Is Princess still good value?

[Geoffa30]

I love the Princess product and miss the little things when sailing on other lines. However I’m beginning to wonder if they offer good value. I consider their prices more premium than other mainstream lines. When taking into account all the additional costs (gratuities, drinks, excursions, flights etc.), the overall cost of a Princess cruise is comparable to higher end lines. For example, my partner and I have booked a 14 night Med cruise on Sky Princess in a mini-suite which is costing over £6,000 (around $8,400). With all the add ons, the cruise will likely cost £8,000 plus. We could do something similar with Viking for about the same price which would include flights, gratuities, basic excursions and drinks with dinner (Viking’s add on drinks package providing unlimited drinks is much cheaper than Princess’s). In fact we are doing a week over Christmas 2018 in the Med with Viking including all of the above for £3,180.

 

Do people feel that Princess still offer good value?

[paul929207]

While we may not charge as much to our on board account as you, our bill usually nets to very little. We just got back from 24 nights on the Caribbean Princess. Our charges netted to $8.40

[Geoffa30]

While we may not charge as much to our on board account as you, our bill usually nets to very little. We just got back from 24 nights on the Caribbean Princess. Our charges netted to $8.40

 

With my Sky Princess example, flights will make up £500 of the additional spend and gratuities would be around £290. The remainder would be speciality dining, drinks and some excursions which cost more in the Med.

 

Is your $8.40 after deducting OBC?

[geoherb]

Princess offers a good value for us because we don't usually book more than a regular balcony cabin. Our cruise in December on the Royal Princess was an exception since we took an upsell to a suite. But even then, our cost per person per day was under $150 including taxes and fees, gratuities, and our onboard spending (and one excursion). We enjoyed the first night's dinner at the Crown Grill and the Ultimate Balcony Dinner one night. We don't drink a lot, so cruises that include alcoholic beverages don't offer us a lot of value.

 

Whenever I get promotional emails from the luxury cruise lines, the offers always seem to be two or three times more than our total costs on Princess.

[Superfragger]

I love the Princess product and miss the little things when sailing on other lines. However I’m beginning to wonder if they offer good value. I consider their prices more premium than other mainstream lines. When taking into account all the additional costs (gratuities, drinks, excursions, flights etc.), the overall cost of a Princess cruise is comparable to higher end lines. For example, my partner and I have booked a 14 night Med cruise on Sky Princess in a mini-suite which is costing over £6,000 (around $8,400). With all the add ons, the cruise will likely cost £8,000 plus. We could do something similar with Viking for about the same price which would include flights, gratuities, basic excursions and drinks with dinner (Viking’s add on drinks package providing unlimited drinks is much cheaper than Princess’s). In fact we are doing a week over Christmas 2018 in the Med with Viking including all of the above for £3,180.

 

Do people feel that Princess still offer good value?

 

What kind of stateroom are you booking on Viking?

[paul929207]

With my Sky Princess example, flights will make up £500 of the additional spend and gratuities would be around £290. The remainder would be speciality dining, drinks and some excursions which cost more in the Med.

 

Is your $8.40 after deducting OBC?

 

Yes, the $8.40 is after deducting the OBC.

[Geoffa30]

What kind of stateroom are you booking on Viking?

 

We will be in a V1 at Christmas so not a high grade one but what I would consider somewhere between a Princess balcony and mini-suite. We did get a bargain as the same category of cabin (which is now sold out) is now listed at a total of £4,180 for two passengers.

 

The same category of stateroom for a 14 night Med cruise on 31 October 2019 (same time as our Sky Princess cruise) is £8,080. Just checked the price of the Sky Princess cruise and it's £6,538.

[ksm77]

Last year in St Thomas we were docked next to one of the Viking ships. It looked very nice. We ran into a couple at Paradise Point, they were cruising on that ship. They said the ship was beautiful, food wonderful & service amazing. The down side to them was there was nothing to do after dinner. Not any entertainment, only thing to do was sit in the lounge and listen to a combo play music. There is no casino, if you like to gamble. If you go to their website look at the lay out of their ships you will get a good idea of what you can expect on their ships. Only you can say if it would be for you. My DH & I are not party people, but I think we would be bored on their ships.

