Princess Cruises vs Viking Ocean Cruises

The core difference

Princess Cruises and Viking Ocean Cruises are both outstanding cruise lines, but they are designed for fundamentally different travellers — and understanding that distinction upfront will save you from booking the wrong holiday.

Princess is a premium mainstream line operating 17 ships ranging from the intimate 2,000-passenger Coral Princess to the 4,310-passenger Sphere-class Sun Princess and Star Princess. These are big ships with big-ship energy: Broadway-style production shows, full casinos, Movies Under the Stars on 300-square-foot poolside LED screens, kids’ clubs for ages 3 to 17, and up to 29 dining and bar venues on the newest vessels. Princess sits at the refined end of mainstream cruising — calmer and more service-oriented than Carnival or Royal Caribbean, but with the variety, scale, and price accessibility that makes it Australia’s most popular cruise line. The fleet sails everywhere from Alaska (where Princess has been the dominant line for nearly 60 years) to Japan, the Mediterranean, the South Pacific, and — critically for Australians — from five domestic homeports.

Viking is an upper-premium line operating a fleet of virtually identical 930-passenger ships, with the newest Vela-class vessels stretching to 998 passengers. Every cabin has a private veranda — there are no inside staterooms on any Viking ship. Every speciality restaurant is included without surcharges. One shore excursion per port is included. Wi-Fi is included. The LivNordic thermal spa is included. There is no casino, no kids’ programme, no water slides, no rock climbing walls. The minimum age is 18. The entertainment is enrichment — Resident Historians delivering university-quality lecture series, destination performances featuring local musicians and dancers, Metropolitan Opera screenings, and TED Talks. Viking calls itself “the thinking person’s cruise,” and the tagline is earned. Torstein Hagen founded the company in 1997, took it public on the NYSE in 2024, and has built what Conde Nast Traveler readers have voted the number-one ocean cruise line for five consecutive years.

In my experience advising Australian travellers, the choice between these two lines almost never comes down to quality — both deliver excellent product for their respective markets. It comes down to what kind of holiday you want and who is travelling with you.

What is actually included

This is where the most consequential differences emerge, and where I see the most confusion among clients weighing up these two lines.

Viking includes in every fare: a private veranda stateroom (no inside cabins exist); all dining venues including speciality restaurants Manfredi’s Italian and the Chef’s Table five-course tasting menu; beer and wine at lunch and dinner; speciality coffees, teas, soft drinks, and filtered water around the clock; one complimentary shore excursion at every port of call; basic Wi-Fi usable on multiple devices; full access to the LivNordic thermal suite including hydrotherapy pool, Finnish sauna, steam room, snow grotto, cold plunge pool, and heated tile loungers; self-service laundry with detergent and pressing; group fitness classes; complimentary 24-hour room service; and enrichment lectures, destination talks, and the Resident Historian programme. Afternoon tea in the Wintergarden with three-tiered stands, finger sandwiches, and live music is also included daily.

Viking does not include: gratuities (US$17 per person per day, charged automatically); cocktails and premium spirits (available a la carte or via the Silver Spirits Beverage Package at US$27 per person per night); the Kitchen Table cooking experience (US$180–$260 per person); spa treatments; send-away laundry; personal training; and flights and transfers.

Princess includes in the base fare: stateroom accommodation; main dining room meals with multi-course rotating menus; buffet dining at World Fresh Marketplace (or The Eatery on Sphere class); quick-service venues including Alfredo’s Pizzeria, International Cafe, and poolside grills; ice cream station; production shows and Movies Under the Stars; OceanMedallion wearable technology; basic fitness centre access; and pool and hot tub access.

Princess does not include in the base fare: alcoholic beverages and speciality coffee; Wi-Fi; speciality dining (US$45–$60 per person on Sphere class); casual dining surcharges (US$14.99 per three-course meal at venues like Salty Dog Gastropub and O’Malley’s Irish Pub); shore excursions; spa treatments; The Enclave thermal suite day passes; The Sanctuary adults-only retreat (US$20–$40 per day); gratuities (US$17–$19 per person per day depending on cabin category); room service delivery fee (US$5 per order); and flights and transfers.

Princess Plus (US$65–$70 per person per day for 2026) adds a beverage package covering drinks up to US$15 each, unlimited speciality coffees, Wi-Fi for one device, four casual dining meals per voyage, waived room service fees, and daily gratuities. Princess Premier (US$100–$110 per person per day) adds unlimited premium drinks up to US$20, unlimited speciality and casual dining, Wi-Fi for four devices, unlimited digital photos, reserved show seating, a shore excursion credit, and gratuities.

