Princess Cruises: What’s Included and What’s Not (Updated)
Updated for 2025 and 2026
If you’ve been looking at Princess Cruises for your next cruise, you’ve probably noticed they talk a lot about “elevated service,” “gourmet dining,” and “relaxation at sea.” And while a Princess cruise does include quite a bit as standard — from your accommodation to meals and entertainment — it’s not always crystal clear what you’re actually paying for, and what will show up as a surprise on your onboard account.
At a glance: What’s included — and what’s not
✅ Included in all Princess fares:
Your accommodation
Main dining room, buffet, and poolside food
Basic drinks (water, tea, coffee, lemonade)
Theatre shows, live music, and Movies Under the Stars
Pools, hot tubs, and kids’ clubs
❌ Not included (unless you’ve booked a Plus or Premier package):
Alcohol, soda, and specialty coffee
Gratuities (tips)
Casual and specialty restaurants
Most room service
Wi-Fi
❌ Not included for everyone:
Laundry
Shore excursions, cabanas, and premium activities
Fitness classes, spa access, and salon treatments
The truth? In 2025/2026, the line between “included” and “extra” is getting blurrier, especially with changes to drinks, dining perks, and paid-for extras like cabanas, afternoon tea, and fitness classes. Add in their growing list of packages (Princess Standard, Plus, and Premier), and it’s no wonder first-time (and even returning) cruisers are left wondering: what do I actually get for my fare?
This guide breaks it all down — clearly and honestly — so you know exactly what’s included in your Princess cruise fare, what’s extra, and how to avoid any costly surprises. Whether you’re in a suite or an inside cabin, sailing the Med or Alaska, here’s everything you need to know.
Accommodation
No matter which package or cabin category you book — from an inside stateroom to a full suite — your accommodation is included in the cost of your cruise. Princess offers a wide range of cabin types, and even the most basic ones come with a high amount of comfort and thoughtful touches.
Every standard cabin includes:
Beds that convert from twin to queen (most with the Princess Luxury Bed)
Flat-screen TV with free on-demand movies and shipboard channels
Daily housekeeping (morning and evening turndown)
Toiletries (shampoo/conditioner, body wash, soap)
Hairdryer, safe, desk, closet, and life jackets
Pool towels
Mini-fridge (stocked only in suites)
Kettle with tea/coffee (UK sailings only)
You can request extras like bathrobes or slippers — they’re complimentary if available, but not guaranteed unless you’re in a higher category.
Club Class & Suite Extras
If you’re in a Club Class mini-suite or full suite, you’ll get:
Robes and slippers included
Welcome sparkling wine on embarkation day
Priority dining and embarkation
Access to Club Class Dining
Suites include complimentary minibar setup, expanded room service, and concierge access
Some ships include exclusive lounge access for suite guests
Dining: What’s Free, What’s Not & What’s Changed in 2025
Princess is known for solid food options across the board — but like most cruise lines, the line between included and paid dining is becoming more nuanced and can vary depending on the package you booked.
Here’s what’s free and what costs extra, along with the latest updates to packages and perks.
Included Dining (No Extra Charge)
Main Dining Room – Breakfast, sea-day lunch, afternoon tea, and dinner.
Buffet (World Fresh Marketplace / Horizon Court) – Open all day with themed dishes.
International Café – Open 24/7 for soups, sandwiches, pastries, and snacks.
Poolside Grill & Pizza Counter – Burgers, hot dogs, and pizza by the slice.
Chopsticks Noodle Bar – Free noodle bowls (on select ships).
Swirls Ice Cream Bar – Free soft-serve.
Room Service – Continental breakfast is free. Most lunch and dinner items now carry a charge and a delivery fee (free for Plus and Premier packages)
Paid Dining (What’s Included Depends on Your Package)
In 2025, Princess splits its paid dining into two categories: Casual Dining and Specialty Dining. What’s included — and what you’ll be charged for — depends on whether you’ve booked a Standard, Princess Plus, or Princess Premier fare. See also our Princess Cruises Dining and Specialty Restaurants (with Menus and Prices) guide.
Casual Dining
There’s been a big shift in how Princess handles its casual sit-down venues, including popular spots like Alfredo’s and The Salty Dog. These are no longer always free — and what you get depends on your package.
