Princess Cruises has a reputation for being a more premium cruise option than many of the more ‘mainstream’ cruise lines.
It’s not quite a luxury cruise line, but it definitely feels like one compared to lines such as Carnival or Costa, with many cruise fans finding that Princess is their favourite line.
To look at why, I’ve asked my Facebook fans what they think Princess Cruises does better than anyone else. I’ve supplemented that with research elsewhere on the web too, as well as my own personal experiences from cruising with Princess four times.
Here’s a look at what real cruise fans think Princess does better than anyone else…
1. Medallion Technology
By some distance, the most-mentioned feature of Princess Cruises that people love is the Medallion technology.
This is a small metal medallion that all guests are given when they book with Princess Cruises. Your Medallion is a wearable device that offers a ton of functionality. It streamlines the boarding process, acts as your room key and lets you pay for items on board.
It acts as a homing beacon for you and your party too. You can check the Medallion app to find your family on the ship, and order drinks or food for delivery and it’ll be brought right to you – because the crew can see your location via your Medallion as well.
It even lets younger guests play games in different interactive areas of the ship!
The Medallion was first introduced by Princess Cruises in 2017 and has been a huge success, but no other cruise line has really picked up on it or offered similar tech.
There’s also a huge market for Medallion accessories, so you can more easily carry the Medallion around if you don’t like the standard lanyard options.
For something so small, the Medallion really makes a huge difference to the cruise experience, and Princess fans love it.
Read more: What You Need To Know About Princess Cruises’ Medallion
2. Friendly and Attentive Staff
Another huge highlight for Princess cruisers is the friendliness and attentiveness of the staff on board. Across the fleet, Princess crew members are known for their welcoming attitude and genuine interest.
One of the things passengers love most is that staff members take the time to stop, chat and make you feel at home – no rush, no hurry.
Whether it’s a server in the dining room remembering your favourite drink, or a room steward greeting you by name, the service feels both personal and sincere.
Many guests commented that they never felt like ‘just another cruiser’ with Princess, suggesting that some other cruise lines are losing that personal touch.
The friendly atmosphere extends beyond just the service team. Entertainment staff, cruise directors and activity organisers are often praised for being engaging but not pushy. They strike a perfect balance that makes everyone feel included without being overwhelmed.
For many regulars, it’s these approachable crew members who make each cruise feel special. It’s why so many guests find themselves booking with Princess again and again.
3. International Café and Piazza Entertainment
Princess Cruises’ International Café and Piazza entertainment are big crowd-pleasers among guests.
The International Café is a 24-hour spot where passengers can grab snacks, pastries and coffee at any time of day or night. It’s the ideal place to enjoy a leisurely breakfast or pick up a late-night treat, without ever needing to head to the buffet.
The Piazza itself is a hub of activity, and people love the vibe here. Located at the heart of the ship, it’s a lively space where entertainment often appears out of nowhere.
Guests love the ‘pop-up’ performances – from musicians to dancers – that suddenly kick off in the middle of the day. Many compare the atmosphere to an Italian square, where people gather to enjoy food and music.
For those who enjoy people-watching, the Piazza is a favourite spot. Between the International Café’s cosy seating and the variety of entertainment, you could easily spend hours relaxing there, enjoying a coffee or cocktail while soaking up the lively atmosphere.
It’s an experience that’s distinctively Princess – and one that keeps guests coming back.
4. Princess Plus and Premier Packages
The Princess Plus and Premier packages are hugely popular with those looking for an all-inclusive experience.
The Plus package bundles together drinks, Wi-Fi and gratuities, along with a few other benefits. This makes it a straightforward option for those who want fewer expenses to think about while on board.
Many guests appreciate the value here, especially when you consider that buying the Plus drinks package alone costs roughly the same as buying the Plus fare with loads more included! (I’ve never understood this!)
The Premier package goes a step further. It adds extras like speciality dining and a wider selection of drinks, including top-shelf spirits and wines. Premium is ideal for guests who want a touch of luxury, with more choice and convenience wrapped into a single package.
