Princess vs Holland America Line: Which Cruise Line Fits Your Travel Style?
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Intro: Why I Sail Both Lines
I’ve sailed both Princess and Holland America Line (HAL) multiple times now, and here’s the truth: these two cruise lines aren’t competitors in my mind — they’re two completely different moods. Both lean mature, both are relaxed, and neither is a party ship. But they each shine in their own way, and depending on the trip, I genuinely love them both.
I’ve traveled with my parents and my son on both lines, and everyone tends to prefer Princess — probably because we’ve sailed it more and it feels familiar. But I still love HAL to switch things up. It’s calm, cozy, and if the right deal came along, we would all jump on it.
My husband is what I lovingly call a cruise snob — he doesn’t love cruising, so when he does sail with me, I want everything to be perfect. So far, he’s only done Princess with me, but I would absolutely take him on HAL. I’m already actively looking for a HAL sailing in 2027 for him to try.
If you want deeper dives, you can explore my Princess Hub and HAL Hub anytime.
Ship Size & Layout
Julie (NPLB) with the Majestic Princess March 2026)
Princess: Bigger Ships, More Energy
Princess ships — especially the Royal‑class — are larger, more modern, and have more venues. You’ll walk more, you’ll see more people, and you’ll feel more movement around the ship. It’s not overwhelming, but it definitely has more “cruise energy.”
HAL: Smaller Ships, Easier to Navigate
HAL’s ships are smaller, and honestly, I love that. On my Canada cruise on the Zuiderdam, we were on Deck 6, and I could get everywhere quickly just by taking the stairs. It made the ship feel accessible and easy — no waiting for elevators, no long treks across mega‑ship hallways.
And the outside‑facing elevators? Heaven. I’m claustrophobic, but I love seeing the water as I move between decks. HAL’s elevators make the whole ship feel open and calming.
Lazy Girl Take
Princess = more to do HAL = easier to get around Both = comfortable and not overwhelming
Vibe & Crowd
Princess
Princess has a slightly younger mix, but still leans mature. It’s relaxed, friendly, and has a steady hum of activity without ever feeling chaotic.
HAL
HAL definitely leans older — more retirees, more quiet mornings, more calm spaces. It’s refined, serene, and destination‑focused.
Lazy Girl Take
Both lines are mature and relaxed. Neither is a party ship, but you can absolutely have fun on both.
If you want to see everything I actually pack and use on every cruise, I keep those on their own pages so they’re easy to follow. You can find my full Cruise Essentials Guide and my complete 7‑Day Cruise Packing List — both include the exact items I bring on every sailing, including my Patchology eye and lip masks (they’re cheaper on Amazon than on the ship… I checked).
Food & Buffet Comparison
Princess: More Variety
Princess wins on buffet variety, hands down. They had ramen every single night on my sailing, and I looked forward to it. Princess is great if you like options, grazing, or trying different things.
HAL: Better Breakfast Quality
HAL’s buffet is smaller, but their breakfast quality surprised me in the best way. I loved the fresh crêpes every morning — such a fun treat. Tanner (my son) liked HAL’s pancakes better than Princess's, and I actually preferred HAL’s French toast.
Lazy Girl Take
Princess = more choices HAL = better breakfast
Thermal Spa & Relaxation Spaces
Princess: The Enclave (Royal‑Class Ships)
Both lines have amazing thermal spa areas, but right now I prefer The Enclave on Princess’s Royal‑class ships. It’s big, dramatic, and luxurious. The hydrotherapy pool is huge, the heated stone loungers are dreamy, and the whole space feels modern.
HAL: Cozy, Serene, Spa‑Retreat Vibes
HAL’s thermal suite is smaller but incredibly serene. It feels like a quiet retreat — calm, cozy, and perfect for slow mornings.
Lazy Girl Take
Princess wins for me at the moment… but I’m absolutely willing to do more “research” on this.
Both Princess and HAL have amazing thermal spa areas, but right now I prefer The Enclave on the Royal‑class ships. It’s big, dramatic, and luxurious. HAL’s spa is smaller and calmer — still wonderful — but Princess wins for me at the moment.
