Princess Cruises New Daily Gratuities

For all categories of cabins, the daily gratuity increased by $1 per person per day, a 6% increase over the previous rate. The last increase was in August 2024, when it was also a $1 increase.

While the increase is relatively minor, the overall cost adds up. For a standard balcony cabin on a week-long cruise, it adds $252 to the cost of the cruise. Looking at a week-long Caribbean cruise in October, the average price of a balcony cabin is $1,308, meaning the gratuities increase the total price by nearly 20%. It’s not an insignificant amount.

Who Do These Fees Go to?

One of the biggest complains about daily gratuities is not that the crew doesn’t deserve them, but that guests don’t know who the fees go to and if it actually increases their pay (compared to simply reducing what the cruise line has to pay them).

According to the Princess Cruises website, these gratuities go to crewmembers who “work in various departments, many of whom rotate among different ships, throughout our fleet of ships.”

They go on to explain, “The pooled funds are distributed throughout the year in the form of compensation, including bonuses, to crewmembers fleetwide who interact directly with guests and/or behind the scenes throughout every cruise, including those in the Bar, Dining, Entertainment, Housekeeping, Guest Services, Galley and Onboard Revenue areas.”

Guests still have the ability to adjust or remove these gratuities while onboard by visited guests services.

Another Silent Increase for a Carnival Corporation Brand

Carnival Corporation brands (Carnival, Princess Cruises, and Holland America) used to take a very customer-friendly approach and proactively notify guests of changes well in advance. This allowed guests to budget accordingly and prepay service charges to lock in the rates.

But recently, the brands have been doing more “silent” updates, trying to hide the increases and minimize blowback. This time, Princess Cruises did not make an announcement of the change and instead simply updated their website with the new information.

Princess Plus and Premier Packages Not Affected

Princess Cruises’ optional all-inclusive packages are some of the best deals in the cruise industry because not only do they include Wi-Fi, beverage packages, and other items, but they also include the daily gratuities in the package, offering significant savings.

At the time of publication, the packages remain the same price. If purchased ahead of time, the Princess Plus package is $65 per person per day and the Premier package is $100 ($70 and $105 for Sphere Class ships).

This increase in the gratuities makes the packages even more valuable.

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The service charge has increased from 18% to 20% and will go into effect this month. Rather than a single announcement date, the new rate appears to be rolling out as ships begin each new voyage in March.

For passengers ordering drinks, specialty dining, or other add-ons onboard, that means the total price will now be slightly higher than it was previously.

What the New 20% Service Charge Applies To

According to the Princess website, the updated policy applies to many optional purchases made during a cruise. Princess describes the charge this way:

A nonrefundable Service Charge of 20% of purchase will be automatically added to optional purchases of drinks, dining room and specialty dining, private group functions, and other elected products, services or amenities provided to guests that are not included in the cruise fare.”

In practical terms, the 20% service charge now applies to things like:

• Drinks purchased at bars and lounges
• Specialty dining restaurants
• Dining room wine purchases
• Spa services

Note: This charge is mandatory and automatically added at checkout. It is completely separate from the daily crew appreciation charge that Princess also applies to most staterooms.

Guests Who Prepaid Online Will Not See the Increase

Passengers who already prepaid for drinks, dining packages, or other add-ons through Princess before their cruise should not see the higher service charge applied retroactively.

That means if you bought packages or experiences online ahead of time under the previous 18% charge, your total should remain the same.

My Take: A Minor Change but Part of a Larger Pattern

Cruise lines have been slowly increasing service fees and gratuities over the years. Daily gratuities and service charges continue to rise, increasing the overall cost of cruising while the base cruise fare often remains the price guests focus on.

While this change is relatively minor ($0.30 on a cocktail or about $4 on a $200 spa service), the broader pattern of quietly adding more fees for guests is becoming clear.

With this change, Princess did not make a formal announcement. Instead, the company updated its website and left letters in cabins for guests on affected sailings. Sister cruise line Carnival made a similar change just three months ago and handled it in much the same quiet way.

