Norwegian Cruise Line and Princess Cruises both sail the Caribbean, Alaska, Europe, and beyond, and both are popular with American travelers. But they offer very different vacations. Norwegian is known for freedom, flexibility, and high energy. Princess is known for a relaxed, classic cruise experience and exceptional destinations. This Norwegian vs Princess Cruises comparison will help you decide which fits you.
Norwegian or Princess? We’ll Compare Them for You
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Quick Comparison
| Norwegian (NCL) | Princess | |
|---|---|---|
| Vibe | Casual, lively, flexible | Relaxed, classic, refined |
| Dining style | Freestyle, no fixed times | Traditional or flexible options |
| Best for | Families, groups, active travelers | Couples, retirees, multi-generation, Alaska |
| Signature features | Go-karts, Broadway shows, Free at Sea | MedallionClass, Movies Under the Stars, Alaska expertise |
| Bundles | Free at Sea perks | Princess Plus and Premier |
| Private island | Great Stirrup Cay, Harvest Caye | Princess Cays |
Atmosphere and Onboard Experience
Norwegian Cruise Line
NCL pioneered “Freestyle Cruising”: no assigned dining times, a relaxed dress code, and lots of choice. Ships are lively, with bars, clubs, and entertainment running late. It suits travelers who don’t like schedules and want plenty to do.
Princess Cruises
Princess offers a calmer, more classic atmosphere. Guests skew a bit older, though families sail too. Evenings center on dining, live music, and shows. Princess’s MedallionClass technology makes life onboard easy, with contactless boarding, ordering, and keyless cabin entry.
Ships and Activities
Norwegian: Newer ships like Norwegian Prima, Viva, and Aqua feature go-kart tracks, dry slides, VR complexes, and expansive outdoor space. Breakaway Plus ships offer go-karts and laser tag. NCL is great for active travelers and teens.
Princess: The Sphere-class ships (Sun and Star Princess) feature the Dome and modern design. Royal-class ships have the SeaWalk and Movies Under the Stars. Princess focuses less on thrills and more on comfort and relaxation.
Dining
Norwegian offers a huge number of restaurants, many of them specialty venues with extra charges, like Cagney’s Steakhouse, Le Bistro, and Teppanyaki. Free at Sea promotions often include specialty dining.
Princess is known for strong main dining rooms, plus favorites like Crown Grill, Sabatini’s, and the International Café. Princess Premier includes unlimited specialty dining, with rules.
Entertainment
NCL brings Broadway and West End-style productions on many ships, comedy clubs, and lively nightlife. Princess offers production shows, live music, enrichment talks, and Movies Under the Stars on the pool deck.
Cabins and Suites
NCL offers The Haven, a premium suite complex with private restaurant, pool, and butler service, plus studio cabins designed for solo travelers. Princess offers comfortable cabins across categories, with balcony-heavy newer ships and suites with priority perks. Princess cabins are often described as quiet and spacious for the category.
Itineraries
Both lines sail the Caribbean, Alaska, Europe, Hawaii, and more.
- Princess is one of the strongest lines in Alaska, with Glacier Bay access, cruisetours, and its own wilderness lodges.
- Norwegian offers year-round Hawaii inter-island cruises on Pride of America, plus strong Caribbean and Europe options.
See 7 best Alaska cruise itineraries.
What’s Included and Bundles
Norwegian’s Free at Sea lets you choose perks like an open bar, specialty dining, excursion credit, Wi-Fi, and guest discounts. Required service charges apply to some perks. See Norwegian Free at Sea explained.
Princess Plus and Premier bundle drinks, Wi-Fi, gratuities, and more for a daily price. See Princess Plus vs Premier.
Price and Value
Both lines are mid-priced. NCL fares can look higher because they often include Free at Sea perks. Princess fares are competitive, especially when bundled with Plus. The best approach is to compare total cost with the perks you’d actually use.
Which Line Fits You?
Choose Norwegian if you:
- Want flexible dining and no schedules
- Love nightlife and Broadway shows
- Are traveling with teens or a group of friends
- Want to cruise Hawaii on an inter-island itinerary
- Are a solo traveler who wants a studio cabin
Choose Princess if you:
- Want a relaxed, classic cruise
- Are cruising Alaska
- Prefer quieter evenings and great dining
- Are planning a multi-generation trip with grandparents
- Love easy, tech-enabled service
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Norwegian or Princess better for families?
Norwegian generally offers more for kids and teens. Princess works well for families with younger kids or multiple generations who prefer a calmer pace.
Which line is better for Alaska?
Princess is widely considered one of the top Alaska lines because of its experience, cruisetours, and Glacier Bay access.
Does Norwegian have a dress code?
NCL is very casual, with optional dress-up nights. Princess has optional formal nights, though most guests dress smart-casual.
Which is cheaper, Norwegian or Princess?
It depends on the sailing and perks. Compare total cost, including bundles and service charges.
Need Help Deciding?
At The Cruise Headquarters, we book Norwegian and Princess every day. We’ll compare ships, itineraries, and total costs side by side. Request a free cruise quote today. Also see Royal Caribbean vs Norwegian.
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