princess cruise change cabin

Princess Cruises ship cabin and suite guide: Everything you want to know

Is a balcony cabin a must for you when you cruise? Princess Cruises could be your line.

The California-based brand was a pioneer in adding a large number of balcony cabins to ships, and even its oldest vessels are loaded with balcony cabins — something that can't be said for many of its rivals.

On the flip side, Princess offers relatively few suites on its ships compared to some of the big-ship lines with which it most directly competes, including Celebrity Cruises , Norwegian Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean. Just 46 of the 1,830 rooms on the line's recently unveiled Discovery Princess are suites, for instance. Believe it or not, that's an improvement from earlier vessels in the same series, some of which have as few as 36 suites.

For more cruise guides, news and tips, sign up for TPG's cruise newsletter .

Princess also isn't known for enormous and amenity-filled suites.

What this means is there aren't a lot of ways to live large on a Princess ship or pack a lot of people into a single accommodation. Until the debut of Sky Princess in 2019, the line didn't have a single cabin that could accommodate more than four people.

That said, on Princess ships, you can often create larger living spaces by booking two connecting cabins.

A Princess Cruises cabin primer

As is typical for many cruise ships, Princess vessels offer cabins in four broad categories: Windowless "inside" cabins, ocean-view cabins, balcony cabins and suites.

As noted above, a significant portion of cabins on all Princess ships are balcony cabins — the category of cabin that everyone wants these days. About 80% of the 1,834 cabins on Princess's six-month-old Enchanted Princess are balcony cabins or suites with balconies, for instance. Compare that to the 72% of cabins on Royal Caribbean's four-year-old Symphony of the Seas that are balcony cabins or suites with balconies.

Notably, every single cabin facing the sea on three of the newest Princess ships — Royal Princess, Regal Princess and Majestic Princess — has a balcony. These three vessels are completely devoid of ocean-view cabins (cabins facing the sea that only have a window). That's relatively unusual in the world of big mass-market ships — the niche of cruising in which Princess plays. It's more common with luxury cruise vessels.

Related: The ultimate guide to Princess Cruises ships

At the same time, as noted above, Princess vessels have fewer suites than you'll find on the ships operated by such big-ship brands as Royal Caribbean and Celebrity.

Here's a breakdown of the broad cabin categories on Royal Princess, which is typical of the line's newer ships (it's the prototype vessel for the line's new, six-ship Royal Class series):

Inside cabins: 342 (19%) Ocean-view cabins: 0 (0%) Balcony cabins (including mini-suites): 1,402 (79%) Suites: 36 (2%)

On older Princess ships (and, in general, all older cruise ships), there are fewer balcony cabins. However, the ratio of balcony cabins to non-balcony cabins is much higher on older Princess ships than it is on older vessels at many other big-ship lines. An impressive 72% of the 1,000 cabins on Princess's 2003-built Coral Princess, for instance, are balcony cabins.

On Coral Princess, inside cabins and ocean-view cabins only make up 26% of all rooms. A breakdown of the cabin categories on that ship:

Inside cabins: 108 (11%) Ocean-view cabins: 157 (16%) Balcony cabins (including mini-suites): 719 (72%) Suites: 16 (2%)

The takeaway here is that you'll have an easier time locking down a balcony cabin on a Princess ship — even an older Princess ship — than you will when booking many of the ships operated by competing big-ship lines.

Just note that you'll want to book early if you're aiming for a suite on a Princess ship since there are so few of them. Note, also, that suites tend to sell out early on cruise ships in general. An old saying in the cruise industry is that "ships sell from the top and the bottom." That is, the first cabins on any vessel to sell out are the most expensive cabins, which are the suites, and then the least expensive cabins, which typically are the inside cabins. The mid-priced "middle" cabins sell last.

Design-wise, Princess's cabins and suites are fairly basic and comfortable, if not super stylish.

When it comes to rooms, Princess is sort of the Marriott of the big-ship cruise world. Its rooms are comfortable and functional, but a bit bland. Avant-garde style is not a Princess thing.

Inside cabins on Princess Cruises ships

These are the cabins you stay in when you're on a tight budget. On any Princess ship, they are almost always the least-expensive option when you're booking a cabin. You often can save considerable money by booking an inside cabin versus an ocean-view or higher-level cabin.

What you'll give up, of course, is that ocean view. Your room will have four walls and no windows offering a glimpse of the outside world.

You'll also be in a relatively small room. The typical inside cabin on the new Discovery Princess measures 166 square feet, with some as big as 175 square feet. By comparison, the typical balcony cabin on Discovery Princess measures 181 square feet, not including a 41-square-foot balcony (for a total of 222 square feet).

Still, the inside cabins on Princess ships are bigger than the inside cabins on ships operated by some of the line's main competitors.

Related: The 5 best destinations you can visit on a Princess ship

Inside cabins on Royal Caribbean's Symphony of the Seas, for instance, measure just 149 square feet — quite a bit less than the inside cabins on Discovery Princess.

Note that older Princess ships sometimes have smaller inside cabins than newer Princess ships. On the line's 2003-built Coral Princess, inside cabins measure just 156 to 166 square feet. On the line's 1998-built Grand Princess, most inside cabins are 160 square feet (some wheelchair-accessible inside cabins on Grand Princess measure 182 square feet).

Many inside cabins on Princess ships have pull-down bunks that will allow for up to four people to stay in the rooms.

Ocean-view cabins on Princess Cruises ships

With an ocean-view cabin, you get a window looking out to the sea, but not an attached balcony where you can sit outside and enjoy the fresh air.

As noted above, three of Princess's newest vessels — Royal Princess, Regal Princess and Majestic Princess — don't have a single ocean-view cabin. Every outward-facing cabin has a balcony. However, you'll find ocean-view cabins on the line's older vessels and also on the line's three newest ships, Discovery Princess, Enchanted Princess and Sky Princess.

In general, ocean-view cabins on the Princess ships that have them are a tad bigger than the inside cabins found on the same vessels. On the line's Emerald Princess, for instance, the typical ocean-view cabin measures 178 square feet. The typical inside cabin on Emerald Princess measures 163 square feet.

On many Princess ships that have ocean-view cabins, the rooms are mostly found just above the promenade deck, where the lifeboats hang, and have obstructed views. You'll also sometimes find a few ocean-view cabins at the back of Princess vessels, facing the wake.

Related: The 3 classes of Princess ships, explained

On the line's two Coral Class ships — Coral Princess and Island Princess — there are a few "premium" ocean-view cabins that measure a more spacious 212 square feet. If you're the kind of traveler who needs a lot of space, these rooms can be a good choice.

