Princess Cruises hides new fees within expansion of all-inclusive packages
Princess Cruises has just made its all-inclusive add-on packages more inclusive — while adding fees for passengers who pay the standard cruise fare.
On Thursday, Princess Cruises announced four new inclusions within its Princess Plus and Princess Premier packages, add-ons that provide guests with a more inclusive cruise experience. However, some of the changes involve waiving fees on amenities that used to be free for everyone.
To start, the line announced that its casual dining venues — including Vines, Salty Dog Gastropub, O'Malleys, Ocean Terrace, Alfredo's and Gigi's — would now offer three-course, fixed-price menus. Regular passengers will pay $14.99 for these meals, but Princess Plus and Princess Premier guests can dine for free.
The key here is that pizza at Alfredo's and Gigi's, often named some of the best pies on the high seas, was formerly included in everyone's cruise fare and now incurs a charge. Pizza at Slices on the pool deck will remain complimentary, a Princess spokesperson told TPG in an email.
Additionally, Princess Cruises has added a new, one-time activation fee of $14.99 for OceanNow on-demand food and drinks delivery to your location on the ship, no matter where you are. The fee will be waived for passengers who book either of the all-inclusive packages.
Similarly, passengers who sign up for Princess Plus or Princess Premier packages can get free room service delivery. Everyone else will have to pay a newly added $5 delivery fee per order. Room service breakfast ordered by filling out door hanger menus remains complimentary for all.
The last inclusion does not come with a new fee.
Package purchasers can now access express embarkation if they provide all their travel information and documents in advance. They must also have their Princess Medallion — a quarter-sized device that uses RFID and Bluetooth to connect with the ship— on hand because it was delivered to their home before the cruise. The line will waive shipping costs for the Medallion.
Other guests are welcome to receive their Medallion in advance, but they must pay the standing $10 shipping fee.
Related: Cruise line all-inclusive packages: Everything you need to know
The new inclusions — or the new fees, depending on how you choose to look at it — certainly make the Princess Plus and Princess Premier packages more enticing for travelers.
The less-inclusive Princess Plus package costs $60 per person per day; the cruise line claims the average guest can save $668 on a weeklong cruise, with inclusions valued at 70% off the retail price. In addition to the new inclusions, Princess Plus offers guests a Plus Beverage Package, crew gratuities, unlimited Starlink internet on one device, two prix fixe meals at casual restaurants, two fitness classes, two special desserts and unlimited premium juices.
The more-inclusive Princess Premier package costs $80 per person per day; the cruise line says passengers will save 75% off the retail price of its inclusions. Princess Premier guests receive all the perks of the Plus package plus an upgraded beverage package, unlimited internet for four devices, two nights of specialty dining, unlimited prix fixe meals at casual restaurants, reserved theater seating, a Medallion accessory, a digital photo package and unlimited fitness classes, desserts and juice.
Passengers who don't like being nickel-and-dimed will appreciate the opportunity to purchase an inclusive package and not worry about how much they spend on board.
On the other hand, the value of standard cruise fares is now lower for passengers who don't want to pay an extra $420 to $560 per person for a seven-night cruise. The changes and added fees make the standard Princess cruise experience more expensive for travelers who prefer to make a la carte purchases.
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