I just returned from an 18-day cruise in Antarctica with Princess. It was my first time on a Princess cruise, and my first time with a drink package. The $60 a day package was great! It covered tips, Wi-Fi, and up to 15 drinks a day, including coffee, juice, and smaller items. The tips and Wi-Fi alone usually cost $40 a day, so the package paid for itself after just one alcoholic drink and one latte. Does anyone else know of a package like this? I’ve been on cruises with NCL and Carnival before, but their drink packages only cover drinks. I don’t drink enough to make those worth it. I know not everyone wants Wi-Fi or drinks. Celebrity might have something similar with their all-inclusive package, but I’m not sure if tips are included. If they’re not, it probably wouldn’t be worth it.
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The person who posted this shared their experience from an 18-day Antarctic cruise with Princess. It was their first cruise with Princess and first time using a drink package. For $60 a day, it covered tips, Wi-Fi, and up to 15 drinks a day, plus coffee, juice, and smaller items. The tips and Wi-Fi cost $40 a day on their own, so the deal paid for itself after just one alcoholic drink and a latte. They’re asking if anyone else has a similar all-inclusive package, as their previous cruises with NCL and Carnival only offered drink packages.
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We love the Princess Plus package!
Holland America’s Have It All package is also a great deal. The price varies, but I saw it for $70 per night for a 7-night Alaska cruise I looked at earlier. This gets you the regular beverage package, standard Wi-Fi, tips, $100 Shore Excursion credit, and one specialty dining credit.
Celebrity’s All Included package isn’t as good since it only covers the basic beverage package and Wi-Fi.
Princess Plus is a good deal, though I think the specialty desserts are a bit much. I could probably eat one per cruise, but two a day seems like too much.
That’s my bucket list cruise. I always go for Princess with the Plus package. I’ve never come close to the 15 drinks, but it includes water, soda, juice, and more. It covers Wi-Fi, cabin attendant tips, and a couple of exercise classes (which I don’t use). It’s a solid deal for someone who likes a few drinks.
@Bailey
It includes all tips! I was worried about the bill the first few times I went to the bars, but there were no extra charges—just a friendly, ‘Here’s your drink.’ Of course, you can still tip extra if you want, but there’s no obligation.
Holland America and Celebrity both offer bundled packages. They aren’t exactly the same, but they’re similar.
MSC often offers a fare option that includes drinks and Wi-Fi.
NCL has More at Sea, which includes the drink package, some specialty dining, some Wi-Fi, and excursion credits.
The other options I know of are mostly a la carte.
Virgin Voyages isn’t exactly the same, but they offer an all-inclusive approach, including Wi-Fi, gratuities, and more. Everyone gets this, regardless of fare. For drinks, they have a prepaid bar tab system, and you often get extra credit with different promotions.
@Han
I’m not a fan of the prepaid bar tab. If you don’t use the full amount, you don’t get a refund for what you didn’t use. At least with a pre-paid onboard credit, like with Royal Caribbean, you can get back the unused portion.
Celebrity’s All Included package doesn’t cover tips anymore. If you book early enough, the best deal is usually through a travel agent who offers a group rate with onboard credit. The price from the travel agent will include refundable deposits, drinks, and Wi-Fi, all for about the same price as the Celebrity cruise-only price. The onboard credit can cover the tips.
@Denny
Do you have a travel agent recommendation? We booked our first Alaskan cruise ourselves, but now we’re going back with our kids and their spouses. We were thinking a travel agent might be the way to go, but we’re unsure about who to choose.
Princess Plus is a great deal, but I don’t like the specialty desserts—they’re not very good. I’d rather get one specialty dining option instead.
Lex said:
Princess Plus is a great deal, but I don’t like the specialty desserts—they’re not very good. I’d rather get one specialty dining option instead.
If you’re lucky enough to be on a ship with the gelato bar, the gelato is way better. You get scoops of gelato included.
Virgin Voyages includes tips, Wi-Fi, and sodas in their rates. So in your scenario, you’d have $60 a day for drinks.
NCL’s More at Sea worked out to $40 a day for drinks, Wi-Fi, one specialty dining, and $50 off every excursion. Add $20 per day for gratuities, and that’s your $60. I think it’s a great deal.
My husband and I always go for the Premier package. Before that, we’d stick with the Plus package. We make full use of everything, so it feels worth it. As long as I have 2-3 alcoholic drinks a day, it’s worth it. I also get soda and bottles of water to keep in our room.
Our last cruise had the Premier package at $90 a day. We ate at specialty restaurants 7 times on a 17-day cruise, got the free photos, ate lots of desserts (the ship had a gelato bar), and I even won $250 in onboard credit through Princess Prizes. So, it was totally worth the price for us. Gotta love winning a prize!