History of Princess Cruises in Timeline

Princess Cruises is an American cruise line owned by Carnival Corporation & plc, headquartered in Santa Clarita, California, and incorporated in Bermuda. As of 2025, it ranks as the sixth-largest cruise line by net revenue. Formerly a subsidiary of P&O Princess Cruises, it now operates independently with a fleet of 17 ships. Its itineraries are global in nature and marketed towards both American and international passengers.

1960: P&O was world's largest shipping company

In 1960, Peninsular & Oriental Steam Navigation Company (P&O) was the world's largest shipping company.

1965: Princess Cruises began

In 1965, Stanley McDonald founded Princess Cruises and chartered the Princess Patricia for Mexican Riviera cruises.

1967: Princess logo on funnel

In 1967, the Princess Italia received the Princess logo on her funnel.

1969: Princess Italia on Alaskan cruises

In 1969, Princess Italia was used on Alaskan cruises from San Francisco.

1971: Construction of Sea Venture and Island Venture

In 1971, the Sea Venture and Island Venture were built at Nordseewerke for Flagship Cruises.

1973: Princess Italia charter canceled

In 1973, the charter for Princess Italia was canceled, and she returned to Europe on charter to Costa Cruise Line.

1974: P&O purchased Sea Venture and Island Venture

In 1974, P&O purchased the Sea Venture and Island Venture for their Princess division, renaming them Pacific Princess and Island Princess.

1974: P&O acquired Princess Cruise Lines

In 1974, Peninsular & Oriental Steam Navigation Company (P&O) acquired Princess Cruise Lines.

1975: Sun Princess featured in Columbo

In 1975, the Sun Princess was prominently featured in the Columbo episode "Troubled Waters".

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1978: P&O purchased Kungsholm

In 1978, P&O purchased the Kungsholm from Flagship Cruises and restyled it as Sea Princess.

1981: Princess began calling at Palm Island

In 1981, Princess began calling at the cruise line's first private Caribbean destination, Palm Island in the Grenadines.

1981: Sea Princess based in Australia

In 1981, Sea Princess was initially based in Australia as a P&O ship until Oriana took over her role.

1984: Last Purpose-built Princess new build had been Royal Princess

In 1984, The last purpose-built Princess new build had been Royal Princess.

1984: Royal Princess christened by Princess Diana

In 1984, the Royal Princess, the first purpose-built cruise ship for P&O Princess Cruises, was christened by Princess Diana.

1986: P&O Princess Cruises acquired Tour Alaska and unveiled Princess Bay

In 1986, P&O Princess Cruises acquired Tour Alaska and unveiled Princess Bay.

1988: P&O Princess Cruises acquired Sitmar Line

In 1988, P&O Princess Cruises acquired Sitmar Line and transferred all of its major tonnage to Princess.

1989: Star Princess debut

In 1989, the first of the new Sitmar ships, Star Princess, joined the Princess brand.

1990: Crown Princess and Regal Princess entered service

In 1990, Crown Princess and Regal Princess entered service, bringing Princess's fleet up to ten deluxe cruise ships.

1991: Princess Cruises began developing Princess Cays

In 1991, Princess Cruises began developing their third ever Caribbean private resort named Princess Cays.

1992: Princess Cays unveiled

In 1992, Princess Cays was unveiled as an exclusive port of call for the cruise line's Western Caribbean itineraries.

1993: Dawn Princess left the fleet

In 1993, Dawn Princess left the fleet.

1995: Sea Princess left the fleet

In 1995, Sea Princess left the fleet.

1995: Sea Princess renamed MV Victoria

In 1995, Sea Princess returned to the P&O UK fleet permanently and was renamed MV Victoria.

1995: Sun Princess debut

In 1995, Sun Princess debuted as the lead vessel for the Sun-class.

1996: Golden Princess left the fleet

In 1996, Golden Princess left the fleet.

1997: Fair Princess left the fleet

In 1997, Fair Princess left the fleet.

1998: Litigation with General Electric

In 1998, Princess Cruises was involved in litigation with General Electric over damages and lost profits from a contract for inspection and repair services on Sky Princess. The judgement was reversed in favor of General Electric on appeal, and Princess Cruises only recovered the price of the contract.

