Is Princess PLUS worth it for me personally?

[Itchy&Scratchy]

9 hours ago, cruiselvr04 said:

I’m assuming I can use all that OBC to purchase shore excursions. Correct me if I’m wrong though.  It will pretty much make the cruise “all  inclusive”. We have 8 days in ports. 

of course, you can. 

We rarely purchase ship excursions, so if I had a LOT of OBC to burn through, I'd choose to purchase Plus onboard.

Some cruisers have copious amounts of OBC, which would cover both Plus and excursions, but we never do.

[JordanF]

22 hours ago, barriedavis said:

In my culture, tipping is reserved for exceptional service or a service charge of 12 to 15% levied in, say, a restaurant. 

Yep--that is why gratuities are shared across the entire fleet--because certain tea-taxing folks pay less in gratuities, which would cause the employees to not want certain sailings if they were paid only by ship.  So, rather than dishing on a few jewelry-wearing Americans, perhaps a "thank you" for subsidizing your cruise experience?

Edited August 1 by JordanF
punctuation correction

[Cruisintimer]

6 hours ago, d9704011 said:

In fact, I think you have to cancel pre-purchased gratuities (and wifi and beverage package if they've been pre-purchased) before the Princess website will permit the purchase of Princess Plus or Premium.  

Yes you must cancel the gratuities BEFORE you can purchase the package online or the app will not let you book the package and instead it will direct you to call customer service.  

[Scottdalfonso]

6 hours ago, d9704011 said:

In fact, I think you have to cancel pre-purchased gratuities (and wifi and beverage package if they've been pre-purchased) before the Princess website will permit the purchase of Princess Plus or Premium.  

Yep- it tells me to call if I want to order it, I assume that's why. I'm just going to do it onboard and use my OBC and then have them refund the original pre-paid gratuities. I assume they'll refund it to a card, or will they give it to me as OBC? 

[Retired-N-Happy]

13 hours ago, Cruisintimer said:

Go on princess.com and under crew appreciation click cancel gratuities since you got the package and they will credit you back on the card you used fairly quickly.  Easy/peasy have done it myself when I have added a package. 

...

Edited August 1 by Retired-N-Happy

[d9704011]

1 hour ago, Scottdalfonso said:

I assume they'll refund it to a card, or will they give it to me as OBC? 

I don't know, but I suspect they'll give it to you as Refundable OBC.  If that's the case, you'll probably never see the amount as it will be used to offset the cost of the Princess Plus package purchase.

[Z0nker]

On 7/29/2024 at 12:31 PM, Nemanoxer said:

Hi there.

 

My first ever Princess cruise is coming up on Sun Princess on 19th October 2024. It´s a 7 days cruise in CA category (Cabana Mini Suite).

 

I hardly ever drink alcolhol. I don´t want personal WiFi. I never hit the Spa nor the Gym. Usually no room service needed for me. OceanNow seems kind of irrelevant for me personally.

 

I do drink one or two Virgin Coladas per day and the same amount of Lavazza specialty coffees. I want my Pellegrino water, usually a bottle per dinner in MDR. I like Sodas from the can, two or three during the day. Juices happen next to never. I might fall for a premium dessert every one or two days. 

Usually, I stay away from specialty restaurants and what Princess call Casual Dining Meals and am happy with poolside Pizza and poolside Burgers (if good). Don´t care about photos or casino. Production show reservations would be sweet, however that would be PREMIER and too expensive anyway.

 

So...

 

If you were me, would you still book PLUS?

 

 

If you subtract the $15 gratuity that you must pay anyway, the Plus package is costing you $45/day. What do your 6-8 daily billable beverages add up to? If it's less than $45, you can skip the package.

 

One caveat: do you travel alone or share your cabin? I believe that if one guest in a cabin buys Plus you also must buy it.

[JimmyVWine]

44 minutes ago, Z0nker said:

If you subtract the $15 gratuity that you must pay anyway, the Plus package is costing you $45/day.

