If I buy Princess Plus on the ship, is it slightly cheaper than before the cruise?

[Coral]

9 minutes ago, Ken the cruiser said:

This potential increased insurance question definitely got us thinking. Not sure what happens when you actually use the Personalizer to "upgrade" an existing booking to include the Princess Plus Package. However, I was curious if the Princess Platinum insurance cost would increase if we initially booked a cruise with Princess Plus rather than the Princess Standard package, as that would definitely cause us to rethink adding the Plus package when we book our future cruises.

 

To resolve that question, I did a mock booking on a 32-day RT Tahiti cruise, where there would definitely be a noticeable increase. First, I used the Standard "no frills" package at $13,247 pp and then with the Plus package at $15,167 pp. The Platinum insurance rate stayed the same at $1,059 pp.

 

So for us we'll stick with initially booking the Plus package, if it makes economic sense to do so, as we usually use up all of our Princess (Military, FCD and SHB) OBC prebooking excursions. Now, if later on, we find out this is not the case, we will definitely have to rethink our booking strategy.

 

I have an 11 night cruise in May. If I upgrade in personalized, the cost is more than $60 a day. This, I think it is increasing insurance.

[warren buffet]

On 2/25/2023 at 1:33 PM, Shelly97060 said:

@MsSoCalCruiser  here are the various beverage package prices on Discovery Princess today:

 

coffee package is $31 +18% gratuities 

classic soda package is $11.79 per day (including gratuities)

Coffee and soda package is $23.59 per day ( including gratuities)

Premier is $94.39 per day ( including gratuities)

Plus is $70.79 per day (including gratuities )

 

Also in our stateroom there was information about upgrading to the full Plus package for $60 per day or full Premier for $80 per day.  “Upgrade in the app or see any crew member”.

 

 

and yet. We have the classic soda package for June this year on the emerald and it's 15.34 a day out the door including gratuities. that's a 33 percent or so increase. pretty bizarre!   did the cruise that you took the picture from depart on feb 20 or earlier? my understanding is price increases when into effect after that departure date

[Shelly97060]

33 minutes ago, warren buffet said:

and yet. We have the classic soda package for June this year on the emerald and it's 15.34 a day out the door including gratuities. that's a 33 percent or so increase. pretty bizarre!   did the cruise that you took the picture from depart on feb 20 or earlier? my understanding is price increases when into effect after that departure date

Departed 2/25/23 on Discovery.   I just checked my March 17 sailing on Crown and the classic soda package is back in the Personalizer and is now $17.69 per day,  

[warren buffet]

2 minutes ago, Shelly97060 said:

Departed 2/25/23 on Discovery.   I just checked my March 17 sailing on Crown and the classic soda package is back in the Personalizer and is now $17.69 per day,  

Yes. that is what I heard from let's go travel tips. that people were even not showing on their personalizer as not being able to buy a soda package and a princess travel specialist even told the vlogger (who is a travel agent, I believe) that the soda package was being discontinued. alas, after a couple of days the vlogger relayed that she was given bad info by the princess specialist/employee. it seems princess just had it unavailable for a few days when updated their systems. it was back for 17.69 a day. which is why i was shocked that you said 11 and change a day. smile.  a 33 percent increase in late feb and now an additional 15 percent increase only a few weeks after the feb 20 increase.    17.69 is was overpriced. I hope almost no one buys it and forces them to lower the price. 

[Shelly97060]

22 minutes ago, warren buffet said:

Yes. that is what I heard from let's go travel tips. that people were even not showing on their personalizer as not being able to buy a soda package and a princess travel specialist even told the vlogger (who is a travel agent, I believe) that the soda package was being discontinued. alas, after a couple of days the vlogger relayed that she was given bad info by the princess specialist/employee. it seems princess just had it unavailable for a few days when updated their systems. it was back for 17.69 a day. which is why i was shocked that you said 11 and change a day. smile.  a 33 percent increase in late feb and now an additional 15 percent increase only a few weeks after the feb 20 increase.    17.69 is was overpriced. I hope almost no one buys it and forces them to lower the price. 

