Princess Cruises is raising the price of its all-inclusive packages this week, potentially adding to the overall cost of passenger cruise fares.
Guests have a few options when booking a cruise with Princess, either a Standard base fare or a Plus package that adds extras including drinks, wifi and tips into the upfront price.
There is also a Premier package that upgrades the Plus version to include a wider choice of drinks, speciality dining and wifi on more than one device.
From 13 October, the price of the Plus and Premier package is set to rise by $5 (£3) per day to $70 (£53) and $105 (£79) respectively when arranged at the time of booking or $75 (£57) and $110 (£83) per day if booked on the ship.
The all-inclusive prices on the cruise line’s newest ships Sun Princess and Star Princess, which already had higher rates, will also rise by another $5 (£3) above the rest of the fleet for each package. Prices for the Princess Plus package will rise to $75 (£56) per guest and $80 (£60) on board and to $110 (£83) for Princess Plus and $115 (£87) on board.
The increase adds an extra $35 (£26) to the package cost per guest over a week and means you could pay up to $770 (£650) on top of the cruise fare to add the all-inclusive option.
Guests also get other benefits when adding these packages, such as four casual meals with the Plus package at venues like Alfredo’s Pizzeria and O’Malley’s Irish Pub.
Premier package guests can also get a $100 (£75) shore excursion credit on six- to nine-day cruises, $200 (£151) for 10-20 day voyages and up to $300 (£227) for journeys lasting 21 days or more
You would need to weigh up whether the amount you drink and other perks such as wifi and included casual and speciality dining are worth the money.
In a statement, Princess Cruises said: “We periodically review package pricing to account for changes in our operating environment while continuing to offer guests strong value and a convenient way to bundle popular amenities.
“As a result, the daily price of Princess Plus and Princess Premier will increase by $5 (£3) for sailings departing on or after 13 October.
“We believe both packages offer strong value, providing guests with a convenient way to bundle popular amenities. Additionally, crew appreciation included in these packages continues to go directly to the hardworking crew members who deliver the exceptional service our guests know and value.”
The price for the Plus and Premier all-inclusive packages was already raised by $5 (£3) earlier this year, and some perks were removed, such as premium desserts, juice bar access and fitness classes, due to low usage.
Guest reactions on cruise forums have been mixed.
One Cruise Critic user said: “The package still makes sense, just disappointed about taking something away that one of us used and charging more.”
Another highlighted that “lower usage does not mean there’s no usage. There is still value to the removed benefits even if they weren’t greatly used by all passengers.”
UK cruise blogger Jenni Fielding, known as CruiseMummy, was more understanding.
She said: “The cruise industry has faced mounting operational costs in recent years, from fuel price volatility to enhanced health protocols and crew welfare improvements.
“Package pricing adjustments allow cruise lines to maintain service levels and amenities whilst adapting to these evolving cost pressures.
“Princess’s approach of periodic, modest increases rather than dramatic sudden jumps represents an effort to manage passenger expectations whilst addressing financial realities.”
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