The Princess Party Co. is ready to give your little one the most magical princess birthday party ever! Princess Cruises has just announced new upgrades to its premium all-inclusive packages, with significant enhancements coming soon to its Princess Plus and Princess Premier add-on packages. Celebrity Cruises has also increased the price on cruise gratuities for sailings on or after October 17, 2022. This includes sailing on Princess. If you do not pre-pay the gratuities, you will need to pay the current per day, per person dollar amount at the time of your sailing. If not paid in advance or bundled into an all-in style package, the amount is charged to the stateroom account daily, adding to the total bill due at the end of the cruise. The total cost of the package is $15.32 USD per day for all cruises except for Australian itineraries. Effective Dec 14, 2022 daily appreciation will increase by $2.50 for all guests in all cabins. Its either included in the price or its added onto the charge automatically. From time to time, Princess Cruises used to offer free drinks packages as a booking incentive. The staff will certainly be happy to accept cash as a thank you.. These fees will then be added into your total cruise fare and covered with your final payment. Price increases are never easy to spin. To make sure, I spoke to a member of Princess Cruises customer service team: So for absolute clarity if you think youd want an alcoholic drinks package, dont buy one pay for the Princess Plus or Princess Premier fare instead. You have entered an incorrect email address! Carnival and Norwegian Cruise Line (as well as their sister lines) recently increased their gratuity amounts for 2023. Guess Which Cruise Line is Raising GratuitiesAgain. Ah yes, thanks so much for spotting that! In this post, we explain everything you need to know about cruise gratuities broken down by cost for each cruise line. If youre considering getting a drink package for your Princess Cruise, then you should instead consider the Princess Plus and Princess Premier fares. It may confuse some who dont realise its a typo . An 18% service charge is included when booking, bringing the daily cost to $11.79. Starting Dec 14, the price will increase by $10 to $60 per person, per day. The Princess Cruises Plus Beverage Package includes drinks priced at up to $15. Cruise fares include the cost of the room and most services onboard, including meals, select beverages, entertainment, pool access, etc. For instance on embarkment day, can I use my Medallion to order a drink as I am walking to my room for the first time? Exclusive Rates on Your Favorite Cruises! If you do not choose to adjust this daily charge while on board, your payment becomes final and nonrefundable. Depending on the cruise line, these charges are usually applicable to guests 2-3 years of age and older. Everywhere else, it is 21. (Photo via Princess Cruises.) Those who reserve their vacation before Dec 14, 2022 are exempt from the increases and can lock in the best rates. Currently, the gratuity is $16.50 per guest for suites and $15.50 per guest for mini-suites. Complimentary Medallion accessory exclusively designed for Premier package guests (fulfilled onboard). The total cost of the drink package is $76.69 USD per day for all cruises except for Australian itineraries. New Princess gratuities charges Beginning on May 1 and beyond, every passenger will see a $1 per day increase in their automatic gratuities, beginning on all cruises that depart on May 1 and beyond. Free shipping of Medallions to Princess guests (U.S. only) prior to their cruise. These cruise gratuities also apply to all guests regardless of your dining options. The Premier Beverage package doesnt include: The Zero-Alcohol Drink Package will get you a 25% discount on: Bottles of water, cans of soda and bottles of juice. If you've reserved a standard cabin - interior, oceanview or balcony - your new charges will be $14.50 per person per day. How to Choose Your Amtrak Sleeping Accommodations, 10 Things You Should Not Pack for a Cruise, Ten Essential Items I Always Pack For a Cruise, Complete Guide: What to Pack for a Cruise Plus Printable Checklist, Amtrak California Zephyr Train Three Days Across America, Complete and updated list of major cruise lines gratuities, Another Cruise Line Set to Increase Gratuities. There is over 50 spirits, 40 wines by the glass and cocktails to choose from. Yes, it looks like that has changed on the Princess website. One major benefit of pre-paying your cruise gratuities is that you will pay the current rate. While Princess doesnt lay out the specifics regarding who gets how much of the crew appreciation, the cruise line does offer some glimpse into where your money goes on its website: All of the Crew Appreciation and Service Charge payments made by all guests on all ships in our fleet are pooled, net of credit card transaction fees. On Princess cruises from Australia and New Zealand, the Classic Soda Package costs $20.68 AUD per day, inclusive of the service charge. Articles are of a general nature and should not be relied upon for individual circumstances. The next day begins at 6 am. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. You can just buy drinks as you go. A 15% gratuity is added to bar charges, dining room wine accounts, and Lotus Spa services. While gratuities are part of the cruise fare on some luxury lines, cruisers should plan to pay the following fees on the majority of major cruise lines. The previous amounts were $13.99 per person per day for Standard Staterooms, and $15.99 per person, per day for suites. We were also able to order doubles of spirits and wine. Please view our privacy policy for details about the information we share with our partners. You save $5 per day if you choose the Premier Cruise package, vs. just buying the Premier Beverage package. The new crew appreciation prices are as follows: An 18% Bar Service Charge is automatically added to bar charges and Dining Room wine purchases. This is an increase of $5, up from $75. Editorial Disclosure: Opinions expressed here are the authors alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity mentioned herein. If you're searching for a Princess cruise at an unbelievably low price, you've come to the right place! BTW, when do you them you have extra bottles of wine and then pay the corkage fee? And unfortunately, most contemporary cruise lines have increased or plan to increase these charges in 2023. These gratuities are split between your room attendant, entertainment, and restaurant staff. Princess Cruise Lines is increasing the cost of daily gratuities and add-on packages making Princess Plus and Princess Premier more expensive. Do we need to purchase a soft drinks package for our daughter (14 yrs). The current Princess Plus package is a value of $95 per day. Heres the problem I have though the Princess Plus fare costs $60 per person, per day, while the Princess Premium fare costs $80 per person, per day. We have just completed a cruise on Enchanted Princess with Princess Plus. Especially on port days. You can keep up with her on Instagram at @IAmSarahJaneB. In fact, Princess Cruises pricing gets really confusing when you compare the drinks packages and the special fares. Is it 6am as advertised, or 12am midnight? Carnival Cruise Lines gratuities are also increasing in 2023. Plus, all non-alcoholic beverages including bottled water (500ml only), fountain sodas, the new Juice Bar, plus fresh juices (if available), specialty coffees and teas, frappes at Coffee & Cones, milkshakes (if available) and Red Bull energy drinks. With staffing problems sitting near the top of the list of challenges, increasing overall compensation is a logical move. Its worth pointing out that this drinks package has essentially doubled in price since 2022, when it cost $19.99 USD per day. Again, this is on top of the daily service charges. Does anyone know what drinks are include in the Fountain Sodas? Some consider this wage subsidization and I understand that sentiment. Your email address will not be published. Over the course of a week-long cruise, that would be a total of $224. This package will cover the cost of more than. Are There Other Places to Tip? Princess Premier will go up to $80 per person, per day from $75, with new inclusions: unlimited premium desserts, unlimited fitness classes, unlimited juices, reserved seating in the theater, and a complimentary Medallion. Some of these new perks add very little value. For most sailings, the Classic Soda Package costs $9.99 USD per person, per day. The packages include pre-paid gratuities which further makes adding a Princess cruise package ideal. Further, there are no additional service charges on other items like beverages or spa services. ust ask for Rocky! But, if youd rather work it out for yourself, read on for the drinks prices. How you do like to reward the onboard staff for providing you a memorable cruise vacation? These charges do not go towards individuals like bar servers, porters, shore excursion guides, casino staff, or youth staff. Cruise gratuities are services charges that are not included in a standard cruise fare on most contemporary cruise lines, similar to a hotel resort fee. So, if you order a $16 drink, you will be charged an extra $1. Holland America Line implemented a modest .50 increase, effective February 1, 2023. If youre wondering how this makes sense, I wish I could tell you! Princess Plus went from $50 to $60 per person per day, while Princess Premier went from $75 to $80. Ditto a good US or French Red that is say $400 on the wine list but with the 25% discount that reduces to $300. Further, a 15% gratuity is automatically added to bar, beverage, wine, and deck service