The practical effect is significant. A couple on a 14-night Princess cruise in a balcony cabin paying base fare will spend meaningfully more once drinks, Wi-Fi, a couple of speciality dinners, excursions, and gratuities are added. The Premier package bundles most of this at US$100 per day per person, but that adds US$2,800 to the cost for a couple over two weeks. Viking’s base fare is higher, but the included excursions alone — one per port across ten or twelve ports — represent hundreds or even thousands of dollars in value that Princess guests must purchase separately.

Dining and culinary experience

Both lines take food seriously, but the approach and scale are completely different.

Viking’s dining is intimate, Scandinavian-inflected, and entirely included. The Restaurant is the main dining room with open seating, daily-changing menus reflecting the itinerary’s regions, and an “always available” selection including Norwegian salmon, beer-marinated chicken, and the Viking steak. Manfredi’s Italian Restaurant — named after Silversea founder Manfredi Lefebvre, a friend of Viking founder Torstein Hagen — serves housemade pasta, osso buco, and regional Italian wines in an open-kitchen setting with Italian cinema portraits lining the walls. The Chef’s Table offers five-course tasting menus with wine pairings that rotate every three days across themes including Asian, French bistro, Norwegian, and sweet-and-salty. World Cafe is an elevated market-style buffet with made-to-order stations opening onto the Aquavit Terrace for al fresco dining beside the infinity pool. Mamsen’s — named after Hagen’s mother — serves Norwegian waffles, open-faced sandwiches, and Scandinavian pastries. The Wintergarden hosts daily afternoon tea on traditional three-tiered stands with live music. The Pool Grill serves cooked-to-order burgers and salads. Every one of these venues is included. The only dining surcharge on the entire ship is the Kitchen Table — a US$180–$260 experience where you shop for ingredients at a local market with Viking chefs in the morning and cook a multi-course meal together in the evening.

Princess’s dining spans more venues with more variety, but most carry surcharges. The Sphere-class ships offer 29 distinct dining and bar venues — the most in Princess history. The main dining rooms on Sun Princess and Star Princess comprise a three-storey complex: Soleil, Eclipse, and the exclusive Sanctuary Restaurant for top-tier suite guests. The “Dine My Way” programme lets guests choose between fixed seating, flexible reservations, or walk-in dining each evening. Complimentary casual options include The Eatery buffet, Alfredo’s Pizzeria (or GiGi’s), Americana Diner (Sphere class), and poolside grills. Casual dining at US$14.99 per meal includes O’Malley’s Irish Pub, Salty Dog Gastropub, and similar venues. Full speciality restaurants — Crown Grill steakhouse, Sabatini’s Italian, The Catch by Rudi, Bistro Sur La Mer, and the Share by Curtis Stone Australian-inspired restaurant — run US$45–$60 per person plus 18 per cent gratuity. Sphere-class exclusives include Umai Teppanyaki and Hot Pot, Makoto Ocean sushi bar, Love by Britto pop-art fine dining, and The Butcher’s Block by Dario. The Chef’s Table Lumiere experience is US$95–$115 per person for a multi-course tasting with wine pairing.

The dining verdict in my experience: Viking’s food quality is more consistent — smaller ships, fewer venues, tighter control. Forum feedback from travellers who have sailed both lines consistently rates Viking’s dining higher. Princess offers far more choice and variety, which some travellers genuinely prefer, but the surcharge structure means you are constantly making spending decisions. On Viking, you simply walk into Manfredi’s or the Chef’s Table without thinking about cost. That psychological difference matters more than people expect.

Suites and accommodation

The accommodation philosophies are as different as the ships themselves.

Viking offers six cabin categories, and every single one has a private veranda. There are no inside cabins on any Viking ship — the entry-level Veranda Stateroom is 270 square feet including the veranda. The Deluxe Veranda (the most numerous category at 272 per ship) is physically identical but adds a mini-bar with soft drinks, water, and snacks, plus in-cabin binoculars. Penthouse Veranda Staterooms step up to 338 square feet with an upgraded mini-bar including alcoholic beverages, welcome champagne, an espresso machine, cashmere blanket, priority dining reservations, and complimentary pressing. Penthouse Junior Suites reach 405 square feet with a separate living area, complimentary laundry and dry cleaning, guaranteed restaurant reservations, and personal concierge service. Explorer Suites are 757 square feet — the only cabins with bathtubs in addition to showers. The Owner’s Suite — one per ship — spans 1,319 square feet with a personal sauna, wet bar, kitchenette, and a wine cooler curated by Viking’s wine expert.