There also are a handful of "premium" ocean-view cabins on the new Discovery Princess, Enchanted Princess and Sky Princess that measure 172 square feet and have unusual slanting windows.

Balcony cabins on Princess Cruises ships

Balcony cabins are what everyone wants these days, and Princess is delivering with huge numbers of balcony cabins on all its newest ships. On the line's new Royal Class series of ships, which began debuting in 2013, nearly 80% of rooms are balcony cabins.

On these newer vessels — Royal Princess, Regal Princess, Majestic Princess, Sky Princess, Enchanted Princess and Discovery Princess — the typical balcony cabin has an interior space of 181 square feet plus a balcony that measures 41 square feet (for a total of 222 square feet). However, there also are bigger "premium deluxe balcony" cabins that can measure as much as 233 square feet on the inside (not including the balcony). Some of these have larger-than-normal balconies that can stretch the total square footage to 312 square feet.

In addition, the Royal Class vessels have even larger balcony cabins that Princess calls mini-suites. Including their balcony space, these cabins measure anywhere from 299 to 329 square feet. While these mini-suite cabins have the word "suite" in their name, we are including them in the balcony cabin category as they generally resemble very large balcony cabins vs. true suites.

Related: Everything to know about the Princess Captain's Club loyalty program

The typical Princess balcony cabin has twin beds that can be converted into a queen bed, a built-in desk with a chair and a built-in miniature refrigerator. In addition to beds, a desk and a miniature fridge, premium balcony cabins have a seating area with a sofa bed that can be used for a third passenger in the room. Some also have a pull-down bunk that can accommodate a fourth person.

Suites on Princess Cruises ships

As mentioned above, Princess ships generally have fewer suites than the ships operated by some of its biggest competitors. The line also isn't known for particularly giant suites.

Princess's three newest ships — Discovery Princess, Enchanted Princess and Sky Princess — have the line's first truly large standalone suites, dubbed Sky Suites. There are two of them on each of the vessels, and they measure a generous 1,792 square feet (though more than half of that space is taken up by a huge wraparound balcony). With two bedrooms plus a living room with a pullout sofa, the Sky Suites are the first Princess accommodations designed for up to five people.

Still, even the Sky Suites on Discovery Princess, Enchanted Princess and Sky Princess aren't the sort of truly epic suites with huge interior living spaces that you'll find on the latest ships from such competitors as Celebrity and Royal Caribbean. The latest Celebrity vessels, for instance, offer so-called Iconic Suites that have twice as much interior space as the Sky Suites.

If you're the kind of cruiser who is only happy in a cabin of truly giant proportions (and are willing to pay up for it), Princess probably isn't your line.

Still, you'll find at least a few suites of a decent size on every Princess ship. The line's seven Grand Class vessels each offer two "family suites" at their fronts that can be created by connecting a mini-suite with an adjacent inside cabin to create a six- to eight-person complex.

Each of the line's Royal Class ships (the line's six newest ships) has at least 36 suites.

Related: 7 reasons you should splurge for a suite on a cruise

Bottom line

Princess offers a relatively wide range of cabins on its ships, including lots of the sort of cabins that everyone wants — balcony cabins. If you're a fan of balcony cabins, you'll find plenty of options on Princess ships, including standard size balcony cabins and bigger "premium" balcony cabins. You'll also find a lot of larger "mini-suite" balcony cabins on Princess ships. However, you won't find a lot of truly large suites with multiple rooms.

Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:

• The 5 most desirable cabin locations on any cruise ship
• The 8 worst cabin locations on any cruise ship
• A quick guide to the most popular cruise lines
• 21 tips and tricks that will make your cruise go smoothly
• 15 ways cruisers waste money
• 12 best cruises for people who never want to grow up
• What to pack for your first cruise

• Princess Cruises

Change cabin after deposit?

By scottbet , May 29, 2016 in Princess Cruises

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We put a deposit on a New England cruise for this October, but after reading reviews I really want to change cabins. Is there a way to do this online or do I have to wait and call when the reservation line is open on Tuesday?

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Eagle_and_hawk

There is no way to do it online as have to call Princess or a travel agent if that is who you booked it through.

I have changed mine more than once after deposit. I seem to find a better cabin after talking to others

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You can't do it online. But you CAN do it today, I think.

I'm pretty sure Princess has phone reps available on Sunday. Just wait till 7 a.m. West Coast time.

You can call today and change it

Just a note. What ever cabin you select, your booking defaults to "will accept an upgrade." So, if you change to a cabin that you really want have the booking marked "no upgrade."

I'm confused about this default. I wasn't asked about this when I booked. If I booked through a travel agent, is there a way to tell wherever my booking is marked "will accept an upgrade" or "no upgrade"? If the booking is marked "will accept an upgrade", does Princess check with me to see whether or not I want what they consider an upgrade? Or is it done automatically.

When you book you can have your booking marked "no upgrade." This is a specific booking request which is done when booking, or can be done after you book. If your booking is not specifically designated as "no upgrade" it defaults to "upgrade will be accepted." Princess normally notifies you or the T.A. when they have upgraded your cabin, for example a BD cabin to a BA cabin. If you book through a T.A. they must pass along the information, and you may have time to reject the upgrade. It may also be possible to have a booking marked meta upgrade only. This means you will only accept an upgrade to the next class of cabin, for example inside to ocean view.

Recently Princess has been offering upsells. They ask if you wish to move to a higher cat. cabin for a price.

Thanks for the responses. I called and the cabin was changed. The reservation agent did ask if I would accept a complimentary upgrade should one become available, and I did not want to be mid-ship on this cruise so she marked it "no upgrade." I feel strongly about not being under the sea-walk on the Regal!

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25 Princess Cruise Tips and Tricks You Should Know

Cruising is back, and while there may be a few changes, most things will remain the same. If Princess is your choice, and it’s usually ours, we offer below 25 Princess cruise tips and tricks that can make your sailing even better.

Whether you have already booked or are still thinking about it, these tips for cruising apply to nearly every line, although written specifically for Princess. They will save you time and money and enhance your cruising experience.

We realized that this list of Princess cruise tips and tricks needed to be written when, after two consecutive weeks onboard the Island Princess, we were still discovering new things. With over 160 days at sea to our credit, we didn’t expect it.

