Princess is launching an all-inclusive, 4-month, around-the-world cruise for $20,000— see what it'll be like

Sat, 05/04/2024 - 06:08

Coral Princess — Princess Cruises' 2026 world cruise would hit two vacation trends — extended voyages and all-inclusiveness — with one 114-day itinerary.
Princess Cruises

Princess Cruises announced a 114-day world cruise to 52 destinations in 2026, starting at $20,000 per person.
Guests who book early would get a free, all-inclusive package, a first for Princess' global itineraries.
Extended and all-inclusive cruises have emerged as big trends in the vacation industry.

Princess Cruise's new around-the-world voyage will hit two vacation trends in one itinerary.

In January 2026, the company says its Coral Princess will embark on a 114-day cruise to 52 ports in 28 countries and six continents — more destinations than any of its previous global sailings.

It's the Carnival Corp brand's latest appeal to the extended cruising trend. But it's not the only fad this four-month vacation is targeting.

The sailing, which starts at $20,000 per person, also marks the first time Princess is offering a complimentary all-inclusive package as a way to entice early bookings.

Ultra-long and all-inclusive cruises have emerged as big trends in the industry.

The Seven Seas Mariner. — Fares for Regent Seven Seas' 132-night around-the-world cruise started at $73,500 per person.
Regent Seven Seas Cruises

Regent Seven Seas, Azamara, and Oceania's 2024 around-the-world cruises all sold out before departing in January. The former was fully booked within three hours, while every cabin on the latter was called for in 30 minutes.

Besides being high-end, these three companies share one commonality: some level of all-inclusiveness, as is common with premium cruise lines.

Mass-market cruise companies rarely go the all-inclusive route.

Princess, Royal Caribbean, and Norwegian are generally beloved for their affordability.

But if you want to experience all their ships have to offer, be prepared to face a list of up-charged amenities like pay-to-play rides and specialty restaurants. After all, there's a reason their base fares are much cheaper than their increasingly popular ultra-luxury, all-inclusive counterparts.

But Princess has been increasingly vying for a slice of the luxury cruiser pie.

mini-suite on coral princess — Princess says travelers who book a mini-suite, pictured, or suite by October 31 will get first-class airfare.
Princess Cruises

The cruise line says guests who book its 2026 world cruise early (that is, by the end of October) will receive its most inclusive Princess Premier package for free. The perk — launched two years ago — covers amenities that typically have a fee, like WiFi, premium drinks, some specialty restaurants, and workout classes.

Travelers who reserve one of the ship's high-end cabins by the same deadline would also receive complimentary airport transfers and airfare, services normally exclusively offered by luxury cruise lines.

The itinerary would have two roundtrip embarkation options: Fort. Lauderdale, Florida, on January 5, 2026, or Los Angeles 16 days later.

people by water in Boracay, Philippines — The 2026 itinerary would be the first time Princess would sail to Boracay, Philippines, pictured, and the first time one of its world cruises would sail to Puerto Chiapas, Mexico, and Ponta Delgado, Portugal.
Ezra Acayan/Getty Images

From there, the 2,000-guest Coral Princess would sail more than 35,000 nautical miles to ports in North America, the Pacific Islands, New Zealand and Australia, Asia, the Mediterranean, Europe, and Central and South America.

It wouldn't be Princess' longest voyage — that title goes to its 116-day world cruise in 2025 — but it would be one of its most destination-heavy.

While two days longer, next year's around-the-world cruise would hit six fewer ports and four fewer countries than its 2026 counterpart.

According to the itinerary, about half of the 2026 voyage consists of sea days.

pool on coral princess — Coral Princess has amenities like a casino, gym, Broadway-style shows, and movie showings.
Princess Cruises

That's a lot of time on the water with no land in sight. Luckily, travelers can keep themselves entertained by attending lectures and programs related to the destinations, leisuring around the adult-only lounge, or taking a dip in Coral Princess' four pools.

The 21-year-old ship also has 10 places to grab a bite, although the Italian and steakhouse restaurants are considered specialty. Premier is the cruise line's most inclusive package, but it only includes 16 free dinners at these upcharge restaurants, paced once a week.

Princess is still a mass-market cruise line, after all.

The company has been increasingly dangling its inclusive package as a big perk.

close up of coral princess — Guests who booked Princess' 2025 world cruise early received the company's "Princess Plus" package, which doesn't include Premier's premium drinks, WiFi options, or unlimited casual meals and desserts.
Princess Cruises

The company says its two-month-old Sun Princess will debut in the US in October with its first-ever Sanctuary Collection. Travelers who splurge on these expensive and luxurious accommodations would be rewarded with two major benefits: a private lounge and Princess Premier.

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Princess is launching an all-inclusive, 4-month, around-the-world cruise for $2…