You may also like
Dismiss
Holland America Line's newest flagship, Rotterdam. (Photo: Holland America)
Holland America Line's newest flagship, Rotterdam. (Photo: Holland America)

Holland America vs. Princess

Holland America Line's newest flagship, Rotterdam. (Photo: Holland America)
Holland America Line's newest flagship, Rotterdam. (Photo: Holland America)
Contributor
Dori Saltzman

Last updated
Jan 8, 2020

Read time
9 min read

While Holland America Line and Princess Cruises both offer terrific cruise vacations, the onboard experiences you get from them are totally different.

Generally speaking, Holland America appeals to an older demographic that prefer fine dining, live music and a subdued evening atmosphere -- though the line is trying to change its reputation by livening up its onboard offerings. Princess Cruises attracts an active crowd that is both young and young-at-heart. Cruisers often say Holland America is the line they take without their grandkids, while Princess is for the whole family.

To help you pick the cruise line that fits your needs, Cruise Critic pits Holland America vs. Princess Cruises. There is no winner -- except you and your cruising party (even if you're a party of one) when you find the line that's the perfect match.


On This Page

Fleet Specs: Comparing the Size & Age of Each Fleet

Enchanted Princess at Port Everglades, Fort Lauderdale (Photo/Chris Gray Faust)
Enchanted Princess at Port Everglades, Fort Lauderdale (Photo/Chris Gray Faust)

Holland America has a smaller fleet than Princess -- both in terms of how many ships the line has and what size the ships are.

Holland America

  • 11 ships

  • Largest: Rotterdam (2,668 passengers)

  • Smallest: Volendam & Zaandam (1,432 passengers)

  • Oldest: Volendam (1999)


Princess Cruises

  • 15 ships, plus one launching in 2024 (Sun Princess) and one in 2025 (Star Princess)

  • Oldest: Grand Princess (1998)

  • Smallest: Coral Princess (2,000 passengers)

  • Largest: Sky Princess, Enchanted Princess and Discovery Princess (all 3,660 double capacity)


Pricing Comparision: Where Do these Two U.S. Lines Stand on Fares?

Credit Cards in Leather Wallet (Photo: Africa Studio/Shutterstock)
Pricing for both Holland America and Princess Cruises tends to average above those for mainstream cruise line (Photo: Africa Studio/Shutterstock)

Holland America

  • Pricing is dependent on several factors, including ship booked, destination and length of cruise; when compared to weeklong Princess cruise fares, Holland America prices tend to be pretty comparable, though entry-level and suite pricing can be less expensive than on Princess Cruises.

  • Prices include meals in the main dining room and a handful of casual venues, but all alternative restaurants cost extra.

Loading...

Princess Cruises

  • In general, Princess fares for weeklong cruises are comparable to, though sometimes a mite higher than, Holland America pricing; sales are offered regularly, including during Wave Season, in summer and Black Friday.

  • As with Holland America, pricing includes dining in the buffet and main dining room, plus delicious pizza on deck. All specialty restaurants are charged extra.

Loading...

Demographics Are Slightly Different, Though There is Overlap

Young girls staring at the deep blue sea from a cruise ship railing
Princess Cruises passengers skew younger than on Holland America. (Photo: MNStudio/Shutterstock.com)

Holland America

  • All ships draw couples, solo cruisers and groups of friends ages 40 to 80s, though the average Holland America cruiser is between 55 and 70 years old.

  • Alaska itineraries appeal to families, particularly multigenerational groups; few families on other sailings.


Princess Cruises

  • Alaska, European and Caribbean sailings draw families, couples and groups of friends in all age brackets.

  • Ships sailing longer, exotic itineraries draw a 55-plus crowd.


Destinations, Homeports & Itineraries Reveal Plenty of Similarities

Beach on Princess Cays
Looking over the beach of Princess Cays as a Princess ship cruises by. (photo: Cruise Critic)

Holland America

  • Cruises from eight North American mainland ports, varying by season

  • Sails seasonally to Alaska, Bermuda, the Caribbean, Hawaii, Canada and New England, Europe and Mexico, as well as through the Panama Canal and along the Pacific Coast

  • Exotic itineraries include Asia, Australia, the South Pacific, South America, Antarctica and world cruises

View Holland America Itineraries


Princess Cruises

  • Cruises from 11 North American mainland ports

  • Offers seasonal sailings to Alaska, Mexico, Europe, Hawaii, the Caribbean and the Bahamas

  • Has ships deployed to Australia and Asia year-round

  • Other exotic itineraries include sailings to the South Pacific, South America and India, as well as world cruises

View Princess Cruises Itineraries


Both Lines Offer Five Basic Cabin Categories

Sky Suite living room area on Sky Princess (Image: Princess Cruises)
Sky Suite living room area on Sky Princess is a lavish affair (Image: Princess Cruises)

Holland America

  • Rooms are divided between five basic categories: inside, ocean view, lanai (not available on all ships), balcony and suite

  • Suite perks (Neptune and Pinnacle Suites only) include priority tendering, in-suite coffee/espresso machine, complimentary mimosa with in-suite breakfast, complimentary laundry, pressing and dry cleaning, welcome glass of sparkling wine at dinner on embarkation day, premium in-room dining breakfast menu and premium bathrobes.

