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Review: Princess Cruises Wi-Fi Service (Speed, Reliability, Cost, and More)

Princess offers one of the most affordable wi-fi programs in cruising with its MedallionNet service — an Internet offer the cruise line calls “the best wi-fi at sea.”

And while you might think of a cruise as a place to disconnect from the routine and stresses of back home, the truth is that Internet access has become a necessity more than a luxury for most of us.

Whether it’s simply checking in back home, wanting to stream your favorite shows on vacation, or even trying to get a little work done, wi-fi may as well be a requirement.

Of course, that leads to a lot of questions about wi-fi on a Princess cruise. We’ve sailed the cruise line and recently put the Internet through the paces. Here’s what to know…

In This Article...

What Internet/Wi-Fi Packages Are Offered?

While many cruise lines offer different package levels with varying speeds for Internet, Princess instead keeps things simple. The ship’s MedallionNet comes in only one tier and you simply choose whether or not you want to purchase. (There is the ability to purchase access for multiple devices.)

This means when you buy, you have full access to the web. There are no different tiers for different speeds or different tiers for social media, streaming, and web browsing.

You can choose to either purchase wi-fi on its own or have it included in an all-inclusive package like Princess Plus or Princess Premier (more on these below).

How Much Is the Internet on a Princess Cruise?

When it comes to the price for wi-fi, Princess has the most affordable plan we’ve seen in cruising.

If you elect just to buy the plan on its own, the cost is $15 per day for one device. So for a one-week cruise, you’d pay $105 for access.

A recent cruise showed a price to upgrade to four devices as an extra $10 per day — or a total of $25 per day. (To our knowledge, there are no plans for 2/3 device access).

But many people buy the wi-fi as part of the larger Princess Plus or Princess Premier packages . With these plans, you pay an extra $60/$80 per person, per day (depending on the package you choose) and get a number of items included like drink packages, gratuities, and wi-fi.

How Fast Is Princess’ Internet Service?

Princess claims that “MedallionNet Wi-Fi sets the industry standard for internet at sea.” And in a 2018 press release linked on the website , it claims that “MedallionNet download speeds can exceed residential service levels, often eclipsing 100 Mbps, with upload speeds exceeding 60 Mbps.”

Our personal experience (covered below), however, was decidedly different. During a 2023 cruise aboard Discovery Princess, we found the service to be slow. Our own speed tests show service in the under 2 Mbps range, with some tests coming in under 1 Mbps. 

Perhaps other ships/itineraries might have faster speeds, but on our specific cruise the speed was lacking.

If I Have Access for Only One Device, Can I Switch Devices?

Yes. Princess offers service for either one device or up to four devices. If you select the one-device service, you can connect with your phone and then switch over to using a laptop or tablet. The only limit is that you can only have one connection at a time. So if you are online and your significant other logs in, it will boot you off.

Still, sharing access is a good way to save money. If you don’t need constant connectivity, then one person in the cabin can check their email and then another person can log in and browse the web later.

Can I Stream With the Wi-Fi?

Yes, you are allowed to stream your content over the wi-fi connection. The question is if you will be able to watch it clearly.

First things first, Princess specifically says on their website that with their Internet you can “stream your favorite shows,” however, as mentioned above, our personal experience was the speed of the connection when we cruised was sluggish.

We were able to stream a show on Netflix, but the majority of the time the image was pixelated, though it did play continuously without buffering and eventually cleared up.

Still, we’d suggest downloading any programs you want to watch beforehand if possible. That will allow you to watch without worrying about connection quality.

Can I FaceTime or Make Video Calls?

Just like with streaming, you have the ability to FaceTime or make video calls over the MedallionNet service from Princess. The issue is if the connection speed will allow you to do that.

During our cruise, we were able to have a FaceTime call back home. The voice part of the call was crystal clear. The video portion of the call would cut in and out and even when working, was heavily pixelated.

Again, if you see faster speeds than we did it may be that the service works flawlessly. But bottom line is that Princess does allow you to FaceTime on their service.

Can I Text Over the Wi-Fi?

Yes, you can text back home over the ship’s wi-fi. In fact, we found this to be the best way to keep in touch. Texts went through easily, including sending photos of our trip to family.

One thing we also noticed is that even when logged out of the wi-fi, we were still able to send texts through iMessage to our cabin mates. That made it easy to make plans and figure out where they were even when exploring on our own around the ship.

Do I Have to Buy Wi-Fi For the Princess App?

Like all cruise lines, Princess has an app that you should download before taking your cruise. It offers up everything from the ability to check-in for the trip to ship maps, the daily calendar and more.

To use this app, you DO NOT have to purchase wi-fi onboard. While you will connect to the ship’s wi-fi, the app works automatically without needing to pay.

