Celebrity Cruises vs Princess Cruises

The core difference

Celebrity Cruises and Princess Cruises occupy the same premium segment of the cruise market — sitting above mainstream lines like Royal Caribbean and Carnival, and below ultra-luxury brands like Silversea and Regent Seven Seas. Both deliver polished service, quality dining, global itineraries, and modern ships. Yet they solve the premium cruising equation in fundamentally different ways, and the choice between them reveals what matters most to you as a traveller.

Celebrity’s philosophy centres on contemporary design and culinary elevation. Under Royal Caribbean Group, the line has spent the past decade repositioning itself as “modern luxury” — the Edge-class ships introduced Infinite Verandas, the cantilevered Magic Carpet platform, the three-storey Eden performance venue, and a partnership with Michelin-starred chef Daniel Boulud. The Retreat, Celebrity’s ship-within-a-ship suite concept, delivers butler service, a private restaurant, and exclusive outdoor spaces that genuinely approach the luxury tier. The brand targets a chic, cosmopolitan audience — couples, professionals, and design-conscious travellers who want elevated sophistication without the formality of a traditional cruise. In my experience, Celebrity consistently draws guests who would feel equally at home in a boutique hotel as on a cruise ship.

Princess’s philosophy centres on refined tradition, destination depth, and technological innovation. Under Carnival Corporation, Princess has built its identity on exceptional itineraries — particularly in Alaska, where the line has been named best cruise line for 21 consecutive years — and a consistently warm, accessible onboard atmosphere. The new Sphere-class ships (Sun Princess and Star Princess) represent a generational leap with The Dome, expanded dining venues, and the Sanctuary Collection accommodation concept. MedallionClass technology, built around a wearable device that enables touchless boarding, keyless cabin entry, and location-based food delivery, is genuinely ahead of anything Celebrity offers. The brand appeals to a broader demographic — multi-generational families, loyal repeaters, and travellers who value consistency, enrichment, and tradition.

For Australian travellers, the practical difference often begins with departure ports. Princess deploys two to three ships annually across up to five Australian homeports with 60-plus departures per season. Celebrity deploys one to two ships from Sydney and Auckland with roughly 17 departures. If sailing from home matters to you — and for many Australians it does — Princess starts with a significant structural advantage.

What is actually included

Both lines have moved toward bundled packaging, but the scope and structure differ in ways that meaningfully affect the total holiday cost. Understanding what is and is not included is the single most important step before comparing headline fares.

Celebrity offers two pricing tiers for non-suite cabins. The base Cruise-Only fare covers accommodation, main dining room meals, buffet dining, basic entertainment, and pool access — but excludes drinks, Wi-Fi, and gratuities, which are charged separately. The All Included fare adds a Classic Beverage Package (unlimited drinks including cocktails, wines, beers, and speciality coffees) and basic Wi-Fi for approximately USD $70–$85 per person per day above the base fare. Critically, gratuities were removed from the All Included package in October 2023 and are now charged separately at USD $18–$23 per person per day depending on cabin category. For suite guests in The Retreat, the fare is genuinely all-inclusive — Premium Beverage Package, premium Wi-Fi, unlimited speciality dining, butler service, and a stocked minibar are all covered.

Princess offers three tiers: Standard, Plus, and Premier. The Standard fare mirrors Celebrity’s base — accommodation, main dining, buffet, and entertainment. Princess Plus adds a beverage package (15 drinks per day, up to USD $15 each), Wi-Fi for one device, four casual dining meals per voyage, waived room service delivery fees, and — importantly — daily crew appreciation (gratuities) included. This costs approximately USD $65 per person per day on standard ships, USD $70 on Sphere-class. Princess Premier adds unlimited speciality dining, a premium beverage package (drinks up to USD $20), Wi-Fi for four devices, unlimited professional photos, reserved show seating, and a shore excursion credit — for approximately USD $100–$105 per person per day.

The comparison that matters most is Celebrity All Included versus Princess Plus. Princess Plus includes more at a lower daily cost — gratuities, casual dining credits, and waived room service fees are all bundled in. Celebrity’s All Included offers unlimited drinks without a daily cap (versus Princess’s 15 per day) but excludes gratuities and dining credits. For most travellers, Princess Plus represents better total value. For guests who drink frequently throughout the day, Celebrity’s unlimited beverage allowance removes a mental friction that matters.

