Princess or Celebrity Cruise: Which Should You Choose?

I've sailed on both Princess and Celebrity — and the question I get asked the most is which one is "better." Here's the honest answer: there isn't one. It depends entirely on who's traveling.

Rather than telling you one line is better than the other, I want to walk you through the four real differences I noticed between the two, plus a decision framework you can use to figure out which line fits your travel style.

Key Takeaways

• Princess Medallion lets you order food and drinks from anywhere on the ship — there's no equivalent on Celebrity

• Princess generally edges out Celebrity on food quality — Royal Princess was even named World's Best Culinary Cruise Ship in the 2025 World Culinary Awards

• Celebrity has a more modern, trendy vibe; Princess leans more traditional and relaxed

• Not all Celebrity balconies are walkout balconies — Edge-class ships use a window-style "Infinite Veranda" instead, so it's worth checking your specific ship before booking

• Princess's Retreat (private pool/lounge area) is open to anyone for an extra fee, while Celebrity reserves similar private spaces for suite guests only

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The Big 4 Differences Between a Princess or Celebrity Cruise

1. Princess Medallion

Princess's Medallion is a small wearable device (instead of a traditional room key) that works with the Princess app to let you order food and drinks from anywhere on the ship, make reservations, book shore excursions, and see your daily schedule — all without waiting in line. Celebrity doesn't have an equivalent feature. If ordering a drink from your lounge chair without flagging down a server sounds appealing, this is worth weighing heavily in your decision.

2. Food Quality

Both lines have excellent dining — strong included dining and excellent specialty restaurants. But in my experience sailing both back-to-back within a few months of each other, Princess's food quality came out ahead. This isn't just a personal preference: Royal Princess was named "World's Best Culinary Cruise Ship" at the 2025 World Culinary Awards, an honor voted on by culinary professionals, industry experts, and consumers worldwide. If food is a top priority for your trip, Princess is likely the stronger choice.

3. Onboard Vibe

This one comes down to personal taste. Celebrity has a more modern, trendy feel — think Instagram-worthy spaces and a slightly younger crowd. Princess leans more traditional, with a generally older average age range (though there's plenty of variety on both). Neither is "better" here — it's about which atmosphere matches the trip you're trying to have.

4. Balcony Style (Ship-Specific, Not Line-Wide)

Here's an important detail that's easy to miss when booking: on Celebrity's Edge-class ships (Edge, Apex, Beyond), many balcony cabins use what's called an "Infinite Veranda" — a wall of windows where the top half opens, rather than a true walkout balcony. It looks like a balcony cabin on the deck plan and is priced like one, but it's a different experience. Not all Celebrity ships use this design — older ships still have traditional walkout balconies — so it's worth confirming which type your specific ship and cabin category has before you book. Princess's balcony cabins are consistently the traditional walkout style.

Which Line Is Right for You?

Beyond the four big differences, here's a quick framework based on what matters most to you:

• Foodies: Princess is the stronger pick for dining quality.

• Want a more private pool/lounge experience without booking a suite? Princess's Retreat is open to any guest for an extra fee (note: not available on Sun or Star Princess). On Celebrity, similar private spaces are restricted to suite guests only.

• Want the convenience of ordering from your phone anywhere on the ship? Princess's Medallion makes this easy; Celebrity doesn't have an equivalent.

• Prefer a livelier, trendier atmosphere? Celebrity may suit you better.

• Still torn? Let your itinerary be the tiebreaker — sometimes the destination matters more than the ship.

Both Princess and Celebrity are excellent premium cruise lines. You really can't go wrong with either — but knowing these differences ahead of time will help you pick the one that fits your trip best.

FAQ

Is Princess or Celebrity the better cruise line?

Neither is universally "better" — it depends on what you're looking for. Princess tends to win on food quality and tech convenience (via the Medallion app), while Celebrity offers a more modern, trendy onboard atmosphere. Your ideal choice depends on your priorities and travel style.

What is the Princess Medallion, and does Celebrity have something similar?

The Princess Medallion is a wearable device that works with the Princess app to let you order food and drinks from anywhere on the ship, make reservations, and access your schedule and shore excursions. Celebrity does not currently offer an equivalent feature.

Do all Celebrity cruise ships have walkout balconies?

Not all of them. Celebrity's Edge-class ships (Edge, Apex, and Beyond) primarily use "Infinite Veranda" cabins, which have a large window that opens rather than a true walkout balcony space. Older Celebrity ships generally have traditional walkout balconies. Always check the deck plan for your specific ship before booking.

Which cruise line has better food, Princess or Celebrity?

Both lines offer excellent dining, but Princess generally edges ahead on food quality. Royal Princess was named World's Best Culinary Cruise Ship at the 2025 World Culinary Awards, reflecting Princess's broader reputation for strong culinary programming across its fleet.

Is Princess or Celebrity better for families?

It depends on what your family wants access to. Princess's Retreat (a private pool/lounge area) is available to any guest for an extra fee on most ships, making it easier for families to access private space without booking a full suite. On Celebrity, similar private areas are typically reserved for suite guests only.

Trying to decide between cruise lines for your own upcoming trip? That's exactly what I help travelers with every day. Start here to begin planning.

Not sure which cruise line is right for you? Take the free 2-minute quiz to find out what kind of cruiser you are — and get planning tips tailored to your style. 👉 Find My Cruise Style