Compared to other cruise lines, Princess Cruises’ bundled options offer significant value. Guests love not having to worry about unexpected charges piling up, letting them enjoy their cruise with peace of mind.
This smart option has made Princess a favourite for those who appreciate flexibility and a seamless, all-in-one experience.
Read more: Princess Premier Vs Princess Plus
5. Quality Food and Dining Options
Princess Cruises is known for its impressive variety and quality when it comes to dining options.
Guests often highlight the main dining rooms for offering consistently excellent meals, with menus that change daily and cater to a range of tastes. From classic favourites to more adventurous options, there’s something to suit everyone.
Alfredo’s Pizzeria is another particular standout. Many guests rave about the fresh, hand-tossed pizzas cooked in a brick oven. For pizza lovers, it’s an unexpected treat to find such quality at sea. I absolutely adored the vegan pizza and went back again a few days later!
Alfredo’s Pizzeria used to be free but now does have a charge, which is a shame. You do get some meals included with the Plus package, and it’s free with Premium.
Princess also offers speciality restaurants that allow guests to enjoy a more elevated experience. Options like Sabatini’s Italian Trattoria and Crown Grill provide the chance to indulge in fine dining, with attentive service and carefully crafted menus.
Here are four back-to-back comments from people when I asked what they loved about Princess:
Overall, Princess’s approach to dining is all about variety and quality, keeping even the most seasoned cruisers satisfied throughout their trip.
6. Entertainment and Activities
Princess Cruises shines when it comes to entertainment and activities, offering a great mix that keeps guests engaged without feeling overwhelming.
The theatre shows are a huge highlight, with many guests comparing them to West End or Broadway productions. From musicals to comedy acts, the performances are designed to appeal to a wide range of tastes. What’s more, they’re all included in the cruise fare.
Poolside entertainment is another favourite, with live music, themed parties and film screenings under the stars. Princess’ signature ‘Movies Under the Stars’ lets guests enjoy a cinema experience right on the deck, complete with blankets and popcorn for a cosy, open-air movie night.
Beyond the shows, Princess offers a variety of activities like dance classes, trivia contests and art auctions. For those who prefer a quieter pace, the enrichment programmes provide expert talks and workshops on topics ranging from history to photography.
Don’t expect to find really ‘active’ features on Princess ships, like rock climbing or surf simulators. That’s not the Princess vibe.
The entertainment team are engaging enough for those who want to join in, but they’re never too pushy, allowing guests to enjoy activities at their own pace.
7. Private and Exclusive Beach Experiences
Princess Cruises offers private and exclusive beach experiences, which are a huge hit with passengers seeking a special day ashore.
A standout is Princess Cays, a private resort on the island of Eleuthera in the Bahamas, which is reserved exclusively for Princess guests. This private getaway offers beautiful sandy beaches, crystal-clear waters and plenty of loungers for relaxing in the sun. Guests can explore the island with activities like snorkelling, kayaking and paddleboarding, or they can simply unwind in a shaded cabana.
In Roatan, Princess has access to another exclusive beach just for its passengers, creating a safe and secluded experience away from the crowds. Guests appreciate the comfort of knowing these beaches are maintained with care, providing excellent facilities and attentive service from the onboard staff.
Whether it’s soaking up the sun, enjoying beachside service or having a tropical lunch brought right to their private bungalow, these exclusive beach options are a highlight of many cruises. It’s a premium perk that lets Princess guests experience some of the most beautiful Caribbean destinations in a more personal way.
8. Efficient Check-In Process
Princess Cruises is praised for its smooth and efficient check-in process. Thanks to the Medallion technology, check-in is faster and more streamlined than on many other cruise lines.
Guests can complete most of the check-in steps ahead of time through the MedallionClass app, including uploading documents and completing health questionnaires. When they arrive at the port, it’s often a quick scan and go, with little waiting or queuing involved.