[Sacto Rick]

To be honest, we get less value every year it seems. I'm still cruising but gone are such things as a NY steak on the anytime menu. Replaced by a burger. Fares are much higher also. I'm not going to list every peave, just want to agree that we're getting less value all the time in my opinion.

I think the same is true for all cruise lines to an extent though so I don't think it's exclusive to Princess.

 

I will say though, I'm taking a couple of road trips this year instead of more cruises. I just spent a week in Palm Springs much cheaper than taking a cruise.

Edited February 8, 2018 by Sacto Rick

[Superfragger]

We will be in a V1 at Christmas so not a high grade one but what I would consider somewhere between a Princess balcony and mini-suite. We did get a bargain as the same category of cabin (which is now sold out) is now listed at a total of £4,180 for two passengers.

 

The same category of stateroom for a 14 night Med cruise on 31 October 2019 (same time as our Sky Princess cruise) is £8,080. Just checked the price of the Sky Princess cruise and it's £6,538.

 

I think you may just not be getting very good deals on Princess as compared to Viking. We've never paid even close to that much for similar itineraries in the same class staterooms.

[fishin' musician]

I've not sailed Viking, but have spoke to a few folks that have. From what I've gathered Viking is a substantial step up from Princess (and other mainstream lines) and thus if the price points were similar I'd be all over trying Viking.

[happy cruzer]

I compare Princess to Oceania and Viking Ocean. Princess Balconies with lots of percs compare favorably to the others pricewise. So the difference maybe the itenarary. Remember the small ships have much better boarding and de-boarding times so you may end up with 1 hour extra in each port. Viking requires full payment early but can be negotiated to a lesser time.

 

I have a hold on a Princess balcony if I don't get a price drop or extras, I'll change to Viking or Oceania to get what they include at the same price as my Princess booking.

[1965]

We're retired teachers so have a pretty strict travel budget. We book an inside cabin, don't drink or gamble, take our own photos rather than buy from the ship. I currently have a Barcelona to Ft. Lauderdale cruise booked for Oct. Factoring in the obc & the free gratuities the cost per day is around $84. A good fare. 😊

[Geoffa30]

I think you may just not be getting very good deals on Princess as compared to Viking. We've never paid even close to that much for similar itineraries in the same class staterooms.

 

The Sky Princess rate is obviously higher as it's a new ship and we have booked as part of the first release of fares. We will obviously keep an eye out over the next year and half to see it comes down in price and get it re-priced. We can do this just once in the UK for a small admin fee unlike the US where it seems fares can be re-priced multiple times. Are you in the UK or US?

 

My thread all stems from the withdrawal of the water package. A small thing but it does annoy me. Not enough to cancel a cruise but enough to make me consider other lines. I know we will not book a cruise immediately when the 19/20 itineraries are released which is something we have done when the last two seasons were released. We will instead wait until after the Viking cruise to see how it compares and then consider our options.

[reedprincess]

Keep in mind that brand new ships virtually always command higher prices, regardless of the cruise line. Sky's prices are sky-high compared to Royal or Regal or the older ships for similar itineraries around the same time... You're paying a premium to be amongst the first to experience the new ship. Only you know whether that's worth it to you.

Viking's pricing has come down since they began ocean cruises.. When they began those, pricing was much higher - due, in part, to being new .

We find oeincess to be a good value for what we want in our cruises.. And still find plenty of very good deals...

To each their own.

[Geoffa30]

Last year in St Thomas we were docked next to one of the Viking ships. It looked very nice. We ran into a couple at Paradise Point, they were cruising on that ship. They said the ship was beautiful, food wonderful & service amazing. The down side to them was there was nothing to do after dinner. Not any entertainment, only thing to do was sit in the lounge and listen to a combo play music. There is no casino, if you like to gamble. If you go to their website look at the lay out of their ships you will get a good idea of what you can expect on their ships. Only you can say if it would be for you. My DH & I are not party people, but I think we would be bored on their ships.