While cruise ship staff work hard and deserve to be rewarded for their exemplary service, it is not guaranteed that crew members will directly benefit from these increases. Critics argue that cruise lines may keep overall crew compensation the same while shifting more of that cost onto passengers through service charges, effectively padding their own bottom lines.

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Makoto Ocean Comes to Sapphire Princess

Makoto Ocean first debuted on the Sun Princess and, more recently, the Star Princess. This concept was created in partnership with Chef Makoto Okuwa and features Edomae-style sushi. The menu includes dishes such as truffle salmon and snow crab temaki, as well as Japanese-inspired craft cocktails like the Genmai Negroni.

The new restaurant will take over the space previously used by the Internet Café on Deck 7, next to Sabatini’s Italian Trattoria. The cost is $60 per person, or it is included with the Princess Premier package.

Crown Grill Steakhouse

The Crown Grill is Princess’ well-known steakhouse concept found across thirteen of its ships. The restaurant serves traditional steakhouse favorites such as premium aged beef and fresh seafood.

On Sapphire Princess, the Crown Grill Steakhouse will replace the Savoy Dining Room on Deck 5. The Savoy was one of the ship’s five dining rooms that usually offered “Anytime Dining.” Like Makoto Ocean, the cost is $60 per person, or it is included with the Princess Premier package.

Upcoming Sailings for Sapphire Princess

Now that it’s back on the water, Sapphire Princess will begin a season of South America and Antarctica cruises. In spring and summer, it will cross the Atlantic for sailings in the Mediterranean and Northern Europe. In the fall, it will return to the United States for Canada and New England itineraries.

Then, in March 2027, the ship will head to Japan, where it will join Diamond Princess for the “most expansive Japan season ever,” offering sailings from Tokyo from March through December 2027.

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Spellbound by Magic Castle Originally Debuted on Sun Princess

When Sun Princess set sail in early 2024, it introduced a first-of-its-kind collaboration between Princess Cruises and The Magic Castle, the legendary private club for magicians and magic enthusiasts in Hollywood. Known for its vintage décor, exclusive membership, and world-class performances, The Magic Castle has been a landmark of illusion and sleight-of-hand since 1963.

On Sun Princess, Spellbound transported guests into an intimate speakeasy where they enjoyed a multi-course dinner, whimsical cocktails, and close-up magic in a series of elaborately themed rooms. While the venue quickly became one of the ship’s most buzzed-about experiences, its $149 price tag and limited seating made it a splurge that not everyone could experience.

A Tribute to a Legendary Magician

While the Sun Princess version featured a variety of whimsical, eclectic spaces, Star Princess will introduce an all-new thematic inspired by the golden age of magic. The venue pays special tribute to famed magician Richard Valentine Pitchford, better known as Cardini, whose elegant sleight-of-hand performances captivated audiences in the early 20th century. The connection is personal, as Cardini’s great-nephew, Randy Pitchford, owns the Magic Castle in Hollywood and collaborated with Princess Cruises on the project.

New Spaces and Specialty Cocktails

Spellbound takes place in an exquisitely themed venue set not accessible to everyone else on board. Guests will enter through a whimsical ticket booth before exploring new themed areas like the Inner Circle, the Cardini Bar, the behind-the-scenes Backstage area, and the Peacock Theater. Each space is designed with theatrical lighting, detailed décor, and a touch of mystery.

The Cardini Bar will feature an exclusive cocktail menu not available elsewhere on the ship. Drinks will come with their own magical twist, like The Inner Circle (milk-washed Meili vodka with jasmine tea) and Cardini (a butter-washed rum Old Fashioned).

A More Affordable Experience

One of the biggest changes for Star Princess is the price. Admission to Spellbound by Magic Castle is now $45 per guest, down from $149 per person on Sun Princess. The ticket includes two signature cocktails and a live magic show.

The lower cost comes with a format change, however. Unlike the original version, Spellbound will no longer include a multi-course dinner before the performance.