1998: Grand Princess Debuted

In 1998, Princess unveiled its first Grand-class vessel, the Grand Princess, which debuted on May 26, and was christened by Olivia de Havilland.

1999: Island Princess left the fleet

In 1999, Island Princess left the fleet.

October 23, 2000: P&O spun-off its passenger division

On October 23, 2000, the Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Company (P&O) spun-off its passenger division to form an independent company, P&O Princess Cruises.

2000: Sky Princess deployed to Australia

In 2000, Sky Princess was deployed to Australia for P&O Cruises Australia to replace Fair Princess.

2001: Princess Cruises headquarters moved to Santa Clarita

In 2001, Princess Cruises headquarters moved from Century City to Santa Clarita.

2001: Debut of Golden Princess in North America

In 2001, with the debut of Golden Princess in North America, Sky Princess was deployed to Australia for P&O Cruises Australia.

March 2002: Star Princess commenced operations

In March 2002, Star Princess commenced operations and became the first "mega-ship" to operate from the West Coast on a full-time basis.

June 2002: Crown Princess transferred to A'Rosa Cruises

In June 2002, Crown Princess was transferred to P&O Princess's new start-up brand, A'Rosa Cruises, to be the only cruise ship in A'Rosa's fleet to help launch the brand.

2002: Pacific Princess left the Princess fleet

In 2002, Pacific Princess, famous as the ship from The Love Boat, left the Princess fleet after 27 years of service with the line.

2002: Princess acquired two former Renaissance ships

In 2002, Princess acquired two former Renaissance ships for the line: Tahitian Princess and Pacific Princess.

2002: Coral Princess debuted

In 2002, Princess debuted the panamax ship, the Coral Princess.

April 17, 2003: P&O Princess Cruises merged with Carnival Corporation

On April 17, 2003, P&O Princess Cruises merged with Carnival Corporation to form the world's largest cruise operating company.

2003: Island Princess debuted

In 2003 Princess debuted two panamax ships, the Island Princess.

2005: Princess swapped two ships with P&O

In 2005, Princess swapped two ships between it and sister brand P&O: Royal Princess was transferred to P&O Cruises, and Princess reacquired Sea Princess from P&O.

2005: Start of Illegal Discharge Practice

Since 2005, the practice of illegal discharge of oil-contaminated waste had been taking place on Caribbean Princess and four other Princess ships – Star Princess, Grand Princess, Coral Princess, and Golden Princess.

April 3, 2008: Carnival Corporation not ordering new ships for U.S.-based brands

On April 3, 2008, Carnival Corporation & plc stated that due to the low value of the United States dollar the company would not be ordering any new ships for their U.S.-based brands.

2008: Last ship in Grand-class delivered

In 2008, The last ship in Grand-class was delivered.

May 2010: Carnival Corporation signed a contract with Fincantieri for new ships.

In May 2010, Carnival Corporation & plc signed a contract with Fincantieri for the construction of two new 3,600-passenger ships.

2011: Royal Princess served in P&O Cruises fleet as Artemis

In 2011, The Royal Princess served in P&O Cruises fleet as Artemis.

August 26, 2013: Illegal Discharge of Oil-Contaminated Waste

On August 26, 2013, the crew of Caribbean Princess deliberately discharged 4,227 US gallons of oil-contaminated waste off the coast of England. The illegal modification of the vessel's pollution control systems was photographed and reported.

2013: Royal Princess entered service

In 2013, Royal Princess entered service and became Princess's flagship vessel.

2014: Regal Princess entered service

In 2014, Regal Princess entered service.

December 2016: Guilty Plea and $40 Million Penalty

In December 2016, Princess Cruises agreed to plead guilty to seven felony charges and pay a $40 million penalty for illegal discharges off the coasts of multiple U.S. locations. Cruise ships from eight Carnival companies were required to operate under a court-supervised environmental compliance plan for five years.

2016: Initial Agreement for Environmental Compliance

In 2016, Princess agreed to plead guilty to felony charges and adhere to a court-supervised environmental compliance plan.

2017: Majestic Princess delivered

In 2017, Princess invested further in China with the delivery of their third Royal-class ship, Majestic Princess.

July 2018: Agreement with Fincantieri for New Ships

In July 2018, Princess Cruises signed a memorandum of agreement with Fincantieri for the construction of two new 175,000 GT ships primarily powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG).