Because every Viking ship is virtually identical, a guest booking a Deluxe Veranda on Viking Star knows they will get the same cabin layout on Viking Neptune, Viking Saturn, or any of the new Vela-class ships. That consistency is a genuine selling point for repeat cruisers.

Princess offers a wider range of categories spanning interior staterooms to the industry’s most dramatic Sky Suites. Interior staterooms start at roughly 162–175 square feet on Royal and Sphere class — functional but compact. Balcony staterooms on Royal and Sphere class run approximately 222 square feet total including a 41-square-foot balcony. Mini-suites reach 299–329 square feet with a separate sitting area, larger bathroom, and walk-in closet. The new Cabana Mini-Suites on Sphere class add a private indoor/outdoor cabana area between cabin and balcony — a genuinely innovative concept. Reserve Collection Mini-Suites (formerly Club Class) offer the best midship locations with exclusive dining privileges, priority boarding, and upgraded amenities.

The showpieces are the Sky Suites. On Royal-class ships, these span 1,792 square feet with two bedrooms, a 1,000-square-foot wraparound balcony with 270-degree views, a private outdoor large-screen television, and direct sightlines to the Movies Under the Stars screen. On Sphere class, the Signature Sky Suites reach 1,262 square feet. The Sanctuary Collection on Sun Princess and Star Princess takes the top-tier concept further with an exclusive restaurant, adults-only pool deck, and curated amenities creating a ship-within-a-ship experience.

The accommodation verdict: Viking’s entry-level product is superior — 270 square feet with a veranda versus Princess’s 162-square-foot interior or 222-square-foot balcony. Viking’s heated bathroom floors, premium linens, and Scandinavian design create a more refined base experience. But Princess’s range is dramatically wider, from accessible interiors to suite experiences that rival the ultra-luxury segment. If you are comparing like-for-like balcony cabins, Viking offers more space, more inclusions, and a more polished finish. If you want the extremes — either an affordable interior or a 1,792-square-foot suite with a private wraparound balcony — only Princess delivers those options.

Pricing and value

This is the comparison point where I spend the most time with clients, because the sticker price tells a misleading story.

Princess is significantly cheaper on face value. A 14-night Mediterranean cruise in a balcony cabin starts from roughly US$160–$250 per person per night on a Royal or Grand class ship. Sphere-class ships run 10–20 per cent higher. A seven-night Mediterranean balcony on Princess starts from approximately US$180–$280 per night.

Viking’s headline fare is substantially higher. A comparable 14-night Mediterranean in a Veranda Stateroom starts from roughly US$300–$400 per night in shoulder season and US$400–$550 or more in peak summer. A seven-night itinerary runs approximately US$350–$600 per night.

But the true cost comparison requires adding Princess’s extras. A couple on a 14-night Mediterranean Princess cruise with balcony cabin and Premier package pays approximately US$228 per night base plus US$100 per night for Premier — roughly US$328 per night per person. Add shore excursions at five or six ports (not all covered by Premier’s modest credit) and you are approaching US$380–$420 per night all-in. Viking’s US$400 per night includes excursions at every port, all speciality dining, Wi-Fi, the thermal spa, and wine at meals. The gap narrows to perhaps US$50–$80 per night — and for passengers who would purchase additional excursions, speciality dining, and spa access on Princess, Viking can represent comparable or even better value.

For Australian travellers, the currency context matters. Viking’s Companion Fly Free promotion periodically covers economy flights valued at up to AUD $2,500 per person from 14 Australian gateways — a significant offset. Princess does not typically include flights but offers the EZair booking service with flexible change policies. Neither line includes international flights as standard for Australian departures.

I recommend clients think about the total holiday cost, not the cruise fare in isolation. For budget-conscious travellers happy with Princess’s base fare and willing to manage their onboard spending, Princess delivers genuine savings. For travellers who want an all-in experience without daily spending decisions, Viking’s higher fare often represents better total value.

Spa and wellness

Viking’s LivNordic Spa is the standout wellness offering in this comparison, primarily because the thermal suite is included for every guest on every sailing — a feature that most cruise lines (Princess included) charge US$40–$60 per day for.

