Do you have an upcoming Princess cruise? I’ve sailed with Princess several times, and I’m sharing my favorite free things on Princess Cruises that most people don’t even realize are included.
You don’t need to upgrade to Princess Plus or Princess Premier packages—these perks are all included with your standard cruise fare.
Some of these free perks can easily become the highlights of your trip. Plus, I’m sharing a few tips I wish I’d known before sailing on Princess, so you can get the most out of your cruise without spending extra.
Movies Under the Stars
One of my favorite free activities on Princess Cruises is Movies Under the Stars. It takes place on the pool deck, and it’s so much more than just a movie on a big screen.
The crew transforms the pool deck into an open-air movie theater, complete with plush cushions on the lounge chairs, and warm blankets if it gets chilly. They even give you free popcorn while you watch.
There’s something truly magical about watching a movie outdoors while cruising at sea. It’s relaxing, cozy, and one of those classic Princess experiences that you need to try at least once.
Free Breakfast Room service
One free perk on Princess Cruises that many people don’t realize is included is breakfast room service. All you have to do is fill out the order card in your cabin and hang it on your door the night before. And the best part? It’s available to everyone—no Princess Plus or Princess Premier required.
Unlike other cruise lines that only offer a basic continental breakfast, Princess also includes hot breakfast items at no extra cost. You can order things like a hot egg, bacon, and cheese breakfast muffin—perfect for starting your day before a busy shore excursion or enjoying a relaxed morning in your cabin.
Champagne Waterfall
This is hands down one of my favorite events on Princess Cruises. The Champagne Waterfall usually takes place on Formal Night in the atrium and features hundreds of champagne glasses stacked into a towering pyramid. The cruise director pours champagne from the top, creating a stunning cascading waterfall—it’s absolutely mesmerizing to watch.
The best part? Guests get to take turns pouring champagne themselves. It’s completely free and makes for an amazing photo opportunity. The ship’s photographers are there to capture the moment, and if there’s one cruise photo that’s worth buying, this is it.
My kids loved it, and it’s one of those magical Princess Cruise memories that will make you smile every time you think about it.
Just be sure to check your daily planner, because times and events can vary by sailing.
Free Pool Towels
One of my favorite free perks on Princess Cruises is how easy they make pool towels. Like other cruise lines, towels are free to use, but what makes Princess stand out is that you don’t have to check them out or keep track of them.
Towels are available at towel stations right on the pool deck—just grab as many as you need, enjoy your time by the pool, and return them when you’re done. It’s one less thing to pack and one less thing to worry about while cruising.
International Cafe
One of my favorite free food spots on Princess Cruises is the International Café. It’s my go-to for quick bites throughout the day. On most Princess cruise ships, it’s located right in the atrium, so it’s convenient when you’re walking around, shopping, or heading to your next activity.
Everything at the International Café is complimentary. In the mornings, you’ll find things like egg sandwiches, yogurt parfaits, and a variety of pastries.
Later in the day, they switch things up with sandwiches and warm comfort foods. Don’t forget to try my favorite, the beef burger pie, which is a mini-shepherd’s pie.
They also always have sweets available, like pastries and chocolate chip cookies. The International Café is perfect if you want to skip the crowded buffet, grab something quick between activities, or pick up a snack after a shore excursion before dinner.
Free Champagne at the Art Auction
I don’t know about you, I sometimes need a little bubbly in the middle of the day on sea days. That’s why I always stop by the art auction to get a free glass of champagne on Princess Cruises. You don’t have to buy anything to attend—everyone gets a free glass of champagne.
It’s kind of nice to sip on complimentary champagne, browse the artwork, and enjoy the experience before heading off to your next activity. Check the daily planner, it’s usually listed as the “Sparkling Wine Art Auction.”
Prego Pizza
Princess Cruises is known for great pizza. Alfredo’s used to be free, but now it comes with an extra charge, but that doesn’t mean you can’t still get free pizza onboard.
For a quick, complimentary slice, head to Prego Pizza. It’s perfect for a lunch by the pool, a snack between activities, or a quick bite on the go. If you’re craving pizza without spending extra, this is definitely the spot to go.
