April 2025 is shaping up to be a busy month for Princess Cruises, as three of its ships—Emerald Princess, Grand Princess, and Regal Princess—are temporarily stepping out of service for scheduled drydocks. These maintenance periods are essential for keeping ships running smoothly, enhancing the guest experience, and ensuring each vessel is ready for its upcoming cruise season.
With routine inspections, technical upgrades, and a little TLC, these ships are getting spruced up just in time to welcome guests back aboard. Here’s a breakdown of what’s happening with each ship, where the work is taking place, and what cruisers can expect once they’re back in action.
Emerald Princess Undergoes Maintenance in Palermo
The first ship to enter drydock this April was the Emerald Princess. After repositioning to Europe earlier in the month, the ship arrived at the Fincantieri shipyard in Palermo, Italy, for scheduled maintenance.
Built in 2007, Emerald Princess is a Grand-class ship that’s served passengers for nearly two decades. During its time in drydock, the ship is undergoing class inspections and technical work. While Princess Cruises hasn’t detailed major refurbishments, these drydocks often include behind-the-scenes mechanical work, minor cosmetic upgrades, and tweaks to public spaces.
The Emerald Princess is set to resume service on April 29, 2025, kicking off her summer cruise season from Southampton. She’ll be sailing classic itineraries across Northern Europe, including the Baltics, British Isles, and Scandinavia—offering guests a scenic and culturally rich cruising experience.
Grand Princess Heads to Portland for Spring Work
Next in line is the Grand Princess, which entered drydock in mid-April at the Vigor Shipyard in Portland, Oregon. Launched in 1998, this ship is one of the older vessels in the Princess fleet, but it remains a fan favorite thanks to its intimate atmosphere and reliable service.
During this drydock, Grand Princess is receiving standard maintenance, class inspections, and a round of technical tune-ups. In addition to backend work, Princess has hinted at updates to staterooms and public areas to keep things fresh for returning guests.
Once drydock wraps up, Grand Princess will head north for a summer season cruising to Alaska and Canada. These itineraries remain among the most popular on Princess Cruises’ schedule, and Grand Princess will be ready to showcase the stunning glaciers, frontier ports, and wildlife of the Pacific Northwest.
Regal Princess Slated for Rotterdam Drydock
The third ship undergoing drydock this month is Regal Princess, which is scheduled to arrive at the Damen Shiprepair Yard in Rotterdam on April 25, 2025. The 3,600-passenger vessel is one of the newest of the three and part of the Royal-class, known for its modern amenities and spacious design.
Currently sailing in Northern Europe, Regal Princess will take a brief break to complete technical work and general upkeep. This includes mechanical checks, class inspections, and routine maintenance that keeps her operating at peak performance.
Once she returns to service in early May, Regal Princess will begin a series of 12-night British Isles cruises from Southampton. These itineraries include stops in Dublin, Belfast, and Edinburgh—perfect for travelers seeking a mix of historic ports and beautiful coastal cruising.
A Glimpse at What’s Possible: Majestic Princess Drydock Recap
While Emerald, Grand, and Regal Princess are the focus for April, earlier this year Princess Cruises gave Majestic Princess a notable upgrade. After visiting a shipyard in Europe, the 2017-built vessel emerged with a suite of new guest venues and enhanced spaces.
New additions included O’Malley’s Irish Pub, Sabatini’s Italian Trattoria, and the popular Good Spirits at Sea cocktail experience. This drydock marked the ship’s return to European waters for the first time in eight years, and it demonstrated the brand’s commitment to elevating the onboard experience.
Although the April drydocks appear more maintenance-focused, the Majestic Princess example shows how these periods can sometimes serve as launchpads for major guest-facing improvements.
Why Drydocks Matter to Cruisers
For those unfamiliar, drydocks are essential maintenance breaks when cruise ships are taken out of the water for servicing. These scheduled events happen every few years and offer the opportunity to complete work that can’t be done while the ship is sailing.
Typical drydock work includes:
- Propulsion system overhauls
- Hull painting and cleaning
- Upgrades to technical and safety systems
- Lifeboat and emergency gear inspections
- Interior touch-ups and stateroom refreshes
While not all drydocks bring flashy new restaurants or redesigned pool decks, they’re critical to ensuring smooth operations and regulatory compliance. More importantly, they help protect the guest experience by preventing breakdowns and extending the life of the ship.
What Guests Can Expect Post-Drydock
For travelers booked on these ships after April 2025, the benefits of drydock are often subtle but important. You might notice:
- Fresher carpeting or furniture
- Quieter, more efficient systems
- Improved internet connectivity
- Updated safety features
- General cleanliness and polish throughout the ship
In short, a recently drydocked ship feels a little newer, even if the changes aren’t always headline-worthy. It’s part of how Princess Cruises maintains its status as a top choice in premium cruising.
Looking Ahead to Summer Sailings
Each of the three ships rejoining the fleet in May will play a key role in Princess’s summer deployment. From Alaska’s glaciers to the castles of Scotland, these refreshed ships are ready to deliver unforgettable voyages for thousands of guests.
Cruisers heading out on Emerald Princess from Southampton, Grand Princess to Alaska, or Regal Princess on a British Isles adventure can expect reliable performance, updated touches, and the attention to detail that Princess fans have come to love.
Final Thoughts
Drydock periods may not be the most glamorous events in a ship’s life, but they’re vital to the long-term health of the fleet and the quality of the onboard experience. As Emerald, Grand, and Regal Princess wrap up their April 2025 overhauls, they’ll emerge ready to deliver memorable journeys with renewed energy and performance.
Have you ever sailed on a ship right after a drydock? Did you notice any changes or improvements? Share your cruise stories and opinions in the comments—we’d love to hear from you!should be done during drydocks? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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