The LivNordic concept, designed by Stockholm spa consultancy Raison d’Etre, is rooted in the Scandinavian tradition of alternating hot and cold treatments. The thermal suite includes a hydrotherapy pool with underwater benches and a faux fireplace, a Finnish sauna, eucalyptus-scented steam room, heated tile loungers with ocean views, a cold plunge pool, and — uniquely — a snow grotto with gently falling snowflakes. Viking was the first cruise line to feature a snow grotto at sea when Viking Star launched in 2015. The Nordic Bathing Ritual — warm, cold, rest, repeat — is available as a guided group session for US$39, but any guest can self-guide the same experience for free using the complimentary facilities at any time. The main pool has a retractable glass roof for all-weather swimming, and the infinity pool on the Aquavit Terrace is a beautiful al fresco option. Group fitness classes are mostly included.

Princess operates the Lotus Spa across the entire fleet, run by OneSpaWorld. Facilities include treatment rooms (approximately 25 on Sphere class — triple the size of any previous Lotus Spa), The Enclave thermal suite with hydrotherapy pool, cascading rain shower, heated stone beds, steam rooms, and saunas. On Royal Princess, The Enclave includes a Hammam, Caldarium, and Laconium. However, The Enclave is a paid surcharge — it is not included in the cruise fare or either package tier. The Sanctuary — Princess’s adults-only premium relaxation area with plush loungers, cabanas, and dedicated Serenity Stewards — costs US$20 for a half day or US$40 for a full day. On Sphere class, The Sanctuary Collection is an accommodation category with exclusive facilities, not just a day pass.

Princess does offer unique wellness options Viking lacks: SeaWalk glass-floor walkways extending over the ocean on Sky Princess, Enchanted Princess, and Discovery Princess; medi-spa services including Botox and dermal fillers; and a broader range of salon services.

The wellness verdict: if the thermal spa is important to your cruise experience — and I find it becomes important to most guests once they experience it — Viking’s complimentary access represents genuine daily value. Princess offers more spa breadth and the dramatic Sphere-class facilities, but everything beyond basic gym access carries a surcharge.

Entertainment and enrichment

This is the sharpest philosophical divide between the two lines, and it is entirely by design.

Princess delivers big-ship entertainment. The fleet produces over 35 Broadway-style production shows with large casts, stunning sets, and full orchestras. The Princess Theater is a two-level dedicated show lounge. Movies Under the Stars plays feature films, concerts, and live sporting events on a giant poolside LED screen with a 69,000-watt sound system — blankets and popcorn provided. Princess Live! hosts comedy, live music, game shows, and interactive audience participation. The Dome on Sphere-class ships transforms from a daytime lounge under a geodesic glass dome into a nighttime entertainment venue with DJ sets, themed parties, and immersive light shows. Discovery at Sea — a partnership with Discovery Communications — includes Stargazing programmes led by certified specialists, Shark Week events, and destination-focused documentaries. Every ship has a full casino with blackjack, roulette, craps, slots, and poker tournaments. The ScholarShip@Sea enrichment programme offers guest lectures, cooking demonstrations, wine tastings, and creative workshops, though these are less prominent than the entertainment programme.

Princess also maintains formal nights — typically two per seven-night cruise — with a traditional dress code enforced in the main dining room and speciality restaurants (tuxedos or dark suits for men, evening gowns or cocktail dresses for women). Casual alternatives are available at the buffet and informal venues.

Viking delivers destination-focused enrichment without traditional cruise ship entertainment. There is no casino on any Viking ship. No Broadway-style shows. No kids’ programme. No water slides, rock climbing walls, or go-kart tracks. The Resident Historian programme — unique to Viking in the cruise industry — provides a university-style curriculum of lectures, roundtable discussions, and daily office hours for one-on-one conversations, all tailored to the specific itinerary. Destination speakers include authors, archaeologists, scientists, and cultural experts. Destination Performances bring local musicians, dancers, and performers aboard — flamenco in Spain, opera in Italy, folk music in Scandinavia. Metropolitan Opera “Live in HD” screenings and TED Talks provide further intellectual programming. Resident musicians perform classical compositions in The Living Room, a three-storey atrium with puzzles, board games, and reading areas. The Explorers’ Lounge — a two-level panoramic lounge — hosts cocktails and live music. Torshavn serves as the late-night venue.

Viking has no formal nights. The dress code is “elegant casual” every evening — collared shirts and slacks for men, dresses or blouses for women. No tuxedos, no ball gowns, no packing stress.

I find the entertainment question is actually the easiest way to determine which line is right for a client. If you look forward to production shows, casino nights, formal evening dressing, and Movies Under the Stars, Princess will make you happy. If you would rather attend a lecture on the Medici dynasty before arriving in Florence, browse a curated library, and listen to a pianist in the atrium with a glass of wine, Viking is your line. Neither approach is superior — they simply serve different preferences.

