What the fare covers, what it doesn't, and how this itinerary actually runs.
9 sea days
The pool loungers and the shaded spots go early on a sea day — by eight in the morning on a full ship, and this one carries 777 guests. Reserving one and leaving it is against the rules on most lines and crew do clear them, so send someone early rather than at ten.
This one earns the balcony
9 of 15 nights are at sea, so you will actually be in the cabin in daylight. Roughly $1,500 more per person here — the one upgrade worth arguing about on a sea-day-heavy sailing.
4 port days back to back
Early tenders and late returns, several days running, with no sea day to recover in. Pick the two ports you actually care about and let one of the others be a lie-in — the itinerary is not a checklist.
Day one and the last day are half-days
A 15-night cruise is really 14 full days. Boarding runs into the afternoon and you are off the ship early on the last morning.
Money on board · Princess Cruises
Already in the fare
Meals in the main dining rooms, casual buffet, and specific quick-service venues are covered.Access to most on-board entertainment, including production shows, live music, and comedy acts, is part of the fare.Use of the pools, hot tubs, and basic fitness center facilities is included.Enrollment in supervised youth programs for children and teens is typically offered at no extra cost.Some non-alcoholic beverages like water, basic coffee, hot tea, and juices at breakfast are provided free of charge.Port taxes and fees are usually included in the initial cruise fare, though it is wise to confirm with the line when you book.
The drinks package
The Princess Plus package, which includes a beverage package along with Wi-Fi and gratuities, typically costs around $60-80 USD per person, per day, including the automatic service charge.
Break-even: For the beverage portion of the Plus package, you would likely need to consume about 5-7 alcoholic drinks or premium non-alcoholic beverages like specialty coffees each day to equal its value.
This package is generally suitable for those who plan to enjoy several alcoholic drinks, specialty coffees, or sodas daily, but may not be cost-effective for light drinkers or those primarily consuming included beverages.
- Gratuities
- An automatic daily service charge, typically around $16-18 USD per person, per day, is added to the folio; this amount may be higher for suite guests, and it can usually be prepaid or adjusted by speaking with guest services.
- Wifi
- Princess offers MedallionNet Wi-Fi, which is designed for reliable connectivity; costs vary by package length, but even the standard tier allows for streaming, video calls, and social media use.
Costs that surprise people
- ◆Specialty Dining. Reservations at specialty restaurants like Crown Grill or Sabatini's Italian Trattoria incur an additional per-person cover charge.
- ◆Shore Excursions. While you can explore ports independently, organized shore excursions booked through the cruise line come at an extra cost.
- ◆Spa Services and Thermal Suite. Treatments at the Lotus Spa and access to the Enclave thermal suite areas are priced separately.
- ◆Photos and Souvenirs. Any professional photos taken by the ship's photographers or items purchased in the onboard shops will be charged to your account.
- ◆Room Service After Hours or Specific Items. While basic room service is often included, some premium items or orders placed late at night may carry a service charge.
- ◆Casino and Arcade. Spending in the casino or playing games in the arcade will add to your onboard expenses.
Ways to spend less
- ◆Pre-Book a Package. Consider booking the Princess Plus or Princess Premier packages before sailing, as they often bundle drinks, Wi-Fi, and gratuities at a lower combined price than buying each separately on board.
- ◆Bring Permitted Beverages. Princess typically allows guests to bring a limited amount of wine or champagne on board, which can be consumed in your cabin or in dining venues with a corkage fee.
AI-written guidance, not a quote. Prices and policies change and vary by sailing — confirm anything that matters with the cruise line before you book.