Can I Work Over the Wi-Fi Connection?

While Internet service at sea has improved markedly in recent years, is it good enough to allow you to work or attend school while at sea? We’ve covered this topic in-depth here .

In general, we feel that if you have work that requires a minimal connection, then yes, you can work. So if you’re sending emails or downloading small files, then it’s possible. However, across cruise lines we think Internet-intensive services like Zoom meetings with lots of participants are still hit or miss.

Unfortunately, our limited experience on Princess was that it was a challenge doing even light work on the cruise ship due to the connection speed (see our review below).

Our Personal Experience With Princess Wi-Fi (Review)

One thing that we’ve noticed over the years is that the wi-fi experience on a cruise can vary based on a number of factors including weather, ship’s position, and the service itself.

In our case, we recently took a 4-day cruise from Los Angeles aboard Discovery Princess — a new ship in the fleet. The trip saw perfect weather and we were never far from shore. Unfortunately, the wi-fi left a lot to be desired.

In our case, we found the service to be extremely slow. Speed tests that we performed regularly through the cruise topped out at around 1.7 Mbps. Many tests came in under 1 Mbps. (For reference, the average mobile Internet speed in the United States is around 80 Mbps according to Speedtest.net ).

Due to the speed, using the Internet was frustrating. While we were able to stream a show on Netflix, it was heavily pixelated for much of the program before clearing up. When calling back home using FaceTime, the video would cut in and out, but the voice quality was clear. And while we did post to this site during the trip, it took considerably longer than normal.

We also asked other passengers about the performance of the Internet, and they seemed to share a similar experience. Due to the slow speed, we visited the Internet Cafe on the ship to speak to someone to see if this was normal. They indicated that the service was just slow and there wasn’t much that could be done about it, but didn’t provide a reason for the slow speeds.

All that said, this is no guarantee that the Internet will be the same as our experience across every ship and every cruise. Still, while we are used to seeing slower Internet speeds at sea across any cruise line (it is a challenge to provide wi-fi to thousands of people while on the water, after all), the service was still notably slow in our opinion.

Is Princess Wi-Fi Worth It?

As mentioned above, it’s not clear if this sort of speed we experienced is unusual or if it is the norm. But if we had to pay the full $15 per day for the service, we would have been disappointed.

We certainly don’t expect the same sort of speeds we see at home, but it seems that 5-10 Mbps is a “typical” speed for cruises that we’ve been on with other lines. We saw speeds top out at less than 2 Mbps in our test. This includes testing across multiple devices such as phone, laptop, and tablet.

That said, we had Internet included as part of the Princess Plus offer that also included other perks like gratuities and the drink package. Therefore, we didn’t pay a specific charge just for the wi-fi, but it was included as part of the deal. In that case, it’s hard to pinpoint if it’s worth it or not due to the lack of a specific charge just for wi-fi.

We will say that reviews curated on Princess’ website indicate that our experience may be an outlier. Those specifically mention fast speeds, including one person saying they “barely noticed a difference from my home Internet…”

So it’s possible we just cruised when there was some issue affecting the speed.

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We have been twice on the princess Ruby one for 30 days tour from Los Angeles to Sydney. The Internet was perfect very very fast and to send for example 40 pictures it last less than text 10 seconds three years later we went on the same ship from San Francisco through the Panama Canal And the Internet was really horrible. As long as we figure out. There’s a new contract with the Starling satellite from Elton mask and satellites are not enough to cover the cruise area so all in all you pay the same money for less sometimes nothing Internet connection, so in this case I could not recommend to buy the package despite you need it really strong but then you have to wait sometimes for one side 10 seconds and more the speed is the most time less than one megabyte and upload very much lower so once more the money counts princess pay for the connection from starting much less than before From European provider, but the result is very very poor so for me it is not fair to speak about the fastest Internet on Sea and over the slowest Internet

Finishing up our 14 day circle Caribbean cruise on Princess Emerald. It has much sought after spaceX Starlink. To me it turned out to be just a hype as either Pricess or starlink has speed down throttled to 3.0 mbps down and 1.0mbps up. Advertising about wifi just as good as home connection is false. 14 days and $560.00 down, my work that I anticipated to do every day from cruise has piled up. VOIP connection was a total failure. FaceTime audio calls were always in and out. Ideal for browsing with some patience and texting.

On a Princess cruise (7 Day Mediterranean) the Ships WiFi was practically non existant. The only time I was able to connect was during port days when my phone carrier connected with European partner carriers. I spoke to the people at the Internet Cafe and they could only apologize and explained that internet at sea was a challenge.

My cruise is 34 days and at sea a lot of the time. Is it possible to just buy a couple days worth of wifi or do I have to buy the entire package for 34 days? Does the library, Internet cafe offer computers to check email for emergencies? Thanks

There are 24-hour packages available. I believe I saw them in the Internet cafe. That would allow you to login occasionally as needed.