  • Spa cabins (only on select ships) differ from other cabins only by in-room amenities, which include a loofah mitt and bath salts, yoga mat and two pedometers

  • Is the only cruise line with lanai cabins (select ships only), which are technically ocean-view rooms but have sliding-glass doors that open directly onto public deck space

  • Three ships (Koningsdam, Nieuw Statendam, Rotterdam) have cabins specifically designed and priced for solo travelers, as well as a selection of family-specific cabins (the only ones in the fleet)


Princess Cruises

  • Cabins on all ships are divided between five basic categories: inside, ocean-view, balcony, mini-suite and suite

  • Distinctive cabin choices include Sky Suites on the line's newest ships. This extravagant accommodation, sleeping up to five, offers 270-degree views via 1,000-square-foot (plus) balcony. It's among the nicest accommodation at sea.

  • Suite perks are more extensive than Holland America's perks and include free dinner at an alternative restaurant on embarkation night, priority embarkation/debarkation, butler service, free laundry and suites-only breakfast in a specialty restaurant

  • Family room options include connecting cabins and family suites with full baths (on select ships only)


Dining Ranges from Good to Outstanding Across Both Fleets

Lobster dish at Rudi Sodamin's restaurant on Princess, The Catch by Rudi (Photo/Princess Cruises)
Lobster dish at Rudi Sodamin's restaurant on Princess, The Catch by Rudi (Photo/Princess Cruises)

Holland America

  • Main dining room options include traditional (same time and tablemates each night) and the flexible As You Wish program (choose when and at which table you want to eat on a nightly basis)

  • Up to four specialty restaurants on all ships (all for a fee), except on Koningsdam, Nieuw Statendam and Rotterdam, which have more

  • Main dining room menus feature select dishes from members of the line's Culinary Council, including chefs Rudi Sodamin, Ethan Stowell, David Burke, Jacques Torres, Jonnie Boer and Andy Matsuda.

  • One to three formal nights per cruise (depending on voyage length), requiring cruisers to swap out casual wear for fancier attire


Princess Cruises

  • Dining room options include traditional fixed dining with early or late seating choice, and the flexible Anytime Dining program

  • Newer ships (Royal Princess and later) have more specialty dining options. The latest ships have up to five.

  • A partnership with chef Rudi Sodamin, who also works with Princess as head of culinary arts, also sees The Catch by Rudi on the newer ships.


Pool Deck Fun Includes Multiple Swimming Areas and Hot Tubs

Pool deck of Sky Princess cruise ship taken at sunset
Sky Princess's Pool Deck glows at twlight (Photo: Princess Cruises)

Holland America

  • All ships have at least one main pool and five whirlpools; several also have an aft pool, an extra-fee indoor therapeutic pool and/or a teen-only pool

  • Minimal pool games on warm-weather sailings


Princess Cruises

  • At least three pools and five hot tubs on most ships, including an aft pool and (on select ships) one beneath a retractable roof. Enchanted Princess has four pools and eight hot tubs.

  • When sailing in the Caribbean, fun games might be played poolside on sea days

  • The adults-only Sanctuary (some of which have a pool) offers cruisers a quiet pool/sun deck alternative

  • Current and favorite films shown daily on the pool/sun decks as part of the line's Movies Under the Stars program


Sports Deck Action Leans Towards Traditional Games & Sports Courts

We weren't fans of the all-white railings aboard Discovery Princess (Photo: Aaron Saunders)
Both lines provide jogging tracks among their outdoor/Sports Deck offering (Photo: Aaron Saunders)

Holland America

  • Offers a jogging track and basketball court on all ships, and either a volleyball or tennis court

  • Pickleball At Sea is offered fleetwide


Princess Cruises

  • Offers shuffleboard and a jogging track on all ships; most also have a basketball court

  • All ships have some type of golf space onboard, ranging from a practice cage to a nine-hole putting course (varies by ship)


Indoor Fun is Diverse, From Wine Tasting to Culinary Classes

Chef Ethan Stowell and Chef Rudi Sodamin at a cooking demo onboard Holland America Line Nieuw Amsterdam (Photo: Adam Coulter)
Chef Ethan Stowell and Chef Rudi Sodamin at a cooking demo onboard Holland America Line Nieuw Amsterdam (Photo: Adam Coulter)
  • Daily activities include a blend of fun options -- trivia, arts and crafts and dance classes -- and educational programs designed via a partnership with BBC Earth

  • Cooking demonstrations and classes are offered in the Culinary Arts Center; wine lovers can enjoy tastings at the onboard Wine Tasting Bar (on most ships) or try the Chateau Ste. Michelle wine-tasting and blending experience (only on Koningsdam)


Princess Cruises

  • Daily activities might include arts and crafts, dance classes, trivia, bingo and Princess Live, a large venue with a stage and video screen.

