Newbie has questions about Princess Plus

[jaycruising]

Prior to them having these packages we would never get a drink package, it just didn’t make sense for use. We would pay our gratuities and for wifi, bring a case of pop and a case of water on board with us and then pay for any drinks we wanted, and buy a bottle of wine for dinner and cork it as needed. However with the new program, it doesn’t make sense for us not to get the package. We had it on our November cruise and I loved it, the ability to walk up to a bar and order a soda, drink or a bottle of water and not think twice about it. When I got of the ship my bill was $20, which was from the casino. 

[malba2366]

On 1/28/2023 at 9:18 AM, Cajuntraveler said:

DH and I usually cruise HAL and X (15 cruises).  I have put an April 2023 cruise on hold on the Ruby Princess out of Galveston.(Payment due today!)

I'm having trouble deciding whether to purchase the" Plus" package at $60 pp/pd.  I may have 2 alcoholic drinks per day and DH doesn't imbibe at all.

The package looks like a good value if you have several beverages per day, but not sure it's worth it for us.

 

Can I add the package once on board the ship and use my OBC as partial payment?

Any help deciding will be appreciated!

 

 

 

Supposedly you will be able to purchase on board starting Feb 20 sailings when the new packages take effect.  You have to buy for the first 2 guests in the cabin so it may not make sense in your situation since you only have 2 drinks a day and your husband has none.

[Musky Ike]

1 hour ago, nasa1974 said:

I must be missing something because I don't see an option just for an Alcohol package. It's either Plus or Premium. Then you have the non-alcohol, beverage or coffee packages. I think after subtracting the internet and crew appreciation from the Plus or Premium packages it's still a pretty good deal to get all your drinks for $28 or $48 per day plus 18% gratuity. Just my opinion.

It is confusing because it is the same terminology ( plus and premier) for just the beverage package and the cruise package.

 

 

Premier Beverage Package$100.29 per person, per day

Our Premier Beverage Package is the best of the best for $84.99 per day plus an 18% service charge. This Premier Beverage Package includes fountain sodas, specialty coffees and teas, hot chocolate, bottled water, fresh juices and healthy smoothies (juice bar) — as well as wine, beer and cocktails up to $20 USD each with a premium selection of spirits, craft cocktails and wine by the glass. It also features a 25% discount on all bottles of wine, large bottles of water and cans of soda when purchased in bars, dining room or specialty restaurants. If you’re a top shelf kind of person, this is your beverage package.

View full Premier Beverage Package terms & conditions.

Select

Plus Beverage Package$76.69 per person, per day

Enjoy a wide range of drinks for $64.99 per day plus a 18% service charge. The Plus Beverage Package includes fountain sodas, specialty coffees and teas, hot chocolate, bottled water, fresh juices and healthy smoothies (juice bar) — as well as wine, beer and cocktails up to $15 (USD). It also features a 25% discount on all bottles of wine, large bottles of water and cans of soda when purchased in bars, dining room or specialty restaurants.

View full Plus Beverage Package terms & conditions.

 

Edited January 29, 2023 by Musky Ike

[helenb]

My husband drinks and I don't. If we get the Plus on our cruise fare, can I switch my beverage package to premium non-alcoholic?

 

Strangely, when I was looking at the price to add beverage packages on our cruise, they only offered coffee package, water package and alcohol packages. No soda packages or non-alcoholic packages. Are all of the drink packages changing? Should I call my TA and have them added before February 20?

 

Another wrinkle: we have our son in the cabin who will be 21 at the time of the cruise, but does not drink alcohol. Do we have to purchase the Plus (the big add-on, not only the drinks package) for the third passenger, or only the first 2?

 

What are 'premium desserts'? Are they worthwhile?

 

Also, we are Elite on Princess but have not sailed since pre-COVID. I recall having free internet minutes as part of being Elite, but I no longer see that listed in the benefits. Has this changed?

 

Ultimately, if we still get free Elite internet minutes, and we have the minibar of drinks, then the Plus package doesn't seem to make sense. But I'll still want some kind of non-alcoholic package.

Edited January 29, 2023 by helenb

[Musky Ike]

5 minutes ago, helenb said:

can I switch my beverage package to premium non-alcoholic?

It would not be of benefit to you at $47.19. IMHO With the WIFI and crew gratuities the plus cruise package would still be better and includes all the non-alcohol options.

11 minutes ago, helenb said:

Also, we are Elite on Princess but have not sailed since pre-COVID. I recall having free internet minutes as part of being Elite, but I no longer see that listed in the benefits. Has this changed?

No you get half off so, $7.50 for the one device plan.

$7.50 + $16.00 + $47.19 = $70.69 PD. I would stick with the plus package if I were you.

[helenb]

Thanks, Ike. I'm surprised that there are no free minutes at all. IIRC, it used to be 90 minutes or so per cruise, which was enough to do a quick email check every day.

[nini]

20 minutes ago, helenb said:

My husband drinks and I don't. If we get the Plus on our cruise fare, can I switch my beverage package to premium non-alcoholic?

