Your ultimate guide to cruise adventures. Discover amazing destinations, find the perfect cruise, and create unforgettable memories on the high seas.
© 2026 cruisebite.com All rights reserved. | Privacy Policy | Terms of Service
Planning a Princess Cruises vacation is easier when you know exactly what your cruise fare covers before you book. The Princess Cruises ticket price generally includes your stateroom, transportation between ports, many meals, entertainment, onboard activities and access to a wide range of ship facilities.
However, a standard cruise fare is not the same as an all-inclusive vacation package. Some popular services and experiences—such as alcoholic beverages, specialty dining, shore excursions, Wi-Fi, spa treatments and certain personal services—may cost extra.
Princess also offers enhanced packages such as Princess Plus and Princess Premier, which bundle additional benefits into the fare. Because inclusions can vary by package, ship, itinerary and booking terms, it is important to check what is attached to your specific reservation.
This guide explains what is normally included in the Princess Cruises ticket price, what usually costs extra and how to understand the total cost of your cruise.
A standard Princess cruise fare generally includes:
The exact inclusions depend on the ship, itinerary, fare type and package selected.
Princess describes its standard cruise experience as including accommodation, meals, entertainment, games, activities and many onboard amenities. The cruise line also emphasizes that additional expenses can apply to items such as airfare, excursions, alcoholic beverages, spa treatments and casino play.
One of the most important parts of the Princess Cruises ticket price is your accommodation.
Your cruise fare covers the stateroom category you selected when making your reservation. Depending on your booking, this could be an:
Your room provides your base accommodation throughout the cruise. It is serviced by the ship's housekeeping team, with standard amenities provided according to the stateroom category.
The price can vary significantly depending on the location and type of room. A balcony or suite will normally cost more than an interior room because it offers additional space or features.
Some higher-level accommodations come with additional benefits.
For example, Princess states that selected suites can include enhanced services and amenities, while certain premium accommodation collections can include additional dining, beverage, Wi-Fi and delivery benefits.
Therefore, do not assume every stateroom receives the same extras. Check the benefits attached to your particular cabin category.
Your cruise fare covers transportation aboard the Princess ship between the ports included in your itinerary.
This is one reason cruise pricing can be different from a traditional hotel vacation. Your accommodation and transportation between scheduled cruise ports are combined into one fare.
However, transportation to and from the cruise port is normally a separate consideration.
Not automatically in a standard cruise fare.
Airfare may be offered as part of a particular promotion, package or cruise-tour arrangement, but you should not assume that flights are included simply because you purchased a Princess cruise.
If you are flying to your embarkation port, calculate airfare, airport transportation and possible hotel costs separately unless your booking specifically states otherwise.
Food is one of the biggest benefits included in the Princess Cruises ticket price.
Princess states that meals in its main dining rooms are included with the cruise fare. Guests can enjoy breakfast, lunch and dinner options depending on the restaurant's schedule and itinerary.
Main dining typically provides a more traditional sit-down restaurant experience, with menus offering multiple choices.
You can also find complimentary casual food options around the ship.
Depending on the ship, examples can include:
Food venues and operating hours vary by ship.
No.
Princess has specialty restaurants and other premium dining experiences that may have additional charges.
Examples of specialty or experiential dining can include restaurants such as Crown Grill, Sabatini's Italian Trattoria and The Catch by Rudi, depending on the ship.
A specialty dining charge may apply unless the meal is covered by a package or promotional benefit.
This is an important distinction when calculating your cruise budget: many meals are included, but not every restaurant or dining experience is automatically included in the basic fare.
You do not have to purchase a separate meal every time you want something to eat.
Princess ships offer a variety of complimentary food options throughout the day. Depending on the ship, these can include buffet meals, pizza, burgers, desserts, ice cream and other casual selections.
This can be particularly useful for families because there are multiple opportunities to eat without paying an additional restaurant charge.
Some newer ships and venues have different dining concepts, so available food outlets can vary.
The standard Princess cruise fare includes certain beverages served as part of regular dining and complimentary food service.
However, the word "beverages" can be misleading because not every drink is automatically free.
Premium coffees, specialty drinks, bottled water, soft drinks and alcoholic beverages may have separate charges unless they are covered by a beverage package or another promotion.
For example, Princess Plus and Princess Premier include broader beverage benefits than the standard fare.
Generally, no.
Beer, wine, spirits and cocktails are not normally part of the standard cruise fare.
If you want alcoholic drinks throughout your cruise, you can purchase beverages individually or consider an applicable beverage package.
Entertainment is another major part of the Princess cruise experience.
The standard fare includes most onboard entertainment, although some specific experiences can carry an additional fee.
Depending on the ship and itinerary, entertainment can include:
Princess describes its onboard experience as offering a broad range of entertainment and activities.
Schedules vary according to the ship and sailing, so check your onboard schedule or app for the latest information during your cruise.
Your Princess cruise fare is not simply payment for a room and meals.
Many activities are available without an additional charge.