Neither line includes flights, transfers, or shore excursions in standard fares. Neither includes speciality dining without an upgrade (Celebrity requires The Retreat; Princess requires the Premier package). Both charge separately for spa treatments, premium Wi-Fi tiers, and laundry.

Dining and culinary experience

Both Celebrity and Princess take dining seriously, but they approach it from opposite directions — Celebrity pursues culinary innovation through chef partnerships and creative venue design, while Princess delivers consistent, familiar quality across a broader range of casual and speciality options.

Celebrity’s culinary centrepiece is the Daniel Boulud partnership. The Michelin-starred chef designs menus for Luminae (the Retreat’s exclusive restaurant) and Le Voyage, a fine dining venue on Beyond, Ascent, and Xcel priced at USD $125 for dinner or USD $200 for the tasting menu. On Edge-class ships, the main dining room is split into four themed restaurants — Normandie, Tuscan, Cosmopolitan, and Cyprus — each with its own ambience and regionally inspired dishes alongside the same nightly menu. Fine Cut Steakhouse, Raw on 5 (sushi and raw bar), and the immersive Le Petit Chef experience (animated 3D projection dining) round out the speciality offerings. Eden, the three-storey glass-wrapped venue on Edge through Ascent, transitions from relaxation lounge by morning to experiential dining venue by evening. Celebrity Xcel replaces Eden with The Bazaar — a rotating, destination-inspired multi-sensory space that includes Mosaic fine dining, Spice Cafe, and a Chef’s Studio cooking school.

Princess counters with breadth and accessibility. The Sphere-class ships offer 29 distinct dining and bar venues — the widest selection in the premium segment. Crown Grill delivers premium steakhouse fare. Sabatini’s Italian Trattoria serves handmade pasta and family recipes. Share by Curtis Stone brings contemporary Australian-inspired cuisine (on Ruby, Emerald, and Sun Princess). Umai Teppanyaki and Makoto Ocean on Sphere-class ships introduce Japanese dining to the fleet. Love by Britto, a pop-art-themed fine dining venue created with artist Romero Britto and Chef Rudi Sodamin, is unique to Sun and Star Princess. Casual venues like Alfredo’s Pizzeria, the Salty Dog Gastropub, O’Malley’s Irish Pub, and Americana Diner (Sphere class) provide quality between-meal options that Celebrity’s more limited casual roster cannot match.

In my experience advising clients, the dining verdict comes down to personal priority. Celebrity’s main dining room consistently feels more upscale — refined plating, inventive ingredients, real tablecloths at every dinner service. Princess’s main dining room is more traditional and familiar, with the Dine My Way programme offering flexible timing that Celebrity’s fixed and flexible options also accommodate but with less technological sophistication. Forum sentiment is genuinely split: some cruisers prefer Celebrity’s chef-driven creativity, others find Princess more consistently satisfying. Both are meaningfully above mainstream cruise line dining.

Speciality dining pricing has climbed on both lines. Princess charges USD $45–$60 per person plus 18 per cent gratuity, depending on ship class. Celebrity ranges from USD $30 for Tuscan Grille to USD $125 for Le Voyage dinner. Princess Premier includes unlimited speciality dining; Celebrity includes it only for Retreat suite guests.

Suites and accommodation

Celebrity wins on cabin size and design innovation at every category level. Princess wins on suite-adjacent accommodation concepts and breadth of family-friendly options.

Celebrity’s Edge-class staterooms are roughly 25 per cent larger than Princess equivalents. Interior cabins run 181–202 square feet versus Princess’s 150–190. Balcony cabins on Edge-class ships feature the Infinite Veranda — a floor-to-ceiling glass wall that opens at the top to transform the cabin into an open-air space — at 244 square feet. There is no Princess equivalent to this design; you would need to book a Princess mini-suite to approach comparable space. The Concierge Class adds priority dining, an embarkation-day lunch, and enhanced amenities. AquaClass — a spa-themed cabin category exclusive to Celebrity — includes complimentary access to the SEA Thermal Suite, exclusive dining at Blu restaurant, a personal spa concierge, yoga mats, and a pillow menu. No other premium line offers a wellness-forward cabin concept at this level.

