When is a drinks package not a drinks package?
When it’s a Princess Cruises Princess Premier or Princess Plus package that rolls in specialty dining, wi-fi and other inclusions.
The last time I cruised was about a decade ago, when adding wi-fi cost a fortune, so was a low priority. I settled for using my phone only on shore days.
During my eight nights aboard the Discovery Princess on its maiden season Down Under, I am testing the Princess Premier package, valued at $129 per person, per day.
This includes unlimited cocktails, wine, beer, spirits, fountain soft drinks and mocktails up to $30 each.
Also included are unlimited specialty coffees and teas, and up to a dozen 500ml bottles of water per day.
As someone who doesn’t drink alcohol, where I get the most value is from the wi-fi as I try to catch up on work and emails every other day.
Wi-fi is included for up to four devices per guest, meaning I can happily browse, stream or chat from my iPhone and laptop, plus my iPad should I need to.
MedallionNet Max is fast and stable, utilising Starlink satellites for high-performance connectivity.
This package has other inclusions such as $300 towards shore excursions, unlimited digital photos taken by onboard photographers, and reserved seating in theatrical performances.
For foodies, the best part of this package is unlimited specialty dining at locations including Crown Grill and Bar, The Catch by Rudi and Sabatini’s Italian Trattoria. Without a package, these restaurants generally cost $80 per person for a three-course meal, not including drinks. At $18, some of the mocktails are more expensive than beer or wine
The next package down, Princess Plus, is $79 per person per day including 15 drinks per day up to the cost of $22 each, and wi-fi for one device on MedallionNet Classic.
This package also includes four casual meals per day at locations such as Gigi’s Pizzeria and O’Malley’s Irish Pub, whereas they are uncapped with the Premier Package.
With or without a package, passengers get unlimited meals at the free dining venues including the World Fresh Marketplace buffet, Slice pizzeria and the main dining rooms.
Digging around the Princess website, I discover a $45 a day, zero-alcohol package that also includes specialty coffees and teas, and a classic soda package for $23 a day.
Wi-fi-only packages using MedallionNet Classic costs $45.99 per device per day for the voyage, $55.99 for a single day for one device, $84.99 per day for four devices for the voyage, or $99.99 for a single day for up to four devices.
About half of most Princess passengers buy a package, possibly just to avoid all the maths I am doing.
Adding a Princess Premier package to a 14-day cruise will cost an extra $1806 per person, which depending on your stateroom class, could be an extra 40 per cent on top of your holiday.
However, your holiday will be care and calculator free as you wander the ship letting the cash-free MedallionNet technology track your orders.
I have been warned that frozen yoghurt costs extra at the gelato shop. And I learn, so does the slice of specialty red velvet cake. For $10, I should have stuck to the free cakes at International Cafe.
As someone who drinks a lot of water, two barista coffees a day, enjoys a cup of tea and needs to be online, I could probably get away with the zero alcohol package and wi-fFi for five sea days, costing about $909.95.
Adding two specialty dining meals brings it to $1069.95 Or I could spring for one device wi-fi for all 14 days, try to keep my drink spend to $25 a day and just one specialty meal, for about $1073.
During a British theme lunch in one of the main dining rooms, I am seated next to an Australian couple, regular cruisers who rarely take a package unless travelling with friends.
They aren’t fussed about the specialty dining and are happy to pay for the occasional drink. They’re also happy to have a break from the internet while on holidays. I want to be them.
My best advice before booking a package is work out your budget, peruse sample menus for specialty dining and figure out how many meals you will miss if you leave the ship on shore days. If in doubt, consult a Princess specialist or your travel agent.
+ Sue Yeap was a guest of Princess Cruises which has not influenced this story, or read it before publication.
princess.com/en-au
