Princess Cruises is beefing up its highest-tiered cruise package to include unlimited drinks and unlimited specialty dining.
Currently under the Princess Premier package, drinks are limited to 15 per day for drinks that sell for up to $15 each. The upgraded package will include all alcoholic beverages, specialty coffees, smoothies and bottled water that sell for up to $20 each.
Bottles of wine and large bottles of water are offered at a 25% discount.
Currently, the package includes two nights of specialty dining. With the upgraded Premier package, specialty dining is unlimited. That includes the Crown Grill steakhouse, Sabatini's Italian trattoria, The Catch by Rudi, Makoto Ocean and Butcher's Block by Dario Cecchini.
Other changes include unlimited priority access to the MedallionNet Max internet service.
With the change, the price for the Princess Premier package increases from $80 to $90 per day.
The upgraded package went on sale Aug. 15 for cruises departing from North America and will go on sale Aug. 16 for all other cruises. The rollout schedule is as follows:
• Enchanted Princess: August 31
• Majestic Princess; Sky Princess: September 1
• Crown Princess: September 2
• Ruby Princess: September 3
• Grand Princess: September 4
• Emerald Princess, Discovery Princess, Sun Princess: September 7
• Caribbean Princess, Regal Princess: September 12
• Royal Princess, Sapphire Princess: September 14
• Island Princess: September 25
• Diamond Princess: September 26
• Coral Princess: October 17
The line continues to evolve its Premier and Plus packages. Last year, the line increased their value proposition by including three-course meals at casual restaurants like Salty Dog Pub and O'Malleys along with free food and drink delivery service.