Today’s post is brought to you by the letter P. Don’t worry, it’s not about my notoriously small bladder (as anyone who’s ever shared a cruise cabin with me and been awoken four times during the night can attest). That’s a different kind of pee. No, it’s about Princess’s newly expanded selection of drink packages: Princess Plus and Princess Premier. See, lots of “P’s,” right? And with the recent addition of “Princess Premier” came new bar menus, so I’ve thrown on as many of those as I’ve been able to track down (I’ll continue to add more as I find them, so check back).
I’ll also mention Princess’s two all-inclusive packages, also called “Princess Plus” and “Princess Premier,” just to maximize the P’s and further confuse you. So, without further TMI’s, here’s the 411 on the current Princess beverage packages…
Princess Plus Beverage Package Includes:
Princess Premier Beverage Packages Includes:
Stand alone cost: $59.99 per person, per day + 18% service charge (so, $70.79 total)
Stand alone cost: $79.99 per person, per day + 18 % service charge (so, $94.39 total)
* For beverages priced above $12, guests with the Princess Plus beverage package will only have to pay the amount above $12. So if a beverage is priced at $16, they would only pay $4.
** For beverages priced above $18, guests with the Princess Premier beverage package will only have to pay the amount above $18. So if a beverage is priced at $20, they would only pay $2.
Princess also offers a beverage package that includes all non-alcoholic drinks. Here are the details:
And for those who don’t drink coffee OR alcohol (this one is good for kids), Princess offers the Classic Soda Package:
If you’ve sailed on Princess over the past few weeks, you’ve likely noticed some changes to the bar menus, mostly to the wine sections, with a separate listing on some menus for those wines available with “Princess Plus” and “Princess Premier.” These menus are a little confusing as ALL wines are available with both packages, you’ll just pay the difference above $12 if you have Princess Plus and order from the Princess Premier menu. Here are the updated menus with some notes on what’s different:
Note that the wine list highlights those included in the “Princess Plus” package and those in the “Princess Premier” package and that only generic wines (with no hint as to the vineyard, location, or year) are listed under the “Princess Plus” package. Those with the “Plus” package can still order off the “Premier” list, but will have to pay the difference in cost above $12.
Note that the wine list highlights those included in the “Princess Plus” package and those in the “Princess Premier” package and that only generic wines (with no hint as to the vineyard, location, or year) are listed under the “Princess Plus” package. Spirits are also listed separately under “Princess Plus” and Princess Premier.” Those with the “Plus” package can still order off the “Premier” list, but will have to pay the difference in cost above $12.
All specialty coffees are included in both the “Princess Plus” and “Princess Premier” packages.
Note that the wine list highlights those included in the “Princess Plus” package and those in the “Princess Premier” package and that only generic wines (with no hint as to the vineyard, location, or year) are listed under the “Princess Plus” package. Those with the “Plus” package can still order off the “Premier” list, but will have to pay the difference in cost above $12.
Here’s the bar menu at Sabatinis specialty Italian restaurant.
Note that the wine list highlights those included in the “Princess Plus” package and those in the “Princess Premier” package and that only generic wines (with no hint as to the vineyard, location, or year) are listed under the “Princess Plus” package. Those with the “Plus” package can still order off the “Premier” list, but will have to pay the difference in cost above $12.
Q: Is there a limit to the number of alcoholic beverages I can order in a day?
Yes, 15.
Q: How do bartenders/waiters know I have a beverage package?
It will be communicated to them through your OceanMedallian and you will be appropriately charged based on the package you have purchased.
Q: Do I need to tip if I have a Princess Plus or Princess Premier beverage package?
You will be required to pay an 18% service charge when you purchase the package. You are not required or expected to tip on top of that. However, you’re welcome to offer bartenders and waiters an additional cash tip at your discretion.
Q: Will I have to pay tax on drinks if I have a Princess Plus or Princess Premier beverage package?
While docked at some ports you will have to pay tax on the retail price of drinks covered under your beverage package.
With more and more cruise lines jumping on the “all inclusive” bandwagon (not that a cruise ship can jump or fit on a wagon – I need a better idiom), Princess introduced the “Princess Plus” and more recently, “Princess Premier” cruise packages that include more than just a beverage package. Because most will elect to purchase one of these all-inclusive packages instead of just a beverage package on it’s own (which would actually cost you more than the all-inclusive option), here’s a description of what they include and the cost per person, per day:
If you’re the kind of cruiser who sails as cheaply as possible so you can sail as often as possible (you’re in VERY good company with yours truly), you can still opt for traditional pricing which Princess now calls, “Princess Standard:”
And with that…
Class Dismissed.
Never purchase travel insurance through your cruise line. It will be more expensive and cover less than plans you can buy on your own. That said, I ALWAYS recommend you buy travel insurance for your cruise. I recommend purchasing insurance through a site like travelinsurance.com where you can compare plans in terms of coverage and cost and get exactly what you want at the best price. Also check with your credit card company. Many cards include free travel insurance (although it doesn’t usually cover very much).
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