From that point, we set out on a mission, asking officers, crew, and other passengers for their best Princess cruise hacks. While many of these cruise ship tips feel like Princess cruise secrets, in fact, all of this information is readily available on board, and much of it applies to any cruise line.

Our best Princess cruise tips

1. fly to your embarkation port at least one day in advance, 2. learn something about the cruise ports, 3. book some onboard services in advance of embarkation, 4. explore independent shore excursions, 5. bring an emergency kit, 6. verify that your medical insurance covers a pandemic, as well as travel outside of your home country, 7. pack light with our princess cruise packing list, 8. bring a power strip, 9. book your optimal package by understanding the options, 10. don’t be afraid to try different eating options, 11. at mealtime, order everything you want, 12. dine my way allows you to make dinner reservations, 13. speciality restaurants frequently serve lunch at no extra charge, 14. get free or cheaper drinks with these cruise ship hacks, 15. choose the princess drink package that is right for you, 16. know when to order a glass of wine and when to order a bottle instead, 17. prepare for the sun, 18. the dry sauna and large showers at the spa are available to all passengers, 19. some princess ships offer movies under the stars, 20. each ship has at least one deck offering outdoor access to the bow and stern, 21. maximize your internet usage.

• 22. Texts to other passengers are free using Princess Onboard at Sea

23. The ship bartenders are like hidden concierges

24. although princess cruises gratuities are automatically added to your daily invoice, they can be altered, 25. the future cruise deposit is the best deal onboard, safety guidelines , our recent cruise destinations.

Below we have listed our best Princess cruise hacks and tips in three categories:

• Princess cruise tips and tricks for before you sail
• Princess cruise tips for dining and drinking onboard
• More Princess Cruise tips for enjoying life onboard, including things that you might not know you have access to.

Check out these great deals on Princess Cruises

Princess cruise tips: things to do before you sail

If your plane is late, the ship won’t wait for you. It’s not worth the risk. While the cruise lines offer packages that include airfare, we always check Expedia flights for a cheaper flight. We use Booking.com to compare and find the best hotel prices for the night before we embark.

Travelling between March 29, 2024 and September 30, 2024? Check out: * Booking.com’s Getaway Deals 2024 Save 15% or more on selected accommodations. ( T&Cs ) No codes or memberships required

Reading up on your destinations not only adds to the excitement but it also helps ensure you won’t miss anything. We carry a guidebook for those times when we don’t have internet access. Our current favourite series is the Rick Steves cruise ports books . Steves spotlights things you can do in a limited time, offers suggestions as to what can be booked ahead, and targets the needs of cruise passengers.

Don’t miss out on the things you really want. Princess allows you to book Spa treatments, shore excursions, and specialty dinner reservations in advance of sailing. Many popular activities “sell out” prior to embarkation. By booking in advance, you can guarantee your spot.

In most cases, there is no penalty for cancellation within 48 hours of the event. Therefore, you can make necessary changes or adjustments if you change your mind. Read the fine print before finalizing your booking, as this policy could change. Also, note that some pre-boarding options are not available after you board. Look for words like “special” or “pre-boarding only.”

While many of the excursions offered by the cruise line are great, you can normally save money and tour with a smaller group by booking independently. The ship will discourage you from doing this, as excursions are a big moneymaker for the cruise line.

Often, their primary argument is that the ship will wait for their own tours if they return late, but not for independent ones. As a result, Get Your Guide (one of our favourite tour companies worldwide), and many other tour companies now offer easy cancellation policies on most of their shore excursions.

In fact, Get Your Guide offers a huge range of shore excursion options , all with 24-hour penalty-free cancellation. We encourage you to compare their options with those offered by the ship. Finally, read the reviews. And always check the fine print to be sure the cancellation policy hasn’t changed.

For us, we often prefer to have a private tour that we can customize to our needs. Our logic being that we only get a limited amount of time in port, and often it’s somewhere we might never visit again. So when group tours don’t meet our needs, we turn to local experts. Handpick your guide here

Read next: Cruise Port Tips To Help You Choose the Best Shore Options

Our kit includes first aid supplies and over-the-counter medication for headaches, sore throat, fever, and diarrhea. While you can get most items at the shop onboard or from the ship’s doctor, they will be overpriced. And if they run out of what you need, it could be days before you get to another port.

If you take prescription medication, carry paper copies of the prescriptions, and bring enough for extra days, should you decide to extend your travels.

We make our own kit, but if you prefer a premade one, this small first aid kit from Amazon.com looks complete for injuries.

To date, we have been on two cruises where a passenger required medical evacuation. One went by helicopter, and the other required the ship to divert its course and make an unscheduled stop, leaving the passenger with a waiting ambulance on the nearest island.

We have also seen the inside of an emergency room in six countries, including, most recently, when I got dengue fever in South America .

Note: World Nomads provides travel insurance for travellers in over 100 countries. As an affiliate, we receive a fee when you get a quote from World Nomads using this link. We do not represent World Nomads. This is information only and not a recommendation to buy travel insurance.

You won’t regret packing light. It’s so important to us, that we wrote another article just on our best cruise packing hacks. Sign up for our newsletter, and we will send you a FREE copy of our Ultimate Cruise Packing Light Checklist:

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Packing cubes are one of the most helpful tools for packing light. If you haven’t tried packing cubes before, the time is now. Despite being sceptical, I gave them a try. Now, I am hooked.

Not only do packing cubes keep my belongings organized, but the set we love also compacts them, allowing more to fit into a smaller space. And they are sturdy, durable, water-resistant and come with a lifetime warranty. Check out our current favourite packing cubes here

Plus, once onboard or at any land destination, unpacking and keeping organized is easy. Similarly, hanging shoe holders can be hung on the back of the door to give you extra storage compartments if you ignored our suggestion for packing light.

One common complaint of cruise ship cabins is the limited number of electrical outlets, often only one. Carrying a small power strip, we have resolved that problem for ourselves, and we can now charge all our devices or dry my hair whilst hubby uses a different electronic device.

There are two booking options:

• Princess Saver fare covers the cruise only.
• Princess Plus also includes the premium beverage package and the wifi package in the fare for the first two guests in a stateroom.

Check out these great deals on Princess Cruise s

Tip: note that I found this on the FAQ section regarding Princess Plus: “ Do all 4 guests in a stateroom receive the Premier Beverage Package, Wi-Fi? YES, however, when this fare is selected it will automatically be defaulted to the first 2 guests in the stateroom. Should your 3rd and 4th guest want to opt in to receive the Beverage Package and Wi-Fi they will need to contact Princess or their travel agent to have it applied to the booking. For guests under the legal drinking age, the Premier Coffee & Soda Package will be applied before sailing.”

