What’s Included on Princess Cruises

For one set fare, a cruise vacation enables travelers to see multiple destinations across the globe while enjoying most of the ship’s onboard amenities. Although, what is included in each cruise line’s standard price can fluctuate. To help cruisers planning a vacation with Princess, we have put together this guide outlining What’s Included on Princess Cruises.

What’s Included on Princess Cruises

Accommodations

Your cruise fare on Princess covers the cost of your stateroom for the duration of the trip, including daily service by a stateroom attendant. 

Like most cruise lines, Princess Cruises offers a variety of stateroom categories. Your options will range from an interior cabin, to ocean view or balcony cabins, all the way up to a variety of suite options.

The type of cabin you choose will be the biggest factor when determining your total cruise costs. So, be sure to review all the options available on your particular ship to find the one that suits your travel party’s needs and budget.

Food and Dining

On every Princess Cruises’ ship, guests can enjoy three meals a day included in the standard cruise fare.

Like most cruise lines, Princess Cruises’ main dining rooms offer a multi-course rotational menu that changes nightly. With Dine My Way, guests have the flexibility to choose when and where they eat each evening of the cruise.

If you are a more traditional cruiser, you can select to have the same dining time in the same dining room each evening. If you prefer to mix things up, you can do that too by selecting different dining times based on your plans for that given day.

Dine My Way also allows you to select if you prefer a private table or if you’d like to dine with others.

The MDR is also open for breakfast daily and for lunch on select days. There’s even complimentary Afternoon Tea.

In addition, Princess Cruises offers several more casual dining spots that are also included in your cruise fare. Some of these options include the International Café, Alfredo’s & Gigi’s Pizzerias for the best pizza at sea, grill favorites by the pool, and the World Fresh Marketplace buffet.

Further, unlike many contemporary cruise lines, room service is also complimentary on Princess Cruises. While there are some up-charge items, guests can enjoy several menu options available through OceanNow for no added cost. In fact, guests can get these items delivered to their staterooms or to any location around the ship with no delivery service fees.

Onboard Activities

Modern cruise ships are a hub of activities and events. There is always something to do on a Princess Cruises’ ship that will not cost anything. So, whether you’d prefer to just lounge by the pool or partake in one of the many offerings, it’s completely up to you.

These complimentary activities include trivia, demonstrations, dance classes, and more. There are also guest lecturers providing insight on history, geography, wildlife, and culture of your ports of call.

You can also expect to find a gym with plenty of cardio and strength training equipment, a jogging track, and an outdoor sports court to stay active during your cruise.

If that’s not enough, Princess Cruises also has its signature Movies Under the Stars. With comfy lounge chairs and provided blankets, this is a perfect low-key evening activity.

If you are cruising with kids, Princess Cruises has plenty of activities for them too. Camp Discovery is the youth activities program for children ages 3-17 years old, where they can engage in age-appropriate activities and make some new friends along the way.

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Nightly Entertainment

At night, your Princess ship comes alive with plenty of entertainment options that are all included in your cruise fare. It wouldn’t be a cruise if there wasn’t nightly entertainment in the main theater. With production shows and various headliner acts from singers to comedians and magicians, there is certainly something everyone will enjoy.

There is also nightly entertainment in Princess Live! We particularly enjoy the game shows and events that occur here, with favorites like Yes or No, the Liar’s Club, and Marriage Match.

Of course, there is live music throughout the ship in the evenings as well as plenty of bars serving up your favorite cocktails. While the music is free, the drinks will cost extra.

What’s Not Included in Your Cruise Fare

Gratuities/Crew Incentive

Cruise gratuities are services charges that are not included in the standard cruise fare, similar to a hotel resort fee. These additional fees are a per person, per day dollar amount that are charged to all guests across all stateroom categories.

These charges serve as a means to reward the hard-working crew for the excellent service provided during your cruise vacation.

On Princess Cruises, this daily service charge is currently $14.50 per person, per day for standard stateroom categories. The fee increases to $15.50 per guest in Mini-Suite and Club Class and $16.50 per guest in Suites. This fee can be pre-paid, or it will be charged daily to your onboard account.