I believe there may be inaccurate information in your article as I read in multiple places that Princess changed the price of their internet package on Feb 20th for 4 devices to $40 per day (per the information on the Medallion app). If you know this to be incorrect info please let me know as I’m trying to decide between just getting the 4 device plan ala carte or buying the premier drink package that includes it.

Article : “A recent cruise showed a price to upgrade to four devices as an extra $10 per day — or a total of $25 per day. (To our knowledge, there are no plans for 2/3 device access).”

Our cruise was in February, but before February 20. If the app says the price is now $40 per day, that will be the most up to date information.

Hi, I’m having a hard time finding information on the Internet Cafe. Is there a charge to use the computers and internet in there?

I would assume yes, there will be a charge, although I personally did not use the Internet Cafe on the ship.

Love this post. My husband and I are trying to book a cruise but would like to work a few days from Princess Cruise. Is the wifi a secure connection? Usually for work we need to use a wifi that is protected by a password. Would you be able to help answer that question?

You sign in through your onboard account. It’s not just a wide-open connection. However, we would assume that the ship staff would be able to monitor all traffic on their network.

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Complete Guide to Cruising from the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach

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Princess Cruises WiFi MedallionNet: How To Use The App And Stay Connected At Sea

“Welcome aboard, the high seas! If you’re here, you’re likely wanting to know how to use the Princess Cruises WiFi MedallionNet. Having recently taken a Princess cruise, we understand firsthand how confusing it can be.

Is it really the “best internet at sea,” as they claim?

While onboard the Caribbean Princess, we explored the technical aspects of cruise ship connectivity. We are here to share our expertise and knowledge with you.

Whether you’re a social media enthusiast, or someone who just wants to stay connected to your family back home, this guide will help. Let’s delve into the ins and outs of the Princess Cruises WiFi MedallionNet to clearly understand what to expect from their internet service.

Is it really the “best internet at sea,” as they claim? Will it break your bank? So, together let’s set sail to find the answers to these and many more questions.

The Science Behind Princess Cruises WiFi MedallionNet

Understanding how MedallionNet WiFi works can help you appreciate the service better. Cruise ships often travel to remote destinations and rely on satellite connections for the internet.

Princess Cruises uses medium-earth orbit satellites, which are only 5,000 miles (8,000 kilometers) above the Earth’s surface. These satellites, known as O3B, provide faster internet speeds, reduced latency, and much more bandwidth. Despite the satellites’ continuous movement, MedallionNet maintains a stable connection by linking to two or three satellites at the same time.

Princess Cruises WiFi Costs

Princess Cruises WiFi offers a variety of plans to cater to the diverse needs of its passengers. The MedallionNet WiFi service starts at a reasonable $14.99 daily per device when purchased before sailing. You can choose a one-device plan and move it to any device you like. But only one connection at a time. Or you can purchase the 4-device plan and connect four devices at one time.

For the Platinum and Elite Captain’s Circle members, there’s a 50% discount on all internet packages. However, if you purchase the plan onboard, the price might be a bit higher.

But here’s a pro tip: Opt for the Princess Plus fare, which includes free drinks, gratuities, and WiFi, and you could save a significant amount on your cruise fare.

How To Connect To MedallionNet: A Step-by-Step Guide

Connecting to the MedallionNet WiFi is a straightforward process. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you get started:

• Put your device in airplane mode. This ensures that your device doesn’t use your mobile data while connecting to the WiFi.
• Open your device’s WiFi settings and select the MedallionNet WiFi network.
• Open your web browser and type in “login.com.” This will take you to the Princess MedallionNet WiFi. You will not see MedallionNet login, you must type “login.com” in the browser.
• Click on the “connect this device.
• You then have the option to browse the internet or navigate to any area of your device to stay connected to friends and family.

And voila! You’re connected to the Princess Cruises WiFi MedallionNet. You can now browse the internet, check your emails, or stay in touch with your loved ones back home. The Princess MedallionNet WiFi is a stand-alone, but the MedillionClass App will help to enhance your cruising experience.

If you want to connect more than one device or if you have a plan that allows for four or more devices, you can simply repeat these steps on each device. If you encounter any issues while connecting, the guest services are always ready to assist.

Speed Test: Princess Cruises WiFi MedallionNet

We scoured the internet and found speed tests to measure MedallionNet’s internet speed. The results showed slow download speeds and difficulty streaming live. While these speeds might not match your home internet, remember you are on a ship in the middle of the ocean.

The Princess Cruises WiFi is great for basic web browsing, emails, and messaging, but you might notice pages taking slightly longer to load.