Fleet and destination coverage

Princess operates 17 ships across four distinct classes, offering a breadth of choice that Viking cannot match. The Sphere-class Sun Princess and Star Princess (175,500 GT, 4,310 passengers) represent the newest generation with 29 dining and bar venues, The Dome geodesic glass structure, and The Sphere glass-enclosed piazza. Six Royal-class ships (142,000–145,000 GT, 3,560–3,660 passengers) are the fleet’s workhorses with the SeaWalk glass walkway and Sky Suites. Seven Grand-class ships (107,000–116,000 GT, 2,170–3,140 passengers) span 1998 to 2008 — the largest class by number. Two Coral-class ships (91,000–93,000 GT, 2,000–2,210 passengers) are the most intimate, well-suited for Panama Canal transits and smaller ports. This fleet diversity means Princess offers everything from short four-night domestic Australian sailings to 131-day world cruises.

Viking operates 11 ocean ships (nine Star-class and two Vela-class, with four more Vela-class on order through 2028) plus two expedition ships under the separate Viking Expeditions brand. The deliberate identical-ship strategy means every vessel has the same deck layout, restaurant names, cabin categories, and public spaces. Star-class ships are 47,800 GT with 930 passengers and 465 cabins. Vela-class ships (Viking Vela, launched December 2024, and Viking Vesta, launched July 2025) are modestly larger at approximately 54,300 GT with 998 passengers and 499 cabins, featuring hybrid engines and rooftop solar panels, but maintaining the same amenities and deck layout.

Both lines cover the Mediterranean extensively, and both have meaningful Alaska programmes. Viking’s spiritual home is Scandinavia and Northern Europe — the “Viking Homelands” and “Into the Midnight Sun” itineraries are signature products with deep cultural credibility. Princess’s signature region is Alaska, where the line has been named the best cruise line by Travel Weekly for 21 consecutive years. Princess also offers far more extensive Japan, Southeast Asia, Caribbean, and South Pacific programmes.

Viking’s expedition ships — Viking Octantis and Viking Polaris — provide polar and Great Lakes capability that Princess cannot offer, though these sit under a separate brand.

Both lines operate annual world cruise programmes. Princess’s 2026 World Cruise on Island Princess covers 115–131 days, 19 countries, and 60 destinations. Viking offers four world cruise options for 2026–2027, ranging from 125 to 170 days across 27 to 41 countries.

Where each line excels

Princess excels in:

• Australian deployment. Three ships from five homeports (Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Fremantle, Adelaide) for 2026–2027, with 62 departures and 42 unique itineraries. Short four-to-eight-night domestic sailings to Queensland, Tasmania, and New Zealand. With P&O Cruises ceasing Australian operations in March 2025, Princess has become the go-to accessible cruise line for Australians wanting extensive domestic itineraries.
• Alaska. Nearly 60 years of expertise, eight ships and 180 departures in 2026, exclusive Glacier Bay National Park permits, owned wilderness lodges at Denali and Kenai Peninsula, glass-domed railcar journeys, and cruisetours combining seven-night cruises with three-to-seven-night land packages accessing up to four national parks.
• Family and multi-generational travel. Kids’ clubs for ages 3–17, family-friendly dining, connecting staterooms, and splash zones make Princess the obvious choice for grandparents travelling with grandchildren — a major segment of the Australian cruise market.
• Technology. MedallionClass with touchless boarding, keyless stateroom entry, OceanNow food delivery to your GPS-tracked location, real-time navigation, and friend-finding. Industry-leading wearable technology that Viking does not attempt.
• Entertainment variety. Production shows, casino, Movies Under the Stars, The Dome, comedy clubs, game shows, and themed parties.
• Price accessibility. Base fares start significantly lower, and the tiered package system lets budget-conscious travellers control their spending.

Viking excels in:

• Included value. Speciality dining, shore excursions, Wi-Fi, thermal spa, self-service laundry, and wine at meals all included in the base fare. For travellers who would purchase these extras on Princess, Viking often represents better total value.
• Adults-only atmosphere. The strict 18-plus policy creates a fundamentally different onboard environment — quieter, more refined, and consistently praised by travellers who prefer it.
• Enrichment and cultural immersion. The Resident Historian programme, destination speakers, destination performances, and intellectual programming have no equivalent in the Princess fleet or on most other ocean cruise lines.
• Small-ship access. Viking’s 930-passenger ships access ports that Princess’s 3,000-to-4,300-passenger vessels cannot reach or must tender into. In the Mediterranean particularly, this means docking in the heart of smaller towns rather than at commercial cruise terminals.
• Scandinavian and Northern European expertise. Viking’s heritage gives it authentic cultural connections in the Baltic, Norwegian fjords, and Iceland that Princess cannot replicate.
• Consistency. Every Viking ship is virtually identical — guests know exactly what to expect regardless of which vessel they book. Princess’s experience varies dramatically between a 1998 Grand Princess and a 2024 Sun Princess.

