Princess Cruises Drinks Package Worth It? Plus vs. Premier Breakdown

Section 1: The 2026 State of the Princess Cruises Drinks Package

The 2026 cruise season has brought a new era of transparency and value to the princess cruises drinks package. Princess Cruises currently offers two primary ways to access unlimited beverages: through a standalone princess cruises drinks package or by bundling it into a “Princess Plus” or “Princess Premier” fare.

The Plus Beverage Package (The Standard Gold)

The “Plus” version of the princess cruises drinks package is designed for the casual enthusiast.

• The Limit: Covers drinks up to $15 each.
• The Variety: Includes 50 spirits, 25 wines by the glass, 25 beers, and all specialty coffees.
• The 2026 Update: On voyages departing after January 14, 2026, the Plus princess cruises drinks package now includes expanded casual dining options, though some legacy perks like premium desserts have been removed to streamline the experience.

The Premier Beverage Package (The Elite Tier)

For the connoisseur, the Premier princess cruises drinks package is the ultimate choice.

• The Limit: Covers premium beverages up to $20 each.
• The Variety: Features top-shelf liquors, handcrafted cocktails by celebrity mixologists, and high-end wines like Stag’s Leap and Duckhorn.
• The 2026 Update: The 2026 Premier princess cruises drinks package now includes a shore excursion credit of up to $300, making it a “Power User” choice for those who want a truly all-inclusive feel.

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Section 2: Pricing Deep Dive—What Does a Princess Cruises Drinks Package Cost in 2026?

Pricing for a princess cruises drinks package in 2026 depends heavily on whether you pre-purchase or wait until you are onboard. To maximize the value of your princess cruises drinks package, pre-booking at least 96 hours before departure is mandatory.

2026 Fare Comparison Table

Feature	Princess Plus (2026)	Princess Premier (2026)
Daily Cost (Pre-Cruise)	$65/day ($70 on Sun/Star)	$100/day ($105 on Sun/Star)
Daily Cost (Onboard)	$70/day ($75 on Sun/Star)	$105/day ($110 on Sun/Star)
Individual Drink Limit	Up to $15	Up to $20
Alcoholic Limit	15 drinks per 24 hours	Unlimited (No daily cap)
Specialty Coffee	Unlimited	Unlimited
Bottled Water	12 bottles (500ml) per day	12 bottles (500ml) per day

Note: Prices are in USD and include the 18% service charge when bundled in Plus/Premier.

By choosing a princess cruises drinks package within the “Plus” or “Premier” bundles, you are essentially getting the Wi-Fi, crew appreciation (tips), and dining for a fraction of the standalone cost. In 2026, the standalone princess cruises drinks package (without the bundle) costs approximately $64.99/day for Plus and $84.99/day for Premier, plus an 18% gratuity. This makes the bundle the only logical choice for 99% of travelers.

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Section 3: “Grey Hat” & Black Hat Hacks—Gaming the Princess Cruises Drinks Package

While we always recommend following the official terms, “Grey Hat” travelers have found specific ways to maximize their princess cruises drinks package in 2026.

The “Over-the-Limit” Pay-the-Difference Trick

A common fear with the princess cruises drinks package is wanting a drink that costs $18 when your limit is $15. In 2026, you do not have to pay the full price. If you have the Plus princess cruises drinks package, you only pay the $3 difference plus the 18% gratuity on that $3. This allows you to enjoy premium spirits without upgrading to the full Premier package.

The “Midnight Reset” Strategy

The 15-drink limit on the Plus princess cruises drinks package resets at 6:00 AM every day. For night owls, this is a critical detail. If you hit your limit at 2:00 AM, you cannot order another alcoholic drink on your princess cruises drinks package until the sun comes up. However, non-alcoholic drinks (specialty coffees, sodas, and mocktails) are truly unlimited and do not count toward your 15-drink cap.

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Section 4: 10 Essential FAQs—Princess Cruises Drinks Package 2026

1. Is the princess cruises drinks package actually unlimited?

The Premier princess cruises drinks package is truly unlimited for alcohol. The Plus princess cruises drinks package is unlimited for non-alcoholic drinks but capped at 15 alcoholic beverages per 24-hour period.

2. Does the princess cruises drinks package work on Princess Cays?

Yes! Both the Plus and Premier princess cruises drinks package tiers are honored at Princess Cays, the line’s private island in the Bahamas.

3. Can I share my princess cruises drinks package with a cabin mate?

No. Sharing is a violation of the cruise contract and can result in the revocation of your princess cruises drinks package without a refund.

4. Does the package include the 18% gratuity?

If you buy the “Plus” or “Premier” bundle, the service charges are included. If you buy the standalone princess cruises drinks package, an 18% service charge is added at checkout.

5. Is the Sun Princess pricing different for the drinks package?

Yes, due to the higher level of amenities on Sphere-class ships, the princess cruises drinks package (via bundles) is $5 more per day on the Sun Princess and Star Princess.

6. Can I get Red Bull with my princess cruises drinks package?

Yes, Red Bull and other energy drinks are included in both the Plus and Premier princess cruises drinks package tiers.

7. Does the package include room service delivery?

While the drinks themselves are covered, in 2026, the delivery fee is waived for those who have the Plus or Premier princess cruises drinks package bundled in their fare.

8. What happens if I don’t drink 15 drinks a day?

The princess cruises drinks package is a “use it or lose it” system. Unused drink credits do not roll over to the next day.

9. Can I upgrade from Plus to Premier mid-cruise?

Yes, you can usually upgrade your princess cruises drinks package at the Guest Services desk, though it is cheaper to do so before you sail.

10. Is wine by the bottle included in the princess cruises drinks package?

No, but both tiers of the princess cruises drinks package provide a 25% discount on all bottles of wine purchased onboard.

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Section 5: Beyond the Alcohol—The Value of Specialty Coffee and Hydration

Many people underestimate the value of the non-alcoholic side of the princess cruises drinks package. In 2026, a single latte at the International Café costs approximately $5.00, and a bottle of water is $3.50.

• The Morning Routine: Two specialty coffees ($10).
• The Hydration: Four bottles of water throughout the day ($14).
• The Afternoon Refresh: Two sodas or mocktails ($12).Before you even touch an alcoholic beverage, you have already used $36 worth of value on your princess cruises drinks package. This is why the princess cruises drinks package is often “worth it” even for light drinkers.

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Section 6: Conclusion—The Final Verdict for 2026

Is the princess cruises drinks package worth it in 2026? The math is clear: If you consume more than 5-6 “premium” beverages (including coffee and bottled water) per day, the Plus princess cruises drinks package pays for itself. If you are a fan of top-shelf scotch, expensive champagne, or want the luxury of unlimited specialty dining and shore excursion credits, the Premier princess cruises drinks package is the undisputed champion of value.

The ocean is calling, and your Medallion is ready. Have you decided which princess cruises drinks package will be waiting for you at the bar?

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