Possible first time Princess cruise - questions

[colesc15]

Hi all, 

Considering hopping on a princess cruise because I received a free balcony on basically any sailing through the Venetian Las Vegas. My wife and I have always done Royal, so this would be completely new to us. 

 

My question:

 

1)If I don't add the "plus" package at the time of booking, can I add it anytime before the cruise leaves, or if I pass on it at booking am I out of luck? 

2) I'm seeing for a 10 day cruise the plus package adds basically $600 per person. From what I've gathered, gratuity is $16 pp per day. That totals $320 of the $1200 I'd be prepaying. If I did things separate, I'm assuming the wifi is about $20 per person per day? Just trying to justify if I'd be better off getting the plus package or doing things seperate if gratuities are for sure, I'd for sure get 1 wifi package Ala cart, and then whatever we decide to drink for alcohol.

 

Any thoughts would be great! We're used to Royal but a free balcony on any ship (before add ons) makes us at least want to try out princess. 

 

[Rick&Jeannie]

1) Yes...even when boarding the ship

2) Everybody's "math" is different as to whether it is a good deal for them...highly depends on whether you are a drinker.

 

We always book at *minimum* the Plus fare.  I'm always going to get wifi, we are not *huge* drinkers...but we usually get a couple per day, and of course crew gratuities are included.  We just find it's easier (for us, our opinion) to "roll it all into a package deal".  If you're *not* a drinker...that would severely impact the value.

[memoak]

Be advised that drinks in the casino are not going to be free unless you have something special on your deal.   Easiest way to determine if you should take the plus package is how many drinks you think you have daily. 3 or more usually means the package will save you money. The plus plan also covers waters, soda and specialty coffees 

[mtnesterz]

23 minutes ago, colesc15 said:

I'm assuming the wifi is about $20 per person per day? Just trying to justify if I'd be better off getting the plus package or doing things seperate if gratuities are for sure, I'd for sure get 1 wifi package Ala cart, and then whatever we decide to drink for alcohol.

I gather you won big time in Vegas. Congratulations!

The WiFi cost is either $20 or $24/day. Whichever, but to clarify, it is per device, not per person. You could check your email then log off, and your wife could log on with her device. It's one at a time.

In our case, we have T-Mobile and just check our email in ports, free international calls and digitally disconnect while onboard. We don't need WiFi and don't drink alcohol so we don't buy the packages.

[karatemom2]

Your mileage may vary on free drinks in the casino. It really depends on the host so there is almost no way of predicting. My DH does get free drinks, but he is a heavy duty Craps player and also makes a point to ask the host for them and has yet to be told no.

 

You don't have to buy the Plus package in advance - you can even wait and purchase it onboard which is smart if you have onboard casino credit. That might give you the opportunity to assess whether you will get free drinks in the casino.

 

Be sure and get to know your host right away. He or she can really add to the quality of the cruise if you are a player, which I'm guessing you are given that you got this offer. Often the host can arrange one or more free meals at one of the specialty restaurants for you during your cruise, as well as other perks like champagne, chocolates, chocolate covered strawberries, etc. delivered to your cabin. Enjoy!!

[colesc15]

Is it safe to assume Princess is like Royal when it comes to making purchases online before the cruise being considerably cheaper than the price once onboard? For example, wifi on Royal via the cruise planner is usually like $20 per day but once onboard if you buy it, it'd be like $25 per day or something along those lines. 

[colesc15]

I'm assuming my best "bang for my buck" would be doing a 10 day on Enchanted princess vs the 7 day on Sun princess? I get Sun Princess is brand new but if I were paying, the price is much cheaper than the 7 nighter on Sun. 

 

The offer includes up to 10 nights on caribbean, Alaska, Canada/New England. We seem to have narrowed it to the 7 night on Enchanted to Canada, or one of the 10 night caribbean cruises on enchanted, or the 7 night caribbean on Sun princess. 

[karatemom2]

Obviously I can't speak to the Sun, but I'm sure it will be amazing. I can say the Enchanted Princess is a beautiful ship and you would definitely not be disappointed.

 

In terms of purchasing in advance, the only things we have noted get more expensive if you wait are shore excursions. The other prices for things like WiFi or packages are the same whether you purchase in advance or wait until you are onboard, assuming there is no overall price increase between now and when you sail which seems unlikely given they just raised the WiFi prices so doubtful they will do it again any time soon. Who knows on the packages? It seems the prices have remained consistent.

 

But, there isn't a penalty you pay for waiting to purchase once you are onboard.

[colesc15]

1 hour ago, Rick&Jeannie said:

1) Yes...even when boarding the ship

2) Everybody's "math" is different as to whether it is a good deal for them...highly depends on whether you are a drinker.

 

We always book at *minimum* the Plus fare.  I'm always going to get wifi, we are not *huge* drinkers...but we usually get a couple per day, and of course crew gratuities are included.  We just find it's easier (for us, our opinion) to "roll it all into a package deal".  If you're *not* a drinker...that would severely impact the value.