My guess is that the Ocean Concierge pricing on Discovery simply hadn’t caught up with the new corporate pricing. 

[aliciam]

Bumping this thread. Does anyone have any experience in actually using OBC on the first day of the cruise to upgrade to Princess Plus?

 

Thanks!

[TN-Mountains]

Y

10 hours ago, aliciam said:

Bumping this thread. Does anyone have any experience in actually using OBC on the first day of the cruise to upgrade to Princess Plus?

 

Thanks!

I upgraded from standard to premier on the first day.  I was able to use OBC to cover part of the price.  It was the same price onboard as it was pre-cruise except, 1) I didn’t have to pay an increase in the insurance premium that would have been required pre-cruise; and 2) they gave each of us a $10 OBC because they didn’t mail our medallions pre-cruise.

[aliciam]

11 hours ago, TN-Mountains said:

Y

I upgraded from standard to premier on the first day.  I was able to use OBC to cover part of the price.  It was the same price onboard as it was pre-cruise except, 1) I didn’t have to pay an increase in the insurance premium that would have been required pre-cruise; and 2) they gave each of us a $10 OBC because they didn’t mail our medallions pre-cruise.

Thanks so much!

[tricks79]

Question for recent experienced travelers.

We are booked on 'Sun Princess' in March and we received $200 obc from priceline + $235 from princess. So I have a  couple of questions.

1- With 100% certainty, can obc from priceline + princess be used to purchase(not upgrade, just in case there is a difference) 'Princess Plus' package anytime before boarding? (this seems to be no, but want to verify)

If not, can it be used to purchase it during boarding?

 

2- If I have to wait to buy the 'Princess Plus' during boarding to use OBCs, what are the chances that the 'Princess Plus' package will continue to be $60pp/pd during boarding? Any chance they raise price or stop offering this package and you have to settle for purchasing individual packages?

 

Note: called princess 1-800 but could not get a clear answer on above questions, very inexperienced representatives, one of them  indicated that I could not use OBC(priceline or princess) to purchase 'Princess Plus', it could only be used towards individual packages like a drink package.

Hope someone with recent experiences with princess could help me make an informed decision.

Thank you.

[Ombud]

@tricks79 welcome to Cruise Critic and yeah, often the 1800Princess ppl are a little clueless. I can state with 100% certainty that the entire bar staff will try to get you to use your OBC to add Plus to your profile as soon as you step onboard. Also there is no distinction between TA (Priceline) and Princess OBC. Only between refundable and nonrefundable, with nonrefundable used first. As to whether PCL is planning another increase in Plus cost, your guess is as good as mine 😕

[warren buffet]

Just now, tricks79 said:

Question for recent experienced travelers.

We are booked on 'Sun Princess' in March and we received $200 obc from priceline + $235 from princess. So I have a  couple of questions.

1- With 100% certainty, can obc from priceline + princess be used to purchase(not upgrade, just in case there is a difference) 'Princess Plus' package anytime before boarding? (this seems to be no, but want to verify)

If not, can it be used to purchase it during boarding?

 

2- If I have to wait to buy the 'Princess Plus' during boarding to use OBCs, what are the chances that the 'Princess Plus' package will continue to be $60pp/pd during boarding? Any chance they raise price or stop offering this package and you have to settle for purchasing individual packages?

 

Note: called princess 1-800 but could not get a clear answer on above questions, very inexperienced representatives, one of them  indicated that I could not use OBC(priceline or princess) to purchase 'Princess Plus', it could only be used towards individual packages like a drink package.

Hope someone with recent experiences with princess could help me make an informed decision.

