What Are The Differences Between Princess Cruises Fares?

• The Essentials: Princess Standard covers your basic cruise fare, including standard meals, entertainment, and MedallionClass tech.

• The Popular Choice: Princess Plus bundles Wi-Fi, gratuities, a 15-drink daily package (with unlimited speciality coffees), and four casual dining meals.

• The All-Inclusive Ultimate: Princess Premier steps up with unlimited speciality and casual dining, multi-device Wi-Fi, and a shore excursion credit up to $300.

Princess Cruises is one of several cruise lines which have multiple different types of cruise fare packages to choose from. By providing cruise guests with the option of more inclusive experiences, these fares mean you won't have to worry about add-ons such as drinks, Wi-Fi and gratuities.

But what are the differences between these Princess Cruises fares?

What Are Princess Cruises' Fares?

Princess Cruises has created three different packages for you to choose from when booking your cruise holiday: Princess Standard, Princess Plus and Princess Premier.

The packages are designed to help their guests get the best value from their holiday, depending on their level of requirement for different amenities, such as drinks, speciality dining, Wi-Fi and gratuities.

Modern updates have even introduced destination perks like shore excursion credits to make these packages more comprehensive than ever before.

Below, we’ll explain Princess Cruises fares in more detail and how these elements differ across the three packages.

What Is Princess Standard Fare?

Princess Standard fare is described as the ‘no frills' experience and is the cheapest cruise option. However, remember that Princess Cruise Lines is a premium cruise provider, so there are still some excellent Princess Standard cruise benefits that will help you enjoy an incredible onboard experience.

What’s Included in Princess Standard Fare?

Princess Standard fare includes your onboard accommodation, dining and entertainment. All guests are provided with a Medallion wearable, allowing you to access the cruise line’s MedallionClass™ service, locate your family and friends onboard, make dining reservations and navigate the ship.

Princess Standard fare guests have a great range of dining options, from international cuisine in the Main Dining room and casual dining in the World Fresh Marketplace buffet to pastries, pizza and hot dogs to go.

The included entertainment and activities are world-renowned, featuring unique, cutting-edge production shows in the main theatre, family fun game shows, the legendary Movies Under the Stars outdoor cinema, and excellent live music acts across the lounges.

Does Princess Standard Fare Include Drinks?

With Princess Standard, there are no drinks packages included. However, there is a limited selection of complimentary drinks available in the buffet area, which includes non-bottled water, tea, standard filter coffee, lemonade and iced tea.

So, if you intend to enjoy a few beverages, Princess Standard could work out more expensive than the other options. Buying a beverage package as a standalone addition onboard carries a significant daily charge plus an 18% service fee, making it far more costly than upgrading your fare option upfront at the time of booking.

What Is Princess Plus Fare?

Princess Plus fare is the next fare level that Princess Cruise Line offers. With Princess Plus fare, you'll enjoy all of the experiences and features on Princess Standard, with a few extra benefits.

What’s Included in Princess Plus Fare?

Princess Plus fare cruise benefits cover drinks, Wi-Fi, gratuities, casual dining, and waived delivery fees. It includes the Plus Beverage Package for classic drinks, wine, beer, and cocktails up to $15 each, alongside 12 bottles of water daily. Premium coffees, frappes, and teas are completely unlimited and no longer count towards your 15-drink daily limit.

High-speed Wi-Fi is included for a 1 device per guest, enabling you to message, browse, or stream your favourite shows. Another main benefit is that daily gratuities, known as Crew Appreciation, are fully prepaid as part of the fare. Guests also receive 4 complimentary casual dining meals per voyage at highly rated venues like Alfredo's Pizzeria, and the activation fees for OceanNow or room service delivery are completely waived.

How Much More Is Princess Plus?

The Princess Plus fare cruise costs an extra £50 per person, per day. However, if you are sailing on newer Sphere-class flagships like Sun Princess or Star Princess, the package is priced at £55 per person, per day to reflect the expanded venue choices onboard.

Gratuities are a mandatory expense that you would have to pay separately if you were on the Princess Standard package. When deciding if Princess Plus is worth it, you simply need to consider whether the remaining balance is worth paying for the bundled beverage package, unlimited specialty coffees, and high-speed Wi-Fi.

What Is Princess Premier Fare?

Princess Premier fare is Princess Cruise Line's top-end package. Like Princess Plus, you'll get access to everything included with Princess Standard alongside elevated luxury benefits.

What’s included in Princess Premier Fare?

The Princess Premier cruise benefits cover premium upgrades across drinks, Wi-Fi, gratuities, speciality dining, shore excursions, and photos.

This package gives you access to the Premier Beverage Package for top-shelf drinks, premium spirits, and fine wines up to $20 each.

You will also get an expanded Wi-Fi package that allows you to connect up to 4 devices per guest simultaneously. Prepaid Crew Appreciation gratuities are fully covered.

For dining lovers, this fare includes completely unlimited casual dining and unlimited speciality dining meals, meaning you can visit highly acclaimed restaurants like the Crown Grill or Sabatini's every single night without paying a cover charge.

To assist with exploring ashore, Princess Premier includes a valuable shore excursion credit of $100 for cruises of 6 to 9 days, $200 for 10 to 20 days, and $300 for longer sailings of 21 days or more.

Other premier extras include an unlimited photo package with digital downloads and 3 prints, an exclusive reserved seating section for production shows in the main theatre, and waived OceanNow or room service delivery fees.

How Much More Is Princess Premier?

The Princess Premier fare cruise costs an additional £75 per day, per guest. For voyages on flagship Sphere-class vessels, the price is £80 per person, per day.

As with Princess Plus, deciding whether Princess Premier is worth it depends on how much you'll use the extras. There are some excellent benefits for Premier Fare Princess guests, but they'll only offer the best value if you plan to make the most of the unlimited fine dining, multi-device internet connectivity, and included shore excursion credits.