Many guests appreciate how this efficient process allows them to get on board and start their holiday sooner. With the Medallion in hand, passengers can head straight to their staterooms without needing to pick up a separate cruise card.
Suggested read: How Early Can You Board A Princess Cruise?
It’s all designed to reduce hassle and create a smooth start to the journey, something frequent cruisers notice and love about Princess.
9. Loyalty Programme Benefits
Princess Cruises’ loyalty programme, the Captain’s Circle, is a favourite among frequent cruisers and offers some impressive perks that keep guests coming back.
Many cruise lines have loyalty programmes that reward repeat passengers, but Princess fans often find that the Captain’s Circle offers meaningful benefits as you reach higher tiers.
Early access to special events, exclusive onboard receptions, priority boarding and discounted fares are all perks that make a noticeable difference.
Platinum and Elite members enjoy special benefits like complimentary internet minutes, laundry services and extra discounts on future bookings. Many passengers mention that these perks help them feel recognised and valued for their loyalty to Princess.
10. Iconic Ship Horn and Sail-Away Music
One of the charming traditions that sets Princess Cruises apart is its iconic ship horn, and the memorable sail-away music that accompanies departures.
Princess ships feature a unique horn that plays a medley of tunes, with the most beloved being the ‘Love Boat’ theme song. The TV show was set on a Princess ship, after all!
For many passengers, this evokes feelings of nostalgia and excitement as they prepare to embark on their adventure. The joyful sound of the horn has become a signature of the Princess experience, marking the start of a wonderful holiday.
It’s a small touch, but you’d be surprised how many people mention it when they list their reasons for booking Princess!
Suggested read: Why Cruise Ships Blow Their Horns
11. Destination Experts and Shore Excursion Advice
All cruise lines offer shore excursions, with experts on hand to help you with advice. But it often feels like they’re nudging you towards paying for a tour rather than being genuine.
Not so with Princess Cruises. A lot of cruisers said that the cruise line’s destination experts genuinely feel helpful. The consultations they offer include plenty of advice on how to explore independently in ports where it’s suitable, if that’s what you’d prefer.
You can still take your pick from a wide range of curated excursions. But the fact that the cruise line doesn’t push the ‘hard sell’ makes it feel more like authentic advice, so you can decide on the best approach for exploring ashore.
Remember that these aren’t just good things about Princess Cruises, but more what makes the cruise line stand out.
It’s subjective, absolutely, but these are the reasons that many people prefer to cruise with Princess. There are plenty of other exciting things that the cruise line does really well, and that’s why so many love their time on a Princess sailing.
It’s not the perfect option for everyone – no cruise line could be – but if Princess sounds like the kind of cruise you’re looking for, it’s definitely one to check out.
For a closer look inside Princess Cruises’s newest ship, Sun Princess, take a look at this video I made…
Booking a Princess cruise holiday isn’t as simple as picking a date, picking a room and then paying. There’s an added layer of complexity thanks to the different cruise fare options available, and choosing the right one for you is important.
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They each impact what’s covered by your fare, and you need to make sure that you understand exactly what the price of the cruise is paying for, and how much extra you’re going to need to budget to pay for everything.
So, in this guide, I’ll take you through what you get with your Princess Cruises fare, what you need to pay extra for, and make it as easy as possible for you to work out how expensive your cruise will actually be.
Standard Vs Plus Vs Premier – An Overview
Exactly what you get included in your cruise depends on whether you choose a standard fare, or you upgrade to Plus or Premier.
Plus and Premier are packages that offer a wide range of extras for a set fee. Plus costs £50 ($60) per person, per day, while Premier costs £75 ($90) per person, per day.
Each cover your tips, a drinks package, WiFi internet access and more, with potential savings of up to 69% compared to buying everything separately.
However, you might not use everything within a package. If you’re not someone who drinks alcohol, or you don’t plan to use the WiFi, it’s important to price up what each element costs and decide whether it’s cheaper for you to upgrade to one of those fares, or stay with Standard and then add on the extras individually.
