Princess Cruise Lines is increasing the cost of daily gratuities and add-on packages making Princess Plus and Princess Premier more expensive. Following a trend in the cruise industry to recoup losses and unbundle fares, the unbundling of services come at a higher cost. Unless sailing with a luxury cruise line, everything from specialty coffees and teas to wi-fi is an additional cost. The new pricing is effective for new bookings made on or after Dec 14, 2022 and applies to voyages sailing on or after Feb 20, 2023. Those who reserve their vacation before Dec 14, 2022 are exempt from the increases and can lock in the best rates.
Princess Packages New Pricing
Like most cruise lines, Princess offers discounts for bundling services. Cruise fares include the cost of the room and most services onboard, including meals, select beverages, entertainment, pool access, etc. For those who want more, you can upgrade your cruise by including the cost of other items in a package. These packages tend to include items such as Wi-fi, specialty dining, alcohol, and more.
Currently, Princess Plus packages include the Plus Beverage Package, single-device Wi-Fi plan ($15 daily value) and daily crew appreciation. The cruise drink package ‘Plus beverage plan’ includes most alcoholic drinks below $12. This includes wine by the glass, fountain sodas, fresh juices and more. Starting Dec 14, the price will increase by $10 to $60 per person, per day.
The new Princess Plus Package expands to include the following new items:
- Two Princess premium crafted desserts per day, as well as unlimited juices.
- Two fitness classes per cruise created under our new partnership with Xponential Fitness, Inc., the largest global franchisor of boutique premium fitness brands, that include Pure Barre, Yoga Six and Stretch Lab classes.
- Free shipping of Medallions to Princess guests (U.S. only) prior to their cruise.
Princess still sees the Princes Plus package as a fantastic deal. With the enhanced Princess Plus you can enjoy $140 of value each day for just $60 – a 57% savings. The current Princess Plus package is a value of $95 per day. These new features racks up the savings. Especially if you want more than just alcohol.
Princess Premier is also changing. The current Princess Premier package includes the Premier Beverage Package, four-device Wi-Fi plan ($40 dollar daily value), daily crew appreciation, two nights of specialty dining, one photo package and Princess Prizes. The premier beverage package cover drinks up to $18. It is truly designed for those who prefer top shelf alcohol.
What’s new:
- Unlimited premium crafted desserts, juices per cruise.
- Unlimited fitness classes created under our new partnership with Xponential Fitness, Inc.
- Reserved seating at the Princess Theater (for all guests in a stateroom)
- Complimentary Medallion accessory exclusively designed for Premier package guests (fulfilled onboard).
- Free shipping (U.S. only) of Medallions to your client’s door prior to their cruise.
Princess Premier’s new cost will be $80 per day per guest. This is an increase of $5, up from $75. The new enhanced Princess Premier can equate to $257 of value each day for just $80 – a 69% savings.
Both packages include the additional benefit of a 25% discount on the following excluded items: all bottles of wine, large bottles of water and cans of soda.
What’s included in the Princess Cruises Drinks Package?
The Plus Beverage Package is prt of Princess Plus. This Princess Cruise drink package includes beer, spirits, wine by the glass and cocktails up to $15 USD / $22 AUD. There is over 50 spirits, 40 wines by the glass and cocktails to choose from. Plus, all non-alcoholic beverages including bottled water (500ml only), fountain sodas, the new Juice Bar, plus fresh juices (if available), specialty coffees and teas, frappes at Coffee & Cones, milkshakes (if available) and Red Bull energy drinks. Bar service charges are included in this package.
Cruises departing from and returning to Australia and New Zealand will be charged in AUD vs USD.
Princess Cruises drinks package – Premier
The Premier Beverage Package is part of Princess Premier. It’s the highest category of drinks. This leap grgich hills and cattier champagne or private woodford reserve bourbon selection created exclusively for princess. It includes a premium selection of beer, spirits, wine by the glass and cocktails $20 USD / $30 AUD. This package will cover the cost of more than 75 spirits, 40 wines by the glass and cocktails onboard. In addition, all non-alcoholic beverages including bottled water (500ml only), fountain sodas, the new Juice Bar, plus fresh juices (if available), specialty coffees and teas, frappes at Coffee & Cones, milkshakes (if available) and Red Bull energy drinks. Bar service charges are included in this package. The package includes the additional benefit of a 25% discount on the following excluded items: all bottles of wine, one-liter bottles of water and bottled juices. The package has a daily limit on alcoholic beverages of 15 beverages over a 24-hour period (6 a.m. to 6 a.m.).
If you want to enjoy top shelf spirits, reserve wines by the glass, and cocktails this Princess cruises drink package is ideal for you!
Princess Daily Gratuities Increasing
With the increase in costs of Princess Plus and Premium packages, Princess Cruise Line is also increasing the mandatory gratuities for staff. These gratuities are split between your room attendant, entertainment, and restaurant staff.
The daily crew appreciation charge is based on the stateroom category. Effective Dec 14, 2022 daily appreciation will increase by $2.50 for all guests in all cabins. The new daily charge will be:
- $16 per guest in Interior, Oceanview and Balcony
- $17 per guests in Mini-Suite and Club Class
- $18 per guest in Suites
Existing bookings have the opportunity to pre-pay the crew appreciation for their cruise at the current rate until Dec 13, 2022. Otherwise expect a 7-day cruise for two to cost $35 more in gratuities. For those who purchase Princess Plus or Princess Standard, there are no additional staff appreciation charges. The packages include pre-paid gratuities which further makes adding a Princess cruise package ideal. Saving you money and taking the stress out of worrying about running up additional charges while onboard.
Bottom Line
Price increases are never easy to spin. The crew works hard and the additional daily gratuities go directly to the staff to perform the work they do. Some consider this wage subsidization and I understand that sentiment. The increased cost of Princess Plus and Princess Standard will make Princess Cruises more expensive, but at least they also are adding new additional perks. Some of these new perks add very little value. Not everyone will indulge in a specialty dessert or take a gym class. Especially on port days. Thankfully though you can always opt for princess standard and pay separately for items such as drinks, Wi-fi, fresh juices and healthy smoothies juice bar and all the other items as you choose to utilize.
