you have put on a Princess Cruise trip in 2023? Prepare yourself for significantly higher daily fees.
In the coming weeks, the world’s fifth largest cruise line plans to increase the automatic tip fees it charges passengers from more than 10% to $16 per person per day for those staying in most cruise lines. cabin.
It also plans to dramatically increase the amount it charges for built-in Wi-Fi, with the cost of single device plans increasing by 50% to $15 a day.
On-line four-device packs go up to $40 a day — a staggering 167% price increase.
The price increases for tips and Wi-Fi fees will go into effect on December 14 and February 20, respectively.
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The current tip at Princess is $14.50 for standard cabin passengers and $15.50 for mini and Club class passengers. Passengers in the top suites currently pay $16.50.
The new rates, effective December 14, will be $16 per person per day for standard cabins and $17 for passengers in mini and Club class. Passengers in the top suite will pay $18.
With this increase, a family of four in a typical cabin will pay close to $450 in auto bonuses for a seven-night cruise—one of the highest taxes in the business.
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Among other mainstream lines, Festival cruise line and Netherlands USA add $14.50 and $15.50 per person per day in gratuities respectively to the passenger bill.
Like Princess, Royal Caribbean and Norwegian recently increased their tip fees to $16 in recent months.
Although high on a percentage basis, the increase in tip fees at Princess (which it recently renamed a “crew appreciation” fee) is the first at the airline in more than three years. . The last time Princess increased her bounty was on May 21, 2019.
Related: TPG’s ultimate guide to cruise ship fees and tips
The increase in fees at Princess takes place in the context of sudden price increase for all kinds of items on board.
Among the cruise operators who have sharply increased prices for items on board include Festival cruise lineincluding drive up the cost of some of its marquee restaurants on board this year up to 26%. For instance, premiums for the line’s signature steakhouses have increased from $38 to $48 per person in two steps over the past seven months.
The carnival is also available increase the cost of its signature Chef’s Table experience this year increased nearly 24% to $99 per person. The cost of drink packages on board Carnival ships has also increased significantly this year, in some cases by more than 15%.
Another line that has significantly increased prices this year on certain items on board is Norwegian Cruise Line. brand will Increase the cost of Unlimited Open Drink Packs on January 1st around 10%, to $109. The cost of a premium drink pack will soon be $138, up from $128.
Many Norwegian customers receive a “free” drink package as part of a booking promotion. However, the booking promotion does not include an automatic 20% bar bonus on the theoretical cost of the packages. As the cost of Norway’s drink packages increased, so did the cost of its auto-tip bar.
Related: The Ultimate Guide to Princess Cruises
Cruise lines have blamed the increase in on-board prices on rising costs of buying food and fuel to operate their ships as high inflation hits the economy, as well as supply chain challenges. response is taking place.
That said, in many cases, the prices travelers find at shipboard locations such as restaurants and bars — and the amount they spend on board — are growing much faster than inflation. broadcast.
The chairman and CEO of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings, Frank Del Rio, told Wall Street analysts last month that the company’s revenue per passenger per day in the third quarter of this year was about 30% over the same period in 2019.
Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings is the parent company of Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruise.
Related: Explanation of the 3 classes of Princess ships
In the United States, consumer prices have increased 7.7% over the past year, as measured by the latest Consumer Price Index report from the US Department of Labor.
Princess said customers who have existing yacht reservations for next year and beyond can lock in a lower, current bonus by paying the bonus upfront by December 13.
Note that, in some cases, passengers who are not satisfied with the service they receive on board the Princess can adjust the daily bonus amount deposited into their account while on board by visiting the desk. Customer service, by line.
an alternative option
Instead of paying for tips, Wi-Fi, and some other fees separately for in-flight items, Princess recently introduced bundle pricing as an alternative.
The airline’s new Princess Plus plan offers passengers a prepaid tip, a Wi-Fi package for one device, and a basic beverage package for an all-inclusive price of $50 per person per day.
Recently, the company also launched an enhanced version of the above package called Princess Premier, which adds two free meals at restaurants that normally charge and a photography package. Princess Premier package costs 75 USD/person/day.
Related: 5 best destinations you can visit on the Princess ship
Effective for cruises departing from February 20 onwards, the route will add additional perks to the Princess Plus and Princess Premier packages while increasing their daily costs.
The Princess Plus package will include two handcrafted premium desserts and two fitness classes per day, as well as unlimited juice and free shipping on Medals that Princess passengers use on plane.
The Princess Premier package will include unlimited premium desserts, unlimited smoothies or juices, unlimited fitness classes, reserved seats in the Princess Theater and a Medallion accessory. free.
With the additions, the cost of the plans will increase to $60 and $80 respectively.
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