Examples may include:
Some specialized activities, classes, workshops or experiences may have additional charges.
This is why it is useful to check the daily schedule rather than assuming every activity is either free or paid.
Access to many standard ship facilities is included in the cruise fare.
Depending on your Princess ship, these can include:
However, some premium recreational experiences may cost extra.
For example, spa treatments and certain spa facilities are not automatically included in the standard cruise fare.
Families often want to know whether children have activities available without paying for every individual event.
Princess provides children's and youth programming on applicable ships, including age-appropriate activities and supervised spaces.
The cruise line describes dedicated kids clubs and family-friendly environments as part of its onboard experience.
However, parents should check the specific ship and sailing because children's facilities, age requirements, operating hours and individual activities can differ.
Baby food, formula and certain child-related services should also not be assumed to be included simply because children's meals are available.
Your standard stateroom service is part of the cruise experience.
Princess provides housekeeping services and standard stateroom amenities. Depending on the room category and sailing, additional amenities may also be available.
Princess notes that items such as shampoo, conditioner and body lotion are provided in staterooms, while other services and premium amenities can vary by accommodation type.
Requests or services outside standard housekeeping may have additional costs.
When looking at the Princess Cruises ticket price, pay close attention to how the quoted price is displayed.
Princess documentation states that applicable cruise fares can include taxes, fees and port expenses, depending on the applicable booking terms.
This means you should compare the total price payable, rather than looking only at the advertised starting fare.
Before paying a deposit, review:
The final amount can be different from the headline price you first see.
Understanding exclusions is just as important as understanding inclusions.
Common expenses that may not be included in a standard fare include:
The exact treatment can depend on your package and booking.
Usually, shore excursions are an additional expense with a standard cruise fare.
Princess offers excursions in many ports, covering categories such as sightseeing, culture, history, adventure, nature and wildlife.
You can book excursions through Princess before your cruise or through onboard services.
Because excursion prices vary substantially, it is sensible to create a separate excursion budget.
For example, walking around a port independently may cost little, while a guided tour, wildlife experience or transportation-based excursion can cost considerably more.
Standard cruise fares do not necessarily include the same Wi-Fi benefits provided by Princess Plus or Princess Premier.
Princess offers MedallionNet Wi-Fi, with package options depending on your booking.
For 2026 sailings, Princess Plus and Princess Premier offer Wi-Fi benefits, with the number of devices depending on the package.
Guests booking a standard fare may purchase Wi-Fi separately.
If internet access is important to you, check the package details before booking rather than assuming Wi-Fi is included.
This is one of the most important details to check when calculating your total cruise cost.
Princess calls its onboard gratuity system Crew Appreciation. For applicable standard bookings, it is generally added to the onboard account based on the stateroom category.
Princess currently lists the daily Crew Appreciation amounts as:
These amounts are listed in U.S. dollars, with different arrangements applying to Australia and New Zealand residents.
If Crew Appreciation is included through an applicable Princess Plus or Princess Premier package, Princess says the amount is bundled into the fare.
Always check your booking confirmation because package benefits and regional conditions can affect how this charge is handled.
Princess Plus is an upgraded package designed to bundle additional benefits with the cruise fare.
For 2026 sailings, Princess lists benefits that can include:
Princess states that, effective January 14, 2026, Princess Plus includes four casual dining meals per guest per voyage.
The exact benefits can depend on when the package was purchased, the sailing date and the ship.
Therefore, always check the package terms associated with your reservation.
Princess Premier provides a broader collection of bundled benefits.
For eligible 2026 sailings, Princess lists benefits such as:
Princess currently states that the Premier Beverage Package covers qualifying beer, spirits, wine by the glass and cocktails up to the applicable package limit, together with several non-alcoholic beverages.
The exact package terms and prices can change, so check Princess' current package page before purchasing.
| Feature | Standard Cruise Fare | Princess Plus | Princess Premier |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stateroom | Included | Included | Included |
| Main meals | Included | Included | Included |
| Most entertainment | Included | Included | Included |
| Many onboard activities | Included | Included | Included |
| Standard complimentary food | Included | Included | Included |
| Alcoholic beverages | Usually extra | Included within package limits | Included within package limits |
| Wi-Fi | Usually extra | Included according to package | Included according to package |
| Crew Appreciation | Usually additional | Included | Included |
| Casual dining | Selected complimentary options | Package allowance | Package allowance |
| Specialty dining | Usually extra | Not generally included as standard | Included according to package |
| Shore excursion credit | Not standard | Not standard | Package benefit on eligible bookings |
| OceanNow delivery | May have fee | Included | Included |
Package rules can change, and some ships or bookings may have different terms. Princess specifically notes that package benefits can differ for Sun Princess and Star Princess, so check the conditions for your sailing.
The easiest way to avoid unexpected charges is to check your booking before sailing.
Your confirmation should identify the fare or package attached to your reservation.
Look for terms such as:
Look at the total amount rather than only the advertised base fare.
Check whether taxes, fees and port expenses are already included in the displayed amount.