The extra inclusions of these packages are loved by cruisers who say tha they’re among the best things that Princess Cruises offers.
Read my full guide to Princess Plus vs Princess Premier to learn more.
What’s Included in a Princess Cruise and What Costs Extra..?
1. Accommodation
Regardless of which cruise fare you choose to pay for, your accommodation is always included. Whether you choose Standard, Plus or Premier has no impact on the stateroom or suite you book.
You’ve got five main options when you book a room with Princess Cruises:
- Interior – rooms without a window, always the cheapest option
- Oceanview – rooms with a window
- Balcony – rooms that have their own private balcony
- Mini Suite – larger than a Balcony with a small number of extra perks
- Suite – the biggest rooms, with a longer list of extras
You also have the option of choosing a guarantee cabin, where Princess Cruises will pick your cabin for you, or you can pay a little extra to choose the exact cabin you want.
Picking a guarantee cabin can save money, but risks you getting the worst cabins in your chosen class – an Interior room that’s a long walk from anything, or a Balcony stateroom with an obstructed view, for example.
If you pay extra for a Mini Suite, you’ll get a few extra benefits:
- A separate sitting area with sofa bed and coffee table
- A curtain to separate the sofa bed sitting area from the main bed
- An extra TV
- An enhanced bathroom with bathtub and massage shower
- A luxury mattress topper and better pillows
- Up to four chairs on the balcony (compared to the standard two)
- A glass of sparkling wine when you board
If you pay for a Suite, you get a much longer list of perks. The best features include priority boarding and disembarkation, welcome Champagne, an upgraded room service menu and reserved dining areas.
Here’s the full list of Princess Cruises suite perks
2. Food
On a Princess cruise, you’ll always be able to eat for free. You get to enjoy all your meals in the Main Dining Room, or you can eat casually at the buffet restaurant whenever it’s open.
There’s also an International Cafe serving lighter bites, and you can enjoy snack items from a poolside venue too, and none of these cost any extra.
There are some Premium Dessert options served in the Main Dining Room which cost extra – these are extra to the regular desserts.
If you’re a Plus guest you can enjoy two of these every day (surely that’s enough?) while Premier guests get as many as they want.
Then there are paid-for dining venues available too. These are split into two categories – Casual Dining, and Speciality Dining.
Casual Dining includes a range of different relaxed venues, such as Alfredo’s pizza, the Salty Dog Pub and more. These all have either a la carte pricing or a fixed fee, but they aren’t super-expensive – fixed-fee dining is $14.99 per person.
If you choose the Standard package, you’ll always have to pay for these. On the Plus package, you get two Casual Dining meals included in your cruise. On the Premier package, they’re completely unlimited.
Speciality Dining venues are more formal restaurants onboard, serving a range of cuisine. These cost more – typically around $29 per person for dinner.
Standard and Plus guests always have to pay for these, whereas Premier fare guests can enjoy these unlimited at no extra charge – the only exception is at the Chef’s Table Lumiere which is considered fine dining, and so will always cost extra.
| Cruise Fare | Main Dining Room, Buffet, International Cafe | Casual Dining | Speciality Dining |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard | Always included | Charged | Charged |
| Plus | Always included | 2 included, then charged | Charged |
| Premier | Always included | Always included | 2 included, then charged (UK) Always included (US) |
3. Drinks
On a Princess cruise, you get eight different types of drinks included as standard – tap water, lemonade, ice tea, hot tea, standard coffee, hot chocolate, milk, and fruit juice.
But you can’t get all of those from the bars – some are only available for free in the buffet, and some only at breakfast.
The rest of the day, you’re going to have to pay for your drinks. Expect to pay in the region of $7 for a beer, $10+ for a glass of wine or a cocktail, and $2.50 for a fountain soft drink, to give you an idea of how much you’re likely to spend onboard.
You can see the Princess Cruises drinks menus with prices here.
