I just got back from an 18-day Antarctic cruise with Princess. It was my first cruise with Princess and my first with a drink package. The Princess Plus package was great… for $60 a day, it covered tips, WiFi, and up to 15 drinks a day (including coffees, juices, and other small things). Tips and WiFi alone were $40 a day, so this deal paid for itself after just 1 drink and 1 latte. Does anyone else know of an all-inclusive package like this? My past cruises were mostly with NCL and Carnival, and their drink packages only cover drinks. I don’t drink enough to justify those. I get not everyone wants WiFi or drinks, but Celebrity might have an all-in package. I’m not sure if it covers tips though. If not, it’s probably not worth it.
Here’s a copy of the original post for record-keeping. The person who posted this shared their experience with the Princess Plus package, which covers tips, WiFi, and drinks. It’s a pretty good deal compared to the drink-only packages from NCL and Carnival. The post also wonders if any other cruise lines offer similar deals with everything included, like Celebrity’s potential all-in package.
We love the Princess Plus package too!
Holland America’s ‘Have It All’ package is a good deal too. The daily price changes, but I saw it was $70 per person per night on a 7-night Alaska cruise I looked at today. It includes a standard beverage package, WiFi, tips, $100 shore excursion credit, and a specialty dining credit. Celebrity’s ‘All Included’ package isn’t as good since it only covers the standard beverage package and WiFi.
That’s on my bucket list too! I always go with Princess Plus. I never come close to the 15 drinks, but it also includes water, soda, juice, etc. Plus WiFi, tips, and a couple of exercise classes (I don’t use those though). It’s a solid deal for people who enjoy a few drinks.
@Freddie
It includes all tips! I was worried about the bill the first few times I went to the bar, but they just handed me my drink without any extra charges. Of course, you can still tip extra, but there’s no obligation.
HAL and Celebrity both offer bundled packages. They’re not exactly the same, but similar. MSC also offers packages that include drinks and WiFi. NCL’s More at Sea includes the drink package, specialty dining, some WiFi, and credits for shore excursions. Most others are a la carte.
Virgin Voyages isn’t exactly the same, but they have an all-inclusive approach with WiFi, gratuities, and more included for everyone, regardless of fare. They also have a bar tab system, which is a prepaid drink system. Sometimes, they offer extra bar tab credit as part of their promotions.
@Vail
I don’t like the prepaid bar tab. If you don’t use the full amount, you don’t get a refund for the unused portion. At least with a pre-paid onboard credit, like with RC, you can get back what you didn’t use.
Celebrity’s All Included package doesn’t cover tips anymore. A good way to get the best deal is to find a travel agent with a group rate that also gives you onboard credit. The travel agent’s price will usually include a refundable deposit, drinks, and WiFi for about the same price as Celebrity’s cruise-only rate. The OBC can cover gratuities.
@Avery
Do you have a travel agent you would recommend? 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 a good idea, but not sure who to choose.
Princess Plus is a great deal, but I’m not a fan of the specialty desserts. I’d rather have one specialty dining option instead.
Drew said:
Princess Plus is a great deal, but I’m not a fan of the specialty desserts. I’d rather have one specialty dining option instead.
If you’re lucky enough to be on a ship with a gelato bar, it’s much better. The gelato is included in the package.
Virgin Voyages rates include tips, WiFi, and sodas. In your case, that would leave $60 a day for drinks.
NCL’s More at Sea worked out to $40 a day for drinks, WiFi, one specialty dining, and $50 off every excursion I booked. Add about $20 a day for gratuities, and that’s your $60 a day. I think it’s a steal.
My husband and I have been using the Premier package for our last 3 cruises. Before that, we went with the Plus package. We make full use of everything offered, so it’s worth it for us. As long as I have 2-3 alcoholic drinks a day, it’s worth it. I also drink soda and get bottles of water for our room. On our last cruise, after the price increase to $90 a day for Premier, we ate at the specialty restaurants 7 times (on a 17-day cruise), grabbed free photos, ate lots of desserts (the gelato bar was a great touch), and even won $250 in onboard credit through Princess Prizes. So, it was totally worth the price for us. Gotta love when you win a prize.