We must be on the same wave lengths as we're literally about to book a Princess cruise and these are the exact questions we're wondering about. Just discovered your channel last night and love how informative and well thought out your videos are. Some of the best laying out of information in a very complicated world of cruising. Great editing as well, these vids hold my attention through the whole length. Great work! Subscribed and hope you both keeping doing these videos as you're one of the best channels on YT.
We used to get the package when there was only one and it was for $40 a day. Wi-Fi, drinks w/ gratuities and daily gratuities. Easy peasy. Now they have expanded on that thought. We usually just get the Plus package for our 14-day cruises because we have enough OBC to cover a couple of specialty dining nights. Now we have booked a 54-day cruise, and we upgraded to the Premier package because our OBC on that cruise is about 1/2 of what we normally receive, and we do enjoy the specialty dining. With dinner's costing around $45 per customer now it seems pretty good. I enjoy both Sabatini's and the Crown Grill. As far as the drinking, I don't think that will change too much with us. I would like to try some of the higher quality cocktails that are in the Premier package. So, otherwise, the Plus package fits us. We have mostly cruised with Princess, and it fits us. Thanks for sharing!
We don't feel like a package is worth it. We've done the math for how we cruise and we'd have to drink A LOT to make it pay. I hope the unlimited specialty dining perk won't make it really difficult to get a reservation. Glad I already have my Crown Grille reservations for our cruise that begins on 9/7/24. Celebrating our 52nd anniversary on the Emerald Princess. Just discovered your channel a few weeks ago and I'm really enjoying your style. Your midwest post was hilarious. I'm a California girl but my parents and grandparents came here from Kansas so your midwest-isms were very familiar!
On 8/15/24 I booked a Baltics cruise in the Grand Suite on the Saphire Princess for July, 2026. That was the first day the new premiere package became available. I was not aware of the higher speed internet, so thanks for that info. We don't drink alcohol (diet cokes though), but it's still worth it with going from 2 to unlimited specialty dining. For non-suite cabins, those restaurants may be tougher to get reservations now.
I agree, the Premier is definitely worth it for the specialty dining. But I was thinking the same thing - will the specialty dining become “limited” because there aren’t enough reservations available? I guess time will tell.
Yes, already the specialty dining is limited on certain nights. We have a sanctuary balcony cruising on the sun princess in December. I don’t think it will be worth the extra $10/day if you can’t use that unlimited specialty dining.
It sounds like a great deal until you find out that most of the specialty dining restaurants are filled to capacity or there's nothing available until 9 PM.
The danger is the assumption that the specialty restaurants are opened for lunch. Unless they expand the specialty dining restaurants, open them longer and shorten the experience (from 120 minutes to 90 minutes), they would be hard pressed to serve that many guests. As a person who was on premier last month, the $10 cost per day is negligible but the perks are sure to backfire. I would rather have other perks that would make it seem exclusive like a mini spa session, a visit to the sanctuary or some casino freeplay or arcade credit for the kid. Last month, I decided to add the premier to my teenager so she wouldn't feel left out of the specialty dining and unlimited casual. I failed to see the value and it seems less of a value now with the updated price.
I have a question. Maybe I missed it. I got Premier and immediately made reservations at the specialty dining restaurants. When I did, a "cover charge" of $45 per person appeared, although my card was charged $0. When you did your analysis, you used a lower amount. Just that cover charge seemed to make it worth the price of Premier to me, unless that's not what people actually are charged. Your channel has taught me more in less time than anything else, cruise line web page included. Excellent videos!
Thanks, I’m so glad our videos have been helpful! The Specialty Dining price varies by ship and restaurant - and Princess reserves the right to change the price at any time. The least expensive charge currently is $39 (plus an 18% gratuity to make $46.02) . That’s for the steakhouse on some of the older ships. But I’ve seen that the steakhouse on the newer ships is more. And definitely the trendier places like Umai Teppanyaki will be more.
We just took a back-to-back in March and had no issues getting reservations while on board the ship for Crown Grill and Sabatini's. We would just book a day before or even the morning of.
