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Princess Cruises has made a quick and thoughtful adjustment to its recently revised Plus package, responding directly to guest concerns.
This decision comes just days after the cruise line introduced changes that were met with strong reactions from loyal cruisers.
Guest Backlash Sparks Quick Action
Originally, Princess Cruises modified its Plus package to include non-alcoholic drinks in the 15-drink daily limit.
Before this change, only alcoholic beverages counted toward the daily cap.
This update didn’t sit well with many cruisers, particularly those who preferred non-alcoholic drinks like soda or specialty coffees.
The line received plenty of feedback, and just a few days later, they made an announcement:
“In listening to our Princess community, we have made a change—specialty coffee and teas are now unlimited in our Plus package and will not count toward the 15-drink daily limit.”
Coffee Lovers Celebrate, but Soda Fans Feel Left Out
While the change pleased coffee and tea drinkers, others weren’t as thrilled.
The new policy still limits soft drinks such as Coca-Cola and Diet Coke to the 15-drink daily maximum.
That means only the Premier package (the more expensive option) offers unlimited access to both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages.
Guests shared mixed reactions, including:
- “Been on 11 Princess Cruises and already booked numbers 12 and 13… very, very disappointed with Princess’ decision to have [soft drinks] count towards 15 a day.”
- “That’s lovely for coffee and tea drinkers, but you are disadvantaging those of us who drink neither and prefer Diet Coke or water.”
Some cruisers even wished for a solution like allowing those who “don’t drink coffee” to receive unlimited soft drinks, a sentiment that’s been echoed by others online.
Price Adjustments and New Perks for 2026
As of July 22, 2025, Princess Cruises launched its revised Premier and Plus packages, which apply to sailings starting in 2026.
Along with updated policies, these changes also come with price increases:
- Premier Package:
- $100/£75 per person per day (US price up $10)
- Includes unlimited alcoholic & soft drinks, shore excursion credits, and more
- Plus Package:
- $65/£50 per person per day (US price up $5)
- Includes 15 drinks (including unlimited coffee/teas), casual dining perks, and basic WiFi
Guests sailing on the Sphere Class ships (including Sun Princess and Star Princess) will see an additional $5/£5 per day.
Guest Feedback Shapes Future Policies
Though some guests are still disappointed, the cruise line’s swift response shows Princess Cruises is listening to customer concerns and is working to improve the experience.
- The introduction of additional casual dining meals and shore excursion credits demonstrates the cruise line’s commitment to flexibility and value.
- These changes are geared towards making the cruise experience more personalized without imposing extra charges on passengers.
However, with the debate about the soft drink limitations still ongoing, it seems likely that Princess Cruises may make more adjustments before the final version of the new packages is rolled out.
