What's Your Princess Booking Fare/Package Preference

[Jeter02]

I did this poll a while back way before the premiere package existed. So I'm now taking a survey to see which of the three types of Princess Cruise fares do you prefer when booking. 

 

I do love that they give you multiple options if you want certain packages or add on's, or if you simply happy without any extra add-ons. 

Edited July 10, 2022 by Jeter02

[voljeep]

my preferred package is no concern of anybody else ... except my wife, of course

 

nor is anyone else's to me what they choose.

 

but I am a little concerned about what wines are still available under PLUS 😉 🍷 🤑

[Jeter02]

3 minutes ago, voljeep said:

my preferred package is no concern of anybody else ... except my wife, of course

 

nor is anyone else's to me what they choose.

 

but I am a little concerned about what wines are still available under PLUS 😉 🍷 🤑

Well the poll is anonymous and no one can see who's voting unless they post under here what their thoughts are on their preferred package and feel like sharing. Sometimes sharing is caring, what can I say.

Edited July 10, 2022 by Jeter02

[cr8tiv1]

My preference doesn't always work since I have a cabin mate (not related) that prefers a different package.  I understand that Princess has been burnt from passengers "sharing" the coffee card.  

 

 

[Jeter02]

3 minutes ago, cr8tiv1 said:

My preference doesn't always work since I have a cabin mate (not related) that prefers a different package.  I understand that Princess has been burnt from passengers "sharing" the coffee card.  

 

 

Unfortunately when it comes to the packages, Princess just followed the footsteps of the other cruise lines... for example, I know Royal Caribbean always had that if someone wanted the drink package, then all cabin mates within the same cabin had to purchase as well. 

 

I know I would be absolutely bummed if I was ever in that predicament as I don't need any extra add-ons especially a drink package since I don't drink. I'm strictly a water person 

Edited July 10, 2022 by Jeter02

[memoak]

Always the Plus package for us. As to the wines available under the Plus they have never been all that great 😌 

[voljeep]

3 minutes ago, memoak said:

Always the Plus package for us. As to the wines available under the Plus they have never been all that great 😌 

but the Cabs have at least been decent - Rodney Strong, Silverado ...

[scooter6139]

I've only done the Princess Plus recently, and our older cruises didn't even have that at the time that I recall.  I prefer getting "bonuses" for a good price point, but not sold on the new Premier yet.

[JimmyVWine]

55 minutes ago, voljeep said:

but the Cabs have at least been decent - Rodney Strong, Silverado ...

Exactly. Before Premier was introduced one could order Rombauer Chardonnay, Dead Arm Shiraz and Silverado Cab all for $12 and under. I’m a wine snob and I would drink those all day long. Who am I kidding? I HAVE drunk those all day long. Now?  Doesn’t look like any of those appear in the Plus program. 
 

For the record, I still voted for Plus, but plan to use up OBC (and buying extra) paying for upgraded wine. I can’t see my overage charges equating to the price of upgrading to Premier, especially on a port intensive itinerary. 

[MamaFej]

They might sell more Premiere packages if the specialty dining were two per 7 day segment. My next Princess cruise is 28 days. I've taken a couple as short as 3 days. I might be willing to do it on a 3 day cruise, but i certainly would not on a long one. 

 

Our most recent cruises were on Azamara. Our benefits such as laundry and specialty dining renewed after 7 days, which made a lot of sense to us. 

[LACruiser88]

18 minutes ago, JimmyVWine said:

Exactly. Before Premier was introduced one could order Rombauer Chardonnay, Dead Arm Shiraz and Silverado Cab all for $12 and under. I’m a wine snob and I would drink those all day long. Who am I kidding? I HAVE drunk those all day long. Now?  Doesn’t look like any of those appear in the Plus program. 
 

For the record, I still voted for Plus, but plan to use up OBC (and buying extra) paying for upgraded wine. I can’t see my overage charges equating to the price of upgrading to Premier, especially on a port intensive itinerary. 

Same here, we are staying with the Plus pkg and will pay for the upgraded wine.  We always have plenty of OBC to use.

[JF - retired RRT]

The packages aren't cost effective for us: one tea total and one who drinks a couple of Dirty Bananas over the length of the cruise. Elite, so internet is cheap. OBCs are usually enough to pay grats and a few extras.

[mowogo]

14 minutes ago, MamaFej said:

They might sell more Premiere packages if the specialty dining were two per 7 day segment. My next Princess cruise is 28 days. I've taken a couple as short as 3 days. I might be willing to do it on a 3 day cruise, but i certainly would not on a long one. 

 

Our most recent cruises were on Azamara. Our benefits such as laundry and specialty dining renewed after 7 days, which made a lot of sense to us. 

I have a feeling there are a lot of tweaks that are going to happen as they have data on how people who upgrade move throughout the ship and be able to survey this exact reason when they see longer cruises with lower uptake.  

 

I don’t drink much, but plus becomes worth consideration since it is just $15 more than I would be spending on the soda package, gratuities, and 1 device Wi-Fi.  At that price $15 to upgrade to having a couple of drinks is less than if i had a glass of wine with dinner and another drink at any time during the day.  Premier to me really just seems like a $25 per person per day bet in the casino with Princess Prizes and the house wine has to work hard to be worse than the swill I’ve “enjoyed” in airline lounges.  If the house wines moved toward Undrinkable levels then Premier might become a requirement, but for now I see it as a bit much

[Jeter02]

No takers on the premiere as of yet I see.