The Future of Princess Cruises WiFi

The future of MedallionNet WiFi looks promising. In December 2022, SES, Princess Cruises’ connectivity partner, launched two O3b mPOWER satellites into space. The already impressive MedallionNet WiFi will improve with progressive technology like this.

Our Personal Experience With Princess Cruises WiFi MedallionNet

Having just returned from a fun-filled journey aboard a Princess Cruise , we had the opportunity to personally experience the Princess Cruises WiFi MedallionNet. It was quite impressive.

Connecting to the WiFi was a breeze. The process was straightforward and user-friendly, making it easy even for those who aren’t tech-savvy. Switching devices was just as easy, allowing us to stay connected on whichever device we preferred at any given time.

As a writer, I found the WiFi service to be quite reliable. I was able to do some writing on the ship without any major hiccups. The internet speed was sufficient for basic tasks like writing and browsing, making it a convenient workspace.

However, it wasn’t all smooth sailing. There were instances when we didn’t receive all our text messages until later. They would download later, causing a slight delay in communication. But considering we were in the middle of the ocean, this was a minor inconvenience.

Comparing this experience with a cruise I took four years ago, the improvement in the WiFi service is remarkable. The MedallionNet WiFi is significantly faster and easier to connect to, making it a game-changer in the world of cruise ship connectivity.

Oh, and be sure to choose one of the drink packages if you like your beverages. It will save time and money on your cruise.

Video On Princess Cruises WiFi MedallionNet

Frequently Asked Questions about Princess Cruise WiFi

Navigating the digital seas can sometimes be a bit overwhelming. We’ve compiled a list of frequently asked questions to help you better understand the Princess Cruises MedallionNet WiFi. These should provide quick and concise answers to some of the most common queries.

How do I connect to Princess Cruises WiFi?

Connecting to the MedallionNet WiFi is simple. Put your device in airplane mode, open your device’s WiFi settings, select the MedallionNet WiFi network, open your web browser, type in “login.com,” and sign in using your birthdate, month, and year. If you want to change devices, just repeat these steps.

Can I switch devices when connected to Princess Cruises WiFi MedallionNet?

Yes, you can easily switch devices on the MedallionNet WiFi. Simply follow the same steps you used to connect your first device. This flexibility allows you to stay connected on whichever device you prefer at any given time.

What is the cost of Princess Cruises WiFi?

The MedallionNet WiFi service starts at $14.99 per device per day when purchased before sailing. Prices can increase if bought onboard. However, there are ways to navigate these costs and get the best deal. For instance, opting for the Princess Plus fare includes free drinks, gratuities, and WiFi, potentially saving you a significant amount on your cruise fare.

When did Princess Cruise add WiFi?

Princess Cruises Wifi connected sometime after 2014 when the O3B satellites became available. By 2019, Princess had WiFi on 8 ships, and added the MedalionNet WiFi to 15 more ships in 2020.

Additional Resources

If you are looking for more tutorials, walkthroughs, and troubleshooting on cruises, here are some additional posts about cruises:

Princess Cruises Ultimate Guide: Your All-Inclusive Resource

Royal Caribbean Crown and Anchor Society Perks And Benefits

Titanic vs Cruise Ship – Wonder Of The Seas

Final Thoughts

Princess Cruises WiFi MedallionNet provides a reliable and reasonably fast internet connection at sea. While it may not be as fast as your home internet, it can keep you connected while enjoying your cruise.

If you plan to cruise with Princess, be sure to join the “ Princess Cruises – Churchill’s Lounge ” Facebook group. Stay up to date on all the Princess cruise ships and the latest news.

Be Sure To Check Other Helpful Posts

• MedallionClass guide
• Drink packages
• Drink Plus Package
• Princess Ultimate Guide

Happy travels, my friends.

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Laura Fuller

Hello, I am a luggage and travel fanatic. With a vast knowledge of TSA regulations, I am here to assist you on your journey. Please join me, and together, we will navigate the world of travel. From TSA and air to cruising the high seas, we will explore the best accessories and tips for smooth travel.

Princess Cruises Princess Plus: An All-Inclusive Approach

Princess medallion app with step by step guide for use, 2 thoughts on “princess cruises wifi medallionnet: how to use the app and stay connected at sea”.

OMG thank you so much! I have been trying for literally hours to get this running and you have just solved it in seconds! Thank you!

Lynn, I am so happy I could help. Have a great cruise! Laura

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Wi-Fi on cruise ships: 5 things to know about internet use on board

I have good news for those of you who assume the only way to stay in touch with home from a cruise ship is via a message in a bottle: Cruise ships come equipped with internet, and cruise Wi-Fi connections have been getting faster at a rapid rate — and cheaper, too.

