Princess Cruises from the UAE: Alaska, the Mediterranean and Asia

Overview

Princess Cruises is one of the most recognised names at sea, a premium American line founded in 1965 and made famous by the television series that helped popularise modern cruising. Today it is part of Carnival Corporation and operates a fleet of around seventeen ships calling at more than 380 ports worldwide, from Alaska and the Caribbean to the Mediterranean, Asia and beyond.

Travelwings books Princess Cruises for UAE travellers as fly-cruise holidays, with current Princess cruise deals starting from AED 3,099 per person. These Princess cruises Dubai packages pair a Princess sailing with flights from Dubai on a single booking, and remain among the most sought-after Princess cruises UAE travellers ask for. Princess does not sail from the Gulf, so every voyage begins with a flight from Dubai to the departure port, whether that is Seattle for Alaska, Athens for the Mediterranean or a port in Asia. Three sailings are available to book at the moment, covering three very different parts of the world.

Princess sits in the premium bracket rather than the budget or ultra-luxury end, which for most travellers is the balance they are looking for: modern ships, strong dining and entertainment, and a calmer, more grown-up atmosphere than the big family-focused lines. This page covers the fleet, what a Princess cruise from Dubai includes, the current sailings and how the line compares with the alternatives.

From AED 3,099 per person · 3 sailings · 7 to 10 nights · Alaska, the Mediterranean and Asia · Fly-cruise from Dubai

Why Book a Princess Cruise from Dubai?

The appeal of Princess rests on a few specific things rather than a general claim to be best.

The first is the destinations. The current sailings reach three regions that are genuinely difficult to see any other way: the glaciers and wildlife of Alaska, the classical Mediterranean from Athens to Barcelona, and the coast of Vietnam including Halong Bay. A cruise turns each of these into a single unpacked holiday rather than a string of flights and hotels.

The second is the ships. Princess has invested heavily in new tonnage, and its two newest vessels, Sun Princess and Star Princess, are the largest and most advanced it has ever built. Even the older ships in the fleet are well maintained and sit comfortably in the premium category.

The third is the style. Princess is known for a relaxed, enrichment-led atmosphere that suits couples, older travellers and multi-generational families more than it suits those chasing water slides and non-stop noise. If that is the holiday you want, it is one of the strongest options at sea.

What Is Princess Cruises Known For?

Princess is a premium line with a long history and a clear identity, and a few features define the experience.

The best known is MedallionClass, the line's wearable technology. A small device called the OceanMedallion replaces your key card and lets you board without queuing, unlock your cabin as you approach it, order food and drink to wherever you are on the ship, and find your travelling companions in real time. It is one of the more genuinely useful pieces of technology at sea, rather than a gimmick.

Beyond that, Princess is credited with popularising several features now common across the industry, including poolside cinema under the stars, the adults-only Sanctuary retreat and the glass-bottomed SeaWalk. The line leans towards enrichment: guest speakers, cookery and craft sessions, and stargazing programmes, alongside the theatre shows and live music you would expect. The onboard atmosphere is sociable but unhurried, which is much of the appeal.

What Are Princess Cruise Ships Like?

Princess line cruise ships span older mid-size vessels through to some of the newest afloat, and on any Princess cruises cruise the generation of the ship matters more than the individual name.

• Sphere class: the newest and largest, comprising Sun Princess, which entered service in 2024, and Star Princess, which followed in 2025. Around 175,000 gross tons carrying roughly 4,300 guests, these are the first Princess ships powered by liquefied natural gas, and they introduced a dramatic glass-roofed venue called the Dome and a multi-deck atrium called the Sphere Piazza. Star Princess operates one of the sailings on this page.
• Royal class: the ships that modernised the fleet over the past decade, including Sky, Enchanted, Discovery, Royal, Regal and Majestic Princess. Modern, MedallionClass-equipped and a good balance of size and comfort.
• Grand class: the dependable mid-size generation, including Grand, Caribbean, Crown, Emerald and Ruby Princess, which offer the widest choice of itineraries across the fleet, often at softer fares.

