Upgrade to Princess Plus?

[Micklest]

I tried recently to pay for an upgrade to Princess Plus, especially when I decided I wanted Wifi every day. For a five day cruise the chat agent quoted around $400. I thought the package averaged lower than that? Anyone know the actual daily price?

[Dar & Bob]

It's been mentioned before, Plus is usually about $40 per day, however closer to cruise date the base fare drops but the Plus fare is about the same so that Plus is more than $40 per day

[Micklest]

That’s what I thought. But gee, $400 is like twice $40/day for five days, no? Hmmm. Maybe I’ll try again.

[Hlitner]

It might help to analyze Princess Plus.  Consider that it includes tips (now weirdly called "crew incentive")  which varies depending on your cabin type.  But for this purpose lets assume it is $15 a day.  Then you get unlimited Internet which is generally worth at least $10 a day so lets use that number.  So you are quickly getting a real $25 per day value.  But then the package gets you the Premium Drink Package which we value based on each person's own habits.  But even if you only have 3 adult beverages a day (which includes glasses of wine at meals) that benefit is worth at least $30 and a lot more if you drink more.  So when you add that up you are getting at least $55 a day in benefits (for us we figure it is worth $70 per passenger day).   The actual price of the package seems to vary between $35 and $50 per passenger/day which makes it a pretty good deal for most folks.  Those who do not drink wine or booze may want to avoid the package.  For Elite's with lots of On Board Credit is also requires some math and thinking (but Elites should already know their own spending habits).

 

Hank

[Micklest]

Plus seems like a good deal to me now. No argument there. But they quoted me something like $440, which is close to $90/day. I know that’s cheaper than the premium drinks package but it’s a ways from $40/day to 90. I’ll ask again. 

[pms4104]

Plus is not so much a "package" as it is a separate fare code and normally would require a re-fare ... and whatever penalty if close to sailing.

 

While the fare difference normally may be $40pp/day, Princess can price it any way they desire.

 

This is not the same as, for instance, booking a specialty dinner pre-cruise.

 

If there is a lesson here, it is to book what you want from the get go.

[Steelers36]

10 minutes ago, Micklest said:

Plus seems like a good deal to me now. No argument there. But they quoted me something like $440, which is close to $90/day. I know that’s cheaper than the premium drinks package but it’s a ways from $40/day to 90. I’ll ask again. 

Are you cruising alone?  Perhaps they were quoting you the full additional cost which is $40/pp/day - with normal pricing.  Both people in the cabin have to get the PLUS.

[Micklest]

1 hour ago, Steelers36 said:

Are you cruising alone?  Perhaps they were quoting you the full additional cost which is $40/pp/day - with normal pricing.  Both people in the cabin have to get the PLUS.

Aha! I think you may be right! I AM traveling alone. 

[voljeep]

6 minutes ago, Micklest said:

Aha! I think you may be right! I AM traveling alone. 

also, is there a specialty dinner included in the PPlus fare not in the Savers Fare ?

 

what about OBC

 

casino rate, drop and go, or any other 'special fare' ?

 

definitely worth a call(s) to Princess to discuss

[LarryL]

Depending on your choice of cabin, the ala carte costs would average about $95 per day, per person,  for the three: tips, drink package and internet. It could be higher, depending on your cabin type. Plus it looks like there is an extra incentive right now for a specialty dining which would make the option better by around $60. It's a good deal if you use what's offered. 

 

Here's a link to the breakdown: https://www.princess.com/cruise-deals-promotions/princess-plus/

[adstz]

When booking online the difference between saver and plus is usually $40 per day. I would really question where they are getting that amount from. Unless you have 2 people booked then that would be correct.

I went to the Princess website and did a mock booking for a mini suite for your cruise. The price difference is $200.

[Micklest]

They just quoted me a HIGHER price to add it on. Too rich for my blood. Agent confirmed that solo passenger gets hit with a bigger charge. I'll be fine. 

[voljeep]

5 minutes ago, Micklest said:

They just quoted me a HIGHER price to add it on. Too rich for my blood. Agent confirmed that solo passenger gets hit with a bigger charge. I'll be fine. 

was the 'agent' the person who picked up the call on the 1-800 number ? - If so, call back, get a different agent, if the same answer, ask to speak to a CSR ( customer service rep )

 

can't hurt ...

 

is the actual 'cruise fare' the same as when you booked ?

[Micklest]

Just now, voljeep said:

was the 'agent' the person who picked up the call on the 1-800 number ? - If so, call back, get a different agent, if the same answer, ask to speak to a CSR ( customer service rep )

 

can't hurt ...

 

is the actual 'cruise fare' the same as when you booked ?

