneau who were unjustly taken from their homes at the start of World War II. In 1941 people of Japanese ancestry living on the west coast of the USA were removed and incarcerates in isolated government internment camps. The seniors at Juneau High School left an empty chair during their graduation ceremony for their absent, fellow student who should have been there. It is an important historical event of which the citizens of Juneau feel like it needs to be remembered.

Empty Chair

In Alaska you can find all five species of Alaska’s Pacific Salmon. They are King, Sockeye, Coho, Pink and Chum. Every year from August to October you will find the salmon find the very stream they were born to spawn and die. It is a phenomenal event that you cannot miss if your cruise is arriving in August or September.

When shopping in Haines make sure to buy the products with this logo. This indicated the products has actually been made in Alaska.

Made in Alaska

Juneau is also gateway to the famous Tracy Arms. This is a fjord known for its dramatic sheer cliffs, waterfalls and some of Alaska’s largest ice bergs that just fell of the face of the North and South Sawyer glaciers. Book your tour to Tracy Arms through the ship or prearrange it online.

Tracy Arms, Alaska

Add a location?

Do you have a special shop, museum, attraction or tour you would like to share? Add it!

Juneau cruise port

• Coordinates 58.299, -134.417
• LOCODE USJNU
• Local Time 2024-06-08 11:28

Juneau cruise ship schedule

• Temperature

• Princess Cruises

The Alaska Cruise Companion - Book And Map Set

By Bubbs33 , July 4, 2019 in Princess Cruises

Recommended Posts

Does anyone know if this book is available onboard for purchase or only pre-cruise?  Also, ate such gifts delivered to the room or only a gift certificate? TIA.

Link to comment

Share on other sites.

You can purchase it in the ship's store. No need to pre-purchase.

Might want to buy a used book on Amazon or Ebay to read before you go.  We kept the fresh copy (signed by the Captain) that we bought onboard on our first trip.  Took the Ebay copy on the other three trips as well.

JF - retired RRT

I bought one on Amazon (used, no map). Got nothing much from it and gave it to one of the people at our table.

If you are going to buy it get the one onboard. It will have the map and will also be the correct version. There is another one by a different author that people say is not nearly as good. I don't have the book and haven't missed having it but many others say it is great - as long as you get the right one and one that is new so it has the map.

2 hours ago, LeeW said: Might want to buy a used book on Amazon or Ebay to read before you go.  We kept the fresh copy (signed by the Captain) that we bought onboard on our first trip.  Took the Ebay copy on the other three trips as well.

The actual writer (Rachel Cartwright) used to be a Naturalist for Princess. She is periodically on ships and will sign a copy. I would rather have her signature - she did write the book.

Joe Upton was the other author that Princess used to have a contract with. I had his book and it was fine. Probably outdated now.

Hi so does the author sell the book independently.  Interested in purchasing before I cruise.  

7 minutes ago, milolii said: Hi so does the author sell the book independently.  Interested in purchasing before I cruise.  

No - Princess has exclusive rights on this.

Maybe it is Princess and HAL - I don't remember.

Ok thank you, Coral.  You are so helpful  

12 minutes ago, milolii said: Ok thank you, Coral.  You are so helpful  

You can buy used copies on some websites. They may or may not have the maps.

2 hours ago, Coral said: The actual writer (Rachel Cartwright) used to be a Naturalist for Princess. She is periodically on ships and will sign a copy. I would rather have her signature - she did write the book.   Joe Upton was the other author that Princess used to have a contract with. I had his book and it was fine. Probably outdated now.

We had the Joe Upton book and map for our 2014 Alaska cruise.  We bought it before the cruise so we could begin reading before we left.  It didn’t seem to be inferior in any way to the Rachel Cartwright book that we checked out on the ship.  I don’t think that we’ll do another Alaska cruise (too many other places to explore), but if we did we’d probably get the Cartwright book.

The Alaska Cruise Companion - Book   do you know if  it's for sale also in the princess hotels ?

6 hours ago, mevs904 said:   We had the Joe Upton book and map for our 2014 Alaska cruise.  We bought it before the cruise so we could begin reading before we left.  It didn’t seem to be inferior in any way to the Rachel Cartwright book that we checked out on the ship.  I don’t think that we’ll do another Alaska cruise (too many other places to explore), but if we did we’d probably get the Cartwright book.

Mine wasn't as "colorful" but I got it when Princess was selling it on the ship. The new ones have better pictures. It was fine.

I had the Upton version and enjoyed reading it before my recent cruises on the Island. Another great book is one published by National Geographic. 

Please sign in to comment

You will be able to leave a comment after signing in

• Welcome to Cruise Critic
• Hurricane Zone 2024
• Cruise Insurance Q&A w/ Steve Dasseos of Tripinsurancestore.com June 2024
• New Cruisers
• Cruise Lines “A – O”
• Cruise Lines “P – Z”
• River Cruising
• Cruise Critic News & Features
• Digital Photography & Cruise Technology
• Special Interest Cruising
• Cruise Discussion Topics
• UK Cruising
• Australia & New Zealand Cruisers
• Canadian Cruisers
• North American Homeports
• Ports of Call
• Cruise Conversations

Announcements

• New to Cruise Critic? Join our Community!