Which ship operates your voyage depends on the sailing, so it is worth asking what you will be aboard when you enquire, since the difference between the newest and the older ships is considerable.

Which Princess Sailings Can You Book from Dubai?

Three Princess cruise tours are currently available to book. Fares are per person and cover the cruise itself, with flights from Dubai arranged separately as part of the fly-cruise package. All three are sold as Princess cruise holidays UAE travellers can book with flights included on enquiry.

Alaska Highlights with Star Princess: Cruise from Seattle (7 nights, from AED 3,099)

The lowest fare of the three and a chance to sail Alaska aboard the newest ship in the fleet. This seven-night round trip from Seattle takes in the glaciers, forested coastline and wildlife that make Alaska one of the great cruise destinations, and doing it on Star Princess means the glass-walled Dome and the Sphere Piazza as your vantage points. Alaska sails in the northern summer only, so the season is short and the newest-ship cabins fill early. The strongest-value sailing on this page, and arguably the most memorable.

Mediterranean Highlights: Athens to Barcelona (7 nights, from AED 4,799)

A one-way voyage across the classical Mediterranean, starting in Athens and ending in Barcelona, taking in the Greek islands, Italy and the western Mediterranean coast along the way. Seven nights is enough to see several countries without the packing and unpacking that a land tour of the same region would involve, and the one-way routing means you begin and end in two cities worth a night or two of their own. A strong choice for a first Mediterranean cruise.

Vietnam and Halong Bay Discovery with Diamond Princess (10 nights, from AED 4,899)

The longest sailing here and the most exotic, a ten-night voyage along the coast of Vietnam including the limestone karsts of Halong Bay, one of the most photographed seascapes in Asia. Diamond Princess is a large, well-appointed ship built specifically with the Asian market in mind, and ten nights allows a genuinely immersive look at a region that is difficult to cover independently. The highest fare of the three, and the most complete trip.

What Is Included in a Princess Cruise Fare?

Princess cruise packages UAE travellers book cover the ship and most of what happens on it, with the extras clearly separated. The Princess cruise deals UAE fares shown are per person on a twin-sharing basis.

Inclusions

✅ Your cabin for the full sailing, serviced daily
✅ Main dining room and buffet meals throughout
✅ Onboard entertainment, theatre shows, pools and leisure facilities
✅ MedallionClass wearable for boarding, cabin access and onboard ordering
✅ Enrichment programmes, guest speakers and activities
✅ Transport between every port on the itinerary

Exclusions

❌ Flights from Dubai to the departure port, arranged as part of the fly-cruise package
❌ Shore excursions at each port
❌ Speciality restaurants, drinks packages and the Princess Plus or Premier add-ons
❌ Gratuities, where charged separately
❌ Visas, travel insurance and personal spending

Inclusions vary by sailing and fare type, so confirm what your specific booking covers.

How Does the Princess Fly-Cruise Work from the UAE?

Because Princess does not sail from the Gulf, every voyage here is a fly-cruise: you fly from Dubai to the port where the ship begins, sail your itinerary, and fly home from the port where it ends. For the Alaska sailing that means flying to Seattle, for the Mediterranean flying to Athens and home from Barcelona, and for Vietnam flying to the Asian departure port.

Two practical points follow. Arrive at the departure port a day early, because a ship will not wait for a delayed flight, and an overnight before you sail removes the single biggest risk to the trip. And on the one-way Mediterranean routing, check your flights carefully, since you fly into one city and out of another rather than returning to where you started. The team can arrange the flights, the pre-cruise hotel and the cruise together so the whole trip sits on one booking.

What Are the Cabins Like on Board?

Cabin choice affects the fare more than any other decision.

• Interior cabins: no window, the lowest fare, and a sensible choice on an itinerary where you spend little time in the room.
• Ocean view cabins: a window and natural light, for a modest step up.
• Balcony cabins: private outdoor space, which changes how the sea days feel and is particularly worth it in Alaska, where the scenery slides past your cabin all day.
• Suites: more space, priority services and, on the newest ships, access to exclusive areas such as the Sanctuary Collection retreat.

