If you’re comparing Princess vs Holland America, you’re looking at two of the most established premium cruise lines in the industry and two particularly strong choices for Alaska and longer voyages.
Both cruise lines have deep Alaska roots, with Princess beginning Alaska operations in 1969 and Holland America having sailed the region since the late 1960s. Both offer Alaska cruises and cruise-tour options, including itineraries featuring Glacier Bay.
But the onboard experience is noticeably different. And when it comes to Grand Voyages, Holland America has a particularly strong identity, with long-duration voyages that can span multiple regions and months.
So which one should you choose? Here are 15 key differences between these two cruise lines.
Table of Contents
Quick Comparison: Princess vs Holland America
| Category | Princess Cruises | Holland America |
|---|---|---|
| Overall vibe | Elegant, energetic, modern | Classic, refined, relaxed |
| Alaska | Excellent | Outstanding |
| Grand Voyages | Excellent | Outstanding |
| Ship size | Larger | More intimate |
| Dining | Excellent | Excellent |
| Entertainment | Excellent | Very good |
| Families | Excellent | Good |
| Service | Excellent | Excellent |
| Live music | Very good | Outstanding |
| Destination focus | Excellent | Outstanding |
| Technology | Excellent | Very good |
| Best for | Families & active cruisers | Couples, Alaska & long voyages |
Price & Overall Value
Princess Cruises
Princess sits firmly in the premium cruise category but offers a broad range of fares across its fleet.
Its larger ships give passengers plenty of complimentary dining, entertainment, pools, activities, and public spaces. Princess also offers bundled packages that can add Wi-Fi, drinks, and other benefits.
For Alaska, Princess and Holland America can have surprisingly similar pricing on comparable seven-night itineraries, meaning the cheapest headline fare isn’t always enough to determine which is the better value.
Holland America
Holland America also occupies the premium segment, with pricing that can be competitive with Princess on comparable itineraries.
The value proposition is different: you’re paying for a more traditional atmosphere, smaller ships, destination-focused programming, quality dining, and a less crowded feel.
Winner: Princess for overall value; Holland America for premium experience.
Ship Size & Fleet
Princess Cruises
Princess generally operates larger ships, with newer vessels pushing the line further toward the modern mega-ship end of premium cruising.
That means more restaurants, entertainment venues, pools, cabins, and passengers.
The fleet can vary considerably by ship, so don’t book based on the Princess name alone. Check our Princess Ships by size guide to see how the ships compare.
Holland America
Holland America’s ships are generally smaller and more intimate than Princess’s largest vessels.
That smaller scale is particularly appealing in Alaska, where having accessible outdoor viewing areas and less crowded public spaces can make scenic cruising more enjoyable.
Winner: Holland America for intimacy; Princess for shipboard variety.
If you want a ship that feels like a resort, Princess has the advantage. If you want the ship to feel more manageable and destination-focused, Holland America wins.
Ship Age Matters
Princess Cruises
The age of the ship can make a major difference with both cruise lines. Princess has newer vessels alongside older ships, and the difference in design, technology, dining, and entertainment can be substantial.
Read our Princess Ships by Age Guide before booking so you know exactly what you’re getting.
Holland America
Holland America has the same issue. Its newer Pinnacle Class ships feel considerably different from older vessels.
Winner: Tie.
Alaska Cruises
Princess Cruises
Princess is one of the strongest choices for Alaska. Its Alaska program includes cruises between Vancouver, Seattle, and Whittier, plus cruise tours that combine the cruise with land travel.
Princess also offers Alaska-specific programming through its North to Alaska program, including regional food, guest speakers, wildlife-focused activities, and Alaska-themed programming.
For families, Princess adds another advantage with Alaska-focused youth activities.
Holland America
This is where Holland America really shines. Holland America has exceptionally deep Alaska experience and offers extensive itineraries featuring destinations such as Juneau, Skagway, Ketchikan, and Glacier Bay.
Its Alaska program emphasizes the scenery and destination rather than treating Alaska as simply another cruise itinerary.
Holland America also offers Alaska cruise tours combining the cruise with land experiences around Denali and other destinations.
Both lines are major Alaska operators, and both offer one-way Vancouver–Whittier itineraries that include Glacier Bay.
Winner: Holland America.
It’s close, but if Alaska itself is the main reason you’re cruising, Holland America gets the edge.
Grand Voyages
Princess Cruises
Princess offers long cruises and extended itineraries that can take passengers well beyond the standard seven-day vacation.
Its broader fleet and global deployment create opportunities for longer international voyages. For travelers who want to combine multiple destinations into one trip, Princess has plenty of options.
Holland America
Grand Voyages is a major part of Holland America’s identity. These voyages can stretch for weeks or months and cross multiple regions, making them particularly attractive to experienced cruisers who want a slower, more immersive journey.
Holland America’s Grand Voyages are one of the line’s defining strengths.
Winner: Holland America.
If your idea of the perfect cruise involves weeks or months at sea rather than seven nights, Holland America is the natural choice.
Dining
Princess Cruises
Princess offers a broad range of dining, including main dining rooms, buffet options, casual venues, specialty restaurants, and newer food concepts aboard its latest ships.
Its larger ships can provide more dining variety, particularly for travelers who like having several choices every day.
Holland America
Holland America has a strong culinary reputation and puts considerable emphasis on food quality.
Its Culinary Council brings together chefs associated with different culinary traditions, while signature venues such as Pinnacle Grill add a premium dining option.
Winner: Holland America, narrowly.