Standard fare – Set cover charge (typically $14.99 per person) or à la carte pricing
Princess Plus – Two casual dining meals included per cruise (increasing to four in 2026)
Princess Premier – Unlimited casual dining included as part of the specialty dining benefit
Casual Dining Venues (varies by ship):
Alfredo’s Pizzeria / Gigi’s Pizzeria – Made-to-order Neapolitan-style pizza
The Salty Dog Gastropub – Gourmet burgers, pub bites, and craft beers
Ocean Terrace Seafood Bar – Sushi, sashimi, oysters, and fresh seafood
O’Malley’s Irish Pub – Irish classics like shepherd’s pie and bangers & mash
Planks BBQ – American-style slow-cooked meats and sides
Steamers Seafood – Mussels, clams, crab baskets and more
Vines – Charcuterie boards, small plates, and wine pairings
Specialty Dining
These venues offer a more premium, elevated dining experience and generally require a booking. Charges vary by venue and are either a set cover or à la carte.
Standard fare & Princess Plus – Cover charge or à la carte pricing
Princess Premier – Unlimited specialty dining included (some exclusions apply)
Specialty Dining Venues (availability varies by ship):
Crown Grill – Steaks, chops, and premium seafood
Sabatini’s Italian Trattoria – Upscale Italian classics and pasta
The Catch by Rudi – Contemporary seafood with a creative twist
Kai Sushi – Sushi and sashimi prepared fresh
SHARE by Curtis Stone – Multi-course chef-led menu (select ships)
The Salty Dog (enhanced menu) – Refined gastropub with specialty plates
Chef’s Table – Behind-the-scenes dinner with wine pairing and galley tour
Ultimate Balcony Dining – Private balcony breakfast or dinner experience
Spellbound by Magic Castle – Immersive dining and close-up magic show (select ships)
360: An Extraordinary Experience – Multi-sensory storytelling dinner (Enchanted & Discovery Princess)
Drinks: Free Options, Packages & Pricing (2025)
When it comes to drinks on Princess Cruises, not everything is included — and in 2025, the line between what’s free and what’s not is sharper than ever. While you’ll still find a small selection of complimentary drinks, most others (especially alcohol and specialty coffee) come at a cost — unless you’ve booked a drinks package.
Here’s what you can expect onboard, including typical pricing and exactly what’s covered in each package.
Free Drinks
The following drinks are available at no extra charge:
Still water - not bottle (available at bars, dining venues, and self-serve stations)
Iced tea
Lemonade
Standard brewed coffee (regular and decaf)
Basic teas (black, chamomile, mint, Earl Grey)
You’ll also often find free sparkling wine served at the Captain’s Welcome Party, art auctions, onboard store promotions, and at Captain’s Circle loyalty events.
Paid Drinks
Everything else beyond the list above is chargeable — whether you order it at a bar, restaurant, or through room service. An 18% gratuity is automatically added to all drink purchases.
Typical Drink Prices (2025):
Wine by the glass – $9 to $15
Beer – $6 to $8
Cocktails – $9 to $14
Spirits – $8 to $12 per shot
Specialty coffee – from $3
Soft drinks – around $2.50
Smoothies and mocktails – $5 to $7
Bottled water – from $2.25 (500ml or 1L depending on package)
If You Have a Drinks Package
Depending on your fare (Standard, Plus, or Premier), you may already have a drinks package included. If not, you can also purchase one before or during your cruise. For a more details breakdown see our Guide to Princess Cruises Packages.
Princess Plus Package
Includes Unlimited Specialty coffee and tea plus 15 drinks per day, each valued up to $15, covering:
Cocktails, wine, beer, and spirits
Fountain sodas and fruit juices
Bottled water (500ml, up to 12 per day)
Zero-proof cocktails
25% off bottles of wine
Princess Premier Package
Includes everything in the Plus package, but with upgraded limits:
Unlimited drinks per day
Drinks valued up to $20 each
Bottled water upgraded to 1L bottles
Other Drinks Packages
Classic Soda Package
Unlimited fountain sodas, fruit juices, mocktails, and smoothies
Zero-Alcohol Package
Soda package plus: bottled water (Evian, San Pellegrino), Red Bull, juice bar drinks, specialty coffees and teas, hot chocolate
All drink packages include an 18% gratuity at the time of purchase.