More Showtimes and Wider Access

On Sun Princess, seating was extremely limited (only 30 – 40 people per show), making reservations difficult to secure. The Star Princess version will offer several performances each night, opening the experience to more guests during each sailing. You can purchase tickets in advance through Princess Cruises website or once onboard.

About the Star Princess

Currently being completed at Fincantieri shipyard, the 177,800-ton Star Princess will carry 4,300 guests. The second ship in the Sphere Class, Star Princess highlights include The Dome, a glass-enclosed pool and entertainment space; The Princess Arena, the line’s most advanced theater; and The Piazza, a dramatic three-story atrium with ocean views. The ship launches with a wide selection of dining, bars, and entertainment venues, and Spellbound by Magic Castle will be one of its most talked-about experiences.

My Take: Making Spellbound More Accessible Makes It More Appealing

My Take: Making Spellbound More Accessible Makes It More Appealing

Recently, it seems every cruise line has been adding a speakeasy or themed-bar experience to their ships. MSC has a hidden speakeasy on World Europa and World America, Virgin Voyages has an invite-only speakeasy and magic show, and even Margaritaville at Sea has a hidden bar on their ships (for a fee). For themed bar experiences, Disney Cruise Line’s new Haunted Mansion Parlor takes the immersion to the next level.

Princess Cruises was smart to partner with The Magic Castle, a well-known name, to create something unique for their Sphere Class ships. But on Sun Princess, the price point and limited capacity really restricted who could enjoy it. The Star Princess version lowers the cost, drops the dinner component, and adds more showtimes, making it a much easier splurge for guests who want to experience a little magic at sea.

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Now, Princess Cruises is significantly raising the prices of all its specialty dining venues, with increases ranging from 22% to 33%.

Specialty Dining Prices Increase on April 15

As of April 15, Princess Cruises raised the cover charge for the following restaurants:

• Crown Grill
• Sabatini’s Italian Trattoria
• Churrascaria Brazilian Grill
• The Catch by Rudi
• Umai Teppanyaki
• Umai Hot Pot
• Makoto Ocean
• Butcher’s Block by Dario
• Love by Britto

Previously, most of these restaurants charged $45 per adult. Now, across much of the fleet, the price has increased to $55 per adult and $27.50 per child. That’s a 22% increase for adults.

Interestingly, the price for Love by Britto has actually decreased from $79 to $55, aligning it with the other venues.

Remember, all specialty dining charges are also subject to an automatic 18% gratuity.

Even Higher Prices on Newest Princess Ships

On Sun Princess and Star Princess, the newest ships in the fleet, specialty dining prices are even higher. On those ships, the cover charge is now $60 per adult and $27.50 per child, a 33% increase compared to the original $45 fee.

Additionally, Princess has confirmed that all specialty dining charges are now subject to an automatic 18% gratuity.

Previously Booked Dining Not Affected

If you’ve already booked and paid for a specialty dining reservation, your pricing is locked in and will not be impacted by the increase.

Princess Premier Package Still a Value

Princess Cruises offers two add-on packages that bundle amenities like drinks, Wi-Fi, gratuities, and dining. The Princess Premier Package—the top-tier option—includes unlimited specialty dining throughout the sailing. That package still costs $90 per person, per day and is not affected by the recent price hike.

Specialty Dining Prices Are Rising Across All Cruise Lines

Unfortunately, Princess isn’t alone—specialty dining prices are going up across the cruise industry. Sister cruise line Carnival now charges $52 for its Fahrenheit 555 steakhouse. Over on Royal Caribbean, the cost of Chops Grille varies depending on the sailing, with dynamic pricing ranging from $39 to $65 per person. Celebrity Cruises takes a similar approach with its Fine Cut Steakhouse, where pricing can range from $39 to $69.

Is It Still Worth It?

With the cost now rivaling land-based restaurants—plus an added gratuity—it’s more important than ever to weigh whether these meals add enough value to your cruise.

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New Food Options at Sabatini‘s

Working closely with the Frescobaldi family, Princess has introduced several new dishes inspired by the menu at the winemaker’s flagship restaurant in Florence. The focus is on high-quality, seasonal ingredients that are rich in flavor and designed to pair effortlessly with Frescobaldi wines.