Celebrity’s Retreat suite hierarchy begins with the Sky Suite (from approximately 395 square feet total) and ascends through Celebrity Suite, Royal Suite, and Penthouse Suite to the Iconic Suite — 2,580 square feet with two bedrooms, two full bathrooms, and a veranda with private hot tub. Only two Iconic Suites exist per Edge-class ship. Every Retreat suite receives butler service, access to Luminae restaurant, the Retreat Lounge and Sundeck, unlimited speciality dining, the Premium Beverage Package, premium Wi-Fi, and a daily-replenished minibar.

Princess’s accommodation strength lies in its mid-tier options. Mini-suites at 299–329 square feet include a separate sitting area and larger bathroom — practical for families who appreciate the bathtub that Celebrity’s standard cabins lack. The Reserve Collection (formerly Club Class) places mini-suites in prime midship locations with a dedicated dining section, priority boarding, and enhanced amenities — a meaningful upgrade that does not require full suite pricing. Cabana Mini-Suites on Sphere-class ships add a private indoor/outdoor cabana area, a genuinely innovative cabin concept. Full suites offer butler-adjacent service with a dedicated Suite Experience Manager on select ships. The Sky Suites on Royal-class ships are spectacular — 1,792 square feet with a 1,000-square-foot wraparound balcony featuring outdoor seating and a large-screen television.

The Sanctuary Collection on Sphere-class ships is Princess’s answer to Celebrity’s Retreat — a top-tier accommodation concept with an exclusive restaurant, adults-only Sanctuary Club pool deck, and curated amenities. It is newer and less proven than The Retreat, and does not yet offer the same depth of all-inclusive benefits, but it signals Princess’s intent to compete at the ship-within-a-ship level.

Pricing and value

Princess is consistently less expensive than Celebrity for comparable cabin categories, but the value equation is more nuanced than headline fares suggest.

Directional pricing on a 7-night Mediterranean sailing illustrates the gap. A Celebrity Edge-class balcony cabin runs approximately USD $200–$350 per person per night before packages. A Princess Royal-class balcony runs approximately USD $180–$280. Adding Celebrity All Included (roughly USD $70–$85 per day) versus Princess Plus (USD $65–$70) widens the daily cost difference. On Caribbean sailings, comparative analyses suggest Celebrity can run 40 per cent to nearly double the cost of Princess for comparable balcony staterooms — though Celebrity’s cabins are larger and the Infinite Veranda is a feature Princess cannot replicate.

For Australian sailings specifically, Celebrity Edge tends to price higher per night than Princess’s ships for comparable categories on similar Australia and New Zealand routes. Princess’s promotional pricing from Australian homeports — often starting from approximately AUD $120–$170 per night for inside cabins — undercuts Celebrity’s typical entry points.

The value assessment depends on what you prioritise. Celebrity’s larger cabins, superior spa facilities, more refined main dining room, and the cross-brand loyalty pathway with Royal Caribbean represent tangible benefits that justify the premium for travellers who value those elements. Princess’s lower base fares, the more inclusive Plus package, and the ability to sail from multiple Australian cities without purchasing flights deliver superior total value for cost-conscious travellers who prioritise convenience and breadth. I recommend clients calculate the full holiday cost — fare, package, gratuities, flights, transfers, excursions — rather than comparing cruise fares alone. When Princess saves you a return domestic flight to Sydney by offering a departure from Brisbane, Melbourne, or Fremantle, the saving can exceed AUD $500–$1,000 per person before the ship even leaves the dock.

Spa and wellness

Celebrity wins decisively on spa and wellness — and for wellness-focused travellers, this alone can determine the choice.

Celebrity’s SEA Thermal Suite on Edge-class ships features eight distinct therapeutic spaces inspired by nature: a Turkish hammam with body polish service, simulated rain showers alternating warm and cool, a Crystal Room, Salt Room, Infrared Sauna, and a Float Room with zero-gravity loungers. The suite is complimentary for AquaClass guests and available via day passes for others (from approximately USD $69 per day or USD $219 per week). On Solstice-class ships, the Persian Garden offers heated stone loungers, steam rooms, and aromatic showers. The spa partnership with Canyon Ranch brings signature facials, specialty treatment tables (Iyashi Dome, MLX Quartz, WellMassage 4D), acupuncture, and chiropractic therapy. Fitness programming on newer ships includes F45, HIIT classes, LIT Bungee Fit, and Peloton on-demand — a range that matches dedicated fitness studios ashore.

