Going on a cruise can be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, so naturally, you want to make the most of your vacation and have the best time possible.
Regardless of who you're considering cruising with, whether it's a romantic getaway with a partner or your family or friends, before you book, you need to ensure they'll all be catered for. And we don't just mean in terms of food options. Itineraries, cabins, and costs all need to be factored into your plans.
When researching which cruise lines, you'll come across two names: Princess Cruises and Royal Caribbean International. These are two of the biggest names in the cruise industry, and both offer exceptional packages, destinations, menus, and onboard entertainment.
While this means you're bound to have a lovely time, it also means finding the perfect cruise line can be tricky.
So, to help you choose which cruise operator is going to get your hard-earned money, we put this guide together.
In this piece from Slingo’s Lifestyle Blog, we're comparing Princess and Royal Caribbean cruises to see which is best and which could provide you with the trip of a lifetime.
Which is Best: Princess Cruises vs Royal Caribbean
In this section, we compare these two cruise giants across key categories: itineraries and destinations, rooms and cabins, dining and bars, activities and entertainment, and cost.
By the end of the guide, we'll have given you insight into all of the important information and ranked each section out of 10, giving the companies a possible total of 50 points each.
Without further ado, let's get into the comparison.
Itineraries and Destinations
When it comes to choosing a cruise, the destinations you'll visit are just as important as the ship itself. Let's explore the itineraries and destinations of Princess Cruises and Royal Caribbean to see which line best suits your travel aspirations.
Princess Cruises
Princess Cruises lives up to its 'come back new' motto, with a vast array of trips reaching all four corners of the globe. Known for its destination-focused approach, Princess provides immersive experiences in each port of call.
Princess Cruises destinations and itineraries include:
- Alaska: Princess is particularly renowned for its Alaska cruises, which include stays in wilderness lodges and visits to Glacier Bay National Park, which provide a seamless land-and-sea experience.
- Caribbean: From Eastern to Western Caribbean itineraries, Princess voyages blend popular ports with lesser-known gems.
- Europe: Princess sails extensively in Europe, covering the Mediterranean and Northern Europe, including the British Isles and Scandinavia.
- Asia: Offering in-depth explorations of countries like Japan, China, and Southeast Asian nations.
- South America: Including voyages around Cape Horn and to Antarctica.
- South Pacific and Australia: Cruises to the idyllic islands of the South Pacific and around Australia and New Zealand.
- World Cruises: For those seeking extended cruise vacations, some Princess traverse the world on once-in-a-lifetime cruises that typically last around 100 days.
One standout feature of a Princess cruise is 'More Ashore.' The company designs its itineraries around late-night and overnight stays in select ports, allowing guests to spend longer in certain destinations, see more of the sights, and experience the nightlife.
Princess also organises unique experiences, like cruises through the Panama Canal on smaller ships.
Royal Caribbean
Similarly, Royal Caribbean is known for its extensive network of itineraries, which balance popular destinations with unique ports of call. While Royal ships are known for worldwide cruising, their presence is particularly strong in certain regions, like the Caribbean.
Royal Caribbean destinations and itineraries include:
- Caribbean: This is Royal Caribbean's bread and butter, with itineraries covering the Eastern, Western, and Southern Caribbean. Many of these cruises include stops at private destinations, like Perfect Day at CocoCay in the Bahamas and Labadee in Haiti.
- Europe: Royal Caribbean organises voyages throughout the Mediterranean, as well as Northern Europe, including the Norwegian Fjords and the Baltic capitals.
- Alaska: While not as extensive as Princess, Royal Caribbean does offer Alaska cruises, including some with glacier viewing.
- Asia: Cruises to various Asian destinations, focusing on China and Southeast Asia.
- Australia and New Zealand: Seasonal cruises exploring the Land Down Under and its Kiwi neighbour.
- Short Cruises: For short-term getaways, you can take 3-4 night cruises with Royal Caribbean.
- Transatlantic: Featuring unique itineraries as ships reposition between Europe and the Caribbean.