Crew Appreciation is now $16, $17 or $18 depending on the class of cabin booked.  It is never $15.  Also, WiFi is very expensive.  The OP is not at the status level of the Captain's circle that would net a discount.  So they are looking at $24.99 per day.  Even if that is shared between 2 people, it comes out to $12.50 per person per day.  Sure, not everyone gets WiFi while on a cruise, but it is certainly becoming the standard.  So when you add in Crew Appreciation and WiFi, the sunk cost is between $28.50-$30.50 per day per person.  It is from that baseline that most people should begin to count their beverage intake costs.  The debate will probably rage on forever, but it seems rather established that if you plan to provide the Crew Appreciation and plan to use WiFi, the break even point for Plus is around $3-$4 for coffee beverages and $27 in alcohol which equates to 3 cocktails ($9 x 3) or 2 glasses of wine ($14 x 2).    

Edited August 1 by JimmyVWine

[Z0nker]

6 minutes ago, JimmyVWine said:

Crew Appreciation is now $16, $17 or $18 depending on the class of cabin booked.  It is never $15.  Also, WiFi is very expensive.  The OP is not at the status level of the Captain's circle that would net a discount.  So they are looking at $24.99 per day.  Even if that is shared between 2 people, it comes out to $12.50 per person per day.  Sure, not everyone gets WiFi while on a cruise, but it is certainly becoming the standard.  So when you add in Crew Appreciation and WiFi, the sunk cost is between $28.50-$30.50 per day per person.  It is from that baseline that most people should begin to count their beverage intake costs.  The debate will probably rage on forever, but it seems rather established that if you plan to provide the Crew Appreciation and plan to use WiFi, the break even point for Plus is around $3-$4 for coffee beverages and $27 in alcohol which equates to 3 cocktails ($9 x 3) or 2 glasses of wine ($14 x 2).    

Funny, but I thought the OP didn't want WiFi...

[JimmyVWine]

5 minutes ago, Z0nker said:

Funny, but I thought the OP didn't want WiFi...

Which is what I factored in to my original reply.  The latest reply was for more generic computation.  The OP's first post puts their daily cost at around $48-$50 for everything they say they will spend per day.  And in my original reply, I suggested (and still do) that if one's costs hover in that range, and it is their first Princess cruise, just go ahead and get Plus.  The worst that can happen is that they come up short by $10 per day.  For a 7 day cruise, "losing" $70 is well worth the risk when compared to being carefree while on vacation.  If one is within $10 of "breaking even", maybe using WiFi on board might become useful.  And maybe the "I hardly ever drink alcohol" might become "I'll have a Pina Colada once a day."  It's funny how perspective changes when decisions like this carry no financial ramifications. 

[Cruisintimer]

5 hours ago, Scottdalfonso said:

Yep- it tells me to call if I want to order it, I assume that's why. I'm just going to do it onboard and use my OBC and then have them refund the original pre-paid gratuities. I assume they'll refund it to a card, or will they give it to me as OBC? 

Not sure how they handle it onboard but it's super simple to cancel and then order the package before.   That being said if you have OBC that is great.  I would guess they would credit back your original payment method.

[JordanF]

17 hours ago, JimmyVWine said:

If one is within $10 of "breaking even", maybe using WiFi on board might become useful.

I guess it depends on why someone does not want wifi.  Some may not want it as they are weighing the expense against the value of wifi.  On the other hand, we really do not want it--because my wife gets a lot of work emails, and they just come to her phone without any particular sign in.  So, if they are there, and she can access them, she will do it.  But if she can't, she is fine with not seeing them.  So her cruise is actually better for her without wifi.  Just like some people like the psychology of having their drinks included even if they don't drink all that much, we like the psychology of not having access to email, because we know that we will use it if it is available.  That is why the key word in the OP's caption is "personally." 

[Nemanoxer]

On 7/31/2024 at 1:42 AM, reedprincess said:

Not on Sun. Everything, including drinks, are more expensive on Sun..

 

The prices I quoted, while estimates, are based off menus aboard..  Mocktails are definitely not $5 , they're running $10-15usd on Sun..

Drinks that are $12 or $13 on older ships are $15-17 on Sun, etc. 

 

 Just one menu, for example:

 

 

 

15 $ for a mocktail? 
Seriously?
 

Wow, this cruise line really wants to get rid of customers.