If you want to see the full experience, check out my Enclave Review and HAL Spa Review — both include photos, pricing notes, and my honest take on whether the thermal suite pass is worth it.
💆♀️ Lazy Girl Tip: I always pack my Patchology eye and lip mask kit before cruising — it’s my go‑to for spa mornings or post‑sun afternoons. It’s cheaper on Amazon than onboard (I checked!), and it’s perfect for keeping your skin fresh after long port days.
You can find it here: Patchology Kit on Amazon
Entertainment & Activities
Princess
Princess has more entertainment overall — big theater shows, Movies Under the Stars, trivia, games, and lots of daily activities. If you like variety, Princess delivers.
HAL
HAL’s entertainment footprint is smaller, but the quality of their live music is next‑level. I’m not a show person, so I can’t review every production… but I can tell you I had one of the most unexpectedly fun nights of my cruise at BB King’s Blues Club on the Nieuw Amsterdam. I totally danced the night away. The band was incredible, the energy was amazing, and the whole room was having the best time.
Lazy Girl Take
Princess = more options HAL = better live music Even as a non‑show person, HAL won me over
Itineraries & Destinations
Princess
Strong Alaska + Caribbean
Lots of roundtrip options
Great for first‑timers
HAL
Destination‑focused
Canada/New England, Alaska, Europe
More port days, longer itineraries
And our next Princess adventure is already booked — we’re sailing for the upcoming Solar Eclipse. Princess does such a great job with special event itineraries, and this one feels like a once‑in‑a‑lifetime moment.
🏔️ Alaska with Princess: My Favorite Cruise Experience Yet
Last summer we sailed Alaska with Princess, and it was honestly one of the most amazing experiences of all my travels. The scenery, the service, and the way Princess handled the ports made it unforgettable. It’s the kind of trip that reminds you why cruising can be pure magic — waking up to glaciers outside your balcony and sipping coffee while watching whales glide by.
I wrote a full recap of that trip here: Alaska with Princess Review — it includes our itinerary, excursions, and how we used points to make it happen.
My dad, my son and me in Alaska on the Royal Princesss
Tech & Convenience
Princess
Princess is more tech‑forward with MedallionClass, app ordering, and digital convenience.
HAL
HAL is more traditional — less tech, more calm, simpler experience.
Lazy Girl Take
Princess = tech HAL = unplugged
I book all my cruises using my Lazy Girl system — stacking deals, using portals, re‑pricing when possible, and never paying full price. Instead of putting all the details here, I keep everything on one page so it’s easy to follow. You can see exactly how I book cruises here: How I Book Cruises and how I book shore excursions here: How I Book Shore Excursions.
Who Each Line Is Best For
Princess
Couples
Families with older kids
First‑time cruisers
People who like options
My parents and my son — Princess is their familiar favorite
Holland America
Retirees
Couples who want calm
Destination‑focused travelers
People who prefer smaller ships
My Final Verdict
Princess and HAL aren’t competitors — they’re two different moods. Princess is our family’s familiar favorite, but HAL is the line I’d choose when I want something calmer and more refined — even for my cruise‑snob husband. If the right deal came along, we’d all jump on it.
Princess is my pick when I want energy, options, and The Enclave. HAL is my pick when I want calm mornings, smaller ships, and fresh crêpes. I sail both for different reasons, and I’ll keep sailing both.
If you want to explore each line deeper, you can jump into my Princess Cruises Guide or HAL Hub.
About the Author
Hi, I’m Julie — creator of No Point Left Behind, travel‑hacking educator, cruise strategist, and Lazy Girl guide‑maker. I help travelers save money, stack deals, and travel smarter without overwhelm. I’m a former stay‑at‑home mom turned full‑time travel creator, and I believe travel should feel easy, fun, and accessible — not stressful or expensive.
I live in TN with my husband Brandon and our two college‑age sons, Tanner and Finn. When I’m not cruising, I’m building Lazy Girl systems, running my Facebook travel‑hacking community, and planning my next iced‑coffee‑in‑hand adventure.