 

That is one thing that does worry us. However, we aren't casino people. We tend to leave our stateroom at about 7pm each night, have a couple of drinks, go for dinner and then watch a show before going to bed. Not that fussed by game shows etc. I'm 46 and partner is 60.

 

I feel this thread has now become more of a comparison of Princess to Viking which wasn't really my intention but my fault for making the comparison in the first place!

[crawford]

To be honest, we get less value every year it seems. I'm still cruising but gone are such things as a NY steak on the anytime menu. Replaced by a burger. Fares are much higher also. I'm not going to list every peave, just want to agree that we're getting less value all the time in my opinion.

I think the same is true for all cruise lines to an extent though so I don't think it's exclusive to Princess.

 

I will say though, I'm taking a couple of road trips this year instead of more cruises. I just spent a week in Palm Springs much cheaper than taking a cruise.

 

I was pretty surprised to see the steak gone, too, only to be replaced by a burger. While I found the seafood to be very good, the prime rib was tough (for a prime rib) and tasteless. The filet mignon was the smallest I had ever seen anywhere.

[RNRcruisers]

I would love to try Viking but whenever I have checked their prices are quite a bit higher than Princess, way above my price limit. Maybe the best deal on Viking can compare to a not-so-great deal on Princess but that wouldn't be the way I would price check for myself. I am always looking for the best deal with the ports I want to see.

[reedprincess]

The Sky Princess rate is obviously higher as it's a new ship and we have booked as part of the first release of fares. We will obviously keep an eye out over the next year and half to see it comes down in price and get it re-priced. We can do this just once in the UK for a small admin fee unlike the US where it seems fares can be re-priced multiple times. Are you in the UK or US?

 

My thread all stems from the withdrawal of the water package. A small thing but it does annoy me. Not enough to cancel a cruise but enough to make me consider other lines. I know we will not book a cruise immediately when the 19/20 itineraries are released which is something we have done when the last two seasons were released. We will instead wait until after the Viking cruise to see how it compares and then consider our options.

Well then, you'll be happy to know that the water package is alive and well and available for purchase pre-cruise once again. Some glitch yesterday that sent lots of people scurrying off to not sail Princess again, or in your case - To question the value of sailing with Princess in the future .

 

With the water package alive and well, does that re-change your perspective ?

[moki'smommy]

I guess the answer to the "Is Princess a good value?" question is "Compared to what?" We are seeing price increases and decrease in product quality in all lines. A menu change aways seems to imply a downgrade. Increasing numbers of lines are going to some sort of two tier dining system which seems to result in the former "standard" level to be on a rapid downhill slide.

 

We first cruised Princess in 2015. I can't find any cruise on a line that we'd choose to book for what we paid on that cruise. That was a balcony; today I can't get an inside cabin for what we paid. Yes, we got what I considered to be a "good deal" and it was off season, but there has definitely been a large price increase. I think that's the industry as a whole; I can't find 2015 prices on any line today.

 

On the other hand, I'm only minimally unhappy with my upcoming bookings. Yes, the cruise that I planned to book was a better value, but I was a slow poke and the HA cabins sold just before I attempted to book. MY fault totally; I should have placed a hold on the cruise. I'm placing the value judgements on a "we'll see" basis. I keep reading that the beds are better (that was a deal breaker after our last cruise), the pizza worse, the entertainment blah, etc. I do wonder whether I've become old and jaded as I see a loss of the "sparkle," "magic," "pixie dust," or whatever each line chooses to call it. That, combined with increased fares.....guess I'll let you know in a few months.

[voljeep]

what exactly is "placing a hold"?... the 1--2 day courtesy hold or a deposit hold?

[moki'smommy]

what exactly is "placing a hold"?... the 1--2 day courtesy hold or a deposit hold?

I guess it depends on who says it. I was aware that a travel agent could place a hold (with no funds) on a reservation in order to allow them to confer with a client and get permission to apply funds. What I didn't know is that I, as a non-TA booking a cruise, could do a 24 hour hold on line without placing a credit card on it.

 

What I should have done when we were 99% sure that we wanted a particular cruise and particular cabin was to place a courtesy hold on the booking. As I said, I came back the next day to book it and found all the HA cabins had been booked. I even went to the extent of contacting Princess and asking whether I could find out whether the cabin had been booked and paid for or whether it was on a courtesy hold; they advised me that it had indeed been booked and paid.