Princess’s Lotus Spa, operated by OneSpaWorld, offers a competent but less distinctive wellness experience. The Enclave thermal suite includes a hydrotherapy pool, cascading rain showers, heated stone beds, aroma infusions, steam rooms, and saunas — functional and pleasant but lacking the architectural ambition of Celebrity’s SEA Thermal Suite. On Sphere-class ships, the Lotus Spa is triple the size of any previous Princess spa, which helps with congestion. The Sanctuary, Princess’s adults-only outdoor retreat with dedicated Serenity Stewards, provides a different kind of wellness through quietude — plush loungers, aromatherapy, and dedicated food and drink service for USD $20 per half day or USD $40 per full day.

The difference extends beyond facilities. Celebrity’s AquaClass cabin category integrates wellness into the entire stateroom experience — from aromatherapy diffusers and yoga mats to the exclusive Blu restaurant with its health-conscious menu. Princess has no equivalent. If spa and wellness are priorities rather than nice-to-haves, Celebrity is the clear recommendation.

Entertainment and enrichment

Both lines deliver quality entertainment that sits above mainstream cruise lines, but the style and emphasis differ significantly. Celebrity leans toward contemporary performance and nightlife; Princess leans toward enrichment, tradition, and technological innovation.

Celebrity’s entertainment is more modern and high-energy. The Theatre on Edge-class ships hosts Broadway-style productions, Cirque du Soleil-inspired acrobatics, and cabaret shows choreographed by London West End professionals. Eden transforms into an immersive performance space by evening with live performers weaving through guests during dinner service. The Martini Bar is a signature sophisticated cocktail venue. Celebrity Xcel introduced the biggest entertainment lineup in fleet history with new immersive shows, live music experiences, interactive games, and dance parties — plus The Bazaar, which hosts rotating destination-inspired festivals throughout the voyage. Silent discos, themed deck parties, and late-night socialising keep the ship lively well past midnight.

Princess’s entertainment is more traditional and enrichment-focused. The Princess Theater delivers award-winning Broadway-style productions with large casts, stunning sets, and performances in multiple languages. Movies Under the Stars — feature films, concerts, and live sport on a giant poolside LED screen with blankets, popcorn, and warm cookies — is a signature Princess experience that has no Celebrity equivalent and remains one of the most consistently popular features in the fleet. The Discovery at Sea partnership with Discovery Communications brings stargazing programmes, Shark Week events, and nature-themed activities. ScholarShip@Sea provides guest lectures from destination specialists, historians, and sports personalities. The Dome on Sphere-class ships transforms from a daytime relaxation lounge into a nighttime entertainment venue with DJ sets, themed parties, and immersive light shows. Princess Live! hosts comedy, music, and interactive game shows in a dedicated entertainment lounge.

Dress code is a genuine differentiator. Celebrity has moved toward “Evening Chic” — one to three designated evenings per cruise where cocktail dresses, blazers, and designer jeans are encouraged but tuxedos and formal gowns are welcome without being required. The default atmosphere is elevated casual. Princess is one of the few premium lines that maintains traditional formal nights — two per 7-night cruise, with guests in evening gowns, dinner jackets, and tuxedos in the main dining room and speciality restaurants. This is not a minor distinction. Some travellers love formal nights as an integral part of the cruise experience; others find them unnecessary. I recommend being honest with yourself about which camp you fall into — it will shape your enjoyment of the entire voyage.

Fleet and destination coverage

Princess has the larger fleet and broader destination footprint. Celebrity has the more design-innovative ships and an exclusive destination that Princess cannot access.

Celebrity operates 16 ocean ships across four classes: five Edge-class (2018–2025, the flagship product), five Solstice-class (2008–2012, undergoing a USD $250 million modernisation programme), four Millennium-class (2000–2002, refurbished 2019), and Celebrity Flora (a 100-guest, all-suite Galapagos expedition vessel). A sixth Edge-class ship (Celebrity Xcite) is under construction for 2028 delivery. Celebrity is also entering river cruising with 20 vessels planned by 2031. The fleet covers the Caribbean, Mediterranean, Alaska, Australia and New Zealand, Asia, Northern Europe, South America, and the Galapagos.