 

Thanks for this insight, helps me quite a lot.

 

 

Edited August 3 by Nemanoxer

[555]

1 minute ago, Nemanoxer said:

 

 

15 $ for a mocktail? 
Seriously?
 

Wow, this cruise line really wants to get rid of customers.

 

Thanks for this insight, helps me quite a lot.

 

 

That price on the Sun is justified in Princess's eyes to help pay for this new ship, plus it drives people to buy into their overpriced packages. 

[Nemanoxer]

Sorry for not interacting with the last posts, CC did not inform me about further replies.

 

I will be going solo. And again, I can´t stand having WiFi whilst on board, so that will not be on my summary.

 

So, after the latest info on the mocktail pricing, I would already pay 47 $ per day for gratuities and two mocktails. That makes this decision kinda easy 🫢

 

[Retired-N-Happy]

47 minutes ago, 555 said:

That price on the Sun is justified in Princess's eyes to help pay for this new ship, plus it drives people to buy into their overpriced packages. 

Overpriced packages?  LOL.  You take the 60 for Plus, subtract 16 for gratuities that the overwhelming majority of people normally pay.  That leaves you with a balance of 44.00.  

Let's say you don't care about WiFi, which I believe is 25 a day.  And you don't care about the 2 casual meals, which comes out to be 4.00 a day.  And you don't care about the soda, bottled water, espresso based drinks or fresh squeezed juices.  Let's just consider all of that "gravy". 

So, you have 44 per day.  Three 15.00 drinks at Good Spirits at Sea or Crooners and you're good to go.  The Plus package is the best value at sea compared to other mainstream cruise lines.  Better value than Celebrity, HAL, RCI, NCL, MDC, & Carnival.

[voljeep]

1 hour ago, Retired-N-Happy said:

Overpriced packages?  LOL.  You take the 60 for Plus, subtract 16 for gratuities that the overwhelming majority of people normally pay.  That leaves you with a balance of 44.00.  

Let's say you don't care about WiFi, which I believe is 25 a day.  And you don't care about the 2 casual meals, which comes out to be 4.00 a day.  And you don't care about the soda, bottled water, espresso based drinks or fresh squeezed juices.  Let's just consider all of that "gravy". 

So, you have 44 per day.  Three 15.00 drinks at Good Spirits at Sea or Crooners and you're good to go.  The Plus package is the best value at sea compared to other mainstream cruise lines.  Better value than Celebrity, HAL, RCI, NCL, MDC, & Carnival.

3 drinks on a sea day is called 'brunch' - on  a port day - breakfast, welcome back on board, pre-dinner 🥂

[555]

1 hour ago, Retired-N-Happy said:

Overpriced packages?  LOL.  You take the 60 for Plus, subtract 16 for gratuities that the overwhelming majority of people normally pay.  That leaves you with a balance of 44.00.  

Let's say you don't care about WiFi, which I believe is 25 a day.  And you don't care about the 2 casual meals, which comes out to be 4.00 a day.  And you don't care about the soda, bottled water, espresso based drinks or fresh squeezed juices.  Let's just consider all of that "gravy". 

So, you have 44 per day.  Three 15.00 drinks at Good Spirits at Sea or Crooners and you're good to go.  The Plus package is the best value at sea compared to other mainstream cruise lines.  Better value than Celebrity, HAL, RCI, NCL, MDC, & Carnival.

That's true if you actually want those things but as we don't want or need internet, alcohol (we bring what little we need), casual dining, specialty coffee or fresh squeezed juice, we can easily live without any package and just enjoy what's available with the basic fare.

They've convinced people that they need all the extras when you can certainly get good value without them. 

[voljeep]

1 hour ago, 555 said:

That's true if you actually want those things but as we don't want or need internet, alcohol (we bring what little we need), casual dining, specialty coffee or fresh squeezed juice, we can easily live without any package and just enjoy what's available with the basic fare.

They've convinced people that they need all the extras when you can certainly get good value without them. 