On an Alaska sailing in particular, a balcony earns its premium in a way it might not in the Mediterranean, because so much of the experience is the passing landscape. It is worth weighing that against the fare when you choose.

What Can You Do On Board a Princess Ship?

Princess ships are built around dining, entertainment and enrichment rather than thrill attractions. Expect several restaurants and bars, from the main dining room to speciality venues carrying a cover charge, along with the buffet and the on-demand food delivery that MedallionClass enables. On the newest ships the choice runs to more than thirty places to eat and drink.

Entertainment covers theatre productions, live music, casinos and the poolside cinema the line pioneered. The enrichment programme is a genuine differentiator: guest lecturers, cookery demonstrations, craft workshops and stargazing sessions, particularly on the longer sailings. There are pools, hot tubs, a spa and a gym, and the adults-only Sanctuary offers a quieter retreat away from the busier decks. It is a calmer offering than the big family lines, which is precisely why it suits the travellers it does.

Do UAE Residents Need a Visa for These Sailings?

Visa requirements depend on the countries your itinerary visits and on your nationality, so they differ considerably between these three sailings. The Alaska cruise involves the United States, which requires the appropriate authorisation or visa in advance. The Mediterranean sailing visits Schengen countries, so most UAE residents will need a Schengen visa covering the full itinerary. The Vietnam voyage involves Vietnamese entry requirements and potentially those of neighbouring countries the ship calls at.

Apply early in every case. Cruise itineraries touch several countries, appointment slots tighten in peak season, and a refusal close to departure is difficult to recover from. Travelwings can confirm which countries your sailing visits so you know what to apply for, though the decision on any visa rests with the relevant embassy or consulate.

When Is the Best Time to Sail with Princess?

The three regions run on very different calendars, which in practice means the season chooses itself once you have chosen the destination.

• Alaska: the northern summer only, roughly May to September, when the weather is mildest and the wildlife most active. The season is short, so the sailings fill early.
• The Mediterranean: April to October, with July and August the warmest, busiest and most expensive. May, June and September usually offer the best balance of weather, crowds and fare.
• Asia: the cooler, drier months from around October to April are generally the most comfortable for a Vietnam sailing, avoiding the peak heat and humidity.

Book several months ahead in every case, and earlier still for Alaska on the newest ship, where demand is highest and the cabins most limited.

Who Is a Princess Cruise Best For?

• Couples: the relaxed, enrichment-led atmosphere and strong dining suit a cruise built around each other's company rather than the children's club.
• Older and retired travellers: Princess has long been a favourite in this group, and the pace and programme reflect it.
• Multi-generational families: there is plenty for mixed ages without the ship being dominated by younger children, which suits families travelling with grandparents.
• First-time cruisers wanting a premium experience: a modern ship and a calm atmosphere make it an easy introduction for those who want comfort over spectacle.
• Enrichment-minded travellers: the guest speakers, workshops and stargazing set it apart from lines built purely around entertainment.

It suits you less if you are travelling with young children who want water parks and non-stop activity, or if you want the lowest possible fare regardless of style.

How Does Princess Compare with Other Cruise Lines?

It is worth knowing where Princess sits, because the alternatives suit different priorities.

Royal Caribbean is the line to compare for spectacle. Its ships carry features Princess does not attempt, from surf simulators to indoor skydiving, and the entertainment is more elaborate, which suits families and thrill-seekers. Current sailings are on our Royal Caribbean cruise packages page.

MSC Cruises is the value comparison, a large modern fleet at fares that generally sit below the premium American lines, with a distinctly European feel on board. It is worth weighing if budget is the priority. See our MSC cruise packages page.

Celebrity Cruises sits closest to Princess in style, a premium line with a more contemporary, design-led atmosphere, which suits travellers who want the same bracket with a different character. Details are on our Celebrity cruise packages page.

