When Princess launched their Plus Beverage Package in 2022, it changed everything about how I plan my Princess cruises. After sailing on eight Princess ships since then, I've cracked the code on when this package makes financial sense — and when you're better off paying à la carte.
The Princess Plus Beverage Package covers drinks up to $12 per serving, which sounds straightforward until you realize Princess has some sneaky pricing variations across their fleet. Here's what you get:
The catch? Not all ships price drinks the same way. On the newer Sphere-class ships like Sun Princess, you'll find more drinks priced at $13-$15 — just over the package limit. On older ships like Caribbean Princess, most cocktails stay within the $12 range.
Pro tip: The package covers gratuities on included drinks, but you'll pay an extra $2-$3 plus tip for premium cocktails that exceed the $12 limit.
Here's where Princess gets tricky — package prices vary significantly based on your ship and sailing date:
Sphere-class ships (Sun Princess, Star Princess):
Royal-class ships (Sky Princess, Enchanted Princess, Discovery Princess, Majestic Princess):
Grand-class ships (Grand Princess, Golden Princess, Star Princess pre-2025):
Sun-class and older ships:
Remember: You must purchase for all guests 21+ in your stateroom, and prices increase if you buy onboard versus pre-cruise.
After tracking my spending across multiple Princess ships, here's my honest breakdown of when the package pays off:
Break-even point: You need 4-5 alcoholic drinks per day at $12 each, plus 2-3 specialty coffees at $4 each. That's roughly $54-$66 in daily consumption.
On my recent 7-day Caribbean cruise aboard Caribbean Princess, I tracked every drink for comparison:
Total: $422 in drinks over 7 days. The package would have cost $483 ($69 x 7 days), so I saved $61 by paying à la carte.
The package makes sense if you:
Princess doesn't advertise these limitations clearly, but here's what caught me off guard:
Room service alcohol: Not covered by the package. That $15 bottle of wine delivered to your cabin comes with an additional $4 service charge.
Premium locations: The Salty Dog Gastropub on newer ships serves craft cocktails starting at $14 — you'll pay the $2-$4 difference plus gratuity.
Wine with dinner: While wine by the glass is covered, you might find limited selections in the main dining room. The Steakhouse and Crown Grill have better wine lists, but many bottles exceed the $12 limit.
Port day reality: If you're off the ship for 8+ hours exploring, you're essentially paying for a package day you're barely using.
Share your Princess beverage package experiences in our Princess Cruises forum!
Not all Princess ships offer the same drinking experience. Here's where to maximize your package value:
Sun Princess (Sphere-class):
The Spellbound venue serves incredible craft cocktails, though many run $13-$15. Stick to The Piazza bars for package-friendly options, and don't miss the poolside Slice pizzeria for beer pairings.
Sky Princess (Royal-class):
Take Five jazz bar is perfect for package users — most cocktails stay under $12, and the atmosphere beats paying $18 drinks at Bistro Sur La Mer.
Caribbean Princess (Grand-class):
Crooners Bar offers the best package value with classic cocktails at $9-$11. The Sports Bar gets crowded, but their beer selection maximizes your daily drink count.
Coral Princess (Coral-class):
With fewer specialty venues, this ship offers the best package value for casual drinkers. Stick to Explorers Lounge and the Pool Bar for consistent pricing.
After 40+ cruises and eight Princess sailings with various package strategies, here's my advice:
Buy the package if:
Skip the package if:
My sweet spot strategy: On Princess cruises, I buy the package for sea days and longer sailings, but skip it on 4-5 day Caribbean runs where I'm off the ship frequently.
The Princess Plus Beverage Package isn't the best value in cruising, but it's not the worst either. Royal Caribbean's packages offer better drink variety, while NCL's unlimited options beat Princess on pure volume. But if you're committed to Princess for their excellent service and smaller ship feel, the package can work — you just need to be strategic about when and where you buy it.
What's your experience with Princess beverage packages? Share your tips and calculations in our Princess Cruises community to help fellow cruisers make the right choice!
Princess Plus Beverage Package: What's Actually Included
The Princess Plus Beverage Package covers drinks up to $12 per serving, which sounds straightforward until you realize Princess has some sneaky pricing variations across their fleet. Here's what you get:
- Beer, wine, cocktails, and mixed drinks (up to $12 value)
- Specialty coffees from International Café
- Fresh-squeezed juices
- Premium sodas and bottled water
- Smoothies from the poolside bars
The catch? Not all ships price drinks the same way. On the newer Sphere-class ships like Sun Princess, you'll find more drinks priced at $13-$15 — just over the package limit. On older ships like Caribbean Princess, most cocktails stay within the $12 range.
Pro tip: The package covers gratuities on included drinks, but you'll pay an extra $2-$3 plus tip for premium cocktails that exceed the $12 limit.