“Since Sabatini’s first opened, guests have embraced the authentic tastes of Italy, the warm atmosphere, and, of course, the perfectly paired wines on the menu. Our new collaboration with Frescobaldi elevates our connection to Italy, allowing guests to savor the rich flavors of Tuscany while creating unforgettable memories at sea,” said Sami Kohen, said Princess Cruises Vice President of Food and Beverage.

The new Sabatini’s Italian Trattoria, Inspired by Frescobaldi menu has six new dishes.

• Guazzetto di Cozze e Gamberi – Italian seafood stew with mussels and shrimp, simmered in fragrant tomato and white wine broth with garlic, herbs and a hint of chili; served with crusty bread for dipping.
• Burrata e Prosciutto Crudo Stagionato 18 Mesi – creamy burrata paired with 18-month-aged prosciutto crudo, fresh cherry tomatoes, peppery arugula, and a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil.  
• Fettuccine al Tartufo e Parmigiano – truffle-infused velvety Parmigiano-Reggiano sauce, topped with grated black truffle, a crispy parmesan tuile, and a drizzle of herbed oil. 
• Tortello di Ricotta al Pomodoro e Basilico – delicate hand-made tortello pasta filled with rich ricotta and enveloped in zesty cherry tomato sauce, fresh basil, aged cheese, and a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil. 
• Filetto di Branzino e Carciofi Fritti – a celebration of fresh Mediterranean flavors featuring pan-seared sea bass fillet, paired with crispy fried artichokes and drizzled with zesty lemon-infused olive oil.  
• Torta Caprese – flourless almond cake blended with rich crema Pasticceria, caramelized hazelnuts, and exquisite chocolate brittle, paired with creamy limoncello mascarpone gelato and a drizzle of premium Frescobaldi olive oil. 

Sabatini’s remains a specialty restaurant with a cover charger of $45 per adult and $22.50 for children (or included with the Princess Premier or Princess Plus packages).

Grand Tuscan Dinner at Sabatini’s

As part of the refresh, Sabatini’s will now host a special Grand Tuscan Dinner one night per sailing. This six-course tasting experience will showcase the best of Tuscan cuisine and wine. Some of the featured courses include:

• Carpaccio Di Mare Mediterraneo – delicate tuna and scallop carpaccio topped with sturgeon caviar, salmon caviar, black truffle and a vibrant citrus dressing. 
• Branzino Con Caponata alla Siciliana – seared sea bass served atop tangy Sicilian caponata, drizzled with fresh basil oil. 
• Pinolata Senese – light and airy Tuscan pinenut cake with rich custard cream. 
• Cantucci Biscotti Con Grappa di Vino Luce – crunchy almond biscotti Grappa di Vino Luce for the perfect Tuscan dip. 

Sabatini’s Italian Trattoria Grand Tuscan Dinner will have a cover charge of $99/person. 

Revamped Wine and Cocktail Menu

Sabatini’s wine and cocktail menu will also be getting a refresh. It’ll feature all-new Frescobaldi wines like Mormoreto and Gorgona Bianco Toscana IGT. They’ve also created six new cocktails inspired by the wines.

• Gorgona Breeze channels coastal freshness with citrus and herbal notes
• Rosato Reverie brings out delicate berry and floral flavors with a sparkling finish
• Chianti Sunset is a bold, bittersweet blend with aged amaro and cherry
• Pomino Bloom highlights aromatic botanicals and white peach
• Mormoreto Old Fashioned which reimagines the classic with a red wine reduction and Tuscan herbs. 

New Sabatini’s Menu Debuting Across the Princess Fleet

The new Sabatini’s Italian Trattoria, Inspired by Frescobaldi menu and Grand Tuscan Dinner, debuted aboard Majestic Princess following its recent dry dock (read more about that here). Princess Cruises plans to roll out the enhancements to the rest of the fleet in the coming months.

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Here’s a breakdown of the major changes made during the dry dock.

Sabatini’s Italian Trattoria Replaces Harmony Restaurant

One of the biggest changes is the replacement of Harmony Restaurant with Sabatini’s Italian Trattoria, a longtime Princess favorite. Known for its handmade pasta, slow-braised meats, and Tuscan-inspired décor, Sabatini’s brings a more familiar, fleet-standard dining experience to Majestic Princess. This specialty restaurant is included for guests with the Princess Premiere package or has a cover charge per person.

O’Malley’s Irish Pub Replaces Vines Wine Bar

Gone is the quiet wine-focused Vines Wine Bar, and in its place is O’Malley’s Irish Pub, Princess’ lively venue that serves up hearty comfort food, an impressive whiskey selection, and nightly live music. This spot has been added to several ships in recent years and has quickly become a guest favorite. On Majestic Princess, it gives passengers a more social atmosphere right off the Piazza. It’s a casual dining venue with an extra charge for food unless you have the Princess Plus or Premiere packages.

Good Spirits at Sea Replaces Piazza Bar

Good Spirits at Sea, the bar made famous by the TV show of the same name, is moving to a prominent location, replacing the Piazza Bar. Here, guests can watch live mixology demonstrations while learning about the cultural stories behind each drink.

Bellini’s Cocktail Bar Takes Over Photo Gallery Space

Down on Deck 6, Princess combined the old Good Spirits at Sea and the Princess Photo Gallery to create a new cocktail venue, Bellini’s Cocktail Bar. This elegant lounge serves hand-crafted cocktails and a curated wine list with an Italian twist.

Alfredo’s Slice Replaces Chopsticks Noodle & Dim Sum Bar

Chopsticks Noodle & Dim Sum Bar, another holdover from the ship’s early Asia-based itineraries, is gone. In its place is Alfredo’s Slice, a poolside pizza counter serving Neapolitan-style pies made to order. While the original Alfredo’s Pizzeria remains indoors on many ships, this “Slice” version gives guests a more casual, and included, option near the main pool.

The Salty Dog Café Replaces Lobster Bar & Grill

Also near the pool deck, the upscale Lobster Bar & Grill has been replaced by The Salty Dog Café, a fast-casual venue that serves burgers, loaded fries, hot dogs, and tacos. This eatery originally appeared on Crown Princess and has since expanded to other ships to provide poolside eats.

Ocean Terrace Sushi Bar Replaces Ocean Terrace Bar

The former Ocean Terrace Bar overlooking the Piazza has been transformed into Ocean Terrace Sushi Bar, offering nigiri, sashimi, and sushi rolls prepared fresh to order. It’s a casual restaurant, so it has an extra fee, or it is included for guests with the Princess Plus and Princess Premier packages.

Captain’s Arcade Replaces Churchill’s Video Arcade

Churchill’s Video Arcade has been renamed Captain’s Arcade, with the space continuing to offer interactive and classic arcade games. The space isn’t drastically different, but the games had a refresh while updating the name and branding.

Princess Photo Gallery Moves to Library Space

Since Bellini’s took over the former photo gallery space, the Princess Photo Gallery has relocated to Deck 7. It occupies the space where the ship’s Library used to be.

EFFY Expands, Replaces Cartier and Calypso Cove

EFFY Jewelry expands on the Majestic Princess with the expanded Shops of Princess featuring EFFY. It includes a new lounge, private consultations, and seminars. In place of Calypso Cove, guests will now also find a Victorian-style Confectionary, offering a whimsical pick-your-own-sweets experience.

Fine Tuning Majestic Princess For Its New Itineraries

Cruise lines take a risk when they build a ship for a specific market if it can no longer serve that market. Norwegian had similar problems with the Joy, and Carnival with their former Costa ships Venezia and Firenze. It takes a lot of work to un-specialize them for other markets.

This dry dock overhaul aligns Majestic Princess with the rest of the Princess fleet. The move away from Asian-influenced venues completes the ship’s transition into a Western market product, just in time for a full slate of 2025 Mediterranean sailings.

