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Princess Cruises made waves last week when it updated its Plus and Premier packages. The initial change included specialty coffee and tea in the 15-drink daily limit for Plus package holders. After a wave of feedback, Princess reversed part of that decision and brought back unlimited coffee and tea. Here’s what happened and what you need to know if you’re sailing with Princess.
When the changes were first announced on July 21, 2025, Princess confirmed new pricing that will apply to packages purchased on or after July 22, 2025, for sailings starting January 14, 2026:
Plus Package: $65 per person, per day ($70 on Sun Princess and Star Princess)
Premier Package: $90 per person, per day
Previously, those packages cost $60 and $80 per day. With the price increase, Princess also announced that drinks in the Plus package, including specialty coffee and tea, would now count toward the 15-drink daily limit. For coffee drinkers, this meant their morning cappuccinos could cut into the same allowance they would otherwise use for cocktails, sodas, or mocktails. On top of that, canned sodas were removed from both packages and replaced with fountain sodas, with a 25% discount if you want to buy cans separately.
The reaction was swift, and Princess heard it loud and clear. Just a few days later, they reversed one of the most unpopular parts of the update. Specialty coffee and tea are now unlimited again for Plus package holders and no longer count toward the 15-drink cap. Everything else, including fountain sodas, mocktails, and energy drinks, still does.
Premier package guests continue to get unlimited drinks across the board.
Here’s what this means if you’re cruising with Princess in 2026:
- Coffee lovers can relax. Your lattes and Americanos won’t cut into your drink count.
- If you go heavy on sodas or mocktails, those still count, so the Premier package might be worth it.
- The price increase is sticking, even with the coffee fix.
If you bought your package before the July 22 change, you’ll keep the original terms. For anyone booking after that date, the new pricing and updated coffee rule will apply.
Princess may have created a mess with the initial change, but at least they backed down where it mattered most. Unlimited coffee is back, and for a lot of cruisers, that’s a win.
Related: Use our Cruise Drink Package Calculator to See if It’s Worth It
Photo credit: DepositPhotos.com
Meet Kathy Ava, a food, travel, and cruise writer based in Los Angeles/Pasadena, and the owner and main writer of Tasty Itinerary. With over 20 years of experience planning trips and logistics at her full-time job and for herself, she’s become a pro at crafting unforgettable tasty itineraries. She’s always on the hunt for delicious, fun travel destinations and cruise itineraries. She firmly believes that life is short and we must make the most of it, so always say yes to dessert.
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