I realize you point out different preferences for individuals have to be considered, however, big ones not considered. In example, how much time will be spent off ship. Depends on individual preference plus number of ports of call. If you are getting off ship at 8 am and touring around returning at say 4 pm you are not using any of your " perks " during those time frames. Spending day at pool you are unlikely to use casual interior dining or special dining most of day. Simply hitting buffet or poolside eatery location. People never seem to think about these unavailable or unlikely used perk times. A lot of factors make this a tremendous margin booster for line. Then one more thing coming up more and more. Finding someone to actually pour or deliver that drink. Limit amount of servers and bartenders a great margin enhancement for line. After all you have already paid for the drink. Finally now that we can all go to speciality dining will reservation and dinner ties be affected, service?
All great points! I would like to think that “limit amount of servers to reduce the number of drinks poured” is not a strategy that the cruise lines use, but you’re probably right 🫤. And yes, I think we’re all waiting to see if we can actually take advantage of this “unlimited” specialty dining, or if the reservations will become so booked it is impossible.
Hi, upgraded to the new premier because I wanted to be able to make reservations at the speciality restaurants for all seven nights. And when I did it without the upgrade, they charged me $90 after the first three reservations. The first night was free and then I had two free ones with my booking. I don’t know that will eat there every night, but I wanted the option. I figured with the new premier package, the reservations would fill up fast. We are in a suite, so we have access to the reserve dining room but I wasn’t that impressed with the food there on the cruise we just did to Alaska in August. Do you have any information on the 360 experimental Dining? Another video said we could eat there without incurring the $149 charge per person since we are in a suite.
Yes, that’s right, the 360 dining is included at no extra charge for suite guests. I haven’t had a chance to try it yet, but it certainly sounds like an amazing experience!
@@EmbraceToday-travel I called Princess to verify and apparently it used to be free to suite guests but now it is not. Please let me know if you find out differently. Thank you.
Can i decide which package to buy on embarkation day? If i do that i can use my included onboard credit. It makes a difference. And is there genuine champagne available on the premier package?
Yes, you can buy the package on embarkation day, and that’s a great strategy to use your onboard credit! As for champagne, yes, some types are available with Premier but some are extra. For instance, Cattier Brut Icone 19 was included on our cruise, but Veuve Clicquot Brut Yellow Label cost extra. Selection and price can vary by ship but I think you can count on at least some champagnes that are included with Premier on every sailing.
I am wondering how they will handle so many bookings for Specialty dining now that it's unlimited. People are not going to be happy if they paid extra for unlimited specialty dining and can't get a reservation. What's your thought?
Ha, yes, that’s what @SteveF777 just said too. In the past, it seems like the specialty dining generally wasn’t fully booked, at least on the older ships at the Crown Grill and Sabatini’s - I know the newer ships and more trendy restaurants can get booked. Maybe this is Princess’s way to maximize the space they’ve already dedicated to those restaurants? Theoretically Princess could limit the number of Premier packages they sell per sailing, to avoid over-promising on the specialty dining. I will withhold judgement for now!
Thanks for the analysis. However, since both guests are obligated to purchase a package I suggest that you double the price and then then make some assumptions about how each may take advantage of the individual offerings. For example, if one of the guests doesn't drink alcoholic beverages it would be hard to make a case to justify purchasing two packages. Or, heaven forbid one of the guests is dieting.
You’re right, you need to take into account your personal tastes, and that of your traveling companion, when deciding if a package is right for you. I could definitely do a 2-hour long video going through every permutation - but I don’t know who would watch that!
Our first (and last) pre pandemic cruise on Princess convinced us that we should never sail Princess again. From service, staff, dining, courtesy of the crew, boarding and entertainment were all below standard. When these deficiencies were shared with the staff, and finally corporate offices the reply was "We don't have to improve, there are a lot of cruisers out there." ( Princess a waste of space on the sea. We've been on many lines, none have ever been so bad)
We must be on the same wave lengths as we're literally about to book a Princess cruise and these are the exact questions we're wondering about. Just discovered your channel last night and love how informative and well thought out your videos are. Some of the best laying out of information in a very complicated world of cruising. Great editing as well, these vids hold my attention through the whole length. Great work! Subscribed and hope you both keeping doing these videos as you're one of the best channels on YT.
