Plus and Premium Package threads merged

[dream54ing]

1 hour ago, kywildcatfanone said:

Yeah.  It's been a while, but I did the math once with Jim Beam, and a pour from a bottle was around $1, and that is if you bought it at a grocery store, and I'm sure the cruise lines are getting better discounts for their volume purchases.  And a bottle had about 16 pours, so cost would be about $16 plus the bartender time, so if they are selling each one at $10 (maybe higher now, not sure), then even if you say it cost them $1 to the Bartender, which I'm sure it doesn't, that's $128 profit per bottle, and Jim Beam is relatively cheap.  I'm sure other alcohol choice are higher, but the profits are likely also higher.

 

It's why they push packages so hard.  It's probably paying all their bills above the hotel and food charges you pay for your stateroom.

Its funny when people start calculating how much a company profits to determine if something is worth the cost. They are a multi billion dollar company for a reason, the moment you booked the cruise, they are already profiting off you. Anything they sell will result in profit, so with your theory, booking any cruise is bad value for you. You are paying for a service, experience and product, if its within your budget do it, over thinking it makes no sense. 

Edited October 25, 2023 by dream54ing

[Momma Mojito]

We haven't decided yet on whether we will purchase the plus package, but I just wanted to see how all of you feel about the two packages.  The thing that I don't feel is equal is that no matter how long your cruise is you still pay the same amount and for a longer cruise you get the same selections.  We will be on a 16 day cruise paying for the plus package for 16 days but getting the same as a 7 day cruise.   

[d9704011]

5 minutes ago, Momma Mojito said:

We haven't decided yet on whether we will purchase the plus package, but I just wanted to see how all of you feel about the two packages.  The thing that I don't feel is equal is that no matter how long your cruise is you still pay the same amount and for a longer cruise you get the same selections.  We will be on a 16 day cruise paying for the plus package for 16 days but getting the same as a 7 day cruise.   

Getting the same what?  

[karatemom2]

44 minutes ago, Lady Arwen said:

In Toronto a nice cocktail is over $20.00 per drink.  If you want really fancy with a show then you double that.  My point is that all establishments selling alcoholic beverages make loads of profit.  If Princess were giving it away any less expensive, then cruise fares would go through the roof.  Non drinkers should appreciate that the rest of us are keeping your cruise fares affordable.  You’re welcome.  

 

I never thought about it this way before, but you have a great point. I'm not a non drinker, but very light drinker, like maybe one glass of wine or one cocktail occasionally, and definitely not everyday. So on behalf of those like us, I thank you all! 

 

Seriously, these conversations are getting downright silly. It's becoming the new formal wear debate. It really is such a personal decision based on how you partake in your cruise - great for those who love it and get a great value, and not necessary for those who don't.- No debate needed.

 

There are a lot of people who are probably appalled that my DH loves to plays Craps in the Casino. That's where a lot of his time and dollars go when we cruise, and I'm sure there are tons of people who think it's a waste of time and money. I don't really care. He loves it and we get great cruising benefits because of it.  

 

Thank goodness Princess is a cruise line that offers something for everyone - and hey, to all the nongamblers, you are similarly welcome that our donations at the Casino help keep costs down. Haha!

[reedprincess]

1 minute ago, d9704011 said:

Getting the same what?  

Same amount of casual dining meals, same amount of exercise classes - whether it's a 5 night cruise, 7 night sailing 16 night sailing, or 32.  

 

[karatemom2]

49 minutes ago, MissP22 said:

Absolutely ......... and don't forget those over prices tours & casino profits. 

 

Yep, we don't keep getting those awesome "free" casino offers because they are losing money on the degenerate gambler that I married. : )

[kywildcatfanone]

11 minutes ago, dream54ing said:

Its funny when people start calculating how much a company profits to determine if something is worth the cost. They are a multi billion dollar company for a reason, the moment you booked the cruise, they are already profiting off you. Anything they sell will result in profit, so with your theory, booking any cruise is bad value for you. You are paying for a service, experience and product, if its within your budget do it, over thinking it makes no sense.

I was just responding to the other comment with what I have heard previously.  Nothing more nothing less. Everyone can decide for themselves.  The forum serves as a discussion place for such things. 

I think overall it's safe to assume that even their worst case scenario (15 alcoholic drinks, 15 smoothies, 15 coffees, 15 sodas, 15 bottles of water, or whatever else), through the medallion, they have everyone who has ever boarded their ships since the medallion started and their bean counters know exactly.  And yes, they have profit off of you simply from your booking whether an inside cabin or a suite.

I don't book the packages as they have no value to me.  If they have value to someone else, good deal.

