Celebrity, Princess and Holland America sit in the “premium” tier: a step up from mainstream big-ship lines in food, service and atmosphere, without luxury prices. All three sail Alaska, the Caribbean and Europe, but they feel quite different on board.
Here is how they compare.
You’ll find on this page
- A comparison table of every cruise line in this guide
- The three lines side by side
- Our verdict
- Answers to the questions we’re asked most
- How to book or get expert advice at the end of the page
At a glance: compare the cruise lines
| Cruise line | Style | Fleet | Best for | Included highlights |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Celebrity Cruises | Premium ocean | 16 Ships in the fleet | Modern style | Main dining, eXhale bedding, Pools & hot tubs |
| Princess Cruises | Premium ocean | 17 Ships in the fleet | Alaska and ease | Main dining, OceanMedallion, Camp Discovery |
| Holland America Line | Premium ocean | 11 Ships in the fleet | Refined and calm | Main dining, Music Walk venues, Pools & hot tubs |
Fleet sizes and inclusions are from each line’s own information and can change; inclusions often depend on the fare you book.
Quick verdicts
The three lines side by side
Celebrity Cruises
- Premium ocean
- 16 Ships in the fleet
Sixteen modern ships with chef-led restaurants and The Retreat suite class, sailing to all seven continents, with drinks, Wi-Fi and tips included on its top fares.
Best for: Modern style
Princess Cruises
- Premium ocean
- 17 Ships in the fleet
Seventeen mid-premium ships, including the Sphere-class Star Princess and Sun Princess, with the OceanMedallion wearable and year-round Alaska and Caribbean programmes.
Best for: Alaska and ease
Holland America Line
- Premium ocean
- 11 Ships in the fleet
Eleven mid-size ships and more than 150 years of heritage, with Music Walk venues from classical to blues, and a strong Alaska programme.
Best for: Refined and calm
Side by side: the details
| Celebrity Cruises | Princess Cruises | Holland America Line | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fleet | 16 Ships in the fleet | 17 Ships in the fleet | 11 Ships in the fleet |
| Ship size | – | – | – |
| Included as standard | Main dining, eXhale bedding, Pools & hot tubs, Camp at Sea, Theatre & shows, All Included perks | Main dining, OceanMedallion, Camp Discovery, Theatre & shows, Pools & hot tubs, Princess Plus / Premier | Main dining, Music Walk venues, Pools & hot tubs, Spa thermal area, Club HAL for kids, Have It All upgrade |
| Main departure ports | Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Athens (Piraeus), Barcelona, Civitavecchia | Southampton, Fort Lauderdale, Vancouver, Whittier (Anchorage), Barcelona | Southampton, Fort Lauderdale, Seattle, Vancouver, Amsterdam |
| Loyalty programme | Captain’s Club | Captain’s Circle | Mariner Society |
| Might not suit you if | you want adults-only; you hate any kind of dress code; Tipping culture isn’t for you | you want adults-only; you want ultra-luxury cruising; you want everything in the headline fare | you want a young, high-energy ship; you want ultra-luxury all-inclusive; you want adults-only |
Our verdict
Choose Celebrity for contemporary design and food. Choose Princess for an easy, well-organised all-rounder, especially in Alaska. Choose Holland America for a calmer, more traditional ship with great live music. All three have kids’ programmes, but the atmosphere is more grown-up than on mainstream lines.
How we compared them
We compared the three lines using the information on our own cruise-line pages. Our comparisons are based on what each line offers as standard: ship size, what’s included, atmosphere and who it suits. Fares and inclusions change and often depend on the fare type, so check the details for your sailing, or ask a Travel Designer to compare them for you.
Frequently asked questions
Which is best for Alaska?
Princess and Holland America both have strong year-round Alaska programmes.
Which is the most modern?
Celebrity, with a contemporary fleet and chef-led dining.
What is the OceanMedallion?
Princess’s wearable device for keyless cabin entry, payments and finding your party on board.
Are these lines good for families?
Yes, all three have kids’ clubs, though they are calmer than Royal Caribbean or MSC.
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Updated October 2026. Cruises can be booked through Travelisto, with flights and hotels added where you need them.
