Megotoo Posted May 9, 2022 #1 Share Posted May 9, 2022 Wouldn't it be nice if Princess offered a smaller beverage pkg? Listening to our dinning companions I'd hear people saying they were trying to reach their drink quota of 15, as if it wasn't a maximum or limit but what they were striving for! I wish they would come up with a pkg. like the coffee pkg. which is reasonable for 15 specialty coffees, any you buy over that number you pay for. I wonder how many people would be interested in a less expensive beverage pkg., I would.🙂 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tedferg Posted May 9, 2022 #2 Share Posted May 9, 2022 What would be your suggestion? I think Plus package at $40 pp pd is finely tuned to be enticing enough that sufficient number of passengers buy it to make it good for Princess. It is either No Frills or Plus. Something halfway in between would not work IMHO. The 15 drinks per day is academic, I don't think it would change the dynamics if it was unlimited as it was originally. i.e., no one says, 'Only 15 drinks, I will not buy it' 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
voljeep Posted May 9, 2022 #3 Share Posted May 9, 2022 the telling point will be when Princess starts raising the price of P+ from the current ( most of the time) $40 per person per day. If you are a drinker, how much would you be willing to pay? remember the "old drink package" was $70 per day ( but both in a cabin did NOT have to buy it, wink, wink) If you consider the wifi semi worthless - P+ is $25 pp per day, currently what's your limit? posters that don't drink - or have large OBC - need not reply - those answers are worthless to this 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tedferg Posted May 9, 2022 #4 Share Posted May 9, 2022 35 minutes ago, voljeep said: the telling point will be when Princess starts raising the price of P+ from the current ( most of the time) $40 per person per day. If you are a drinker, how much would you be willing to pay? remember the "old drink package" was $70 per day ( but both in a cabin did NOT have to buy it, wink, wink) The wink, wink might be why they forced both passengers to take Plus 🙂 I wonder how many shared enough to make a difference. I think you had to work hard to exploit the system on a regular basis. I don't remember $70, thought it was closer to $60 - 63. If just DW and me it was not worth it for me. When we cruised with a favorite other couple, he and I would have two beers when we came back on board, then a cocktail before dinner, two glasses of wine with dinner and they were always game for a nightcap after a show. That just about made package work and, even though DW is a very light drinker, when we added coffees and water - we would buy package for her just for convenience. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare c-boy Posted May 9, 2022 #5 Share Posted May 9, 2022 15 specialty coffees a day ! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smilesonfaces Posted May 9, 2022 #6 Share Posted May 9, 2022 I think maybe they should at least offer a cheaper non alcoholic version. This would be in line with other cruise lines including speciality coffees , mocktails and sodas. Those who don’t drink alcohol will always think the PP package is too expensive for what they will drink. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skynight Posted May 9, 2022 #7 Share Posted May 9, 2022 2 hours ago, Megotoo said: Wouldn't it be nice if Princess offered a smaller beverage pkg? Listening to our dinning companions I'd hear people saying they were trying to reach their drink quota of 15, as if it wasn't a maximum or limit but what they were striving for! I wish they would come up with a pkg. like the coffee pkg. which is reasonable for 15 specialty coffees, any you buy over that number you pay for. I wonder how many people would be interested in a less expensive beverage pkg., I would.🙂 Princess already has a the New Grounds Coffee Package which includes 15 specialty coffee drinks plus unlimited brewed coffee, specialty teas and hot chocolate. It costs about $35. https://www.princess.com/html/global/personalizer/ssv/beverages/coffee-package-disclaimer/ If you book the plus fare the cost per person per day is around $40 extra. When you subtract the cost of the wi-fi and the daily gratuities it takes about 2 alcoholic beverages pp/day to break even. It is a good value. You don't have to stress to reach the 15 alcoholic beverages per day. Plus with the plus fare you get unlimited specialty coffees, brewed coffee, fountain sodas, and other non alcoholic beverages. There are also soda packages and non alcoholic beverage packages. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skynight Posted May 9, 2022 #8 Share Posted May 9, 2022 14 minutes ago, Tedferg said: The wink, wink might be why they forced both passengers to take Plus 🙂 I wonder how many shared enough to make a difference. I think you had to work hard to exploit the system on a regular basis. I don't remember $70, thought it was closer to $60 - 63. If just DW and me it was not worth it for me. When we cruised with a favorite other couple, he and I would have two beers when we came back on board, then a cocktail before dinner, two glasses of wine with dinner and they were always game for a nightcap after a show. That just about made package work and, even though DW is a very light drinker, when we added coffees and water - we would buy package for her just for convenience. The Premier Beverage Package if purchased separately is US$59.99 + 18% = $70.79/pp/day and must be purchased for all days of the cruise. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
