Princess raising prices of plus and premier packages

[rocklinmom]

1 hour ago, Shelly97060 said:

Here’s a list of the increases planned:

 

Wow thanks for the heads up on these increases! I was thinking of doing another cruise next summer and these would definitely affect us if I don't book by the 13th. 

[JeffT237]

14 minutes ago, Steelers36 said:

I have not done any comparisons, but I have read several posted that indicate Princess was offering its fare packages at better than the competition.

We’ve only purchased any drink package on a cruise line with Princess, the Plus bundled with gratuities and WiFi works for us. We have cruised with Royal Caribbean more and our next cruise in March is with them as well. I can assure you the plans Princess offers are much cheaper. For our upcoming RCI cruise the drink package by itself with gratuities is $1200 for two for a 7 day. At that price point it’s not even close to being considered.  We know how much drinks cost and what we drink so it’s easy for us to figure the value for us. 

[cruzin4us]

Well, I guess this will benefit me since I'm mostly on casino promotions which includes the Princess Plus.

 

Now, I can eat 2 more desserts (move over almond croissants) and then go exercise to burn the calories before I waddle my way to my reserved seating in the theater.   Plus my room steward makes a few extra bucks.

 

I scored....

[MissP22]

2 hours ago, ChutChut said:

Don't count on getting them in the terminal either. I ordered customized wristbands and no one could find them in the terminal or on the ship. They did provide me with non-customized bands and gave me a substantial refund. Princess found them the 2nd day and delivered them to our cabin (this happened to many passengers). So now I have two wristbands (was provided the 2nd pair for free).

I was only referring to the Medallions, not the  accessories. 

 

[VibeGuy]

I think the internet price change is to better reflect the actual cost of the service.  My contention since the change to MedallionNet is that, unless someone had an unflattering photo of an SES executive with an underage barnyard animal, there was no way that the retail price covered the cost of the backhaul.  Since it’s going to be a year or more before the promised O3B mPower constellation comes online and they don’t seem to be using O3b Classic as much as they were before the shutdown, I suspect this increase merely reduces the cash suck - Princess has been subsidising the Internet to get people onboard.  

[Thrak]

I once "looked at" the gym but that's it. I couldn't use the exercise programs if I wanted to as I'm not physically capable of doing so. I've seen a lot of Princess passengers who couldn't make use of the new fitness "perks". This is  just more John Padgett BS to help push out the older cruisers.  As for the new desserts... It's worth almost nothing and you get a whopping 2 deserts for the entire cruise. We have no need for extra dessert items. Bah. What a non-perk.

 

I will definitely have to discuss with my wife to decide whether or not to purchase FCD. We have a B2B2B booked for next Fall and are also booked on the Solar Eclipse cruise in 2024. We had no FCD (totally blew it on our last cruise) and I was thinking I might buy more, rebook those cruises, and then cancel the current bookings. That way we could add the OBC from the FCD to the cruises. The way things will be now I will have to do the math to see if that even makes any sense with the new charges.

[cr8tiv1]

Would someone explain why (as Elite or Platinum) I would get one device for $7.50 but have to pay $20 for 4 devices if I do not get the beverage package?

 

It used to be $5/one and $10/4.  That does not seem an equitable exchange.

 

And, someone mentioned reserved seating in the theater?  I don't see that either.

[PescadoAmarillo]

4 hours ago, Tedferg said:

Just curious, what do you use internet for on a cruise? I use it a lot at home but on a cruise, apart from occasional check of email. I see no purpose. I can always check email in port.

Check the online security cameras at home, receive notifications of movement inside and outside house, doors and windows opening, etc, monitor thermostat and energy usage/ temps at home, see what mail is being delivered by USPS, receive credit card usage notifications, pay bills, download books and music, stream videos, stay in touch with family and friends, play games, blog. 

[Ombud]

Hidden in the article: 

"And with Princess Premier, inclusivity and value are taken to the next level. ..... reserved seating in the Princess Theater" 

 

So are us Standard Cruisers expected to stand?

[Thrak]

25 minutes ago, cr8tiv1 said:

And, someone mentioned reserved seating in the theater?  I don't see that either.

 

That information is included in this news release:

https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/princess-cruises-enhances-value-with-exciting-new-offerings-to-all-inclusive-princess-plus-and-premier-packages-301691550.html

 

Now for just $60 per person per day, Princess Plus will give guests almost 60% off a retail value of $140 if components are purchased separately. The enhanced package includes the Plus Beverage Package, single device wi-fi plan and daily crew appreciation. Two premium crafted desserts and two fitness classes/day, unlimited juices, and free shipping of Medallions prior to cruises are the new additions to the Princess Plus package.

And with Princess Premier, inclusivity and value are taken to the next level. Guests receive up to $257 per day in total amenity value, if components are purchased separately, for just $80 per person per day, an almost 70% savings. Within the Princess Premier package guests will enjoy the Premier Beverage Package, four device wi-fi plan, daily crew appreciation, two nights of specialty dining, photo package, Princess Prizes, unlimited Premium crafted desserts, unlimited smoothies or juices, unlimited fitness classes, reserved seating in the Princess Theater and a complimentary Medallion accessory. 

[Thrak]

6 hours ago, sonomaphil said:

The medallion always ships free for everyone.  

 

 

Medallions will now only ship for free if you book the Plus or Premier packages. Those who book without a package have the choice of picking the medallions up at the port or paying $10 per stateroom to have them shipped.

[MissP22]

They forgot priority early boarding and maybe even priority return tendering. 😄😄

[cruzsnooze]

With $60 a day PP cruises now you can more then double that with a new way to extract money from passengers. RCL has reserved theatre seating for their top tier Diamond plus and Pinnacle members. NCL offers reserved seating for their suites. If Princess doesn't up their game for cruisers with a large number of cruises (maybe 50) or in a full suite with a new tier then RCL is a better place for use as D+ tier with RCL. 

   This new Princess package isn't for me as a non drinker anyway but loss of seats for those of us who want to see the shows could be a deal breaker. Also did it state anywhere the gratuity was a suggestion and at the discretion of the customer and could be adjusted? 

[jagoffee]

17 minutes ago, cruzsnooze said:

With $60 a day PP cruises now you can more then double that with a new way to extract money from passengers. RCL has reserved theatre seating for their top tier Diamond plus and Pinnacle members. NCL offers reserved seating for their suites. If Princess doesn't up their game for cruisers with a large number of cruises (maybe 50) or in a full suite with a new tier then RCL is a better place for use as D+ tier with RCL. 

   This new Princess package isn't for me as a non drinker anyway but loss of seats for those of us who want to see the shows could be a deal breaker. Also did it state anywhere the gratuity was a suggestion and at the discretion of the customer and could be adjusted? 

Obviously not if you have one of the packages. (Reduction of the crew appreciation fee)

 

I will still purchase the Plus at the new price.  
 

Choices have consequences and inflation is very active.  I see it in most things that I purchase.  
 

Actually I would be more surprised if cruising was not getting more expensive.  

[Steelers36]

39 minutes ago, cruzsnooze said:

This new Princess package isn't for me as a non drinker anyway but loss of seats for those of us who want to see the shows could be a deal breaker.

In practice, you will most likely find those held seats will be opened up a couple minutes before showtime.  I really doubt they are going to keep a row of prime seats open for an entire show if not claimed.

[Steelers36]

1 hour ago, cr8tiv1 said:

Would someone explain why (as Elite or Platinum) I would get one device for $7.50 but have to pay $20 for 4 devices if I do not get the beverage package?

 

It used to be $5/one and $10/4.  That does not seem an equitable exchange.

 

And, someone mentioned reserved seating in the theater?  I don't see that either.

The 180 spin on your note is that it was a screaming bargain to get 4-devices for the price of two.  Now it's about 4-devices for the price of 3 - actually better than 4-for-3.

