Holland America vs Princess: Which Cruise Line Is Right for You?
Holland America and Princess both operate premium lines sailing Europe, Florida, and the West Coast, but key operational differences set them apart. Princess offers a larger selection with 1,793 sailings across 19 ships and lower overall costs, averaging $147 per night compared to Holland America at $167 per night. Holland America features mid-sized vessels averaging 2,179 guests (largest at 2,668) with classic maritime styling, live music, and culinary focus. Princess relies on larger ships averaging 3,307 guests (largest at 4,320) with MedallionClass technology. Holland America sailings average 14.2 nights compared to 13.8 nights on Princess.
🏁 At a Glance
📊 Head to Head
| Holland America | Princess | |
|---|---|---|
| Cruises on saleHow many upcoming sailings CruiseSheet is tracking | 998 | 1,941 |
| Lowest priceCheapest inside cabin on any sailing | $99 | $175 |
| Typical priceAverage inside-cabin starting price | $2,332 | $2,080 |
| Price per nightAverage nightly cost — the fairest value yardstick | $165 | $149 |
| Average trip lengthLonger voyages vs. shorter getaways | 14 nights | 13.3 nights |
| Ships in fleetActive ships currently sailing | 13 | 19 |
| Typical ship sizeBig-ship amenities vs. a more intimate feel | 2,179 guests | 3,307 guests |
| Largest shipGuest capacity of the biggest vessel | 2,668 guests | 4,320 guests |
| Guest ratingCruiseSheet guest rating | 4.3 / 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?
Both lines earn strong ratings on CruiseSheet, with Princess slightly ahead at 4.4 out of 5 versus Holland America's 4.3 out of 5. Choose Holland America if you prefer intimate, mid-sized ships with a maximum capacity of 2,668 guests, classic live music, culinary enrichment, and slightly longer trips averaging 14.2 nights. Choose Princess if you want more itinerary options from 1,793 sailings, lower per-night rates averaging $147, slightly newer fleet ships averaging a 2012 build year, and technology-driven service with MedallionClass. Your choice comes down to Holland America's classic maritime focus on smaller ships versus Princess's larger modern fleet and lower per-night pricing.
💰 Holland America vs Princess: Current Deals
Holland America
Princess
❓ Holland America vs Princess: Common Questions
❓ Which cruise line is cheaper per night?
Princess is generally cheaper, averaging $147 per night with a typical inside-cabin starting price of $2,098. Holland America averages $167 per night, though its absolute lowest available inside cabin rate starts at $109 compared to $175 for Princess.
❓ Which line has larger ships?
Princess operates larger ships, with a typical capacity of 3,307 guests and a maximum capacity of 4,320 guests across a fleet of 19 active vessels. Holland America operates smaller mid-sized ships, averaging 2,179 guests with a maximum capacity of 2,668 guests across 13 ships.
❓ How do guest ratings and itinerary selection compare between the two lines?
Princess holds a slightly higher guest rating at 4.4 out of 5 across 1,793 sailings on sale. Holland America scores 4.3 out of 5 across 1,013 sailings on sale, with both lines specializing in destination-rich trips to Europe, Florida, and the West Coast.
