Princess Cruises is making changes to its popular Princess Plus and Princess Premier packages from 13 October 2026, with new pricing for international cruises, changes to standalone Wi-Fi options and a revised offering for Australian passengers travelling overseas.
For Australians, the biggest change is the introduction of Australian-dollar package pricing for international sailings, with Crew Appreciation now included.
Meanwhile, passengers purchasing packages in US dollars will see prices increase by US$5 per person, per day.
However, the changes don't mean every Australian Princess cruise is becoming more expensive. Package pricing for cruises departing from Australian homeports remains unchanged.
New Princess Plus and Premier Prices for Australians Cruising Overseas
From 13 October, Australian passengers booking Princess packages for international cruises will have access to new Australian-dollar pricing.
The packages are particularly relevant to Australians travelling overseas for cruises in Alaska, Europe, Asia and the Caribbean, where onboard accounts are generally operated in US dollars.
The new prices are:
| Package | New Australian Price |
|---|---|
| Princess Plus | AUD $89 per person, per day |
| Princess Premier | AUD $139 per person, per day |
Importantly, both packages now include Crew Appreciation, Princess Cruises' daily gratuity charge.
Previously, Australian passengers purchasing packages for international cruises needed to account for Crew Appreciation separately.
By including it in the new packages, Princess says passengers will have greater certainty about their total holiday costs before departure.
The packages continue to include drinks, Wi-Fi and dining benefits, with additional inclusions depending on whether passengers choose Plus or Premier.
Australian-Homeport Cruise Package Prices Remain Unchanged
For passengers cruising from Australian ports on voyages operating in Australian dollars, the existing package prices remain:
| Package | Australian-Homeport Price |
|---|---|
| Princess Plus | AUD $79 per person, per day |
| Princess Premier | AUD $129 per person, per day |
These prices apply to the standard pre-cruise packages, with higher rates possible for certain ships or purchases made closer to departure.
Australian-homeport cruises already include Crew Appreciation in the cruise fare, so passengers don't need to pay a separate daily gratuity charge.
This is an important distinction for Australian cruisers, particularly those who may have seen reports of Princess increasing its package prices overseas.
US Dollar Package Prices Increasing
Princess Cruises is also increasing its US-dollar package prices by US$5 per person, per day from 13 October.
For most ships, the new pre-cruise prices will be:
| Package | Previous Price | New Price |
|---|---|---|
| Princess Plus | US$65 | US$70 |
| Princess Premier | US$100 | US$105 |
Passengers purchasing packages onboard will pay more:
| Package | New Onboard Price |
|---|---|
| Princess Plus | US$75 per person, per day |
| Princess Premier | US$110 per person, per day |
Sun Princess and Star Princess have higher package prices, with Princess Plus increasing to US$75 and Princess Premier to US$110 per person, per day when purchased before departure.
For a couple travelling on a 14-night cruise, the US$5 daily increase represents an additional US$140 if both passengers purchase packages at the new rates.
Princess Cruises has said it periodically reviews its package pricing to reflect changes in operating costs.
Princess Cruises Is Also Changing Its Wi-Fi Packages
Passengers who prefer to purchase internet access separately will also see changes from 13 October.
Princess is discontinuing its standalone four-device Wi-Fi package, which will remain available as a benefit of Princess Premier.
A new two-device package will be introduced, while the single-device option will become more expensive.
The new US-dollar prices for full-voyage purchases are:
| Wi-Fi Package | Pre-Cruise Price | Onboard Price |
|---|---|---|
| One device | US$27.99 per day | US$33.99 per day |
| Two devices | US$39.99 per day | US$47.99 per day |
| Four devices | No longer sold separately | Included with Princess Premier |
The changes may be particularly relevant to passengers who don't want a drinks package but still need reliable internet access during their cruise.
For travellers who work remotely or use multiple devices, it's worth comparing the cost of standalone Wi-Fi with the additional benefits offered through Princess Plus and Premier.
What's Included in Princess Plus and Premier?
Both packages combine several popular cruise extras into a single daily price.
Princess Plus includes:
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Drinks covered by the Plus Beverage Package, including up to 15 alcoholic drinks per day within the applicable price limit.
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Wi-Fi for one device per guest.
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Four casual dining meals per guest, per cruise.
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Crew Appreciation, where applicable.
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Additional benefits including room service and OceanNow delivery.
Princess Premier includes:
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A higher-tier beverage package with no daily alcoholic drink limit, subject to responsible service policies.
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Wi-Fi for four devices per guest.
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Unlimited casual dining.
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Unlimited speciality dining at participating venues.
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Crew Appreciation, where applicable.
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Additional benefits including shore excursion credits and photo packages.
Package inclusions and conditions vary depending on the purchase date, ship and itinerary.
Passengers should check the terms attached to their particular booking, especially if they purchased a package before earlier changes to Princess' offerings.
Are Princess Plus and Premier Still Worth It?
Whether a package represents good value depends on how passengers use the included benefits.
For those who regularly purchase alcoholic drinks, specialty coffees, Wi-Fi and additional dining, the packages may still work out cheaper than paying for everything separately.
However, passengers who drink very little or prefer to use the complimentary dining venues may find that purchasing individual extras makes more sense.
The removal of the standalone four-device Wi-Fi option also means passengers who need several connected devices may want to reconsider which package offers the best value.
For Australians cruising internationally, the inclusion of Crew Appreciation is another factor worth considering when comparing the new package prices with previous arrangements.
What About Existing Bookings?
Passengers who have already purchased Princess Plus or Premier should check the conditions attached to their booking.
The changes do not necessarily mean that previously purchased packages will be repriced.
However, anyone who has booked a cruise but hasn't yet purchased a package should check the available pricing through Princess Cruises or their travel agent before 13 October.
Princess generally requires packages to be purchased at least 96 hours before departure to qualify for the lower pre-cruise price.
Passengers should also confirm whether their particular cruise is priced in Australian or US dollars, as this can affect the options available.
Where to Check the Latest Princess Package Prices
The changes take effect from 13 October 2026.
Passengers can check current package inclusions and conditions directly through Princess Cruises:
Princess Plus and Premier Package Terms and Conditions
For Australian cruisers, the key point is that the changes affect different itineraries in different ways. Those sailing locally will continue to have access to existing Australian package pricing, while passengers travelling overseas will have new AUD-priced options that include Crew Appreciation.
With the changes only days away, it's worth checking the available packages before making a final decision.