January 2019: Fire at Princess Cays

In January 2019, Princess Cays suffered a fire that damaged several buildings along the south side of the island.

March 2019: Final Contract Signed for LNG Ships

In March 2019, the final contract was signed with Fincantieri, ushering in the development of the LNG-powered ships.

October 2019: Sky Princess delivered

In October 2019, Princess received Sky Princess.

2019: Additional $20 Million Penalty

In 2019, Carnival Corporation and Princess Cruises were ordered to pay an additional $20 million penalty for violating the probation terms of 2016, including discharging plastic into waters, falsifying records, and interfering with court supervision.

2020: Sale of Sun-class ships and transfer of Grand-class vessels

In 2020, Princess Cruises sold its remaining Sun-class ships, Sun Princess and Sea Princess. Sun Princess was acquired by Peace Boat and renamed Pacific World, while Sea Princess was acquired by Sanya International Cruise Development and renamed Charming. Additionally, Golden Princess was officially transferred and Star Princess was accelerated for transfer to P&O Cruises Australia.

2020: COVID-19 pandemic affected Princess Cruises

In 2020, Princess became the first major cruise line to be affected by the COVID-19 pandemic after an outbreak onboard Diamond Princess in February.

2020: Suspension of Cruise Lines Sailings

In late 2020, the vast majority of all cruise lines' sailings were under suspension due to the pandemic.

January 2021: Cancellation of Princess Sailings

As of 6 January 2021, all Princess sailings were cancelled to at least 14 May 2021.

May 2021: Princess sailings cancelled until May 14

As of January 6th 2021, Princess sailings were cancelled until at least May 14, 2021.

July 2021: Princess Resumes Operations

In July 2021, Princess Cruises resumed operations with a week-long voyage to Alaska from Seattle aboard Majestic Princess. All guests were required to have received a COVID-19 vaccine 14 days prior to departure.

November 2021: Resumption of Service on Additional Vessels

By the end of November 2021, service was resumed on seven additional Princess vessels, following the success of the initial voyages after the operational pause.

March 2022: Redeployment of Ships to U.S. Homeports

In March 2022, Princess Cruises announced it would redeploy several ships from their originally scheduled distant homeports back to those in the United States due to uncertainty surrounding international travel restrictions.

September 2022: Unveiling of Sun Princess Name

In September 2022, Princess Cruises unveiled the name of the lead vessel as Sun Princess.

September 2022: Return to the Port of San Diego

In September 2022, Princess announced it would return to the Port of San Diego with Diamond Princess after more than ten years away. This was later postponed to November 2022 due to "staffing challenges".

November 2022: Diamond Princess Reentry

By the end of November 2022, the entire Princess fleet was operating again after the reentry of Diamond Princess.

November 2022: Diamond Princess Returns to San Diego

In November 2022, Princess returned to the Port of San Diego with the Diamond Princess after more than ten years, following a postponement from September 2022 due to staffing issues.

December 2022: Return to the Port of Galveston

In December 2022, Princess returned to the Port of Galveston with Ruby Princess after a six-year absence.

May 2023: Unveiling of Star Princess Name

In May 2023, Princess Cruises unveiled the name of the second ship as Star Princess.

2023: Stationing of Regal Princess in Galveston

In the fall of 2023, Princess Cruises stationed the larger Regal Princess in Galveston, expanding its commitment to the American market.

February 2024: Sun Princess Makes Its Debut

In February 2024, the Sun Princess made its debut after a short delay for additional technical work.

November 2024: Debut at Port Canaveral

In November 2024, Princess Cruises will debut at Port Canaveral with Caribbean Princess, marking the introduction of the port to its network.

September 2025: Scheduled Sailing of Star Princess

The Star Princess is now scheduled to sail beginning in September 2025, after being delayed.

2025: Sixth largest cruise line

In 2025, Princess Cruises is projected to be the sixth largest cruise line by net revenue.

March 6, 2026: 60th Anniversary Cruise on Royal Princess

On March 6, 2026, a special commemorative 60th anniversary cruise on the Mexican Riviera is scheduled to depart from the Port of Los Angeles on the Royal Princess. The cruise will be hosted by Jill Whelan and feature a performance by The Temptations.