Princess cruise tips and tricks: dining

If you are gluten-free, dairy-free, or have food allergies, we have great news. Princess Cruise Lines take this very seriously. We personally have never had a food allergy problem onboard a Princess ship. However, all cruise lines are not the same. Check out this article for an epic failure by a competitor: Cruising with Food Allergies .

Food is a big part of every cruise. And on Princess Cruises, your base price includes many meal and snack options.

For a big meal, there is the main dining room (dress code of no shorts or tank tops at dinner), a buffet, and specialty restaurants (extra fee). Each of these will feature full meals and scrumptious desserts.

But that’s not all. Branch out, explore the ship and on most ships, you will find a pastry shop, pizza shop, grill near the pool deck featuring burgers, soft-serve ice cream, an international cafe (beverage charges apply, see below), and my personal favourite – the milk and cookies cart.

And if that’s not enough to satisfy, room service is also included in your fare.

If you eat in a dining room, note that you can order extra of anything. I actually requested extra vegetables while a tablemate ordered a second lobster tail and one of each dessert. Although, you might want to check out these tips for eating onboard without gaining weight.

One advantage of Dine My Way is the flexibility to show up when you want to eat. There are times that are more popular than others, like right after the first show. If you know in advance that this will be your choice, you can make a reservation and effectively cut the queue.

The option to dine at a speciality restaurant comes with a price tag for the added value. However, they frequently offer a special lunch at no additional fee. On the Island Princess, this included Italian Pizza or a British Pub lunch. It will be listed in the daily Princess Patter.

Princess cruise hacks and tips: drinks

Discount beverage packages are available pre-departure and onboard (see tips for cruising #15). However, there are plenty of opportunities for free drinks. Coffee and tea are complimentary with meals and afternoon tea (these do not include fancy espresso drinks).

Most art auctions, some spa tours, welcome events, the captain’s party, and a few special events onboard include a glass of champagne or even a drink. Also, there are often happy hour specials at different bars, wine or whiskey tastings, and other events that offer drink deals.

You can also save money by bringing certain beverages with you at embarkation. Ask your room steward to empty the minibar and then restock it with your own beverages. We brought a case of water on our last cruise, and friends brought their own soda. Wine has more rules, but in brief, you can bring one bottle. See the detailed rules here.

In general, alcoholic beverages, soft drinks, smoothies, mocktails and specialty coffees are not included in your Princess Saver plan. Here are the four package options:

• Plus Beverage package – unlimited wine, beer, spirits, fountain soda, specialty coffees, bottled water, teas, and other individual beverages that are up to $12 USD each.
• Premier Beverage package – includes everything in the Plus Beverage Package plus top-shelf premium beverages up to $18 USD each and a larger selection of wines and spirits.
• Coffee and Soda package   – unlimited premium and specialty coffees and teas along with fountain sodas, fruit juices, hot chocolate, and “zero-proof” mocktails.
• Classic Soda package – unlimited fountain sodas, fruit juices, mocktails, and smoothies.
• New Grounds Coffee package – a given number of specialty coffees (determined by the cruise length). Couples can purchase one package as it provides a finite number of drinks, although the plan also includes unlimited filter coffee and hot chocolate only for the cardholder.

All that said, our two best tips:

• If you plan to drink wine with dinner, a few alcoholic beverages throughout the day, and enjoy specialty coffee, consider the Princess Plus package, as that includes the Plus Beverage Package.
• However, if you are booking under Princess Saver, and you plan to drink only one specialty coffee per day like I do, but you also enjoy fountain sodas, mocktails, and juices, it will probably save you money* to purchase the classic soda package and the coffee card. This will also give you the addition of smoothies over the Premier Coffee and Soda Club. *Prices and terms may have changed since I wrote this.

If you’re on Princess Saver, never order a glass of wine – order a bottle instead. However, the opposite is more cost-effective for Princess Plus.

If you enjoy a glass or two of wine with dinner and you have opted for Princess Saver, you will save money if you order a bottle rather than a glass. But don’t drink it all in one night.

Your waiter will carefully label and store your unfinished bottle at the restaurant under your name. Or, you can bring it back to your cabin for any time drinking. If you ask your cabin steward, he will provide wine glasses and a bucket of ice.

Princess Plus passengers will get a 25% discount on the bottle, or they can order wine by the glass and have it included in their package.

Getting a bottle or a glass of wine instead, depending on your package, is one of the Princess cruise tips and tricks that will save you money.

More Princess cruise tips and tricks

The sun may be much stronger than you are used to at home. On sea days, you may find yourself lounging at the pool or doing other outdoor activities. Nothing spoils the fun quite like a sunburn. Therefore, we recommend bringing plenty of sunscreen, a sun hat, and a lightweight cover-up that can serve as sun protection if needed.  You don’t need to bring a beach towel , as they are available at the pools and can be taken ashore at ports.

Yes, it’s true. Even if you don’t purchase spa services, you enjoy some of their amenities, like the dry sauna and huge showers, at no extra charge.

A wonderful selection of movies showed nearly every night on a huge 300-square foot screen with a 69,000-watt sound system found poolside. Padding, removable pillows, and blankets convert the lounge chairs into a comfortable nighttime movie-watching option. Princess even provides popcorn.

On the Island Princess, decks 10 and 11 forward are optimal for watching the ship enter the Panama Canal , while deck 8 at the stern was the perfect spot as we left Cabo San Lucas . To access these outdoor decks, we passed through an unlabelled door at the end of the hallway.

Princess Cruises wifi hacks

Princess now has what they call MedallionNet, and they consider it to be the best wifi at sea. Best of all, it’s included in the Princess Plus or Premier package. Internet used to be crazy expensive on cruise ships, but even with Princess Saver, you can purchase a package that will give you unlimited internet.

Personally, I would love to log off and enjoy my time at sea. However, that’s neither possible nor desirable for some people, so we offer a few wifi tips for those who purchase a limited amount of wifi onboard:

• The number of users at any given time affects Princess Cruises’ wifi speed. Therefore, very early in the morning or very late at night will give the fastest speeds.
• If you purchase a limited amount of wifi on board, put your phone or device in airplane mode when not using it. This will protect you from accidental usage or unexpected (and very expensive) updates. 
• Log in, bring in your email, open each webpage you want to read in a separate tab and log out. Read webpages and reply to emails while offline, and only log back in to send all messages at once. Or, if they are not time-sensitive, leave them in the out basket. They will send the next time you bring in your mail.
• If you can log in and out in less than 30 seconds, it often won’t track as time online; therefore, it is free.
• To save even more, only check email onshore. In much of the world, Mcdonald’s and Starbucks offer free wifi.

