All cruise ships must go in for renovations eventually, to repair wear and tear, to make repairs, and to add new, trending features. overhaul every three years or so. The ship is taken out of the water for a thorough cleaning of the hull (hence the name dry dock), while interior and topside issues are also addressed.

Princess Cruises typically puts its ships through a "dry dock" refurbishment every two to three years for routine technical maintenance and "cosmetic" refreshes, such as new upholstery and carpeting. However, more extensive "major refurbishments"—which involve significant structural changes or the addition of new themed venues—usually occur every 10 to 15 years. During these major refits, the line may replace entire dining concepts, upgrade stateroom technology (like the MedallionClass integration), and redesign public spaces like the Piazza. In 2025 and 2026, Princess has accelerated its maintenance schedule for the older "Grand Class" vessels to ensure they remain competitive with the newer "Sphere Class" ships. These dry docks are essential for regulatory safety inspections and hull cleaning, which improves fuel efficiency. For travelers, checking a ship's "last dry dock" date is a high-fidelity way to ensure the onboard experience feels modern and fresh before booking a voyage on one of the fleet's more established vessels.