Princess Plus Package Explained

What Is Princess Plus?

Princess Plus is Princess Cruises' most popular bundled package. Rather than paying separately for several common onboard purchases, Princess Plus combines multiple cruise extras into a single daily package.

For many Princess guests, the decision comes down to whether the included benefits would be purchased anyway. If so, Princess Plus may offer significant value compared to paying separately throughout the cruise.

Princess Plus sits between a standard cruise fare and the more comprehensive Princess Premier package. Travelers comparing package options should also review our Cruise Packages Hub and our Princess Cruises Guide.

What Is Included With Princess Plus?

Princess Plus bundles several of the cruise line's most commonly purchased onboard services into a single package.

Included benefits generally consist of beverages, WiFi access, prepaid gratuities, and additional onboard perks that vary by sailing and promotion.

The goal is simple: provide a more predictable vacation budget while reducing the number of onboard purchases guests need to make after embarkation.

Beverages Included

One of the biggest reasons travelers purchase Princess Plus is the beverage package component.

The package generally includes a wide variety of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages within Princess Cruises' package limits. This may include cocktails, beer, wine by the glass, specialty coffees, bottled water, soft drinks, and other qualifying beverages.

Travelers who regularly enjoy premium beverages often find this portion of the package alone represents a significant part of the overall value.

For more information, see our Cruise Drink Package Guide.

WiFi Included

Princess Plus includes internet access, making it easier to stay connected while at sea.

For many travelers, WiFi has become one of the most important cruise add-ons. Whether checking email, communicating with family, using social media, or managing personal business, internet access can quickly become a necessity.

Including WiFi within Princess Plus removes the need to purchase a separate internet package after boarding.

You can learn more in our Cruise Ship WiFi vs Cell Service Guide.

Prepaid Gratuities

Another major benefit of Princess Plus is the inclusion of prepaid crew gratuities.

Many travelers appreciate having these costs handled before sailing rather than seeing daily gratuity charges added throughout the cruise.

This benefit alone can represent meaningful savings compared to booking a standard fare and paying gratuities separately.

Learn more in our Cruise Gratuities Explained Guide.

What Do the 4 Casual Dining Meals With Princess Plus Mean?

For voyages sailing under the current Princess Plus package, Princess Plus includes four casual dining meals per guest, per voyage. These are not the only four meals you receive on your cruise, and they do not replace the food already included in your cruise fare.

Princess defines the benefit as four prix fixe meals at select casual dining venues that would otherwise carry an additional charge. At an eligible casual dining meal, the prix fixe menu generally allows the guest to choose one item from each menu section, such as a starter, entrée, and dessert. Venue availability and menus vary by ship.

Does Princess Plus Mean You Have to Pay for Your Other Meals?

No. The four casual dining meals are an extra package benefit. Complimentary dining remains available separately. Princess ships offer included dining options such as the main dining rooms and buffet-style dining, along with other complimentary choices that vary by ship.

This distinction causes a lot of confusion: “casual dining” is a Princess category, not another name for the buffet. Casual dining refers to select relaxed, sit-down venues that normally have a charge. Princess has identified venues such as Alfredo's or Gigi's Pizzeria, O'Malley's, Ocean Terrace, Salty Dog and others as casual dining options, although the exact restaurants available depend on the ship.

What Happens After You Use the 4 Casual Dining Meals?

Using all four included casual dining meals does not affect your access to complimentary dining. You can continue eating in the included dining venues for the rest of the cruise. If you want additional meals at a charge-based casual dining venue after using the four Plus meals, the venue's applicable charge would apply.

Unused casual dining meals are limited to the current voyage and are not refundable or redeemable for cash.

Princess Plus Casual Dining vs. Princess Premier

The dining difference is substantial. Princess Plus includes four casual dining meals per guest per voyage, while the current Princess Premier package includes unlimited casual dining and unlimited specialty dining. Princess Plus does not include specialty dining meals as part of the current package.

Additional Princess Plus Benefits

Princess Plus also includes waived OceanNow delivery and room-service delivery fees under the current package, along with the beverage, WiFi, crew appreciation, and casual dining benefits described above.

Princess periodically updates package benefits and pricing, so travelers should review the current Princess offering attached to their sailing before booking.

How Much Does Princess Plus Cost?

Princess Plus is priced as a daily package added to the cruise fare. Actual pricing varies based on promotions, itinerary, sailing date, and package updates.

Rather than focusing solely on the package price, travelers should evaluate what those same benefits would cost if purchased individually.

In many cases, travelers who already plan to purchase beverages, WiFi, and gratuities discover the package provides better overall value.

Is Princess Plus Worth It?

For many Princess cruisers, the answer is yes.

Travelers who expect to purchase beverages, internet access, and prepaid gratuities frequently find that Princess Plus offers one of the strongest values available among cruise line package programs.

However, value depends entirely on how you cruise.

Guests who drink very little, rarely use WiFi, or prefer paying only for specific extras may find a standard fare more attractive.

For broader budgeting considerations, review our Cruise Pricing Explained Guide.

Who Should Buy Princess Plus?

• Travelers who regularly purchase beverages onboard.
• Guests who want internet access throughout the cruise.
• Cruisers who prefer prepaid gratuities.
• Travelers seeking predictable vacation costs.
• Guests looking for strong overall package value.

Who Should Skip Princess Plus?

• Guests who rarely purchase alcoholic beverages.
• Travelers who do not need WiFi.
• Cruisers seeking the lowest possible upfront cruise fare.
• Guests who prefer paying only for services they actually use.

These travelers may be better served by a standard cruise fare.

Princess Plus vs Princess Premier

Princess Plus and Princess Premier are often compared because they occupy similar positions within the Princess cruise experience.

Princess Plus focuses on delivering value through beverages, WiFi, gratuities, and core onboard benefits.

Princess Premier builds upon those benefits with additional premium features and expanded inclusions.

For many travelers, the decision comes down to whether the additional Premier benefits will actually be used.

Common Princess Plus Mistakes

One of the most common mistakes is evaluating the package based solely on its price rather than the value of the included benefits.

Another mistake is assuming every traveler receives the same value. The package can be an excellent deal for one guest and unnecessary for another.

The best approach is to estimate what you would realistically purchase without the package and compare the totals.

Need Help Comparing Princess Cruise Options?

Choosing between Princess Plus, Princess Premier, and a standard fare often requires looking at the entire cruise budget rather than a single package.

You may also want to review our Best Cruise Deals Guide and Wave Season Booking Guide.

When you're ready to compare sailings, cabins, and package options, request pricing through our Cruise Quote Form.