Planning a Princess Cruise and wondering if upgrading your booking is worth the cost? You aren't alone. Deciding between the Princess Plus and Princess Premier packages is one of the biggest choices cruisers face before setting sail. This comprehensive FAQ breaks down everything you need to know to make an informed decision. From comparing daily pricing and beverage limits to exploring specialty dining upgrades, Wi-Fi perks, and crew appreciation fees, we've gathered all the details to help you find the perfect package for your vacation style and budget.
What is the pricing for each package?
Package | Pre-Cruise Price | Onboard Price | Savings vs. À La Carte |
|---|---|---|---|
Princess Plus | $65 per person/day* | $70 per person/day* | Around 54%** |
Princess Premier | $100 per person/day* | $105 per person/day* | Around 66%** |
Sphere Class Ship: Princess Plus | $70 per person/day* | $75 per person/day* | 50% Savings** |
Sphere Class Ship: Princess Premier | $105 per person/day* | $110 per person/day* | 70% Savings** |
*Packages apply to guests 1 and 2 on the reservation and must be purchased 4 days (or 96 hours) prior to departure for lower price. Package purchases made onboard or within 4 days of departure will be an additional $5 per person, per day.
**Savings per guest is based on a 10-day cruise when package is purchased prior to sailing.
Pricing is subject to change. See full package terms and conditions
Access the chart in desktop mode for the best viewing experience.
What beverages are included in each package?
Feature | Princess Plus | Princess Premier |
|---|---|---|
Drink value cap | Up to $15 USD each | Up to $20 USD each |
Drink types covered | Cocktails, wine, beer, spirits, fountain sodas, specialty coffees and teas; bar service charges included | Premium selection of spirits, cocktails, and wine by the glass |
Daily drink limit | 15 beverages per 24-hour period (specialty coffees, teas, and bottled water do not count toward this limit) | Not specified as limited (package is positioned as unlimited within the $20 cap) |
Bottled water | Up to 500mL bottles, up to 12 per day | Up to 500mL bottles, up to 12 per day |
Discount on excluded items | 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 canned soda | 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 canned soda |
Zero-Alcohol coverage (guests under legal drinking age) | Automatic Zero-Alcohol Package: zero-alcohol cocktails, fountain sodas, specialty coffees/teas, frappes, Red Bull, with pre-paid 18% service charge | Same automatic Zero-Alcohol Package applies |
What dining is included in each package?
Dining benefit | Princess Plus | Princess Premier |
|---|---|---|
Casual dining | 4 casual dining meals per guest per voyage | Unlimited casual dining meals |
Specialty dining | Not included | Unlimited specialty dining meals at award-winning specialty restaurants |
Specialty venues (where offered) | Not applicable | Crown Grill (USDA Black-Angus steaks), Sabatini's Italian Trattoria, The Catch by Rudi (seafood) |
Premium desserts | 2 per day | Unlimited |
Juice bar | 4 blends and 2 power shots | 4 blends and 2 power shots |
Effective Jan 14, 2026 update | No change noted | Premier casual dining expands to relaxed, sit-down restaurants such as Alfredo's Pizzeria, O'Malley's, Ocean Terrace, and Salty Dog Gastropub |
Which specialty restaurants are included?
Crown Grill – USDA Black-Angus steaks
Sabatini's Italian Trattoria – Italian cuisine
The Catch by Rudi – seafood
Princess Premier includes unlimited specialty dining meals at these award-winning specialty restaurants
Princess Plus does not include specialty dining
Specialty dining reservations are exclusive to the package holder and cannot be transferred or used on behalf of another guest
Unused specialty dining credits are non-refundable and cannot be redeemed for cash
What credits and fees are included?
Benefit | Princess Plus | Princess Premier |
|---|---|---|
Wi-Fi | 1 device per guest | Up to 4 devices per guest (MedallionNet Max) |
Shore excursion credit | Not included | $100 for 6–9 day cruises, $200 for 10–20 day cruises, $300 for 21+ day cruises (non-refundable if unused, cannot be redeemed for cash) |
OceanNow delivery fee | Delivery fee waived; room service delivery included | Delivery fee waived; room service delivery included |
Crew appreciation (pre-paid gratuities) | $18/day (interior, oceanview, balcony); $19/day (mini-suite, cabanas, Reserve); $20/day (suites) — cannot be opted out, exchanged, or refunded, as it's bundled with the package | Same rates and terms as Princess Plus |
Casual dining | 4 meals per guest per voyage | Unlimited; effective January 14, 2026, this includes relaxed sit-down restaurants such as Alfredo's Pizzeria, O'Malley's, Ocean Terrace, and Salty Dog Gastropub |
Specialty dining | Not included | Unlimited meals at venues such as Crown Grill, Sabatini's Italian Trattoria, and The Catch by Rudi; reserved exclusively for the package holder and cannot be transferred to another guest |
What fitness, entertainment, and photo benefits are included?
