Once on board a Princess Cruises vacation ship, everything from unlimited gourmet dining to comfortable accommodations to pool activities to evening entertainment is included in the trip cost. While the vacation has been almost completely paid for by the time you embark on your trip, there are a variety of ways to save money without eliminating any of the on-board luxuries. Make the most out of your Princess Cruises trip by keeping an eye on the horizon for savings opportunities.
Unlike some membership societies on dry land that charge fees, joining the Princess Cruises' Captain's Circle is absolutely free, but can result in savings of $100 or more at cruise time. Admission to the circle is bestowed upon cruisers after their first Princess cruise; it is similar to a loyalty program in that it rewards you the more cruises you take with Princess. The first level of membership, Gold, gives up to two passengers $100 off per person, per cabin, per cruise. Gold (and other level members) also receive first priority for discounted cruises, membership-only events, such as free-drinks parties, and other on-board discounts. Frequent cruisers can rise through to the Platinum level after six to 15 cruises (with discounts such as free Internet packages), and to the Elite level, with a free mini-bar, free laundry and professional cleaning, free canapés, 10 percent off in the ship's boutiques and free wine tasting, as of the 16th cruise.
It may seem strange to be thinking about your next cruise while on board the current Princess sailing, but travelers who think ahead get extra perks. Cost savings are made available to Princess cruisers who book their next trip, or put down a deposit, while on board. Deposits of $100 are valid for up to four years and are refundable in case you change your mind. Depending on the cruise, number of passengers and type of cabin, you could save between $25 and $250 on your next cruise through a shipboard credit, valid for use on cocktails, shore excursions, tips, casino gambling and boutique shopping. Booking your next cruise while on a current one not only gives you something to look forward to but a little savings satisfaction.
Stepping off the Princess ship and onto foreign ports may be some of the most exciting parts of a cruise vacation, but they can also be the most expensive. Booking shore excursions, or port trips, through Princess is a convenient way to join an organized tour group and have all of your transportation, meals and equipment costs wrapped into a single price. Cost-conscious travelers may want to do a bit of research before actually booking a shore excursion through Princess. Many are available at the actual excursion site, such as Mendenhall Glacier in Alaska, through onsite tour operators, for a much lower price than the Princess packaging. Even combining paying for transportation from the cruise dock and extras such as lunch may still come in lower than the inflated Princess price.
