Princess Pushing “Plus” and “Premier” Packages with Changes to OceanNow, Room Service, and Casual Dining
Princess announced several major changes recently that have upset some cruisers who prefer to stick with the much cheaper “standard” fare and excited some who already purchase “Plus” and “Premium” packages for their Princess cruises. Read on to find out more.
Items Previously Included for Everyone, Now Only Included in “Plus” and “Premier” Packages
Those who choose to stick with “Princess Standard” and do not spend an extra $60 per person per day to purchase a “Plus” package or $80 per person per day for a “Premier” package will now have to pay extra for several previously complimentary items. These include:
- OceanNow delivery ($14.99 one-time activation fee per guest)
- Room Service ($5 per telephone order)
- OceanMedallian pre-cruise home delivery ($10 per stateroom)
- Dining at Gigi’s/Alfredo’s Pizza ($14.99 per meal)
New Dining Perk Added for those Purchasing “Plus” and “Premier” Packages
In addition to receiving OceanNow, room service, and OceanMedallian delivery for free, those purchasing “Plus” and “Premier” packages can now take advantage of a brand new offering: a three-course prix fixe meal in casual restaurants including Vines, Salty Dog Pub, O’Malleys, Ocean Terrace, Planks, Steamers, and Alfredo/GiGi’s (dining in these sit-down pizza restaurants was previously complimentary for everyone, so that one can’t really count as a new perk). “Plus” cruisers will receive two complimentary meals per voyage, while “Premier” cruisers will receive unlimited meals. “Standard” cruisers will pay $14.99 per prix fixe meal or can continue to pay a la cate prices where available.
Are Recent Changes by Princess a Push for more Cruisers to Purchase Expensive Packages?
Many cruisers who prefer to stick with “Princess Standard” are disappointed that their cruise fare will no longer include complimentary OceanMedallian delivery, OceanNow and room service delivery (except for breakfast items ordered through the door hanger which will remain complimentary), and some fast casual options (Gigi’s and Alfredos). Many speculate that this is a push by Princess to convince even more cruisers to purchase the line’s two available packages, “Princess Plus” and “Princess Premier.” However, for some, especially those who don’t drink alcohol, those packages aren’t a good value.
Here’s a full press release directly from Princess outlining the changes in detail…
Full Press Release from Princess Outlining the Changes
FT. LAUDERDALE, Fla. (July 27, 2023) – Princess Cruises today announced several valuable new updates to its popular Princess Plus and Princess Premier packages, providing guests with even more inclusive options at no additional cost, including casual dining, OceanNow delivery service, room service delivery, and express Green Lane embarkation.
Indulge in more Casual Dining at no cost
For voyages embarking August 12 and beyond, guests on Princess Plus and Princess Premier packages will enjoy savory prix fixe dining options in the ship’s casual restaurants, including Vines, Salty Dog Pub, O’Malleys, Ocean Terrace, Planks, Steamers, Alfredo’s, and GiGi’s. The addition of new three-course, pre-fixed menus gives Plus and Premier guests more food options than ever before without any extra charges. For those who prefer sailing on Princess Standard, the casual prix fixe dining will be $14.99 and individual selections will continue with a la carte pricing.
“Great food is fundamental to the Princess Cruises experience,” said John Padgett, president of Princess Cruises. “By incorporating our casual dining experiences into the Princess Plus and Princess Premier packages, guests can now indulge in more memorable meals tailored to their dining style preferences without hesitation, all while enjoying unparalleled value.”
All guests can continue to enjoy top-quality culinary options at no additional charge. Complimentary dining options for all guests include exquisite multi-course meals in all main dining rooms, buffet-style delights at World Fresh Market and Horizons Court, scrumptious treats at the International Café, poolside offerings at Slice, Coffee & Cones, and more, as well as traditional stateroom breakfast available using the classic door hanger menus.
Access the Princess Exclusive OceanNow Service
Princess sets the bar in service with its revolutionary OceanNow on-demand, location-based delivery service. To activate this industry exclusive service, there will be a nominal one-time activation fee of $14.99 per guest, per voyage. However, the access fee is waived for all guests sailing on Princess Plus and Princess Premier packages.
Complimentary Room Service Delivery
Princess staterooms are a sanctuary for guests and views from industry leading large balconies are epic. To maximize the stateroom experience, Princess Plus and Princess Premier participants will have the standard $5 per delivery room service charge waived. That means no extra charges for the ease and luxury of on-demand service anywhere, anyplace or anytime on a Princess ship for Plus and Premier Guests.
“We take great pride in pampering our guests with friendly service and exceeding their expectations. By offering the OceanNow Service and Room Service without any additional fees to Princess Plus and Princess Premier guests, we aim to elevate their journey to an unparalleled level of comfort, indulgence and value,” said Sami Kohen, Princess vice president of food and beverage.