  • Destination-specific lectures and educational programs are offered on sailings in Alaska, Hawaii, Asia and the South Pacific

  • Select ships have a multi-deck piazza-style atrium, a hub for dining and entertainment


Nightlife on Both Lines Leans into Music

The Rolling Stone Rock Room aboard Holland America's Rotterdam (Photo: Aaron Saunders)
The Rolling Stone Rock Room aboard Holland America's Rotterdam (Photo: Aaron Saunders)
  • B.B. King's Blues Club, Billboard Onboard and Rolling Stone Rock Room bring vibrant blues, rock and other genres of music to some of Holland America’s fleet in music club-style venues.

  • The World Stage showcases a selection of live music shows, by Step One Dance Company, Lincoln Center Presents and Cantaré. BBC Earth concerts are also held here

  • Main-stage theater shows include musical revues, illusionists, comedians and concerts

  • Wine tasting and trivia are also offered.


Princess Cruises

  • Main-stage theater entertainment includes musical revues, as well as one-off comedy and magic acts; several ships feature a made-for-Princess musical created in collaboration with Stephen Schwartz, the Oscar-winning composer of "Wicked," "Pippin" and "Godspell"

  • Live music available nightly in most bars and lounges

  • Nightly wine tastings or wine-and-chocolate pairings are offered at the Vines wine bar

  • All ships have a late-night dance club


Families Are Catered for With Kids Clubs

The Treehouse Club on Princess (Photo: Princess Cruises)
The Treehouse Club on Princess is a fun and vibrant space (Photo: Princess Cruises)

Holland America

  • Three kids' clubs, divided by age group: 3- to 7-year-olds, 8- to 12-year-olds and 13- to 17-year-olds

  • Families with teens should look for one of the five ships that has a top-deck teen hangout with teen-only pool

  • Kids' activities include "Walking with Dinosaurs" programming designed in partnership with BBC Earth

  • After Hours babysitting is available from 10 p.m. until midnight for kids ages 3 to 12; at other times, and for children under 5, limited babysitting might be available on sea days

  • Family Oceanview cabins are available on some of the newer ships and sleep five, with two bathrooms, one with a bathtub, one with a shower.


Princess Cruises

  • Princess Cruises steps outside of its comfort zone with Sun Princess and the debut of Park19 in 2024. This new top-deck family activity zone features Sea Breeze, the industry's first 'rollerglider' on a ship.

  • Three kids clubs: The Treehouse (ages 3 to 7); (ages 8 to 12), The Lodge (ages 8 - 12) and The Beach House (ages 13 - 17).

  • Activities are provided through a partnership with the Discovery Channel, primarily themed around TV shows from the Discovery, Animal Planet, Learning and Science channels

  • A kids' splash pool is on all ships (except Pacific Princess); select ships also have teen-only hot tubs

  • Select ships offer two-room family suites

  • All ships have self-service laundry rooms


Tradition vs Innovation: How The Lines Weigh Up

Ocean Medallion's Play Ocean (Caribbean Princess)
Ocean Medallion's Play Ocean (Caribbean Princess)
  • One of, if not the most traditional of the North America-based cruise lines, emphasizing main dining rooms, dressing well, live music and an overall dignified vibe

  • Holland America is updating its onboard experience through partnerships, including teaming up with Lincoln Center and Billboard to offer innovative music venues on select ships, as well as with BBC Earth for a variety of educational programs


Princess Cruises

  • Values classic cruising traditions like multiple main dining rooms, though there is a growing number of extra-fee dining venues and musical theater shows

  • Technological innovations such as the SeaWalk, a transparent glass walkway suspended off the side of the ship 16 decks above the water, are limited to the line's newest ships. Princess' dazzling multilevel Piazzas remain a hub of action across the fleet.

  • At the forefront of the the newest ships is the line's Medallion technology. A wearable disk and a powerful app, complemented with a ship wired to the nines to make sure it all works, adn create a more seamless, high-tech sailing experiences. While the technology had its teething problems, it's now paying off on Enchanted Princess, one of the few ships in the Princess fleet to debut fully loaded with all the power of the line's Medallion.

Publish date June 16, 2023
How was this article?

Get special cruise deals, expert advice, insider tips and more.By proceeding, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.

© 1995—2024, The Independent Traveler, Inc.