Drink Package - Better to Book before or Onboard?

[ACoupleAtSea]

Hello,

 

We will be sailing Ruby to Alaska in about 2 weeks and we are still debating the drink package.  Is it more expensive or cheaper to book as soon as we get onboard?

 

Thanks for the help

[voljeep]

same or maybe cheaper on board depending on if you have Princess / AON cruise insurance.

[karatemom2]

As for cheaper, as @voljeep points out it could be if you are buying the Princess insurance since it raises the overall price of your cruise fare. Another reason to wait to buy onboard is if you are someone who has a lot of OBC from sources like Shareholders benefit, Casino deposit credit, military credit, future cruise credit, or TA credits. Some people have a lot of on board credit which may make it more advantageous to wait and buy onboard if you decide you want it. 

[BlerkOne]

You aren't risking much with only 2 weeks to go, but the is always the chance Princess could raise the price. Purchasing in advance locks the price.

 

I've used OBC to purchase shore excursions in advance. Haven't tried it on the packages.

[ACoupleAtSea]

Thanks for the helpful Info.  We have a good amount of OBC so we may wait till we get onboard.

[skynight]

It's the same cost pre-cruise or on board. However, if purchased on board part of the cost could be covered by any OBC you may have. One thing to note. You mention "drink package." There is a stand alone alcoholic beverage package. It's the same package that you receive if you purchase the plus/premier package. The stand alone package does not make financial sense. It cost more and does not include any of the extras like gratuity and wifi. 

[BlerkOne]

1 minute ago, skynight said:

It's the same cost pre-cruise or on board. However, if purchased on board part of the cost could be covered by any OBC you may have. One thing to note. You mention "drink package." There is a stand alone alcoholic beverage package. It's the same package that you receive if you purchase the plus/premier package. The stand alone package does not make financial sense. It cost more and does not include any of the extras like gratuity and wifi. 

I think the standalone drink packages don't require everyone in the cabin to purchase which is where the sense might come from.

[ACoupleAtSea]

I should have mentioned earlier that we were referencing the "Plus Package".  All great Info, I think we are gonna book when we board to use that OBC.  Thanks

[trbarton]

10 hours ago, ACoupleAtSea said:

Hello,

 

We will be sailing Ruby to Alaska in about 2 weeks and we are still debating the drink package.  Is it more expensive or cheaper to book as soon as we get onboard?

 

Thanks for the help

If you were to buy it onboard you could use any of your OBC rather than paying in advance. 
 

Tom😀

[reedprincess]

2 hours ago, ACoupleAtSea said:

I should have mentioned earlier that we were referencing the "Plus Package".  All great Info, I think we are gonna book when we board to use that OBC.  Thanks

Whether it's the Plus Beverage Package or the Plus Cruise Package (bundled package), the price is the same in advance as onboard.

 

Purchasing the Plus Cruise Package in advance can affect insurance rates, as it's classified as a Fare package in advance of sailing, whereas pre-purchasing the Plus Beverage Package is not classified as a fare package and does not potentially affect insurance rates...

 

Purchasing aboard, for either, obviously OBC can be applied to the purchase..  

 

[trbarton]

1 minute ago, reedprincess said:

Whether it's the Plus Beverage Package or the Plus Cruise Package (bundled package), the price is the same in advance as onboard.

 

Purchasing the Plus Cruise Package in advance can affect insurance rates, as it's classified as a Fare package in advance of sailing, whereas pre-purchasing the Plus Beverage Package is not classified as a fare package and does not potentially affect insurance rates...

 

Purchasing aboard, for either, obviously OBC can be applied to the purchase..  

 

I’ve already purchased the Plus Package. Is it better for me to cancel & book once I’m on board?

 

Tom😀

[cjpj]

I could be wrong, but I think if you cancel the PLUS package, you have to rebook. To the OP - you need to purchase the PLUS package within 48 hours of boarding. I'd suggest purchasing as soon as you board. There will be tables all over that you can purchase from and it is instantaneous. Purchase PLUS and then go get your "cruise has started" drink!

[trbarton]

I’m reposting my question as I haven’t received any reply’s. 
 

I’ve already purchased the Plus Package. Is it better for me to cancel & book once I’m on board?

 

Tom😀

[PescadoAmarillo]

On 7/27/2024 at 3:23 PM, ACoupleAtSea said:

Thanks for the helpful Info.  We have a good amount of OBC so we may wait till we get onboard.