Standout itineraries for Australian travellers

Princess

Star Princess — Alaska Voyage of the Glaciers with Cruisetour (7-night cruise plus 3–7-night land tour, May–September 2026) — Star Princess brings the Sphere-class experience to Alaska for the first time. Combine the seven-night Inside Passage cruise with a land tour visiting Denali National Park via glass-domed railcars and Princess Wilderness Lodges. Glacier Bay National Park transit with onboard park rangers. This is the definitive Alaska land-and-sea experience, and one I recommend frequently to Australian clients making the long journey to Alaska who want to see as much as possible.

Royal Princess — Australia and New Zealand (2026–2027 season, homeported Sydney) — Itineraries to Queensland, Tasmania, and New Zealand with no international flights required. A comfortable and accessible introduction to Princess for Australian cruisers.

Crown Princess — Round Australia (2026–2027 season, departing from multiple Australian ports) — A comprehensive circumnavigation calling at Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Fremantle, and northern Australian ports. Departures available from five cities.

Diamond Princess — Japan Spring Flowers (10–11 nights, March–April 2026) — Following the predicted cherry blossom season south to north across all four main Japanese islands. Cultural enrichment with local specialists. Princess’s Japan programme is the strongest of any mainstream or premium line.

Island Princess — 2026 World Cruise Circle Pacific (115–131 days, departing January 2026) — The Coral-class ship’s intimate scale suits world cruising, with 60 destinations across 19 countries, 45 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and overnight stays including Hong Kong and Sydney. Departs from Fort Lauderdale or Los Angeles — requires positioning flights from Australia, but the 131-day journey visits Australian waters.

Viking

Viking Orion — Grand Australia Circumnavigation (31–32 nights, Sydney to Sydney, December 2026 and January 2027) — A comprehensive coastal voyage including the Whitsunday Islands, Cairns, Darwin, Komodo Island, Bali (two nights), Geraldton, Fremantle, Albany, Adelaide, Melbourne, Burnie in Tasmania, and Eden. From approximately AUD $21,555 per person in a balcony stateroom. Included excursions at every port and the intimate 930-passenger experience make this genuinely different from the Princess circumnavigation product.

Viking Homelands (15 days, Stockholm to Bergen) — Viking’s signature itinerary through the Baltic capitals. Eight countries, multiple overnights, and the deepest Scandinavian cultural programme at sea. Australians will need positioning flights, but Viking’s Companion Fly Free offer periodically covers economy airfare from Australian gateways.

Into the Midnight Sun (15 days, London to Bergen) — Above the Arctic Circle in summer, through Norwegian fjords, the Lofoten Islands, Tromso, and North Cape under 24-hour daylight. An extraordinary experience for Australian travellers accustomed to southern hemisphere seasons.

Iconic Western Mediterranean (7 days, Barcelona to Rome) — Viking’s benchmark short Mediterranean itinerary visiting Barcelona, Marseille, Monte Carlo, Florence, and Rome. An excellent starter voyage for Australians trying Viking for the first time. Can be combined with other Mediterranean itineraries for 14-to-22-day voyages.

Viking World Voyage III (170 days, Fort Lauderdale to Stockholm, departing December 2026 on Viking Sky) — The most comprehensive Viking world cruise at 41 countries and six continents, with 82 guided tours and 18 overnight cities. Early booking incentives have included business-class airfare, a US$4,000 per couple shore excursion credit, complimentary Silver Spirits, and US$2,000 per couple shipboard credit.

Ship-by-ship recommendations

Princess

Sun Princess or Star Princess (Sphere class, 175,500 GT, 4,310 passengers, 2024–2025) — The flagship experience with 29 dining and bar venues, The Dome, The Sphere, and The Sanctuary Collection. Named the number-one mega cruise ship by Conde Nast Traveler readers two consecutive years. Start here for the definitive modern Princess experience. Star Princess adds expanded non-smoking casino areas and refined entertainment offerings.

Discovery Princess (Royal class, 145,000 GT, 3,660 passengers, 2022) — The newest Royal-class ship with the SeaWalk glass walkway and Sky Suites. Has been deployed to Australian waters and is well-suited to the market. An excellent choice if Sphere-class ships feel too large.

