Princess Cruises Isn’t the Same in 2026 (Major Changes Explained)
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Creator's Key Takeaways
For years, one of the biggest perks of booking with Princess was refundable deposits. Well, that's no longer the case.
Princess Plus package jumps from $60 per day to $65 per day if purchased pre-cruise and from $65 per day to $70 per day if bought on board.
Princess Premiere now includes a shore excursion credit per guest which varies by voyage length.
The cruise line is now more strictly enforcing its one drink per transaction policy, also not allowing double shots of spirits.
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Princess Cruises has made MAJOR changes for 2026 that every cruiser needs to know before booking. In this video, I break down all the new policies, price increases, fees, and package updates affecting your next Princess cruise this year. 💲Save BIG with MEI-Travel cruise deals: https://bookmeicruise.com/?apid=escy 🌎Save Up to 40% On Shore Excursions: https://www.shoreexcursionsgroup.com/?id=1603014 🛳️ FREE CRUISE PLANNING GUIDE: https://eatsleepcruise.com/cruise-planning-guide Here's what I cover in this video: PACKAGE PRICE INCREASES Princess Plus jumped from $60 to $65 per day, and Princess Premier increased from $90 to $100 per day. On Sphere-class ships like Sun Princess and Star Princess, you'll pay even more—$70 for Plus and $105 for Premier. I'll explain what's been added, what's been removed, and whether these packages are still worth it in 2026. NEW FEES YOU NEED TO KNOW Specialty dining at Crown Grill and Sabatini's increased 22-33% to $55-$60 per person. Alfredo's Pizzeria now charges $14.99 for a meal—and here's what most people don't realize: the Tony Gemignani specialty pizzas cost an extra $12 EACH, even if you have a Plus or Premier package. I'll also cover the new OceanNow delivery fee, room service charges, WiFi pricing changes, and Medallion shipping costs. BEVERAGE PACKAGE ENFORCEMENT Princess is cracking down on drink package "abuse." Starting in 2026, the Plus package 15-drink daily limit now includes ALL beverages—not just alcohol. No more double shots of spirits. No sharing drinks with non-package guests. I'll explain exactly what counts toward your limit and what doesn't. BOOKING POLICY CHANGES As of October 2025, all new Princess bookings default to non-refundable deposits. This is a huge shift from their previous policy. I'll explain what this means for your booking flexibility and how to get a refundable deposit if you need one. STAR PRINCESS ALASKA 2026 The second Sphere-class ship is heading to Alaska this summer—the first time a Sphere-class vessel has sailed The Great Land. I've got all the details on her inaugural Alaska season departing from Seattle, plus what makes Star Princess different from Sun Princess. VACATION PROTECTION CHANGES Princess retired the Standard PVP option in December 2025. Now Platinum PVP is your only insurance choice at 12% of the cruise fare. Plus, the loyalty discount for Ruby, Platinum, and Elite members is gone. I'll break down what this means for your cruise protection options. Whether you're a first-time Princess cruiser or a loyal Captain's Circle member, these changes will affect your 2026 sailing. Watch until the end where I share my tips for getting the best value despite all these increases. Planning a Princess cruise? Drop a comment below and let me know which ship and itinerary you're considering. I read every comment and love helping cruisers plan their perfect vacation! Princess Cruises Changes 2026: Everything You Need to Know 0:00 Princess Cruises Changes 2026: Everything You Need to Know 0:35 Princess Cruises No Longer Defaults to Non-Refundable Deposits 1:35 Final Payment Deadlines Have Been Moved Up on Princess Cruises 2:02 Princess Cruises Has a Brand New Ship Sailing in Alaska 3:14 BIG Changes to the Princess Plus & Premier Packages 4:50 Princess Has Removed Several Plus and Premier Package Benefits 6:40 Princess Plus Beverage Package Changes 8:30 Princess Has Discontinued Vacation Protection Plans 9:37 Specialty Dining Restaurants on Princess Ships Are Now More Expensive 12:04 Get Ready to Pay More on a Princess Cruise in 2026 ----TRENDING VIDEOS FROM EAT SLEEP CRUISE------ Why Cruising Doesn't Feel The Same: https://youtu.be/dv59PuNlsGA We Sailed on Princess Cruises Newest Ship: https://youtu.be/ty7O1eDvfXc What It’s Really Like on Princess Alaska Cruise: https://youtu.be/rG7tsivcZjU Best Cruises for Couples: https://youtu.be/fenNj5GmLdM Join us on Social Media as we “Sea the World, One Port at a Time.” Instagram: https://instagram.com/EatSleepCruise Facebook: https://facebook.com/EatSleepCruise Twitter: https://twitter.com/EatSleepCruise TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@eatsleepcruise Pinterest: https://pinterest.com/EatSleepCruise #PrincessCruises #CruiseTips #StarPrincess #Cruise2026 #AlaskaCruise #CruiseNews #CruisePlanning #PrincessPlus #PrincessPremier #SunPrincess #CruiseShip #CruiseLife #CruiseVlog #LoveBoat #MedallionClass #CruiseDeals #CruiseTravel #EatSleepCruise #EatSleepCruisePrincess Planning a Princess Cruise in 2026? This video breaks down some major changes you need to know before you book, as some could impact your cruising costs significantly. We're covering every important new cruise rules and offering cruise advice to help you prepare. Make sure to watch for essential princess cruise line tips!