Princess Cruises Future Cruise Packages: Are They Worth It?
If you’ve ever sailed with Princess Cruises, you’ve probably noticed the Future Cruise Desk promoting special onboard booking offers before the end of your voyage.
The idea is simple: Princess wants you to book your next vacation before you leave the ship. In exchange, the cruise line may offer onboard credits, reduced deposits, future cruise credits, and other incentives that aren’t always available once you return home.
These packages go far beyond the standard Future Cruise Deposit program and bundle future cruise credits, hotel credits, land stays, and onboard spending money into larger vacation packages.
The big question is whether these packages actually represent a good value or simply encourage passengers to spend more money while they’re still enjoying their cruise.
Let’s take a closer look.
What Are Princess Future Cruise Packages?
Future Cruise Packages are promotional offers sold onboard that provide guests with credits and perks toward future Princess vacations.
Unlike a standard cruise booking, these packages include combinations of:
- Future Cruise Credits
- Onboard Credits
- Hotel Credits
- Pre- and Post-Cruise Hotel Stays
- Premium Land Stay Certificates
- Promotional Onboard Benefits
The goal is to lock in future travel while providing additional value for guests who plan to cruise with Princess again.
Princess also offers a separate Future Cruise Deposit program, allowing guests to place a reduced deposit while onboard and receive onboard credit when booking a future sailing. These deposits are designed to encourage repeat bookings while maintaining flexibility. (Cruises)
Princess Future Cruise Package Pricing
The brochure shown here includes four package levels.
$3,999 Package
Includes:
- $3,000 Future Cruise Credits
- $100 Onboard Credit
- One 5-Night Premium Land Stay
- $600 Hotel Credits
Princess advertises a total value of approximately $6,700.
$5,999 Package
Includes:
- $4,500 Future Cruise Credits
- $200 Onboard Credit
- One 5-Night Premium Land Stay
- One 2-Night Pre/Post Cruise Hotel Stay
- $1,200 Hotel Credits
Princess advertises a total value of approximately $11,750.
$7,999 Package
Includes:
- $6,000 Future Cruise Credits
- $300 Onboard Credit
- One 5-Night Premium Land Stay
- Two 2-Night Pre/Post Cruise Hotel Stays
- $2,000 Hotel Credits
Princess advertises a total value of approximately $15,100.
$15,999 Ultimate Future Cruise Package
The largest package includes:
- $12,000 Future Cruise Credits
- $600 Onboard Credits
- Two 5-Night Premium Land Stay Certificates
- Two 2-Night Pre/Post Hotel Stay Certificates
- Promotional Onboard Benefits
- $4,000 Hotel Credits
Princess advertises a potential value of up to $25,500.
How Does This Compare to Princess Future Cruise Deposits?
Most Princess guests are more familiar with Future Cruise Deposits (FCDs).
An FCD is typically a much smaller commitment. Guests place a reduced deposit while onboard and receive onboard credit when booking a future cruise. Princess has historically promoted these deposits as refundable if unused within the program terms. (Cruises)
For many cruisers, an FCD is the easier and less risky option because it requires far less money upfront.
The packages shown here are significantly different. Rather than placing a small deposit, you’re essentially pre-purchasing a large amount of future travel.
Are Princess Future Cruise Packages Worth It?
The answer depends entirely on how often you cruise.
They May Be Worth It If:
- You sail Princess regularly.
- You already have multiple future cruises planned.
- You frequently purchase hotel stays before or after cruises.
- You can realistically use all of the included credits and certificates.
- You are comfortable committing thousands of dollars toward future travel.
They May Not Be Worth It If:
- You only cruise occasionally.
- You prefer flexibility.
- You like trying different cruise lines.
- You don’t typically stay in hotels before cruises.
- You aren’t certain you’ll use all of the included benefits.
This is one of those situations where the advertised value can look impressive, but the real value depends on whether you would have purchased those services anyway.
A package advertised as being worth $15,000 or $25,000 is only truly worth that amount if you actually use everything included.
My Take
Personally, I think these packages are aimed at a very specific type of cruiser.
For the average vacationer, I would probably lean toward a standard Future Cruise Deposit rather than committing several thousand dollars upfront. Future Cruise Deposits are simpler, require less risk, and still provide valuable onboard credit incentives on a future sailing. (Cruises)
However, for loyal Princess cruisers who already know they’ll be booking multiple cruises over the next few years, these larger packages could provide meaningful savings if every credit and certificate is fully utilized.
The key is not focusing on the advertised value.
Instead, ask yourself a simple question:
Would I actually spend this money with Princess anyway?
If the answer is yes, the package may be worth considering.
If the answer is no, you’re probably better off keeping your money and booking future cruises individually.