22. Texts to other passengers are free using  Princess Onboard at Sea

Bring your mobile device, and you can also access daily schedules, your account, and the ship’s itinerary at no charge. You can even send messages to other passengers while onboard the ship. 

More Princess cruise hacks

They are an excellent source of additional cruise excursion tips or advice on ports. They learn the best and the worst while talking to passengers every day. Also, many crew members have been to various ports multiple times.

Or, they can be completely removed. Simply ask at the main desk. While more complicated, altering prepaid gratuities is possible.

There is no risk as Princess will refund unused deposits after two years. Importantly, the deposit must be in the currency of the country of your residence, and you must enrol while onboard.

Check out the great deals on Princess Cruises

CDC offers guidelines regarding staying healthy on cruise ships. Princess Cruise Lines has their own short video on healthy cruising .

MedallionClass

Princess expanded hands-free MedallionClass to the entire fleet. Now, rather than a cruise card that is handed to another person for payment, each passenger is issued a medallion that is worn on the wrist or on a lanyard. Therefore, the electronic medallion goes everywhere you do as it’s waterproof as well as resistant to heat, sand, and salt.

• Southeast Asia from Hong Kong to Singapore on the Azamara Quest with ports in Vietnam and Thailand.
• New Year’s Cruise in Rio de Janeiro on the Azamara Pursuit from Buenos Aires, Argentina (return) with ports in Uruguay and Brazil.
• Pacific Crossing on the Golden Princess sailing from Los Angeles, USA, to Auckland, New Zealand, with ports in Hawaii, French Polynesia, and American Samoa. This is a repositioning cruise .
• Panama Canal Crossing on the Island Princess sailing from Fort Lauderdale, USA to Vancouver, Canada, with ports in Aruba, Colombia, Costa Rica, and Mexico.
• Australia over the top from Sydney to Perth on the Royal Caribbean Radiance of the Seas with ports in Australia and Indonesia.
• Alaska’s interior passage on the NCL Sun sailing from Anchorage to Vancouver, Canada.
• The Mediterranean including both the Adriatic and Aegean Seas on the NCL Spirit sailing from Barcelona, Spain to Venice, Italy, with ports in France, Italy, Greece, and Turkey.
• Norway on the MSC Opera sailing to and from South Hampton, England, with ports in the Netherlands and Norway.
• In the past, we also cruised to the Mexican Riviera and multiple Caribbean cruises; plus, we have been invited guests onboard the HAL Oosterdam and the Celebrity Solstice.

Save for later

If you enjoyed these Princess cruise tricks and tips, please share this article on social media and save them on Pinterest for your next cruise.

Read next: 7 Hidden Benefits of Cruising that Might Surprise You

Do you have any Princess cruise tips and tricks to add to our list?

Cruisers might also like:

• Repositioning Cruises: Are they right for you?
• Alaska Cruise Tips: Know Before You Sail
• 21 Picturesque Cruise Ship Ports Around the World
• Our South America Boutique Cruise on Azamara Pursuit
• 7 Hidden Benefits of Cruising That Might Surprise You

Disclaimer: In addition to VIP treatment onboard the Island Princess, the ship provided us with many complimentary extras. The opinions and observations expressed here are strictly my own. The tips and benefits listed above are all subject to change. Be sure to read the current rules before you sail. 

About Rhonda Albom

Capturing the essence of travel through photography, Rhonda Albom is the primary author and photographer at Albom Adventures. She is an American expat based in New Zealand. She travels the world with her husband.

Reader Interactions

May 12, 2024 at 3:50 pm

This post makes me want to take my first cruise. I’ll have to make sure to bring Dramamine as I’m afraid of getting sea sick.

Kenny Lloyd

January 8, 2024 at 1:14 pm

Is there a free bottle of wine like carnival dose if you eat at the stake house the first night??

December 29, 2019 at 7:02 pm

Awesome tips you got here, I never knew that there is so many tips that you need to know when going for a cruise. But it is awesome that you are sharing these

December 29, 2019 at 2:44 pm

These are great tips, but I especially love tips #5-8 and 15. You never know if the local cuisine will irritate your stomach or not (happened on 2 occasions for me), I don’t remember my old insurance name but I agree about making sure you are insured when overseas in case of an emergency, jeans are heavy, so don’t pack many of them, also carry a power strip in case you need to plug in anything extra and/or to share your power with others in need when outlets are limited. Last, for goodness sakes, buy the bottle! lol Even if you don’t think you’ll drink a whole bottle, buy the bottle; you’ll end up paying more glass by glass. Take the bottle to the room if you aren’t able to down it at the table.

December 29, 2019 at 4:56 am

Thanks for the fantastic tips! We’ve never been on a cruise so going to save this post for the future. It will come in handy if we do book one!

December 29, 2019 at 12:09 am

Those tips and tricks are super helpful! I’ve never been on a cruise but if I go I’ll definitely use them! 🙂

Ana Palombini

December 28, 2019 at 11:28 pm

This is all so interesting, I honestly had NO IDEA. I did a cruise years ago, when I was a kid. It was the Disney Cruise and I went to the Bahamas with my mother and father. I will never forget this experience. Great post, very detailed!

December 23, 2019 at 11:30 am

Omg thank you so much for this amazing tips, I wish I could do next year a cruise trip with my little daughter 😍

December 23, 2019 at 7:59 am

Excellent tips, Rhonda. Never thought of booking services in advance, I think that’s a good idea. We don’t go on cruises very often, but I enjoy going when I have a chance. I prefer the traditional dining onboard because I believe you get much better food then in the “anytime” dining rooms.

January 23, 2020 at 10:32 am

The menu is the same in traditional dining and anytime dining. Comes from same kitchen.

Charlotte Lint

December 21, 2019 at 2:00 am

Loving all of these tips on cruising! I did a couple of them myself when I was younger and love being on the ocean!

December 20, 2019 at 5:20 am

SO many great tips- especially about ordering a bottle of wine & they’ll put it aside for you, thats incredible!

December 20, 2019 at 2:02 am

These are such great tips. We always book our excursions independently. We have found that it is usually a much better experience.

