Everyone told me Princess Plus or Premier was a no-brainer. Unlimited drinks, free WiFi, fancy desserts—what’s not to love? But the deeper I dug, the more it hit me—these packages aren’t selling perks. No, they’re selling pressure! I didn’t want to pay nearly $1,000 to turn my cruise into a chase for “value.” So, I said no and enjoyed the freedom.
If you’re wondering whether Princess Plus or Premier is really the smart move, you’re in the right place. I’ll break down the real numbers, the emotional traps, and how you can cruise smarter—and enjoy it more—without the pricey upsell.
Now, full disclosure—I’ve actually bought Princess Plus before and enjoyed it. It made total sense for that cruise: more sea days, more onboard time, and a looser budget (I even wrote about that cruise here, if you’re curious). But this time? I was cruising differently. I didn’t want the pressure, the mental math, or the ‘am I using this enough?’ mindset. That shift changed everything.
What Princess Premier Offers: The Temptation List
The pitch for Princess Premier sounds irresistible. Unlimited drinks with a $20 cap, specialty dining, casual dining, premium desserts, and juices. You also get WiFi, OceanNow delivery, a photo package, and even prizes. And gratuities? No need to worry, they’re thrown in.
The cheaper Princess Plus is similar but with a few limitations, like only two casual dining meals and desserts and WiFi limited to one device. Drinks are unlimited but only up to a value of $15 each.
On paper, it sounds like everything you want—easy budgeting, built-in luxury, and no decisions to make. That’s precisely what Princess packages are designed to create. The feeling that you’re getting everything bundled into one elite-sounding package.
The Real Cost of Forking Out on Princess Premier
Princess Cruises says that their packages will save 60 to 70 percent on a seven-day cruise. But when I broke it down, the numbers told a different story. The Premier package is $90 per day, so for a couple, that’s a whopping $1,260 for the perks for a week of cruising. I figured—that isn’t a perk, it’s a second vacation!
After considering port days, my drinking habits, and the fact that the Main Dining Room is free and of excellent quality, I realized there was no way I’d spend $630 for a week. And forget about the fitness classes, photo package, and unlimited desserts. In the end, it’s not whether it’s technically worth it—it’s about whether you need everything.
Smart Reasons Why I Said No to Princess Premier and Never Regretted It
Ignoring the Princess Premier package wasn’t about cruising cheap. It was about cruising on my terms, not trying to beat a loyalty program. It’s about realizing that not every cruiser benefits from an all-you-can-eat, all-you-can-drink package deal.
I Did the Math—And It Didn’t Add Up
On paper, Princess Premier and Plus seem like steals. But I crunched the numbers, and the cracks showed fast. To “break even,” I’d need to down five to six cocktails a day and only dine in specialty restaurants, and I’m not really into desserts. In truth, the cruise felt like it would be a full-time hustle, not a vacation.
After scouring countless Cruise Critic forums and Reddit threads, I noticed that I’m not the only one. Many commented that they barely scratched the surface of what Premier offered. One said that it was their last day, and they only used the specialty dining option once.
One cruiser summed it up: “Realistically, unless you’re drinking heavily and booking every specialty meal, you’re not coming out ahead.” Another shared that even if you had juice every day, the package would only save you just over $180, hardly game-changing when you’re paying $630.
Here’s another thing to consider: the number of port calls. If you plan to spend a lot of time off the ship, you’ll find it hard to get value from the Plus or Premier package. Also, some cruisers on longer ten to 14-day sailings said that the two casual dining meals felt stingy. They ended up having to pay extra when they wanted to dine at Alfredo’s or the Salty Dog.
Bottom line? I didn’t spend thousands to turn my cruise into a loyalty program hustle. I wanted freedom—not a checklist. Saying no to Princess Premier wasn’t just smart—it made my vacation mine again.
I Wasn’t Going to Let a Package Dictate My Vacation
The more I looked at Princess Premier, the more it felt like a trap. It’s not a scam, but I felt there would be pressure to change my cruise habits. Every drink would feel like a transaction, every specialty meal, a math problem. Whenever I skipped a dessert or ate in the Main Dining Room, I’d be thinking: “Was that really worth over $1,000?”
