Is Princess PLUS worth it for me personally?

[mahasamatman]

20 hours ago, JimmyVWine said:

people rarely say "I wish I had [done/experienced/ordered/tried] less while on my cruise."

 

YMMV. Whenever we've had drink packages, we've always come back with "I wish I had drunk less while on my cruise." Therefore, we never get drink packages any more.

[MsTabbyKats]

49 minutes ago, BlerkOne said:

Not with a package. That is one of the reasons they are included.

Interesting....I never thought of that!

[Nemanoxer]

Thank y´all for your replies.

 

Guess my habits really make this decision a 50/50 one.

 

On Celebrity, I usually go with the package that holds nothing but extra coffee specialties and non-alc drinks of any kind. That used to go under 30 $ per day, and I was happy with that. I paid gratuities as lumpsum at some point. Any extras usually ended up somewhere at about 100 $ in total.

 

For the production shows, I know that will be a bit of ruining my overall experience. On Celebrity, I usually show up 30 minutes early, before doors open. But Sun Princess group on Facebook makes clear this does not work on Sun Princess. One shall be there at least an whole hour early or even earlier than that. This pretty damn sucks for someone who is addicted to production shows on cruises.

[jennybenny]

We have always added a package. We drink enough coffee, and water, and drinks to make it OK. We've never made it to the 15 maximum (without some error, both drinks added to one person's account, errors from others, etc), and now with the Plus and Premier, that include gratuities, wifi, if feels like a no brainer. 

Our upcoming cruise is the FIRST TIME we have not gotten the kids a package. They just don't drink enough water, coffee and mocktails to make it worthwhile. It may be a break even, but they don't NEED Wifi, and they don't drink. It's a test. If we break even, we will pay for the package next time,but if we save, we won't

 

[PMGS247]

25 minutes ago, Nemanoxer said:

For the production shows, I know that will be a bit of ruining my overall experience. On Celebrity, I usually show up 30 minutes early, before doors open. But Sun Princess group makes clear this does not work on Sun Princess. One shall be there at least an whole hour early or even earlier than that. This pretty damn sucks for someone who is addicted to production shows on cruises.

 

The 30 mins rule probably still works just fine for the production shows in the main theatre, I think it's the dome shows that are more extreme in this regard. Less capacity, high demand.

[PMGS247]

As for the main topic I come to the same conclusion most here do - you're about 50/50.  If it's me and it's 50/50 I opt for the package and just call it a day.

 

Only other thing I'd throw out there is to consider if you're sailing with someone else.  The second person in the room also has to get the package.  Maybe you're the 3rd or you're sailing solo and it's entirely a $60/day decision, I'm just not sure from what's been written so throwing it out there.

[rideev]

Got it once a few cruises ago.  Will never get it again.  Wasn't worth it for us.

[Ombud]

Doesn't work for my math but I have FCD (100-150 OBC) and shares (250 OBC). My precise order might include 1 dz bottle waters = $7.08 and bringing on 2 bottle wine so wine's covered (also get 1 bottle due to status) 

 

Daily tab runs:

gratuities 17

Gigis 2-3× = 15/ 2 or 3 

 

[paddingtonbear]

The plus package is worth if for us. 

We need wifi for communicating with our children. 

DH has 3 espressos a day and a beer, a glass of wine and sparkling mineral water.  That puts him over into value territory. 

I have one or two Aperol Spritz a day, a few mocktails and lots of sparkling mineral water. That puts me into value territory.

But getting the package also means we don't have to worry about sticking to a budget and can just order whatever we want.  This is especially true for DH who wants to relax and forget about how much this or that costs.  That is of great value to us. 

[reedprincess]

21 hours ago, Itchy&Scratchy said:

 

I do believe mocktails are around $5.50+grats. There were quite a few alcoholic drinks for $10.

 

In my opinion, if you don't need internet and you don't drink alcohol, you may not need Plus.

 

Not on Sun. Everything, including drinks, are more expensive on Sun..

 

The prices I quoted, while estimates, are based off menus aboard..  Mocktails are definitely not $5 , they're running $10-15usd on Sun..

Drinks that are $12 or $13 on older ships are $15-17 on Sun, etc. 

 

 Just one menu, for example:

 

[ExploringTheGlobe]

If you do a search of this forum, you will see this question asked over and over.  There are lots of opinions and statistics.  Ultimately only YOU can make that decision. 

[dog]

On 7/29/2024 at 3:31 PM, Nemanoxer said:

Hi there.

 

My first ever Princess cruise is coming up on Sun Princess on 19th October 2024. It´s a 7 days cruise in CA category (Cabana Mini Suite).

 

I hardly ever drink alcolhol. I don´t want personal WiFi. I never hit the Spa nor the Gym. Usually no room service needed for me. OceanNow seems kind of irrelevant for me personally.

 

I do drink one or two Virgin Coladas per day and the same amount of Lavazza specialty coffees. I want my Pellegrino water, usually a bottle per dinner in MDR. I like Sodas from the can, two or three during the day. Juices happen next to never. I might fall for a premium dessert every one or two days. 

Usually, I stay away from specialty restaurants and what Princess call Casual Dining Meals and am happy with poolside Pizza and poolside Burgers (if good). Don´t care about photos or casino. Production show reservations would be sweet, however that would be PREMIER and too expensive anyway.

 

So...

 

If you were me, would you still book PLUS?

 

 

No, I would not.

I am on this cruise too, and will not pay for the things I won’t make use of. I have prepaid for 3 specialty dining nights for this cruise, one excursion and the Spa.

 

On my 15 day TA in March I have $1000 OBC per cabin and my requirements are 1/2 price elite wifi for 2, Crew Appreciation for 2 =$833 US.

