Questions regarding Premier/Plus and related re :suite travel ??

[Luckybee]

Hello all

 

I had planned my first Princess cruise for next month but unfortunately Im dealing with a stress fracture so my cruise will be in Feb/25 instead on the Enchanted princess for a 10 day Caribbean cruise in a aft penthouse. I have booked through a casino promo and have only had to pay port taxe .

 

I am trying to determine whether to add plus or premier to my booking and after having crunched the numbers I've decided cost wise its a few hundred $ with or without or one way or another , so I wont bother unless it is worthwhile from a convenience perspective.  I tend to not like all inclusives but rather just ordering what I want and paying as I go......So, if I order a glass or two of wine with dinner or soda by the pool, as an example does it take longer if paying as you go ? Do you have to clear accts more ? More errors with/without ? In other words does it simplify things more if I have a package ? Im mainly concerned with reducing annoyance and not about the cost differential since I dont think its enough savings with a package for me to bother unless there is a more intrinsic benefit. Im the type of person on my normal land based holidays who will book all of my restaurants in advance before I travel so that I dont have to think while on holidays lol.

 

I will be booking an internet package if I dont get the premier or plus( I've sort of concluded that if I do go for the "all in package" I should go for the premier because the wines I would want would all be over the first limit)...and I will be booking mainly specialty and casual dining whether I have a package or not. Opinions pls ?

[Luckybee]

I forgot to add, does it matter in terms of convenience that I'm in a suite? On other cruise lines I've been on the service is vastly improved in some suite categories. Im sort of getting the impression there is no real difference with Princess in terms of service?

[suzyed]

33 minutes ago, Luckybee said:

I forgot to add, does it matter in terms of convenience that I'm in a suite? On other cruise lines I've been on the service is vastly improved in some suite categories. Im sort of getting the impression there is no real difference with Princess in terms of service?

Pros and cons to both of them. Both packages will include the WIFI and Gratuities, up to 15 alcohol drinks per day, unlimited specialty coffees and teas, soft drinks, bottles of water, etc.  If you enjoy the specialty dining and do several per cruise you will get one free on the first night as a suite perk, and two free with the package.  If you like to dine at the casual dining venues, you will get  two with the Plus and unlimited with Premier.  Wines by the glass up to $15 with Plus and $20 with Premier.  With Plus if you order a glass of wine over the $15 you will just pay the difference +18% service charge. ($17 glass will cost you $2 plus 18%)  You get the same 25% discount on bottles of wine with both packages. 
Premier package is $20/pp/day more than the Plus but you get other freebies not included in the Plus package.  You will just have to weigh the benefits and choose.  If it were I, and I was getting a free cruise, I might spring for the Premier Package.

Edited March 23 by suzyed

[Luckybee]

Thanks

Its not really about the cost that Im considering but rather does having the package improve or lessen the service.or be more convenient ? 

I've been to resorts where I have seen those on the AI package get ignored by bartenders etc where those on pay as you go get treated better becuase they are hustling for tips. Or alternatively if you are on AI then you dont have to worry about the bill etc but those paying as they go are waiting around.

What is Princess like for this ? Other than the cost what are the pros and cons for either choice with Princess ?

[Luckybee]

And lol....it is only "free" until I get in the casino :)

[suzyed]

1 minute ago, Luckybee said:

Thanks

Its not really about the cost that Im considering but rather does having the package improve or lessen the service.or be more convenient ? 

I've been to resorts where I have seen those on the AI package get ignored by bartenders etc where those on pay as you go get treated better becuase they are hustling for tips. Or alternatively if you are on AI then you dont have to worry about the bill etc but those paying as they go are waiting around.

What is Princess like for this ? Other than the cost what are the pros and cons for either choice with Princess ?

I have never seen a difference in service based on what package you have.

 

[suzyed]

1 minute ago, Luckybee said:

And lol....it is only "free" until I get in the casino 🙂

But you would be spending it there even if it wasn't free! 

[Luckybee]

2 minutes ago, suzyed said:

But you would be spending it there even if it wasn't free! 

 Thanks for the responses !

It would probably be a a different casino though and likely on land. I just couldnt say no to this offer :)

[memoak]

Good gawd

[Luckybee]

11 minutes ago, memoak said:

Good gawd

Sorry ? I dont understand the comment.

[cr8tiv1]

I will book Plus on a longer than 7 day voyage for the convenience.  
 

In a suite, you will get a minibar that you can exchange out for like (alcohol/alcohol, soda/soda, all soda, or a cheap bottle of wine).  Plus you get 2 bottles of water a night.  At breakfast, you can order most specialty coffees.  If that is enough for you, you won’t need a package.  

The difference between separately purchasing Medallion Net plus crew appreciation and Plus is a couple of drinks. 

[memoak]

17 minutes ago, cr8tiv1 said:

I will book Plus on a longer than 7 day voyage for the convenience.  
 

In a suite, you will get a minibar that you can exchange out for like (alcohol/alcohol, soda/soda, all soda, or a cheap bottle of wine).  Plus you get 2 bottles of water a night.  At breakfast, you can order most specialty coffees.  If that is enough for you, you won’t need a package.  

The difference between separately purchasing Medallion Net plus crew appreciation and Plus is a couple of drinks. 

Your couple of drinks for me is. 6-8. Have to have the plus package 

[reedprincess]

2 hours ago, Luckybee said:

Thanks

Its not really about the cost that Im considering but rather does having the package improve or lessen the service.or be more convenient ? 

I've been to resorts where I have seen those on the AI package get ignored by bartenders etc where those on pay as you go get treated better becuase they are hustling for tips. Or alternatively if you are on AI then you dont have to worry about the bill etc but those paying as they go are waiting around.

What is Princess like for this ? Other than the cost what are the pros and cons for either choice with Princess ?

There is zero difference between one with a package and one without when it comes to service... No difference at all.

And no difference on service at any bar or restaurant when it comes to being in a suite. Bartenders don't care what cabin you're in - they're making your drink regardless and wait staff are friendly and helpful regardless of cabin type.

 

With your suite, you'll get your minibar set-up - 8 minis of booze, 2 beers, 2 flat and 2 sparkling water and 6 sodas. You can read like for like, or all for soda or water or all for a bottle of wine.

You'll have the Concierge Lounge which will have an hour or two of included alcohol drinks in the evening, plus specialty coffees, water and sodas 24/7

You'll have the specialty breakfast with unlimited mimosas and specialty coffees.

 

After that - it's either pay as you go for drinks, or buy either a beverage package or the cruise package.

If you're going to be buying a WiFi package and paying crew appreciation - you're already at $43usd pp per night.  It's a small leap to $60 - 2 cocktails or 1 glasses of wine and a bottle of water or similar.  (Average cocktail runs $12-15).   Order room service once and voila - you're very covered for plus. Or use Ocean Now once or twice and bam, you're very covered with Plus, and darn close to Premium - even before any specialty or casual dining, Princess Prizes, photos, medallion shipping, desserts, juice bar, etc.. 

Something to consider.

 

When it comes to service though - makes no difference what kind of Stateroom you're in or whether you have a package or not.  

And yes, monitor your account whether you have a package or not, mistakes do happen..

 

Happy sails...