Like most cruise lines, you can also choose to pay for a drinks package. There are four you can choose from:
| Drinks Package | Daily Cost | What It Includes |
|---|---|---|
| Premier Beverage Package | $84.99 per day + 18% service charge = $100.29 per day | All drinks up to a value of $20 |
| Plus Beverage Package | $64.99 per day + 18% service charge = $76.69 per day | All drinks up to a value of $15 |
| Zero-Alcohol Beverage Package | $29.99 per day + 18% service charge = $35.39 per day | Wide range of non-alcoholic drinks |
| Classic Soda Package | $14.99 per day + 18% service charge = $17.69 per day | Limited range of non-alcoholic drinks |
If you choose the Standard fare, you can pick any drinks package if you want one – but you don’t have to. Remember that you can’t have a drinks package for just a few days, you need to pay for it for the duration of your cruise.
If you book your cruise with the Plus package, you get the Plus Beverage Package included. And the same with the Premier cruise fare – you get the Premier Beverage Package included.
Here’s what’s weird – the Plus and Premier packages are cheaper than buying the drinks packages separately!
There’s no catch – it literally makes zero sense to buy a Plus or Premier Beverage Package. If you want them, then buy the Plus or Premier cruise fare.
There are only two reasons that the prices could be weird in this way:
- It’s an oversight by Princess Cruises (unlikely, as it’s been like this for a while)
- Having the drinks package prices this much higher means they can claim bigger percentage savings for the Plus and Premier cruise fares
The Plus fare is advertised as saving you 57% instead of buying each bit separately.
The Premier fare apparently saves you 69%. But those percentages would be a little bit lower if the drinks packages cost less than the cruise fare packages.
A bit sneaky? Maybe.
Regardless – you need to work out whether a drinks package is right for you, and then budget for the package you want or for the drinks you’ll buy individually. My drinks package calculator can help you work it out.
4. Room Service & Ocean Now
Princess Cruises offer a room service menu with a wide range of food items you can enjoy. There’s a great breakfast selection, and plenty of snacks and simple food items served throughout the rest of the day.
There’s a $5 delivery fee every time you use room service, although this is waived if you’ve paid for the Plus or Premier cruise fares.
Princess also does something cool called OceanNow, which is essentially room service but for almost anywhere on the ship.
You might be sat by the pool, or in a bar, or in the theatre and decide you’re feeling peckish – just use the app on your phone and you can order food to be delivered to you.
If you want to use this, you’ll need to pay a one-off activation fee of $15 for your cruise but this is again waived if you’ve gone for the Plus or Premier cruise fare.
5. Entertainment
Princess Cruises offers a range of entertainment during your cruise, from Movies under the Stars on the pool deck to immersive theatre shows, live comedy, bar singers and so much more.
And it’s all included at no extra cost – you’re welcome to enjoy the entertainment in any of the venues no matter which fare you’ve chosen for your cruise.
However, there is one little catch. If you’ve paid for the Premier cruise fare, you get to enjoy reserved seating in the theatre for any production shows, meaning you’re guaranteed to get one of the best seats. Otherwise, you’ll need to queue up and hope you get a good seat.
6. Activities
There are a lot of activities available during your cruise with Princess, including organised sports games, leisurely swimming in the pool, fitness classes, cookery classes, casino gaming, shopping and more.
Some of these – the sports, the pool etc. are free and can be enjoyed as much as you want to, but most of the activities require you to spend your own money. You don’t get a casino budget as part of your cruise fare, unfortunately!
The only impact on activities from the cruise fares comes with the fitness classes. Plus fare guests get two free classes per cruise, while Premier fare guests can enjoy unlimited fitness classes.
7. Kids’ Clubs
Princess Cruises has a range of kids’ clubs that offer exciting activities throughout the day, and guests are welcome to use these at no additional charge.
Infants and toddlers under 3 must be accompanied by parents, but children aged 3 to 7 can stay in The Treehouse, while those aged 8 to 12 can enjoy The Lodge. There are also dedicated teen lounges too.
These are open into the evening, but then at night from 10 pm there is a charge for babysitting, and only for kids aged 3 to 12. It costs $5 per hour, per child.
