Princess Cruises offers several beverage packages designed for different drinking styles and budgets. Each is structured to simplify the onboard experience by bundling drinks at a flat daily rate. Understanding the distinctions is essential before deciding if the investment is worthwhile.
The Plus Beverage Package is the mid-tier option and one of the most popular choices among Princess guests. It typically includes cocktails, wine by the glass, beer, specialty coffees, bottled water, mocktails, sodas, and smoothies up to a specific price limit per drink. This package also includes crew appreciation fees, which means the service charge is already factored in. For many travelers who enjoy a few drinks per day, the Plus option tends to strike an appealing balance between affordability and variety.
The Premium Beverage Package upgrades the selection and raises the per-drink price cap. It includes everything in the Plus Package but adds a wider range of top-shelf spirits, pricier wines by the glass, and premium craft cocktails. It also covers higher-end specialty coffees and more extensive water selections. This package is best for travelers who are particular about brand-name liquors or enjoy craft or luxury beverages that go beyond the standard bar menu.
Despite its name, the Zero Alcohol Package is not simply soda or water; it offers an extensive non-alcoholic catalog. This package usually includes mocktails, specialty coffees, teas, smoothies, energy drinks, and bottled waters. For guests who don’t drink alcohol but want the convenience and freedom of unlimited refreshments, it provides solid value without paying for spirits they will never use.
Knowing exactly what your package covers is key to determining whether you’ll save money. Princess Cruises structures its plans to include most everyday beverages, but there are exceptions that can influence your decision.
For those purchasing the Plus or Premium package, drinks such as cocktails, wines by the glass, spirits, and beers fall under the included categories, provided they do not exceed the package’s maximum per-drink allowance. If a drink costs more than the limit, you only pay the difference.
Non-alcoholic drinks form a major part of the value—sodas, specialty coffees, teas, juices, and mocktails are all popular onboard. Since these beverages often cost more than many guests expect, they add up quickly throughout the day, especially on sea days when people spend more time onboard.
One noteworthy inclusion in drink packages is that Princess typically incorporates the standard service charge directly into the price of the package. This eliminates the extra gratuity that is normally added per drink, making the onboard experience feel smoother and more predictable from a budgeting standpoint.
A major advantage of Princess Cruises' drink packages is the simplicity they bring to the onboard dining and bar experience. Having a package means you can order freely without thinking about prices, which many guests find liberating during a vacation.
When you pre-purchase a package, your final onboard account becomes far more predictable. You'll know exactly what you’ve spent on drinks before boarding, which can reduce stress—especially for families or groups where managing multiple individual bar charges might otherwise be overwhelming.
With a drink package, there's no hesitation at the bar or coffee shop. You can try new drinks, switch between beverages, or order something you'd typically skip to avoid the cost. This ease-of-use enhances the overall cruise experience, especially during sea days, poolside lounging, and evening entertainment.
While convenience is a major selling point, it’s important to analyze the financial side. Whether a Princess drink package pays off depends heavily on your personal drinking habits.
Frequent drinkers—both alcoholic and non-alcoholic—tend to see the best savings. For example, specialty coffees and smoothies alone can be $5–$8 each, and cocktails or wines $10–$15. When you factor in multiple beverages throughout the day—morning coffee, afternoon soda or mocktail, pre-dinner cocktail, wine with dinner—the numbers start to justify the upfront cost.
Casual drinkers, however, may find it difficult to break even. If you typically consume only one or two paid drinks per day, buying items à la carte often costs less than committing to a daily package. It’s essential to realistically assess your typical vacation consumption rather than estimating based on idealized vacation habits.
Deciding whether a Princess Cruises drink package is worth buying ultimately comes down to your lifestyle, preferences, and plans for your cruise. Certain types of travelers tend to benefit more consistently than others.
If you enjoy a variety of drinks throughout the day—coffee in the morning, soda or bottled water in the afternoon, and cocktails or wine in the evening—the package is easier to justify. Travelers who spend a lot of time onboard rather than in port also get more value because they have more opportunities to use the package. Those sailing longer itineraries often benefit the most, since the per-day savings accumulate over time.
Families with teens or adults who prefer non-alcoholic beverages might find excellent value in the Zero Alcohol Package, especially if specialty drinks like smoothies, mocktails, or frappes are part of the daily routine.
On the other hand, guests who prefer spending more time off the ship—particularly on port-intensive itineraries—may not drink enough onboard to justify the daily price. Similarly, travelers who stick mainly to included beverages such as basic coffee, iced tea, water, and some juices will not benefit from purchasing a package at all.
Determining whether the investment in a drink package pays off requires a combination of honest self-assessment and itinerary-specific evaluation. To make an informed decision, start by estimating your typical daily beverage consumption. Count every drink you expect to order: morning lattes, bottles of water, soft drinks, pre-dinner cocktails, glasses of wine during meals, or nightcaps after the evening shows.
Compare your estimated daily drink total against the cost of the package. While Princess generally prices its drink packages competitively compared to other cruise lines, the value varies significantly from person to person. For many travelers, the break-even point rests around five to seven drinks per day when factoring in a mix of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages.
The package can also provide intangible benefits. For guests who want an all-inclusive feeling, the psychological relief of not thinking about drink prices can be worth the cost alone. The freedom to try new beverages, sample premium coffee daily, or stay hydrated with bottled water adds comfort and simplicity to the experience. When the goal is relaxation, convenience often has more importance than strict math.
However, if you're unsure that you'll drink enough to justify the package, you're probably better off skipping it. Princess Cruises offers ample included beverages and allows guests the flexibility to purchase drinks à la carte as desired. Casual drinkers typically find that buying only what they need results in lower overall spending.
For many guests, the decision comes down to their vacation mindset. If you anticipate indulging more while on holiday—or if you prefer the stress-free feeling of an all-inclusive approach—the drink package often proves worthwhile. But if you're content with a modest number of paid beverages each day, or if your itinerary keeps you off the ship for long periods, the extra cost might not provide enough value to justify the purchase.
In the end, purchasing a Princess Cruises drink package is a highly personal choice. By assessing your drinking habits, considering your itinerary, and weighing both financial and experiential factors, you can confidently decide whether the package will enhance your cruising experience or if paying as you go is the smarter option.
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