Princess Cruises change Princess Plus and Princess Premier again after customer backlash, are the 3 changes for the better?
Princess Cruises just changed their Princess Plus and Princess Premier packages again after widespread complaints about the changes. We look at the 3 changes and see if the improvement is enough or what more they need to do to make it worthwhile again.
PRINCESS CRUISES
7/27/20253 min read
Princess Plus and Princess Premier changes again July 2025.
Following widespread criticism of Princess Cruises changes to the Plus and Premier packages by customers. Princess Cruises have announced 3 new items of note. As you will recall from my recent blog post (see link below), Princess Cruises lowered the benefits in their Princess Plus and Princess Premier packages and increased the cost. The most controversial of these changes was the inclusion in the Plus package of ALL drinks counting towards the 15 drink limit. Customers saw through this marketing spin and called it out. Princess Cruises also removed the juice bar from the drinks package which actually now means it is not a full drinks package even if you purchase the premium Premier package. They did add 2 extra casual dining to the Plus package and some rather low value excursion credits to the Premier package. You would be expecting therefore that the cost went down given Princess Cruises said these enhancements were guest inspired. Errmmm no the price went up, surely not you say... Princess Cruises Australia were especially hammered on the price increase with cruises down under packages increasing disproportionately.
Check out the cruises downunder blog post here for all the details.
If you still want a Plus or Premier package it is also linked above, depending on what you drink, length of cruise , if you need wifi, there is value for many cruisers in the packages
What did Princess Cruises Change?
Following the feedback (complaints), there were three pieces of information / changes released by Princess Cruises
Speciality Coffee and Teas are now not included in the 15 drink limit and are unlimited again
Cans of soda are now back in the packages but will remain in the 15 drink limit. Princess did add "where available" which was an odd addition to the communication.
Not in the official announcement but certainly on Princess Cruises Facebook page in comments to posters, Princess Cruises did say that if you had purchased a 2027 cruise and already booked Princess Plus (pre 22/7/2025) then the old deal and pricing applies. This was new news and welcomed, though I pity the poor crew administering it as no doubt the package will change a few times before the end of 2027!
What do Princess Cruises still need to change?
The return to unlimited speciality tea and coffee was welcomed as was the return of cans and the grandfathering to 2027. I have read many posters saying how great to see Princess Cruises responding to feedback but lets be real here, there was major cuts to the packages and price increases with a small give back. Premier package got no add backs following this change just the original large scale cuts with a questionable low value shore excursion credit (and note nothing for short cruises, just cuts and a price increase)
In my view, the Plus package should return to unlimited soda fountain, I dont like fizzy drinks myself but I know many do and it costs cents to make! Leave the mocktails in the 15 drink limit.
I would also like to see the juice bar added back (within the 15 drink limit for Plus) but as a minimum added back into the Premier package. If you don't drink alcohol and don't like soda then I really would not bother with the Plus Package, better to go pay as you go. I also dont think it is a drinks package when there is a juice bar that is exempt. It is unreasonable that you can buy champagne and top class wines but not a juice mix.
We understand that cruise lines have to make profits but you also need to make sensible changes. As noted the packages can still offer good value depending on the cruiser just compare to what you might pay on a pay to go basis. Princess Premier is still excellent value for a short cruise if you pre-book speciality dining before the cruise.
Feel free to subscribe or email cruises down under any questions on the packages. If you want more details on the packages then click on the Princess link below: