Have you ever dreamed of sailing the seven seas in style? If so, you're probably familiar with the excitement of choosing which cruise ship you'd go on. But, with so many options available, trying to find the perfect cruise experience can be challenging.
To help you navigate these waters and pick the best getaway for you, we've created this comparison guide.
In this piece from Slingo’s Lifestyle blog, we explore two famous cruise lines, Celebrity Cruises and Princess Cruises, to see which is best.
First, let's find out more about these cruise operators with a brief overview.
Founded in 1988, Celebrity Cruises has become synonymous with modern luxury and innovative design. The brand was acquired by Royal Caribbean Group in 1997 and has since continued to grow and evolve.
Celebrity Cruises is known for its contemporary ships and commitment to providing a premium experience. The line caters to travellers who appreciate sophisticated dining, world-class entertainment, and cutting-edge amenities.
Celebrity Cruises sail to destinations worldwide, including the Caribbean, Alaska, Europe, Asia, and South America. They're mainly known for their Galapagos Islands getaways, which boast a unique blend of relaxation and adventure.
Princess Cruises
Princess Cruises, founded in 1965, has a rich history and gained widespread recognition in the 1970s when its ships were featured in the popular TV show "The Love Boat."
Part of the Carnival Corporation, Princess Cruises is trusted as a premium company that strikes a balance between traditional cruising elements and modern amenities. Princess cruise lines are known for their warm atmosphere and focus on creating immersive experiences.
Princess Cruises fleet includes the following classes of ships:
- Royal Class: These are the newest and largest ships in the fleet, featuring innovations like the SeaWalk (a glass walkway extending over the ocean).
- Grand Class: Large ships that deliver a classic cruising experience with modern touches.
- Coral Class: Mid-sized ships that can access a broader range of ports.
- Sun Class: These include smaller ships ideal for more intimate cruising or solo travelling experiences.
Princess travels to many locations, from chilly Alaska cruises to exotic Caribbean holidays, as well as Europe, Asia, South America, and even World Cruises.
Now that we've got a good idea of what both cruise lines can offer, let's see which is best.
Which is Best: Celebrity Cruises vs Princess Cruises
In this section, we'll compare these two cruise companies across various aspects, including ship size and passenger capacity, rooms and cabins, dining and bars, activities and entertainment, and cost.
Ship Size and Passengers
Celebrity Cruises
Celebrity's fleet ranges from intimate expedition ships to large, innovative vessels. Edge class ships are a staggering 1,004 feet long, with a gross tonnage of 130,818 and a capacity for 2,918 passengers and 1,320 crew members.
The Solstice Class ships are slightly larger - measuring 1,041 feet long and weighing 122,000 gross tons - but accommodate slightly fewer passengers (2,850) and crew members (1,500).
At the other end of the spectrum are ships like the Celebrity Flora, which is much smaller and designed to carry just 100 passengers through the Galapagos Islands.
Princess Cruises
By comparison, Princess Cruises' ships tend to be slightly larger on average. Their Royal Class ships, the fleet's largest, can accommodate over 3,500 passengers. The Sky Princess, for example, is 1,083 feet long with a gross tonnage of 145,281. This impressive vessel can carry 3,660 passengers and an additional 1,346 crew members.
The Grand Class ships are slightly smaller. The Caribbean Princess measures 951 feet, weighs 112,894 gross tons, and can house 3,140 passengers and 1,200 crew members.
Like Celebrity Cruises, Princess also operates smaller ships, including those in the Coral Class. These carry around 2,000 passengers and are better suited for accessing smaller ports.
Celebrity Cruises score: 8/10
Princess Cruises score: 9/10
While both lines have a range of ship sizes, Princess Cruises takes a slight lead here with its larger Royal Class ships, which provide more passenger space.
Rooms and Cabins
Celebrity Cruises
Celebrity Cruises is known for its modern, well-designed staterooms and suites. The line presents a variety of accommodation options and distinctive cabin choices, from cosy interior rooms to luxurious suites.
One of Celebrity's standout features is The Retreat, an exclusive area available to suite guests on all ships. The Retreat includes a private restaurant, an exclusive lounge, and a dedicated sun deck, offering a more intimate and luxurious experience.
On Edge Class ships, Celebrity introduced the Infinite Veranda rooms, where the entire living space becomes a veranda at the touch of a button. These innovative rooms blur the line between indoor and outdoor space, giving guests more flexibility in their accommodations.
Celebrity also has AquaClass staterooms, which feature spa-inspired amenities and exclusive access to the onboard spa restaurant Blu.
Princess Cruises
Princess Cruises offers diverse accommodations to suit different preferences and budgets. Although their staterooms are generally more traditional in design than Celebrity's, they are known for being comfortable and well-appointed.
A unique feature of Princess is their Mini-Suite category, which offers more space than a standard balcony stateroom but at a lower price than a full suite. These rooms are particularly popular with families or those who want extra space without splurging on a full suite.
Princess also boasts Club Class, a premier mini-suite category with VIP amenities and exclusive dining options.
On their newest ships, Princess has introduced Sky Suites, which provide stunning 270-degree views from the ship's top decks.
Celebrity Cruises score: 9/10
Princess Cruises score: 8/10
While both cruise lines excel in this category, Celebrity edges ahead with its innovative room designs and The Retreat concept, which give its accommodations a more premium feel.
Dining and Bars
Celebrity Cruises
Celebrity Cruises has made a name for itself in the culinary world with a wide array of dining options that cater to various tastes and dietary requirements.
The main dining rooms on Celebrity ships cater to flexible dining times and a rotating menu of internationally inspired dishes. For those seeking a more upscale experience, speciality restaurants like Murano (French cuisine), Tuscan Grille (Italian steakhouse), and Le Petit Chef (an interactive dining experience) are available for an additional fee.
One of Celebrity's standout dining features is its partnership with Michelin-starred chef Daniel Boulud, who designed The Le Voyage restaurant on Celebrity, which entices guests with an exclusive fine dining experience at sea.
Princess Cruises
Similarly, Princess Cruises takes pride in its culinary provision, with menus inspired by the local cuisines of its destinations. Princess has also partnered with award-winning chef Curtis Stone to create SHARE, a speciality restaurant available on select ships.
Princess ships' main dining room venues include traditional set dining times and anytime dining options. Speciality restaurants include Crown Grill (steakhouse), Sabatini's (Italian), and Bistro Sur La Mer by Emmanuel Renaut (French bistro-style cuisine).
A unique feature of Princess is their Chocolate Journeys program, created in partnership with master chocolatier Norman Love, which serves decadent chocolate desserts across the ship.
Celebrity Cruises score: 9/10
Princess Cruises score: 8.5/10
Both cruise lines serve up excellent dining options, but Celebrity takes a slight lead with its innovative concepts and partnerships with renowned chefs.
Activities and Entertainment
Celebrity Cruises
Celebrity Cruises promises a myriad of activities and entertainment options to suit various interests. During the day, guests can participate in enrichment programs, attend art auctions, or relax by one of the pools.
The Edge Class ships feature unique attractions like the Magic Carpet, a cantilevered platform that moves up and down the ship's side, serving as a bar, restaurant, or tender platform, depending on its position. In terms of entertainment, you can catch productions, live music, and even circus-style shows in Celebrity's theatres. The line also features casinos, sports courts, and state-of-the-art gyms.
Celebrity's newer ships also feature Eden, a three-story venue that transforms throughout the day, providing a calm space for relaxation in the morning, hosting workshops and tastings in the afternoon, and turning into an immersive performance space at night.
Princess Cruises
Princess Cruises provide both traditional cruise activities and innovative entertainment options. During the day, guests can participate in enrichment programs, attend art galleries, or enjoy the various pools and hot tubs onboard.
One of Princess's unique features is the SeaWalk, a glass walkway extending 28 feet beyond the edge of the ship on their Royal Class vessels, ensuring breathtaking views of the ocean below.
Princess is known for its Movies Under the Stars program, featuring a large poolside screen where guests can watch movies while relaxing on deck chairs. The line also hosts theatre productions, live music, and comedy performances in venues throughout its ships.
A standout feature of Princess ships is their Discovery at SEA programmes, which include stargazing on the top deck, activities inspired by Discovery Channel shows, and Discovery-recommended excursions.
Celebrity Cruises score: 9/10
Princess Cruises score: 8.5/10
Both lines have an exceptional assortment of activities and entertainment, but Celebrity's innovative features, like the Magic Carpet and Eden, give it a slight edge.
