Celebrity vs Princess
Both are premium lines, so the choice comes down to atmosphere, ships and where you want to sail from.
| Feature | Celebrity Cruises | Princess Cruises |
|---|---|---|
| Style | Premium | Premium |
| The vibe | Stylish, relaxed and adult-leaning; good food, good cocktails and a calmer pool deck than the big family brands. | Relaxed, welcoming and dependable; a comfortable middle ground between mass-market buzz and premium polish. |
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| Maybe not for |
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| Fleet size | 15 (as of September 2026) | 17 (as of 2026) |
| Founded | 1988 | 1965 |
| Parent company | Royal Caribbean Group | Carnival Corporation & plc |
| Gratuities | Celebrity adds $19.50 per person per day in most cabins, $20.50 in Concierge Class and AquaClass, and $24.50 in The Retreat suites. As of October 2026 the daily charge applies even to All Included fares. (as of 2026-10-13) | Princess adds an automatic service gratuity of $18 to $20 per person per day, depending on cabin category. Gratuities are included for guests who buy the Princess Plus or Princess Premier package. (as of 2026-10-13) |
| Dress code | Smart casual by day and in the evening. Celebrity has replaced formal nights with Evening Chic nights, where guests dress up in their own style, from cocktail dresses and jackets to stylish separates. Jackets and ties are never required. | Smart casual most evenings. Most sailings include one or more formal nights (more on longer cruises), when many guests wear cocktail attire, suits or tuxedos, though a jacket is not strictly required. Shorts and swimwear are not appropriate in the main dining room at dinner. |
| Private destinations | None |
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| Loyalty program | Captain's Club | Captain's Circle |
| US/Canada homeports in our guides | 8 | 10 |
Both sail to: Caribbean, Eastern Caribbean, Western Caribbean, Southern Caribbean, Bahamas, Alaska, Panama Canal, Canada & New England, Mediterranean, Greek Isles, Northern Europe & Baltic, British Isles, Norwegian Fjords, Transatlantic, Australia & New Zealand, Asia.
Both depart from: Fort Lauderdale, Port Canaveral, Boston, Seattle, Vancouver. Pricing the same week on both is the fastest way to decide.
Questions people ask
Is Celebrity or Princess better for families?
Celebrity: Camp at Sea is the included kids' program, split by age, with a teen club on most ships. Princess: Camp Discovery is the included youth program, split by age group, with spaces and activities for younger kids and teens.
Which has higher gratuities, Celebrity or Princess?
As of the dates we last checked, Celebrity: Celebrity adds $19.50 per person per day in most cabins, $20.50 in Concierge Class and AquaClass, and $24.50 in The Retreat suites. As of October 2026 the daily charge applies even to All Included fares. Princess: Princess adds an automatic service gratuity of $18 to $20 per person per day, depending on cabin category. Gratuities are included for guests who buy the Princess Plus or Princess Premier package. Lines change these, so we confirm current amounts in every quote.
Do Celebrity and Princess sail from the same ports?
Yes. Both sail from Fort Lauderdale, Port Canaveral, Boston, Seattle, Vancouver, which makes it easy to compare the same week on both lines.
Price Celebrity and Princess side by side
Tell us your dates and who's going. We'll quote the same trip on both lines with the full price, taxes and fees included.