tabs. Otherwise expect a 7-day cruise for two to cost $35 more in gratuities. What is the cost of a glass of milk? This method is meant to be more equitable across all staff. Limited Time Offer 2nd, 3rd, & 4th Guests Sail Free on select Coastal sailings. More questions about the gratuity charges on a Princess cruise? On Princess cruises, if you order a drink in a souvenir glass and you have a drinks package, you will be charged only for the glass. Really useful info, thanks. Read more about exactly whats included in these packages and how much they cost here: Princess Premier & Princess Plus Packages. As mentioned, cruise lines automatically add gratuities to your onboard account. Travel Codex is owned by Travel Codex, LLC. There is over. Bar service charges are included in this package. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); I enjoyed reading your articles I think you have great details in them. It is truly designed for those who prefer top shelf alcohol. Do they do this when we get on the ship? The full charge is calculated and then you can call the cruise line or pay via your online account up to two days before your trip. The current Princess Premier package includes the Premier Beverage Package, four-device Wi-Fi plan ($40 dollar daily value), daily crew appreciation, two nights of specialty dining, one photo package and Princess Prizes. However, an 18% service charge still applies to bar charges, dining room wine accounts, and Lotus Spa services. There are zero benefits to just buying the drinks packages on their own. Classic Soda package is not offered in 2023. Princess Cruises gratuities are automatically added to passenger accounts. (Updated 11:40 a.m. EDT) -- Its early in the new year, but some cruise lines are already raising standard gratuities. On Virgin Voyages, there are no daily gratuities added to your shipboard account. On the new Margaritaville at Sea cruise line, guests can expect to pay gratuities during their 2-night sailing. Be sure to join my email list for my best cruise tips and handpicked deals each week. I will be back! The exact charge for these cruise gratuities do vary by cruise line and by stateroom category. Am I correct in thinking that these charges apply for food and that drinks are included in the Premier Drinks Package (subject to the PDP T&Cs)? Generally speaking, we provide additional monetary compensation at the end of the cruise to our stateroom attendant and our dining room waitstaff. The gratuities collected by Princess are paid into a common pool. Though, guests will not pay gratuity for drinks that are part of the complimentary classic beverage package. Also effective for voyages sailing February 20, 2023 and beyond, Princess Cruises MedallionNet wifi will cost $15 per day for a single-device plan, and $40 per day for a four-device plan. A nonrefundable Service Charge of 17% - 18% of purchase will be automatically added to optional purchases of beverage packages, drinks, dining room and specialty dining, private group functions, and other elected products, services or amenities provided to guests that are not included in the Cruise Fare. With the app theyre delivered to public areas e.g. If you pre-paid the Crew Appreciation and/or Service Charge as part of an all-inclusive or other applicable package: (i) the payments are bundled into your fare; (ii) the payments are nonrefundable from the time of purchase, except as part of the cruise fare, which refund shall be provided in accordance with our cancelation policy; and (iii) no additional amount will be added to your onboard account for the Crew Appreciation or for those Service Charges covered by such package. Rocky started blogging on his own website When Doublewides Fly to share information about flying around the world on a dime. First, you can prepay the gratuity before you sail. If youve paid the corkage fee, you can drink your wine anywhere on the ship, including in restaurants and bars. In the case of a couple traveling on a week-long cruise, they can mean hundreds of dollars out of your pocket. Guests cruising with Oceania should also budget for these additional service charges based on their stateroom category. The five drinks packages on Princess Cruises each come with an 18% service charge on top. This fee is $17 per guest, per day for suite guests. On Princess cruises, guests must be 18, 20 or 21 years old, depending on the itinerary. The crew works hard and the additional daily gratuities go directly to the staff to perform the work they do. Are you ready to embark on your journey to sea the world, one port at a time? This will be a $1.50 increase that will go into effect from April 1, 2022. The recommended daily gratuity for each of these positions has been increased by $.25 per passenger, per day. In fact, many cruisers choose to tip above and beyond this rate. . Princess Cruise Gratuities. This