Free or a part of the cruise price on Princess

[Bungus]

I was surprised to learn of things that are free that I maybe didn't know. I am speaking about regular cruise with no status (although that doesn't mean much any more) What list of things can you come up with? I am not talking about dining room or buffet and I know the entertainment is free. Unless you purchase a package , most drinks and specialty drinks cost. Yes, towels for the pool are free or the ones in the room to take off the ship.. If you don't turn it in I am not sure if they charge you.

I think you have to pay for the adult only places - correct?

Someone said that it was free to do your own laundry. I was surprised at that and I know they now use the medallion - so maybe they paid but didn't notice it. 

Also, I hear some lines are charging for room service that used to be free. Is it true that the cafe' type place in the middle of the ship with deserts/soups/sandwiches and coffee is free/ 

[avonlady6390]

Yes on princess room delivery is still free for most items such as pizza is 3$ charge and items from the specialty restaurants.  The international cafe is no charge as well as alfredos on royal class.  Also check your patter for free alcohol such as mimosas in jewelry store in am and champagne I believe in the art gallery and free champagne the night of captain's gala in the piazza.

[CruisnDeb]

Food in the International Cafe is free but the coffee is not unless you have Princess Plus or Princess Premier package.

 

Self serve laundry has a cost.  My understanding is the only time you don't have to pay for laundry is during the ships inaugural year (currently people are reporting having free laundry on the Discovery.)

Edited February 10, 2023 by CruisnDeb
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[cr8tiv1]

It would help to pinpoint what would be considered "free" if you named the ship.  Some stateroom such as a suite will include a stocked mini bar and free laundry.

 

Self Serve laundry usually has a minimal charge.  Some have reported $3 wash/$3 dry and some ships have had it for free (malfunction?).

 

Lemonade is free in the buffet as well as complimentary coffee/tea (iced/hot).  Brewed coffee, hot chocolate, and specialty teas from IC/bars have a charge.

 

International Cafe (on some ships) have a range of breakfast items to lunch, to cookies. to late night snacks.

 

Some ships have Alfredo's a pizza place that is free.

 

Slices, Salty Dog Grill, and cones are free on the lido deck.

 

Be careful ordering room service from the television.  Some items do come with a surcharge.  Pizza, guacamole, etc ... sometimes. The majority of room service is free (even for delivery).

 

There is tea service on sea days, sometimes British Pub lunch.

 

Effy jewelry shop will have free champagne sales.  Art auctions have champagne, but you have to "register".

 

If in doubt, ask.

 

The SPA and Gym have a few free services.  I don't know since I don't partake in ether.  Most Cruise Director activities are free.  It's free to pose for photos but steep charges if you want to purchase them.  BINGO has a charge.  There are "free" demo games in the Casino.

 

 

Edited February 10, 2023 by cr8tiv1

[Mike45LC]

Self-service laundry is charged a couple of bucks for the washer and for the drier (and for the soap/softener).  

 

"Specialty" coffees are charged.  Alcohol is $$, unless you pay with your time by attending sales presentations.  I don't do room service, so I am not sure if they have implemented room service delivery fees.

 

The fancy restaurants are charged.

 

Excursions are charged.  As are ship's tours.  

 

Gambling, including bingo and other events (I don't think they still have horse races) are $$.

 

The "exclusive" areas of the ship -- i.e., the Retreat -- are $$.

 

On Princess, theater and other shows are free.  Main dining room and buffet and International Cafe [except coffee drinks] are free.  But Princess started to offer steaks and other dishes from the steakhouse that are $$ -- but I did not notice this being offered last month.  

 

Photos are extra charges.

 

Spa services are extra charges.

 

I do not know how much of the gym/fitness center has extra charges.

 

[cr8tiv1]

@Mike45LC

Interesting tack...I wrote about free and you included things that cost money.  I guess I am one of those passengers that marketing hates...the cruiser that only takes advantage of the "free" and rarely spends more money on the ship.

 

In my early days of cruising, I was out to purchase at least one piece of jewelry from the then great (not EFFY) store.  I even bought something from the Princess at Sea Art company.  I am now "tainted" and cruise just to be on a ship.

[travelin.sisters]

as @cr8tiv1 said, if you mention the ship it will make it easier to answer specifically, but here are a few that haven't been mentioned (i think) yet:

• the enrichment lectures & port & naturalist talks (depending on itinerary)
• champagne at champagne waterfall & there should be a new to princess event with complementary drinks
• the art sales department often gives away free prints at their events
• Effy gives out free charms or pendants at their events
• often a free gift at the shopping show 
• daily soduku & puzzle pages in the library
• crafts & games with the cruise director staff 
• the spa does occasional freebies & almost always something on embarkation day
• soft-serve ice cream
• the towels to take ashore are handed out by the gangway as you leave
• popcorn at movies under the stars
• lots of in room movies & tv shows to watch
• books & games to borrow in the library
• sometimes a music class (I have done 'ukulele [Hawai'i], harmonica [Alaska], glockenspiel & steel drum
• I think the line dance classes are free
• I think use of the sports courts (pingpong, basketball, pickleball, etc) are free
• not all adults only are paid, the sanctuary is but others aren't
• you can use the showers in the spa for free & maybe other things also
• with the Medallion app, food delivery is not limited to roomservice, they can bring you stuff anywhere on the ship
• daily ice for your refrigerator
• more hangers, towels, pillows, for your room
• smiles & kind words from the wonderful crew all around the ship

[memoak]

1 hour ago, Mike45LC said:

Self-service laundry is charged a couple of bucks for the washer and for the drier (and for the soap/softener).  

 

"Specialty" coffees are charged.  Alcohol is $$, unless you pay with your time by attending sales presentations.  I don't do room service, so I am not sure if they have implemented room service delivery fees.

 

The fancy restaurants are charged.

 

Excursions are charged.  As are ship's tours.  

 

Gambling, including bingo and other events (I don't think they still have horse races) are $$.

 

The "exclusive" areas of the ship -- i.e., the Retreat -- are $$.

 

On Princess, theater and other shows are free.  Main dining room and buffet and International Cafe [except coffee drinks] are free.  But Princess started to offer steaks and other dishes from the steakhouse that are $$ -- but I did not notice this being offered last month.  

 

Photos are extra charges.

 

Spa services are extra charges.

 

I do not know how much of the gym/fitness center has extra charges.

 

Using the weights and machines in the gym are free.  Classes usually cost

[nini]

Laundry machines on the Grand were free ( September 2022). They were not free on the Emerald last May.