Cunard vs Princess: Which Cruise Line Is Right for You?
Cunard and Princess both offer premium cruise experiences but differ significantly in scale, pricing, and voyage length. Cunard operates a fleet of 4 ships averaging 2,469 guests with a formal, classic ocean travel focus, charging an average of $179 per night across longer 16.3-night trips. In contrast, Princess provides a broader selection with 19 larger ships averaging 3,307 guests, lower average pricing at $147 per night, and an average trip length of 13.8 nights. Princess also holds a higher CruiseSheet guest rating of 4.4 out of 5 compared to Cunard's 4.1.
🏁 At a Glance
📊 Head to Head
| Cunard | Princess | |
|---|---|---|
| Cruises on saleHow many upcoming sailings CruiseSheet is tracking | 603 | 1,768 |
| Lowest priceCheapest inside cabin on any sailing | $249 | $175 |
| Typical priceAverage inside-cabin starting price | $2,805 | $2,076 |
| Price per nightAverage nightly cost — the fairest value yardstick | $178 | $146 |
| Average trip lengthLonger voyages vs. shorter getaways | 16.4 nights | 13.7 nights |
| Ships in fleetActive ships currently sailing | 4 | 19 |
| Typical ship sizeBig-ship amenities vs. a more intimate feel | 2,469 guests | 3,307 guests |
| Largest shipGuest capacity of the biggest vessel | 2,996 guests | 4,320 guests |
| Guest ratingCruiseSheet guest rating | 4.1 / 5 | 4.4 / 5 |
Figures are drawn from live CruiseSheet pricing and fleet data and update as new sailings are loaded.
🤔 Which Should You Choose?
When deciding between these two cruise lines, your choice depends on your preferred vacation style, budget, and itinerary length. Choose Cunard if you seek a traditional, formal ocean liner experience with gala balls and afternoon tea, longer voyages averaging 16.3 nights, smaller guest capacities typically around 2,469, and iconic transatlantic routes. Choose Princess if you want lower nightly rates averaging $147 per night, a much larger selection of 1,793 sailings, modern MedallionClass technology, and higher overall guest satisfaction, as reflected in its 4.4 out of 5 CruiseSheet rating compared to Cunard's 4.1 score.
💰 Cunard vs Princess: Current Deals
Cunard
Princess
❓ Cunard vs Princess: Common Questions
❓ Which cruise line is less expensive, Cunard or Princess?
Princess is generally less expensive, with an average nightly price of $147 compared to $179 on Cunard. Princess also offers lower starting prices, with its cheapest inside cabin priced at $175 versus Cunard's $249, and a typical inside cabin starting at $2,098 compared to Cunard's $2,801.
❓ How do ship sizes compare between Cunard and Princess?
Princess operates larger ships, with a typical capacity of 3,307 guests and its largest ship accommodating 4,320 guests across a fleet of 19 active vessels. Cunard runs a smaller fleet of 4 ships with a typical guest capacity of 2,469 and a maximum capacity of 2,996 guests.
❓ Which cruise line has higher guest ratings on CruiseSheet?
Princess holds a higher guest rating on CruiseSheet with a 4.4 out of 5 score across 1,793 available sailings. Cunard carries a 4.1 out of 5 rating across its 601 available sailings.