Royal Caribbean spends less time in port than Princess, focusing more on the onboard experience. However, they do offer some overnight stays in select destinations, particularly on their longer voyages.
Compared to Princess Cruises, Royal Caribbean ships tend to spend less time in port, focussing more on the onboard experience. However, they do organise some overnight stays in select destinations, particularly on longer voyages.
Princess Cruises score: 9/10
Royal Caribbean score: 8.5/10
Explore how Princess Cruises fared against another rival in our ‘Which is Best: Celebrity Cruises vs Princess Cruises?’ comparison guide.
Rooms and Cabins
Princess Cruises
Princess Cruises provides various rooms and accommodations to cater to different budgets and preferences. The cruise line is known for its well-appointed, comfortable, and spacious cabins, regardless of the type of accommodation you stay in.
If you want more space, check out Princess Cruises' mini-suites. These provide more space than a standard balcony stateroom but at a lower price than a full suite. They are particularly popular with couples and travellers who want extra space without splurging on larger accommodations.
Another option is Princess's Club Class. In these suites, you can access VIP amenities and dining rooms without the need to fork out for the complete suite experience.
Princess ships have large, opulent suites with separate living areas and big balconies if you seek ultimate luxury. Suites like these can be expensive, but enable you to access premium amenities and food and drink options to take your cruise experience to the next level.
Royal Caribbean
Royal Caribbean is famous for its innovative ships, including its accommodation designs.
Whether you're looking for a cosy interior cabin or a lavish suite, there's something to satisfy every budget and preference.
One of Royal Caribbean's unique offerings is the Virtual Balcony rooms. These interior staterooms feature a floor-to-ceiling screen that displays real-time views of the ocean or ports, giving the feel of a balcony without the added cost.
For families or groups, Royal Caribbean has a variety of connecting rooms and multi-room suites. The Ultimate Family Suite, available on select ships, even features a slide from the kids' bedroom to the living room!
If you're considering getting away with the family, a multi-room suite could be for you. The Ultimate Family Suite is only available on select ships, but it covers all the bases, ensuring a fun time for all. There's even a slide from the kids' room to the living room.
Elsewhere, you'll find premium accommodations like their famous Royal Suite Class, which boasts exclusive amenities, sun decks, and coastal restaurants. Perfect for soaking up the sun and those glorious views.
Princess Cruises score: 8/10
Royal Caribbean score: 9/10
While both lines offer excellent accommodations, Royal Caribbean appeals to us slightly more thanks to its combination of innovative room designs and family-friendly options.
Dining and Bars
Princess Cruises
Princess Cruise Lines offers a wide range of menus to tantalise even the fussiest taste buds, including dishes inspired by the local cuisines of its destinations. Meanwhile, the main dining rooms offer flexible eating times and a rotating menu of internationally inspired dishes.
For those seeking a more upscale experience, Princess offers a range of specialty restaurants. These include Crown Grill (steakhouse), Sabatini's (Italian), and Bistro Sur La Mer by Emmanuel Renaut (French bistro-style cuisine).
If you have a sweet tooth, you'll love this feature of Princess Cruises. It's their Chocolate Journeys program. This mouthwatering idea was created in partnership with master chocolatier Norman Love and gives you access to decadent chocolate desserts across the ship.
Royal Caribbean
Not to be outdone, Royal Caribbean is also known for its vast array of dining options that cater to all tastes and dietary requirements.
In terms of speciality restaurants, Royal Caribbean options include:
- Jamie's Italian (in partnership with celebrity chef Jamie Oliver).
- Chops Grille (steakhouse).
- Izumi (Japanese).
- Wonderland (imaginative cuisine with a whimsical presentation).
The Bionic Bar is a must-visit! Here, you order your drinks via tablet and have them served by robotic arms programmed to mix the perfect drink!
Princess Cruises score: 8.5/10
Royal Caribbean score: 9/10
While both lines offer excellent dining options, Royal Caribbean takes a slight lead with its innovative concepts and sheer variety of choices.
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Activities and Entertainment
Princess Cruises
Princess Cruises offers a blend of traditional cruise activities and innovative entertainment options. During the day, guests can participate in enrichment programs, attend art galleries, or enjoy the various pools and hot tubs onboard.