While checking emails and surfing the web on some vessels still requires the patience of Job, onboard technological improvements on many ships combined with new satellite and direct ship-to-shore systems is making cruise internet access much more like what you find on land.

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

If you're a first-time cruiser, you're likely most concerned with the basics: Do cruise ships have Wi-Fi and how much does Wi-Fi cost on a cruise? Repeat cruisers who have paid the price for finicky service may be wondering the best way to access fast connection speeds across their devices while avoiding unnecessary charges.

I can guide you through the ins and outs of Wi-Fi on cruise ships. Here are five things to know about onboard internet before you set sail.

Wi-Fi on cruise ships will never be as fast (or reliable) as home

Yes, all cruise ships today offer an internet connection, but it might not be the seamless experience you've come to expect on land.

For most of the many years I've been writing about cruising, the typical internet connection at sea hasn't just been slow. It's been glacial. You'd click on a website only to experience many seconds of frustration. Maybe the page would come up. Maybe it wouldn't. Maybe the cruise would end while you were still sitting there.

Related: 16 mistakes cruise ship passengers make on disembarkation day

Why the slow speeds? To start, there is no Comcast cable wire running to your cruise ship. On cruise ships, every packet of data you are downloading onto your phone or computer, for the most part, is coming over a satellite, which is not a quick or inexpensive proposition.

The maritime communication companies that specialize in providing internet connections to ships have been trying to speed things up in recent years. Solutions have included adding more satellites and linking their systems to land-based towers that connect with ships as they near shore.

But, in the end, there are limits to just how well a satellite system can work. For starters, a ship needs a clear "line of sight" to a satellite to exchange data, something that isn't always the case. Cruise ships traveling through the famed Norwegian fjords, for instance, can lose their satellite signal due to the height of surrounding mountains.

And there are certain parts of the world where satellite coverage is too thin or nonexistent to allow for internet access on cruise ships. During a sailing in the Russian Arctic on a Hapag-Lloyd Cruises ship, I was forced to live without internet for a good part of a week due to a lack of satellite coverage in the area (something, I must say, was kind of wonderful).

So while onboard cruise Wi-Fi speeds are getting better, they'll never be as fast as at home, where a hard wire brings the signal straight to your router.

Onboard internet speed is getting much faster

On some cruise ships, the signal has become so much faster you now can stream Netflix from the comfort of your cabin — something that would have been unthinkable just a few years ago.

New satellite systems, paired with multimillion-dollar investments in shipboard technology, really are making things better in a big way. A turning point came in 2014, when cruise giant Royal Caribbean partnered with satellite company O3b Networks to create a new onboard internet system that it claimed was six times faster than anything else at sea. Called Voom, the system tapped into new Medium Earth Orbit satellites operated by O3b that can shoot their beams directly at ships as they move.

When I ran a speed test of Voom on Adventure of the Seas, I found the line's fastest option, the Surf + Stream service, usually offered download speeds of just around 3 megabits per second. I never found download speeds exceeding 4 Mbps, but I did see it drop as low as 1.5 Mbps. While still significantly slower than many home connections, that's fast enough to enjoy Netflix and other streaming video services, though I did experience grainy video and buffering issues on occasion.

Royal Caribbean still claims Voom is the fastest and best Wi-Fi option on cruise ships today. But we're a bit skeptical – not because the Wi-Fi is slower than stated, but because other cruise lines, like Carnival Cruise Line , are quickly catching up.

Carnival cruise Wi-Fi is also fast enough to support Netflix streaming on some ships, the company says. The cruise line uses a hybrid system that combines faster satellite connections at sea with a network of less-expensive land-based towers that take over as its vessels near coastal areas.

On a sailing on one of the Carnival ships outfitted for faster internet, Carnival Sunrise , I did notice a significant improvement in cruise Wi-Fi speed. But the promised access to Netflix streaming wasn't quite as smooth as I had hoped. Clicking on a favorite show, I only could watch for a few minutes before the connection inevitably froze.

Some lines in just the last year or so have begun partnering with Elon Musk's Starlink system for speedy internet.

Related: How fast is the internet on a Celebrity cruise? We put it to the test

Cruise internet costs have gone down

Just a few years back, you had to pay a small fortune for the privilege of accessing the internet on a cruise ship. The base rate for onboard Wi-Fi for years started around 75 cents a minute. That's $45 for a single hour online!

The old pay-by-the-minute system, which could leave even modest internet users with sky-high bills, is now giving way to simpler and more affordable "all you can browse" plans on many lines.

How much does Wi-Fi cost on a cruise today? Well, the highest-speed version of Royal Caribbean's Voom connection currently costs $26.99 per day for one device. In the old days of 75 cents-a-minute pricing, that same amount of money would have gotten you just 36 minutes of web time.