katisdale Posted May 9, 2022 #9 Share Posted May 9, 2022 I don't drink alcohol and do get the plus package. The Wi-Fi and tips make the package attractive to me. I also get coffee, water, mocktails, and the occasional soda. I think I break even or perhaps come out a little bit ahead. 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steelers36 Posted May 9, 2022 #10 Share Posted May 9, 2022 1 hour ago, voljeep said: what's your limit? Pretty much where it is. I kind of agonize a bit whether to do it or not, but when half the time we are in port, that reduces the drinking opportunities (notwithstanding wine with dinner). So that means doubling up on sea days to make it worthwhile. I almost went for it for this Fall and decided not, so any dollar more will just make the case worse for me, assuming the other two parts of PLUS remain constant. The current drinks cost portion number for me is $23/pp/day and I would need it to go DOWN in order to consider PLUS. The only reason I thought about adding it on for this Fall was due to having saved thousands of dollars via price drops and such that I could have added the PLUS and still been below our original bookings net cost (PLUS would cost us $3,120 total). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
memoak Posted May 9, 2022 #11 Share Posted May 9, 2022 K For us the Princess plus is perfect and would still take it even if it was raised by $20 or so per day. Between lunch, pre dinner, dinner and casino we each probably have 8-10 drinks a day and a few more if we stay in the casino after midnight or later Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
voljeep Posted May 9, 2022 #12 Share Posted May 9, 2022 11 minutes ago, Steelers36 said: Pretty much where it is. I kind of agonize a bit whether to do it or not, but when half the time we are in port, that reduces the drinking opportunities (notwithstanding wine with dinner). So that means doubling up on sea days to make it worthwhile. I almost went for it for this Fall and decided not, so any dollar more will just make the case worse for me, assuming the other two parts of PLUS remain constant. The current drinks cost portion number for me is $23/pp/day and I would need it to go DOWN in order to consider PLUS. The only reason I thought about adding it on for this Fall was due to having saved thousands of dollars via price drops and such that I could have added the PLUS and still been below our original bookings net cost (PLUS would cost us $3,120 total). meh Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steelers36 Posted May 9, 2022 #13 Share Posted May 9, 2022 2 minutes ago, voljeep said: meh We'd rather put the saved cash into our port tours and port experiences. 😉 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jagoffee Posted May 9, 2022 #14 Share Posted May 9, 2022 IMO the Princess plus $40 add on is a screaming deal. Might be the best deal in the industry. It certainly is based on my cruise experience. I would “guess” the number of passengers that reach the 15 alcohol drink number (for most of any given cruise) is very low. I suspect the limit is not a cost restriction, but just a control mechanism. (Over drinking and sharing). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
voljeep Posted May 9, 2022 #15 Share Posted May 9, 2022 1 hour ago, voljeep said: posters that don't drink - or have large OBC - need not reply - those answers are worthless to this 1 hour ago, voljeep said: the telling point will be when Princess starts raising the price of P+ from the current ( most of the time) $40 per person per day. If you are a drinker, how much would you be willing to pay? remember the "old drink package" was $70 per day ( but both in a cabin did NOT have to buy it, wink, wink) If you consider the wifi semi worthless - P+ is $25 pp per day, currently what's your limit? posters that don't drink - or have large OBC - need not reply - those answers are worthless to this 8 minutes ago, Steelers36 said: We'd rather put the saved cash into our port tours and port experiences. 😉 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steelers36 Posted May 9, 2022 #16 Share Posted May 9, 2022 9 minutes ago, voljeep said: Gotcha. I should have left it at the limit for me is where it is now as it is borderline so anymore would have me not consider it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dar & Bob Posted May 9, 2022 #17 Share Posted May 9, 2022 I'll agree with most of the posts here, the plus package works for us. I don't want to think about how much I am spending whether it be for a cocktail, coffee or soda. It's included and I am perfectly fine with the additional amounts. If it doesn't work for you - pay as you go for what you want. If you go to an all inclusive resort do you want to pay less for fewer drinks, not usually at least on the cruise you get to choose, take it or leave it 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dog Posted May 9, 2022 #18 Share Posted May 9, 2022 No more plus package for me. In 4 days I had 6 drinks from this package. just couldn’t keep up with some of you. had mini bar set up as elite/ suite exchanged for sofas. Did not get 2 setups. concierge lounge had drinks , canned soda , bottled water. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reedprincess Posted May 9, 2022 #19 Share Posted May 9, 2022 2 hours ago, smilesonfaces said: I think maybe they should at least offer a cheaper non alcoholic version. This would be in line with other cruise lines including speciality coffees , mocktails and sodas. Those who don’t drink alcohol will always think the PP package is too expensive for what they will drink. Princes does offer nonalcoholic beverage package, 3 different ones actually. Premium Coffee and Soda Package Classic Soda Package New Grounds Coffee Package Of course if you're choosing Princess Plus pricing, you receive the Premier Beverage Package as part of the package pricing - which includes all of the above plus up to 15 alcoholic drinks a day.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steelers36 Posted May 9, 2022 #20 Share Posted May 9, 2022 9 minutes ago, dog said: No more plus package for me. In 4 days I had 6 drinks from this package. just couldn’t keep up with some of you. had mini bar set up as elite/ suite exchanged for sofas. Did not get 2 setups. concierge lounge had drinks , canned soda , bottled water. How did those sofas go down?? 