DISCOVERY PRINCESS
The "Royal Finale." The last and most refined ship of the Royal Class, featuring the largest balconies in the fleet and 270-degree Sky Suites.
- Guests
- 3,660
- Tonnage
- 145,000
- Launch
- 2022
- Crew
- 1,346
The Prodigy Verdict
The Royal Pinnacle.
Discovery Princess is the sixth and final ship in the Royal Class, and it benefits from a decade of layout refinements. Unlike the earlier ships in this series (Royal/Regal), Discovery features the essential mid-ship staircase, improving flow significantly. It is elegant, consistent, and focuses on "traditional luxury" rather than adrenaline activities. It serves as the primary premium hardware for the West Coast market, alternating between the Mexican Riviera and Alaska.
- Couples and retirees seeking a refined, quieter atmosphere.
- Foodies who appreciate a strong ratio of included-to-paid dining.
- Tech lovers; the Ocean Medallion system creates a frictionless experience.
- Balcony Size: Standard balconies on this class are notoriously shallow (9ft x 4ft).
- Nightlife: The vibe is decidedly "jazz lounge," not "nightclub." It goes quiet after midnight.
- Pool Deck: Can feel crowded on sea days compared to the newer Sphere class.
The Zones
The ship is designed around a central social hub (The Piazza) with relaxation zones radiating outward.
The Piazza
The three-deck golden atrium. It is the heartbeat of the ship, hosting string quartets, champagne waterfalls, and the best coffee on board.
The Enclave
A massive thermal suite featuring a large hydrotherapy pool, hammam, caldarium, and heated stone loungers. Access requires a pass.
The Sanctuary
An adults-only retreat on the top deck forward. Featuring plush loungers and dedicated "Serenity Stewards." It sells out instantly on embarkation day.
Movies Under the Stars
A Princess signature. A massive poolside LED screen playing first-run movies. Crew members provide blankets and popcorn at night.
Take Five
The only dedicated jazz lounge at sea. Live trios play cool West Coast jazz, accompanied by a speakeasy-style cocktail menu.
Wake View
The aft pool deck. A quieter alternative to the main midship pools, offering spectacular views of the ship's wake.
Dining & Provisions
A strong balance of included options and premium upgrades. The "Casual Dining" category is now bundled with Princess Plus/Premier packages.
Main Dining
3 Venues
The Juneau, Skagway, and Ketchikan dining rooms serve the same rotating menu. "Dine My Way" allows you to reserve any time you want via the app.
International Café
24-Hour Bistro
Located in the Piazza. Famous for its chicken salad, shrimp salad, and small desserts. The coffee costs extra (or requires a package).
Crown Grill
Steakhouse
Consistently voted one of the best steakhouses at sea. Open kitchen, dark wood, and premium chops. The salt selection is a nice touch.
Gigi's Pizzeria
Sit-Down Pizza
Incredible pizza. *Note: This venue now has a fixed price cover charge, but is free/included if you have the Princess Plus or Premier package.
Salty Dog Grill
Poolside
Handmade burgers, street tacos, and loaded fries by the pool. The best complimentary burger on the ship.
Bistro Sur La Mer
French Bistro
A casual French bistro located in the Atrium (expect some noise). Features a menu created by 3-Michelin star chef Emmanuel Renaut.
World Fresh
Marketplace
The main buffet. It is vast and well-organized, with a particularly good pastry section and an "East Meets West" asian noodle counter.
Sabatini's
Italian Trattoria
Traditional Italian courses featuring handmade pasta. A more formal alternative to Gigi's.
Where It Sails
Discovery Princess is a West Coast staple, rotating between the Mexican Riviera and the Alaskan glaciers.
- 7-Night Mexican Riviera (Cabo, Mazatlan, Puerto Vallarta)
- 7-Night Inside Passage (Alaska)
- Pacific Coastal Repositioning
For Alaska, this is the newest ship in the region. It offers the best enclosed observation spaces for glacier viewing compared to older vessels.
Check Availability
See current pricing for Discovery Princess sailings.
Check DatesAffiliate disclosure: outbound booking links may earn CruiseProdigy a commission.
Cost Reality
Princess has moved heavily toward a bundled model. While base fares are low, the "Plus" package is virtually essential for a modern experience.
- Main Dining & Buffet
- International Café (Food)
- Movies Under the Stars
- Salty Dog Grill
- Crown Grill / Sabatini's
- Gigi's Pizzeria (Fee Apply)
- The Sanctuary (Half/Full Day)
- Thermal Suite Pass
The "Casual Dining" venues (Gigi's, Salty Dog Gastropub) now have a cover charge. However, the Princess Plus package includes 2 casual meals, and Premier includes unlimited.
The Vibe Check
Is this ship for you? It is the gold standard for traditional, relaxed cruising.
Refined and quiet. There are no go-karts or water slides. The focus is on food, wine, live music, and conversation.
Skews 50+. You will see many multi-generational families in Alaska, but the Mexican Riviera routes are dominated by retirees and couples.
Ready to explore? Check pricing below.
Cabin Recon
The Royal Class standard balconies are small, but the ship compensates with excellent Mini-Suites and the spectacular Sky Suites.
Deluxe Balcony
A slight upgrade from the standard balcony that adds a small loveseat inside. Crucially, the balcony size remains the same (small).
Mini-Suite
The sweet spot. Features a full bathtub (rare at sea), a dedicated sitting area with a sofa bed, and significantly more square footage.
Sky Suite
The best balcony at sea. Located at the very top of the ship with a 270-degree continuous balcony. Includes a dedicated suite manager.