Princess Cruises Faces Passenger Fury Over Stealth Onboard Fee Hikes
Princess Cruises, a major player in the global cruise industry, has come under intense scrutiny and criticism after quietly implementing significant increases to its onboard charges. The cruise line, which operates a fleet of 17 ships, has raised both its daily 'crew appreciation' gratuity and the service charge applied to extras such as drinks and specialty dining without making any public announcements. This move has led to accusations from disgruntled passengers that the company is engaging in 'nickel and diming' tactics, eroding the perceived value of cruise vacations.
Details of the Controversial Charge Increases
The service charge on onboard extras, including beverages and dining at specialty restaurants, has been elevated from 18 percent to 20 percent across the entire Princess Cruises fleet. Simultaneously, the daily crew appreciation gratuity, which is automatically added to passenger accounts, has seen increases across all stateroom categories. For guests staying in suites, the fee has risen from $18 to $20 per person per day. Those in mini suites, cabanas, and reserve collection rooms now pay $19, up from $17, while all other staterooms have increased from $16 to $18 daily.
On a typical seven-night cruise, these adjustments mean that a single guest in a standard room would pay $126 in gratuities alone, while a couple would face a total of $252. Although the food and beverage service charge hike appears relatively minor on individual items—for instance, adding just 30 cents to a $15 drink—many passengers argue that the cumulative effect, especially on longer voyages, is substantial and burdensome.
Passenger Outcry and Communication Concerns
The lack of transparent communication surrounding these fee increases has been a major point of contention among cruise-goers. Princess Cruises did not issue any public statements or press releases about the changes. Instead, the company delivered explanatory letters directly to onboard staterooms and published a bulletin on its official website. This approach has been met with frustration, with one commenter on an online forum noting that 'silently making increases' seems to be 'becoming a pattern with Princess.' Another traveler criticised the company for leaving ship staff to explain the sudden changes to 'disgruntled passengers,' suggesting it places an unfair burden on crew members.
Many passengers have taken to online platforms to voice their disapproval, with some expressing concerns that such practices could deter potential vacationers. One forum participant remarked, 'So long as they continue nickel and diming us, cruises will more and more become less of a value where folks who are considering it for a vacation ultimately decide, 'Meh... maybe not.'' Another argued that the previous 18 percent charge was 'already a lot' and accused Princess of viewing passengers merely as 'dollar signs.'
Company Justifications and Industry Context
In response to inquiries, Princess Cruises provided a statement explaining that the adjustments are part of regular reviews of their pricing structure. The company emphasised that these changes are necessary to 'keep pace with rising operational costs' while ensuring they can continue delivering high-quality service and supporting their crew members. According to the cruise line, 100 percent of the collected gratuities are distributed directly back to the crew in recognition of their dedication and hard work.
Princess Cruises also highlighted on its website that the crew appreciation charge, while automatically added for standard bookings, is 'subject to adjustment' at the passenger's discretion during the cruise. This means guests can modify the amount if they are dissatisfied, though if no changes are made, the payment becomes final and non-refundable. The move aligns Princess with its parent company, Carnival, which increased its onboard service charge to 20 percent in 2025, indicating a broader industry trend towards higher ancillary fees.
Despite the criticism, some passengers have expressed support for the increases if they genuinely benefit the crew. One traveler noted, 'If the increase is going entirely to those actually providing the services and not corporate, I'm all for it.' However, the overall sentiment remains mixed, with many calling for greater transparency and fairness in how such charges are implemented and communicated in the future.