Write Your Own Amazing Review !

Click this gorgeous photo by member SUPERstar777 to share your review!

Features & News

LauraS · Started 40 minutes ago

LauraS · Started Yesterday at 05:25 PM

LauraS · Started Yesterday at 02:57 PM

LauraS · Started Thursday at 06:25 PM

LauraS · Started Wednesday at 03:59 PM

• Existing user? Sign in OR Create an Account
• Find Your Roll Call
• Meet & Mingle
• Community Help Center
• All Activity
• Member Photo Albums
• Meet & Mingle Photos
• Favorite Cruise Memories
• Cruise Food Photos
• Cruise Ship Photos
• Ports of Call Photos
• Towel Animal Photos
• Amazing, Funny & Totally Awesome Cruise Photos
• Write a Review
• Live Cruise Reports
• Member Cruise Reviews
• Create New...

• 1-855-932-1711
• My Account Hello Credits My Account Log out

Find Your Cruise Vacation

Featured cruise offers.

Alaska Cruises

Europe cruises, caribbean cruises, shipboard life, fresh regional cuisine.

Savor local specialties right from the port to your plate.

Entertainment

Enjoy a night out at our world-class music clubs.

Spa & Salon

Welcome to your sanctuary at sea to refresh, relax and rejuvenate.

Get moving at our sports courts, pools and fully staffed fitness center.

24-hour room service

Have tasty fare delivered to your stateroom at any time.

Find your cruise and we'll hold your spot on board

Why sail with us, give $50, get $50, get in the know.

Earn 20,000 bonus points with the Holland America Line Rewards Visa Card after spending $500 within the first 90 days. Terms Apply. 

Princess Cruises ships ranked by size from biggest to smallest — the complete list

Are you looking for the most venue-packed, resort-like Princess Cruises ships at sea? If so, you'll want to get on one of the biggest Princess cruise ships.

The biggest Princess cruise ships are, by their very nature, the Princess ships with the most onboard restaurants, bars and showrooms, as well as the most sprawling decktop pool and lounge areas. The biggest Princess ships have the biggest casinos and spas among ships in the Princess fleet and the most cabins and suites — as well as the most variation in cabin and suite types.

With room for 4,000 passengers or more, the biggest Princess ships are truly large resorts of the sort you find at the biggest vacation destination on land. If you're in the "bigger is better" camp when it comes to a resort experience, these are the Princess ships for you.

For more cruise news, guides and tips, sign up for TPG's cruise newsletter .

Still, Princess doesn't just operate large vessels. The Los Angeles-based cruise giant — the fifth largest cruise line in the world — also has several relatively small cruise ships in its fleet that carry just 2,000 or 3,000 people and have a more intimate feel. In some cases, these vessels are nearly 50% smaller than the size of Princess Cruises' biggest ships. These smaller ships, notably, have less deck-top pool space and fewer interior venues than the biggest Princess cruise ships. However, with fewer people on board, that's not necessarily a bad thing.

The smallest Princess cruise ships are best for vacationers who like a more intimate, less crowded resort experience.

Related: The 4 types of Princess Cruises ships, explained

To make sure you end up on the right Princess ship for you, it pays to study which Princess ships are the biggest and which are the smallest before booking.

Here, every Princess ship currently in operation is ranked from biggest to smallest.

1. Sun Princess

Maiden voyage: 2024 Size: 177,882 gross tons Passenger capacity: 4,300

2. Discovery Princess

Maiden voyage: 2022 Size: 145,000 gross tons Passenger capacity : 3,660

3 (tied). Enchanted Princess

Maiden voyage: 2020 Size: 144,650 gross tons Passenger capacity : 3,660

3 (tied). Sky Princess

Maiden voyage: 2019 Size: 144,650 gross tons Passenger capacity : 3,660

5. Majestic Princess

Maiden voyage: 2017 Size: 143,700 gross tons Passenger capacity : 3,560

6 (tied). Regal Princess

Maiden voyage: 2014 Size: 142,229 gross tons Passenger capacity : 3,560

6 (tied). Royal Princess

Maiden voyage: 2013 Size: 142,229 gross tons Passenger capacity : 3,560

8 (tied). Ruby Princess

Maiden voyage: 2008 Size: 113,561 gross tons Passenger capacity : 3,080

8 (tied). Emerald Princess

Maiden voyage: 2007 Size: 113,561 gross tons Passenger capacity : 3,080

8 (tied). Crown Princess

Maiden voyage: 2006 Size: 113,561 gross tons Passenger capacity : 3,080

11 (tied). Sapphire Princess

Maiden voyage: 2004 Size: 115,875 gross tons Passenger capacity : 2,670

11 (tied). Diamond Princess

13. Caribbean Princess

Maiden voyage: 2004 Size: 112,894 gross tons Passenger capacity : 3,149

14. Grand Princess

Maiden voyage: 1998 Size: 107,517 gross tons Passenger capacity : 2,600

15. Island Princess

Maiden voyage: 2003 Size: 92,822 gross tons Passenger capacity : 2,200

16. Coral Princess

Maiden voyage: 2002 Size: 91,627 gross tons Passenger capacity : 2,000

What is the biggest Princess cruise ship?