Cruise Cost
Celebrity Cruises
Celebrity Cruises positions itself as a premium cruise line, and its prices reflect this. Rates can vary widely depending on the itinerary, ship, and time of year, but generally, you can expect to pay slightly more for a Celebrity cruise compared to some mainstream lines.
For a 7-night Caribbean cruise, prices can start around £600 per person for an interior room, while balcony rooms could set you back £900 per person. Suite prices can go much higher, especially for The Retreat accommodations.
Celebrity often runs promotions that include perks like beverage packages, Wi-Fi, and onboard credit in the cruise fare, which can add value to the overall package.
Princess Cruises
Princess Cruises is typically priced in the premium category but often at a slightly lower price point than Celebrity. Again, prices can vary significantly based on various factors.
For a comparable 7-night Caribbean cruise, interior rooms start around £550 per person, with balcony rooms costing roughly £800 per person. Suite prices are generally lower than those on a Celebrity cruise.
Princess also offers promotional packages that can include extras like beverage packages and Wi-Fi, though these are often less comprehensive than Celebrity's choices.
Celebrity Cruises score: 7/10
Princess Cruises score: 8/10
While both lines represent good value for their price points, Princess takes a slight lead here due to its slightly more cost-effective pricing for comparable itineraries.
It's important to remember that costs can fluctuate depending on when you want to travel and the destination you choose.
Final scores: Celebrity Cruises vs Princess Cruises
We've compared all of the key information about these cruises, so let's tally up the scores...
Celebrity Cruises final score: 42/50
Princess Cruises final score: 42/50
It's a tie! This close result reflects that Celebrity Cruises and Princess Cruises are excellent choices in the premium cruise market. Each line has its own strengths that will appeal to different types of travellers.
Celebrity Cruises might be the better choice if you're looking for:
- More modern, design-forward ships
- Innovative dining concepts and partnerships with renowned chefs
- Luxurious suite experiences with The Retreat
- Cutting-edge entertainment venues like Eden
Princess Cruises could be your preferred option if you're interested in:
- A more traditional cruising experience with modern touches
- Destination-focused itineraries, especially in Alaska
- Family-friendly amenities and programming
- Slightly lower price points for comparable itineraries
Remember, the best cruise line for you depends on your personal preferences, budget, and desired experiences. Celebrity and Princess lines offer high-quality cruising experiences with excellent service, diverse itineraries, and a wide range of onboard activities and amenities.
Whether you step aboard the modern luxury of a Celebrity or the classic elegance of a Princess cruise, you will surely have a memorable experience. Bon voyage!
Interested in learning more about other cruise lines? Explore these guides:
- Symphony of the Seas vs Icon of the Seas: Which Cruise Best?
- Oasis of the Seas vs Symphony of the Seas: Which is Best?
- The Most Popular Cruises In The World
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FAQs
What are the different classes of Princess and Celebrity cruises?
These two cruise lines operate in different sizes and classes of ships. These are:
Princess Cruises
- Royal Class
- Grand Class
- Coral Class
- Sun Class
Celebrity Cruises
- Edge Class.
- Solstice Class
- Millennium Class
- Galapagos Class
Who Owns Princess Cruises?
Princess Cruises was founded in 1965 and has been owned by Carnival Corporation & PLC since 2003.
As well as owning Princess Cruises, Carnival Corporation also owns the following brands:
- Carnival Cruise Lines
- Holland America Line
- Seabourn
- Cunard
- AIDA Cruises
- Costa
- P&O Cruises (UK and Australia)
Are Princess Cruises Good?
As explored in this comparison guide, Princess Cruises offers a traditional cruise experience with exceptional service and family-friendly amenities.
Princess' diverse range of locations means you can set sail almost anywhere in the world and enjoy good service no matter where you're heading.
Who Owns Celebrity Cruises?
The Royal Caribbean Group owns Celebrity Cruise lines. The group also owns and operates Silversea Cruises and is a joint owner of a venture that operates TUI Cruises and Hapag-Lloyd Cruises.
Are Celebrity Cruises Good?
Celebrity ships are an excellent choice if you want to get away on a premium cruise. Throughout our guide, we have found that Celebrity Cruises excelled in offering first-rate entertainment and dining choices.
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