[Lady Arwen]

2 minutes ago, karatemom2 said:

 

I never thought about it this way before, but you have a great point. I'm not a non drinker, but very light drinker, like maybe one glass of wine or one cocktail occasionally, and definitely not everyday. So on behalf of those like us, I thank you all! 

 

Seriously, these conversations are getting downright silly. It's becoming the new formal wear debate. It really is such a personal decision based on how you partake in your cruise - great for those who love it and get a great value, and not necessary for those who don't.- No debate needed.

 

There are a lot of people who are probably appalled that my DH loves to plays Craps in the Casino. That's where a lot of his time and dollars go when we cruise, and I'm sure there are tons of people who think it's a waste of time and money. I don't really care. He loves it and we get great cruising benefits because of it.  

 

Thank goodness Princess is a cruise line that offers something for everyone - and hey, to all the nongamblers, you are similarly welcome that our donations at the Casino help keep costs down. Haha!

Love your attitude!  I will gladly join you in the casino, my other guilty pleasure.

[memoak]

Each to their own. We average 6-10 drinks a day per person and an occasional charcuterie board at Vines. Plus pays off for us. Our favorite liquors are covered and discount when we order a bottle of wine

[Lady Arwen]

3 minutes ago, karatemom2 said:

 

Yep, we don't keep getting those awesome "free" casino offers because they are losing money on the degenerate gambler that I married. : )

I’m thinking these folks must not have had the pleasure of visiting Las Vegas and one of the strip hotels. Makes a Princess casino look like a living room penny poker game.  We also get casino rates from HAL and Princess and yes, we appreciate it.  Live and let live.   Now, we can expect the lectures about the evils of gambling. lol

[reedprincess]

16 hours ago, traceytd said:

I’m always on the fence(do I get it or not) 

We drink lots of coffee and tones of water. 
😊forgot to mention, don’t you have to have plus or premium to get free room service?
 

Yes, room service delivery, ordered via room phone, is only "free" for those who've purchased Plus/Premier at $60/80 (or upgraded to the current priced packages).

 

Those who purchased Standard fare sans any packages, or purchased their Plus/Premier packages prior to price changes in Dec 2022 - room service delivery is $5 per order when ordered via room phone.

 

Also, Ocean Now delivery is included in Plus/Premier 60/80.  Those on standard fare or packages purchased prior to Dec 14, 2022 - have to pay a one time $14.99 activation fee for the Ocean Now delivery function.

You can then use ON to have food or drinks or both delivered to your stateroom without incurring the Room Service delivery fee. And if traveling with someone else in your room - just one could activate ON and order for either/all of you ..  

 

 

[voljeep]

18 minutes ago, reedprincess said:

Same amount of casual dining meals, same amount of exercise classes - whether it's a 5 night cruise, 7 night sailing 16 night sailing, or 32.  

 

yep - PLUS50 on a 5 day on the CB (no Alfredo's) but with $300 OBC to pay for specialty, casual, balcony dining, and upcharge on the wines over $15.

 

yep - PREMIER on a 5 day on the SUN P, but with 'NO' (so far) OBC

 

easy decision

[kywildcatfanone]

21 minutes ago, reedprincess said:

Same amount of casual dining meals, same amount of exercise classes - whether it's a 5 night cruise, 7 night sailing 16 night sailing, or 32.  

 

A lot of people were upset when they rolled that out.  I guess at a fixed daily cost they have to limit it, but it does seem like something they could have done better.  Perhaps let people who have the plus packages pay maybe $5/person to go when they want as a compromise or something, but yes, lots of unhappy people over that. 

[hllwdcruiser]

I agree with the OP and I think that Princess should look at how they are now offering the Plus and Premier for longer voyages and for ships that don't offer as many or as interesting casual dining venues.
Granted, the casual dining perks aren't what would entice me to purchase a package, but for others it may. One could argue that the Premier offers unlimited casual dining, but that still doesn't help in the Grand Class or older ships such as Coral and Island.
If they offer more OBC for a shareholder and FCCs on longer voyages, why can't they adjust the amount for casual dining and exercise classes? My guess is that they want to push you into choosing Premier if those things are important to you.

Edited October 25, 2023 by hllwdcruiser

[dream54ing]

6 minutes ago, kywildcatfanone said:

I was just responding to the other comment with what I have heard previously.  Nothing more nothing less. Everyone can decide for themselves.  The forum serves as a discussion place for such things. 

I think overall it's safe to assume that even their worst case scenario (15 alcoholic drinks, 15 smoothies, 15 coffees, 15 sodas, 15 bottles of water, or whatever else), through the medallion, they have everyone who has ever boarded their ships since the medallion started and their bean counters know exactly.  And yes, they have profit off of you simply from your booking whether an inside cabin or a suite.

