Princess Cruises today announced Princess Premier, a new premium add-on package that offers guests unlimited WiFi for up to four devices, premium/top-shelf beverages, photos, speciality dining, and crew gratuities/appreciation.

According to a press release from Princess, for just $75 per person per day, the inclusive package builds off the Princess Plus add-on to offer a more comprehensive bundle and savings of more than 50 per cent when the amenities of Princess Premier are purchased separately.

Princess Premier guests also will be automatically entered into a new onboard promotion for a chance to win a cruise for two every year for a decade and up to $100,000 in cash prizes.

“Guests have overwhelmingly embraced the convenience and value offered in Princess Plus, so we are adding Princess Premier to take our inclusivity options to the next level,” said John Padgett, Princess Cruises president. “Princess Premier is our most inclusive package, offering guests sought-after onboard amenities at an incredible value. Whether a guest prefers a standalone cruise purchase or a fully inclusive vacation, Princess has hassle-free options for everyone. Every option is intended to provide great value.”

Princess Premier goes on sale May 25, for voyages starting June 25 and beyond. The package is available for just $75 per person, per day, and includes:

• Unlimited MedallionNet WiFi – the best WiFi at sea – for up to four-devices
• New “Premier” Beverage Package – top-shelf spirits and cocktails up to $18 with bar service charge included, a new selection of wines by the glass, 25 per cent bottles of wine, speciality coffees, smoothies, and bottled water
• Two speciality dining meals per person including popular restaurants like Crown Grill and Sabatini’s Italian Trattoria
• Digital downloads of all photos taken by professional staff on board, plus three prints of any size up to 8 x 10
• Entry into new Princess Prizes onboard promotion
• Daily Crew Appreciation

Princess Premier also includes entry into Princess Prizes, a new experience that transforms guests’ stateroom entry into an exciting experience for chances to win cruise vacations, cash, exclusive onboard experiences and more. The new game is a first-of-its-kind stateroom gaming experience exclusively with MedallionClass capabilities, the company said. 

For a one-time entry fee per stateroom of $20 per day, when purchased separately, every time an adult guest accesses their stateroom with their Medallion, they will have the chance to win grand prizes that include $100,000 in cash and a cruise for two every year for the next decade, along with prizes won on every voyage that ranges from a cruise for two in a balcony stateroom, onboard cruise credits from $25 up to $250, wine tastings, and chef’s table dinners, Princess said, in a prepared statement.

Guests can also win entries for an end-of-cruise drawing in which someone will win at least $5,000 every voyage.

The addition of Princess Premier gives guests three package options when booking a Princess cruise vacation:

• Princess Standard cruise package, including the standard cruise fare
• Princess Plus ($40 per person, per day until May 25; $50 per person, per day, starting May 25) – including unlimited WiFi for a single device; Plus Beverage package (covering drinks up to $12, 25 per cent off bottles of wine, speciality coffees, smoothies and bottled water); and daily crew appreciation
• Princess Premier ($75 per person, per day), on sale, beginning May 25

Guests on voyages departing June 25 and beyond who previously purchased Princess Plus can upgrade to Princess Premier for an additional $25 per person, per day.

Strong pricing and a strong product, plus capacity growth, will lead to a record 2023 financial performance from Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings, predicted Frank Del Rio, president and CEO.

“Where we sit today, and without another Black Swan event derailing our plans there is a reasonable and clear path to reach record net yields and record adjusted EBITDA levels in 2023,” he said, speaking on the company’s first-quarter earnings call.

“Boosted by the introduction of four new ships across our three brands over the next 18 months, our goal, our entire team is focused on achieving. As just mentioned, the key components of the future success will be our industry-leading growth profile with nine new ships coming online across our three brands through 2027.”

Those new ships joining over 2022 and 2023 include the Norwegian Prima and Viva, the Regent Seven Seas Grandeur and Oceania Vista.

CFO Mark Kempa said that building occupancy rates would continue along with high ticket pricing.

“Looking ahead, load factors are also improving sequentially each month and we expect second-quarter load factors to come in at approximately 65 per cent,” he said.

“This will continue to build throughout the year and we expect to reach historical load factor levels in the first half of 2023, and at record pricing, staying consistent with our go-to-market strategy and protecting the long-term pricing strength of our brands.”

With a booked position ahead of 2021, Del Rio said that the new tonnage should continue to drive the business.

“We were in a way lucky that we didn’t take delivery of any new ships during the pandemic, but over the next 18 months, we take delivery of four. And so we think like we’ve seen historically, new ship introductions are real tailwind to net yield growth to profitability, the topline revenue,” he said.

“Inflation is an ugly word, but there is a pretty side, which is pricing power … So we think that in the absence of more Black Swan events, and we’ve had more Black Swan events in the last two years than I think we’ve had in the prior 20. 2023, indeed, it could be the record year that we’re seeing unfolding before us.”