Major cruise line hikes its popular package prices in move that could hit vacation budgets
Princess Cruises is raising the price of its popular Plus and Premier add-on packages by $5 per person per day for sailings departing from 13 October. The change could affect holiday budgets and has prompted some customers to reconsider whether the bundles offer enough value.
Plus will cost $70 a day and Premier $105, rising to $75 and $110 respectively on Sun Princess and Star Princess. Plus includes drinks, casual meals, room service, gratuities and one-device Wi-Fi; Premier adds broader dining and drinks, four-device Wi-Fi and shore excursion credits. Princess is also replacing its four-device standalone Wi-Fi plan with a two-device option at $39.99 a day, while single-device access will cost $39.99 for 24 hours or $33.99 a day for the full sailing.
- Princess is adding $5 per person per day to two package prices.
- Some ship sailings will have higher rates still.
- Wi-Fi plans are also being changed and repriced.
New here? Start with this
Cruise fares cover the cabin and basic travel, while passengers can often pay extra for services such as drinks, meals, internet access and tips for crew. Princess Cruises sells these extras in bundled packages called Plus and Premier, as well as offering Wi-Fi separately.
The packages suit different needs: Plus combines everyday extras, while Premier includes more dining and drinks, internet access for several devices and credits towards shore excursions. Their value depends on which services passengers expect to use, and on the cost of buying those services individually.
For holidaymakers, daily add-on costs can build up over a cruise, especially for more than one traveller. Comparing a package with the extras a group is likely to use can help them work out the overall trip budget.
Both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
The higher prices may still be worthwhile for passengers who use the included drinks, meals, Wi-Fi and other benefits, since bundling them can be more convenient than paying for each separately. The packages also offer predictable costs before sailing, which some holidaymakers may value when budgeting.
The case against
A daily increase can add up over a cruise, including for passengers who make only limited use of the bundled benefits. The changes to standalone Wi-Fi may also leave some customers with less flexibility, making it harder to choose only the services they need.