Majestic Princess (Royal class, 143,700 GT, 3,560 passengers, 2017, refurbished April 2025) — Refreshed with O’Malley’s Irish Pub, Good Spirits At Sea interactive cocktail bar, and relocated Sabatini’s. Originally built with features for the Chinese market and now repositioned globally.

Diamond Princess (Grand class, 115,875 GT, 2,170 passengers, 2004) — The dedicated Japan specialist. Smaller passenger count for a Grand-class ship makes it more manageable in Japanese ports. The recommended choice for Cherry Blossom and Hokkaido itineraries.

Coral Princess or Island Princess (Coral class, 91,000–93,000 GT, 2,000–2,210 passengers, 2003) — The most intimate Princess ships and best suited for Panama Canal transits, world cruises, and travellers who prefer smaller vessels within the Princess fleet. Note that facilities and venue counts are more limited than Royal or Sphere class.

Viking

Viking Vela or Viking Vesta (Vela class, approximately 54,300 GT, 998 passengers, 2024–2025) — The newest Viking ships with hybrid engines, rooftop solar panels, and 35 additional staterooms compared to Star-class siblings. Same amenities and deck layout. Choose these for the latest environmental technology and the freshest interiors.

Viking Orion (Star class, 47,800 GT, 930 passengers, 2018) — The primary ship deployed to Australian and New Zealand waters. If you are an Australian traveller wanting to sail Viking without positioning flights to Europe, this is your ship. Features a planetarium — one of only two ships in the fleet to offer it.

Viking Jupiter (Star class, 47,800 GT, 930 passengers, 2019) — The other Viking ship with a planetarium. Typically deployed to Mediterranean and Northern European itineraries.

Any Star-class ship (Viking Star through Viking Saturn) — Because every ship is virtually identical, the ship assignment matters less than the itinerary. A Deluxe Veranda on Viking Mars is the same cabin as on Viking Star or Viking Neptune. This consistency means you can book confidently on any vessel. I recommend choosing by itinerary and date rather than by specific ship name.

For Australian travellers specifically

The Australian deployment gap between these two lines is the widest of any comparison point.

Princess is Australia’s dominant cruise line. For the 2026–2027 season, three ships — Royal Princess, Grand Princess, and Crown Princess — sail from five homeports: Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Fremantle, and Adelaide. That means residents of every major Australian city can board a Princess ship with a domestic flight or, in the case of Sydney and Melbourne, a simple transfer. Princess offers 62 departures across 42 unique itineraries covering Queensland, Tasmania, New Zealand, the South Pacific, and full round-Australia voyages. Short four-to-eight-night options exist for travellers who cannot commit to longer sailings. The 2027–2028 season expands further with Sapphire Princess homeporting in Fremantle — making Princess the only large premium cruise line both returning to and homeporting a ship in Western Australia.

With P&O Cruises ceasing Australian operations in March 2025, Princess has stepped directly into that void. Princess now offers cruises departing from Adelaide, Perth, Auckland, Hobart, and more — ports that Royal Caribbean and Carnival do not serve as homeports. The Circle Pacific itinerary returns for the first time in ten years in 2027 — a 79-night voyage from Sydney, Brisbane, or Auckland visiting 32 destinations across 13 countries.

Australian-specific support includes the EZair flight programme with flexible change policies and flight delay protection, Cruise Plus Hotel Packages with airport transfers and Princess representatives, Australian dollar pricing on the dedicated princess.com/en-au website, and a strong network of Australian travel advisors.

Viking’s Australian presence is meaningful but narrower. Viking Orion serves as the primary ship for the Australian and New Zealand season, typically December through March. Sydney is the primary homeport, with Melbourne (Geelong) as a secondary port of call on circumnavigation itineraries. Viking offers approximately 17 Australia and New Zealand cruises per season, with 67 sailings available between February 2026 and March 2028. The minimum itinerary length from Australia is approximately 14 nights — there are no short domestic getaway options.

Viking’s Companion Fly Free promotion covers economy flights valued at up to AUD $2,500 per person from 14 Australian gateways, including Adelaide, Brisbane, Cairns, Canberra, Darwin, Gold Coast, Hobart, Launceston, Melbourne, Perth, and Sydney. This is a genuine advantage for Australians booking European or Alaskan itineraries, partially offsetting the higher base fare.

For Australians outside Sydney wanting to cruise Viking from a domestic port, the options are limited. Melburnians, Brisbanites, and West Australians will typically need to travel to Sydney or book a circumnavigation that calls at their home port mid-voyage. This is a practical limitation that Princess’s multi-port deployment solves comprehensively.