Royal Caribbean also offers a slower-speed version of Voom that can't support streaming for $19.99 per day for one device. For both cruise internet packages, there are discounts for adding more devices and purchasing a package online before your sailing.

Related: 15 ways that cruising newbies waste money on their first cruise

Another line bringing down internet costs dramatically is Carnival. At the very low end, it now offers a Social Wi-Fi plan that allows access to all the key social sites (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc.) as well as messaging services such as WhatsApp, for just $15.30 a day ($18 when purchased on board). A slightly more expensive Value Wi-Fi plan, at $19.55 per day when bought in advance ($23 per day when bought on board), adds access to email and most websites.

The line's top-tier Premium Wi-Fi plan, at $21.25 per day when bought in advance ($25 when bought onboard), triples the speed of the Value plan and adds access to VoIP calling on messaging apps and Skype (but not FaceTime). Note that you might be able to make Wi-Fi calls from an iPhone or via WhatsApp, even with the less expensive plan. Passengers who pay for a Carnival Cruise Wi-Fi plan in advance of sailing get a 15% discount.

But perhaps the biggest development in cruise internet costs in recent years is that many higher-end lines have begun offering internet access for — get this — free. Viking , Regent Seven Seas Cruises and Silversea Cruises are among lines now including unlimited internet time in the base cost of a voyage. At some of these lines, such as Regent, you can pay extra for faster service.

Another way to get free or cheaper internet time on ships is to join cruise line loyalty programs . Many offer free cruise Wi-Fi or discounted package pricing to customers who hit mid- to upper-tier levels.

At Celebrity Cruises, for instance, the top Zenith tier in the line's Captain's Club loyalty program comes with unlimited free Premium-level internet (the fastest plan at the line). At Princess Cruises , customers can get 50 percent off MedallionNet internet packages after reaching the Platinum level in the line's Captain's Circle loyalty program (to qualify, you'll need to complete either five cruises, or 50 cruise days).

On Royal Caribbean, the path to free Internet on a cruise is through its high-end suites . Book a room in a Sky Class or Star Class suite (all suites above the junior suite level), and you'll receive free Voom.

Apps offer an alternative to paid cruise Wi-Fi

In recent years, a growing number of cruise lines have rolled out free apps for your phone that will let you make reservations for onboard restaurants, spa treatments and other services without ever leaving your pool deck lounge chair. On some ships operated by Carnival, you even can order beer and pizza to wherever you happen to be using an app.

Many of these apps also will show you a schedule of daily activities, offer ship deck plans and sometimes port maps to help you get around, and let you check your onboard account statement in real time. On Celebrity Edge and other Celebrity Cruises Edge-class ships, you can even use an app to remotely open your cabin door, change channels on the television and turn off the lights.

While all these apps work off cruise ship Wi-Fi, the good news is they don't require the purchase of a plan to use. Nor do they come with any other sort of fee — at least for most features.

At Carnival, you'll pay $5 per cruise to add a "chat" feature to the line's otherwise free HUB app that will let you communicate via text-like messages with other app-enabled passengers. Norwegian Cruise Line also requires passengers to pay a fee (currently $9.95 per cruise) to use a messaging and calling feature of its Cruise Norwegian app.

Cruise internet tip: Use airplane mode to avoid unwanted charges

Whether or not you're purchasing a Wi-Fi plan on a cruise ship, I have one very strong piece of advice: Put your phone in airplane mode the moment you step on board the vessel and leave it that way for the duration of the sailing.

This is the safest way to avoid unwanted data charges, which can be enormous. (Remember the story of a family that racked up $14,000 in data charges on a cruise?)

As many cruisers have found the hard way, international phone plans such as AT&T's $10-a-day International Day Pass do not apply to cruise ships at sea. If you let your AT&T phone roam while you're on a vessel, you'll pay $2.05 per megabyte of data — even if your base plan at home offers you unlimited data. You'll also pay $3 per minute to make a call, $0.50 per text and $1.30 to send a photo. All that adds up very quickly.

AT&T does offer a " Cruise Plus " plan for a flat fee of $100 that allows unlimited talk and text during sailings up to 30 days in duration. But it only comes with 1 gigabyte of data (which may seem like a lot until you start streaming movies), with any overage billing at a still-hefty $10 per 100 megabytes. It's also not available on every ship. More than 175 vessels are part of the program.

If you insist on leaving your cellular service on during a cruise, you should at least disable any apps running in the background (as they'll be eating up data, and running up your bill) and disable email auto-check.

Personally, I find it easier to just hit the airplane mode button. Once in airplane mode, I reactivate the Wi-Fi feature on my phone to access the cruise Wi-Fi, and sign up for a shipboard plan that will let me stay in touch by email or a VoIP service like WhatsApp.