😁 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dog Posted May 9, 2022 #21 Share Posted May 9, 2022 1 minute ago, Steelers36 said: How did those sofas go down?? 😁 Yeah, and I am not yet suffering from jet lag, fat fingers. iPhone controls what is on here. the can sodas were excellent. No fountain drinks for us. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steelers36 Posted May 9, 2022 #22 Share Posted May 9, 2022 8 minutes ago, reedprincess said: Princes does offer nonalcoholic beverage package, 3 different ones actually. Premium Coffee and Soda Package Classic Soda Package New Grounds Coffee Package Of course if you're choosing Princess Plus pricing, you receive the Premier Beverage Package as part of the package pricing - which includes all of the above plus up to 15 alcoholic drinks a day.. True, but if the guest was to decline the PLUS and go with SAVER, they save $40/pp/day. For us, that means the drink portion is $23/pp/day. For others, that drink portion may be $21.50/pp/day (we are only paying $2.50/pp/day for internet on upcoming voyages). If you have no internet discount, the cost of Crew Incentive and Internet is $25.50/pp/day. If you would not get Internet at all, then Crew Incentive is typically $14.50, leaving $25.50 for the remainder (drinks). The Premium Coffee and Soda Package is essentially the full drinks package, excluding alcohol and rings in at $23.59/pp/day (including the 18% gratuity). I think you can quickly see there is no point in going with SAVER and buying this package since it costs MORE than the portion of PLUS that would be covering drinks. Only possible reason would be if you are declining Internet altogether. And even then, doesn't save much overall. What you really want is for Princess to bundle in the Coffee and Soda Package as a PLUS-MINUS package priced at perhaps $30/pp/day???? Good luck to us all to see that happen. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reedprincess Posted May 10, 2022 #23 Share Posted May 10, 2022 1 hour ago, Steelers36 said: True, but if the guest was to decline the PLUS and go with SAVER, they save $40/pp/day. For us, that means the drink portion is $23/pp/day. For others, that drink portion may be $21.50/pp/day (we are only paying $2.50/pp/day for internet on upcoming voyages). If you have no internet discount, the cost of Crew Incentive and Internet is $25.50/pp/day. If you would not get Internet at all, then Crew Incentive is typically $14.50, leaving $25.50 for the remainder (drinks). The Premium Coffee and Soda Package is essentially the full drinks package, excluding alcohol and rings in at $23.59/pp/day (including the 18% gratuity). I think you can quickly see there is no point in going with SAVER and buying this package since it costs MORE than the portion of PLUS that would be covering drinks. Only possible reason would be if you are declining Internet altogether. And even then, doesn't save much overall. What you really want is for Princess to bundle in the Coffee and Soda Package as a PLUS-MINUS package priced at perhaps $30/pp/day???? Good luck to us all to see that happen. I'm not the OP. I have zero issues with Princess Plus, Premier Beverage Package pricing, or the other offers Princess has at times . Nor am I the one I suggesting Princess should have a nonalcoholic package available instead - as obviously, I'm well aware of the various options.. I was simply responding to the poster, #6, saying Princess should offer a nonalcoholic package - which they do. Of course, the nonalcoholic packages aren't offered in Plus pricing (although it is for minors and/or third/fourth persons in cabin), but for those who have ran the numbers, the Plus pricing actually works very well (better than buying each component standalone) even for those who don't drink alcohol, particularly if they don't receive any internet discount as Platinum or Elite.. All the best. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skynight Posted May 10, 2022 #24 Share Posted May 10, 2022 11 hours ago, reedprincess said: Of course, the nonalcoholic packages aren't offered in Plus pricing (although it is for minors and/or third/fourth persons in cabin), but for those who have ran the numbers, the Plus pricing actually works very well (better than buying each component standalone) even for those who don't drink alcohol, particularly if they don't receive any internet discount as Platinum or Elite.. All the best. Believe Plus fares apply to all passengers in a cabin. Those 21+ (or drinking age in some non US locations) will receive the Premier Beverage Package. Minors will receive the non alcoholic package. PP is only available if all guests in a stateroom participate in PP (as determined by booking method)......Premier Beverage Package (“PBP”) is only valid for guests 21+. Guests under 21 booked under PP will receive the Premier Coffee & Soda Package in lieu of PBP and will not receive any refund for the difference. A daily limit on alcoholic beverages will apply. Bar service charges are included in the package and are paid on behalf of the guest for qualifying beverages included in the PBP. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
latebloomer56 Posted May 10, 2022 #25 Share Posted May 10, 2022 16 hours ago, katisdale said: I don't drink alcohol and do get the plus package. The Wi-Fi and tips make the package attractive to me. I also get coffee, water, mocktails, and the occasional soda. I think I break even or perhaps come out a little bit ahead. Exactly why my husband thought this was a good deal for us. He doesn't drink or like coffee I on the other hand have my latte every morning and afternoon plus on sea days I will try a new daily drink and have wine with dinner. Between my drinks and coffees plus water I think it is worth it for myself as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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