One of Princess's unique features is the SeaWalk, a glass walkway that extends 28 feet beyond the ship's edge on its Royal Class vessels, providing breathtaking views of the ocean below.
Princess is known for its Movies Under the Stars program, featuring a large poolside screen where guests can watch films while relaxing on deck chairs. The line also hosts theatre productions, live music, and comedy performances in venues throughout its ships.
A standout feature of Princess ships is their Discovery at SEA programmes, which include stargazing on the top deck, activities inspired by Discovery Channel shows, and Discovery-recommended excursions.
Royal Caribbean
Royal Caribbean is renowned for its innovative and diverse activities and entertainment options. Their ships are packed with features that cater to all ages and interests.
On some of their largest cruise ships, in the Oasis class, you'll find distinct neighbourhoods like Central Park (an open-air park with real trees and plants) and the Boardwalk (complete with a carousel and an AquaTheater for high-diving shows).
Royal Caribbean offers a host of unique activities, including:
- FlowRider surf simulators
- Rock climbing walls
- Ice skating rinks
- RipCord by iFLY skydiving simulators
- North Star observation capsules that rise high above the ship for the ultimate stargazing experience
- The Ultimate Abyss Slide - a 10-storey high slide to discover the mysteries of the deep
For entertainment, Royal Caribbean presents full-scale Broadway shows, ice skating spectaculars, high-diving performances, and original productions across multiple venues.
Princess Cruises score: 8/10
Royal Caribbean score: 9.5/10
While Princess offers a good range of activities and entertainment, Royal Caribbean's innovative and diverse options give it a significant edge in this category.
Think you’ll need something comfortable to wear on lazy days during your cruise? Check out ‘Adanola vs lululemon: Which Brand is Right for You?’ to see which activewear is best.
Cruise Costs
Princess Cruises
Princess Cruises is typically priced in the premium category, offering good value for money. Prices can vary significantly based on itinerary, ship, and time of year.
For a 7-night Caribbean cruise, interior rooms might start around £600 per person, with balcony rooms costing roughly £900 per person. Suite prices can go much higher, especially for the luxurious Sky Suites.
Princess often runs promotions that can include extras like beverage packages, Wi-Fi, and onboard credit in the cruise fare, adding value to the overall package.
Royal Caribbean
Royal Caribbean's pricing can vary widely depending on the ship, itinerary, and sailing date. Generally, their newer and larger vessels command higher prices, but these also feature the latest food, drink and high-tech entertainment options.
For a comparable 7-night Caribbean cruise, interior rooms start from £550 per person, balcony rooms from £800 per person, and suites from £1,500 per person and up.
Princess Cruises score: 8/10
Royal Caribbean score: 8/10
Both lines offer competitive pricing and good value for money, especially when factoring in promotions and included amenities.
The Final Scores: Are Princess Cruises Better than Royal Caribbean?
Now, let's tally up the scores and see how these cruise lines compare:
Princess Cruises final score: 41.5/50
Royal Caribbean final score: 44/50
Royal Caribbean comes out slightly ahead in our comparison, but both lines offer excellent cruising experiences that cater to different preferences.
Royal Caribbean might be the better choice if you're looking for:
- Larger ships with more onboard activities
- Innovative features and "firsts at sea"
- A wide variety of dining options
- High-energy entertainment and activities
Princess Cruises could be your preferred option if you're interested in:
- A more traditional cruising experience with modern touches
- Destination-focused itineraries
- A relaxed, elegant atmosphere
- Enrichment programs and cultural experiences
Remember, the best cruise line for you depends on your personal preferences, desired experiences, and travel style. Princess and Royal Caribbean offer high-quality cruising experiences with excellent service, diverse itineraries, and a wide range of onboard activities and amenities.
Want to learn more about Royal Caribbean Cruises? Explore these guides about ships in their fleet:
- Symphony of the Seas vs Icon of the Seas: Which Cruise Best?
- Oasis of the Seas vs Symphony of the Seas: Which is Best?
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