Benefit | Princess Plus | Princess Premier |
|---|---|---|
Fitness classes | 2 fitness classes | Unlimited fitness classes, including Xponential |
Premium desserts | 2 per day | Unlimited |
Professional photos | Not included | Unlimited digital images taken by onboard photographers, plus 3 prints |
Juice bar | 4 blends and 2 power shots (included) | 4 blends and 2 power shots (included) |
Reserved theater seating | Included | Included |
Medallion device accessory | Exclusive free accessory included | Exclusive free accessory included |
Princess Prizes | Unlimited chances to win (1 in 4 spins wins) | Unlimited chances to win (1 in 4 spins wins) |
When should I purchase these packages?
Guests under 21 are automatically assigned the Zero-Alcohol Package rather than Princess Plus or Princess Premier, so there's no need to select this separately. Note that the age threshold varies by region: it's 18 in Europe, Asia, South America, Australia, and New Zealand, and 20 in Japan. This package includes zero-alcohol cocktails, fountain sodas, specialty coffees and teas, frappes, and Red Bull energy drinks, with an 18% service charge pre-paid. Keep this in mind when budgeting for mixed-age traveling parties, since the automatic assignment means younger guests won't be charged for the full beverage package benefits adults receive.
Both Princess Plus and Princess Premier are available for all stateroom types, from interior cabins to suites. Guests can purchase either package before their cruise or onboard within the first two days of sailing. Booking ahead is worth noting for budgeting purposes: packages purchased at least 4 days (96 hours) prior to departure carry the lower pre-cruise price, while purchases made onboard or within 4 days of departure incur an additional $5 per person per day. Guests under the minimum drinking age (21 in most regions, 18 in Europe, Asia, South America, Australia and New Zealand, or 20 in Japan) are automatically assigned the Zero-Alcohol Package instead.
What is non-refundable in these packages?
Unused specialty dining, casual dining, and shore excursion credits are non-refundable if not used during the voyage and cannot be redeemed for cash.
Crew Appreciation (pre-paid gratuities) is bundled with the package and cannot be opted out of, exchanged, or refunded — this applies at $18 per person per day for interior, oceanview, and balcony staterooms; $19 for mini-suites, cabanas, and Reserve; and $20 for suites.
Specialty dining meals included in a package are reserved exclusively for the package holder and cannot be transferred or used on behalf of another guest.
Packages purchased onboard or within 4 days (96 hours) of departure incur an additional $5 per person per day, and this surcharge is not waived retroactively.
Yes. Specialty dining meals included in the Princess Premier package (and any specialty dining credits tied to a beverage/dining package) are reserved exclusively for the package holder and cannot be transferred or used on behalf of another guest. If a specialty dining meal isn't used during the voyage, it is non-refundable and cannot be redeemed for cash.
Regardless of whether guests choose Princess Plus, Princess Premier, or no package at all, certain items remain free: breakfast ordered via the doorknob card stays complimentary, and any housekeeping items requested by telephone or through the stateroom steward remain free as well.
Frequently asked questions
Do Princess Plus and Princess Premier include a Medallion accessory?
Yes, both packages include an exclusive free Medallion device accessory.
What are Princess Prizes, and are they included with these packages?
Both Princess Plus and Princess Premier include unlimited chances to win Princess Prizes, an onboard game where guests can win prizes ranging from onboard spending money to free cruises. Princess states that 1 in 4 spins wins a prize.
Is there a penalty for buying a package late or onboard?
Yes. Packages must be purchased at least 4 days (96 hours) prior to departure to get the lower price. Purchases made onboard or within 4 days of departure carry an additional $5 per person per day.
Do package benefits vary by ship?
Yes. Sun Princess and Star Princess have benefit details that vary from other ships in the fleet and should be referenced separately when confirming inclusions for a specific sailing.
What happens if a guest purchased a package before the most recent update?
Packages were updated on July 22, 2025. Guests who purchased a package before that date for 2026 sailings will still receive the 2025 benefit structure. Guests who purchased Princess Plus in 2025 for a 2026 sailing also have the option to upgrade to Princess Premier.
Are there any casual dining changes coming for Princess Premier?
Effective January 14, 2026, Princess Premier will include casual dining at relaxed, sit-down restaurants such as Alfredo's Pizzeria, O'Malley's, Ocean Terrace, and Salty Dog Gastropub, among others.
What happens to unused dining meals or excursion credits?
Unused specialty dining, casual dining, and shore excursion credits are non-refundable if not used, and cannot be redeemed for cash.
Can crew appreciation (gratuities) be removed from these packages?
No. Crew appreciation is bundled into both packages and cannot be opted out, exchanged, or refunded.
Do guests under the legal drinking age get a beverage package automatically?
Yes. Guests under 21 (or 18 in Europe, Asia, South America, Australia, and New Zealand, or 20 in Japan) automatically receive the Zero-Alcohol Package, which includes zero-alcohol cocktails, fountain sodas, specialty coffees and teas, frappes, and Red Bull energy drinks, with a pre-paid 18% service charge.
Is complimentary breakfast still available regardless of package?
Yes. Breakfast ordered via the doorknob card remains complimentary, and housekeeping items ordered by telephone or through a steward remain free regardless of which package a guest has.
