Understanding the Princess Drinks Package and Daily Allowances
For many vacationers, a cruise with Princess Cruises is the ultimate way to relax and indulge. One of the most popular ways to enhance this experience is by purchasing a drinks package. This brings up a common question: "How many drinks per day on Princess Package?" Let's break down what the Princess drinks packages offer, focusing on the daily allowances and what you need to know to make the most of your investment.
What is the Princess Drinks Package?
Princess Cruises offers various drinks packages designed to cater to different preferences and consumption habits. These packages generally allow passengers to enjoy a selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages throughout their cruise without paying for each drink individually. This can be a convenient and cost-effective option for those who plan to enjoy a few beverages daily.
Key Princess Drinks Packages to Consider:
- Princess Plus Package: This is a comprehensive package that includes Wi-Fi, specialty coffees and teas, and a daily beverage allowance. It's often considered a good value for those who want a bit of everything.
- Princess Premier Package: This package builds upon the Plus package, offering even more inclusions such as premium spirits, wines by the glass, and more.
- Cunard Line's Drinks Packages: While not directly a "Princess Package," it's worth noting that if you're considering other cruise lines, their packages will have different structures. For this article, we will focus exclusively on Princess Cruises.
The "How Many Drinks Per Day" Question: Clarifying the Allowance
The core of the question, "How many drinks per day on Princess Package," doesn't have a single, fixed number of drinks that applies to *all* packages. Instead, the allowance is typically structured around a monetary limit per drink or a certain number of alcoholic drinks and unlimited non-alcoholic drinks.
Let's look at the common ways the daily allowance is defined:
- Princess Plus Package: This package includes a daily beverage allowance of up to $15 per drink for alcoholic beverages and unlimited soft drinks, juices, and specialty coffees and teas. This means you can order alcoholic drinks that cost up to $15. If a drink exceeds this price, you would pay the difference. Non-alcoholic beverages are generally unlimited.
- Princess Premier Package: This package offers a higher value, often with a larger allowance per alcoholic drink or more inclusive options for premium beverages. It typically includes all the benefits of the Plus package with expanded coverage.
It's crucial to understand that the "number of drinks" isn't a hard cap in the way some might initially assume. It's more about the value of the drinks you consume.
What About Unlimited Drinks?
While the packages aim to provide significant value, it's important to manage expectations. The packages are generally not designed for excessive consumption. The focus is on allowing you to enjoy your preferred beverages throughout the day without constantly calculating costs. However, if you were to order an extremely high number of very inexpensive drinks, it's theoretically possible to reach a point where the package might not be as cost-effective as paying per drink. Conversely, if you enjoy premium spirits or cocktails that regularly exceed the $15 limit (for the Plus package), the package may still require you to pay a supplement per drink.
Maximizing Your Drinks Package Value
To truly benefit from your Princess drinks package, consider these tips:
- Know the Limits: Familiarize yourself with the per-drink price limit of your chosen package.
- Track Your Spending (Mentally): While not required, having a general idea of the cost of your usual drinks can help you make informed choices.
- Enjoy Specialty Coffees and Teas: If your package includes these, take advantage of them throughout the day.
- Stay Hydrated with Included Water: Bottled water is often included, so use it to stay refreshed.
- Consider Your Cruise Itinerary: If you plan to spend a lot of time in bars and lounges, the package is likely a good fit. If you're more interested in shore excursions and infrequent drinks, it might be less so.
Ultimately, the "how many drinks per day" question is best answered by understanding the value and limitations of the specific Princess drinks package you choose. It’s not about a strict numerical cap but about enjoying a curated selection of beverages within a set budget per drink, allowing for a more relaxed and enjoyable cruise experience.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How many alcoholic drinks are included per day?
Princess Cruises' popular drinks packages, like the Princess Plus, typically have a monetary limit per alcoholic drink (e.g., up to $15) rather than a fixed number of alcoholic drinks. This means you can order as many drinks as you like as long as they fall within that price point.
Why is there a monetary limit instead of a set number of drinks?
The monetary limit allows for flexibility. It accommodates a wide range of beverage choices, from standard beers and wines to more premium spirits and cocktails, ensuring most guests can find drinks within their package's coverage without a rigid, arbitrary count.
What happens if I order a drink that costs more than the per-drink limit?
If an alcoholic beverage you select exceeds the per-drink monetary limit of your Princess drinks package, you will be charged the difference between the drink's price and the package limit. This ensures you can still enjoy that premium beverage if you choose.
Are non-alcoholic drinks limited on Princess packages?
Most Princess drinks packages, especially the Princess Plus and Premier, include unlimited non-alcoholic beverages such as soft drinks, juices, and specialty coffees and teas. This allows you to enjoy these options freely throughout your cruise.
