Jeter02

2 minutes ago, BabySarge said:

Like I said, it was just a general sense I got when I was searching for cabins and comparing pricing between the two fare schemes.  I looked at a specific cabin under the Plus pricing and then backed out and tried looking at the same cabin under the Saver pricing and on several occasions the exact same cabin was not available under the Saver pricing within minutes of searching but was still available under the Plus pricing.  Didn't happen every time, just enough that it makes me a bit suspicious.  Of course, that is my nature as a general rule so I am probably reading more into it than there is.  No harm, no foul.

Also could very easily call up the travel agent you're working with or princess directly however you're booking it and you can easily hand select a cabin within the same category you paid for and they can check to see if it's available. Because usually it's just a random cabins that pop up when you go through the booking process online.

Looks like day two the survey it still remains roughly the same as yesterday with about a third of the votes for a saver and 2/3 for the Plus.

1 hour ago, deliver42 said:

We booked with the Plus package. Nice not to have a bar bill at the end of the cruise, and not worry about grats. With the small OBC plus my wife's military OBC, it won't cost us anything extra except maybe an excursion.

Oh, that military OBC definitely comes in handy. 

Just now, dog said:

How many water do you get this way?

 

I usually buy the 12 pack for cabin $8

24 bottles

7 hours ago, CynCyn said:

I’ve cruised solo and was only charged for one set of gratuities.  I also paid for kne person for plus for an upcoming cruise.  It is just the cabin rate that is doubled.

Good to know. I'd have to recheck my calculations but I was like calculating it the other night randomly just out of curiosity. I found it hard to believe that they were double charging for the package piece.

8 hours ago, susancruzs said:

I'm looking forward to my April cruise with Plus Package.  I do a specialty coffee (or 2) in the a.m., wine with my lunch in the IC and wine at dinner.   I usually go by the glass in the dining room instead of a bottle.  I like to change, Merlot, Malbec, Chardonnay, and I do white wines, too sometimes.

 

I also like to have an apple mint ice tea (or other tea) with cookies in the afternoon, and I have more people ask what I'm drinking!  Plus sounds like a great plan for me.  Instead of exchanging my mini bar for coffee package, I'll ask for water for the cabin, this is a win win situation for me.

I too always, exchange my mini bar out for a case of water. Works out perfectly for me for my water supply during the week.

3 minutes ago, PACD_JG said:

Haven't cruised yet, but doesn't Princess Plus not only cover the crew gratuity, but also covers the tips for your drinks.  Just curious now...do folks who don't do Plus tip their bartenders or do they give extra at the end?  Also, I look at the Premier Beverage Package as a challenge.  15 drinks a day...not normally, but I'm going to do my best on the cruise!

For those without a drink package if you get a drink at the bar, they automatically stick on the gratuity to your bar bill. 

1 minute ago, Steelers36 said:

There is a big flaw there.  No one is going to pay for the Premium Beverage Package at $479.57 (assuming you have the correct total price), when they can have that and more for $280.  You would have to be out of your mind.  I don't understand why they even offer it.  I suppose it it less than 2 people paying $40 each for PLUS if only one is a big drinker and the other drinks mostly/all the free stuff.

 

A fairer comparison would be to understand how much YOU will normally spend on drinks of all types per cruise and add that to the other two numbers and see if total exceeds $280.  You can likely purchase internet for less than $70 if they keep same package offers as before.

 

And so many cruises in the past I have so many people that I have met that I randomly spoken to where they happily have told me they paid for their drink packages which she has about right at that $479 roughly. And I laughed myself when I hear that they did not just pay for that amount for themselves but for everyone in their party and I'm talking about parties as much as to the six (one group was traveling with their adult children).

On the other hand I applaud him for taking out for each individual person instead of being those people in the past where one person in the party would pay for the drink package and their spouse or whoever they were traveling with would use their room key to try to get the drink package applied to them as well to get their drinks under one package. When the rule has always been the package is per person not for the whole cabin or party

2 minutes ago, Steelers36 said:

Please do report back and tag my CC handle when you do if you can remember.  Thanks!!