Seamless and Speedy Boarding with OceanReady “Green Lane”
As part of our commitment to delivering the smoothest and fastest embarkation process in the industry, the Princess App now boasts an enhanced OceanReady process. Guests achieve express “Green Lane Status” by ensuring all travel information and documents are complete and by having the exclusive Princess Medallion delivered to home before embarkation day when they’ll proceed directly to the ship with no lines or hassles. For the ultimate convenience, both Princess Plus and Princess Premier packages include complimentary Medallion at home delivery. For guests on Princess Standard fares, a nominal shipping fee of $10 per stateroom will be added on Medallion/Accessory orders shipped to home.
Unbeatable Savings in Value-Packed Inclusive Packages
These expanded enhancements demonstrate the cruise line’s focus on providing unmatched service and value for guests. Princess Plus and Princess Premier packages offer an astounding 70% or more in savings compared to purchasing items a la carte.
Princess Plus
For just $60 per person per day, Princess Plus now includes the following at more than 70% off retail value if components are purchased separately, saving guests up to $668 on a 7-Day cruise:
- Plus Beverage Package (covering drinks up to $15, specialty coffees, smoothies and bottled water, as well as 25 percent off bottles of wine)
- NEW! Unlimited MedallionNet 2.0 with Fleetwide Starlink and 5G for single device
- Daily crew appreciation (e.g., gratuities)
- NEW! Two prix fixe meals at any casual dining location per voyage
- NEW! Free OceanNow Delivery Service Activation
- NEW! Complimentary Room Service
- NEW! “Green Lane” Express Boarding (Free Medallion device delivery included)
- Two boutique fitness classes per voyage (e.g., Pure Barre, YogaSix, StretchLab)
- Two premium crafted desserts per day
- Unlimited premium fresh juices
Princess Premier
For just $80 per person per day, Princess Premier maximize inclusions and enjoy a more than 75% savings on the following inclusions:
- Premier Beverage Package (covering drinks up to $20, champagne by the glass, specialty coffees, smoothies and bottled water, as well as 25 percent off bottles of wine)
- NEW! Unlimited MedallionNet 2.0 with Fleetwide Starlink and 5G for up to 4 devices
- Daily crew appreciation (e.g., gratuities)
- Two nights of specialty dining
- NEW! Unlimited prix fixe meals at any casual dining location
- NEW! Free OceanNow Delivery Service Activation
- NEW! Complimentary Room Service
- NEW! “Green Lane” Express Boarding (Free Medallion device delivery included)
- Reserved seating in the Princess Theater
- Unlimited boutique fitness classes per voyage (e.g., Pure Barre, YogaSix, StretchLab)
- Unlimited premium crafted desserts
- Unlimited premium fresh juices
- Unlimited Digital Photo package / Princess Prizes
- Complimentary Medallion accessory
All cruise packages are available when booking online, in Cruise Personalizer, through a professional travel advisor or by calling 1-800-PRINCESS (1-800-774-6237).
When will these Changes be Rolling Out?
These changes will be rolling out by ship in August as follows:
And with that…
Class Dismissed!
Homework (10 points): Share to the comments what you think of these changes.
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Cruisers are complaining that free items are now charged a fee, especially passengers who have already paid for their trip before the policy change. What is your opinion please? Thanks for your accurate post.
With cruises sailing at 100% capacity and very high demand, lines are doing everything they can to maximize profits (with very little concern about losing loyal customers). But as someone who always books “Princess Standard,” because it’s the best value for my individual circumstances, I’m extremely disappointed with these changes. Complimentary OceanNow and room service delivery and Gigi’s/Alfredos were the things that really set Princess apart in my estimation. With these gone, the line has far less appeal for me. And I can certainly understand those who booked their “standard fare” cruise before these changes being extra upset. They are no longer getting the product they thought they’d paid for. Will I continue to sail with Princess? For the right price, yes. Have they moved down a slot or two on my “favorites” list…yeah, probably. But as long as I’m on a cruise, any cruise, I’m pretty happy.
Thanks for your response. We did not order room service, use the ocean now menu and since my wife doesn’t like Alfredo’s, we don’t visit it. Although the timing is a pr nightmare, I do not feel 14.95 is going to break anyone. Love your posts and sense of humor. Keep up the good reporting and I will love to meet you on a cruise someday. Happy Cruising!!!!
Yes, I hope we’ll be able to meet in person on a cruise one day! In the meantime, happy cruising to you too!!!
More inflation BS. We just returned from a cruise with the Standard package, neither of us drinks alcohol for medical reasons. I really liked being able to order room service or use the Ocean now delivery as well as the Green Lane express boarding. One could argue that it’s only $5 here and there and don’t be so cheap, does $5 really mean that much to you? So yeah Princess, don’t be so cheap, does $5 really mean that much to you?
My understanding is if that if you want to avoid the room service charge (which is done on room phone),
then pay the ocean now $14.99 (one-time charge) and order the room service from your room using the
medallion app (and not the room phone) to order. Is this correct?
Yes, that’s my understanding. The $5 room service charge is only if ordered over the room phone.