Are you wondering if you should purchase a Princess Cruises drink package? You are not alone, as it is a question we get quite often from fellow cruisers. While there are many pros for buying a beverage package, there are also some reasons why cruise ship drink packages might be waste of money.
Further, with the new Princess Plus and Princess Premier cruise packages, you might be wondering if it is worth upgrading to this more all-inclusive pricing. So, in this Complete Guide to Princess Cruises Drink Packages for 2023, we detail all the new beverage packages, drink prices, and FAQs to help you decide if one is right for your next cruise.
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Complete Guide to Princess Cruises Drink Packages (2023)
Are drinks included on Princess Cruises?
While some beverages are included in the standard Princess Cruises fare, many drinks will cost you extra money.
Princess Cruises does offer a variety of complimentary beverages. These include juice during breakfast, non-bottled iced water, iced tea, tea, and brewed coffee.
Other beverages like specialty coffees, smoothies, fresh juice, soft drinks, bottled water, and energy drinks are all an additional fee. Likewise, all alcoholic beverages cost extra.
What are the Princess Cruises drink packages?
Princess Cruises has recently revamped its drink package offerings to now include two alcoholic drink package options, the Plus Beverage Package and the Premier Beverage Package.
There are also three non-alcoholic Princess Cruises drink packages: the Zero Alcohol Drink Package, Classic Soda Package, and New Grounds Coffee Package.
Additionally, similar to other brands like Celebrity Cruises, Princess Cruises has also rolled out two more all-inclusive packages, the Plus Package and the Premier Package. We will discuss these packages a bit later.
Princess Cruises Drink Package Basics
There are a few basic things you need to know about the Princess Cruises drink packages before we dive into the details of each option.
- Each drink package is priced per day, per person.
- Packages must be purchased for the entire duration of the cruise.
- A service charge of 18% will be added to the total purchase price of a drink package at checkout (excluding Australia itineraries). Additionally, a tax may be added at the time of purchase for certain itineraries or ports of embarkation.
- These packages may be purchased online pre-cruise up to four days prior to sailing or once onboard the ship. The package is offered onboard on embarkation day only.
- Beverage packages are non-refundable and non-transferable within three days of sailing and/or once onboard the ship.
- Of course, there is no sharing of the package or using your drink package to order drinks for other cruisers.
- You are limited to only one beverage per order, alcoholic or non-alcoholic.
- However, unlike many other cruise lines, all passengers staying in the same stateroom do NOT have to purchase the Princess Cruises drink package.
- Alcoholic beverages are limited to 15 drinks in a 24 hour period (6 AM to 6 AM). Non-alcoholic drinks do not have this limitation.
- The packages may be used on private islands, at all food and beverage venues, and other areas such as the theater that offer beverage service.
How do you purchase Princess Cruises drink packages?
Guests can purchase add-ons including drink packages via the online cruise planner up to four days prior to their sail date. Princess Cruises drink packages can also be purchased onboard during the first day of the cruise only. Unlike most cruise lines, just one person can purchase a drink package.
Similarly, guests can upgrade to one of the new more inclusive packages up to four days before sail date or during embarkation day. However, both the first and second guest on the reservation will need to purchase the same pricing fare.
Age restrictions apply for purchases of the Plus and Premier drink packages.
How much are the Princess Cruises drink packages?
When it comes to different drink packages on Princess Cruises, cruisers can select from a number of alcoholic and non-alcoholic options. Of course though, you will want to know the Princess drink package prices when considering if one is worth it for you.
Plus Beverage Package is US $64.99 per day plus 18% service charge (totaling $76.70 per day) for all itineraries except Australia. For all Australian-based vessels, the package is AUD $110.00 per day which includes a service charge.
Premier Beverage Package is US $84.99 per day plus 18% service charge (totaling $100.30 per day) for all itineraries except Australia. For all Australian-based vessels, the package is AUD $140.00 per day which includes a service charge.