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“After the overwhelming response to Sun Princess, we are excited to debut her sister ship, Star Princess, with added enhancements to elevate the guest experience. From expanded non-smoking casino areas to new spaces for relaxation and recreation, Star Princess will deliver an unforgettable vacation for all when she launches in fall 2025.” – John Padgett, Princess Cruises president.

More Space in Specialty Restaurants

With Princess Cruises’ increased focus on specialty dining, including added unlimited specialty dining to Princess Premier guests in August, getting a reservation at one of the specialty restaurants can be a challenge. For Star Princess, they’re not adding new dining options, but they’re increasing the space.

O’Malleys Irish Pub which serves traditional Irish food, a selection of beers, and hosts live music most evenings, will add 32 more seats, a 37% increase over Sun Princess.

Love by Britto, an art-inspired restaurant that is a collaboration with chef Rudi Sodamin and artist Romero Britto, will add 20 more seats, or a 29% increase. Here, guests will enjoy a seven-course fusion menu.

In addition, Star Princess will also reflect the restaurant reshuffling that took place on Sun Princess last month. As part of that, several restaurants were moved around for increased ambiance and capacity.

• Butcher’s Block by Dario increased capacity by 50%
• The Catch by Rudi increased capacity by 41%
• Crown Grill increased capacity by 36%

Expanded Non-Smoking Casino Areas

Princess Cruises will be adding 68 additional slot machines in newly designated non-smoking sections of the casino. Based on the press release and updated deck plans, the casino doesn’t look any larger; they just switched sections that were previously smoking to non-smoking.

Addition of SkyDeck Sports Court and Track instead of Park19

Princess shocked cruisers in July when they announced the major top-deck attractions planned for Sun Princess would appear. This area was supposed to have a ropes course, climbing wall, and a RollGlider suspended ride. These attractions were heavily featured in Sun Princess’ marketing and were supposed to make the ship more family-friendly. Due to issues with their vendor, these attractions, while built, were never opened.

People wondered what they would do with the space on Star Princess. Instead of Park19, the space will be called SkyDeck Sports Court & Track. It’ll feature a pickleball and basketball court, a jogging track, a splash pad, and relaxation areas. It’s definitely not a top-billed attraction anymore, and now it is akin to what you’d see on any older cruise ship.

Star Princess Will Sail the Caribbean and Alaska

When the Star Princess debuts in October 2025, it will homeport out of Fort Lauderdale for Caribbean cruises. Then, in May, it will sail to Seattle, where it will offer a summer of Alaskan sailings. The ship’s large glass windows in The Piazza and The Dome will be perfect for enjoying the stunning panoramic views of Alaska.

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Thankfully, most of this shuffle is good news, better utilizing spaces to correct poor planning. “With the relocation and transformation of these popular specialty restaurants, we’re not only enhancing the ambiance but also optimizing the overall dining experience for our guests,” said Sami Kohen, vice president of food & beverage for Princess Cruises. “These new locations allow us to expand capacity while also creating more intimate and immersive culinary environments, ensuring that every meal aboard Sun Princess is truly exceptional.”

Horizons Dining Room Changes

The Sun Princess debuted with a beautiful 3-tiered dining room, called the Horizons Dining Room. The first level, Deck 6, was used for assigned time dining. The second level, Deck 7, was used for anytime dining, and the 3rd level was called the American Diner, a more casual dining option where guests could enjoy classics and more casual food fare. The American Diner concept is being broken out and moved to the back of the buffet, The Eatery.

The two lower levels will get different names to remove confusion with guests. Deck 6 will now be called the Soleil Dining Room, and Deck 7 will be the Eclipse Dining Room. Food and service will remain the same for both of those.

New Sanctuary Restaurant for Sanctuary Collection Guests

The third floor of the Horizons Dining Room will now be a new “Sanctuary Restaurant” for Sanctuary Collection guests. This elevated dining experience offers custom chef’s menus. It is available exclusively to guests staying in Sanctuary Collection cabins. On the Sun Princess, there are 80 suites, 123 mini suites, and 12 premium deluxe balcony cabins that fall into this class.