Princess operates 17 ships across four classes: two Sphere-class (2024–2025, the newest and most innovative), six Royal-class (2013–2022), seven Grand-class (1998–2008, the fleet workhorses), and two Coral-class (2003, the smallest ships, suited to Panama Canal transits and smaller ports). The fleet covers 380 ports in 100 countries — roughly 80 more ports than Celebrity. Princess’s destination programme spans the Caribbean, Mediterranean, Alaska, Australia and New Zealand, Asia, Northern Europe, South America, and world cruises.

Celebrity’s exclusive destination advantage is the Galapagos Islands. Celebrity Flora — a 100-guest, purpose-built, all-suite expedition vessel with dynamic positioning (no anchors), solar panels, and 11 certified naturalist guides — offers 7-night inner and outer loop itineraries from Baltra year-round. The experience is fully all-inclusive: flights from Quito, hotels, guided excursions, meals, drinks, gratuities, and snorkelling gear. Princess has no Galapagos product and no expedition ships.

Princess’s exclusive destination advantage is Glacier Bay National Park in Alaska. Princess holds one of the limited permits for Glacier Bay transit — Celebrity does not (its ships visit Hubbard Glacier instead). Princess also owns wilderness lodges at Denali National Park and the Kenai Peninsula and operates glass-domed railcars for scenic land journeys. The 2026 Alaska season features eight ships and 180 departures — the largest Alaska deployment in Princess’s history and significantly larger than Celebrity’s three-ship programme.

Where each line excels

Celebrity excels in:

• Ship design and innovation. The Edge-class represents the most architecturally ambitious ships in the premium segment. The Magic Carpet, Infinite Verandas, Eden, and Rooftop Garden are features no other premium line has replicated. The newer Beyond, Ascent, and Xcel extended the hull by 20 metres with additional dining and entertainment venues.
• Cabin size and quality. Staterooms are consistently larger across every category. Infinite Verandas transform the balcony experience. Cashmere Collection mattresses on Edge-class ships and the AquaClass wellness cabin concept have no Princess equivalents.
• Culinary ambition. The Daniel Boulud partnership, Le Voyage, Le Petit Chef immersive dining, and the evolving Bazaar concept on Xcel demonstrate a commitment to culinary innovation that Princess’s broader but more conventional dining roster does not match.
• The Retreat suite experience. A comprehensive ship-within-a-ship programme with butler service, exclusive venues, and genuinely all-inclusive benefits that approaches luxury-line standards at premium-line pricing.
• Spa and wellness. The SEA Thermal Suite, AquaClass, Canyon Ranch partnership, and advanced fitness programming make Celebrity the clear choice for wellness-focused travellers.
• Cross-brand loyalty. Captain’s Club status matching with Royal Caribbean International and Silversea through the Points Choice programme (launched January 2026) gives Australian cruisers who also sail Royal Caribbean a direct pathway to accelerated benefits.

Princess excels in:

• Australian deployment. Two to three ships per season, up to five homeports (Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Fremantle, Adelaide), 60-plus departures, and itineraries ranging from 4-night short breaks to 114-day world cruises departing from Sydney. No other premium line offers this breadth of domestic sailing options for Australians.
• Alaska. Twenty-one consecutive years as best cruise line in Alaska. Exclusive Glacier Bay permits, owned wilderness lodges, glass-domed railcars, and up to four national parks in a single cruisetour. This is the line that invented the modern Alaska cruise.
• MedallionClass technology. The OceanMedallion wearable device enables touchless boarding, keyless cabin entry, turn-by-turn ship navigation, location tracking for family members, and OceanNow food delivery to your GPS-tracked location anywhere on the ship. Celebrity’s app-based system is adequate but not a differentiator.
• Value and accessibility. Lower base fares, a Plus package that bundles more at a lower daily rate, and domestic departure options that eliminate international flight costs make Princess the more accessible premium line for cost-conscious Australian travellers.
• Dining breadth. Twenty-nine dining and bar venues on Sphere-class ships — including casual options like Alfredo’s Pizzeria, Salty Dog Gastropub, O’Malley’s Irish Pub, and Americana Diner — provide more choice throughout the day than Celebrity’s more focused restaurant programme.
• World cruises from Australia. The 114-day Crown Princess world cruise from Sydney (48 destinations, 31 countries, 6 continents) is the longest world cruise ever to depart from an Australian port.