Thank you.

the most certain way to guard against a price increase in plus is to add it to your reservation now. in the past princess has honored it if its already on the reservation.  You are still not expected to pay for it until the 90 day payment deadline for the main cruise fare. Your only problem is (if priceline is like they are for the jan 8 carnival paradise cruise I have from them) they only add their credit between 1-3 days before sailing to the ship acct. I know costco adds theirs at least as soon as you make the final payment for the main cruise fare.   Is it a problem to just put the plus on a credit card and use the on board credit for excursions?

[tricks79]

22 hours ago, Ombud said:

@tricks79 welcome to Cruise Critic and yeah, often the 1800Princess ppl are a little clueless. I can state with 100% certainty that the entire bar staff will try to get you to use your OBC to add Plus to your profile as soon as you step onboard. Also there is no distinction between TA (Priceline) and Princess OBC. Only between refundable and nonrefundable, with nonrefundable used first. As to whether PCL is planning another increase in Plus cost, your guess is as good as mine 😕

Thank you @Ombud. Conflicting responses. Contacted another 3rd party travel agent and they told me that I would not be able to use OBC to purchase the Princess Plus, only individual packages. If I will not be able to use OBC for purchasing Princess Plus while boarding, I would rather buy it now and guarantee the $60pp. If I can buy with OBC, think I will take chances and wait until I board. Cruise ships on 03/09/24. Thats why i'm bothering everyone here. 🙂

Edited January 2 by tricks79

[tricks79]

19 hours ago, warren buffet said:

the most certain way to guard against a price increase in plus is to add it to your reservation now. in the past princess has honored it if its already on the reservation.  You are still not expected to pay for it until the 90 day payment deadline for the main cruise fare. Your only problem is (if priceline is like they are for the jan 8 carnival paradise cruise I have from them) they only add their credit between 1-3 days before sailing to the ship acct. I know costco adds theirs at least as soon as you make the final payment for the main cruise fare.   Is it a problem to just put the plus on a credit card and use the on board credit for excursions?

Thank you @warren buffet but ship sails 03/09/24. Makes sense what you said but I will be doing my own thing in ports instead of the excursions offered or spa stuff.

Edited January 2 by tricks79

[Ombud]

1 hour ago, tricks79 said:

Thank you @Ombud. Conflicting responses. Contacted another 3rd party travel agent and they told me that I would not be able to use OBC to purchase the Princess Plus, only individual packages. If I will not be able to use OBC for purchasing Princess Plus while boarding, I would rather buy it now and guarantee the $60pp. If I can buy with OBC, think I will take chances and wait until I board. Cruise ships on 03/09/24. Thats why i'm bothering everyone here. 🙂

FIRST & FOREMOST I AM NOT UPSET BY YOUR QUESTIONING BUT: It is in the TAs best interest for you to buy it now. But the onboard accountant will (as recently as 12-8-23) lump all refundable obc together and nonrefundable obc together. Purchasing Plus onboard is just a charge against that. They will charge against your nonrefundable OBC first. Once that is exhausted they will charge against the refundable.  

 

As I stated this is how it was last month. New month / new year / but my best guess is the TAs are wrong. Might I suggest that you go to ANY current sailing and inquire if there's been a dramatic change as of yesterday.

 

Here's one:

 

[tricks79]

36 minutes ago, Ombud said:

FIRST & FOREMOST I AM NOT UPSET BY YOUR QUESTIONING BUT: It is in the TAs best interest for you to buy it now. But the onboard accountant will (as recently as 12-8-23) lump all refundable obc together and nonrefundable obc together. Purchasing Plus onboard is just a charge against that. They will charge against your nonrefundable OBC first. Once that is exhausted they will charge against the refundable.  

 

As I stated this is how it was last month. New month / new year / but my best guess is the TAs are wrong. Might I suggest that you go to ANY current sailing and inquire if there's been a dramatic change as of yesterday.

 

Here's one:

 

Thank you so much. You are helping me put my mind at ease. Just had an online chat with princess agent and,  this person at least,  confirmed that I will be able to buy it using obc during embarkation just like you said. thank you again!