Zero-Alcohol Package is USD $39.99 per day plus 18% service charge (totaling $47.19 per day) for all itineraries except Australia. The package is AUD $65.99 per day which includes a service charge for all Australian based vessels.
Classic Soda Package is USD $12.99 per day plus 18% service charge (totaling $15.32 per day) for all itineraries except Australia. The package is AUD $20.68 per day which includes a service charge for all Australian based vessels.
When looking at the prices of the alcoholic drink packages, you will notice that they are MORE expensive than upgrading to one of the more all-inclusive pricing fares. The Plus package is $60 per person, per day and the Premier package is $80 per person, per day.
Princess Cruises Drink Package Prices:
- Plus Beverage Package – $64.99 per person, per day plus 18% gratuity
- Premier Beverage Package – $84.99 per person, per day plus 18% gratuity
- Zero Alcohol Package – $39.99 per person, per day plus 18% gratuity
- Classic Soda Package – $12.99 per person, per day plus 18% gratuity
Is there a limit on drinks with Princess drink packages?
Unlike some cruise lines like Royal Caribbean or Celebrity Cruises which do not have any limits, Princess Cruises drink packages DO have a daily limit.
Alcoholic beverages are limited to 15 drinks in a 24 hour period (6 AM to 6 AM). However, non-alcoholic drinks do not have this limitation and do not count towards the 15 drink limit.
Of course, staff do have the right to refuse you bar service if you are intoxicated. Knowing your limits is just as important on a cruise ship as it is during your regular life!
What is the difference between the Princess Cruises Plus Beverage Package and Premier Beverage Package?
Previously, Princess Cruises only offered one alcoholic drink package. The former “Premier” drink package is now the Plus Beverage package. This package features all the previous inclusions. Now, there is also a new Premier Beverage package which is a more inclusive drink package option.
In short, the Plus drink package covers drinks up to $15, and the Premier covers drinks up to $20.
Princess Cruises Plus Beverage Package
The Princess Cruises Plus Beverage Package is priced at $64.99 per person, per day plus an additional 18% gratuity.
This drink package includes beer, spirits, wine by the glass, and cocktails up to $15 USD ($22 AUD). It also includes all non-alcoholic beverages including bottled water (500ml only), fountain sodas, the new Juice Bar, fresh juices (if available), specialty coffees and teas, frappes at Coffee & Cones, milkshakes (if available), and Red Bull energy drinks.
Further, the package includes a 25% discount on all bottles of wine, one-liter bottles of water, canned soda, and bottled juices.
This package has a daily limit on alcoholic beverages of 15 beverages over a 24-hour period.
Princess Cruises Plus Beverage Package does not include bottled spirits or bottled wine, any items offered in retail venues, Mini-Bar items, and souvenir Glassware.
Additionally, the package excludes events such as Wine Tastings, Chef’s Table, Buckets of Beer, Specialty Dining cover charges, or food items for sale such as ice cream.
Summary of what’s included in the Plus Beverage Package:
- Cocktails, wine by the glass, beer, specialty coffees, fountain sodas, bottled water, fresh juices and healthy smoothies, new juice bar, mocktails, and crafted cocktails by Mixologist Rob Floyd
- 50 spirits, 25 wines by the glass, 25 beers, all specialty coffees & non- alcoholic drinks
- 25% discount on wine bottles
- 25% discount on large bottles of water and cans of soda
Princess Cruises Premier Beverage Package
The Princess Cruises Premier Beverage Package is priced at $84.99 per person, per day plus gratuity.
This drink package includes everything from the Plus Beverage Package as well as additional top-shelf premium beverages. It includes a premium selection of beer, spirits, wine by the glass, and cocktails up to $20 USD ($30 AUD).
Further, guests can enjoy all non-alcoholic beverages including bottled water (500ml only), fountain sodas, the new Juice Bar, fresh juices (if available), specialty coffees and teas, frappes at Coffee & Cones, milkshakes (if available), and Red Bull energy drinks.