December 20, 2019 at 12:58 am

Wow, this looks like a super classy cruise. I’ve only ever been on one but not with Princess. I have a friend who works for them and I hear all kinds of cool things. I might need to go sometime soon. Love your wifi tip especially!

November 23, 2019 at 7:39 pm

Hi Rhonda, Great article & tips … I’m going on the majestic princess next year & would like to explore ‘the drinks situation’ in a bit more detail please.

When you say “On our last cruise, we purchased a case of water before embarking, saving us tons of money. We simply added one of the luggage tags to it and it appeared in our room later. We know others who have done the same with soda. You can ask your room steward to empty the minibar, and then restock it with your own beverages.”

Was the case of water purchased through princess or you bought it onboard yourself meaning you purchased it outside of princess? (like at a local supermarket) … And when you say case, is that like 12 x 500ml bottles? Same Q with the soda …

I’m after some clarity as I’ve read elsewhere you can’t take water/liquids onboard or they’re confiscated … Much appreciated 🙂

Rhonda Albom

November 24, 2019 at 1:04 pm

We stopped a grocery store on our way to the ship and picked up a case (25 bottles at 500ml – our last cruise was 21 days, and the water was on sale at that quantity). We don’t drink sodas, so we didn’t bring any. We were given luggage tags with our tickets that direct our belongings to our stateroom. We simply attached one to the case of water and had no problems. I cannot comment on others saying there’s was confiscated. We only needed bottled water on shore, as we are happy to drink the ship’s water.

November 26, 2019 at 10:05 pm

OK Great ~ Thanks Rhonda 🙂

November 13, 2023 at 1:00 am

Alcoholic liquids (besides the allowed 1 bottle of wine) is what will be confiscated if you attempt to smuggle that aboard.

September 13, 2019 at 6:48 pm

You’re really gearing me up to book a cruise next year!

September 9, 2019 at 12:38 pm

Someone recently recommended a Princess cruise to us for our trip to Alaska! Thanks for these awesome tips. I will be referencing this again.

September 9, 2019 at 12:44 am

Smart, insider tips for cruising. I like that you made sure to include tips about reservations, which sometimes seems overwhelming for cruisers. Great post!

September 8, 2019 at 11:05 am

Great tips! I have cruised a TON on Princess and didn’t know about #12! We do the Specialty restaurants for dinner but had NO idea about lunch! We always get coffee cards and save with that and even if we aren’t sure when our next cruise is we always purchase the future cruise credit!

December 18, 2019 at 7:22 pm

We are going on a cruise for 🎁 and only booked a few weeks in advance , not only did we get a balcony for a great price , we also got a free premium drinks package , booking late is recommended , going Friday 20th Dec ,

September 6, 2019 at 12:22 am

It’s been a while since I’ve gone on a cruise. I’d have enjoyed having this info first!

Brooke of Passport Couture

September 4, 2019 at 4:01 pm

What a fantastic, comprehensive guide to cruises! You’ve done a great job of showing how to get the most of your experience. I would love to watch a movie on a cruise under the stars. It sounds like a romantic way to end the night!

Cheryle Matthew

September 1, 2019 at 12:04 pm

Hi, can you please explain what is a “picture” charge. Thankyou for the great article, We have just booked our first cruise.

September 3, 2019 at 6:07 pm

The cruise line employs photographers. They will capture all significant events, like embarkation, parties, formal night etc. They also will have time set for taking photos with various backgrounds. There is an option to purchase any or all of the photos.

Benjamn Williams

April 6, 2019 at 7:06 am

The way you write it really makes me want to take a cruise, rest, enjoy and eat all day.

Kirk Murray

August 6, 2018 at 11:25 am

I know a lot of people are in love with packing cubes but you still look like an unmade bed (or at least a “folded” bed!! We travel with a spray bottle of Downey Wrinkle Release. You simply put your clothes on hangers the night before you wear them, spray them and the next morning they look like they have been ironed!!

October 10, 2017 at 7:51 am

Here are a few additions that I have learned about over the years. 1. If you have an inside cabin, turn your tv to the bridge camera. As the sky lightens on the camera, your room will lighten as well. 2. Power strips or extension cords are needed since there is usually only one outlet. Check the cruise ship rules as they change from time to time. (There may be an additional outlet behind the tv) 3. Many companies allow you to bring a bottle of wine per person onboard. Check the rules, as again this changes. 4. If you order a food item you have been brave enough to try but find you don’t like it, just order something else. This is a great time to experiment with food. You may love escargot or Creme Brûlée. 5. You can cruise without spending extra money, but if you do, keep track of your purchases on your tv screen. Drinks and pictures add up fast. 6. Most ships charge for cell phone service at unbelievable rates. To avoid nasty surprises on your bill, put your phones and tablets in airplane mode. 7. Many people wear their sign and sail card on a lanyard. 8. I like to take battery votive candles for night lights. 9. Make sure your watches are set to SHIP time. People have missed the ship from having the wrong time. 10. Watch for lower prices for your particular cruise. There are several apps to help. You can sometimes re-book and save money.

Fly With Shaunak

May 22, 2017 at 12:43 am

Great tips Rhonda. The only thing stopping me from attempting to be on board is may be my mindset that I’ll feel extremely uncomfortable in the seas. The movement of the waves causing the cruise-liner to go up and down may make me feel like passing-out. I know that’s just a mindset but yeah, someday I will change it… The pictures here too lovely, especially the first one.

May 22, 2017 at 8:33 am

Cruise ships today are so big that unless there are huge seas, you rarely feel the movement onboard. There are short 3 day cruises. You could try one of those.

April 12, 2017 at 9:29 pm

It looks like it was an amazing experience! This cruiseline seems very family friendly. I would love to try a cruise one day!

April 12, 2017 at 10:13 pm

We have been on 5 different lines, and Princess is my favourite.

May 22, 2017 at 9:08 pm

Lucky you Rhonda!

May 23, 2017 at 5:11 pm

Elizabeth Merryweather

March 16, 2019 at 6:08 am

have you ever been to Alaska ?

March 16, 2019 at 7:45 am

Yes, we cruised Alaska a few years ago. It is so beautiful. We blogged about every port, just put “Alaska” is the blogs search box – or click here: https://www.albomadventures.com/?s=alaska

August 14, 2016 at 10:27 am

I love to cruise!

We recently cruised Princess for the third time and were allowed one bottle of wine per passenger to bring onboard! You can consume it in your stateroom to avoid corkage. Room service will open it for you and bring wine glasses. We tip them for that.