Entertainment, Activities and Facilities Included on a Princess Cruise
Everything listed below is free:
All main theatre shows
Live music and deck parties
Movies Under the Stars (with free popcorn)
Quizzes, lectures, game shows, and demos
Access to the gym and a small selection of fitness classes
Pools, hot tubs, and adults-only areas
Children’s clubs (ages 3–17)
Mini-golf, sports courts, and ping pong
Library and card/games room (if available)
Paid-for Activities on Princess Cruises
All spa treatments
Thermal suite (The Enclave)
Hair and beauty salon
Fitness classes (e.g. spin, boot camp)
Professional photos
Poolside cabanas
The Sanctuary (see below)
Karaoke suites (Majestic Princess only)
Wine & cocktail tastings
The Ultimate Ship Tour (see below)
Royal Afternoon Tea (see below)
Shore excursions
Port transfers (Unless otherwise stated)
Internet access (unless included in Package - see below)
Bingo and casino play
The Sanctuary
Princess’s adults-only sun deck retreat.
Half day: $20 per person
Full day: $40 per person
Prices may vary on scenic days (e.g. Glacier Bay, Suez Canal)
The Enclave
Thermal suite access varies by ship and pass type.
Heated stone beds, hydrotherapy pool, aromatherapy steam
Access is around $49/day or available as a multi-day pass
Ultimate Ship Tour
Price: $150 USD per person
Behind-the-scenes access to backstage, galley, laundry, engine control room, medical centre, and more
Book onboard at guest services (limited spots)
Wine Tasting
Grapevines Wine Tasting: $9.95 – 6 standard wines
Maitre D’ Wine Tasting: $25 – 6 premium wines with canapés
Royal Afternoon Tea
While afternoon tea in the buffet is free, the Royal Afternoon Tea is a premium service with white-glove presentation.
$10 per person (without alcohol)
$20 per person with champagne
Check your daily planner for free tea times
Wi-Fi / MedallionNet
Princess Plus: 1 device per guest
Princess Premier: 4 devices per guest
Standard fare: Available to purchase by the day or per voyage. Prices vary depending on the sailing.
Laundry Services on Princess Cruises
Princess offers both self-service and professional laundry options — but none are included unless you’re sailing in a full suite or are an upper-tier loyalty member.
Self-Service Laundry
Most Princess ships are equipped with self-service laundromats on several cabin decks. These include washers, dryers, and ironing boards.
Washing machines and dryers: $3 per load (each)
Detergent and softener: $1.50 (available from vending machines)
Irons and ironing boards: Free to use (in the laundry room only)
Payment is made via your Medallion, and you’ll often find the laundromats quieter early in the morning or late evening.
Full-Service Laundry & Dry Cleaning
If you’d prefer not to do it yourself, you can send clothes to be washed, pressed, or dry cleaned using the laundry bag in your cabin. Guests in full suites and Elite Captain’s Circle members receive complimentary laundry and professional cleaning — a nice perk if you’re travelling light or on a longer itinerary.
Prices (approximate):
Wash and press shirt/blouse: $3.50
Trousers: $4.00
Dress: $6.50
Press only: ~50–75% of the above rate
Dry cleaning: Available for delicate or specialty garments
There’s also a “fill-a-bag” offer on some sailings where you can send as much as fits in the laundry bag for a flat rate (typically $20–$35).
Gratuities
Gratuities are not included unless you’ve booked a Plus or Premier fare. They are automatically added to your onboard account.
As of 2025:
Interior, Oceanview, Balcony – $17 USD per person, per day
Mini-Suites & Club Class – $18 USD per person, per day
Suites –$19 USD per person, per day
You can adjust the amount up or down at Guest Services if needed.
Final Thoughts
While Princess Cruises includes a generous range of perks — especially if you’ve booked a Plus or Premier fare — it’s easy for onboard extras to add up quickly if you’re not prepared. Understanding what’s covered (and what’s not) will help you budget more effectively, avoid surprise charges, and get the most value out of your cruise. Whether you’re sailing for the first time or you’re a loyal Captain’s Circle member, knowing what to expect means you can spend less time worrying about your account — and more time enjoying your vacation at sea.