 

[Steelers36]

1 hour ago, Thrak said:

 

......................................... Princess Plus will give guests almost 60% off a retail value of $140 if components are purchased separately.

 

And with Princess Premier, inclusivity and value are taken to the next level. Guests receive up to $257 per day in total amenity value, if components are purchased separately, for just $80 per person per day, an almost 70% savings. 

Both of the value propositions as presented by Princess above are artificially inflated by using the huge price charged for each drink package.  But no one is likely to ever buy one since they are a ton more than the cruise fare package rate.

 

As always, the guest needs to consider their own habits and drink spend versus the difference in total package cost ($60/$80), less the fixed costs like crew appreciation, MedallionNet, an ice cream treat, a photo package, cost of playing the gambling door open game, etc.

 

[kywildcatfanone]

These packages are a cash cow for the cruise lines.  Not surprised they are raising the prices regularly.

[kywildcatfanone]

6 hours ago, Steelers36 said:

MedallionNet 4-device plan = $10/day total.

I have no doubt a doubling of the internet cost for all passenger loyalty classes is coming soon.  We were on Celebrity in October, and they charge $34/day for basic internet which is barely enough internet to check email.

[justafem]

6 hours ago, Tedferg said:

Just curious, what do you use internet for on a cruise? I use it a lot at home but on a cruise, apart from occasional check of email. I see no purpose. I can always check email in port.

I'm self employed and have to answer questions.  And I like to play games. 

[EDVM96]

1 hour ago, CasinoInvitee said:

Most sailors don't pay the PP because it's comped as a part of their casino voyage. A huge majority of cruisers you see on any cruise sailing are there on comps, discount vouchers or guests of the casino. These sailings also include PP so the higher fees does not really impact those cruisers so not sure if this is something to be concerned about.

You should leave the casino area from time to time to see that you are totally wrong with that.

Edited December 2, 2022 by EDVM96

[wrongwaywatson]

With all of the desserts in the dining room, IC and buffet, why would 2 additional desserts be a selling point?  Makes no sense to me.

 

We had PP on our Thanksgiving sailing and I probably averaged 1 adult beverage per day over the 10 day cruise.  I did drink several Diet Sodas per day.  Normally I would buy the Soda Package and a Coffee Card, so I took those into consideration.  I would have purchased wifi, but my husband would not have.  He also would get the soda package and would drink 1-2 adult beverages per day.  

We just booked an April 2023 with the PP package, but with the new rates, this will probably be the last one that we add it to.

[billco]

8 minutes ago, wrongwaywatson said:

With all of the desserts in the dining room, IC and buffet, why would 2 additional desserts be a selling point?  Makes no sense to me.

 

We had PP on our Thanksgiving sailing and I probably averaged 1 adult beverage per day over the 10 day cruise.  I did drink several Diet Sodas per day.  Normally I would buy the Soda Package and a Coffee Card, so I took those into consideration.  I would have purchased wifi, but my husband would not have.  He also would get the soda package and would drink 1-2 adult beverages per day.  

We just booked an April 2023 with the PP package, but with the new rates, this will probably be the last one that we add it to.

Good grief!

[billco]

8 hours ago, Tedferg said:

Just curious, what do you use internet for on a cruise? I use it a lot at home but on a cruise, apart from occasional check of email. I see no purpose. I can always check email in port.

I use it to keep up with Cruise Critic.

[iamaqt2]

People are overthinking this as usual.  These packages are going to be a great value for drinkers or exercise fanatics and not a good value for light/casual/non-drinkers.

That's it.  

There will still be plenty of seating in the theater, and if you want wi-fi just buy a package.

If you want to try the new desserts you can bet Princess will gladly sell it to you, and picking up your Medallion at port will be no different than when we all had to pick up our cruise cards. 

Princess is offering options to various cruisers and you can choose to go bare bones or upgrade as high as you choose.