Yes, will do!

1 minute ago, Steelers36 said:

Please do report back and tag my CC handle when you do if you can remember.  Thanks!!

2 minutes ago, Steelers36 said:

We are Saver Fare bookers.  Never went for the PLUS as yet.  We also never saw value-proposition in the previous days when Princess put on the drink package promotion (drawing a blank on the name).  Our fave old promo was 3 For Free.  

 

I have to re-think my recent math as I was over-valuing the PLUS cost.  Since it is part of the cruise fare, we get a cash discount of at least 12% (discount Agency), so that means net cost of $35.20/day.  I suspect Saver is still the winner as long as I am bringing on my own wine.  If that isn't the case, then the PLUS option should at least break us even if not be ahead some, using the $35.20 actual cost versus the "List Price" of $40.  We used to get 15% off, so $34 is even better if it comes back again in future.

 

Crew Incentive = $14.50/day

Internet = $5/day max (but only $2.50 if sailing with friends).

Total = $17.00, typically

Net Balance to Allocate to Drinks = ($35.20 - $17.00 = $18.20).  Times TWO for the two of us = $36.40.

 

Other purchases if not getting PLUS:

Starter water package + "some" coffee + "some" bar drinks:  Avg $7+/day over length of a cruise voyage.  For both of us combined.

 

Net for PLUS = $36.40 - $7+ = ~$29.00/day.  So, more than two drinks/day on a daily basis for the two of us combined.  Which we don't do - especially on port days.  We usually have lunch and a beer in ports.

 

BYOW - I can do my own wine, based on our typical dinner time consumption, for about $10/day.  The above spend rate needs to be $29/day for us both to justify PLUS.  So $19 net after allowing for wine, means almost one extra drink per day for each of us - roughly.  But we just don't normally do that - and not due to being skin-flints.  I have been lucky on corkage fees - not being charged for every bottle, but should factor in something for that.

 

If not bringing on own wine, would need to spend ~$29/day on wine and that is about right for three glasses - a little under considering the 18% likely.  So, without BYOW, I would most likely book the PLUS.

 

I like your breakdown 😉

5 minutes ago, Steelers36 said:

Yes, $35 net sounds right for 1 week.  If they have the same packages that are priced by voyage length then the cost per day goes down with longer voyages (or B2B2....).  

 

It isn't yet clear if the pricing will be same going forward with the packaging by cruise length.  Also not clear if that is the case, if the 50% off will apply to them like the previous 25% did.  Or, possible that our list price base will be flat $10/day no matter length of cruise and hence pay $5/day.  Means benefit decreases as voyage length increases.  Oh well, $5 isn't a bad thing.

I will be finding out soon as I will be sailing the Majestic August 1st. My fingers are crossed that they're keeping the price of The medallion at the same it was pre covid.

1 minute ago, Steelers36 said:

Math doesn't seem to work???  $30/week???

Yes with the new revised elite benefits they're now only charging 50% less for the medallionate. From what I can recall what I would pay I'm bored pre-covit for The medallion it should come out to be about $30 maybe $35 Max for a week sailing

Just now, greenie082756 said:

In this instance I can see why it would not be logical to do it this way. If I remember correctly, when a passenger travel solo their fare is doubled?

Pretty much. But obviously you're not paying double government and taxes fees you're only playing for yourself not for that second passenger on that.

3 minutes ago, CineGraphic said:

 

Wow.....you'd think that they'd be happy with just charging you for an additional "savers" fare.

So mathematically when I book with strictly the savers fare for my solo cruises, I automatically save $600 plus dollars.

The other issue I have with the princess Plus for me is, I book a cabin just for myself as a solo traveler. So technically I'm paying for double  princess Plus package (double gratitudes, wifi and drink package)  for my cabin. which typically has two occupants. Huge reason why I always do the princess saver. 

