Ship Comparison
Emerald Princess vs Star Princess
Emerald Princess offers a cherished, relaxed cruise experience focused on destinations, while Star Princess provides a modern, lively voyage with innovative spaces and premium perks.
The verdict
Emerald Princess is a beloved classic, offering a warm, family-friendly atmosphere with a strong emphasis on enriching shore excursions and traditional comforts. It's a ship where genuine relaxation and connection to destinations take precedence. Star Princess, on the other hand, is a bold new build, pushing the boundaries with innovative design, advanced technology, and a vibrant, modern energy. While its layout might challenge navigation, it promises a dynamic, elevated experience with a focus on cutting-edge entertainment and premium amenities. Choosing between them comes down to preferring classic charm and seamless exploration versus modern flair and innovative onboard experiences.
Choose Emerald Princess if…
Those who appreciate a classic, relaxed cruise focused on destination immersion, comfortable amenities, and a family-friendly atmosphere without overt gimmicks.
Best for
- Families seeking traditional cruise fun
- Travelers prioritizing destination exploration
- Guests who appreciate a relaxed, uncrowded atmosphere
- Cruisers who value consistent, attentive service
- Those seeking classic cruise ship charm
Avoid if
- Guests seeking cutting-edge, high-tech entertainment
- Travelers who prefer contemporary, minimalist design
- Those who dislike crowded buffet areas on sea days
- Cruisers wanting a strong narrative in all production shows
- Guests who expect fully private balconies (due to staggered design)
Choose Star Princess if…
Travelers seeking a modern, vibrant cruise with innovative entertainment, diverse dining, and advanced digital integration, who enjoy a lively atmosphere and don't mind navigating a complex ship layout.
Best for
- Guests who embrace modern, innovative ship design
- Foodies eager for diverse, specialty dining experiences
- Tech-savvy cruisers valuing seamless digital integration
- Families and socialites seeking vibrant, dynamic spaces
- Those prioritizing comfortable, quiet staterooms
Avoid if
- Travelers who prefer easy-to-navigate ship layouts
- Guests seeking a traditional, intimate cruise experience
- Budget-conscious cruisers (premium perks are extra)
- Those sensitive to potential crowding in main buffet areas
- Guests who dislike shared outdoor spaces (Cabana Mini-Suites)
Overall Vibe
Emerald Princess
Emerald Princess, launched in 2007 and refreshed in 2019, offers a classic Princess experience that feels grand yet approachable. This vessel, spanning 19 decks, is designed for those who appreciate traditional cruising with a focus on destinations rather than flashy attractions. Carrying 3,080 guests, it balances contemporary comforts with a relaxed, family-friendly atmosphere, providing a solid vacation without relying on gimmicks. The ship's layout encourages exploration and social interaction in its various public spaces.
Star Princess
Star Princess, a new Sphere-class mega-ship launching in 2025, promises a "brighter than a supernova" experience. Designed to bring the world to you, this larger vessel, with 21 decks and accommodating 4,300 guests, blends sophistication with a casual elegance. It emphasizes dynamic views and innovative experiences, creating a lively atmosphere, particularly around its central Piazza and the transforming Dome. The ship aims for comfort and diverse activities, representing a modern evolution of the Princess brand.
Atmosphere & Crowd
Emerald Princess
Emerald Princess cultivates a relaxed and family-friendly atmosphere, welcoming diverse groups. With a passenger capacity of 3,080 and 1,200 crew members, the crew-to-guest ratio fosters attentive service. The ship's central Piazza is a vibrant social hub, while "Movies Under The Stars" offers cozy, family-friendly evenings. Kids and teens are engaged at the re-imagined Camp Discovery Youth & Teen Centres, and adults can find tranquility in The Sanctuary, an exclusive retreat. It's a ship where connection and comfort are prioritized.
Star Princess
Star Princess delivers a classy yet casual ambiance, catering to a lively crowd of up to 4,300 guests with 1,200 crew. This higher guest-to-crew ratio suggests a bustling energy, especially within its expansive, three-deck-high Piazza, which offers dynamic ocean views. The ship's innovative Dome transforms from a tranquil pool area by day to a vibrant entertainment venue with a "South Beach vibe" by night. Family-friendly spaces like the Main Pool Area and dedicated kids' clubs ensure a lively environment for all ages.
Dining
Emerald Princess
Emerald Princess offers a diverse culinary journey, from included traditional main dining in the Michelangelo, Botticelli, and Da Vinci Dining Rooms to casual bites at the 24-hour International Café, World Fresh Marketplace buffet, Salty Dog Grill, Slice Pizzeria, and Coffee & Cones. Specialty options, available for an additional charge, include the elegant Crown Grill for steak and seafood, Sabatini’s Italian Trattoria, Steamers Seafood, and Planks BBQ. The "Dine My Way" program allows for Personalized mealtime customization.