8. Service Charges
There are two types of service charge that you’ll need to pay on your Princess cruise. The first are the daily gratuities, which cost between $17 and $19 per person, per day depending on which class of stateroom you have booked.
They’re included in the fare if you’ve chosen Plus or Premier fare packages, but anyone with a Standard cruise fare has to pay the gratuities separately.
Suggested read: Can you opt out of gratuities on a cruise?
The other charges are a set rate of 18% applied to any purchases of speciality dining, drinks, drinks packages, spa services and a couple of other features onboard.
If you get the Plus or Premier packages then the service charge is covered for anything included, but you’d need to pay it for anything you buy on top of that – so if you booked Premier, you wouldn’t pay the 18% service charge on the two included speciality dining meals, but you would pay it on any further speciality dining meals you paid for.
9. WiFi
WiFi is another feature which isn’t included on a Standard cruise fare, but that you do get if you pay for the Plus or Premier fare.
It costs from $24.99 per day for one device, but you can also get a four-device plan for $44.99 per day. The speeds are the same, it just affects how many devices you can connect.
The Plus cruise fare gets you the one device package included, while the Premier cruise fare includes a four-device WiFi package for your cruise.
10. Laundry
If you’re on a longer cruise, you might want to use the laundry services instead of packing enough outfits for every single day. Princess gives you two options, and neither are included in the fare – so make sure you budget for laundry if you plan on using it.
The self-serve laundry facilities are the cheapest option, but they take more effort. It costs $3 for a washload, $3 for drying, and you can buy detergent for $1.50.
If you’d rather have your laundry done for you, you can pay for the service instead. You’ll pay by the item, with the option for laundering or for dry cleaning. Expect to pay between $1 and $4.50 per item for washing and pressing, and between $2.75 and $11.50 for dry cleaning.
11. Flights and Transfers
The advertised cruise fares for Princess on their website won’t include your flights by default, but you can add them on through the cruise line if you prefer. If you do, you’ll also get your overseas transfers included too.
You don’t have to use the cruise line’s flights though. If you book via a travel agent, they’ll typically price flights separately and get you a better deal, or you can always book your own.
Just make sure you don’t forget to budget for (or book) your transfers from the airport to the cruise port, and leave plenty of time too. If your cruise port is more than half a day away, travel the night before and pay extra for a hotel so that you definitely don’t miss the ship.
Cruising from a port in your own country, like Southampton for UK guests?
Factor in cruise parking costs, or the cost of your coach or train to get to the port as well when putting together your cruise budget, as that won’t be included in the fare.
12. Shore Excursions
One last thing that you won’t get included in your fare – even if you book a Premier fare – is shore excursions.
If you want to go on tours when you’re in port, you’ll need to pay for them – either via the cruise line, or with a third party if you want to save money.
Suggested read: How I Find Affordable Shore Excursions
You don’t always have to. Some ports are walkable or there may be free shuttle buses to get you into the main town. Just be careful if you aren’t on a cruise line excursion – you have to make it back to the ship in time or you will be left behind.
To Conclude
There you have it – everything you get included with your cruise fare with Princess, whether you choose Standard, Plus, or Premier, and all the extras you’ll need to pay for.
It can be tough working out what the best deal is for you, so try to work out what you would want to pay extra for, and then see if either the Plus or Premier fare offers better value. They definitely do if you want one of the drinks packages, but not everyone drinks enough to justify that cost.
At least now you know everything that will cost more, and it should be much easier to work out how much a Princess cruise will actually cost you.
Related Posts:
- Princess Cruise Ships Ranked From Best To Worst (Using Real Reviews)
- These Are The Newest Princess Cruises Ships
- Princess Cruises Ships By Size: Biggest to Smallest
Jenni Fielding is the founder of Cruise Mummy. She has worked in the cruise industry since 2015 and has taken over 30 cruises. Now, she helps over 1 million people per month to plan their perfect cruise holidays.