[CineGraphic]

4 hours ago, voljeep said:

my preferred package is no concern of anybody else ... except my wife, of course

 

nor is anyone else's to me what they choose.

 

but I am a little concerned about what wines are still available under PLUS 😉 🍷 🤑

 

The wine list took a beating.

It's BYOB almost out of necessity at this point.

[ceilidh1]

I always book Plus as I like the convenience of having everything paid in advance and not having to worry about a bill at the end. I'm not sure it's a good "deal" for my case as I sail with a teen as passenger 2 and a pre-teen as passenger 3 so have always paid the same for them with Plus as for myself (and they definitely don't drink alcohol...lol). I am happy that Princess are finally allowing guests to opt only for passenger 1 and 2 for Plus (it WAS possible before if passengers were kids but it took a lot of doing to get it removed and not many reps knew it was an option, so I just gave up doing it). For my upcoming cruise, I am doing Plus just for 1 and 2 and will pay for a soda package/grats for 3 and 4 (sailing with an extra teen...) and upgrade the wifi with elite discount to cover their internet. I think I come out ahead. I couldn't ever see upgrading to the premiere if I had to pay the upgrade for a teen - they wouldn't get anything additional, unless I'm missing something.

[Jeter02]

9 minutes ago, ceilidh1 said:

I always book Plus as I like the convenience of having everything paid in advance and not having to worry about a bill at the end. I'm not sure it's a good "deal" for my case as I sail with a teen as passenger 2 and a pre-teen as passenger 3 so have always paid the same for them with Plus as for myself (and they definitely don't drink alcohol...lol). I am happy that Princess are finally allowing guests to opt only for passenger 1 and 2 for Plus (it WAS possible before if passengers were kids but it took a lot of doing to get it removed and not many reps knew it was an option, so I just gave up doing it). For my upcoming cruise, I am doing Plus just for 1 and 2 and will pay for a soda package/grats for 3 and 4 (sailing with an extra teen...) and upgrade the wifi with elite discount to cover their internet. I think I come out ahead. I couldn't ever see upgrading to the premiere if I had to pay the upgrade for a teen - they wouldn't get anything additional, unless I'm missing something.

Did I miss something? I always thought when you book, it was one type of cruise fare for the cabin, not for each individual passenger in the same cabin?

[Redwing55]

I'm probably a bit unique.  Spouse rarely drinks.  But, IMO,  if there are enough sea days, I'd sign up.  If it's port intensive, we'd pass on it.  Frankly, if it wasn't for calories, I'd probably do plus more often than not.  

I get the convenience, but I know how much we've spent on drinks in the past so that's the benchmark for us..

In summary, I'm glad to see options, though I don't see how I'd step up to premier.  And if Princess ever gave Plat/Elite a bit of a discount for plus I'd bite.  With getting 1/2 on internet, it's a waste to throw away that benie.

Edited July 10, 2022 by Redwing55

[ceilidh1]

Just now, Jeter02 said:

Did I miss something? I always thought when you book, it was one type of cruise fare for the cabin, not for each individual passenger in the same cabin?

Not any more. The Plus fare is only for passenger 1 and 2 (required) but 3 and 4 can choose to upgrade if they wish.

[Jeter02]

Just now, ceilidh1 said:

Not any more. The Plus fare is only for passenger 1 and 2 (required) but 3 and 4 can choose to upgrade if they wish.

Ahhhh. Ok. Got it. 

[Jeter02]

2 minutes ago, Redwing55 said:

I'm probably a bit unique.  Spouse rarely drinks.  But, IMO,  if there are enough sea days, I'd sign up.  If it's port intensive, we'd pass on it.  Frankly, if it wasn't for calories, I'd probably do premier more often than not.  

I get the convenience, but I know how much we've spent on drinks in the past so that's the benchmark for us..

In summary, I'm glad to see options, though I don't see how I'd step up to premier.  And if Princess ever gave Plat/Elite a bit of a discount for plus I'd bite.  With getting 1/2 on internet, it's a waste to through away that benie.

That's actually an interesting thought. To possibly offer platinum and or just elite a discount on the packages. Hmmm 🤔

Edited July 10, 2022 by Jeter02

[maggie777]

Have several cruises booked at Plus $40/day/pp. Will have to do the math again on future bookings at Plus $50/day/pp. will never purchase premier. We love wine. If the $12 wine selections are no longer enjoyable we will probably revert to the old method of pay as you go.Does anyone have a current wine list showing $12 per glass or less?

[Musky Ike]

12 hours ago, Jeter02 said:

if there are enough sea days, I'd sign up.  If it's port intensive, we'd pass on it.  Frankly

This is us. Depends on the itinerary. I Don't see that option.

 

[Jeter02]

2 hours ago, Musky Ike said:

This is us. Depends on the itinerary. I Don't see that option.

 

That would make plenty sense especially if your itinerary is very important heavy where you'll be spending most of the time off board it doesn't make sense to have much of a drink package, and probably better off paying as you go. Whereas if you have an itinerary that has a lot of sea days and especially if you're sitting by the pool it could be nice to have those unlimited drinks for those who enjoy 

[Nebr.cruiser]

Since we don't, or rarely, drink, the basic fare is the only one that makes sense.  I've tried to see if the grats and internet make up for the drinks we won't use; so far it has never made sense.

 

I suppose if there was only a small difference, then we might have a pop or two or coffee, even maybe a drink, but since we normally don't need any of that, or want it, we'll take the cheaper price.