As for the lounge chairs, if all are “reserved” with a towel, I simply move them and sit. Haven’t had a problem, as the people are usually not even at the pool.

Regarding the drink cards, it should be noted that they are per person and not to be shared. Sure, you can try to scam the system and maybe succeed, but it’s important to know that you may have a problem if caught. We found that the card was to our advantage, as we enjoyed daily specialty coffees, bottled waters and cocktails. You also get a discount on wine with the card.

August 16, 2016 at 9:44 am

We love cruising too. Thanks for the additional tips. As for the drink cards, they each have different rules. The coffee card can be shared as it is for a specific number of coffees. In fact, we always ordered both my specialty drink and hubby’s free filter coffee at the same time. It was the bar tender who suggested we share. We didn’t have an alcohol card, but we certainly saw many couples ordering one alcoholic and one alcoholic drink at the same time.

Paula McInerney

August 14, 2016 at 8:48 am

We have never been on a cruise. We did however get invited to the culinary immersion experience on board that Golden Princess, which gave us a glimpse of life on board. Great tips that we may use one day.

August 14, 2016 at 9:39 am

We had a culinary experience on a Holland America ship and got a tour of it as well. Yes, it gives an idea, but life onboard is actually much more fun than it just appears on a tour.

Marcelle Simone Heller

August 9, 2016 at 1:24 am

You sound like a real cruise expert! Great tips. The part of the on board internet charged on a per-minute basis doesn’t sound very attractive. Also that the speed is effected by number of users. I wonder if they couldn’t offer internet for free as a incentive for their guests like even buses in the US do. #wkendtravelinspiration

August 9, 2016 at 8:25 am

I sound like an expert because I asked the experts onboard and took notes. As for internet, they do use it as an incentive for frequent travelers. The more you cruise with the same line, the more bonuses they give you. It’s a great way for a good company to build loyalty.

Sandra Moore

May 11, 2018 at 11:33 am

Watch the sales as this is sometimes offered as is the drink package. The all inclusive picture package is not offered and if prepurchased it is usually a $50savings. Our cruise was discounted almost $600 before we had to pay in full. Our wonderful TA got it fir us, We had prepaid our gratitudes, the Princess offered free prepaid gratitudes, right after we paid in full. She called them and they refunded it in the form of OBC. Sadly, our cruise has gone down some more but the refunds were not given because we had already paid in full. We were offed a suite but is was on the same side as our balcony and it was going to cost us $1000. More so we said unless it was at the bow or the aft we were. It interested. This is a Panama Chanel cruise so those we our preference.

August 8, 2016 at 4:37 pm

These are wonderful cruise tips. I only cruised once–on the Queen Mary 2 in her inaugural year, 12 years ago. I am way overdo! Hopefully we can plan one soon. I’d like to cruise to Alaska. I linked up tonight. Hope to join in more frequently!

August 9, 2016 at 8:22 am

Oooh, that would be an exciting cruise on Queen Mary 2. We loved our Alaska cruise. We spent a week first and cruised from Anchorage to Vancouver, Canada.

June 16, 2017 at 3:35 pm

How did you decide how much to pack? We lead with 5 days on land then 7 days cruise I,m very nervous about this???

June 17, 2017 at 10:14 pm

I pack very little and I dress in layers. One trick is to pick a colour theme, so everything matches. For me, it is usually black, white, and one other colour. My shoes are always athletic/walking shoes, sandals, and black flats. Don’t worry. You can pick up whatever you need on the ship, or in port.

August 8, 2016 at 2:46 pm

I’m not a cruiser so I was interested to read your whole post. There is so much more to it than what I would have thought. An excellent resource for anyone thinking of taking a cruise.

August 9, 2016 at 8:20 am

Thanks Jan. Actually there is plenty to do onboard a cruise ship. Boredom is never the issue. For me the major downside is the limited amount of time off the ship. It’s a trade off.

Paul F. Pietrangelo

August 7, 2016 at 11:18 am

You are very correct Rhonda. We have learned a great deal after cruising 10 times, 11 times January 28th 2017 on the Carnival Vista. One thing that I really learned form my first cruise was to watch what you eat. I gained 10 lbs on my first cruise and my slacks wouldn’t fit when I got home so I learned from that. You just have to watch and you can still enjoy the cruise. I stayed away from the all desserts. It was hard but it helped and I still enjoyed the many foods. Great ideas Rhonda. See ya.

Cruisin Paul

August 8, 2016 at 1:22 pm

LOL – it sure is easy to gain weight on a cruise ship. The food is fantastic, and so plentiful.

August 7, 2016 at 10:07 am

Great advice, Rhonda. Many these tips are kind of common to all cruise lines from all I’ve noticed. Once you’ve done a cruise you learn the ins and outs of cruising and next time around you know what to do. I am not a great fan of cruises however. I profoundly dislike the idea of going where other people want to take me and follow their rules. I like to make my own itinerary, which obviously is not possible on a cruise.

August 8, 2016 at 1:21 pm

I debated whether to call it tips for cruising or for Princess. For us we learned new things each time, and even after 8 cruises I was still surprised by a few of these that I learned from talking to officiers.

June 10, 2018 at 4:19 pm

Hi Anda, sure you can make your own itineraries on a cruise. After 12 cruises, all you need to do is research your port and find what interests you. You can walk or use taxis to get you to your desired destination. Give cruising another try, it’s my most favorite venue for a vacation and Princess Cruises is my cruise line of choice.

August 7, 2016 at 9:48 am

I’m a bit surprised they charge extra for beverages and that because people can pre-book things, others may not be able to partake while on board. i worked for years in the resort community. Their on site stores overcharge by a lot but there are always places you can go off the grounds to buy things. Not so on boats, I guess. You’re pretty much stuck and have to pay the going rate.

August 8, 2016 at 11:30 am

I should clarify, if you don’t pre-order you don’t get the special deal. Anyone can get bottled water onboard the ship (we drink and filled our bottles with the tap water). And while things are more expensive onboard, the ships do stop in ports, so you can get most things off the ship if you want.

Lady kendal jaggar

August 9, 2016 at 12:06 am

I brought the drinks package ans I also paid for wine at the table for fine wines .. I can say that princess was best for this aa I often travel with cunard and just 6 bottles of my fave pouilly fume was 350 dollars plus tax where as princess 788 dollars allowed me 14days hassel free unlimited ans my poulliy fume was only 24.14 dollar on board . Per bottle no hassle perfect cruising no stress .chef table was beautiful and wine tasting perfect trips out and the spa was great I used the wonderful deposit system to book asia on new majestic next year . Love cruising

August 9, 2016 at 8:23 am

I love cruising also, and agree that Princess seems to do it well. Glad you had a good experience too.