Princess offers more variety on some ships, but Holland America’s culinary focus gives it the slight edge for food-focused travelers.
Entertainment & Activities
Princess Cruises
Princess has the more energetic entertainment program. Depending on the ship, passengers can find production shows, live music, comedy, casinos, movies, game shows, enrichment programs, and other evening activities.
Newer ships also feature technologically advanced entertainment spaces.
Holland America
Holland America’s entertainment strategy is more focused on music and culture.
Music Walk is one of its signature features, with live music venues and performances on selected ships. The line also places significant emphasis on enrichment and destination-focused programming.
Winner: Princess for variety; Holland America for live music.
Families & Kids
Princess Cruises
Princess is the more family-friendly option. Its larger ships, youth programs, pools, entertainment, and broader activity lineup make it easier for children and teenagers to stay entertained.
Princess also incorporates Alaska-themed activities into its youth programming.
Holland America
Holland America welcomes families but has a more adult-oriented atmosphere.
Kids can participate in youth programs and family activities, but the line isn’t built around children’s entertainment in the same way as Princess.
Winner: Princess.
That said, Princess isn’t the perfect fit for every traveler. If you’re looking for a more adult-focused atmosphere, fewer family-oriented activities, or a different onboard experience, there are several factors worth considering before booking.
Our guide to reasons not to choose Princess Cruise covers the potential drawbacks to consider before making your decision.
Cabins
Princess Cruises
Princess offers interior, ocean-view, balcony, mini-suite, and suite accommodations.
Its newer ships have more contemporary cabin designs, and balconies are particularly attractive on Alaska sailings where scenery is the star.
Holland America
Holland America’s cabins are generally well suited to longer voyages.
The line’s smaller ships can provide a more intimate experience, while suites and higher cabin categories add additional space and amenities.
Winner: Holland America for long voyages; Princess for variety.
If you’re spending several weeks aboard, Holland America’s traditional, comfortable approach has real appeal.
Service
Princess Cruises
Princess provides polished service while maintaining a relatively relaxed atmosphere. Its larger passenger capacity means the experience can feel somewhat more efficient and mainstream.
Holland America
Holland America puts greater emphasis on personal service and a quieter onboard environment.
The smaller ships can make the service experience feel more intimate, particularly on longer voyages where crew and passengers have more time to become familiar with one another.
Winner: Holland America.
Atmosphere
Princess Cruises
Princess feels like modern traditional cruising. It’s elegant but approachable, active without being chaotic, and broad enough to appeal to couples, families, and older travelers.
Holland America
Holland America feels more classic and refined. The atmosphere is quieter, the public spaces are generally calmer, and the focus is more heavily placed on music, culture, food, and destinations.
Winner: Depends on your personality.
Want more energy? Princess. Want more peace and sophistication? Holland America.
Technology
Princess Cruises
Princess has a significant technology advantage with its MedallionClass system.
The wearable technology can be used for things such as cabin access, onboard purchases, locating members of your group, and other cruise functions.
It’s particularly useful for families and passengers who don’t want to carry cards around the ship.
Holland America
Holland America offers modern onboard technology but doesn’t make it as central to the cruise experience. The line is more focused on traditional hospitality and destination enrichment.
Winner: Princess.
Who Should Choose Each? Princess vs. Holland America
Choose Princess Cruises if:
- You’re traveling with children or multiple generations.
- You want a larger, more active ship.
- You like technology and easy onboard navigation.
- You want plenty of entertainment and activities.
- You’re looking for a strong Alaska cruise with family appeal.
- You prefer a modern take on traditional cruising.
Choose Holland America if:
- Alaska is the main reason you’re cruising.
- You want a quieter, more intimate ship.
- You’re interested in Grand Voyages.
- You love live music and cultural enrichment.
- You prefer classic cruising.
- You’re planning a longer voyage where the onboard atmosphere matters as much as the ports.
Final Verdict: Princess vs. Holland America
So, Princess vs Holland America, which premium cruise line wins?
Princess wins for families, technology, shipboard activities, entertainment, and overall versatility.
Holland America wins for Alaska depth, Grand Voyages, live music, service, and destination-focused cruising.
Overall Winner: Holland America for Alaska & Grand Voyages
If the headline of your vacation is “I want to experience Alaska,” choose Holland America.
If the headline is “I want a great cruise that happens to visit Alaska,” choose Princess.
And if you’re planning a Grand Voyage, Holland America’s long-voyage heritage gives it the edge.
FAQs: Princess vs Holland America
1. Is Princess or Holland America better for Alaska?
Holland America has the slight edge for Alaska. Both cruise lines have extensive Alaska experience and strong Glacier Bay itineraries, but Holland America’s quieter, destination-focused atmosphere makes it particularly well suited to scenic cruising and wildlife viewing.
3. Which cruise line is better for Grand Voyages?
Holland America is better for Grand Voyages. Long-duration, destination-rich cruising is a major part of Holland America’s identity, making it particularly appealing to experienced cruisers who want to spend weeks or months traveling.
4. Which has better food, Princess or Holland America?
Both offer strong dining, but Holland America gets a slight edge for culinary focus and food quality, while Princess can offer more variety on its larger and newer ships.
5. Which is better overall, Princess or Holland America?
It depends on the trip. Choose Holland America for Alaska, Grand Voyages, live music, service, and a quieter atmosphere. Choose Princess for families, activities, technology, entertainment, and broader appeal. For the specific Alaska-and-long-voyage focus of this comparison, Holland America is the overall winner.