 

Based on that, we searched for another cruise that would work for our available dates. I cost more and was less convenient, but in essence I'd promised my family a cruise and felt that I needed to make good on our discussion. However, I immediately placed a courtesy hold on that cabin while I conferred as to the dates and acceptability.

[RandallFlagg]

I love the Princess product and miss the little things when sailing on other lines. However I’m beginning to wonder if they offer good value. I consider their prices more premium than other mainstream lines. When taking into account all the additional costs (gratuities, drinks, excursions, flights etc.), the overall cost of a Princess cruise is comparable to higher end lines. For example, my partner and I have booked a 14 night Med cruise on Sky Princess in a mini-suite which is costing over £6,000 (around $8,400). With all the add ons, the cruise will likely cost £8,000 plus. We could do something similar with Viking for about the same price which would include flights, gratuities, basic excursions and drinks with dinner (Viking’s add on drinks package providing unlimited drinks is much cheaper than Princess’s). In fact we are doing a week over Christmas 2018 in the Med with Viking including all of the above for £3,180.

 

Do people feel that Princess still offer good value?

 

I wondered that myself. DW and myself have traveled the world (both in and out of the military). Our "vacations" usually consisted of flying into a city (Geneva, for example), renting a car and staying at a local hotel. Eating on the "economy" and sightseeing. We have always had a great time. The "average" vacation (a week or two, sometimes three) usually cost us around $3 grand.

 

DW has always (1) wanted to cruise and (2) visit Alaska. We plan on doing both in August. So far, we are well above the $3 grand thresh hold. But hey, it ticks off a couple of items on our bucket list. However, that having been stated, It would have been much easier (not to mention cheaper) to have just flown to Alaska, rented a car, made reservations at 3-4 nice hotels and did "our thing" each day.

 

Now, I am not saying that Princess is worth it or not. That's not for me to say, but I WILL say this, with the many changes that Princess seems to be making (Pizza, Water, ridiculous "coffee cards", etc) I would say that this will probably be our last cruise and I only say that because I KNOW I can do it much cheaper. (1) I can watch "movies under the stars in my backyard. (2) We already have a hot tub. (3) I can eat "all you can eat" buffet food in town. (4) I can enjoy 4 star dining anytime - it's nothing really "new".

 

Before you "long time cruisers" rip me apart - don't get me wrong! I'm not unhappy with this "set up" in the least. Actually looking forward to it in a BIG way!! However, the OP questions whether cruise lines (and in particular, Princess) is a "good" value. Again - the answer is always subjective. However, I recall, very fondly, DW asking me to go "sky diving" as she put it. :D

 

In the Army I was a qualified Master Jumper. So the idea of "jumping" was like asking a movie critic if he liked every movie he had ever seen. But, off we went and she "sky dived". She had the time of her life. For me? Another day at the office. She may very well LOVE to cruise and, as a result, we will do it more often. But for me? the "cruise" doesn't seem to be a cost effective way to "see the sights" - but again, that's me. I'm an old Infantryman....we tend to be grumpy... :cool:

[OCruisers]

For what we want from a cruise line Princess is still a good value for us. :)

[riclop]

I love the Princess product and miss the little things when sailing on other lines. However I’m beginning to wonder if they offer good value. I consider their prices more premium than other mainstream lines. When taking into account all the additional costs (gratuities, drinks, excursions, flights etc.), the overall cost of a Princess cruise is comparable to higher end lines. For example, my partner and I have booked a 14 night Med cruise on Sky Princess in a mini-suite which is costing over £6,000 (around $8,400). With all the add ons, the cruise will likely cost £8,000 plus. We could do something similar with Viking for about the same price which would include flights, gratuities, basic excursions and drinks with dinner (Viking’s add on drinks package providing unlimited drinks is much cheaper than Princess’s). In fact we are doing a week over Christmas 2018 in the Med with Viking including all of the above for £3,180.

 

Do people feel that Princess still offer good value?

Agree with you. Prices are high