Medallion Lanyard
One of my favorite things about Princess Cruises is that your cruise key isn’t a card—it’s a medallion. And the best part? Princess provides a free lanyard, so you don’t even need to pack one.
This little medallion does it all: it opens your cabin, lets you make purchases onboard, and helps you embark and disembark the ship. Plus, it’s color-coded and personalized with your name, the ship, and your cruise date. I still have mine—it’s such a beautiful souvenir from my trip.
Free Ice Cream at Swirls
My kids can’t get enough of the free soft-serve ice cream at Swirls, and the best part is it comes with complimentary toppings.
It’s the perfect poolside snack—or a sweet pick-me-up anytime during your cruise—and it’s completely free!
Formal Night Dinner
You don’t need to upgrade to Princess plus or Princess premier to get steak and lobster on Princess cruises. You can enjoy it for free during Formal Night Dinner in the main dining room.
Princess Cruises really goes all out with amazing food, lively waitstaff performances, and even parades through the dining room. It’s often one of the most memorable meals of the cruise, and the best part is that premium dishes like steak and lobster are included in your cruise fare.
Just make sure to check with your waiter when Formal Night is so you don’t accidentally end up at a specialty restaurant—or worse, at the buffet.
Bartender Competition
One of my favorite free events on Princess Cruises is the Bartender Competition. Usually held in the atrium on a sea day, it’s a lively show where the ship’s talented bartenders compete to craft the best cocktails.
Even better, a few lucky audience members get to sample the cocktails for free! It’s a family-friendly activity too, so the kids can enjoy watching the bartenders show off their skills while everyone has a great time.
Afternoon Tea
Don’t miss Afternoon Tea on Princess Cruises! Usually held in the afternoon in one of the main dining rooms on sea days, it’s a lovely way to take a break.
The best part? On most ships, it’s complimentary. You can indulge in tea, pastries, and finger sandwiches without spending a dime. Just check your Cruise Planner to be sure it’s offered on your sailing!
Trident Grill
If you’re craving a burger on your cruise, don’t miss Trident Grill. The burgers are cooked to order and way better than anything you’ll find at the buffet.
It’s a great spot for a quick, free meal that’s tasty and satisfying—perfect for lunch by the pool or a heavy snack between activities.
Self Service Laundromats
This one isn’t free, but it’s such a nice, low-cost perk that I had to include it. One of the things I love about sailing on Princess Cruises is the self-service laundromats—there’s usually one on every deck, which is perfect for long sailings or traveling with kids.
The cost is minimal, and being able to do your own laundry means you can skip the expensive ship laundry service.
Kids Club
If you’re cruising with kids, you have to check out the Princess Cruise Kids Club. It’s one of the most personalized and engaging kids’ programs you’ll find on any cruise ship.
For example, my daughter won a foosball and drawing competition, and the captain even came by to present her prize! We got to take photos and be part of the moment—it was such a memorable experience.
The attention and care the staff give really make the cruise extra special, and it’s all included at no extra cost.
Cruise Essentials to Buy Before Your Cruise
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Travel Must-Haves
Passport neck wallet – Keeps your passport and travel documents secure and accessible. It also has RFID protection.
Cruise lanyards – A super convenient way to keep your cruise card within easy reach. No more digging through your bag every time you need it! I recommend getting one lanyard per person in your group and choosing different colors so it’s easy to tell them apart.
Anti-theft crossbody bag with anti-pickpocket clip – Genius anti-theft clip and versatile enough for both port days and evenings in the dining room.
Anti-theft crossbody bag with RFID – Padded shoulder straps with RFID lining to safeguard against identity theft.
Insulated water bottles –I don’t like spending money on bottled water, and I always want fresh water in my cabin. I’ll fill my bottle at the buffet or ask my server at dinner, then bring it back so I have water at night. This is my go-to water bottle—I prefer ones without straws since they’re much easier to wash in the cabin sink.