Star Princess
Star Princess elevates dining with chef-crafted menus in its Main Dining Rooms (Soleil, Eclipse, Aurora), offering flexible seating. Complimentary options abound, from the authentic Neapolitan pizza at Alfredo's and pub fare at O'Malley's to the extensive buffet at The Eatery and the quieter Americana Diner. For specialty experiences, guests can explore Umai Teppanyaki, the elegant seafood at The Catch by Rudi, the unique steakhouse The Butcher's Block by Dario, Makoto Ocean for sushi, or the creative Gastro-Fusion at Love by Britto.
Entertainment & Nightlife
Emerald Princess
Emerald Princess provides a robust entertainment lineup, centered around the Princess Theatre for lavish productions and the open-air "Movies Under The Stars," complete with popcorn and blankets. The vibrant Piazza hosts impromptu performances and events like the "Champagne pour." Nightlife includes the Gatsby's Casino, Explorer's Lounge for game shows and trivia, Club Fusion for dance parties and karaoke, and Skywalker's Nightclub for late-night dancing. Crooner's Bar and Adagio Bar offer live music in more intimate settings.
Star Princess
Star Princess pushes the boundaries of onboard entertainment with its technologically advanced Princess Arena, offering configurable staging for diverse productions like "Meridian." The innovative Dome transforms from a daytime pool area to a "South Beach vibe" entertainment venue, hosting events like the "Candlelight Concert Series." Guests can enjoy game shows at Princess Live!, test their luck at the sleek Princess Casino, or indulge in the immersive "Spellbound by Magic Castle" experience (for a fee). Live music fills The Piazza and O'Malley's.
Cabins & Suites
Emerald Princess
Emerald Princess offers a range of accommodations, from Interior (158-162 sq ft) and Oceanview (146-206 sq ft) to Balcony (214-222 sq ft) staterooms. Mini-Suites provide 323 sq ft with a balcony and a separate sitting area. The Reserve Collection Mini-Suites add VIP perks and dedicated dining. Full Suites, ranging from 460 to 932 sq ft, offer enhanced living space, priority benefits, and upgraded amenities. A unique Two-Bedroom Family Suite (606 sq ft) caters to larger groups. All feature the comfortable Princess Luxury Bed.
Star Princess
Star Princess features comfortable and exceptionally quiet accommodations, though Interior cabins are smaller at 136-145 sq ft. Deluxe Balcony staterooms offer 235 sq ft with a private outdoor space. Mini-Suites provide 303 sq ft, while the unique Cabana Mini-Suites (329 sq ft) include an extra-large private lounge space, though some have privacy concerns due to shared hot tubs. Signature Collection Suites (304-636 sq ft) offer exclusive access and amenities, culminating in the expansive, two-bedroom Signature Sky Suite (1,262 sq ft).
Service & Onboard Style
Emerald Princess
Emerald Princess maintains an excellent service level, a hallmark since its launch. The ambiance is one of relaxed elegance, where Personalized touches like "Dine My Way" allow guests to customize their meal times. Serenity Stewards attend to needs in The Sanctuary, enhancing the adult-only retreat experience. The Princess app is highly useful for navigation and activity schedules, contributing to a smooth onboard flow. Guests appreciate the attentive waiters and the overall comfortable, well-managed environment.
Star Princess
Star Princess offers a classy yet casual onboard style, prioritizing guest comfort with exceptionally quiet rooms and excellent beds. Service is streamlined by the Medallion device, which provides seamless room access and identification, and the highly functional Princess app. While the ship boasts advanced digital tools and Personalized service, its physical layout can be challenging to navigate, with major venues sometimes requiring exploration through guest room hallways. Signature Sky Suite guests benefit from a dedicated Suite Experience Manager.
Best Itineraries
Emerald Princess
Emerald Princess excels in offering rich, destination-focused excursions and well-constructed shore tours, appealing to those who prioritize exploring ports of call. The ship's design and amenities complement a journey of discovery, providing comfortable spaces for unwinding after a day of cultural immersion. Its itinerary strengths lie in providing a balanced experience where the ship serves as a gateway to the world, without distracting from the beauty and history of the destinations visited.
Star Princess
Star Princess is positioned for immersive global voyages, "designed to bring you to the world, and the world to you." Its innovative features, such as The Dome's glassed-in viewing area, are particularly suited for scenic itineraries like Alaska, allowing guests to appreciate breathtaking landscapes in comfort. With its blend of modern amenities and diverse activities, it's well-suited for popular, longer routes where the ship itself is part of the destination experience, offering dynamic views and onboard exploration.
What reviewers say
Emerald Princess
4.5/5Emerald Princess offers a relaxed, family-friendly atmosphere with a strong focus on destination exploration and well-crafted shore tours. It provides a solid entertainment program and diverse dining options without relying on over-the-top gimmicks.
Star Princess
4/5A classy but casual ship where you can bank on comfort at the end of the day, with plenty to do from dawn til dusk, though you'll likely get lost trying to get around.
Itineraries to compare
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