Then another thought hit when I thought about ports. I love finding a little beach bar and trying a few local drinks. But with Plus or Premier, I’d be second-guessing each decision, “Should I wait and drink onboard instead? I’ve already paid for all my drinks.”
So, instead of being spontaneous and living in the moment, I’d be stressing over paying extra for drinks I’d already “bought.”
And from everything I saw on Cruise Critic forums and Facebook groups, I wasn’t alone. So many cruisers said the same thing: once you buy the package, you stop cruising for yourself and start cruising for the package. You’re chasing value you already paid for.
Here’s the thing: I didn’t pay for a cruise to stress over where I had my next drink. I paid for freedom—and I’m glad I kept it.
Discover the top cruise booking mistakes that can ruin your trip.
Perks That Sound Fancy (But Are Meh in Real Life)
Paying for unlimited perks—drinks, specialty dining, desserts, and WiFi—seems an excellent idea when booking. But from what experienced cruisers say, once onboard, reality creeps in. Some perks aren’t as unlimited as they seem. Some are useless for others, and some sound better than they feel.
Unlimited Isn’t Always Unlimited
Premier promises unlimited everything, but once onboard, unlimited doesn’t mean unforgettable. Many cruisers shared that the casual dining options were mostly “pub grub” style food, with burgers and pizzas being the most popular.
While unlimited fast WiFi seems an excellent perk, many passengers didn’t use it as much as they thought. In fact, some said that there was so much to do between shore excursions, entertainment, and luxurious lounges they hardly used the internet during the entire cruise.
Some seasoned Princess cruisers said that priority reserved seating didn’t work because theaters on Princess cruises are small, and so many passengers had the Premier package.
What about OceanNow delivery? This is one of the things Princess does best at sea. However, a common thread on Reddit and Cruise Critic is that delivery can take a long time. In many cases, it was easier and faster to go to the bar to order drinks.
Some Perks Sound Great—Until You Try Using Them
Let’s face it: the list of perks on the Premier package looks impressive at first glance. But many cruise passengers aren’t convinced. They know that by day two, most of them are ignored. For example, unlimited mountain-sized premium desserts? Your waistline isn’t going to thank you for indulging every day on these!
The photo package with three prints? A lot of people forget to pick them up. And Princess Prizes? That’s the cabin-door lottery tied to the Premier package—walk up to your door while at sea, and you might win $25 in onboard credit. Some guests take it too far, opening and closing their door nonstop. I’d rather spend that time at the pool.
Good Perks, Bad Timing
On a port-heavy cruise, you’re too busy exploring real places to chase after shipboard perks—and that’s how it should be. Here’s the problem: With that Premier package, you’re off exploring islands, sipping cocktails, and eating fresh seafood. Meanwhile, that pre-paid $90-a-day package is gathering dust on board.
When you’re out making real memories, that “unlimited juice” back on the ship suddenly doesn’t feel like such a win.
I noticed the same pattern on Cruise Critic, Reddit, and Facebook groups. People loved the idea of Premier at booking—but by the second or third port day, regret had already started creeping in.
One traveler said, “We ended up paying for drinks and meals ashore because we didn’t want to rush back just to ‘use the perks.’ It felt like double-spending.” One cruiser put it perfectly on a forum: “We spent five hours off the ship in every port. Most days, I didn’t even have time to grab a single ‘free’ juice, let alone hit a specialty restaurant.”
For me, it boiled down to a straightforward question: Do I really want to cut a beach day short just to sprint back for a free smoothie and burger? I don’t think so. Port days are for living the experience.
Want to enjoy the best vacation at sea? Discover the biggest mistakes to avoid before cruising with Princess.
Plus and Premier Feel Exclusive—But They’re Not
At first, Princess Plus and Premier sound like secret keys to a more luxurious cruise. And it’s easy to imagine yourself stepping into a more polished, elevated experience. You know, the kind that regular passengers don’t get. But quick reality check: you’re not alone.
