Cruise Frog guide
Cunard vs Princess Cruises
Princess Cruises rates higher than Cunard on Cruise Frog's editorial scores, 4.0 to 3.8 out of 5 across their rated ships. Cunard leads on cabins; Princess Cruises on pools & decks and value. Pick Cunard for history and culture; Princess Cruises for multigenerational groups and first-time cruisers.
Comparison updated
| Fact | Cunard | Princess Cruises |
|---|---|---|
| Style | Premium | Premium |
| Best for | Couples, History and culture | Couples, Multigenerational groups, First-time cruisers |
| Fleet rating | 3.8 / 5 | 4.0 / 5 |
| Cabins | 4.3 | 4.2 |
| Dining | 4.0 | 4.0 |
| Entertainment | 4.0 | 4.0 |
| Service | 4.0 | 4.0 |
| Pools & decks | 3.3 | 4.0 |
| Value | 3.0 | 4.0 |
| Ships in service | 4 | 17 |
| Largest ship | Queen Mary 2 (149,215 GT) | Star Princess (177,882 GT) |
| Newest ship | Queen Anne (2024) | Star Princess (2025) |
| Guests per ship, average | 2,467 | 3,223 |
| Usually sails | World cruises, Caribbean, Alaska, Transatlantic | Caribbean, Alaska, Northern Europe, Panama Canal |
| Solo cabins | Some ships | — |
| Single supplement | No fixed published percentage. Single staterooms are priced for one guest; a solo traveler in a standard double cabin pays a supplement… | — |
| Loyalty program | Cunard World Club | Captain's Circle |
| Owner | Carnival Corporation & plc | Carnival Corporation & plc |
| Headquarters | Southampton, United Kingdom | Santa Clarita, California, United States |
| Founded | 1840 | 1965 |
Ratings are Cruise Frog's editorial scores of each line's ships in service, 1 to 5, averaged; the higher figure is highlighted. How we rate.
Quick answers
Which is better, Cunard or Princess Cruises?
Princess Cruises rates higher than Cunard on Cruise Frog's editorial scores, 4.0 to 3.8 out of 5 across their rated ships. Cunard leads on cabins; Princess Cruises on pools & decks and value.
Is Cunard or Princess Cruises better value?
Princess Cruises scores higher for value, 4.0 to 3.0 out of 5 (what you get for the fare, extras included).
Is Cunard or Princess Cruises better for dining?
They score the same for dining, 4.0 out of 5.
Is Cunard or Princess Cruises better for entertainment?
They score the same for entertainment, 4.0 out of 5.
Is Cunard or Princess Cruises better for cabins?
Cunard scores higher for cabins, 4.3 to 4.2 out of 5 (comfortable, quiet, well kept).
Which has bigger ships, Cunard or Princess Cruises?
Princess Cruises's largest ship, Star Princess, measures 177,882 gross tons, against 149,215 for Queen Mary 2, Cunard's largest. An average Cunard ship carries 2,467 guests, a Princess Cruises ship 3,223.
How many ships do Cunard and Princess Cruises have?
Cunard has 4 ships in service; Princess Cruises has 17 ships in service.
Are Cunard and Princess Cruises owned by the same company?
Yes. Both are part of Carnival Corporation & plc.