Standout itineraries for Australian travellers

Celebrity

Celebrity Edge: 13-night New Zealand Holiday Cruise (Sydney roundtrip, December) — Milford Sound, Doubtful Sound, Dusky Sound, and seven New Zealand port stops on the flagship Edge-class ship. A premium way to experience New Zealand’s dramatic coastline without flying internationally.

Celebrity Edge: 11-night Great Barrier Reef (from Sydney) — One of the few premium-line itineraries to explore the reef, with port calls along the Queensland coast. Available from Sydney with no international flights required.

Celebrity Edge: 18-19 night Tahitian Treasures (Sydney or Auckland to Tahiti, or reverse, multiple departures through 2026) — An extended South Pacific crossing on the Edge-class ship, combining New Zealand and Tahiti in a single voyage.

Celebrity Solstice: 110-night Grand Voyage (departing September 2026, Alaska to Hong Kong) — Fifty-five unique destinations across 15 countries, with overnights in Phuket, Halong Bay, and Auckland. The route passes through Australia and New Zealand en route to Southeast and East Asia.

Celebrity Flora: 7-night Galapagos (Baltra roundtrip, year-round) — The only premium-line Galapagos product. All-inclusive operation with 100 guests, 11 naturalist guides, and dynamic positioning. Requires flying to Quito via Santiago or Lima (approximately 18 hours from Sydney), but the destination has no equivalent on Princess.

Princess

Discovery Princess or Star Princess: Alaska Voyage of the Glaciers (7 nights, Vancouver to Anchorage or reverse, with optional 3–7 night cruisetour) — The definitive Alaska cruise with Glacier Bay National Park transit, Princess wilderness lodges at Denali, and glass-domed railcar journeys. The 2026 season marks Star Princess’s first Alaska deployment — the newest Sphere-class ship in the Inside Passage.

Diamond Princess: Japan Spring Flowers (10–11 nights, March–April 2026) — Following the predicted cherry blossom season south to north across all four main Japanese islands. Cultural enrichment with local specialists. A specialist itinerary that Celebrity’s Japan programme does not match in seasonal specificity.

Crown Princess: 114-day World Cruise from Sydney (May 2026) — Forty-eight destinations, 31 countries, six continents, departing from an Australian homeport. No international flights required. The longest world cruise Princess has ever operated from Australia.

Sapphire Princess: Fremantle homeporting (2027–28 season) — The only premium line homeporting in Western Australia. Itineraries include 14-night roundtrips to Bali, 12-night sailings to Singapore, and 4-night seacations to Margaret River. For West Australians, this eliminates the cross-continent flight to Sydney entirely.

Grand Princess: Tasmania and New Zealand from Brisbane (2026–27 season) — Seven to 14-night itineraries departing from Brisbane, offering Queensland-based travellers a domestic departure option without transiting through Sydney.

Ship-by-ship recommendations

Celebrity

Celebrity Xcel (3,260 guests, 2025) — The newest Edge-class ship and the current flagship. The Bazaar replaces Eden as the marquee venue, and the entertainment lineup is Celebrity’s most ambitious. Currently sailing Caribbean from Fort Lauderdale. The best introduction to Celebrity for first-time guests flying to the United States.

Celebrity Edge or Celebrity Apex (2,918 guests, 2018/2020) — The original Edge-class experience with the Magic Carpet, Eden, and Infinite Verandas. Celebrity Edge is the primary ship deployed to Australia — book this for domestic sailings. Apex typically sails the Mediterranean and Caribbean.

Celebrity Beyond or Celebrity Ascent (3,260 guests, 2022/2023) — The extended Edge-class ships with Le Voyage by Daniel Boulud. Ascent is the higher-rated by reviewers. Note: Beyond has experienced adjusted itineraries through at least July 2026 due to propulsion issues — I would recommend Ascent over Beyond until this is fully resolved.

Celebrity Solstice (2,852 guests, 2008, undergoing USD $250M modernisation) — Returns to Australian waters after refurbishment in Singapore. A good option for travellers who want Celebrity’s service and dining on a mid-sized ship at a lower price point than Edge-class, though the design is a generation behind.

