Drew_Callahan
Moderator
Is the Princess Plus Package Worth It? Complete Breakdown of What's Included in 2026
After 40+ cruises, I've seen a lot of beverage packages come and go — and Princess's Plus package is one of the smartest mid-tier options out there right now. But "worth it" depends entirely on how you actually cruise. Let me walk you through exactly what you get, what it costs, and whether it'll save you money or just sit unused in your account.
What's Actually Included in Princess Plus
Let's start with the hard facts. The Princess Plus package (as of 2026) includes:
- Beverages: Unlimited beer, wine, spirits, coffee, juices, and soft drinks at all bars and restaurants
- Specialty dining: One complimentary specialty restaurant visit per cruise (Sabatini's, Bistro Sur La Mer, or similar, depending on your ship)
- Internet: Streaming-speed WiFi for your entire cruise
- Gratuities: Automatic service charges are waived — you still tip servers directly, but the daily auto-gratuity ($16-$17 per person) is not charged
- Onboard credits: $50 OBC per person to spend on excursions, spa, or casino
There's also unlimited specialty beverages — think craft cocktails, premium coffee drinks, and smoothies. This is the part that gets people excited, and for good reason.
The Real Cost Breakdown
Here's where it gets honest. Princess Plus typically costs between $18-$28 per person, per day, depending on your sailing dates and how early you book. That's around $126-$196 for a 7-day cruise per person.
Now compare that to what you'd pay without it:
- Daily gratuities: $16-$17 per person = roughly $112-$119 for 7 days
- WiFi: $8-$10 per day for streaming = $56-$70 for 7 days
- One specialty dinner: $40-$75 depending on restaurant
- Average bar spending for casual cruisers: $8-$15 per day in soft drinks, coffee, and mixed drinks = $56-$105 for 7 days
If you add just the gratuities, WiFi, and specialty dining together, you're already at $208-$264. That's more than the Princess Plus package costs. The $50 OBC is just free money on top.
Who Actually Benefits Most
I want to be really honest here: Princess Plus isn't for everyone.
You should buy it if:
- You're a daily coffee drinker (those specialty lattes add up fast — $6-$8 each)
- You enjoy cocktails or wine during your days at sea
- You want streaming WiFi to stay connected with family
- You plan to try the specialty restaurants anyway
- You want to eliminate the daily gratuity charge
- You're cruising during peak season (June-August, December) when prices are highest
You probably don't need it if:
- You stick to included dining venues only
- You don't drink alcohol
- You're fine with basic WiFi (or can use the free limited connection)
- You're okay paying gratuities separately
- You cruise during off-season when package prices are lower anyway
- You're doing a short 3-4 day cruise (the per-day cost matters less on longer sailings)
The Specialty Dining Question
Here's something I see people overlook: one specialty restaurant visit is not a huge benefit on most sailings. A single dinner at Sabatini's (the Italian specialty restaurant) costs $40-$45 per person when purchased separately. That's great, but it's only one meal out of 21 you'll eat.
However — and this matters — if you love that restaurant and would've paid anyway, that's an immediate $40-$45 value recovered.
My pro tip: Book your specialty dinner early. Sabatini's on the Crown, Grand, or Sky-class ships can book up weeks in advance. Don't let it sit unused.
WiFi: Is Streaming-Speed Actually Worth It?
This is where Princess Plus shines compared to other packages. Most cruise lines' basic WiFi is slow — perfect for texts and emails, but painful for video. Princess's streaming package actually lets you watch Netflix, YouTube, or FaceTime without constant buffering.
If you're a business traveler or someone who needs reliable internet for work calls, this alone might justify the package. If you're on vacation planning to disconnect? Probably not.
I tested it on my last Crown-class sailing in 2026, and the speeds were solid: 15-20 Mbps download. That's genuinely usable for video calls.
The Gratuity Savings: Real or Marketing?
Let me be direct: the automatic $16-$17 daily gratuity is not a scam, but it does surprise people. With Princess Plus, you don't pay it — you just tip your server directly at meals.
Here's the reality: You should still tip. Your waiter, cabin steward, and dining staff earn $0 base salary and rely entirely on tips. The Plus package doesn't mean "don't tip." It just means you control the process.
For a 7-day cruise, that's $112-$119 you're not paying upfront, which IS a genuine saving if you factor it into the total package cost.
Comparing to Other Lines
How Princess Plus stacks up:
Royal Caribbean's Deluxe Beverage Package is cheaper per day ($15-$22) but doesn't include WiFi or the specialty dining credit. It also doesn't waive gratuities.
Carnival's Cheers Package is similar in price ($20-$26) but again, no WiFi or specialty dining included.
Disney's Cheers (if you cruise Disney) runs $18-$25 per day but is more limited on alcohol selection.
Princess Plus actually offers more for comparable pricing, especially when you factor in the WiFi and specialty dining components.
When to Buy: Timing Matters
Prince Plus prices fluctuate. Here's what I've learned:
- Book 60+ days out: Prices are lowest ($18-$20 per day) during wave season (January-March)
- Book 30-60 days out: Mid-range pricing ($20-$24 per day)
- Book within 30 days: Prices jump ($25-$28 per day) if availability remains
- Peak season (June-August): Almost always more expensive, regardless of booking window
- Repositioning cruises: Sometimes cheaper packages available
My strategy: Add it during initial booking or wave season. Don't wait. The closer you get to departure, the more expensive it becomes.
The Real Question: Will You Actually Use It?
This is the deciding factor. I've watched people buy unlimited packages and order the same house wine every night. They save nothing because they don't use the premium options.
Before you commit, ask yourself:
- Will I actually visit the specialty restaurant, or will I stick to the main dining room?
- Do I need WiFi for work or just browsing?
- How many beverages will I actually order daily?
- Am I going to use the $50 OBC, or will it disappear?
If you answer "yes" to three or more, buy it. If you're unsure about two or more, skip it and pay as you go.
My Honest Verdict
After 40+ cruises, including 12+ on Princess ships, I think Princess Plus is legitimately worth it for most mainstream cruisers. The WiFi alone is better than competitors, the specialty dining is a real perk, and the gratuity waiver is honest value.
The package doesn't make you rich, but it removes daily financial friction — and that matters. You're not nickel-and-dimed at every coffee bar. You know your costs upfront. You can actually order a craft cocktail without calculating whether it's worth $14.
Best case: You save $150-$200 per person on a 7-day cruise and actually enjoy better service and dining.
Worst case: You buy it and don't use the premium drinks or WiFi, and you've overpaid by $40-$60.
The risk is small compared to the potential upside.
Next Steps: Book Smart
Ready to book a Princess cruise with Plus? Don't just go to the cruise line's website — talk to our AI concierge at CruiseVoices. We can help you find current promotions, compare package pricing across different sailing dates, and show you which ships and itineraries offer the best value.
Our Princess Cruises community forum is also packed with detailed ship reviews, dining reports, and real cost breakdowns from people who've sailed recently. Share your questions about Princess Plus there — you'll get honest feedback from actual cruisers.
Final thought: The best package is the one that matches how you cruise, not how the marketing wants you to cruise. Do your math, trust your instincts, and book with confidence.