First time Cruiser- drink packages

[voljeep]

1 hour ago, Steelers36 said:

PLUS & PREMIER are required for the 1st & 2nd passenger.

 

Same whether add-on or not.  The suggestion above that can add-on for one is wrong.

 

Also, any discussion about the alcohol package is a waste of typing space above.  Even if only one person drinks, you are much better off with the PLUS.  There is ZERO reason to purchase the separate drinks package. 

 

$19.50 - $24.50 is taken up by MedallionNet and Crew Appreciation (in a standard cabin and depending if you get internet discounted or not).  Note that Wifi is free for ship's INTRAnet - you are paying for INTERnet access - not Wifi.

 

So, the drink portion of PLUS is $31.50 - $25.50.  TWO of those charges are less than ONE separate drink package, so don't even think about that.

 

non-refundable OBC

[Steelers36]

55 minutes ago, voljeep said:

non-refundable OBC

Valid point... if not able to extract those monies.  😉

[PrincessArlena'sDad]

2 hours ago, Steelers36 said:

How old are the kids?  Sometimes you need to book one parent and one child in each cabin and then swap at check-in with guest services on board.

 

I think you can also swap the Plus over.  Someone else can likely confirm.

 

They'll be 23, 15, 12

 

[Steelers36]

17 minutes ago, PrincessArlena'sDad said:

They'll be 23, 15, 12

 

You will be fine with the 23rd old as an adult in the room.

[ddeprez]

As part of the Plus package, do "crew appreciation" gratuities cover ALL gratuities including the beverage package?  Or do you still have to pay seperate gratuities on the beverages?  I can't seem to find specific info on what they consider "crew appreciation".  Thanks!

[Papa Yoda]

55 minutes ago, ddeprez said:

As part of the Plus package, do "crew appreciation" gratuities cover ALL gratuities including the beverage package?  Or do you still have to pay seperate gratuities on the beverages?  I can't seem to find specific info on what they consider "crew appreciation".  Thanks!

 

The Plus package covers the 18% service charge on drinks.  The $12 limit is before the 18%

Crew Appreciation is the daily gratuity for stewards and  other crew.   

[Mike07]

2 hours ago, ddeprez said:

As part of the Plus package, do "crew appreciation" gratuities cover ALL gratuities including the beverage package?  Or do you still have to pay seperate gratuities on the beverages?  I can't seem to find specific info on what they consider "crew appreciation".  Thanks!

 

 

The Princess Plus will include:
- All steward gratuities. You will not see any daily line items related to daily gratuities for your steward or anybody else on the ship.

- Alcoholic drinks up to $12. As long as you order an alcoholic drink less than $12, you will not see a penny charged for any alcoholic drink priced at $12 or less.

- All you can drink specialty coffees

- All you can drink water bottles and carbonated waters (personal size for this class.... not giant 1 L bottles... so the 500 mL or less variety that are personal sized)

 

TBH, if you have Princess Plus... and no OBC... if you buy nothing from the gift shop or specialty restaurants, casinos, photos, shore excursions etc and keep alcohol drinks at 15 or fewer and $12 or less, your cruise portfolio would be $0.00.

[skynight]

4 hours ago, ddeprez said:

As part of the Plus package, do "crew appreciation" gratuities cover ALL gratuities including the beverage package?  Or do you still have to pay seperate gratuities on the beverages?  I can't seem to find specific info on what they consider "crew appreciation".  Thanks!

Crew appreciation basically covers the hotel and dining staff plus others that you probably will never see.

The 18% beverage service charge is separate from Crew Appreciation. It is covered by the plus fare. No further charges when you order a beverage. 

[wowzz]

Is there any reason why Princess could not show the gross price of drinks on their menus  ?

Why show a drink as costing $10, rather than $11.80 ? It is not as if you can opt out of the service charge.

[PrincessArlena'sDad]

8 hours ago, Mike07 said:

 

 

The Princess Plus will include:
- All steward gratuities. You will not see any daily line items related to daily gratuities for your steward or anybody else on the ship.

- Alcoholic drinks up to $12. As long as you order an alcoholic drink less than $12, you will not see a penny charged for any alcoholic drink priced at $12 or less.

- All you can drink specialty coffees

- All you can drink water bottles and carbonated waters (personal size for this class.... not giant 1 L bottles... so the 500 mL or less variety that are personal sized)

 

TBH, if you have Princess Plus... and no OBC... if you buy nothing from the gift shop or specialty restaurants, casinos, photos, shore excursions etc and keep alcohol drinks at 15 or fewer and $12 or less, your cruise portfolio would be $0.00.

 

5 hours ago, skynight said:

Crew appreciation basically covers the hotel and dining staff plus others that you probably will never see.

The 18% beverage service charge is separate from Crew Appreciation. It is covered by the plus fare. No further charges when you order a beverage. 

I had thought that if you ordered a beverage while before leaving, you will be charged the state tax on the drink, even with the beverage package. Is this not correct?

[Papa Yoda]

While in port or close enough - you may have to pay state/local tax.  

[caribill]

3 hours ago, PrincessArlena'sDad said:

 

I had thought that if you ordered a beverage while before leaving, you will be charged the state tax on the drink, even with the beverage package. Is this not correct?

 

Only on beverages you actually pay for at the time of ordering.

[PrincessArlena'sDad]

4 hours ago, caribill said:

 

Only on beverages you actually pay for at the time of ordering.

Interesting.  On carnival you have to pay the tax if you get a drink with cheers, as well. 

[skynight]

14 hours ago, wowzz said:

Is there any reason why Princess could not show the gross price of drinks on their menus  ?

Why show a drink as costing $10, rather than $11.80 ? It is not as if you can opt out of the service charge.

They could, but don't. Princess operates in California. Standard pricing practice throughout the US is that menu prices do not include, gratuities, local, and State taxes. Gratuities are up to the buyer and usually range in the 18 to 20% range. Taxes vary by town and State. It is just the way it is done just like where you live gratuities and taxes are shown as part of the price. 

[skynight]

58 minutes ago, PrincessArlena'sDad said:

Interesting.  On carnival you have to pay the tax if you get a drink with cheers, as well. 

Florida has a use tax. This may be what is actually being charged. Why other lines don't charge is probably a good legal question.

[ddeprez]

Sorry if this has previously been asked/answered, but how do you know what drinks are $12 or under? Are prices shown?  Haven't sailed with Princess in awhile, so this Plus package is new to me! Thanks for the help!

[wowzz]

15 hours ago, ddeprez said:

Sorry if this has previously been asked/answered, but how do you know what drinks are $12 or under? Are prices shown?  Haven't sailed with Princess in awhile, so this Plus package is new to me! Thanks for the help!

Prices are shown on the drink menus.

[justafem]

On 11/9/2022 at 5:12 AM, PrincessArlena'sDad said:

Interesting.  On carnival you have to pay the tax if you get a drink with cheers, as well. 

I sailed carnival for the first time this year and had Cheers.  

 

Ordered drinks as soon as we got on the ship, why not, half the day already gone, booze me please!

 

Was shocked that I was charged tax on drinks that were prepaid.  And they did the same thing for every US port.  

 

So, from what I understand, princess waits to actually charge the drink orders in AFTER we're in international water, hence no tax, while carnival charges immediately, hence tax.  

 

Carnival also makes you sign a slip on every drink.