Celebrity Flora (100 guests, 2019) — Purpose-built for the Galapagos. Forbes Travel Guide Four-Star rated, highest-rated Celebrity ship on Cruise Critic. An entirely different product from the ocean fleet — book this if the Galapagos is the destination you want, regardless of other comparisons.

Princess

Sun Princess or Star Princess (4,310 guests, 2024/2025) — The Sphere-class ships represent the definitive Princess experience. The Dome, expanded dining venues, Sanctuary Collection, Cabana Mini-Suites, and the largest Lotus Spa in the fleet. Sun Princess was named number one mega cruise ship by Conde Nast Traveler for two consecutive years. Star Princess adds refinements including expanded non-smoking casino areas. Start here for the best Princess has to offer.

Sky Princess, Enchanted Princess, or Discovery Princess (3,660 guests, 2019/2020/2022) — The newest Royal-class ships with the SeaWalk glass walkway, Sky Suites with 1,000-square-foot balconies, and the most refined version of the Royal-class design. Discovery Princess is the largest Princess ship ever deployed to Australian waters. All three are excellent choices for Mediterranean, Caribbean, and Australian sailings.

Majestic Princess (3,560 guests, 2017, refurbished April 2025) — Freshly updated with O’Malley’s Irish Pub, a relocated Sabatini’s, and the Good Spirits At Sea interactive cocktail experience. A solid mid-fleet option, particularly for Mediterranean and Alaska.

Diamond Princess (2,170 guests, 2004) — The Japan specialist. Smaller capacity means less crowding in Japanese ports. Purpose-deployed to Japan for spring and autumn seasons with culturally specific itineraries like the Spring Flowers cherry blossom cruise.

Coral Princess or Island Princess (2,000–2,210 guests, 2003) — The smallest ships in the fleet, best suited for Panama Canal transits and world cruises where a more intimate ship enhances the experience. Island Princess sails the 2026 world cruise.

For Australian travellers specifically

The Australian deployment comparison is not close — Princess substantially outperforms Celebrity in local presence, and this shapes the entire decision-making process for travellers who prefer sailing from home.

Princess’s Australian programme spans two to three ships annually across multiple homeports. The 2025–26 season features Discovery Princess and Crown Princess sailing from Sydney and Brisbane with 75 unique itineraries and 120 departures. The 2026–27 season expands to three ships (Royal Princess, Grand Princess, Crown Princess) across Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Fremantle, and Adelaide — five departure cities, up from three. The 2027–28 season introduces Sapphire Princess homeporting in Fremantle, making Princess the only premium line with a dedicated Western Australian base. Itinerary types from Australian ports include New Zealand, South Pacific islands, Papua New Guinea, Tasmania, the Great Barrier Reef, round-Australia voyages including the Kimberley coast, and world cruises. Princess also offers the EZair programme with negotiated airfares, flight delay protection, and modification flexibility from major Australian gateways — practical for fly-cruise itineraries to Alaska, Europe, or the Caribbean.

Celebrity’s Australian programme is growing but remains significantly smaller. The 2025–26 season features Celebrity Edge (third consecutive Australian season) and Celebrity Solstice with 17 sailings from Sydney and Auckland. The 2026–27 season confirms Edge and Solstice again. A four-ship deployment has been announced for 2027–28 — Celebrity’s largest-ever Australian guest capacity, signalling genuine commitment to the market. Itineraries from Australia include New Zealand (seven of 17 sailings), Great Barrier Reef, Australian wine journeys, Tahitian Treasures, and South Pacific islands. Celebrity has added 54 new shore excursions for the Australian season and introduced first-ever calls at Newcastle. The quality of the Australian product is excellent — Celebrity Edge is a genuinely impressive ship — but the quantity and departure port diversity do not yet match Princess.

The loyalty pathway matters for Australians. Celebrity’s Captain’s Club integrates with Royal Caribbean International and Silversea through the Points Choice programme launched in January 2026 — status earned on any Royal Caribbean Group brand applies across all three. Given that Royal Caribbean is one of Australia’s most popular cruise lines, this creates a powerful loyalty flywheel: earn status on domestic Royal Caribbean sailings, then carry that status directly into Celebrity for a premium upgrade, and eventually into Silversea for ultra-luxury. Princess’s Captain’s Circle operates independently — there is no cross-brand matching with Holland America, Carnival, Cunard, or any other Carnival Corporation line. Princess offers lifetime status and an easier path to Elite tier (150 cruise days versus Celebrity’s 700-plus days to reach Zenith), but the lack of cross-brand recognition limits the programme’s strategic flexibility.

