Princess Cruises BIG Changes Explained | Deposits, Insurance & Best Price Guarantee ENDS
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Creator's Key Takeaways
One of these hasn't even been announced by Princess as of today, but it could have a major impact on how you book your cruise.
This is the kind of nickel and dimeming that I've been afraid of Princess adopting.
The built-in value of being a Captain Circle member just got, shall we say, a little less clear.
In my opinion, the loss of the Princess Price Guarantee is a good thing for savvy cruisers who watch for the best deals.
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About our Bacon Score methodologyYouTube Video Description↓
Princess Cruises has made some significant changes that could impact how — and when — you should book your next cruise. In this video, we break down the most important Princess Cruises policy updates, explain what they really mean for cruisers, and help you decide whether paying extra for flexibility is now worth it. First, we explain the new default non-refundable deposit policy. Most Princess Cruises sailings now automatically come with a non-refundable deposit, meaning if you cancel, that deposit may be lost. However, Princess now offers an optional refundable deposit for an additional cost. We discuss how this works, why Princess made the change, and which type of traveler may benefit most from paying extra upfront. Next, we cover major updates to Princess Vacation Protection Plans. Princess has eliminated the Standard Protection plan and now offers Cancellation Protection and Platinum Protection instead. We explain what’s changed, what coverage you lose, and how this impacts Captain’s Circle loyalty benefits, including the insurance perk that many repeat Princess cruisers relied on. We also discuss a major shift in cruise pricing strategy — the end of the Princess Best Price Guarantee as of December 15, 2025. This means Princess is no longer required to match lower prices or provide onboard credit if fares drop after you book. We explain what happens if you booked while the guarantee was active, and what protections — if any — still apply. Finally, we analyze why refundable deposits may now be more important than ever. With no Best Price Guarantee in place, Princess can lower cruise fares without adjusting earlier bookings. We explain how refundable deposits can give you flexibility to cancel and rebook at a lower price before final payment — potentially saving you money even after paying extra upfront. If you’re planning a Princess cruise in 2025 or 2026, this is essential information before you book. ---- CHANNEL & CONTACT INFORMATION ---- For the latest in Cruise News, Reviews and Specials, sign-up for our free, informative newsletter now! https://newsletter.tidalhorizons.com If you are located in Canada or the United States and would like travel planning assistance, please contact me using this form: http://contact.tidalhorizons.com For Excursion planning, use our affiliate link for Shore Excursions Group, experts in cruise excursion planning. http://excursions.tidalhorizons.com ** Please note unless otherwise noted, my videos are not sponsored either by the brands depicted or by other brands unrelated to the video. ** "Tidal Horizons - Cruise & Travel" is for informational and entertainment purposes. Thank you for supporting the channel! ------------------------------------- Travel Related Business Inquiries and/or media: Please contact Andrew at andrew@tidalhorizons.com ------------------------------------- Note: While I'm happy to try and answer specific questions in the comment sections, I cannot help with travel planning through this channel. ------------------------------------- BIOGRAPHY My name is Andrew I live in Ontario, Canada with my wife and four boys. I have been an avid traveller all my life, something that we have instilled in our kids. In addition to my channel, I am a working travel consultant with one of the largest providers of cruise travel in North America. #PrincessCruises #CruiseNews #CruiseTips #PrincessCruise #CruiseBooking #CruiseInsurance #CruisePrices #CaptainCircle #CruiseTravel #Cruise2026 NEW! Princess Cruise 2025 INSIDER Tips You Won't Find Anywhere Else! 10 Things You MUST Know Before Sailing Princess Cruises 10 Things I Wish I Knew BEFORE Going On Our Princess Cruise Smart Ways to Save on YOUR Next Princess Cruise (2025 & Beyond) CRUISE NEWS! Princess Cruises Deposit Changes Now in Effect | Refundable vs Non-Refundable Deposits Princess Deposit Confusion Explained 💬 | Future Cruise Deposits, Refund Rules & My Honest Thoughts Princess Plus vs Premier 2025: What’s Included, What’s Extra & Is It Worth It? Life Well Cruised JJ Cruise Cruise with Ben and David