We're used to 5 free drinks per person per day on Royal and unlimited alcohol in the casino, so I'm thinking the plus is almost a must. We get a bunch or onboard credit with this offer, so I'm almost leaning towards waiting to book the plus package until onboard to use the obc since from what it sounds like, it's the same price onboard as it is precruise 

[jagoffee]

26 minutes ago, colesc15 said:

We're used to 5 free drinks per person per day on Royal and unlimited alcohol in the casino, so I'm thinking the plus is almost a must. We get a bunch or onboard credit with this offer, so I'm almost leaning towards waiting to book the plus package until onboard to use the obc since from what it sounds like, it's the same price onboard as it is precruise 

Perfect plan IMO.  

[Rick&Jeannie]

42 minutes ago, colesc15 said:

 so I'm almost leaning towards waiting to book the plus package until onboard to use the obc since from what it sounds like, it's the same price onboard as it is precruise 

Yes, same price 

[colesc15]

7 minutes ago, Rick&Jeannie said:

Yes, same price 

Excellent. One of the weird caveats of this casino booking is we pay the port fees and taxes which is normal, but then we pay a $200 per person deposit which we get refunded at obc once onboard, so use that to go towards the plus package because if I buy it before we board, the $400 obc will likely just sit since everything was prepaid. 

[reedprincess]

1 hour ago, colesc15 said:

Is it safe to assume Princess is like Royal when it comes to making purchases online before the cruise being considerably cheaper than the price once onboard? For example, wifi on Royal via the cruise planner is usually like $20 per day but once onboard if you buy it, it'd be like $25 per day or something along those lines. 

Nope, not like Royal.

On Princess, same price in advance as aboard, for virtually everything, including spa treatments (although there are "specials" aboard for spa)

Plus Cruise Package is $60 per night whether in advance or aboard.

 

You may or may not get a few free drinks in the casino, but don't count on it. You won't get 4 automatically like Royal, etc. 

 

Plus Cruise Package is $60usd pp per night:

$16 per person per night for crew appreciation (daily service charge)

$24.99 per night for one device WiFi (one device at a time)

That's $41usd per night for gratuity and WiFi alone, per person. Of course, if you decide to share the WiFi between you, that brings it down a bit..

 

At $60 -41= $19.  That $19 covers drinks including specialty coffees, bottles of water, any booze, etc, plus any room service($5 per order when ordered by room phone).or Ocean Now delivery (one time $14.99 activation without a package), premium desserts, and a portion of it covers the 2 casual dining meals and exercise classes (2 per Plus Cruise Package), plus medallion shipping ($10 without a package).

 

If the math works for you, go for it. Buy aboard if you have any OBC.. you also get a $10 OBC credit buying aboard for the medallion shipping you didn't use in advance.. 

 

 

[karatemom2]

35 minutes ago, colesc15 said:

Excellent. One of the weird caveats of this casino booking is we pay the port fees and taxes which is normal, but then we pay a $200 per person deposit which we get refunded at obc once onboard, so use that to go towards the plus package because if I buy it before we board, the $400 obc will likely just sit since everything was prepaid. 

 

Yes, the deposit transitioning to onboard credit is only a benefit if you can use it up and it is a really smart decision to wait and apply it to your package purchase since once you have that, your onboard expenses will likely be very minimal. If you paid for the package in advance, you might have a hard time using up your credit onboard, especially if your host provides you with some additional perks which I'm betting they will. Of course, you can always cash it in and gamble it! Maybe turn it into even bigger bucks! (Spoken as the wife of a dedicated gambler who very much enjoys the cruising perks it offers!)

[colesc15]

5 minutes ago, reedprincess said:

Nope, not like Royal.

On Princess, same price in advance as aboard, for virtually everything, including spa treatments (although there are "specials" aboard for spa)

Plus Cruise Package is $60 per night whether in advance or aboard.

 

You may or may not get a few free drinks in the casino, but don't count on it. You won't get 4 automatically like Royal, etc. 

 

Plus Cruise Package is $60usd pp per night:

$16 per person per night for crew appreciation (daily service charge)

$24.99 per night for one device WiFi (one device at a time)

That's $41usd per night for gratuity and WiFi alone, per person. Of course, if you decide to share the WiFi between you, that brings it down a bit..

 

At $60 -41= $19.  That $19 covers drinks including specialty coffees, bottles of water, any booze, etc, plus any room service($5 per order when ordered by room phone).or Ocean Now delivery (one time $14.99 activation without a package), premium desserts, and a portion of it covers the 2 casual dining meals and exercise classes (2 per Plus Cruise Package), plus medallion shipping ($10 without a package).

 

If the math works for you, go for it. Buy aboard if you have any OBC.. you also get a $10 OBC credit buying aboard for the medallion shipping you didn't use in advance.. 

