Princess Cruises, this week, has upped the price and changed its alcohol-inclusive beverage package.

Rolling out fleet-wide, the changes were implemented on Wednesday on the Golden Princess.

Previously known as the All-Inclusive Beverage Package which was priced at $59 per person, per day and covered drinks up to the value of $14 including cocktails, spirits, beers, wine by the glass as well as soft drinks, shakes, juices and water bottles. Guests would also receive up to 40 per cent discount on bottles of wine priced at $100 or less.

But the new Premier Beverage Package is priced at $86.99 and includes all beer, wine by the glass as well as cocktails under $16, bottled water, fountain sodas, fresh juices and shakes. The package has also put a limit on the number of alcoholic beverages purchase at 15 per person, per day. The line has also reduced the amount of discount guests receive on bottles of wine under $100 to 25 per cent. The package is not available for voyages less than seven-nights for Australia-based itineraries or fewer than two-nights for all other itineraries.

A spokesperson from Princess Cruises said, “Princess Cruises has updated its beverage package to be more in line with the industry standard, while remaining one of the lowest priced packages in the industry at AU$86.99/day including gratuity across all Australian-based vessels. In addition to the updated name, the new Premier Beverage Package includes more value to our guests.

“As part of the Premier Beverage package, we have kept the unlimited availability of:
·        bottled water (500ml)
·        fountain sodas
·        fresh juices (if available)
·        specialty coffees and teas
·        Red Bull energy drinks
·        Frappe’s at Coffee & Cones
·        Smoothies and milk shakes (if available)

“At the same time, we have set a limit on the number of drinks to 15 alcoholic beverages per day to enforce the responsible service of alcohol policy we follow.

“In addition to keeping the unlimited offerings, we have enhanced the value of the package by adding alcoholic drinks up to AU$16, offering 25% off all bottles of wine, and including a one litre bottle of water (still or sparkling) free when you dine at a specialty dining restaurant.”

Royal Caribbean charges US$55 or around AU$65 for its Deluxe drink package (excluding gratuities) and includes beer, wine by the glass (up to $12 value), frozen cocktails, house and premium cocktails (up to $12 value) as well as non-alcoholic cocktails, coffee and tea, bottled still and sparkling water, juices and fountain sodas.

Celebrity’s Premium Beverage package is priced at US$59 a day or around $74 which includes all beers, wines, cocktails as well as top shelf liquor priced at US$13 or less.

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