The biggest Princess cruise ship is the 4,300-passenger Sun Princess , which is also the line's newest vessel. It just debuted in February.

Sun Princess is the first vessel in Princess Cruises' new Sphere Class of ships, which have been designed to be much bigger and more venue-packed than the vessels in the line's last new series of ships, the Royal Class.

Sun Princess measures 177,882 gross tons, which is about 22% bigger than the biggest ship in the Royal Class (the 145,000-ton Discovery Princess). Royal Class ships range in size from 142,229 to 145,000 gross tons.

Note that gross tons is a size measurement referring to interior space, not weight.

A second ship in the Sphere Class series, Star Princess, is under construction at a shipyard in Italy and will debut in October 2025 .

For more details on Sun Princess, including what venues are on board and what it's like to sail on the vessel, see TPG's comprehensive first look at Sun Princess after an early sailing.

What is the smallest Princess cruise ship?

The smallest Princess cruise ship is the 2,000-passenger Coral Princess. Measuring just 91,267 gross tons, it's about 36% smaller than Discovery Princess, making it a significantly smaller vessel.

Coral Princess dates to 2002, a time when cruise ships were built far smaller than they are today and with far fewer venues. At 21 years old, it's also one of the two oldest vessels in the Princess fleet and will probably be phased out sometime in the next decade.

Related: The ultimate guide to Princess Cruises

While significantly smaller than the newest Princess ships, Coral Princess still has many of the signature spaces and venues found on new Princess vessels, including an Italian eatery called Sabatini's and a steakhouse.

Entertainment venues on Coral Princess include a relatively large main theater for production shows, a secondary lounge that offers comedy shows and other entertainment, and a casino. Like other Princess ships, the top deck of the vessel is mostly devoted to pool areas with hot tubs and lounge chairs. There's also a spa.

While smaller and older than the typical Princess ship, Coral Princess has a loyal following among Princess fans who prefer smaller and more intimate ships.

Are bigger Princess cruise ships coming?

It's not clear yet. Princess currently has one new ship on order, Star Princess. But the final size of Star Princess won't be known until the vessel debuts in late 2025.

Star Princess will be the second vessel in the new Sphere Class of ships at Princess. It's likely to be very similar in size to the first vessel in the series, the new Sun Princess. But it's not uncommon for each new vessel in a series to be slightly bigger than the one before.

Star Princess is currently under construction at the Fincantieri shipyard near Monfalcone, Italy.

Note that this isn't the first time Princess has named a ship Sun Princess or Star Princess. Both are recycled names from past Princess ships. Princess operated smaller vessels under the Sun Princess and Star Princess names up until 2020.

Related: Everything to know about Princess cabins and suites

What's the difference between bigger and smaller Princess ships?

The biggest Princess cruise ships have room for more onboard venues and attractions than smaller Princess ships. That makes them more alluring for vacationers who prefer a big resort experience with lots of options as compared to a stay at a smaller resort.

On the biggest Princess vessels, the Sphere Class and Royal Class vessels, you'll find the largest piazza-like central atriums in the Princess fleet surrounded by lots of bars and restaurants; multiple entertainment venues for live shows, comedy acts and more; and expansive pool decks with more space for sunning than you'll find on smaller Princess vessels.

You'll also find some only-on-the-Royal-class-ships extras, including, on some of the Royal Class ships, a glass-floored "SeaWalk" that extends over the side of the vessel.

Related: The 5 best destinations you can visit on a Princess ship

Princess' smaller cruise ships also are generally its older cruise ships and lack some of the above features, which are more typical of newer ships. These smaller Princess ships have a more intimate feel, at least in the pantheon of relatively big, mass-market ships, and they hold fewer people.

While Sphere Class and Royal Class ships can hold more than 4,500 passengers with every berth full, the line's smaller vessels (particularly the relatively small Island Princess and Coral Princess) often sail with just 2,000 or so passengers on board.

That makes the smaller Princess ships a good choice for someone who wants to try Princess but isn't eager to travel with huge crowds. The smallest ships in the Princess fleet thus appeal to a subset of Princess fans who prefer more intimacy in a cruise vessel and don't mind giving up some onboard amenities to get it. They are also often less expensive to sail on, on a per-day basis.

Related: Don't miss out on these Princess loyalty perks

In addition, because of their size, the smallest ships at Princess Cruises are able to operate itineraries to places that aren't as easy for big ships to visit. Not all ports in the world can handle a ship the size of Sun Princess.

Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:

• The 5 most desirable cabin locations on any cruise ship
• 8 cabin locations on cruise ships you should definitely avoid
• Which cruise brand is best for you? A guide to the most popular lines
• 21 tips and tricks that will make your first cruise go smoothly
• 15 ways that cruising newbies waste money on their first cruise
• The 15 best cruise ships for people who never want to grow up
• Cruise packing list: The ultimate guide to what to pack for a cruise