Are you too cheap to buy a drinks package? Maybe cruising on a shoestring budget? Then you will be pleased to discover it is still possible to get a few free alcoholic drinks on a Princess Cruise.
Captain’s Champagne Waterfall
The first formal night of every Princess Cruise features the Captain’s Champagne Waterfall. Taking place in the piazza area, one of the senior officers will begin festivities by pouring a bottle of ‘champagne’ into the top of the waterfall. Guests are then invited to do the same whilst posing for photographs. Meanwhile, stewards circulate among the crowd dispensing free ‘champagne’, mimosas or alcohol-free punches.
Liquor Tasting Events
The Shops of Princess run at least one liquor promotion per voyage. These events will typically involve complimentary liquor tasting too. If you can resist the hard sell, you can sample a few drinks in the Shops of Princess for free. Check your Princess Patter or the Journey View Timeline in the Medallion Class app for details.
Go shopping
The onboard EFFY jewellery store had a drinks-laced shopping event almost every day. Free drinks range from sparkling wine to mimosas to rum punch – check your Princess Patter to find out what the drink of the day will be.
On the plus side, the jewellery sales team aren’t very pushy, so you won’t face a hard sell while you sip. Just bear in mind that many of the free drink sessions take place early morning, around 9:30am!
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Achieve Elite Status
If you achieve Captain’s Circle platinum status or above, you will be invited to an elite loyalty party. There is a limited selection of free wines, beers and cocktails for attendees. And don’t forget to take your invitation along – you’ll be entered into the raffle to win a bottle of ‘champagne’.
To reach Captain’s Circle Platinum status you will need to complete at least 5 cruises or spend 50 days at sea.
Win A Quiz
Princess ships offer at least two trivia quizzes each day – and the prize is often a bottle of ‘champagne’. Some of the nightly game shows also give a bottle champagne to contestants whether they win or not.
Win Champagne Ring Toss
Throw a hoop over a bottle of fizzy wine to win. Simple. The champagne ring toss event takes place once each cruise in the Piazza.
Attend An Art Auction
Register for, and attend, one of the art auctions. You don’t have to buy anything, but you will get at least one glass of free ‘champagne’ if you can sit through the session. You also get to see people throwing thousands of dollars at some truly questionable artworks.
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Lose A Lot Of Money
This one is really easy – lose a lot of money in the casino. Doing so may earn you an invitation to join the Gaming Circle. Members of the circle are often invited to attend a free cocktail party at the beginning of the cruise.
Make friends with a bartender
Very occasionally the bar teams make an order incorrectly or double-up by accident. If you’re sat at the bar (and very lucky!) they may give you the extra drink free. But if you’re not paying to drink, you’re not likely to be sitting at the bar making friends with the bar staff.
Celebrate a ship’s birthday
Definitely a niche one, but we were given free champagne and cocktails as part of the Island Princess‘ 21st birthday party. This was more luck than planning on our part though!
What drinks are free on Princess Cruises?
As you would expect, every Princess cruiser is entitled to some free drinks as part of their fare, specifically:
- Tea and coffee from the buffet and main dining room
- Tap water
- Orange and apple juices at breakfast
- Iced tea, lemonade and milk in the Horizon Court buffet
- Brewed coffee in restaurants, dining rooms and bars. This DOES NOT include speciality coffees – anything made by a barista.
It’s a pretty limited list, which is why we recommend buying either the Plus or Premier drinks package.
Why you should buy a drinks package anyway
Buying a drinks package does significantly increase the cost of a Princess Cruise, but we still reckon it provides good value for money.
- You get up to 15 alcoholic drinks and unlimited soft drinks and mocktails each day
- ALL gratuities are included, so no surprise surcharge at the end of your cruise.
- Internet access for one device is included (and yes, you can switch devices on Princess)
- No additional charges for room service or in-app food/drink orders
Whether you choose Princess Plus or Princess Premier is up to you. The wines in the Premier package are undoubtedly better and the two meals at the speciality dining restaurants are nice – but we can’t justify that particular uplift.
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