For West Australian travellers, Princess is the only viable premium option for sailing from home. Sapphire Princess homeporting in Fremantle from the 2027–28 season opens Indian Ocean, Bali, Singapore, and Margaret River itineraries without any flights. Celebrity has no Western Australian presence.

The onboard atmosphere

The cultural feel of these two lines is genuinely different, and atmosphere is the one element you cannot upgrade or add on — it either suits you or it does not.

Celebrity’s atmosphere is contemporary, cosmopolitan, and design-conscious. The ships feel like boutique hotels at sea — sculptural artworks, LED installations, the dramatic Magic Carpet suspended over the ocean, pool decks that evoke design-magazine spreads. The passenger base skews slightly younger than Princess, with a median age in the mid-40s to early 50s — professional couples, entrepreneurs, and travellers who appreciate a chic aesthetic. The evening dress code is Evening Chic rather than formal, creating an atmosphere that is polished without being rigid. Tuxedos are welcome but not expected; blazers with designer jeans are perfectly appropriate. LGBTQ+ programming is more visible than on most mainstream lines. Solo travellers are well served by dedicated solo cabins on Edge-class ships. The Martini Bar is the social nexus of each ship — sophisticated, animated, and lively late into the evening. I describe the Celebrity atmosphere to clients as “upscale but not stuffy — relaxed but never loud or boisterous.”

Princess’s atmosphere is warmer, more traditional, and deliberately inclusive. The ships feel like established grand hotels — elegant decor, calming spaces, the Piazza atrium as a social gathering point with live music. The passenger base is broader, spanning multi-generational families, retirees, loyal repeaters, and first-time cruisers, with a median age in the mid-40s to mid-50s. Traditional formal nights — two per 7-night cruise — are an event that many Princess guests genuinely enjoy, donning evening gowns and dinner jackets for cocktails and photography. The Wheelhouse Bar, Crooners, and Bellini’s Cocktail Bar create gentler social environments than Celebrity’s more energetic late-night venues. Service is consistently praised as friendly and personal — many guests describe the crew as feeling like family. The atmosphere rewards travellers who want predictability, consistency, and a familiar, comfortable elegance. Forum members frequently describe Princess as “premium without the snob factor.”

Neither atmosphere is objectively better. The choice reflects personal temperament. If you want a ship that feels like a contemporary design hotel with a lively evening scene, Celebrity. If you want a ship that feels like a familiar luxury resort with traditional touches and a relaxed social energy, Princess.

The bottom line

Celebrity and Princess are both excellent premium cruise lines, but they optimise for different priorities — and the right choice depends on what matters most to you and how you plan to travel.

Choose Celebrity for the most design-forward ships in the premium segment, larger cabins with Infinite Verandas, the Daniel Boulud dining partnership, the SEA Thermal Suite and AquaClass wellness concept, and the comprehensive Retreat suite experience. Choose it for the Galapagos — an exclusive destination no other premium line can access. Choose it for the cross-brand loyalty pathway with Royal Caribbean and Silversea, particularly if you already sail Royal Caribbean domestically in Australia. Accept that the Australian deployment is smaller, the departure options fewer, and the headline fares higher.

Choose Princess for the most accessible premium cruising available to Australians — five homeports, 60-plus departures per season, and world cruises leaving from Sydney. Choose it for Alaska, where Princess’s Glacier Bay permits, wilderness lodges, and 21 consecutive years as best cruise line are unmatched. Choose it for the MedallionClass technology, the broader dining breadth on Sphere-class ships, and the Princess Plus package that delivers more inclusions at a lower daily rate. Choose it for value without compromising quality. Accept that cabins are smaller, the spa is less ambitious, the dining is more conventional, and the design aesthetic is a generation behind Celebrity’s Edge class.

For most Australian travellers cruising domestically — particularly first-time premium cruisers, families, and those who value departure convenience — Princess is the practical recommendation. For Australian travellers willing to fly to embarkation ports and who prioritise contemporary design, culinary ambition, wellness, and a more adult-oriented atmosphere, Celebrity justifies the premium. Both lines deliver an experience meaningfully above mainstream cruising, and I have never had a client return from either genuinely disappointed.