Is the Update Princess Premier Package Worth the Cost?
Princess Cruises is rolling out a new, enhanced Premier package, aiming to offer a new level of all-inclusive luxury. Beginning with sailings departing August 31, this package is priced at $90 per person per day. While the promise of unlimited drinks, dining, and high-speed Wi-Fi sounds appealing, potential cruisers might wonder if this package truly delivers value or if it’s simply a hefty price tag with a few added perks.
What’s Included with the Princess Premier Package?
The updated Premier package from Princess Cruises offers several features for $90 per person per day. Here’s what changed:
Unlimited MedallionNet Max Wi-Fi: Prioritized access to high-speed internet through Princess’s new MedallionNet MAX offers guests top-of-the-line speeds.
Unlimited Premier Beverage Package: Guests have access to an unlimited number of drinks up to $20 each, including alcoholic beverages, specialty coffees, and premium wines.
Unlimited Specialty Dining: The package includes meals at specialty restaurants like the Crown Grill, Sabatini’s, and The Catch by Rudi.
Reading the Fine Print
The Princess Premier package is advertised as offering “unlimited” features to give guests the ultimate in luxury and convenience at sea. However, cruisers should be aware of all of their options and know of limitations in the fine print to decide whether the package’s price is truly merited.
- MedallionNet MAX internet: Princess revealed its new internet options last week offering prioritized high speed internet service to users. This internet option will only be available for guests who purchase either a Princess Plus or Princess Premier package. Other guests will have the option to purchase a standard (non-prioritized) internet plan at $24.99 per day. While the Premier Package is advertised as “unlimited”, the fine print does note that only 4 devices can be connected to the internet at a time.
- Beverage Package: Princess announced the “unlimited” beverage plan as though it is a new option, but in reality the fine print for this perk has not changed from the original Princess Premier option. Drinks are limited to beverages with a menu value of $20, and a daily drink limit of 15 alcoholic drinks applies.
- Specialty Dining: While Princess proudly announced that the Premier Package will now include unlimited specialty dining, the details were not elaborated on. Critics point out that it may be difficult to get a reservation at specialty restaurants and worry that Premier Package holders will miss out on using this perk due to overcrowdedness.
Rollout and Upgrade Information
The enhanced Premier package will be rolled out gradually, starting with the Enchanted Princess on August 31. All ships will have the changes available by October 17. For those who have purchased the old version of the Premier Package, upgrades can be arranged by contacting a travel agent or calling Princess directly. It’s important for potential customers to consider if the updated package offers enough additional value to justify the extra cost compared to previous offerings.