2026 Pricing Breakdown by Ship Class
Here's where Princess gets tricky — package prices vary significantly based on your ship and sailing date:
Sphere-class ships (Sun Princess, Star Princess):
- $78-$89 per person per day (depending on sailing date)
- Higher prices reflect newer bars and premium cocktail programs
Royal-class ships (Sky Princess, Enchanted Princess, Discovery Princess, Majestic Princess):
- $69-$79 per person per day
- Best value for package buyers due to extensive bar options
Grand-class ships (Grand Princess, Golden Princess, Star Princess pre-2025):
- $59-$69 per person per day
- Limited specialty bars but solid drink selection
Sun-class and older ships:
- $54-$64 per person per day
- Basic bar programs but excellent value for casual drinkers
Remember: You must purchase for all guests 21+ in your stateroom, and prices increase if you buy onboard versus pre-cruise.
The Real Value Calculator: When It Makes Sense
After tracking my spending across multiple Princess ships, here's my honest breakdown of when the package pays off:
Break-even point: You need 4-5 alcoholic drinks per day at $12 each, plus 2-3 specialty coffees at $4 each. That's roughly $54-$66 in daily consumption.
On my recent 7-day Caribbean cruise aboard Caribbean Princess, I tracked every drink for comparison:
- Day 1 (Embarkation): 3 cocktails, 2 beers = $46
- Day 2 (Sea Day): 6 drinks, 3 specialty coffees = $84
- Day 3 (Cozumel): 2 drinks onboard = $24
- Day 4 (Costa Maya): 4 drinks, 2 coffees = $56
- Day 5 (Sea Day): 7 drinks, 4 coffees = $100
- Day 6 (Roatan): 3 drinks, 1 coffee = $40
- Day 7 (Sea Day): 5 drinks, 3 coffees = $72
Total: $422 in drinks over 7 days. The package would have cost $483 ($69 x 7 days), so I saved $61 by paying à la carte.
The package makes sense if you:
- Drink consistently every day (including port days)
- Love specialty coffees (these add up fast at $4-$5 each)
- Prefer convenience over tracking spending
- Are sailing on Royal or Sphere-class ships with extensive bar programs
Hidden Costs and Gotchas
Princess doesn't advertise these limitations clearly, but here's what caught me off guard:
Room service alcohol: Not covered by the package. That $15 bottle of wine delivered to your cabin comes with an additional $4 service charge.
Premium locations: The Salty Dog Gastropub on newer ships serves craft cocktails starting at $14 — you'll pay the $2-$4 difference plus gratuity.
Wine with dinner: While wine by the glass is covered, you might find limited selections in the main dining room. The Steakhouse and Crown Grill have better wine lists, but many bottles exceed the $12 limit.
Port day reality: If you're off the ship for 8+ hours exploring, you're essentially paying for a package day you're barely using.
Share your Princess beverage package experiences in our Princess Cruises forum!
Ship-Specific Bar Recommendations
Not all Princess ships offer the same drinking experience. Here's where to maximize your package value:
Sun Princess (Sphere-class):
The Spellbound venue serves incredible craft cocktails, though many run $13-$15. Stick to The Piazza bars for package-friendly options, and don't miss the poolside Slice pizzeria for beer pairings.
Sky Princess (Royal-class):
Take Five jazz bar is perfect for package users — most cocktails stay under $12, and the atmosphere beats paying $18 drinks at Bistro Sur La Mer.
Caribbean Princess (Grand-class):
Crooners Bar offers the best package value with classic cocktails at $9-$11. The Sports Bar gets crowded, but their beer selection maximizes your daily drink count.
Coral Princess (Coral-class):
With fewer specialty venues, this ship offers the best package value for casual drinkers. Stick to Explorers Lounge and the Pool Bar for consistent pricing.
My Honest Recommendation
After 40+ cruises and eight Princess sailings with various package strategies, here's my advice:
Buy the package if:
- You average 4+ alcoholic drinks per day
- You're sailing 7+ days (longer cruises increase daily value)
- You're on a Royal or Sphere-class ship
- You want zero spending tracking hassle
Skip the package if:
- You primarily drink wine (Princess wine prices are reasonable à la carte)
- You're doing a port-heavy itinerary
- You're sailing on older ships with limited bar options
- You prefer beer and basic mixed drinks
My sweet spot strategy: On Princess cruises, I buy the package for sea days and longer sailings, but skip it on 4-5 day Caribbean runs where I'm off the ship frequently.
The Princess Plus Beverage Package isn't the best value in cruising, but it's not the worst either. Royal Caribbean's packages offer better drink variety, while NCL's unlimited options beat Princess on pure volume. But if you're committed to Princess for their excellent service and smaller ship feel, the package can work — you just need to be strategic about when and where you buy it.
What's your experience with Princess beverage packages? Share your tips and calculations in our Princess Cruises community to help fellow cruisers make the right choice!