Princess Premier & Plus Packages – What’s Changed for 2026?
- George and Dan
- Jul 22
- 4 min read
If you’re planning a Princess Cruises holiday in 2026, there are a few important updates you’ll want to know about. Princess has recently made some changes to their popular Premier and Plus packages. While the prices have gone up a little, there are also some new perks added – and a few things removed too.
We’ve pulled together everything you need to know, including what’s included in each package now, what’s different from before, and how to work out whether it’s still worth it. Spoiler: it probably is.
Let’s break it down.
The Basics: What Are the Premier and Plus Packages?
If you’re new to Princess, these packages are essentially a way to bundle up a bunch of cruise extras – like drinks, Wi-Fi, dining, and tips – and save money versus paying for each thing separately.
Here’s what the new prices look like from July 2025, for 2026 cruises:
Package | Price (per person, per day – pre-cruise) | Price Onboard | Sphere Class Ships Price (Pre-Cruise) |
Princess Premier | $100 | $105 | $105 |
Princess Plus | $65 | $65 | $70 |
These packages are available across the fleet, but prices are slightly higher on the new Sphere Class ships – Sun Princess and Star Princess.
What’s New in 2026?
Here’s what’s changed:
🆕 Additions:
Premier Package
Shore Excursion Credit:
$100 for 6–9 day cruises
$200 for 10–20 day cruises
$300 for 21+ day cruises
Everything else from the previous package remains, including unlimited drinks, unlimited casual and speciality dining, 4-device Wi-Fi, photos, and reserved theatre seating.
Plus Package
Now includes 4 casual dining meals per voyage (previously 2).
All existing benefits are still included: 15 drinks per day, 1-device Wi-Fi, waived room service & OceanNow delivery, and prepaid tips.
❌ Removed:
Premium desserts (like gelato)
Juice bar access
Medallion shipping
Fitness classes
Princess Prizes (onboard giveaways)
Princess says these were removed due to lower usage – although not everyone agrees with that logic.
Is It Still Worth It?
Princess claim the packages still offer between 50–70% savings if you’d normally pay for these extras individually. Based on a 10-night cruise, it still works out as good value for most people.
The Premier Package is great for anyone who enjoys speciality dining, wants fast internet for multiple devices, and plans to go on a shore excursion.
The Plus Package is a solid mid-range choice – you still get a good drinks package, Wi-Fi, and now even more casual dining.
If you’re someone who used to love the gelato or premium desserts – you might be a bit disappointed. But the added dining credits and shore excursion perks do go a long way.
Princess Premier vs Princess Plus – What’s the Difference?
Here’s a simple side-by-side:
Feature | Princess Premier | Princess Plus |
Daily Price | $100 (pre-cruise) | $65 (pre-cruise) |
Drinks | Unlimited (up to $20 each) | 15 drinks/day (up to $15) |
Bottled Water | Up to 12 bottles/day | Up to 12 bottles/day |
Casual Dining Meals | Unlimited | 4 per guest |
Specialty Dining Meals | Unlimited | - |
OceanNow Delivery | Included | Included |
Room Service Delivery | Included | Included |
Wi-Fi | 4 devices | 1 device |
Shore Excursion Credit | Up to $300 | - |
Crew Appreciation | Included | Included |
Digital Photo Package | Unlimited digital images plus 3 prints | - |
Reserved Theatre Seating | Included | - |
Final Thoughts
Princess has definitely shifted its packages to focus more on food, flexibility, and shore excursions. If those are things you value, then the Premier and Plus packages still offer fantastic savings.
Yes, the dessert lovers will mourn the loss of gelato, and a few other little perks are gone – but for many, the added extras more than make up for it.
If you’re already booked on a 2026 sailing and hadn’t yet chosen a package, now’s a good time to decide. And if you already bought one before July 22nd? Don’t worry – your original perks are safe.
FAQs: Princess Premier & Plus Package Updates
What’s changed with the Premier and Plus Packages?
The price has gone up slightly, and new benefits have been added (shore excursion credit for Premier, more casual meals for Plus). Some lower-usage perks like desserts, juice bars, and fitness classes have been removed.
Is Crew Appreciation still included?
Yes. These are your pre-paid daily gratuities for the crew, bundled into your package. You can still tip extra onboard if you’d like.
Can I upgrade to a package if I’ve already booked my cruise?
Yes – you can upgrade to Plus or Premier at any time before sailing through Princess.com, your travel agent, or onboard (though it’s cheaper to do it before you sail).
Can third and fourth guests buy the package too?
They don’t have to, but if they do want one, they need to purchase the same package type (Plus or Premier) as the others in the cabin.
Can I buy these packages onboard?
Yes – you can purchase or upgrade during the first two days of your cruise. But it’ll cost a little more than booking in advance.
What’s included in the Premier photo package?
Unlimited digital photos from your cruise for everyone in your cabin, plus three printed 8x10s each. You can download photos or get them on a USB before you leave the ship.
Can I use these packages during a cruisetour land portion?
No – these packages only apply to the cruise portion onboard the ship.