The package also provides guests a 25% discount on all bottles of wine, one-liter bottles of water, canned soda, and bottled juices. If dining at a specialty restaurant, a large (one-liter) bottle of still or sparkling water is covered by the package.
This drink package also has a daily limit on alcoholic beverages of 15 beverages over a 24-hour period.
Similarly, Princess Cruises Premier Beverage Package does not include bottled spirits or bottled wine, any items offered in retail venues, Mini-Bar items, and souvenir Glassware.
Just like the Plus package, the Premier package also excludes events such as Wine Tastings, Chef’s Table, Buckets of Beer, Specialty Dining cover charges, or food items for sale such as ice cream.
Summary of what’s included in the Premier Beverage Package:
- Top shelf spirits, reserve wines by the glass, and new high-end crafted cocktails by Mixologist Rob Floyd
- Selection of 75+ spirits, 40+ wines by the glass, 20+ high-end crafted cocktails
- Premier wines by the glass including Duckhorn, Stag’s Leap, Grgich Hills, and Cattier Champagne
- Private Woodford Reserve Bourbon Selection created exclusively for Princess
- Personalized Jack Daniel’s Whiskey Single Barrel Select
- 25% discount on wine bottles
- 25% discount on large bottles of water and cans of soda
Princess Cruises Non-Alcoholic Drink Packages
Zero Alcohol Drink Package
The Zero Alcohol Drink Package (formerly Princess Cruises Premier Coffee and Soda Package) is $39.99 per person, per day plus 18% service charge.
The Zero Alcohol Drink Package includes all specialty coffees and teas, hot chocolate, fountain sodas, fresh juices and healthy smoothies (juice bar), bottled water, Frappes at Coffee & Cones, mocktails, Red Bull Energy Drinks, and Milk Shakes (if available).
The package also provides a 25% discount on canned items such as soda or bottled juices.
This package does not include any other bottled or canned items, mini-bar items, or vending machine items. Of course, the package also excludes all alcoholic items and does not provide a discount for any alcoholic drinks.
Classic Soda Package
The Princess Cruises Classic Soda Package is $12.99 per person, per day plus 18% service charge.
This package includes all fountain sodas, fresh juices, mocktails, and smoothies. It also includes one souvenir tumbler based on availability.
However, the package does not include any bottled or canned items (no bottled water), specialty or premium coffees and teas, hot chocolate, ice-cream based drinks, mini-bar items, or alcoholic beverages.
New Grounds Coffee Package
Princess Cruises offers a new beverage package for coffee lovers, The Grounds Coffee Package. This package includes the pre-purchase of a specified number of specialty coffees and complimentary brewed coffee and hot chocolate.
The number of espresso-based drinks does vary by itinerary. Thus, pricing for this package will vary based on your sailing.
Guests may redeem the number of specialty coffees purchased in the package in locations where espresso is available. This will include select bar and dining areas and varies by ship and/or itinerary.
The coffee package is valid only on the voyage for which it is purchased. If the maximum number of coffees pre-purchased are not used during the voyage, the remaining value is not refundable. It is also not transferable to a future voyage.
Pre-purchased specialty coffees may be shared, but complimentary brewed coffee, teas, and hot chocolate continue to be limited to the purchaser.
This package does not include canned coffee items or mini-bar items. Further, it can not be redeemed when ordering room service either.
Princess Cruises Drink Prices:
Below are a list of the sample drink prices on Princess Cruises. You can also check out our bar menus from a recent Discovery Princess cruise to determine the cost of your favorite beverages.
- Beers- $6.75
- Wines by the glass- $11
- Mixed Drinks/Cocktails- $8-10
- Specialty Cocktails- $14+
- Specialty Coffee- $3.50
- Bottled Water (500 ml)- $2.65
- Soda- $2.50
- Energy Drinks- $4.50
- Other Non-Alcoholic Drinks- $5.50
If a drink does cost more than the maximum dollar amount of the drink package, guests will only pay the the difference (+18% gratuity on the difference).