If you have other ways to use the OBC, and if loyalty days and/or cruises matter to you, Princess is running a special promotion for cruises that begin from August 1 to December 1.  If you purchase Princess Plus at least two days before the start of your cruise you’ll get double cruises and double cruise days for that cruise. 
 

@trbarton, see above. Unless your cruise falls in that timeframe, I’d wait until you’re onboard. 

[reedprincess]

3 hours ago, trbarton said:

I’m reposting my question as I haven’t received any reply’s. 
 

 

I’ve already purchased the Plus Package. Is it better for me to cancel & book once I’m on board?

 

Tom😀

Why would it be better or different to cancel and book aboard, if you've already bought it with your cruise fare?  

 

Unless it's affecting your insurance cost, there's no real benefits or drawbacks to purchasing aboard or in advance - it's personal preference, based on any number of factors.  It's 6 of one, half dozen of the other..

 

Even when it comes to medallion shipping or specialty dining (Premier) - you're reimbursed for advance purchases of such aboard, if you purchase the package aboard.. 

[trbarton]

17 minutes ago, reedprincess said:

Why would it be better or different to cancel and book aboard, if you've already bought it with your cruise fare?  

 

Unless it's affecting your insurance cost, there's no real benefits or drawbacks to purchasing aboard or in advance - it's personal preference, based on any number of factors.  It's 6 of one, half dozen of the other..

 

Even when it comes to medallion shipping or specialty dining (Premier) - you're reimbursed for advance purchases of such aboard, if you purchase the package aboard.. 

What do you know about double cruises and double cruise days?  I’ve not heard of that before. 
 

On Facebook someone listed the following “If you purchased Princess insurance you will be charged additional insurance for the Plus Package added to your cruise price. If you buy it the first day you board, you won't be charged additional insurance.”  What do you know about that?

 

Thankd!

 

Tom🤔

Edited July 29 by trbarton

[NavyVeteran]

If you purchase the Plus or Premier fare in advance, it is not considered an add-on package - it is treated as part of the fare. You cannot just cancel the Plus or Premier - you would have to change to another fare. If fares have gone up since you booked, you may have to pay for the higher current fare. If it's within the penalty period, you may have to pay a penalty on the cancellation. Since the entire Plus or Premier fare is subject to the standard cancellation penalty if cancelled during the penalty period, the cost would need to be covered by cancellation insurance - thus raising the price of insurance.

 

Note one potential advantage of having the entire Plus or Premier fare covered by insurance. DW and I both were isolated for COVID for three nights of a twelve-night cruise (one fourth of the cruise). Princess Vacation Protection refunded us in cash one fourth of the cost of the cruise (including the Premier fare we had paid in advance). This was refunded although I was still ordering and drinking alcoholic beverages using the Premier fare while in isolation.

 

If you purchase the upgrade to the Plus or Premier fare onboard, then you are not subject to cancellation penalties, and it is not covered by cancellation insurance - therefore not raising the price of insurance.

 

If you purchase the vastly overpriced Plus or Premier beverage package pre-cruise, then the cost of the package is not considered part of your fare and is not subject to cancellation penalties - thus not raising the price of insurance.

[reedprincess]

13 hours ago, trbarton said:

What do you know about double cruises and double cruise days?  I’ve not heard of that before. 
 

On Facebook someone listed the following “If you purchased Princess insurance you will be charged additional insurance for the Plus Package added to your cruise price. If you buy it the first day you board, you won't be charged additional insurance.”  What do you know about that?

 

Thankd!

 

Tom🤔

I do mention the insurance issue in both my comments. Plus and Premier Cruise Packages are considered fare items when purchased in advance and can potentially affect your insurance costs - that entirely depends on your insurance, country, etc.

 

As for Double points - that would be a benefit to booking in advance during the promo period, obviously - particularly if you're striving for a level up in the program.   Kinda answered your own question there..

[wallyj]

@trbarton, you can see details regarding ‘double the love’ promo on the Princess website. In a nutshell, for cruises departing August 1-December 1 2024, buy Plus or Premier bundled package(not the standalone drink package) at least 2 days before sailing date. You will receive ‘double’ cruise credits and double the days sailed. There is no promo code or anything else you need to do. 
 

If you booked and have the packages in your booking ‘before’ the promo was released/announced, you are also covered/enrolled in the promo, if your sailing falls in the timeframe listed.