Aw, thanks so much for your kind words! We’re so glad you appreciate the videos.
We used to get the package when there was only one and it was for $40 a day. Wi-Fi, drinks w/ gratuities and daily gratuities. Easy peasy. Now they have expanded on that thought. We usually just get the Plus package for our 14-day cruises because we have enough OBC to cover a couple of specialty dining nights. Now we have booked a 54-day cruise, and we upgraded to the Premier package because our OBC on that cruise is about 1/2 of what we normally receive, and we do enjoy the specialty dining. With dinner's costing around $45 per customer now it seems pretty good. I enjoy both Sabatini's and the Crown Grill. As far as the drinking, I don't think that will change too much with us. I would like to try some of the higher quality cocktails that are in the Premier package. So, otherwise, the Plus package fits us. We have mostly cruised with Princess, and it fits us. Thanks for sharing!
We don't feel like a package is worth it. We've done the math for how we cruise and we'd have to drink A LOT to make it pay. I hope the unlimited specialty dining perk won't make it really difficult to get a reservation. Glad I already have my Crown Grille reservations for our cruise that begins on 9/7/24. Celebrating our 52nd anniversary on the Emerald Princess.
Just discovered your channel a few weeks ago and I'm really enjoying your style. Your midwest post was hilarious. I'm a California girl but my parents and grandparents came here from Kansas so your midwest-isms were very familiar!
Thanks! I'm glad you liked the midwestern video. I had fun with that one :) Congrats on your 52nd anniversary! I hope you have an amazing cruise.
On 8/15/24 I booked a Baltics cruise in the Grand Suite on the Saphire Princess for July, 2026. That was the first day the new premiere package became available. I was not aware of the higher speed internet, so thanks for that info. We don't drink alcohol (diet cokes though), but it's still worth it with going from 2 to unlimited specialty dining. For non-suite cabins, those restaurants may be tougher to get reservations now.
I agree, the Premier is definitely worth it for the specialty dining. But I was thinking the same thing - will the specialty dining become “limited” because there aren’t enough reservations available? I guess time will tell.
Yes, already the specialty dining is limited on certain nights. We have a sanctuary balcony cruising on the sun princess in December. I don’t think it will be worth the extra $10/day if you can’t use that unlimited specialty dining.
It sounds like a great deal until you find out that most of the specialty dining restaurants are filled to capacity or there's nothing available until 9 PM.
The danger is the assumption that the specialty restaurants are opened for lunch. Unless they expand the specialty dining restaurants, open them longer and shorten the experience (from 120 minutes to 90 minutes), they would be hard pressed to serve that many guests. As a person who was on premier last month, the $10 cost per day is negligible but the perks are sure to backfire. I would rather have other perks that would make it seem exclusive like a mini spa session, a visit to the sanctuary or some casino freeplay or arcade credit for the kid. Last month, I decided to add the premier to my teenager so she wouldn't feel left out of the specialty dining and unlimited casual. I failed to see the value and it seems less of a value now with the updated price.
I have a question. Maybe I missed it. I got Premier and immediately made reservations at the specialty dining restaurants. When I did, a "cover charge" of $45 per person appeared, although my card was charged $0. When you did your analysis, you used a lower amount. Just that cover charge seemed to make it worth the price of Premier to me, unless that's not what people actually are charged.
Your channel has taught me more in less time than anything else, cruise line web page included. Excellent videos!
Thanks, I’m so glad our videos have been helpful! The Specialty Dining price varies by ship and restaurant - and Princess reserves the right to change the price at any time. The least expensive charge currently is $39 (plus an 18% gratuity to make $46.02) . That’s for the steakhouse on some of the older ships. But I’ve seen that the steakhouse on the newer ships is more. And definitely the trendier places like Umai Teppanyaki will be more.
The problem is the specialty restaurants book up fast. If your cruise is just a few months away, you won’t get in.
We just took a back-to-back in March and had no issues getting reservations while on board the ship for Crown Grill and Sabatini's. We would just book a day before or even the morning of.
Can you book the specialty dining pre cruise or do you have to do it once onboard?
