If you’ve ever tried to pick a cruise, you know it’s not exactly a quick decision. There are a lot of options—and they all sound amazing in their own way.
We’ve had the chance to sail on Disney Cruise Line, Princess Cruises, and Celebrity Cruises, and the truth is… we’ve loved something about all three.
But they are very different experiences.
Disney is clearly built for families with younger kids, while Princess and Celebrity lean more adult-focused. We don’t have kids ourselves (yet!), but we can already picture how fun Disney would be one day with grandkids—and yes, we are fully planning ahead 😄
Here’s our honest take on what we loved (and a few things to think about) with each one.
🏰 Disney Cruise Line: Where Everything Feels a Little More Magical
5
There’s just something about Disney… it’s hard to explain, but everything feels a little more special.
What we love:
- Rotational dining (one of our absolute favorites)
- Your same server team follows you each night
- Broadway-level shows (seriously impressive)
- Fireworks at sea (yes, real fireworks!)
- Incredible kids’ spaces
The rotational dining is such a unique touch. You rotate restaurants each night, but your servers come with you—which means they actually get to know you. By night two or three, they already know your drink order, and that just makes the whole experience feel more personal.
And the shows? These are not your typical cruise shows. They’re polished, high-energy, and honestly something we really look forward to.
Things to consider:
- One of the more expensive cruise lines
- No drink package
- No casino onboard
Disney is amazing—but it does come at a higher price point. You’re paying for that Disney-level experience, and while it delivers, it’s definitely something to plan for.
Also, no drink package can add up if you enjoy cocktails or specialty drinks. And while there’s no casino (which didn’t bother us at all), it’s something to be aware of if that’s part of your typical cruise routine.
Our take:
Disney is an experience. If you want magic, entertainment, and something that feels truly different, it’s hard to beat.
🚢 Princess Cruises: The “Easy Button” Cruise (In the Best Way)
5
If we had to describe Princess in one phrase, it would be: easy and enjoyable.
What we love:
- Princess Plus & Premier packages (seriously great value)
- Drinks, Wi-Fi, and gratuities bundled together
- Consistently great service
- Lots of pool deck food options
- And… the pizza 🍕 (we’re still thinking about it)
The packages are a huge win here. Having drinks, Wi-Fi, and gratuities included just makes everything simpler. No constant math in your head, no surprises—it just feels easy.
Service on Princess has always been solid for us—friendly, attentive, but not over the top. And when you just want something quick to eat, the pool deck options are great.
And yes… we’re going to say it again: the pizza is that good.
Things to consider:
- Fewer “wow” attractions for kids
- No big water slides or thrill rides
- Fewer shorter cruises (3–4 days) out of Florida
Princess doesn’t really focus on the high-energy attractions you’ll see on some other ships. No water slides, no FlowRider-type experiences. For families with younger kids or teens looking for constant activity, that might feel like something is missing.
We’ve also noticed Princess tends to offer fewer shorter sailings out of Florida. If you’re looking for a quick 3- or 4-day getaway, your options may be more limited compared to other cruise lines.
Our take:
Princess is one of the best overall values out there. It’s relaxing, comfortable, and just works.
🌊 Celebrity Cruises: Relax, Recharge, Repeat
6
Celebrity feels like the cruise you take when you want to slow things down a bit.
What we love:
- High-quality buffet (a noticeable step up)
- Beautiful art throughout the ship
- Plenty of quiet spaces to unwind
- Smoke-free casinos (big plus)
The food—especially the buffet—really stood out to us. It just feels more refined, both in quality and presentation.
We also loved how many quiet spaces there were. Whether it’s a lounge, a deck, or just a tucked-away area, it’s easy to find a place to relax.
And a small but meaningful detail—the casino is smoke-free. Even though we’re not big gamblers, it’s nice not to deal with smoke when walking through that area.
Another plus—Celebrity tends to offer more shorter cruises (like 3- and 4-day sailings) out of Florida, which makes it a great option for quick getaways.
Our take:
Celebrity is perfect when you want a calmer, more upscale, more “relax and recharge” kind of vacation.
🧭 So… Which One Would We Choose?
Honestly? It depends on the kind of trip we’re looking for.
- If we want fun, energy, and something magical → Disney Cruise Line
- If we want easy, great value, and a little bit of everything → Princess Cruises
- If we want quiet, upscale, and relaxing → Celebrity Cruises
⚖️ Quick Comparison
Families
Disney: Best for families with young kids
Princess: Good, but fewer kid-focused activities
Celebrity: More adult-focused
Value
Disney: Higher price point
Princess: Excellent value (especially with packages)
Celebrity: Good value for a more upscale feel
Food
Disney: Very good + themed dining
Princess: Great variety (and amazing pizza)
Celebrity: Best overall quality, especially buffet
Entertainment
Disney: Broadway shows + fireworks
Princess: Good mix of shows and activities
Celebrity: More relaxed, lower-key entertainment
Vibe
Disney: Fun, energetic, family-focused
Princess: Relaxed, balanced
Celebrity: Calm, upscale
❤️ Final Thoughts from Us
We really do enjoy all three cruise lines—but for completely different reasons.
If we’re being completely honest, Princess is our favorite overall. It just checks so many boxes for us—great value, great service, and a relaxing experience without feeling boring. It’s the one we find ourselves coming back to again and again.
Disney feels like something special you don’t quite get anywhere else, and we can absolutely see how magical it would be to experience that with grandkids one day. Celebrity is where we go when we want to slow down, relax, and enjoy a more upscale, quieter atmosphere.
At the end of the day, it really comes down to what kind of trip you’re looking for—but for us, Princess has been the perfect balance.