🧮 Lazy Girl Cruise Math: How to Know If You’ll Actually Break Even
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Because sometimes the smartest splurge is the one you skip — and sometimes it’s the one that makes the whole trip better.
🔗 Before You Dive In
If you’re comparing cruise packages or planning a Princess sailing, these guides will help:
Princess Plus vs Premier Guide — a full breakdown of what each package includes
Princess Premier Review — why I choose Premier when I’m sailing with my husband
How I Book Cruises and Save — all my cruise money‑saving tips in one place
🌴 The Real Question
Everyone loves to debate drink packages, Wi‑Fi bundles, and Princess Plus vs Premier. But the truth? You don’t need a spreadsheet to figure out if it’s worth it.
You just need a little Lazy Girl Cruise Math — the way I actually calculate value on every sailing.
🍸 Step 1: Know Your Daily Habits
Before you buy any package, ask yourself:
How many drinks do I actually have in a day
Do I drink specialty coffee or just buffet coffee
Will I use Wi‑Fi every day or just check messages
Do I prefer wine, cocktails, mocktails, or none of the above
This alone eliminates half the confusion.
But here’s where my cruise math gets personal…
💑 Who You’re Traveling With Matters
This is a big one. When I’m traveling with my husband, the math changes completely.
He likes nicer wines, he doesn’t love cruising as much as I do, and I want the experience to feel elevated and effortless for him.
So 9 times out of 10, if he’s with me, I splurge for Princess Premier. It’s worth it for the vibe alone.
You can read more about that here: Princess Premier Review
Lazy Girl math says: The “right” package isn’t just about price — it’s about the experience you want to create.
💳 Step 2: Compare the Daily Cost
Take the package price and divide by the number of cruise days. Example: Princess Plus at $60/day × 7 days = $420 total.
Then ask: Would I naturally spend $60/day on drinks, Wi‑Fi, and tips If not, you’re paying for convenience — not savings.
☕ Step 3: Factor in What’s Already Included
You already get:
Basic coffee, tea, juice, and water
Entertainment and shows
Meals (and sometimes specialty dining credits)
So don’t double‑pay for what’s already covered.
🎁 Step 4: Add the Hidden Value
This is where the math gets fun — because the ship gives you more value than you think.
Princess Elite Perks
If you have Princess elite status (like I do), you get:
50% off Wi‑Fi
One free mini‑bar setup
One bottle of wine per adult allowed onboard
These perks alone can wipe out the need for a drink package.
Casino Drinks (Carnival)
On Carnival, I drink free in the casino — even if I’m just playing casually. That makes a drink package a hard no for me on those sailings.
Holland America Happy Hour
Holland America has a daily happy hour with half‑off drinks. If you enjoy a cocktail before dinner, this alone can cut your drink spend in half.
Lazy Girl math says: If the ship is already discounting drinks, don’t pay full price for a package.
🧮 Step 5: Run the Break‑Even Test
Ask yourself:
Would I spend this much anyway
Does it save me time or stress
Will I use at least 75% of what’s included
Am I traveling with someone who prefers a more elevated experience
If you answer “yes” to two or more, it’s probably worth it. If not — skip it and buy à la carte.
🧳 Real‑Life Examples
Princess Sailing With My Son
On my last Princess cruise with my son, I didn’t even have one cocktail a day — and I spent nothing on coffee. I brought my little travel espresso maker (my favorite hack ever), so I made my own lattes every morning in the cabin. If you want to see the exact setup I use, here’s my Lazy Girl Travel Coffee Setup.
Between zero cocktails and zero coffee spend, any drink package would’ve been a complete waste. This is why Lazy Girl Cruise Math matters — every sailing has its own rhythm, and your package choice should match that trip.
Princess Sailing With My Husband
But when I cruise with my husband? Totally different story. He enjoys nicer wines, and I want the trip to feel special for him — so I almost always choose Princess Premier. Different trip, different math.
Lazy Girl math says: Your package choice should match that sailing, not some generic rule.
🎯 Final Thoughts
Cruise math isn’t about being cheap — it’s about being intentional. If a package makes your trip smoother, buy it. If it doesn’t, skip it and use those savings for your next adventure.
Because the Lazy Girl way isn’t about doing less — it’s about doing smarter.
✍️ About the Author — Julie Davis
Julie and her son Tanner and the Sky Princess - Norway
About Julie Hi, I’m Julie — the travel‑hacking mom behind No Point Left Behind. I teach families how to travel more for less using points, miles, and simple systems that fit real life.
I’m a Tennessee‑based travel blogger, mom of two college boys, cruise lover, national park chaser, and creator of the Lazy Girl Travel Method™ — a no‑stress approach to earning points without spreadsheets or overwhelm.
When I’m not booking our next trip on points, you’ll find me writing guides, testing strategies, or sharing behind‑the‑scenes tips from our adventures.
Let’s make every trip count — without leaving a single point behind.
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