I don't book the packages as they have no value to me.  If they have value to someone else, good deal.

 

My point is anyone justifying value based on how much profit is made is silly. If one says the package has no value to them because they dont use it, that's fair/reasonable. Why go through the headache to justify packages are a bad value. 

[voljeep]

18 minutes ago, dream54ing said:

Why go through the headache to justify packages are a bad value. 

ask the OP 😈

[Lady Arwen]

11 minutes ago, dream54ing said:

 

My point is anyone justifying value based on how much profit is made is silly. If one says the package has no value to them because they dont use it, that's fair/reasonable. Why go through the headache to justify packages are a bad value. 

Nobody should feel the need to justify their personal choices.  I really do not care how much profit Princess makes on the price of alcohol or the Plus or Premier.  I want a package.  Someone else doesn’t,  well that’s fine with me.  I don’t try to push it on anyone or implore them to justify their choice. I don’t ask them to show us their math to prove it’s not right for them.  This has become the most ridiculous topic on Cruise Critic.

[voljeep]

you can't compare Publix/Total Wine prices with Crooners/Vines - or any land based bar/restaurant

[SargassoPirate]

Put the pencil to it and factor in your cruising lifestyle.  

 

SWMBO doesn't drink much at all, and a couple of wee drams in the evening suits me just fine.  We don't do specialty or extra charge casual dining, or anything of the other ups and extras.

 

Recent cruise final bill was around $900, after some OBCs, and before the cruise the plus package would've cost $3000.

 

A la carte suits us just fine, but everyone needs to make an informed decision.

[c-boy]

16 minutes ago, voljeep said:

you can't compare Publix/Total Wine prices with Crooners/Vines - or any land based bar/restaurant

I can and sometimes do, the result just makes me wanna drink more 😆

[Momma Mojito]

1 hour ago, d9704011 said:

Getting the same what?  

This same amount perks no matter how long of a cruise you are on.  So someone that is cruising for 7 days and someone that is cruising for 10, 15 16 21 days or more still have the same perks.

[memoak]

37 minutes ago, voljeep said:

you can't compare Publix/Total Wine prices with Crooners/Vines - or any land based bar/restaurant

Anyone who does compare must never drink at any restaurant or bar in the entire world. Every restaurant pays wholesale and then increases their prices to make a large profit. It seems that some people must never eat in any land based venues other than fast food locations   I mean do you really smuggle alcohol into a restaurant or bar ?  You would be thrown out in 10 minutes 

Edited October 25, 2023 by memoak

[Navylab]

If your cruise is port intensive you will probably (I know I would) have a hard time consuming the drinks (15) you are paying for and as such we are going ala carte.

I do not like the inclusion of internet access - I go away on vacation to escape that besides when ashore there are plenty of wifi accessible places to check email etc. If you are on or running a business that is different.

I plan to take wine I purchase pre boarding in Barcelona and pay corkage and hopefully buy bottles in ports of call and pay corkage on them as well.

When on Princess pre covid we bought 'wine packages' but I do not know if that option as available any more

[voljeep]

8 minutes ago, memoak said:

Anyone who does compare must never drink at any restaurant or bar in the entire world. Every restaurant pays wholesale and then increases their prices to make a large profit. It seems that some people must never eat in any land based venues other than fast food locations   I mean do you really smuggle alcohol into a restaurant or bar ?  You would be thrown out in 10 minutes 

or else they are ... nevermind

[richstowe]

DW and I have a deal . Whoever feels stronger about an issue decides . In this case I feel stronger about not getting the package . If like HAL , Princess starts charging for bringing on the first bottle of wine that might change things . 

3 hours ago, kywildcatfanone said:

I've read many posts of people simply stating the drink portion after Wifi and Tips for the $60 plus would be $29.  If you drank all 15, that makes each drink less than $2.  It just goes to show you the massive profit packages bring in and why they are now pushed so hard.

 

 

The incremental cost to Princess of the Wi-Fi is pretty well zero . So yes the profit on drinks is big but on Wi-Fi it's even bigger. And not to start a fight but do they really remit the full tip money to the staff ?

1 hour ago, dream54ing said:

Its funny when people start calculating how much a company profits to determine if something is worth the cost. They are a multi billion dollar company for a reason, the moment you booked the cruise, they are already profiting off you. Anything they sell will result in profit, so with your theory, booking any cruise is bad value for you. You are paying for a service, experience and product, if its within your budget do it, over thinking it makes no sense. 

Agreed with a small quibble . I've always heard that they barely break even on the cruise fare itself . It's all the extras that really pay for those millions in bonuses .