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Princess Cruises Will Soon Offer ‘Super-charged Internet Connectivity' on Board

Surf the web from the high seas.

Over the last year, the professional world has come to learn that working from anywhere is indeed possible. And that now apparently includes working from the high seas, too.

In April, Princess Cruises announced its plans to deliver "super-charged internet connectivity" to all its passengers by leveraging a new constellation of satellites that will launch later this year, offering all those on board the chance to call the world's oceans their office.

"Upon its return to service, every Princess cruise ship in the global fleet will feature land-like connectivity as part of its MedallionNet Wi-Fi service, making remote working, distance learning, and the opportunity to securely conduct important transactions, available all while enjoying the most picturesque video conference backdrop on the horizon thousands of miles from home," the cruise company explained in a statement. It added, this connectivity will be available in every stateroom, as well as all public areas, so guests can connect in their rooms, on the decks, or anywhere they wish.

"As an Internet person who lives her entire life online, I was thoroughly impressed with MedallionNet," Chelsea Lankford, creator of fashion and lifestyle blog Truelane , shared in a statement about her experience. "I'm always impressed by its reliability. I've published blog posts, uploaded videos, and streamed Netflix in the middle of the ocean without a glitch."

Beyond this new interconnectivity, Princess also recently expanded its Book with Confidence policy, which allows guests the flexibility to change their vacation plans 30 days before departure. This means if plans change guests can receive a future cruise credit and make the ship their office when it suits them. This flexible booking option is available for any cruise bookings made through June 30, 2021, on sailings departing through Oct 31, 2021.

For more information on bookings, internet connectivity, and more, see the company's website now .

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Can Wifi be shared between cabins?

By sarellen8385 , February 10, 2023 in Princess Cruises

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sarellen8385

We are traveling with our children in two cabins and have the Princess Plus packages for each cabin. That means one wifi device per person. Can we buy the 4-device wifi and share it with the other cabin? We all use multiple devices. Thank you.

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14 minutes ago, sarellen8385 said: We are traveling with our children in two cabins and have the Princess Plus packages for each cabin. That means one wifi device per person. Can we buy the 4-device wifi and share it with the other cabin? We all use multiple devices. Thank you.

Yes, we do that all the time with our two kids who are in a separate cabin from us. The package is tied to a specific number of devices, not to a cabin number. 

27 minutes ago, sarellen8385 said: Can we buy the 4-device wifi and share it with the other cabin?

The way it reads, it can be share with anyone on the ship. If you travel with other couples it can save some money. 

Thanks to both of you for that information!

Rick&Jeannie

You very likely will need to log in as the original booked passenger to "register" one  (or more) of the four devices...but that's easy enough to coordinate with your travelling party.

disneyochem

Once you purchase the 4 device package, anyone can access the plan from any where on the ship.  They just need the cabin number and name who is paying for it. (We shared our package with our daughter who was in a cabin three decks above us this summer. Never had an issue.)

They let us share with our travel companions as long as we are linked in the booking.

11 hours ago, sarellen8385 said: We are traveling with our children in two cabins and have the Princess Plus packages for each cabin. That means one wifi device per person. Can we buy the 4-device wifi and share it with the other cabin? We all use multiple devices. Thank you.

Trying to finite the question.

You have 4  beverage packages that includes one device per package.  Each will have its own login page.  

You will have access to 4 individual devices.  

Do you need an additional access to 4 more devices?  Is this for your family or for other cabins?  From my understanding, the 4 package device purchase will have one sign in (cabin/birthday:  I think).

It is really easy to switch between devices, albeit it is a slight nuisance.  You don't even have to log off before logging on.  When you switch devices, it will ask you if you want to log off.  Or you can go to logoff.com

With that said....I bought the 4 device package for my sister and myself (2 each).  Ha Ha

You can see how logging off/on works for your crew -- and-- then upgrade to the 4 device plan on board if you need to, you may pay a daily rate but it need not be for the entire cruise.  We take a laptop, iPad, a travel router for the 2 Kindles *, and 2 phones so along about sea day 4 or 5 the pain level is reached  and I upgrade one of us. 

* Our old Oasis' can't seem to get through the ship's WiFi splash page.

We found it very easy to switch between devices on our cruise this past week. In the past we’ve upgraded to the 4 device plan but this time we didn’t. Glad we saved the money and didn’t this time because it was so easy to switch back and forth between iPhone and iPad. DH was switching between and iPhone and laptop.

5 hours ago, cr8tiv1 said: It is really easy to switch between devices, albeit it is a slight nuisance.  You don't even have to log off before logging on.  When you switch devices, it will ask you if you want to log off.  Or you can go to logoff.com  

If you have a 4-device package and switch a device, it will automatically log off one of the four devices in use.