If your reservation includes Princess Plus or Princess Premier, review the specific benefits attached to your sailing.
Do not rely on an older Princess package description because package benefits have changed over time.
Estimate spending on:
This gives you a much more realistic picture of the total vacation cost.
There is no single amount that works for every Princess passenger.
A traveler who mainly enjoys included dining, entertainment and ship activities may spend relatively little beyond the cruise fare.
Another traveler may spend significantly more on excursions, specialty restaurants, drinks, spa treatments and shopping.
Your personal spending budget should therefore depend on how you plan to use the ship.
Start with your cruise fare and then add:
Cruise fare + travel to port + hotel if needed + excursions + drinks + specialty dining + Wi-Fi + personal spending + travel protection = estimated vacation cost
This approach is more useful than assuming that the advertised cruise fare represents your complete vacation expense.
No. A standard Princess cruise fare should not automatically be treated as an all-inclusive package.
The fare covers a substantial part of the cruise experience, including your accommodation, transportation between scheduled cruise ports, many meals, most entertainment and numerous activities.
But optional expenses can add considerably to the final cost.
If you want a more inclusive experience, Princess Plus or Princess Premier may bundle additional benefits into the price.
Whether one of those packages makes sense depends on how much you expect to use the included drinks, Wi-Fi, dining and other benefits.
You do not need to pay for specialty dining every night.
Main dining rooms and other complimentary food venues provide plenty of choices.
Many activities and entertainment options are already part of your cruise fare.
Review the schedule so you know what is available before paying for additional activities.
If you are considering drinks, Wi-Fi and specialty dining, calculate the individual prices first.
Then compare them with the current Princess Plus or Premier package available for your sailing.
You do not need to purchase an excursion in every port.
Some travelers prefer guided tours, while others explore independently or spend the day enjoying the ship.
Review your onboard charges regularly.
This can help you catch unexpected purchases early rather than discovering them at the end of the cruise.
Yes. Many meals and snacks are included in the standard cruise fare. Main dining rooms and selected casual dining venues are complimentary, while some specialty restaurants and premium dining experiences cost extra.
Some complimentary beverages are available with the standard fare, but alcoholic beverages and many premium drinks are not normally included. Beverage packages can provide broader drink coverage.
Wi-Fi is not necessarily included in the standard fare. Princess Plus and Princess Premier provide Wi-Fi benefits under their respective package terms, while standard-fare guests can purchase Wi-Fi separately.
Generally, shore excursions are not included in the standard cruise fare. They are optional purchases and can be booked through Princess before or during the cruise.
It depends on your fare and package. Standard bookings generally have Crew Appreciation added to the onboard account, while applicable Princess Plus and Princess Premier packages can include Crew Appreciation in the bundled fare.
Specialty dining is generally an additional charge with a standard cruise fare. Princess Premier includes specialty dining benefits according to the applicable package terms.
Most onboard entertainment is included. Some specialized activities, workshops or premium experiences may have additional charges.
Access to standard ship pools and many recreational areas is generally included in the cruise fare. Certain premium spa or specialty facilities may require an additional payment.
Princess offers children's and youth programming on applicable ships, with age-appropriate activities and supervised environments. Specific facilities, ages and services vary by ship.
Not normally. Airfare is generally separate unless your particular booking, promotion or cruise-tour arrangement specifically includes it.
Princess booking terms can include applicable taxes, fees and port expenses in the cruise price. Always review the price breakdown associated with your specific reservation.
Some room-service options and delivery services can have different charges depending on the order and whether you have Princess Plus or Princess Premier. Breakfast ordered through the traditional stateroom delivery method remains complimentary according to Princess' current package FAQ.
Both packages add benefits beyond the standard cruise fare. Princess Premier provides a broader package, including benefits such as unlimited specialty and casual dining, expanded beverage coverage, Wi-Fi and other inclusions, while Princess Plus provides a more limited bundle.
The Princess Cruises ticket price covers much more than simply a cabin. A standard cruise fare generally gives you accommodation, transportation between scheduled ports, many meals, most entertainment, numerous onboard activities and access to many ship facilities.
The key is understanding what is not included.
Alcoholic beverages, specialty dining, shore excursions, Wi-Fi, spa treatments, airfare and other personal expenses can increase the final cost. Crew Appreciation can also affect your onboard spending unless it is already included through an applicable package.
For travelers who want more expenses bundled into one price, Princess Plus and Princess Premier can add benefits such as beverages, Wi-Fi, dining and other services. However, the right choice depends on the specific benefits you expect to use.
Before booking, compare the complete fare details, package benefits and exclusions for your exact sailing. That will give you a much clearer picture of what your Princess cruise will actually cost and help you avoid surprises once you are onboard.
Recent Guide
Your ultimate guide to cruise adventures. Discover amazing destinations, find the perfect cruise, and create unforgettable memories on the high seas.
© 2026 cruisebite.com All rights reserved. | Privacy Policy | Terms of Service
