Princess Cruises vs Celebrity Cruises
Princess and Celebrity are both premium cruise lines with innovative ships and elevated experiences. Princess leads with MedallionClass technology, while Celebrity impresses with Edge-class design.
Last updated: February 8, 2026
Head-to-Head Comparison
| Category | 👸 Princess Cruises | ⭐ Celebrity Cruises |
|---|---|---|
| Average Price (7-night) | $463-$1,400/person✓ | $1,098-$1,614/person |
| Ship Innovation | MedallionClass wearable tech | Edge-class Magic Carpet, Infinite Veranda |
| Fleet Size | 17 ships | 16 ships |
| Food Quality | Very good, variety | Excellent, elevated cuisine✓ |
| Entertainment | Movies Under the Stars, shows | Live music, immersive theatre |
| Adults-Only Area | The Sanctuary | The Retreat (premium suites) |
| Drink Package | Princess Plus/Premier tiers | Always Included package |
| Alaska Expertise | Exceptional, deep heritage✓ | Good, growing presence |
| Design Aesthetic | Refined traditional | Modern boutique luxury |
| New Ships 2026 | Star Princess (2025) | Celebrity Xcel (2025) |
👸Choose Princess Cruises if you...
- •Traditional cruise fans
- •MedallionClass tech enthusiasts
- •Budget-conscious premium seekers
- •Alaska cruisers
⭐Choose Celebrity Cruises if you...
- •Design-forward travellers
- •Foodies and wine lovers
- •Edge-class ship fans
- •Modern luxury seekers
💡 The Bottom Line
Choose Princess for lower prices, fleet-wide MedallionClass technology, and exceptional Alaska expertise. Choose Celebrity for superior cuisine, Edge-class design innovation, and a more contemporary boutique-hotel feel.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Princess or Celebrity cheaper?
Princess is generally cheaper, with 7-night fares starting from around $463 per person compared to Celebrity's $1,098-$1,614. Both offer package add-ons (Princess Plus/Premier and Celebrity's Always Included) that bundle drinks, WiFi, and gratuities, but Princess maintains a lower entry point across the board.
Which has better food, Princess or Celebrity?
Celebrity is widely regarded as having the superior dining programme, with elevated, innovative cuisine across their fleet. Princess offers very good food with solid variety, but Celebrity's restaurants consistently receive higher praise from cruise reviewers. If dining quality is your top priority, Celebrity is the stronger pick.
Is Princess or Celebrity better for Alaska?
Princess has exceptional Alaska expertise with decades of heritage in the region, extensive land-and-sea tour options, and more Alaska departures from their fleet of 17 ships. Celebrity has a growing Alaska presence but cannot yet match Princess's depth of experience and itinerary variety in the region.
What is the difference between MedallionClass and Edge-class?
MedallionClass is Princess's wearable technology system offering touchless cabin entry, location-based food delivery, and personalised experiences fleet-wide. Edge-class refers to Celebrity's ship design featuring the Magic Carpet moving platform and Infinite Verandas. They represent different types of innovation: one is a technology platform, the other is ship architecture.
Which has better new ships, Princess or Celebrity?
Both lines launched impressive new ships in 2025: Star Princess and Celebrity Xcel. Princess's Sphere-class ships feature the MedallionClass experience with The Dome entertainment venue. Celebrity's Edge-class ships are praised for their contemporary design, Magic Carpet cantilevered platform, and Infinite Veranda cabins. Both represent the best of premium cruising.