I might get Ocean Now for 1-$14.99 US. I

preorder 12 pack of bottle water for each of us $20 approximately

Bring on 12 cans of soda each to supplement my elite minibar setup.

bring on 1 bottle of wine each.

I use to enjoy the casino but now my money goes towards the Spa.

 

Now, I could pay an extra $800 along with my $1000 OBC to have the Plus package for 15 days.

Do you think it is worth it for me?

[Retired-N-Happy]

16 hours ago, barriedavis said:

 Tips can be withdrawn anyway.  Never bought Plus.  Never missed anything it included.

75% of cruisers get the Plus or Premier package.  The remaining 25% contain those that don't drink alcohol at all, don't drink much alcohol or coffee or soda and like to remove the staff gratuities in order to reduce their on board spend.  

Only you can decide but if you're on the fence, try it once.  Use up whatever OBC you might have on day one and use it to reduce the 840.00 cost. 75% of cruisers can't be wrong.  The only ones that are wrong are those that pull their tips from the hard working crew.

[555]

9 hours ago, Ombud said:

Doesn't work for my math but I have FCD (100-150 OBC) and shares (250 OBC). My precise order might include 1 dz bottle waters = $7.08 and bringing on 2 bottle wine so wine's covered (also get 1 bottle due to status) 

 

Daily tab runs:

gratuities 17

Gigis 2-3× = 15/ 2 or 3 

 

You must be counting on being in the top three cruisers.

 

 

 

9 hours ago, reedprincess said:

Not on Sun. Everything, including drinks, are more expensive on Sun..

 

The prices I quoted, while estimates, are based off menus aboard..  Mocktails are definitely not $5 , they're running $10-15usd on Sun..

Drinks that are $12 or $13 on older ships are $15-17 on Sun, etc. 

 

 

I hadn't realized the Sun Princess increased the prices that much. Even the mocktail prices are out of sight. 

We might as well forget any package & go with the Classic Soda package and just purchase what other drinks we want on occasion.

[Ombud]

21 minutes ago, 555 said:

10 hours ago, Ombud said:

Doesn't work for my math but I have FCD (100-150 OBC) and shares (250 OBC). My precise order might include 1 dz bottle waters = $7.08 and bringing on 2 bottle wine so wine's covered (also get 1 bottle due to status) 

 

Daily tab runs:

gratuities 17

Gigis 2-3× = 15/ 2 or 3 

 

Expand  

You must be counting on being in the top three cruisers.

I'm elite so I trade my minibar for a bottle of wine. 

[dog]

2 hours ago, Retired-N-Happy said:

75% of cruisers get the Plus or Premier package.  The remaining 25% contain those that don't drink alcohol at all, don't drink much alcohol or coffee or soda and like to remove the staff gratuities in order to reduce their on board spend.  

Only you can decide but if you're on the fence, try it once.  Use up whatever OBC you might have on day one and use it to reduce the 840.00 cost. 75% of cruisers can't be wrong.  The only ones that are wrong are those that pull their tips from the hard working crew.

Can you direct me to the 75% you mentioned?

[555]

29 minutes ago, dog said:

Can you direct me to the 75% you mentioned?

If I knew which ones they were on my cruise maybe they'll buy me a drink. 😄

[555]

2 hours ago, Ombud said:

I'm elite so I trade my minibar for a bottle of wine. 

Yep, I forgot about that bottle. We do the same. 😄

[555]

Just now, Retired-N-Happy said:

But that would be sharing a package, which is against the rules.  Just like it should be against the rules to pull your gratuities.  But that's a loophole that a certain percentage of the 25% thrive on.

Someone should have told the people at the trivia games I've sat near last cruise. 

[Retired-N-Happy]

1 minute ago, 555 said:

Someone should have told the people at the trivia games I've sat near last cruise. 

Was it obvious sharing of answers or using their cell phones to look things up?

[Scottdalfonso]

Ok, So I don't drink, wife does. We need wifi to communicate with the kid back home. I'll drink plenty of red bulls, mocktails and sparkling waters. Wife will have a few wines and margaritas. Sounds like for us, it'll be worth it. We were going back and forth, but I think this thread got me sold.  We DID pre-pay the gratuity, so from what I heard, they will charge us the full price for the Plus, then refund us the Crew appreciation from booking. 

[d9704011]

1 hour ago, 555 said:

If I knew which ones they were on my cruise maybe they'll buy me a drink. 😄

Just ask around.... apparently the odds of running across somebody with a package are very much in your favour.

[dog]

1 hour ago, Scottdalfonso said:

Ok, So I don't drink, wife does. We need wifi to communicate with the kid back home. I'll drink plenty of red bulls, mocktails and sparkling waters. Wife will have a few wines and margaritas. Sounds like for us, it'll be worth it. We were going back and forth, but I think this thread got me sold.  We DID pre-pay the gratuity, so from what I heard, they will charge us the full price for the Plus, then refund us the Crew appreciation from booking. 

You can go in the personalizer and cancel the pre paid gratuities before you purchase the plus package.

[jennybenny]

1 hour ago, Scottdalfonso said:

Ok, So I don't drink, wife does. We need wifi to communicate with the kid back home. I'll drink plenty of red bulls, mocktails and sparkling waters. Wife will have a few wines and margaritas. Sounds like for us, it'll be worth it. We were going back and forth, but I think this thread got me sold.  We DID pre-pay the gratuity, so from what I heard, they will charge us the full price for the Plus, then refund us the Crew appreciation from booking. 

Make sure you get that crew appreciation refunded if you get the Plus package. Don't double pay gratuities. 

[barriedavis]

21 hours ago, BlerkOne said:

Not with a package. That is one of the reasons they are included.

That was my point.