Princess Cruises includes a selection of drinks at no additional cost, so you can stay hydrated and enjoy basic beverages without needing to purchase a drink package. The free options are fairly standard across the fleet, and they cover the basics you might expect on a cruise. These drinks are available in the main dining room and at the buffet, and in some cases at casual venues and during breakfast and lunch service.
Water, coffee, and tea are always available at no charge. You can get tap water in the dining rooms, at bars, and in the buffet, as well as hot water for tea. The ship also serves brewed coffee and tea, and guests can request milk or cream to go with it. If you prefer iced tea, that is included as well. These options are basic but dependable and are what most people rely on during meals.
Princess also provides select juices and lemonade at no cost, mostly during breakfast hours. Orange juice, apple juice, and cranberry juice are common morning choices. At lunch and throughout the day, lemonade is usually available at the buffet. These drinks are not typically served complimentary at bars, so if you want them outside of meal times you may be directed to buffet stations or drink stations in the dining areas. The selection can vary slightly from ship to ship, but breakfast juice is a standard inclusion.
One thing to note is that specialty beverages are not included unless you purchase a drink package. Specialty coffees such as lattes, cappuccinos, and espresso are considered premium items. Bottled water, sodas, mocktails, smoothies, and alcoholic drinks are also not free. If you enjoy those types of beverages regularly, you might consider the Princess Plus or Premier package for convenience and cost savings. Without a package, you can still order premium drinks individually and pay by the glass or bottle.
Guests can also request water at any bar or lounge without being charged. This is useful if you are relaxing poolside or at a show and simply want a glass of water. You do not need to buy anything to receive it. Many passengers bring a refillable water bottle and fill it at the buffet drink stations. Princess asks guests not to place bottles directly on the dispensers for hygiene reasons, but filling cups and transferring the water is common practice.
For families, the included drink options usually work well for kids who mainly drink water, milk, or juice at breakfast. If your children drink soda frequently, you may either want to purchase drinks individually or get a soda package, which is offered separately from the alcoholic packages. Teenagers and young adults often benefit from the soda package because soft drinks are not complimentary.
Overall, Princess Cruises provides a good basic selection of beverages at no extra cost, including water, brewed coffee, tea, iced tea, lemonade, and breakfast juices. Anything beyond those core options is paid either individually or through a beverage package. Many guests find that the included drinks are enough for most meals and activities, and they only add upgrades when they want something special.