Are Princess Cruises drink packages worth it?
This brings us back to the original question. Are Princess Cruises drink packages worth it? That is a question that only you can answer based on your own drinking habits. Essentially, will you consume enough to make the purchase “worth it”?
For us, beverage packages usually save us money. Though, we also just enjoy the added convenience of not worrying about the bill the end of the cruise.
Using the chart below, you can do the quick math to see if you would routinely hit the daily “break even” point for the above drink packages.
| Category | Price | Total | Costs |
| Bottled Water (500 ml) | $2.65 | ||
| Soda | $2.50 | ||
| Energy Drinks | $4.50 | ||
| Specialty Coffees | $3.50 | ||
| Other Non-Alcoholic Drinks | $5.50 | ||
| Beers | $6.75 | ||
| Wine | $11.00 | ||
| Mixed Drinks | $9.00 | ||
| Specialty Cocktails | $14.00 |
Now, you should also take into account a few other things before deciding whether you should purchase a drink package or not.
Other Considerations
Some considerations include the length of the cruise and how many ports of call are on the itinerary.
For instance, will you be able to sustain the same drinking pattern over the course of a 10-day or 14-day cruise? If your cruise is port intensive, will you be on the ship enough to make good use of your Princess drink package?
Further, each passenger can bring one bottle of wine or champagne (no larger than 750 ml) onboard in their carryon luggage during embarkation. Any additional bottles of wine can be brought onboard for a $15 corkage fee.
The final, and perhaps the most important consideration, are the new all-inclusive fares. The new Princess Plus and Princess Premier packages make it difficult to justify purchasing just a beverage package alone.
The price of a Plus drink package is $64.99 per day, while upgrading to the Princess Plus fare is only $60 and provides additional benefits.
The same is true for the Premier pricing. The Premier drink package is $84.99 per day, while the Princess Premier fare is only $80 with even more benefits.
Essentially, if you want to purchase an alcoholic drink package, it’s a no-brainer to upgrade. If just one person in the stateroom wants a drink package, or if the second guest is under 21 years old, it makes the decision a bit harder.
Additionally, if you want a non-alcoholic package, you probably won’t recognize much cost savings by upgrading unless you planned to take advantage of the other add-ons anyway, like WiFi or fitness classes. Adding the costs for just the Zero Alcohol package ($39.99), gratuities ($16), and WiFi ($15), you will recognize a small savings of $10.99 a day.
Princess Plus and Princess Premier Cruise Packages – What’s the difference?
So, what exactly are these all-inclusive pricing fares we keep talking about and what do they include?
Basically, when you book a Princess cruise, you will now have the option of three different price levels. These levels are Princess Standard, Princess Plus, and Princess Premier.
The Princess Standard fare is basically a cruise only rate.
Princess Plus
Guests can upgrade to the Princess Plus fare for $60 per person, per day. This fare includes the Plus Beverage Package, WiFi for one device per guest, and Crew Appreciation (gratuities).
Guests also get two premium desserts per day, two fitness classes per cruise, and an unlimited juice bar.
Per Princess Cruises’ website, this is an overall savings of 54%.
The Plus Beverage package alone is $64.99 per day. The WiFi for one device is $15 per day. The Crew appreciation is based on stateroom category. For Interior, Oceanview, and Balcony, it is $16 per person, per day; Mini-Suite and Reserve Collection $17; Suites $18.
As you can see, you are basically getting WiFi and gratuities for free by choosing this rate instead of just purchasing a drink package. Not to mention, you also get the other perks like dessert, fitness classes, and the juice bar.