After reading comments from cruisers, I realized that it’s a mistake to confuse Premier with a suite or exclusive ship-within-a-ship experience. Once on board, it seems that everyone has a package. The result? Reserved seating is packed, and OceanNow delivery can still take time—a very long time!
Many cruisers feel disappointed that they thought they were paying for exclusivity, but it turns out they’re in a very crowded ‘exclusive’ club.” Another said that unlimited bandwidth is shared bandwidth, and it slows to a snail’s pace when lots of cruise ship guests are online.
This is what I realized—if everyone has ‘priority,’ nobody does. I’m not going to pay extra just to stand in line with the rest of the ‘exclusive’ crowd.
Cruise Package Psychology: FOMO in a Fancy Wrapper and I’m Not Falling for It
The more I dug into Princess Premier, the more obvious it became: It’s not just about drinks, dining, or WiFi. It’s about selling you “Fear Of Missing Out.” Every perk screams, “What if you miss out?” Unlimited this. Priority that. They make it feel as if you don’t buy the package, you’re putting the entire cruise experience at risk.
At first, I felt it, too. What if I regretted skipping it? What would happen to my budget? Would my cruise really cost me hundreds of dollars extra because I didn’t add a package? That fear is exactly what Premier preys on—and it’s brilliant. But it’s also a trap.
It’s a common online thread: cruisers feel as if they must use everything every day or they are just wasting money. Several shared similar thoughts: “The package made me more stressed about ‘getting value’ than if I’d budgeted and paid as I went.” Some said that they drank much more onboard than normal because they had paid for it.
I decided that cruising shouldn’t feel like chasing receipts. I didn’t buy into the FOMO nonsense—and I think my cruise was better for it.
When Premier Might Actually Make Sense for Some
To be honest, from what I discovered online, Princess Premier or Plus isn’t always a bad deal. For some cruisers, the all-inclusive package works. They just pay a single upfront charge and enjoy a carefree vacation. No signing checks or mental math. They just swipe their Medallion and go.
Princess Plus or Premier can also be a decent fit if you’re a nonstop social cruiser. For many cruise passengers, the vacation is a time to indulge in food and drink—enjoy fine dining every day and cocktails from late afternoon to the early hours.
It can also be a good deal if you book a Princess cruise for the onboard ship experience rather than the itinerary.
For me, cruising is about freedom—not chasing perks. I’d rather wander ashore, find a beach bar, and let the day unfold. Locking into Premier felt like turning a vacation into a schedule. I cruise to lose track of time, not to track value.
How I Saved Hundreds of Dollars and Had More Fun
Princess makes it sound like you need Premier to enjoy yourself. Trust me—you don’t. You can have plenty of fun onboard without spending over $600 on perks you may never use.
Skipping Princess Premier isn’t for cheapskates cruising on a budget or cutting corners. It’s about maximizing the onboard experience in a style you choose. Cut the stress about squeezing every dollar out of a package.
On my trip, I enjoyed a few drinks every day and delicious casual dining at Alfredo’s and Plank’s BBQ—precisely what I wanted. My final bill came to just under $300, including gratuities. So, more cash to spend on shore excursions and drinks onshore.
The Best Princess Perk? Freedom
In all honesty, skipping Princess Premier wasn’t about saving a few bucks. It was about enjoying my vacation on my terms.
Without a package pulling me back to the ship, I stayed longer in ports. I found tiny beach bars with cold beer and no clocks (apart from remembering all-aboard time). I wandered cobblestone streets, tried food I couldn’t pronounce, and lost whole afternoons without worrying about what perks I was “wasting.”
There was no guilt over missed smoothies. No stress about squeezing every dollar. Just easy, unforgettable days—the way cruising should feel. I might’ve missed a few calorie-heavy desserts, a forgotten photo package, and fitness classes I never wanted. But I didn’t miss the moments that mattered the most.
Why I Refuse to Buy Into the Princess Hype
Years of cruising have taught me that I don’t need unlimited cocktails, reserved seats, or fancy perks to have the time of my life at sea. I prioritize having the freedom to enjoy open days, onshore adventures, and zero pressure to “get my money’s worth.”
Wherever you’re sailing next, here’s to chasing memories, not packages. Happy sailing!
Related articles:
