Princess announces cut-price launch fares for significant 2026 programme
Princess Cruises has announced that it will be releasing its lowest launch fares ever for its 2026 sailing programme, which is set to be its largest to date
Speaking to trade and media at The Standard, London last night, Princess Cruises’ VP UK & Europe Eithne Williamson said the line’s discounted launch fares will ensure guests have the opportunity to book early and get the choice of cruise they want.
Williamson also revealed that the line’s 2026 sailing programme will be its “biggest year yet”, with 222 departures between March and November, which represents a 20 per cent increase on its upcoming 2025 programme.
Five princess ships – which includes the Sky Princess and Majestic Princess, both of which will homeport in Southampton – will carry more than 400,000 passengers over 59 itineraries, reaching more than 100 destinations across 29 countries.
Launch fares will go on sale at 8am GMT on 23 May, with prices starting from £649pp for an inside stateroom on Sky Princess.
Speaking to Cruise Trade News, Williamson said the move will give agents all of the ammunition they need to aid the line’s guests and their business.
“It’s about making sure launch is the best time to book. You’ve got the best staterooms, as well as options for ships and itineraries, and by reducing the fares from the outset, we’re rewarding our guests who love Princess.
“We know we’ve probably disappointed some of our loyal customers in the past because of price changes, because they booked early and they missed out. This keeps the guests happy, it keeps our agents happy.”
Williamson wasn’t able to say when price adjustments will occur but confirmed that they will be introduced. “Our guests are starting to understand that things have changed and waiting for low-price deals isn’t going to pan out in the same way,” she added.
In a separate interview with Cruise Trade News earlier this month, Williamson encouraged the line’s agent partners to push its 2025 itineraries as capacity for 2024 “maxes out”. She said: “I had planned on cruising on board Sun Princess in August, but we’re oversold so I’ll have to look elsewhere.”
Majestic Princess coming to Southampton
Majestic Princess will be homeporting in Southampton for the first time in 2026, offering 11-, 12- and 14-might itineraries along the British Isles and northern Europe between April and October, with launch fares starting at £1,299 for an inside stateroom and £1,769 for a balcony stateroom.
Sky Princess, meanwhile, will return to Southampton for a sixth consecutive season in 2026, operating a seven to 14-night itineraries around northern Europe, the Mediterranean and Canary Islands between March and October.
The ship will also operate Princess’ brand-new 14-night Total Solar Eclipse cruise, which will depart Southampton on 12 August 2026 before sailing to northern Spain to witness the astro phenomena.
As for the line’s latest ship – Sun Princess – the 4,300-guest vessel will be returning to the Mediterranean, offering a selection of seven to 21-night itineraries between March and October, with launch fares starting at £939 for an inside stateroom and £1,299 for a balcony stateroom.
Cruise Trade News deputy editor Will Payne was among the first media to experience the line’s brand-new ship, Sun Princess, where he shared a behind-the-scenes look as it sailed around the Mediterranean.