may reduce the overall amount that you spend on drinks during your cruise. Can I Adjust the Gratuity if I Bought a Princess Plus/Premier Package? In the Mediterranean, it's 10 Euros (about $10.88) for 12 and up and 5 Euros (about $5.44) for kids. Jenni. Starting in January 2023, Oceania Cruises, owned by Norwegian Cruise Holdings, increased daily gratuities from $16 to $18 except in Penthouse, Oceania, Vista, and Owner's Suites, all with butler service, and all now incurring a $23 gratuity. But bear in mind theyre due to increase. Guests sailing on Windstar Cruises should expect to pay cruise gratuities as well. "The Hotel Service charge serves to ensure we maintain the highest quality standards of service to our guests," MSC says on its website. even though kids wont be drinking alcohol? Then at the end of the cruise the amount is paid with your payment method on file. Thanks, You dont have to, you can buy her drinks separately. You might be offered an option to 'pre-pay gratuities' but this is a standard option available throughout the fleet. These new features racks up the savings. Similar to Celebrity Cruises, Princess cruises offers more all-inclusive packages that include crew appreciation. The Plus Beverage Package is prt of Princess Plus. Thank you! Only the Classic Soda Package, or the New Grounds coffee package, may make sense as standalone purchases. to have a glass of wine or 2. You can also bring drinks on to the ship in your luggage. Princess Cruises! All guests will need to pay a hotel and dining charge of $17 per day regardless of stateroom category. MSC's website states that the amount of the daily Hotel Service charges cannot be modified but can be removed should service be unsatisfactory. I'm so sorry that this post wasn't useful for you! Welcome Aboard! Is it always charged? Following a trend in the cruise industry to recoup losses and unbundle fares, the unbundling of services come at a higher cost. No votes so far! Princess Cruise Lines is increasing the cost of daily gratuities and add-on packages making Princess Plus and Princess Premier more expensive. Cruise lines will often run sales, and travel agents will often offer perks, that may include free gratuities for booking a cruise. On Princess cruises from Australia and New Zealand, the Plus Beverage Package costs $110 AUD per day, inclusive of the service charge. If you want to enjoy top shelf spirits, reserve wines by the glass, and cocktails this Princess cruises drink package is ideal for you! I think you mean the princess plus fare? Hi David, thanks for letting me know. This package comes with a souvenir tumbler thats yours to keep. This hotel service charge is $16 per passenger, per day and is automatically added to each guests onboard account. Those with existing bookings will be. As stated above, these service charges apply to all guests regardless of stateroom category. Be the first to rate this post. The Princess Cruises Zero-Alcohol Package costs $39.99 USD per person, per day, plus an 18% service charge. Thanks for your help! They start at $14.50 per day to cover cabin and free dining crew. Its cheaper to buy wine on board than bring your own and pay corkage. The pooled funds are distributed throughout the year in the form of compensation, including bonuses, to crewmembers fleetwide who interact directly with guests and/or behind the scenes throughout every cruise, including those in the Bar, Dining, Entertainment, Housekeeping, Guest Services, Galley and Onboard Revenue areas. If you have the Princess Plus package and order drinks via the Medallion app, are those covered? Jenni. The package has a daily limit on alcoholic beverages of 15 beverages over a 24-hour period (6 a.m. to 6 a.m.). $16 per guest in Interior, Oceanview and Balcony, $17 per guests in Mini-Suite and Club Class. The picture provided by princess for the premium drinks package is wrong/misleading though as it shows a can of coke and cans of soda are not included from your description. These gratuity changes take effect immediately aboard all Disney ships, including. In addition, all non-alcoholic beverages including bottled water (500ml only), fountain sodas, the new Juice Bar, plus fresh juices (if available), specialty coffees and teas, frappes at Coffee & Cones, milkshakes (if available) and Red Bull energy drinks. When booking a Princess cruise, youll need to decide whether to get a drinks package or pay for your drinks individually. If it applies to the whole wine list, having a 25% discount is a lovely addition to have while cruising. #1 Posted December 12, 2022 Hi all, Just put a hold on Sydney Tokyo cruise on Royal Princess.The cruise planner said gratuities are at my discretion and that was the policy for Princess out of Australia. The package includes the additional benefit of a 25% discount on the following excluded items: all bottles of wine, one-liter