Princess Plus Package (2026): What’s Included & Whether It’s Worth It
(New January 12, 2026 Updates + How to Save Even More)
Planning a Princess cruise and trying to figure out if the Princess Plus Package is actually worth it? Don’t worry — your Lazy Girl cruise bestie is here.
Princess updated the package for 2026 (because of course they did), and instead of making it more confusing… they actually made it better. I know. I’m shocked too.
This guide breaks down exactly what’s included, what changed, how the math works, and who should skip it. No fluff, no drama — just a clean, sassy Lazy Girl breakdown so you can book confidently and save money without overthinking it.
This post is part of my Princess Cruises 2026 Guide, which is basically the Princess hub I wish existed when I started cruising. Dining, spa, cabins, packages, casino offers, onboard credit strategy — it’s all connected so you can plan smarter and spend less (and avoid the “why didn’t anyone tell me this?” moments).
This post contains affiliate links and personal referral links. I only share products and tools I personally use and love. If you choose to book or buy through my links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you — thank you for supporting No Point Left Behind.
⭐ Quick Answer
The Princess Plus Package costs $65/day (or $70/day on Sphere‑class ships) and includes:
Drinks up to $15
Wi‑Fi for one device
4 casual dining meals
OceanNow delivery fees waived
Daily crew appreciation (gratuities)
It’s worth it if you drink 2+ beverages a day, use Wi‑Fi, or want predictable budgeting.
If you’re a “just give me water and the buffet” girly? Skip it. Truly. Not everything that’s a good deal on paper is a good deal for you — and that’s the part people forget.
I sail Princess 4–5 times a year, and I promise you: I do not buy Princess Plus every single cruise. I’m not made of money, and I evaluate this package every single time I sail.
Sometimes I skip it completely depending on who I’m traveling with. Sometimes I go full Premier — but only when I’m sailing with my husband, who cruises way less often and I want him to have the “treat yourself” version of the trip.
The point is: Just because something is a good deal doesn’t mean it’s automatically a good deal for your cruise style.
⭐ Princess Plus Pricing (2026)
If you’re sailing Sun or Star Princess, pricing is slightly higher — but the ship experience is also elevated. See my Sun Princess Review for hidden gems, dining tips, and what’s actually worth paying for.
⭐ What Changed for Princess Plus in 2026
Okay, now let’s break down what actually changed for 2026 — because Princess did a little spring cleaning on this package.Princess rolled out several updates for 2026 voyages. Here’s the quick version:
1. Price Increase
Princess Plus: $65/day
Sphere‑class ships (Sun & Star Princess): $70/day
But honestly? The Sun Princess is a whole different vibe. If you’re sailing her, the extra $5/day feels fair. (See my Sun Princess Review for the hidden gems.)
2. Casual Dining Meals Increased
Now includes 4 casual dining meals per voyage (up from 2). These meals typically cost $14–$18 each — a real value boost.
Don’t confuse these meals with specialty dining. Casual dining venues vary by ship (we loved Alfredo’s on the Sun Princess). See my Princess Dining Reservations Guide for how to book specialty options.
⭐ Casual Dining Meals Increased — Lazy Girl Clarified (Because People Get Confused Here)
Princess bumped the casual dining meals from 2 to 4, which is an actual value boost — not one of those “we added something nobody asked for” updates. These meals usually run $14–$18, so getting four of them included is genuinely helpful.
Now… let’s talk about the part everyone gets confused about.
Because every time Princess updates this package, I see people mixing up casual dining and specialty dining like they’re the same thing. They’re not. At all.
Here’s the Lazy Girl breakdown:
Casual dining = Alfredo’s, O’Malley’s, The Catch, etc. Think: elevated quick‑service, sit‑down pizza, pub food, comfort meals.
Specialty dining = Crown Grill, Sabatini’s, Kai Sushi, etc. Think: date‑night restaurants, reservations, extra cost, the “we’re fancy tonight” vibe.
Casual dining meals in Princess Plus do not cover specialty dining. If you want Crown Grill, you’re still paying for Crown Grill.
And honestly? This is the part I find people are most confused about with Princess Plus. So let me say it louder for the cruisers in the back:
Casual ≠ Specialty.Casual is included.Specialty is not.
Once you understand that, the whole package makes way more sense — and you can actually decide if it fits your cruise style instead of guessing.
3. Perks Removed
Princess removed several low‑usage perks:
Premium desserts
Juice bar
Fitness classes
Medallion shipping
Princess Prizes
Honestly, I never used these perks. The changes make the package cleaner and more valuable.