These guests also have exclusive access to “The Sanctuary Club,” a dedicated top deck area at the aft of Deck 18. This area formerly had a dedicated “Signature Sun Deck” for Signature Class cabins and a larger area called “The Sanctuary,” where guests could purchase access if they weren’t in suites. Now, it’s now it’s all been combined into one “Sanctuary Club” exclusively for guests in a Sanctuary Collection cabin. This area has the only child-free pool on the ship.

The Butcher’s Block by Dario and The Catch by Rudi Get Better Venues

The Sun Princess saw the addition of two new specialty restaurants. While early reviews spoke positively of the food, the ambiance and setup left something to be desired, according to many. For breakfast and lunch, these areas were part of the buffet. At dinner, the area would be used for specialty dining, but it couldn’t shake the feel of a buffet setup, especially with a main hallway right through the area. It didn’t provide the ambiance expected of an additional fee specialty restaurant costing $45.

The Butcher’s Block by Dario, a family-style restaurant serving premium cuts of meat, will be moving to where the Crown Grill was on Deck 7.

The Catch by Rudi, featuring seafood specialties from chef Rudi Sodamin, is moving to Deck 7, off of the Piazza, where the Signature Restaurant is currently located.

Crown Grill Takes Over Reserve Collection Restaurant

Princess Cruises’ signature steakhouse, Crown Grill, will move to where the Reserve Collection restaurant previously was located at the back of Deck 7.

Our Take: Good Changes But Another Bump in the Road for Sun Princess

For a new ship to undergo so many changes in less than a year of service is pretty unheard. In recent years, Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, and Virgin Voyages have all launched new classes of ships and none of them had so many changes after launch. It’s clear Princess Cruises didn’t understand what they wanted to do with this new ship or how it’d be received. Most of these changes are good, but many of these issues should have been caught during the planning process.

The Sun Princess seems to have a bit of an identity crisis, and maybe the same could be said for Princess Cruises. This ship was supposed to be more family-friendly and bring in more multi-generational travelers. But now, many of the kid-focused attractions aren’t opening. The increased dining options were supposed to bring flexibility, but then guests complained they couldn’t get reservations at any of them when they were included with their Princess Premiere package.

About Princess Cruises Daily Gratuities

Like most cruise lines sailing out of North America, Princess Cruises charges guests a daily gratuity for services provided onboard the ship. They use slightly different terminology, calling it “Crew Appreciation and Service Charge” rather than “daily gratuities,” but the purpose is the same.

“The ‘Crew Appreciation‘ is a daily amount for each guest that will be automatically added to your onboard account for your convenience, to recognize the efforts of a wide variety of crewmembers who contribute to the experiences of all our guests. The crewmembers eligible to receive these funds work in various departments, many of whom rotate among different ships, throughout our fleet of ships.” – Princess Cruises Website

You can adjust the crew appreciation / daily gratuities at your discretion by visiting guest services while onboard the ship.

Princes Cruises Daily Gratuities for 2024 and Beyond

Here are Princess Cruises’ new daily gratuity charges according to their website.

For a family of four in a standard cabin on a 7-day cruise, that would be an additional $476 to pay.

Princess Cruises’ Gratuity Change Does Not Affect Princess Plus and Premier Packages

Guests who book the Princess Plus and Princess Premier packages do not need to worry. The daily gratuities are already included in the cost of those packages. The cost of Princess Plus did not increase, and two weeks ago, the Princess Premier package increased by $10 per day but it also included a few enhancements (read about the changes here).

Increased Service Charges Are Hidden Price Increases

Unfortunately, these charges are not subject to the California price transparency law that recently added all taxes and fees to the base published cruise fare. That’s because the cruise lines position these as “optional.”

The staff on cruise ships work incredibly hard and deserve to be paid well. The fact that cruise lines position these service charges as “optional” is misleading. Many crew members depend on these daily gratuities, and taking them off your account hurts them. Cruise lines must recognize that these aren’t optional and they should be included in the cruise cost.

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