1 minute ago, franktown said:

A couple of weeks ago I asked my PVP about how many of her clients were booking PrincessPlus and she said over 80%.  Just a little different that your survey results so far.

Ahhh. That is very interesting! Thank you so much for sharing that. I'm always curious to see how people book. 

1 minute ago, greenie082756 said:

As far as the specialty coffee card (added to your medallion) the issue for me is having to count how many I have left or asking how many do I have left?

 

This I have done and I do not want to leave money on the table (so to speak) and buy and extra card only to use 1/2 of it.

 

It does not carry over to the next cruise like the old coffee cards. Its one and done. 

 

 

That is the stinky part of the medallion with the coffee card being uploaded on it. Because I've had the coffee card strictly for the fancy tea, and it does think that they don't roll over like they used to. That was my favorite thing cuz those cards would last me two maybe three cruises.

Just now, chabad said:

They do offer a specialty coffee card where you can get 15 coffees or teas. I have seen several people at times order 2 cards. Now they no longer over physical cards, but it will be all preloaded on your medallion account. 

Thanks! I was just going to mention the same exact thing about the coffee card package.

1 minute ago, chabad said:

I personally think dependent on what type of cruiser you are the Princess Plus fare is not a winning situation for most who opt for this package. I am sure that some can meet the daily quota of beverages in a day to break even.  But I don't see most people breaking even with this package as you would have to drink like a fist all day. Whether it's mocktails, alcohol, soda, coffee or juices. 

I'm on the same mindset as you. As I am very big on my calculations to see what the winning proposition is. I agree with most that yes a clean invoice is always beautiful and it's nice to prepay for things. But as mentioned before from my own personal sake gratuities and 50% off The medallion it still was going to save me a boatload of money since I will never touch the drink package.

Thank you to all those so far who have voted on my online poll here. I'm always intrigued to see which way people sway and I appreciate any extra at it detailed comments explaining to reasons behind their choice preference.

I will admit I am very saddened by the loss of my hundred dollar loyalty on board credit. However no intentions have ever switching Cruise lines and taking my loyalty elsewhere as I absolutely love the personalized service and the way the crew take care of you on princess.

1 hour ago, Jeter02 said:

I think the princess plus definitely makes sense for those who do take advantage of the drink packages. Unfortunately myself personally I don't drink at all. I'm a water drinker so with the cost of what gratuities is on its own and then with the new loyalty benefits with my 50% off The medallion at which will come out to be like $30 a day the princess plus doesn't seem to pay for me.

Sorry wouldn't let me edit it, I meant $30 a week for the length of the cruise for the wi-fi. Not per day. 

1 minute ago, BabySarge said:

Must admit since they started offering it we have chosen Plus over the Saver even though we were elite and rcvd the "free" internet minutes.  Plus still ended up being a better, or at least equal, deal cost wise when I did the math and compared bar/wine bills; coffee card costs; and gratuities from previous cruises of same duration to plus pricing.

Also, I personally think under the Plus pricing you have a different and possibly better selection of cabin locations than under the Saver pricing.  No specific study done just a general sense when looking at cabins under both offerings.

I'm not sure about the possibility of better selection of cabin locations as I always hand select my cabins when I book with my travel agent.

Just now, Alaskanb said:

Always the Saver 

Same with me!

2 minutes ago, billco said:

My next five cruises were booked with FCCs I received from cancelled cruises. It made sense to me to book Princess Plus, otherwise I would be paying cash or OBC for drinks, gratuities and WiFi.

I think the princess plus definitely makes sense for those who do take advantage of the drink packages. Unfortunately myself personally I don't drink at all. I'm a water drinker so with the cost of what gratuities is on its own and then with the new loyalty benefits with my 50% off The medallion at which will come out to be like $30 a day the princess plus doesn't seem to pay for me.