Pashmina – This multi-purpose wrap always earns its spot in my luggage. Use it as an evening wrap, a lightweight plane blanket, or a cover-up when visiting places of worship that require modest dress. I never cruise without one—you’ll be surprised how often it comes in handy.
Cruise Planning Essentials
Day Passes to Resorts– Booking private beach resort access in advance guarantees a comfortable beach experience at the cruise port.
Travel Insurance with CFAR Coverage– CFAR travel insurance gives you flexibility to cancel your cruise for any reason and recover part of your costs if plans change.
Last Minute Cruise Deals– Search for last minute cruise deals.
Cabin Comfort & Organization
Non-surge Cruise power strip– Cabins never have enough outlets (check cruise line rules first).
Magnetic hooks – Super-strong magnetic hooks that attach easily to your cabin walls. They’re perfect for hanging hats, cruise lanyards, goggles, swimsuits, and towels. I personally use the 85+ lb hooks—they’re incredibly sturdy and can even hold backpacks!
Small portable fan – Improves airflow and keeps Inside Cabins from feeling stuffy.
Motion sensor night light – Perfect for Inside Cabins, for when you get up at night to use the bathroom. It also has a magnetic base, so you can easily attach it to your cabin walls.
Toiletries & Laundry
Hanging toiletry bag – Keeps your essentials neat and accessible.
Fabric freshener spray – Fights wrinkles and refreshes clothes between wears.
Travel-size detergent – Handy for washing swimsuits, underwear, and quick-dry clothing in the sink.
TSA-approved travel containers – Easy to pack your lotions, creams, and other liquids without worrying about TSA rules.
Health & Wellness
Anti-seasickness medicine – My go-to meds for anti-seasickness. I take one in the morning on sea days (bring chewables for kids).
Acupressure bands – A natural alternative for seasickness relief. I use this with the anti-seasickness meds.
Packing & Storage
Cruise travel planners– Check out my travel planners, they help you stay organized before and during your trip.
Packing cubes – I never travel without packing cubes! They make packing and unpacking so easy—you can simply slip the entire cube into the cabin closet or drawer. I like to assign a different color to each person so there’s no mix-up.
Foldable duffel bag – I always pack a foldable duffel bag in case I bring home too many souvenirs or do some extra shopping. It doubles as an extra carry-on and barely takes up any luggage space.
Foldable shopping bag – Perfect for shopping at cruise ports, these bags fold up small enough to keep in your purse. I always carry one with me—you never know when you’ll need it! Plus, many countries charge a fee for shopping bags, and I’d much rather use my own than pay extra.
Foldable backpack – Perfect for cruise port days when you need an extra bag. I love that these backpacks are lightweight and fold down small, so you can toss one in your luggage without taking up much space.
Travel luggage scale – I always keep one in my suitcase so I can weigh my bags before heading to the airport. It’s a simple way to avoid overweight baggage fees.
Apple AirTags – I pop one into each of my bags so I can track my luggage for peace of mind. They’re especially helpful if you have a short layover and worry about your suitcase getting left behind.
Beach Essentials
Towel Clips – A simple must-have for pool and beach days! They keep your towels from slipping off lounge chairs, and I never cruise without brining a few in my luggage.
Waterproof phone pouch – Protect your phone from water and sand while still being able to snap photos. I always bring one when cruising the Caribbean or Mediterranean—it’s a lifesaver for beach and pool days.
Striped beach bag with zipper – You’ll need a beach bag with zipper to keep your things secure. I like this one because it’s stylish, has a water bottle holder, keeps belongings secure and has a lot of pockets.
Kid-Friendly Cruise Essentials
Magnetic toys – Cabin walls are magnetic, making these toys perfect for fun, mess-free entertainment. They keep kids busy when you’re in the cabin, especially since cruise TV options for kids can be limited. It’s always best to bring your own toys.
Collapsible beach buckets and toys – You’ll definitely want to bring beach toys if you’re going on a Caribbean cruise! This collapsible set includes foldable buckets, shovels, and sandcastle molds, all packed neatly in one bag. They’re easy to fit in your suitcase without taking up much space.
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