For the full range, fourteen cruise lines are bookable from Dubai in total, spanning every budget and region. Our cruises from Dubai page sets out every line, where each sails and what it costs.

How Do You Book a Princess Cruise from Dubai?

Choose a sailing on this page and complete the enquiry form, or speak to the team directly. For Princess cruises booking UAE travellers can complete from Dubai, call the Travelwings UAE cruise desk on +971 4 563 5801 or email cruise@travelwings.com. They can confirm which ship operates your chosen date, arrange the flights and pre-cruise hotel as part of the fly-cruise, compare cabin grades, explain the Princess Plus and Premier packages and advise on the visas your itinerary needs. Fares are quoted in dirhams per person, and eligible bookings can be paid off in Easy Installments.

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Disclaimer: Fares shown are indicative lead-in rates per person on a twin-sharing basis unless stated otherwise, and are subject to availability, cabin grade, fare type, ship, season, departure date and change without notice. Itineraries, ships, inclusions and visa requirements vary by sailing and may be altered by the cruise line. Flights from Dubai are not included unless the package states otherwise. Please confirm current fares and full details with Travelwings before booking.

Frequently Asked Questions: Princess Cruises from the UAE

1. How much does a Princess cruise from Dubai cost?

Current fares run from AED 3,099 per person for the seven-night Alaska sailing, with the Mediterranean at AED 4,799 and the ten-night Vietnam voyage at AED 4,899. Fares cover the cruise, with flights from Dubai arranged separately as part of the fly-cruise.

2. Which Princess sailings can I book from Dubai?

Three at present: a seven-night Alaska round trip from Seattle on Star Princess, a seven-night Mediterranean voyage from Athens to Barcelona, and a ten-night Vietnam and Halong Bay sailing on Diamond Princess.

3. Do Princess cruises depart from Dubai?

No. Princess does not sail from the Gulf, so every voyage is a fly-cruise: you fly from Dubai to the departure port, sail your itinerary, and fly home. The team arranges the flights and cruise together.

4. What is MedallionClass?

Princess's wearable technology. A small device called the OceanMedallion replaces your key card, letting you board without queuing, unlock your cabin as you approach, order food and drink anywhere on the ship, and locate your travelling companions in real time.

5. What are the newest Princess ships?

Sun Princess, which entered service in 2024, and Star Princess, which followed in 2025. They are the largest ships in the fleet and the first powered by liquefied natural gas, and Star Princess operates the Alaska sailing on this page.

6. What is included in the fare?

Your cabin, main dining room and buffet meals, onboard entertainment and facilities, the MedallionClass wearable and the enrichment programme. Flights, shore excursions, speciality dining, drinks packages and gratuities are extra unless stated.

7. Do I need a visa?

It depends on the sailing. The Alaska cruise involves United States entry requirements, the Mediterranean sailing visits Schengen countries, and the Vietnam voyage involves Vietnamese requirements. Apply early, as cruise itineraries touch several countries.

8. Which ship will I be on?

It depends on the sailing. Star Princess operates the Alaska cruise and Diamond Princess the Vietnam voyage. Confirm the ship for your chosen date when you enquire, as the difference between the newest and older ships is considerable.

9. Is Princess good for families?

It suits multi-generational families and those travelling with older children well, with plenty to do across mixed ages. It is less suited to young children wanting water parks, where a big family-focused line fits better.

10. When is the best time to sail?

The season follows the destination. Alaska sails in the northern summer only, the Mediterranean from April to October with May, June and September the best balance, and Vietnam is most comfortable in the cooler, drier months from around October to April.

11. Can I arrange flights and a hotel with the cruise?

Yes. The team can put the flights, a pre-cruise hotel and the cruise on a single booking, which is strongly advised so an overnight before you sail protects you against a delayed flight.

12. How do I book a Princess cruise from Dubai?

Choose a sailing on this page and complete the enquiry form, or call the Travelwings UAE cruise desk on +971 4 563 5801 or email cruise@travelwings.com.