Having sailed on the newest ships launched by premium cruise lines Celebrity Cruises and Princess Cruises, I've had the opportunity to gain firsthand experience at what makes each brand desirable.
Celebrity's Edge Class ships boast modern, upscale designs, with an emphasis on luxury and fine dining. On the other hand, Princess' brand-new Sphere Class shines with its focus on a wealth of onboard activities, casual dining, and the line's innovative MedallionClass.
Overall, you can't go wrong with a cruise on Celebrity or Princess. Both offer high-end experiences compared to lines like Royal Caribbean and Carnival. That said, each appeals to different tastes and travel styles. Both have their strengths and weaknesses, too.
Here are four areas where Princess Cruises excels, making it a standout choice for certain travelers.
Read more: 11 things I loved and hated about my first Princess cruise
Innovative MedallionClass
Unlike Celebrity, Princess Cruises doesn't give passengers a cruise ship card. Instead, all guests are provided a complimentary quarter-sized Medallion, which serves as their room key, charge card, and more. In essence, it effectively replaces the traditional cruise ship card.
Perhaps the most innovative thing about Princess' Medallion technology is its location-based services. For instance, as I approached my cabin door, it would automatically unlock, sensing my presence. Plus, I could order food and drinks anywhere onboard, from karaoke in Princess Live! to afternoon iced coffee delivered straight to my stateroom.
When ordering drinks at the bar, my face would often appear on the bartender's tablet, so tapping the Medallion wasn't necessary. This seamless interaction sped up service in places like the ever-popular Crooner's Bar. It also made me feel like a valued guest at my favorite local bar, though it was my first time on a Princess ship!
Read more: 5 things I liked better about Princess than Carnival, after my first Princess cruise
Casual Dining
Deck 17 boasts four fast-casual eateries: Lido Tacos, Lido Slice, Lido Greens, and Lido Grill. All are included in the cost of your cruise fare, so you can indulge in poolside tacos, late-night pizza, or even a fresh salad without worrying about extra charges.
In this way, Sun Princess' dining reminded me of Carnival, specifically their new Excel Class, where you can snack on everything from BlueIguana Cantina's tacos and burritos, juicy burgers from Guy's Burger Joint, and crispy chicken tenders from Big Chicken.
I was impressed by the quality, too. Frequent Royal Caribbean cruisers know El Loco Fresh or Sorrento's isn't necessarily anything to write home about. I'd argue the opposite about Princess' fast-casual joints. The chicken tacos from Lido Tacos were busting with flavor, while the pizza was surprisingly delicious, with a perfectly baked crust.
The only comparable casual eatery on Celebrity Ascent is The Mast Grill. While there's no denying that a good burger on a sea day hits the spot, I really enjoyed Princess Cruises' variety. In fact, though I was on the ship for 8 nights, I struggled to try everything! I felt like I was sailing on one of Royal Caribbean's mega-ships and trying to squeeze in all the dining options, which was made harder after trying the tacos and craving them each afternoon!
Moreover, both Celebrity and Princess prioritized bringing new specialty dining experiences for guests to enjoy on their newest ships, but Princess really seemed to embrace a diverse culinary landscape by offering hibachi and hot pot at Umai and the whimsical Spellbound, where dinner is followed by admission into the exclusive magic club at sea.
Read more: I ate my way through a luxury cruise ship. These are the 6 dishes I'm still thinking about
Inclusive Packages
Princess Cruises' inclusive packages are perhaps one of the most compelling reasons to choose Princess over a competing cruise line. For just $60/day, you can upgrade from Princess' base fare to Princess Plus, which includes up to 15 beverages valued at up to $15 per day, Wi-Fi for one device, gratuities, a waived OceanNow activation fee, two meals at the ship's casual restaurants, two premium desserts per day, free room service, and two fitness classes per cruise.
While not all beverages were included, I enjoyed handcrafted martinis from Crooner's Bar and unique libations from other specialty restaurants, such as the Strawberry Love Potion at Love by Britto. With Celebrity's All Included package, cocktails up to $10 are included, and if you want to indulge in higher-end beverages you have to either upgrade to the Premium Drinks Package or pay the difference.
When I sailed on Celebrity Reflection and didn't upgrade my Classic Beverage Package to the Premium, I found that my beverage choices were limited. For example, I had to pay the difference to enjoy a martini at the classic Martini Bar. With its few select wines and bottom-shelf cocktails, I wasn't too impressed with Celebrity's lowest-tier drink package.
I appreciated that Princess' base package felt more inclusive. And for those who wanted an even more inclusive package, Princess Premier costs just $30 more per day, or $90 total. With that, you get unlimited beverages and specialty restaurants, Wi-Fi for up to four devices, and so much more. Considering gratuities cost at least $17 per day, it's just a $43 or $73 upgrade to either package, making it a no-brainer!
Read more: Are cruises all-inclusive?
Movies Under the Stars
Sun Princess' huge outdoor television hosted countless movies during my 8 nights onboard, from Beetlejuice to Inside Out 2. Though Celebrity's Edge Class ships definitely have a more refined pool deck, there's nothing quite like watching a movie under the stars at sea!
In fact, "Movies Under the Stars" has become one of Princess Cruises' signature features since debuting on Caribbean Princess in 2004. Whether you're relaxing after a long day exploring the Mediterranean or basking in the Caribbean's sun, guests can watch the latest films, sporting events, and other programs at the pool.
They even had complimentary popcorn available near Lido Slice and Lido Tacos! This was refreshing to see considering other mainstream cruise lines charge upwards of $3 for a bag (I'm looking at you, Royal Caribbean!).
Read more: 17 things I wish I knew before setting foot on a Celebrity ship
Though I don't have another Princess cruise booked, I'd happily sail on one of their love boats again
While I used to value cruise line loyalty—particularly while working towards Diamond status within Royal Caribbean's Crown & Anchor Society—I've started to realize the value of exploring different lines.
Each offers its own unique amenities and dining options that can really enhance the vacation experience, and, as someone who frequently sails, it helps keep cruising fresh. Last year, for example, I took 6 Royal Caribbean cruises and was getting tired of the repeated options in the Main Dining Room!
My first Princess cruise exceeded my expectations, from the quality of the dining to the activities crew and the ambiance of the ship.
Overall, though, when compared to Celebrity Cruises, both have their advantages. With my Diamond Crown & Anchor Status, I can take advantage of Celebrity's Elite perks, which include complimentary laundry, a dedicated breakfast venue, and more.
However, thanks to the inclusivity of Princess Plus, I felt like I was getting great value for my money without the need for loyalty benefits.
Elizabeth Wright
Elizabeth graduated from New York University's Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute with her M.A. in Journalism in May 2023. Growing up, she had the privilege of traveling frequently with her family and fell in love with cruising after sailing on the Oasis of the Seas her freshman year of high school. She wanted to pursue a career that highlighted her passion for travel and strengths as a writer.
