⭐ Why We Chose the Princess Premier Package (2026): Our Most Elevated Cruise Ever
(Updated for Sun Princess + Island Princess)
Planning a Princess cruise and trying to decide whether the Premier Package is worth the upgrade? Here’s the honest answer: Princess Plus is enough for most cruisers… but Premier completely transformed our Sun Princess experience.
This guide isn’t the “what’s included” breakdown — I already have that here: 👉 Princess Premier Package (2026): Full Inclusions
This post is the real‑life version: why we chose Premier, how it elevated our cruise, and why we’re buying it again — even when Plus would technically be enough.
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.
How I book shore excursions without overpaying (and how I decide when to book through Princess vs. independently).
⭐ Our Most Elevated Princess Cruise Ever
Last year on the Sun Princess, we decided to splurge on the Premier Package — and it ended up being the most elevated Princess cruise we’ve ever had.
Yes, we paid for it. Yes, it was a splurge. And yes… it was absolutely worth it.
We loved it so much that we bought Premier again the moment we stepped off the ship to lock in all our specialty dining reservations for our next Sun Princess sailing.
And here’s the twist:
✔️ When I cruise with friends or my son, I don’t always buy a package.
Sometimes I get Plus. Sometimes I skip packages entirely. It depends on the cruise.
✔️ But when I cruise with my husband?
Premier is his happy place — and that makes it worth every penny.
My 10 Cruise Essentials I never board without — including the tiny $12 item that saves every sea day.
⭐ Why Princess Plus Is Enough for Most Cruisers
Let’s be honest: Princess Plus covers almost everything most people need.
You get:
Drinks up to $15
Wi‑Fi
Casual dining
OceanNow
Gratuities
For many itineraries — especially port‑heavy ones — Plus is perfect.
On our upcoming Island Princess cruise, we’d honestly be fine with Plus. Fewer specialty dining venues, simpler dining layout, and a more traditional Princess experience.
But… we’re still adding Premier.
And here’s why.
⭐ Why Premier Was Worth It for Us
This is where the real story comes in.
✔️ My husband doesn’t cruise often
Cruising isn’t his favorite vacation style. We’re yin and yang.
But Premier makes the experience more enjoyable for him — and that alone makes the upgrade worth it.
✔️ He loves specialty dining
Sun Princess has:
Alfredo’s - casual, no reservation needed
O’Malley’s - casual; no reservation needed
Sabatini’s
Premier gives us unlimited specialty dining meals, and on Sun Princess, that’s real value.
✔️ He loves better wines
Premier’s higher drink cap means:
better wines
better cocktails
more flexibility
It’s a small thing, but it makes a big difference in his enjoyment.
✔️ Premier made the cruise feel “all included”
No thinking. No math. No “should we?” Just… enjoy.
✔️ And if Premier gets him on the ship with me more often?
That alone makes it worth it.
⭐ Premier on Sun Princess: Why It Hits Different
Sun Princess is a Sphere‑class ship, and Premier shines here because:
more specialty dining
more venues
more demand
more elevated experiences
more value per perk
If you’re sailing Sun or Star Princess, Premier is genuinely a different experience.
👉 See my Sun Princess Review for everything we loved.
⭐ Premier on Island Princess: Why Plus Would Be Enough
Island Princess is a classic Princess ship:
fewer specialty venues
simpler dining
slower pace
more traditional layout
Plus would be totally fine.
But Premier makes my husband happy — and that’s reason enough to add it.
⭐ Lazy Girl Verdict
Princess Plus is enough for most cruisers. But Premier is worth it if:
you love specialty dining
you want better wines
you want guaranteed reservations
you want an elevated experience
you want everything included
you want to make cruising more enjoyable for your partner
For us, Premier is the difference between a good cruise and a great one.
My Cruise Packing List — the Lazy Girl version that keeps your suitcase light but your cruise elevated.
⭐ Related Princess Guides
⭐ 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.