You can book pre-cruise through your Princess account. I think dinner reservations open up 90 days before your cruise.
I realize you point out different preferences for individuals have to be considered, however, big ones not considered. In example, how much time will be spent off ship. Depends on individual preference plus number of ports of call. If you are getting off ship at 8 am and touring around returning at say 4 pm you are not using any of your " perks
" during those time frames. Spending day at pool you are unlikely to use casual interior dining or special dining most of day. Simply hitting buffet or poolside eatery location. People never seem to think about these unavailable or unlikely used perk times. A lot of factors make this a tremendous margin booster for line. Then one more thing coming up more and more. Finding someone to actually pour or deliver that drink. Limit amount of servers and bartenders a great margin enhancement for line. After all you have already paid for the drink. Finally now that we can all go to speciality dining will reservation and dinner ties be affected, service?
All great points! I would like to think that “limit amount of servers to reduce the number of drinks poured” is not a strategy that the cruise lines use, but you’re probably right 🫤. And yes, I think we’re all waiting to see if we can actually take advantage of this “unlimited” specialty dining, or if the reservations will become so booked it is impossible.
Hi, upgraded to the new premier because I wanted to be able to make reservations at the speciality restaurants for all seven nights. And when I did it without the upgrade, they charged me $90 after the first three reservations. The first night was free and then I had two free ones with my booking. I don’t know that will eat there every night, but I wanted the option. I figured with the new premier package, the reservations would fill up fast. We are in a suite, so we have access to the reserve dining room but I wasn’t that impressed with the food there on the cruise we just did to Alaska in August. Do you have any information on the 360 experimental Dining? Another video said we could eat there without incurring the $149 charge per person since we are in a suite.
Yes, that’s right, the 360 dining is included at no extra charge for suite guests. I haven’t had a chance to try it yet, but it certainly sounds like an amazing experience!
@@EmbraceToday-travel I called Princess to verify and apparently it used to be free to suite guests but now it is not. Please let me know if you find out differently. Thank you.
Can i decide which package to buy on embarkation day? If i do that i can use my included onboard credit. It makes a difference. And is there genuine champagne available on the premier package?
Yes, you can buy the package on embarkation day, and that’s a great strategy to use your onboard credit! As for champagne, yes, some types are available with Premier but some are extra. For instance, Cattier Brut Icone 19 was included on our cruise, but Veuve Clicquot Brut Yellow Label cost extra. Selection and price can vary by ship but I think you can count on at least some champagnes that are included with Premier on every sailing.
I am wondering how they will handle so many bookings for Specialty dining now that it's unlimited. People are not going to be happy if they paid extra for unlimited specialty dining and can't get a reservation. What's your thought?
Ha, yes, that’s what @SteveF777 just said too. In the past, it seems like the specialty dining generally wasn’t fully booked, at least on the older ships at the Crown Grill and Sabatini’s - I know the newer ships and more trendy restaurants can get booked. Maybe this is Princess’s way to maximize the space they’ve already dedicated to those restaurants? Theoretically Princess could limit the number of Premier packages they sell per sailing, to avoid over-promising on the specialty dining. I will withhold judgement for now!
Thanks for the analysis. However, since both guests are obligated to purchase a package I suggest that you double the price and then then make some assumptions about how each may take advantage of the individual offerings. For example, if one of the guests doesn't drink alcoholic beverages it would be hard to make a case to justify purchasing two packages. Or, heaven forbid one of the guests is dieting.
You’re right, you need to take into account your personal tastes, and that of your traveling companion, when deciding if a package is right for you. I could definitely do a 2-hour long video going through every permutation - but I don’t know who would watch that!
Our first (and last) pre pandemic cruise on Princess convinced us that we should never sail Princess again. From service, staff, dining, courtesy of the crew, boarding and entertainment were all below standard. When these deficiencies were shared with the staff, and finally corporate offices the reply was "We don't have to improve, there are a lot of cruisers out there." ( Princess a waste of space on the sea. We've been on many lines, none have ever been so bad)
Are red bulls included?
Yes, red bulls are counted as energy drinks and they are included with both Premier and Plus packages.
Forgot unlimited photos
Yep, digital phots are unlimited too! 6:15