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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| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
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Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.