Cruising with Princess Cruises is a fantastic way to travel in style, comfort, and luxury, but if it’s your first time sailing with them, you might be wondering what’s included in the price of your cruise fare.
The good news is that Princess offers a lot of value for your money, with essentials like accommodation, meals, and entertainment included in even their standard fare. However, there are some extras you’ll want to budget for, depending on your preferences and travel style.
Having sailed with Princess multiple times, we’re here to guide you through everything you need to know about what’s included and what’s not on a Princess Cruise. By the end of this blog, you’ll have all the details you need to plan, budget, and enjoy your trip to the fullest.
What’s Included in Your Princess Cruise Fare?
Your Princess cruise fare covers a surprising amount, so you can absolutely have a brilliant holiday without spending much beyond your initial booking. Here’s what you’ll get:
Accommodation
Every Princess cruise includes your accommodation, and there’s a cabin to suit every budget and preference:
Inside Cabins: Affordable and cosy, but without a window.
Oceanview Cabins: Feature a window to enjoy sea views.
Balcony Cabins: Include a private balcony – perfect for a morning coffee or sunset drinks.
Mini-Suites: Larger than balcony cabins with added perks like separate sitting areas.
Suites: The ultimate in luxury, with spacious rooms, upgraded amenities, and priority services.
Regardless of the cabin type, you’ll enjoy:
A super comfortable bed, thanks to the Princess Luxury Bed design.
Complimentary toiletries like shampoo, conditioner, and body wash.
A flat-screen TV with live channels, movies, and TV shows on demand.
Towels (including pool towels), a hairdryer, a fridge, and a safe.
Daily steward service to clean your room and provide evening turndowns.
Pro Tip: If you’re sailing on a budget, don’t overlook inside cabins. You’ll likely spend most of your time enjoying the ship, and inside cabins can save you hundreds of pounds. |
Dining
One of the best things about cruising is the food, and Princess Cruises does not disappoint. Whether you want fine dining or a quick snack, there’s something for everyone – and much of it is included in your fare.
Main Dining Rooms
The main dining rooms are the heart of Princess’s culinary offerings. Here, you can enjoy:
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner Daily: Full-service meals with a variety of options.
Afternoon Tea: A lovely mid-afternoon treat with sandwiches, scones, and cakes.
Dining here feels like eating at a high-end restaurant, but without the price tag. Choose from fixed dining times (early or late seating) or anytime dining, which lets you eat when you like.
Buffet
Every Princess ship has a buffet open for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks. Here, you’ll find:
A wide variety of dishes, including international options and themed nights (think Mexican, Italian, or British classics).
Patisserie Stations offering cakes, cookies, and desserts.
Free water, tea, coffee, and juices (during breakfast).
The buffet is open from early morning to late at night, so you can always grab a bite when hunger strikes.
Casual Dining
Princess also offers several casual dining options that are included in your fare:
Poolside Grill: Serving burgers, hot dogs, and snacks.
Pizza Counters: Grab a slice of freshly baked pizza on the go.
24-Hour International Café: Perfect for light bites like soups, sandwiches, and desserts.
Entertainment
Your Princess cruise fare includes a wide range of entertainment options, ensuring there’s never a dull moment onboard:
Theatre Shows
Enjoy Broadway-style productions, live comedy, and magic shows in the main theatre. Performances are held twice nightly, so you can fit them into your schedule.
Movies Under the Stars
Watch blockbuster films on the open deck, complete with free popcorn and blankets for those chilly evenings.
Live Music
From classical string quartets to lively pop bands, there’s music to suit all tastes in the ship’s bars and lounges.
Trivia and Games
Join fellow cruisers for trivia competitions, bingo, and fun game shows.
Sports and Fitness
Take a dip in the pools, including adults-only areas.
Work out in the fully equipped fitness centre or enjoy a game of basketball or table tennis.
Drinks
Drinks are an important consideration for any cruise, and Princess includes a limited selection of beverages in your fare:
Free Drinks: Tap water, tea, coffee (in the buffet), and juices (at breakfast).
Paid Drinks: Alcoholic beverages, soft drinks, speciality coffees, and bottled water.
To save money, consider upgrading to a drinks package, such as the Classic Soda Package (unlimited soft drinks and juices) or the Premier Beverage Package (includes alcohol, speciality coffees, and more).
What’s Not Included in Your Princess Cruise Fare?
While Princess Cruises offers excellent value, there are a few extras to budget for:
Gratuities
Daily gratuities are not included in the standard fare and cost:
$16 per person per day (interior, oceanview, or balcony cabins).
$17–$18 per person per day (mini-suites and suites).
These can be prepaid or charged to your onboard account, but they’re waived if you upgrade to Princess Plus or Princess Premier fares.
Speciality Dining
If you want to treat yourself, Princess offers several speciality restaurants at an additional cost:
Crown Grill: Steak and seafood.
Sabatini’s: Italian fine dining.
Gelato Bars: Sweet treats for a small fee.
Speciality dining costs around $30 per person, with an 18% gratuity added.
Shore Excursions
Exploring destinations isn’t included in your fare, and shore excursions booked through Princess can be pricey. To save money, consider planning your own activities or using local tour operators.
Laundry
Most cabin decks have a laundromat however there is a small charge for a wash and/or dry cycle plus detergent.
Wi-Fi
Stay connected at sea by purchasing a Wi-Fi package:
$24.99 per day for one device.
$44.99 per day for four devices.
Alternatively, upgrade to Princess Plus or Premier fares, which include Wi-Fi for 1 or 4 devices, respectively.
Spa and Fitness Classes
Pamper yourself in the spa or join a yoga class for an extra fee. Prices vary by service, so check onboard for details.
FAQs About Princess Cruises
1. Is food free on Princess Cruises?
Yes, food in the main dining rooms, buffet, and most casual venues is included. Speciality dining costs extra.
2. Are gratuities included on Princess Cruises?
Not in the standard fare. Daily gratuities are charged unless you upgrade to Princess Plus or Premier.
3. Do Princess Cruises include drinks?
Basic drinks like tea, coffee, and water are free. Alcohol and soft drinks cost extra unless you have a drinks package.
4. Are shore excursions included?
No, excursions are always an additional cost.
5. Is Wi-Fi included on Princess Cruises?
Wi-Fi is only included with the Princess Plus or Premier fares.
Final Thoughts
A Princess Cruise offers fantastic value, with most meals, entertainment, and accommodation included in the standard fare. For those who want to make their holiday even more seamless, upgrading to Princess Plus or Premier can bundle popular extras like drinks, gratuities, and Wi-Fi into one price.
Whatever fare you choose, we hope this guide helps you plan your dream cruise. Got questions? Drop us a comment below – we’re always happy to help.
Happy cruising!
George & Dan