bottles of water and bottled juices. Royal Caribbean International: Royal Caribbean has a daily automatic gratuity charge of $16 per person per day for guests in Junior Suites and below or $18.50 for guests in Grand Suites and above. Subscribe to RSS Join 40,000 cruiserswho readmy email each week How much is a bottle of wine on the Princess cruises? Princess is the latest cruise line to increase its onboard fees. The announcement from Holland America Line follows a similar increase from Princess Cruises, which is raising gratuity rates by $1.50 per person, per day for all cabin and suite categories,. Tip Amount: Above & Beyond Exceptional Service - $7.50 - 9.00 per person per day. Really helpful article, thank you. Some consider this wage subsidization and I understand that sentiment. Two fitness classes per cruise created under our new partnership with Xponential Fitness, Inc., the largest global franchisor of boutique premium fitness brands, that include Pure Barre, Yoga Six and Stretch Lab classes. Our princess party package options include an exciting 60-minute event or an unforgettable 90-minute gala, both of which will add some sparkle to your child's special day. includes most alcoholic drinks below $12. However, there are some areas where you might purchase something that is subject to an additional gratuity amount. We tipped at the end of our dinner not knowing this. If you live elsewhere in the world, you may not always be able to upgrade after booking, but its certainly worth asking. Guests will pay $17 per guest per day if they stay in a. A 20% gratuity will still be automatically added to all beverages, mini bar purchases, spa and salon services. On Princess cruises from Australia and New Zealand, the Premier Beverage Package is priced inclusive of the service charge at $140 AUD, which is actually around $5 USD cheaper than the price in USD with the service charge (at the time of writing, currency conversion rates can fluctuate). If prices should happen to increase before your sailing, you will not need to pay extra for these increased costs. The rate increased from $14.50 per person per day in standard cabins to $16.00, and from $17.50 to $18.50 per person for suites. Some of these new perks add very little value. Edited March 23, 2022 by Aus Traveller. For Bahamas and Caribbean sailings with MSC Cruises, cruise gratuities are as follows: A 15% Bar Service Charge also applies to all purchases on MSC Cruises as well. Club balconies go from $18 to $20 per day. However, in Australia, the pricing is different and it includes the service charge (see below for details). top shelf spirits, reserve wines by the glass, and cocktails this Princess cruises drink package is ideal for you! When you book your cruise, youll be able to choose whether you want the standard fare, the Princess Plus fare or the new Princess Premier fare. Explained: Major Differences Between Princess & Other Cruise Lines, Worth It? So if that is the case, what is the difference between Room Service and Medallion ordering (app or TV)? Does the premium drinks package include Champagne by the glass? This Princess Cruise drink package includes beer, spirits, wine by the glass and cocktails up to $15 USD / $22 AUD. This, leap grgich hills and cattier champagne or private woodford reserve bourbon selection created exclusively for princess. Starting Dec 14, the price will increase by $10 to $60 per person, per day. A nonrefundable Service Charge of 17% - 18% of purchase will be automatically added to optional purchases of beverage packages, drinks, dining room and specialty dining, private group functions, and other elected products, services or amenities provided to guests that are not included in the Cruise Fare. I dont want to incur charges on the last evening unwittingly. Royal Caribbean Increases GratuitiesAgain. I'm guessing your intent isn't to reduce the gratuities that crew members receive, but the net effect would be the same. Princess offers up to $250 free onboard spending money to be used on a variety of onboard purchases as a way to thank the brave men and women of the Australian and New Zealand Defence Force for their service. Complete Guide to Cruise Gratuities by Cruise Line (2023). But if youre wondering whether the non-alcoholic drinks packages are good value, or whether the Plus and Premier cruise fares are worth the cost because of the included drinks, you can work it out. Is it included in the drink packages? READ NEXT: Carnival Guests Tacky Request Leaves a Bad Taste in Our Mouths. Youll find expert advice for experienced and first-time cruisers, as well as port and destination guides. Now, those who book a voyage without either of those packages on or after December 14th will be charged $10 per cabin to have them shipped. Its the highest category of drinks. UK residents can upgrade their cruise to Princess Plus after booking.