The loyalty pathways differ for Australian cruisers. Princess Captain’s Circle sits within the Carnival Corporation ecosystem, though there is no direct status matching between Carnival brands — each programme is separate. Viking Explorer Society is entirely independent with no cross-brand partnerships. Neither line offers formal status matching from competitor loyalty programmes, though Viking has occasionally run limited promotions for first-time cruisers switching from other lines.

The onboard atmosphere

The feel of a Princess cruise and a Viking cruise are different enough that choosing the wrong one will colour your entire holiday — and this is where reading reviews from people who share your travel temperament matters most.

Princess’s atmosphere is relaxed mainstream premium. The passenger demographic is broad — couples, families, multi-generational groups, and solo travellers spanning their 30s to 80s. Australian, American, and British passengers dominate, with good Australian representation on southern hemisphere sailings. The energy level is higher than Viking — poolside music, trivia competitions, dance classes, casino buzz, and the nightly excitement of production shows. Formal nights add a sense of occasion. MedallionClass technology is pervasive — OceanNow delivery, keyless entry, GPS tracking — and creates a frictionless convenience that tech-comfortable travellers appreciate, though some find it intrusive. The ships are designed to offer something for everyone, which means there is always activity and always a crowd. Service is friendly and attentive, with many repeat guests describing the crew as “family.” The atmosphere rewards variety-seekers — travellers who want options, choice, and energy.

Viking’s atmosphere is quiet, cultured, and adult. The passenger base averages mid-60s to 70s, predominantly American, British, and Australian, with a strong contingent of well-travelled, intellectually curious couples. The absence of children, casino noise, and high-volume entertainment creates a fundamentally different ambient quality. The Scandinavian design — natural wood, warm earth tones, “fireplace” features, fur blankets, and classical music drifting through public spaces — creates an environment that feels more boutique hotel than cruise ship. Evenings are social but wind down earlier than on Princess. The Explorers’ Lounge draws a convivial cocktail crowd, but by 11 PM most public spaces have quietened. Service is attentive and personalised — smaller ships with 465 crew serving 930 guests means staff learn your preferences quickly. The dress code is elegant casual every night without exception — no formal nights, no packing dilemmas.

I am direct with clients about the “boring” question, because it surfaces consistently in Viking reviews. For travellers accustomed to the entertainment programming of mainstream lines, Viking can feel quiet — particularly on sea days. One experienced cruiser on Cruise Critic described their Viking voyage as their “least favourite cruise ship experience.” Others call it “the best cruise I have ever taken.” Viking generates the most polarised responses of any major cruise line. My advice: if you crave stimulation, variety, and onboard buzz, Princess will make you happier. If you crave calm, intellectual engagement, and destination focus, Viking will make you happier. The worst outcome is booking Viking expecting Princess energy, or vice versa.

The bottom line

Princess and Viking are both excellent cruise lines that happen to serve fundamentally different needs — and that is precisely why the comparison matters.

Choose Princess for Australian deployment breadth — three ships from five homeports with short domestic sailings starting at four nights, making it the most accessible cruise line for Australians in any state. Choose it for family and multi-generational travel where Viking’s 18-plus policy is a non-starter. Choose it for Alaska cruisetours combining sea and land with wilderness lodges, Glacier Bay permits, and glass-domed railcars that no other line can match. Choose it for MedallionClass technology, production shows, casino nights, formal evening dressing, and the sheer variety of a 17-ship fleet spanning intimate 2,000-passenger vessels to 4,310-passenger floating cities. Choose it for a lower entry-level price point and the flexibility to control your onboard spending.

Choose Viking for the most comprehensively included upper-premium experience — where speciality dining, shore excursions, Wi-Fi, the thermal spa, and wine at meals are part of the fare, not added to your account. Choose it for the adults-only atmosphere that 930-passenger ships and zero-casino, zero-kids-club design create. Choose it for the Resident Historian, destination performances, and an enrichment programme that treats cruising as a cultural education rather than a floating resort. Choose it for Scandinavian design elegance, consistent product across every ship, and an evening dress code that never asks you to pack a dinner jacket. Choose it for intimate port access and the world’s number-one-rated ocean cruise experience.

For most Australian families, Princess is the natural choice — and a very good one. For Australian couples and solo travellers seeking cultural depth, included value, and an adults-only environment, Viking delivers an experience that Princess, for all its strengths, simply does not offer. Both lines will serve you well. The question is which kind of well you are looking for.