From its modest beginnings in 1965 with a single ship cruising to Mexico, Princess Cruises has grown to become one of the premiere cruise lines in the world. Today, its fleet carries more than 800,000 passengers each year to more worldwide destinations than any other major line.

In 1974 Los Angeles based Princess were acquired by P&O Cruises, the British based company who were looking to secure a strong foothold in the worldwide cruise market.

Princess Cruises catapulted to stardom in 1977 when Pacific Princess was cast in a starring role on a new television show called The Love Boat. This introduced millions of viewers to the still-new concept of sea-going holidays, and was an instant hit for both the company name and its "Sea Witch" logo have remained synonymous with cruising ever since.

Princess’ modern fleet has grown considerably in recent years with a total of 11 super liners. Four additional new ships will join Princess’ fleet by 2006, making it one of the largest and most modern fleets on the high seas.

In addition to incorporating a wide range of choices, the Princess fleet are specifically designed to provide the ultimate in affordable luxury, with an emphasis on "big ship choice with small ship feel." No matter the size of the ship, public spaces are designed to feel intimate and are decorated in a contemporary style, allowing passengers to enjoy themselves in an informal, relaxed onboard atmosphere that mirrors today’s lifestyles.

One of the key attractions of Princess is Personal Choice Cruising, which is apparent across the fleet, with each vessel offering its own unique version on a host of multiple dining options and locations; flexible and varied entertainment selections; and a full complement of onboard activities ranging from shuffleboard to scuba diving certification. The Princess concept of cruise holiday really has set the standards for the entire cruise industry.

Princess have also recognised the most sought-after shipboard luxury - the private balcony. Princess pioneered the concept of the affordable veranda, once an exclusive feature incorporated in only the most expensive suites. Today, Princess’ fleet offers one of the highest percentages of balcony cabins in the industry, across all cabin categories.