Of course, you can always tip special crew members above and beyond this required amount.

Shore Excursions

Princess Cruises will transport you to several exciting ports of call. Unfortunately though, shore excursions are not part of the cruise fare. You can book these tours and additional experiences through the cruise line or through third party retailers for additional costs.

Shore excursions can range from inexpensive walking tours to several hundreds of dollars for unique experiences. These prices are also very dependent on destination. Caribbean and Bahamas tours are usually cheaper, while Alaska excursions can be rather pricey.

Related Post: Top Things to Do on Princess Cruises in Alaska

WiFi

You will need to purchase an internet package if you want to stay in touch with family and friends, as WiFi is not part of the cruise fare.

Luckily, Princess Cruises’ MedallionNet WiFi is consistently rated as the “best WiFi at sea”.

Guests can choose from unlimited WiFi for one device or up to 4 devices, for as low as $9.99 per day when purchased pre-cruise. Loyalty members receive even further discounts.

Specialty Dining

While there are many dining venues covered in the cruise fare, Princess Cruises also offers up-charge dining venues.

From the signature steakhouse Crown Grill to the Italian trattoria Sabatini’s and Bistro Sur La Mer by Michelin Chef Renaut, there are a variety of upscale dining options on Princess ships.

If you wish to dine at any of these venues, you will need to pay an up-charge cost. Compared to other cruise lines, these costs are very reasonable. Thus, we highly suggest you splurge on at least one of these dining experiences during your cruise.

If you do want to dine at one or more of these restaurants, reservations are highly recommended and can be made prior to your sailing on the MedallionClass app. Reservations can also be made on the ship, but space will be limited.

Alcoholic (and Some Non-Alcoholic) Beverages

Princess Cruises does offer a variety of complimentary beverages. Coffee, iced water, lemonade, hot tea, and iced tea are among the drinks that are complimentary on Princess Cruises. 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.

If you care to enjoy any of these beverages, you should consider purchasing a drink package to save some money.

Spa Services

Spa services and access to the thermal suite (The Enclave) are an additional fee on Princess Cruises. The adults only Sanctuary will cost extra too.

The Lotus Spa offers a variety of treatments including massages, nail services, teeth whitening, hair services, facials, and more. The Enclave includes a therapy pool, heated loungers, and steam and sauna options. The pricing varies for each of these services.

Other Add-Ons

Finally, other add-ons like birthday or anniversary packages, wine tastings, photo packages, and laundry services will also cost extra. Likewise, if you choose to gamble or shop during your cruise that will be out of pocket as well.

Of course, all pre/post-cruise travel expenses are not tied to the cruise either. Thus, when determining your cruise budget, you will need to account for expenses like airfare, a pre-cruise or post-cruise hotel, and transportation to and from the cruise terminal.

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Princess Plus Cruise Pricing

To provide a more all-inclusive cruise experience, Princess Cruises has rolled out a newer pricing option, Princess Plus. This pricing option includes items not normally covered in your cruise fare. With the Princess Plus pricing option, guests will receive a beverage package, unlimited WiFi, and gratuities.

So, depending on your preferences, you may want to opt for a more inclusive cruise experience with Princess Cruises by taking advantage of this exclusive rate.

If you are like us and plan to purchase even a couple of these perks for your cruise, then this package is certainly worth it.

NOTE: As of May 25th, there will be changes to this plan. First, the price will increase from $40 to $50 per person per day. The new inclusions are unlimited WiFi for a single device, Plus Beverage package covering drinks up to $12, and daily crew appreciation.

Princess Premier All-Inclusive Package

Now, Princess Cruises has just announced a brand new, even more inclusive package called Princess Premier. This all-inclusive option offers guests unlimited WiFi for up to 4 devices, the new Premier Beverage package covering drinks up to $18, two specialty dining meals, photos, and gratuities. For $75 per person per day, this package builds on the popular Princess Plus add-on to offer a more comprehensive option.

Princess Premier goes on sale May 25th, for voyages starting June 25th and beyond.

Comments

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