Princess Plus includes unlimited alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages up to $15 per drink, plus Wi-Fi, crew appreciation gratuities, and two specialty dining meals — all bundled for around $60/person/day added to your fare.
Photo: Royal Caribbean International
Princess Cruises has gotten sneaky-clever with their packaging. What started as a simple drink package is now a full bundle that mixes cocktails, Wi-Fi, tips, and dining into one daily rate — and if you don't know exactly what's in it, you'll either overpay or leave value on the table.
What's Actually Included in Princess Plus
As of 2025–2026 sailings, Princess Plus costs approximately $60/person/day added to your base cruise fare. Here's exactly what you get:
- Unlimited beverages up to $15/drink — cocktails, beer, wine by the glass, spirits, specialty coffees, juices, sodas, bottled water, and mocktails
- One device MedallionNet Wi-Fi — described as the fastest at sea (your mileage may vary, but it's usable)
- Crew appreciation (gratuities) — currently $16–$18/person/day for standard cabins, covered inside the bundle
- Two specialty dining meals per person per voyage (not per day)
- Two fitness classes per person per voyage
- Premium desserts at select venues
Note: Drinks priced above $15 are charged at the difference plus an 18% service charge. If you're a Scotch drinker or have expensive taste in wine, watch out.
Photo: Carnival Cruise Line
Princess Package Tiers: Plus vs. Standard vs. Premier
| Feature | Standard (No Package) | Princess Plus (~$60/day) | Princess Premier (~$80/day) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beverages (up to $15) | Pay per drink | ✅ Unlimited | ✅ Unlimited |
| Wi-Fi | ~$25–$35/day add-on | 1 device | 4 devices |
| Crew Appreciation | ~$16–$18/day add-on | ✅ Included | ✅ Included |
| Specialty Dining | À la carte ($39–$59/meal) | 2 meals/voyage | Unlimited |
| Fitness Classes | ~$25/class | 2 classes/voyage | Unlimited |
| Premium Desserts | Pay separately | ✅ | ✅ |
| Photo Package | Not included | ❌ | ✅ |
| Casual Dining | Not included | ❌ | Unlimited |
The math on Plus: Gratuities alone run ~$16–$18/day. Add Wi-Fi at ~$25–$35/day. That's already $41–$53/day before a single drink. For most cruisers who drink even modestly, Princess Plus pays for itself quickly.
Photo: Carnival Cruise Line
Key Factors That Affect Whether Plus Is Worth It
Your drinking habits are everything. If you average 4–5 drinks per day at $10–$15 each, you're adding $40–$75 in beverage value daily. Combined with Wi-Fi and gratuities, Plus is almost certainly a win.
Voyage length matters. The two specialty dining meals per voyage are worth ~$78–$118 total (two people, one meal each). On a 3-night cruise that's a massive percentage of your savings. On a 14-night cruise, that same perk is spread thin.
Non-drinkers beware. If you don't drink alcohol and don't care about specialty coffees, the beverage portion of Plus delivers less value. You're essentially paying for Wi-Fi + gratuities + dining — which may or may not beat buying those à la carte.
The $15 drink ceiling. Princess' top-shelf spirits and premium wines frequently exceed $15. Order a Clase Azul Tequila or a Caymus Cabernet by the glass and you'll be paying the overage. Stick to cocktails and mid-range wines and you'll be fine.
Booking timing. Princess frequently runs promotions where Plus is included in the base fare at a discounted effective rate. Always compare the Plus fare vs. the standard fare before assuming you're getting a deal — sometimes the markup is less than $60/day, sometimes more.
How to Get the Most Value from Princess Plus
Max out the specialty dining immediately. Reserve your two included specialty dining meals as soon as you board — Crown Grill and Sabatini's book up fast, especially on shorter sailings. These meals retail at $39–$59/person, so two people dining together extracts $78–$118 of value from just one meal credit each.
Use both fitness classes on day one or two. They expire at the end of the voyage and most people forget them entirely. Schedule them early.
Order premium non-alcoholic drinks liberally. Specialty coffees, fresh juices, Pellegrino, and premium sodas are all covered. These add up faster than you'd think over 7+ nights.
Don't waste it on mini-bar items. Mini-bar drinks are typically excluded from the package. Grab your drinks at the bar or via the MedallionClass app for in-cabin delivery — that's covered.
Compare Plus vs. Premier before booking. The ~$20/day jump to Premier gets you unlimited specialty dining and 4-device Wi-Fi. For families or couples who'd dine specialty every other night, Premier can actually be the better deal on 10+ night sailings.
Who Should Book Princess Plus vs. Skip It
Book Plus if you: drink regularly (4+ drinks/day), want Wi-Fi, and don't want to track gratuity charges. It's the default smart choice for the average adult cruiser.
Consider Premier if you: are sailing 10+ nights, love specialty dining, have a family sharing Wi-Fi across multiple devices, or want the full package without compromise.
Skip both and go standard if you: are a light drinker, sailing 3–4 nights, already have status-based gratuity waivers, or genuinely prefer to track your spending à la carte. Just run the numbers first — the standard fare plus à la carte costs often exceed Plus price by day 3.
Before you book, run your specific sailing through CruiseMutiny to see whether Princess Plus actually saves you money based on your real drink habits, Wi-Fi needs, and itinerary length. The math isn't always what Princess's marketing makes it look like — and that's exactly the kind of thing you need to know before handing over your credit card.