 

 

Thanks for the breakdown! Maybe a silly question, but what is "premium desserts"? Basically fancier desserts in the main dining room or? And what is meant by "2 casual dining meals"? Thanks! So much new terminology after only knowing Royal. 

[colesc15]

1 minute ago, karatemom2 said:

 

Yes, the deposit transitioning to onboard credit is only a benefit if you can use it up and it is a really smart decision to wait and apply it to your package purchase since once you have that, your onboard expenses will likely be very minimal. If you paid for the package in advance, you might have a hard time using up your credit onboard, especially if your host provides you with some additional perks which I'm betting they will. Of course, you can always cash it in and gamble it! Maybe turn it into even bigger bucks! (Spoken as the wife of a dedicated gambler who very much enjoys the cruising perks it offers!)

Amen to that! We have I think 8 upcoming Royal cruises through their casino program comped so figured might as well take advantage to see the differences in Princess. I'm sure we'll like some stuff and miss some stuff. Also trying a comped sailing on Carnival later this year on Mardi Gras to experience that as well 

[Rick&Jeannie]

47 minutes ago, colesc15 said:

Excellent. One of the weird caveats of this casino booking is we pay the port fees and taxes which is normal, but then we pay a $200 per person deposit which we get refunded at obc once onboard, so use that to go towards the plus package because if I buy it before we board, the $400 obc will likely just sit since everything was prepaid. 

Huh...on all my cruises, if I have any OBC it gets sucked out of my pocket when I walk through the casino...

[colesc15]

18 minutes ago, Rick&Jeannie said:

Huh...on all my cruises, if I have any OBC it gets sucked out of my pocket when I walk through the casino...

Good point. Casino gets me every time 

[Host CJSKIDS]

2 hours ago, Joe Gib said:

Don’t do it. We were booked on Sun Princess. Learned they had cancelled the inaugural and we spoke to them 9 days from embarkation and were assured that we didn’t need a plan B. They dumped us three days before embarkation, customer service is nowhere to be found. They won’t make a refund for three weeks, and won’t issue the promised future cruise credit for three weeks. So even if they were to find another cruise to put us on, we would need to pay full fare and wait for our refund. Go with Celebrity or Oceania, both have been really good to us in the past. 

 
didn't the people who got canceled in the first cruise get their refund within days as well as the future cruise credit? 
 

sorry your cruise was canceled. 

[ccqueenanne]

1 hour ago, colesc15 said:

Thanks for the breakdown! Maybe a silly question, but what is "premium desserts"? Basically fancier desserts in the main dining room or? And what is meant by "2 casual dining meals"? Thanks! So much new terminology after only knowing Royal. 

 

Premium desserts are crazy sundaes loaded up with cake and candy on top - from the ice cream shop. There are also a few (very large) slices of cake as options. So - giant snack desserts that you'd eat between meals.

 

There are some no-reservation restaurants with a la carte menus (think sushi, or pizza, or gastro pub). They each also have a $14.99 pre fixe menu, and Plus includes two of those $14.99 menus. For example, at the pizza restaurant, it'll include an app, a pizza and a dessert (per person). 

[memoak]

2 hours ago, colesc15 said:

Excellent. One of the weird caveats of this casino booking is we pay the port fees and taxes which is normal, but then we pay a $200 per person deposit which we get refunded at obc once onboard, so use that to go towards the plus package because if I buy it before we board, the $400 obc will likely just sit since everything was prepaid. 

It’s not weird that is how casino deals work on Princess

[memoak]

1 hour ago, karatemom2 said:

 

Yes, the deposit transitioning to onboard credit is only a benefit if you can use it up and it is a really smart decision to wait and apply it to your package purchase since once you have that, your onboard expenses will likely be very minimal. If you paid for the package in advance, you might have a hard time using up your credit onboard, especially if your host provides you with some additional perks which I'm betting they will. Of course, you can always cash it in and gamble it! Maybe turn it into even bigger bucks! (Spoken as the wife of a dedicated gambler who very much enjoys the cruising perks it offers!)

It is never hard to use up $200 in  OBC. Lol

[Rick&Jeannie]

10 minutes ago, memoak said:

It is never hard to use up $200 in  OBC. Lol

I always thought that was the price to rent one of the casino stools....

[colesc15]

7 minutes ago, Rick&Jeannie said:

I always thought that was the price to rent one of the casino stools....

Price fluctuates depending on the night and luck 😂

[IndyKid]

@colesc15, my wife and I were in the same boat as you, we had only sailed with RCI before trying Princess. We enjoyed it immensely, and RCI doesn't offer a package that bundles everything together that we want (wifi, gratuities, drinks) so it was a no-brainer. We won't be going back to RCI, especially on their huge, floating amusement parks. From now on we're sticking with the Sea Witch...