They've convinced - hahaha - good one

but that's just me - no convincing needed...I'm a big boy and can think for myself

[Itchy&Scratchy]

5 hours ago, Nemanoxer said:

So, after the latest info on the mocktail pricing, I would already pay 47 $ per day for gratuities and two mocktails. That makes this decision kinda easy 🫢

why not go for the  Zero-Alcohol Package then? 

$35.39 per person, per day including grats, includes fancy coffee (premium and specialty coffees and teas along with sodas, fresh juices and healthy smoothies (juice bar), bottled water, hot chocolate and “zero-proof” mocktails throughout your entire cruise with this new beverage package. It also features a 25% discount on large bottles of water when purchased in bars, dining room or specialty restaurants.)

or

 

Classic Soda Package (does not include fancy coffee)

$17.69 per person, per day

Includes all sodas, fruit juices, mocktails and smoothies.

 

 

On 7/29/2024 at 3:31 PM, Nemanoxer said:

I do drink one or two Virgin Coladas per day and the same amount of Lavazza specialty coffees. I want my Pellegrino water, usually a bottle per dinner in MDR. I like Sodas from the can, two or three during the day. Juices happen next to never. I might fall for a premium dessert every one or two days. 

[555]

1 hour ago, voljeep said:

They've convinced - hahaha - good one

but that's just me - no convincing needed...I'm a big boy and can think for myself

It's probably one of the best packages Princess has every thought of for profit making. Confuse the people with enough options and then remove items that were once free once they were considering a purchase.☺️

[voljeep]

9 minutes ago, 555 said:

It's probably one of the best packages Princess has every thought of for profit making. Confuse the people with enough options and then remove items that were once free once they were considering a purchase.☺️

'once free' - how far you gonna go backwards? 

 

Alfredos - that one I will give you

Vines - they had a few tapas on some ships - but nothing like the current offering

wifi/internet/intranet - but, but, but - we used to get free minutes ...

Room service - $5.00 - you got it

Ocean now - $14.99 - relatively new

 

remember when if you had a package - it did NOT include ALCOHOL DRINKS for cabin delivery?  I do - and now it does

Edited August 3 by voljeep

[dog]

12 minutes ago, Itchy&Scratchy said:

why not go for the  Zero-Alcohol Package then? 

$35.39 per person, per day including grats, includes fancy coffee (premium and specialty coffees and teas along with sodas, fresh juices and healthy smoothies (juice bar), bottled water, hot chocolate and “zero-proof” mocktails throughout your entire cruise with this new beverage package. It also features a 25% discount on large bottles of water when purchased in bars, dining room or specialty restaurants.)

or

 

Classic Soda Package (does not include fancy coffee)

$17.69 per person, per day

Includes all sodas, fruit juices, mocktails and smoothies.

 

 

What country are you in?

 

I do not see grats on my screen for the $35.39 zero alcohol pkg

[disgirl]

If you dont drink alcohol and wont use internet, look at the nonalcoholic drink package.  Add it on to your booking.  That will give you the pop, sparkling water and mocktails.  If you do have an adult wobbly pop, sign it to your cabin.

 

I believe I read they will charge the $14.99 Ocean Ready fee to your onboard account if you dont have the Plus, but you are still ahead.  

 

Prepaid your gratuities online or use OBC.  

[deultgen]

On 7/29/2024 at 1:31 PM, Nemanoxer said:

Hi there.

 

My first ever Princess cruise is coming up on Sun Princess on 19th October 2024. It´s a 7 days cruise in CA category (Cabana Mini Suite).

 

I hardly ever drink alcolhol. I don´t want personal WiFi. I never hit the Spa nor the Gym. Usually no room service needed for me. OceanNow seems kind of irrelevant for me personally.

 

I do drink one or two Virgin Coladas per day and the same amount of Lavazza specialty coffees. I want my Pellegrino water, usually a bottle per dinner in MDR. I like Sodas from the can, two or three during the day. Juices happen next to never. I might fall for a premium dessert every one or two days. 

Usually, I stay away from specialty restaurants and what Princess call Casual Dining Meals and am happy with poolside Pizza and poolside Burgers (if good). Don´t care about photos or casino. Production show reservations would be sweet, however that would be PREMIER and too expensive anyway.

 

So...

 

If you were me, would you still book PLUS?

 

 

Nope