4. Premier Package Changes
Not the focus of this post, but worth noting:
Premier Package: $100/day
Includes shore excursion credits ($100–$300) depending on cruise length
We loved Premier on our Sun Princess sailing in September 2025 — a nice splurge for Sphere‑class ships. Read my Princess Premier Review for details.
Want a deeper look at everything Princess changed for 2026? Read my full breakdown in Princess Cruises Package Changes— it covers Plus, Premier, and all the new onboard updates.
⭐ What You Get With Princess Plus (2026)
🍹 Plus Beverage Package — Drinks up to $15, including cocktails, beer, wine, specialty coffees, juices, mocktails, soda, and bottled water.
📶 Wi‑Fi for One Device
🍽️ 4 Casual Dining Meals
🚪 OceanNow Delivery Fees Waived
💙 Daily Crew Appreciation (Gratuities)
⭐ Is Princess Plus Worth It in 2026?
✔️ Worth It If You:
Drink 2+ beverages per day
Use Wi‑Fi daily
Want to try casual dining
Use room service or OceanNow
Prefer predictable budgeting
❌ Skip It If You:
Don’t drink alcohol or specialty coffees
Don’t need Wi‑Fi
Stick to buffet/main dining only
Are on a port‑heavy itinerary
⭐ No Point Left Behind Deal‑Stacking Strategy
Now, let’s talk about how to make Princess Plus even cheaper — because just because something is a good deal doesn’t mean it’s automatically a good deal for you. And yes, I say this as someone who sails Princess 4–5 times a year and evaluates this package every single time.
I’m not made of money. I don’t buy Princess Plus every cruise. Sometimes I skip it completely. Sometimes I go full Premier — but only when I’m sailing with my husband, who cruises way less often and I want him to have the “treat yourself” version of the trip.
So here’s how I make the numbers work when I do choose Princess Plus:
My deal‑stacking strategy:
Pay with a rewards credit card
Watch for fare drops
Use Chase/Amex Offers
Use discounted gift cards
Stack casino offers + onboard credit promos
This is how we’ve booked cruises like:
Deal‑stacking doesn’t magically make Princess Plus “worth it,” but it does make the whole cruise cheaper — which helps you decide whether the package fits your budget and your cruise style.
See how I combine these with casino offers in How to Get Princess Casino Offers and Princess Players Club Strategy — both work beautifully with Plus.
💳 Want to save even more on your next Princess cruise? I stack every Princess offer with the right credit card strategy — it’s how we earn 20+ free flights a year and cut cruise costs dramatically.
👉 See my Best Beginner Travel Cards. These are the exact cards we use for cruise bookings, airfare, and everyday spending.
🧰 Tools I Use to Save on Princess Cruises
CardPointers— tracks credits + perks automatically
These are the exact tools I use to stack deals and keep cruise costs low.
⭐ Princess Plus vs Premier (2026)
Still deciding? Read Princess Plus vs Premier (2026) — I break down which package saves more depending on your cruise style.
⭐ Final Verdict: Princess Plus Is Still Worth It
It’s worth it if you drink 2+ beverages a day, use Wi‑Fi, or want predictable budgeting.
If you’re a “just give me water and the buffet” girly? Skip it. Truly. Not everything that’s a good deal on paper is a good deal for you — and that’s the part people forget.
I sail Princess 4–5 times a year, and I promise you: I do not buy Princess Plus every single cruise. I’m not made of money, and I evaluate this package every single time I sail.
Sometimes I skip it completely depending on who I’m traveling with. Sometimes I go full Premier — but only when I’m sailing with my husband, who cruises way less often and I want him to have the “treat yourself” version of the trip.
The point is: Just because something is a good deal doesn’t mean it’s automatically a good deal for your cruise style.
Princess Plus is amazing for some sailings… and totally unnecessary for others. And that’s okay. Lazy Girl travel is all about choosing what actually fits your trip — not what the marketing page says you “should” buy.
⭐ Next Steps for Your Princess Cruise
Princess Plus vs Premier (2026) — which package saves more
How to Get Princess Casino Offers — beginner guide
Princess Players Club Strategy— advanced guide
Ready to plan your Princess cruise? Start with my Princess Cruises 2026 Guide — it’s the full planning hub with tips, deals, and step‑by‑step strategies.
⭐ About the Author
Julie Davis is the creator of No Point Left Behind, where she teaches families how to turn everyday spending into unforgettable trips using points, miles, and smart travel strategies. She’s been cruising with Princess for years and shares real examples, beginner‑friendly guides, and step‑by‑step systems to help you travel smarter without overspending.
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