August 15, 2016 at 7:04 am

Princess majestic Asia looking forward to reviewing this ship June 18 21 nights hope its going to live up to expectations

August 16, 2016 at 9:50 am

We had 19 nights on the Island Princess and it lived up to expectations.

August 7, 2016 at 3:42 am

These are some great tips! We were supposed to go on a cruise this October, but we’ve had to cancel it as we got engaged and I wanted our wedding in the fall. However, my mom still really wants to do a cruise soon so this will come in helpful!

August 7, 2016 at 8:34 am

Why not go on a honeymoon cruise?

Mary(The World Is A Book)

August 6, 2016 at 3:30 pm

These are all great and practical tips. We’ve sailed Princess several times and love them. You’ve covered so many.

August 6, 2016 at 9:37 am

I have only been on one cruise- that was a Holland America cruise going from Santiago Chile to Rio de Janeiro Brazil. 16 great days and what a feast every night! Plus great entertainment! NO rules whatsoever at that time- 2008- we were even allowed to bring wine on board for taking to the dining room if we wished and the corkage fee was only $10. The only thing I would do differently would be having a room with a view. Interior rooms were a bit claustrophobic!

August 6, 2016 at 10:22 pm

Amazing that there were no rules in 2008 but pretty cool.

Comedy Plus

August 6, 2016 at 3:43 am

Good things to know if cruise ships are your thing.

Have a fabulous day. ☺

August 6, 2016 at 9:16 pm

I know you had a bad experience, but maybe one day you will try again.

stevebethere

August 6, 2016 at 12:27 am

Good tips Rhonda for someone like me who has never cruised I wouldn’t have a clue, although I did go on a 2 day one to Denmark and back heheh!

Have a cruisetastic day 🙂

August 6, 2016 at 9:15 pm

Even people who cruise often may not know all of the little on-board secrets.

Alex J. Cavanaugh

August 6, 2016 at 12:00 am

Sounds like you could spend your whole day eating.

August 6, 2016 at 9:14 pm

You can. I think that is why so many people gain so much weight when they cruise.

Trekking with Becky

August 5, 2016 at 9:24 pm

What a great post! I’ve always wanted to take a cruise, but I had no idea about these things! My great-aunt is a huge Princess Cruise fan, and I wonder if she knows all these things.

Great work! 😀

August 6, 2016 at 9:13 pm

If you send it to her, I would love to know what she has to say. 🙂

Lyn aka The Travelling Lindfields

August 5, 2016 at 8:12 pm

Sometimes things you didn’t even think of seem obvious in hindsight and you just wish someone would have mentioned them.

That’s exactly why I wrote this 🙂

Lydia C. Lee

August 5, 2016 at 6:39 pm

I’d go bananas if people were hogging lounges – I can’t stand that. If you aren’t sitting on it, what do you need it for??? So selfish. Good tips on the discount cards – I had no idea.

August 6, 2016 at 9:12 pm

There are so many rude people out there. It does surprise me that Princess doesn’t enforce their own rules, but it is quite common. We found the same issue on NCL and MSC in the past.

August 5, 2016 at 4:31 pm

I can see how people who have never cruised are not aware of certain important details. One time on a cruise, we were assigned to seat with two other couples during dinner. They didn’t now they were able to order more than one of everything. They got the hint when they saw my husband and I doing it.

August 6, 2016 at 9:10 pm

This was my ninth cruise and I learned many of these things for the first time. There are so many little tricks and things that make it just a bit more fun.

August 28, 2017 at 9:01 am

A lightstick on the step-up to the bathroom helps to avoid stubbing your toe in the middle of the night. Battery operated votive lights are a nice touch in the bathroom too. Magnets stick to most wall surfaces (except in the bathroom). They also stick to your stateroom door. Have fun!

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• Princess Cruises

Changing Cabins after booking

By vjblk , January 20, 2017 in Princess Cruises

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I have never tried this before and wondered what the process is. After I booked my cruise, some cabins have become available whose location I might like better. What would I need to do to change cabins? Thanks for any advice.

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Colo Cruiser

Same cabin type/category?

Better location can mean more $$

Call Princess or your travel agent.

Can't hurt to ask, it may cost more, but all you can do is ask.

I have experienced exactly your situation. I had booked through Princess direct so I just rang them and explained the situation. No problem with the change - they did it while I was talking to them on the phone. Yes there was a slight adjustment (increase) in the cost of the cabin but that was fine. There was no actual charge for making the change. If you did your booking through a travel agent I am sure the situation would be the same - just ask them to arrange.

Unless the TA charges a fee for changes.

Thanks, I'll give them a call. I believe they are the same category just a different deck. As you said it can't hurt to ask. The cruise isn't until September and we are well before final payment.

Ewww... A TA that charges a change fee. It would be time for a new TA if I had that happen.

OP: Just be sure that there isn't a mess up on the room change. Make sure to ask about any perks you have coming and make sure they don't accidentally disappear when they book the new cabin.

If it is the same category there is no problem at all.

There is never a Princess charge to do this if in the same category.

It does not matter if it is before or after final payment.

There is no change of amenities from when you booked the cruise. It is simply a cabin number change.

Just tell the representative you would like to switch to another cabin in your category and which is the one you want to switch to.

Sportfisher

For my next cruise in May I have changed my room three times as better ones have become available and taken a couple of price downs and perks. I book direct with Princess and I find them very helpful.

Sent from my iPad using Forums

Never use a TA who charges a booking fee, a cancellation fee, or a change fee. Simple principle, and I wonder how some agencies get away with doing so.

NavyVeteran

If it is the same category, you keep the same booking with the same price and percs. It doesn't matter what the current price for that category is.

If it is a different category, then you will probably have to rebook at the current price with the current percs and you will lose the percs from your original booking. You will need to decide which is better.

Eagle_and_hawk

I don't believe you will have a problem. We went from one category to another, which was lower priced and Princess refunded the difference. Then, we moved from that category to a full suite when it became available, and paid the increase.

This was all on the same cruise & we kept the original perks, and actually gained more OBC as under the sale we originally booked it under, had a higher OBC for full suites than a mini-suite. The change to the lower category & then to the full suite was both done after final payment. We did not have to cancel & rebook as reservation confirmation stayed the same.

Others may have had actual, different experiences, that is just ours and was on the Coral last year.

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