Some Sodas No Longer Part of Princess Cruises’ Drink Packages
Drink packages are increasingly popular on all cruise lines, and guests especially enjoy fully all-inclusive packages that make it easy to choose a favorite beverage – everything is included!
Princess Cruises, however, has quietly made a switch to its pricey Plus and Premier drink packages, eliminating some sodas. While guests can still get fountain sodas with either package, cans of soda are no longer included.
While the change was not officially announced, guests onboard various Princess ships have noticed the switch.
Furthermore, the cruise line’s package descriptions have now been updated to specifically note that fountain sodas are included. Soda cans are not mentioned.
Concerned guests reached out to Princess Cruises for details, and learned that indeed, the packages have been changed.
“At the original launch of Princess Plus and Princess Premier, we did not include soda cans in the offering. We made a decision to try having the can soda included but have recently made the decision to go back to excluding cans,” the cruise line confirmed.
Guests might have different soda inclusions onboard different vessels for the next few weeks, however, until the change is fully implemented fleet-wide.
This may involve updating computers and drink menus, as well as other operational changes and bar staff training to ensure the change is implemented accurately.
A can of soda costs roughly $3 plus the 18% gratuity (prices are subject to change). Once the full change is in place, guests with a Plus or Premier package will be able to purchase cans for a 25% discount.
Princess Cruises does offer two other drink packages that still include soda cans – the Classic Soda Package and the Zero-Alcohol Package.
The soda-only package actually includes both fountain drinks and cans of soda, as well as mocktails, juices (not fresh squeezed juice), and smoothies.
The non-alcoholic package also includes specialty coffees and teas, bottled water, energy drinks, and other options – along with both fountain drinks and cans of soda.
Guest reactions are mixed, with many travelers upset at the change while others aren’t particularly bothered by the shift, especially since fountain sodas are still included. The taste and amount of carbonation can vary with fountain drinks, however, making them less desirable to some guests.
Guests can still bring up to 12 unopened, sealed cans (12 ounces or less each) of their preferred soda onboard at embarkation. This is a great option for travelers who prefer types of soda not available on the ship.
Why the Change?
Princess Cruises has not offered any explanation about why cans of soda will no longer be part of the pricey add-on packages – the Plus package runs $65 per person, per day, while the Premier package is $85 per person, per day.
Prices for ships sailing in Australia are $110 and $140 (AUD), respectively.
Different factors may be part of the decision, such as the handling of extra cans for storage onboard or recycling costs, as well as the overall price for a ship to stock cans versus the (far lower) cost to provide fountain drinks.
The idea that some guests might “stockpile” cans of soda to drink at other times or even to take off the ship at debarkation could be another concern, similar to how Carnival Cruise Line no longer provides individual-serving cereal boxes.
Both Carnival Cruise Line and Princess Cruises are owned by the same parent company, Carnival Corporation & plc.
For comparison, Carnival’s Bottomless Bubbles and Cheers! drink packages do include cans of soda, but all cans are served opened – therefore cannot be saved for later drinking, including after debarkation.
Read Also: Should You Get a Cruise Line Drinks Package?
The cruise lines operate independently, and the policies of one cruise line do not necessarily impact the policies of another.
Nevertheless, all cruise lines are continually evaluating the popularity of different program options and adjusting pricing, inclusions, and exclusions as needed.
Some Sodas No Longer Part of Princess Cruises’ Drink Packages