 

Strangely, when I was looking at the price to add beverage packages on our cruise, they only offered coffee package, water package and alcohol packages. No soda packages or non-alcoholic packages. Are all of the drink packages changing? Should I call my TA and have them added before February 20?

 

Another wrinkle: we have our son in the cabin who will be 21 at the time of the cruise, but does not drink alcohol. Do we have to purchase the Plus (the big add-on, not only the drinks package) for the third passenger, or only the first 2?

 

What are 'premium desserts'? Are they worthwhile?

 

Also, we are Elite on Princess but have not sailed since pre-COVID. I recall having free internet minutes as part of being Elite, but I no longer see that listed in the benefits. Has this changed?

 

Ultimately, if we still get free Elite internet minutes, and we have the minibar of drinks, then the Plus package doesn't seem to make sense. But I'll still want some kind of non-alcoholic package.

 

You can get anything you want with the Plus Package; coffee drinks, water, soda, etc. It will have you covered... even a Virgin Pina Colada may be enjoyable for you.

[caribill]

5 hours ago, nasa1974 said:

I must be missing something because I don't see an option just for an Alcohol package. It's either Plus or Premium. Then you have the non-alcohol, beverage or coffee packages. I think after subtracting the internet and crew appreciation from the Plus or Premium packages it's still a pretty good deal to get all your drinks for $28 or $48 per day plus 18% gratuity. Just my opinion.

 

You would book the voyage without either the Plus or Premier package.

 

Then you would go online to the Princess web site, sign in to the Personalizer and order the beverage package you would want for each person you want it for.

 

It probably could also be done on a smart phone with the Princess app, but I have never gone that path.

[caribill]

7 hours ago, Musky Ike said:

It is called marketing. It happens all over the place because it works. 

 

Princess started the Plus package at $40/day/person.

 

Then Princess raised it to $50.

 

Then Princess raided it to $60 a few months later.

 

It will keep going up until people refuse to pay the higher price and Princess decides they would make more $$$ with lower pricing.

[caribill]

3 hours ago, helenb said:

Thanks, Ike. I'm surprised that there are no free minutes at all. IIRC, it used to be 90 minutes or so per cruise, which was enough to do a quick email check every day.

 

The benefit was changed from xx free minutes to 50% off the current price.

 

This is true even though the free minutes were valued at more than the current price is. Basically, Princess changed a free benefit to one that will cost you money.

[caribill]

4 hours ago, helenb said:

My husband drinks and I don't. If we get the Plus on our cruise fare, can I switch my beverage package to premium non-alcoholic?

 

It you book with the Plus package, then you both will have and must keep the Plus package. No trading down to a lesser beverage package with a reduction in booking cost.

 

 

4 hours ago, helenb said:

Should I call my TA and have them added before February 20?

 

The time to book at the $50 rate ended in December. No matter when you book now, it will be $60/day/person.

 

 

 

4 hours ago, helenb said:

What are 'premium desserts'? Are they worthwhile?

 

Nobody knows as they do not exist yet. I understand you get them at the International Cafe, not in the dining room.

 

 

4 hours ago, helenb said:

 

Another wrinkle: we have our son in the cabin who will be 21 at the time of the cruise, but does not drink alcohol. Do we have to purchase the Plus (the big add-on, not only the drinks package) for the third passenger, or only the first 2?

 

The 3rd person does not have to have the same booking package as the first two. 

 

You may need to speak with Princess to arrange this if you are booking directly with Princess. If using a TA, the TA should be able to get it done for you.

[helenb]

Thank you very much for your direct and informative answers, Caribill!

 

I looked around and discovered that the soda package includes juices and mocktails for $15-ish per day. That sounds like it should be enough for both me and my husband, since he can drink the alcohol in the mini-bar setup and perhaps bring a bottle of wine onboard. It does seem like the Plus package will not work out for us cost-wise.

[nini]

6 hours ago, helenb said:

Thank you very much for your direct and informative answers, Caribill!

 

I looked around and discovered that the soda package includes juices and mocktails for $15-ish per day. That sounds like it should be enough for both me and my husband, since he can drink the alcohol in the mini-bar setup and perhaps bring a bottle of wine onboard. It does seem like the Plus package will not work out for us cost-wise.

So, you must be in a suite. I do not think the alcohol provided is enough for an entire cruise.

[kywildcatfanone]

If you only drink 2 drinks a day, buy them separately.  You would have to drink quite a few to make the plus cost worth it.

[roxievegas]

19 hours ago, Musky Ike said:

It is confusing because it is the same terminology ( plus and premier) for just the beverage package and the cruise package.

 

 

Premier Beverage Package$100.29 per person, per day

Our Premier Beverage Package is the best of the best for $84.99 per day plus an 18% service charge. This Premier Beverage Package includes fountain sodas, specialty coffees and teas, hot chocolate, bottled water, fresh juices and healthy smoothies (juice bar) — as well as wine, beer and cocktails up to $20 USD each with a premium selection of spirits, craft cocktails and wine by the glass. It also features a 25% discount on all bottles of wine, large bottles of water and cans of soda when purchased in bars, dining room or specialty restaurants. If you’re a top shelf kind of person, this is your beverage package.