Summary of what’s included in Princess Plus pricing:
- Princess® dining, accommodations and entertainment
- MedallionClass® experience
- Plus Beverage Package (drinks up to $15 each)
- Wi-Fi (1 device per guest)
- Crew appreciation
- Premium desserts (2 per day)
- Fitness classes (2 per cruise)
- Unlimited juice bar
Princess Premier
Guests can also upgrade to the Princess Premier fare for $80 per person, per day. This fare includes the Premier Beverage Package, WiFi for 4 devices per guest, Crew Appreciation, and two specialty dining meals per guest.
With this fare, guests also get a photo package, unlimited premium desserts, unlimited fitness classes, unlimited juice bar, a Medallion accessory, and reserved seating in the theater.
This is an overall savings of 66%.
Additionally, Premier guests have the chance to win Princess Prizes. Princess Prizes is a promotion on board that allows guests to win prizes through their stateroom door portal. The prize portal is activated when a guest opens their stateroom door using their Medallion device. Prizes currently include entry into an end-of-cruise drawing for $5,000 or more in cash, onboard credits, onboard dining experiences, free cruises, and $100,000 cash.
The cost of the Premier Beverage package is $84.99 per day. The cost of WiFi for four devices is $40 per day.
Running the numbers, even if you planned to purchase just a Plus drink package, along with WiFi or specialty dining, you should consider this upgrade as it does include quite a bit more for only $80 per day.
Summary of what’s included in Princess Premier pricing:
- Princess® dining, accommodations and entertainment
- MedallionClass® experience
- Premier Beverage Package (drinks up to $20 each)
- Wi-Fi (up to 4 devices per guest)
- Crew appreciation
- 2 specialty dining meals per guest
- Photo package (unlimited digital + 3 prints)
- Princess Prizes
- Premium desserts (unlimited)
- Fitness classes (unlimited)
- Unlimited juice bar
- Medallion accessory
- Reserved theater seating (for production shows only)
Terms and Conditions
- Both Princess Plus and Princess Premier are available to ALL guests and ALL stateroom types. They are available for purchase pre-cruise or onboard during the first day of the cruise.
- Third and fourth guests are not required or defaulted to the package of first and second guests in a stateroom. If these guests want to opt in, they will need to contact Princess to have it applied to the booking.
- Even if the 3rd and 4th guests do not have a package, certain items can be shared. WiFi for 4 devices per Princess Premier guest, two specialty dining meals per Princess Premier guest, and the Photo Package are shareable. The meals shared with the 3rd and 4th guests will be counted towards the total four specialty dining meals per stateroom.
- With the new Premier package, reserved theater seating and free shipping for Medallion devices and accessories will also apply to all guests in the stateroom.
- When upgrading, guests who are under 21 will receive the Zero-Alcohol Package. No refund will be offered for the difference
- With Princess Plus, Platinum and Elite guests will automatically receive a 50% discount if they decide to upgrade WiFi to 4 devices.
- Premium desserts include gelato, candies, toppings, a pastry or cookie, and alcohol if desired. Depending on your ship, you will find these at the Gelato café, Swirls, Coffee & Cones, or the pastry shop at World Fresh Marketplace. Excludes SMiZE premium ice creams.
- As part of Princess Cruises’ partnership with XPonential Fitness, there are 3 types of classes to choose from: StretchLab, Pure Barre, and YogaSix. Guests can sign up at the fitness center.
- The new Juice Bar features 4 juice blends and 2 power shots (ginger and turmeric). Each juice is a 6 oz serving and will be unlimited for guests with a package. They are also available a la carte for $6-$8 each for guests with no package.
Comments
Have you purchased one of the Princess Cruises drink packages? Do you think upgrading to Princess Plus or Princess Premier is worth it? Drop us an anchor below to share your experiences with drink packages on a cruise.
There is a lot of confusion on Princess ships right now for people who purchased a drink package before Princess changed the limits. Even though the Plus package says it is for drinks up to $15, some people who purchased earlier will be limited to $12 drinks. So depending on when you purchased, there are actually two different packages.
Still unclear….can drink package be used at specialty dining venues