Summary
- Fee Increase Announcement: Starting February 2023, Princess Cruises will implement new service fees on board.
- Gratuity Changes: Daily “crew appreciation” charges will increase for different types of staterooms.
- Wi-Fi Charges: New pricing for onboard Wi-Fi services will be introduced.
Princess Cruises Raises Service Fees
Princess Cruises has become the latest cruise line to increase the cost of service fees for ship crew as well as raise fees on board for various services.
New Fee Structure Implementation
Starting in February, the cruise line will implement its new fee structure that will increase the daily “crew appreciation” charge to $16 per guest in interior, oceanview, and balcony staterooms, a spokesperson for Princess confirmed to iBestTravel.
Gratuity Changes Per Stateroom Type
Currently, these guests are automatically charged $14.50 per person, according to the company’s website.
- Mini-suite and Club Class staterooms will be charged $17 per guest, an increase from $15.50.
- Travelers in suites will be charged $18 per guest, up from $16.50.
“This daily charge recognizes our teammates for exceptional service they provide and is shared among many members of our hotel, dining, and entertainment teams throughout the fleet,” the Princess spokesperson stated.
Onboard Wi-Fi Pricing Changes
In addition to increased automatic gratuities, Princess will also raise the fees for Wi-Fi on board. Starting next year, travelers will have to pay $15 per day for one device, or $40 per day for four devices. Previously, Wi-Fi cost $9.99 when purchased pre-cruise, according to the company.
Effective Date of Changes
The increases will go into effect on February 20, 2023, for bookings made on or after December 13.
Industry Trends in Gratuity Increases
Princess is not alone in raising its onboard fees. Recently, Royal Caribbean increased its gratuities for guests in non-suite staterooms to $16 per person, per day.
Moreover, Norwegian Cruise Line is also updating its recommended gratuities, charging $16 per person, per day for staterooms. For bookings made after January 1, the cruise line will charge $20 per person, per day for travelers in Club Balcony Suites or below, and $25 for travelers in The Haven and Suites.
Comparative Gratuity Recommendations
This is higher than some competing major cruise lines. For instance, Carnival Cruise Line recommends $14.50 per person for standard staterooms, while Holland America suggests $15.50 for those in standard staterooms.
Notably, other luxury lines, such as Regent Seven Seas Cruises, include onboard gratuities in the cruise fare, making explicit charges more inclusive for their guests.