View full Premier Beverage Package terms & conditions.

Select

Plus Beverage Package$76.69 per person, per day

Enjoy a wide range of drinks for $64.99 per day plus a 18% service charge. The Plus Beverage Package includes fountain sodas, specialty coffees and teas, hot chocolate, bottled water, fresh juices and healthy smoothies (juice bar) — as well as wine, beer and cocktails up to $15 (USD). It also features a 25% discount on all bottles of wine, large bottles of water and cans of soda when purchased in bars, dining room or specialty restaurants.

View full Plus Beverage Package terms & conditions.

 

thank you for providing this.

plus package adds $1,073.66 per cabin (2 people) for a 7 day cruise.

gratuities are only app $225.00 (depending on category of cabin)

that leaves $848.00 for drinks and wifi, fancy desserts and exercise class

 

I don't have to have any of those, so why spend the extra for the package.

[helenb]

7 hours ago, nini said:

So, you must be in a suite. I do not think the alcohol provided is enough for an entire cruise.

 

No. Elite get the same minibar setup as a suite. We sailed in a suite once as Elite and got the bar setup twice!

[BamaVol]

1 hour ago, roxievegas said:

thank you for providing this.

plus package adds $1,073.66 per cabin (2 people) for a 7 day cruise.

gratuities are only app $225.00 (depending on category of cabin)

that leaves $848.00 for drinks and wifi, fancy desserts and exercise class

 

I don't have to have any of those, so why spend the extra for the package.

The combo package is 60 X 2 X  7= $840.  Gratuities are $224.  That leaves $616 for stuff you apparently don’t want. Ridiculously, the package with drinks alone is priced higher than the combo.

[memoak]

1 hour ago, helenb said:

 

No. Elite get the same minibar setup as a suite. We sailed in a suite once as Elite and got the bar setup twice!

Yes you can have 2 per cruise if you are elite and in a full suite. 

[nasa1974]

1 hour ago, BamaVol said:

The combo package is 60 X 2 X  7= $840.  Gratuities are $224.  That leaves $616 for stuff you apparently don’t want. Ridiculously, the package with drinks alone is priced higher than the combo.

Leave out the exercise classes and the fancy desserts and that leaves the wifi and drinks. Whether or not the wifi is wanted or will be used you have to subtract that from your $616 amount, $15 X 2 X 7 = $210. $616 - $210 = $406. Take the $406 / 2 = $203 / 7 = $29. The $29 is what the cost of the drinks are per day on the Princess Plus package. So unless you really will use the internet that could be a waste of $210. I think $29 a day for any kind of beverage on the ship is reasonable.

[nini]

18 minutes ago, nasa1974 said:

I think $29 a day for any kind of beverage on the ship is reasonable.

 

Except for me, a decent glass of wine is $15.00 plus the 18% gratuity which equals $17.70 and of course I would have two glasses of wine for a total of $35.40 which is more than the $29.00 per day.

[malba2366]

20 hours ago, caribill said:

 

Princess started the Plus package at $40/day/person.

 

Then Princess raised it to $50.

 

Then Princess raided it to $60 a few months later.

 

It will keep going up until people refuse to pay the higher price and Princess decides they would make more $$$ with lower pricing.

 

I think they quickly realized that $40 and 50 were too low for the packages especially when they are trying to attract a younger clientele (who generally drink more) onto the ships.  Even at 60/80 these packages are a very good value compared to the Drink packages on other cruise lines considering that cabin gratuities and drink gratuities along with wifi are included in the price.  

Edited January 30, 2023 by malba2366

[Tedferg]

1 hour ago, malba2366 said:

 

I think they quickly realized that $40 and 50 were too low for the packages 

However, they were at $40 pp for quite a while. It was a no brainer for many people, I do think at $60 it causes people to think - time will tell.

 

Also for those doing Math - adding the package also raises cost of insurance. Not a large amount, ~ $60 on a 7 day cruise.

[curlybelle2]

On 1/28/2023 at 9:24 AM, pathi said:

Not sure about buying on board. You may consider that it includes wifi, tips and things like specialty coffee, Soft drinks and Milk shakes.

Does the Plus package include milkshakes?

 

thanks Kaye

[BamaVol]

1 hour ago, Tedferg said:

However, they were at $40 pp for quite a while. It was a no brainer for many people, I do think at $60 it causes people to think - time will tell.

 

Also for those doing Math - adding the package also raises cost of insurance. Not a large amount, ~ $60 on a 7 day cruise.

Not for me. I insure minimum trip cost. I just want to be covered in case I get very ill or injured and need hospitalization and/or evacuation. If I lose all or part of the cruise fare, oh well. 

[BamaVol]

1 hour ago, curlybelle2 said:

Does the Plus package include milkshakes?

 

thanks Kaye

I don’t see them specifically listed.