This was chat. I am a novice and don't understand how to figure out what you are asking about the fare. I had chatted with this person before, "Aubrey," when I paid for a change from obstructed balcony to regular. 

The complexity of this stuff sometimes is a little daunting, but not as bad as Disney World has become! LOL

[cr8tiv1]

@Micklest  I have chatted with Aubrey before.  She seems to be a reliable source of information. 

 

For future cruises:

 

Chat can make changes but unable to "collect" any funds.  They note your account and you will have to call in or pay your travel agent.

 

I tried to do the opposite, drop Princess Plus.  I was told that it IS a promotional fare and therefore would have to re-fare at the CURRENT price.  For me, it would have been a bad move since I made this booking way....way...way long ago and my fare, even with PP was less than a lower category.

 

Is your cruise before final payment?  Keep checking the fare for a drop.

 

If you want Medallion net, order it pre-cruise, it will save you a few dollars over getting it onboard.  

 

Welcome to Princess.  Enjoy your 5 day cruise.  Did you know you are able to bring one bottle of wine on the ship with you (packed in carry on)?  

[Tedferg]

What cruise / date are you looking at ? As has been stated, to change to Plus you would need to cancel existing booking and re-book at Plus fare. The fares might have increased since your initial booking, so you might be comparing the new Plus price with old Saver price. Check current Saver and Plus price.

[Micklest]

I’m curious then. Maybe she was quoting the entire fate, and not the extra for Plus. If so, heck yeah! Hmm… maybe  I’ll call them back?

[skynight]

Usually $40/pp/day = $200/pp for 5 days. It is not related to cabin category. Have not seen it lower. Have read that the amount could be higher if you have a special fare, example casino fare. 

[skynight]

Usually $40/pp/day = $200/pp for 5 days. It is not related to cabin category. Have not seen it lower. Have read that the amount could be higher if you have a special fare, example casino fare. 

[Hlitner]

3 hours ago, Micklest said:

Plus seems like a good deal to me now. No argument there. But they quoted me something like $440, which is close to $90/day. I know that’s cheaper than the premium drinks package but it’s a ways from $40/day to 90. I’ll ask again. 

Your post got me looking at some other future cruise prices and it does seem like Princess really varies the cost of Princess Plus.  So while our cruise (later this month) worked out at $50 per person/day we do see other cruises that are about $80 per person/day.   For what its worth (probably not much) while we jumped at the $50 per person day deal we would not likely pay $80 per person day.  In our case the math would not work, especially because we generally get a pretty big OBC whenever we book Princess.

 

Hank

[geoherb]

I tracked the prices of 14 December cruises this fall. The lowest cost per day for Princess Plus was $22.22. The highest was $125. I was looking at solo cabins. Once the single supplement came down, the price with Princess Plus stayed the nearly same. A Princess rep explained to me in August that Drop & Go fares don't qualify for the reduced rate.

The cost to add Princess Plus to my upcoming cruise (CB, Dec. 5) when I booked was $652 ($93.14 per day). People booking today would pay $772 more ($110.29 per day). The cost of Princess Plus went up and the price of the cruise dropped. Princess is offering dinner in a specialty restaurant now. My cruise came with $50 OBC. 

[Micklest]

Sounds kind of crazy

[AZjohn]

2 minutes ago, Micklest said:

Sounds kind of crazy

Agree 100%

[CynCyn]

7 hours ago, Micklest said:

I’m curious then. Maybe she was quoting the entire fate, and not the extra for Plus. If so, heck yeah! Hmm… maybe  I’ll call them back?

They offered the Plus add-ons 2 years ago at Thanksgiving.  Nothing last year.  Don’t know what will happen this year.  But we will know soon! LOL

[suzyed]

11 hours ago, Hlitner said:

It might help to analyze Princess Plus.  Consider that it includes tips (now weirdly called "crew incentive")  which varies depending on your cabin type.  But for this purpose lets assume it is $15 a day.  Then you get unlimited Internet which is generally worth at least $10 a day so lets use that number.  So you are quickly getting a real $25 per day value.  But then the package gets you the Premium Drink Package which we value based on each person's own habits.  But even if you only have 3 adult beverages a day (which includes glasses of wine at meals) that benefit is worth at least $30 and a lot more if you drink more.  So when you add that up you are getting at least $55 a day in benefits (for us we figure it is worth $70 per passenger day).   The actual price of the package seems to vary between $35 and $50 per passenger/day which makes it a pretty good deal for most folks.  Those who do not drink wine or booze may want to avoid the package.  For Elite's with lots of On Board Credit is also requires some math and thinking (but Elites should already know their own spending habits).

 

Hank

It's worth it, I think, if you enjoy specialty coffees which are included, frappes, fountain soda, bottled water in addition to the booze!