However the one logged off may not be the one you were using. It could be one being used by one of the other three people since all four devices are with the same logon information.

Of course if you manually logoff your device first, then it will not log off someone elkse when you sign on to the different device.

5 hours ago, cr8tiv1 said:   Trying to finite the question. You have 4  beverage packages that includes one device per package.  Each will have its own login page.   You will have access to 4 individual devices.     Do you need an additional access to 4 more devices? 

Good question.

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Major WiFi Price Increase by Princess Cruises (67% More)

• Princess Cruises raises the daily rate for a single-device WiFi package by 67% to $24.99 and the four-device package by 12.5%.
• The introduction of Starlink technology on Princess ships offers faster and more reliable internet.
• The increase is seen as a move to encourage the purchase of comprehensive package deals.

Princess Cruises announced a significant increase in the price of their onboard WiFi services. Starting January 22, 2024, the cost for a Princess Cruises s i ngle-device WiFi package rises to $24.99 per day , a 67% jump from the previous price of $14.99. The four-device package will see a 12.5% increase from $39.00 to $44.99 .

The price increase impacts pre-cruise purchases made after January 22, 2024, and for onboard purchases on voyages beginning January 31, 2024.

Passengers who purchased the Princess Cruises Medallionnet WiFi before January 22, 2024, are unaffected by the price change.

This decision comes after Carnival Corporation, Princess Cruises’ parent company , began installing Starlink technology across its fleet in early 2023. Starlink, developed by Elon Musk’s SpaceX, offers faster and more reliable internet connections via satellites closer to Earth.

The price increase is an effort to nudge passengers to purchase Princess Plus and Premier Packages .

In a letter to travel agents, Princess Cruises noted, “Now It Pays to Plus more than ever as the price of purchasing super-fast MedallionNet separately is going up. The a la carte cost is increasing to $24.99 per person, per day, per voyage, for single-device Wi-Fi, and to $44.99 for four-device Wi-Fi, effective with pre-cruise purchases starting Jan 22. Additionally, the price will increase for onboard Wi-Fi purchase on voyages sailing Jan 31 and beyond. “

The Princess Plus package is $60 per person per day and includes gratuities, Princess Cruises Plus Beverage Package , single-device Wi-Fi, two casual dining meals, and more.

The Princess Premier package is priced at $80 per person per day, building upon the Plus package with additional perks. It upgrades to multi-device Wi-Fi and a Premier Beverage Package. Additionally, it offers two specialty dining experiences, a photo package, entry into Princess Prizes for a chance to win various awards, reserved seating in the theater, and unlimited casual dining.

Princess Cruises reiterated that prices for Princess Plus and Premier are unaffected by the increase in internet pricing, stating, “…there is no change to the price of Princess Plus and Princess Premier, meaning that our fare bundles are now an even greater value for your clients!”

Marcello De Lio

Marcello's been cruising since he was 12 years old. He loves the freedom that cruising provides, meeting new people, and exploring amazing new ships. Marcello created High Seas Cruising to share his passion for cruising and travel with readers and grow a community of passionate voyagers.

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Princess Cruises Adds Historic America Cruisetour Ahead of 250th Anniversary of America

14-night land and cruise experience highlights america’s roots with nation’s capital, philadelphia, williamsburg & more.

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FT. LAUDERDALE, Fla. (May 13, 2024) – Princess guests discovering the scenic east coast on a 2025 Canada & New England cruise sailing out of New York City can now immerse themselves in historic America as they tour the nation’s capital, interact with early settlers at a living history museum, visit Independence Hall in Philadelphia, and stand on the same soil as Thomas Jefferson at his Monticello estate, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

This Historic America cruisetour takes guests on a seven-night, hosted land tour with overnight stays in Washington D.C., Williamsburg, Staunton, Gettysburg and Philadelphia prior to boarding a seven-day Canada/New England cruise onboard Enchanted Princess roundtrip from New York City.

“Visiting our nation’s capital, nearby historic cities and landmarks always ranks high on travelers’ lists of places to visit in their lifetime,” said Terry Thornton, chief commercial officer, Princess Cruises. “We make traveling to historic America easy, educational and memorable with our knowledgeable and inspiring tour guides sharing the incredible stories of our country’s settlers, leaders, landmarks and historic sites.”

This Historic America cruisetour includes hotels, motorcoach transportation, sightseeing and most breakfasts and dinners. Sample itinerary details:

• Day 1: Arrive Washington, DC
• Day 2: Tour Arlington Cemetery, Embassy Row, National Cathedral, museums of choice, evening illumination tour of Lincoln, Vietnam, World War II, and Korean War Memorials
• Day 3: Visit Mount Vernon, George Washington’s iconic estate, and Jamestown Settlement before arriving in Williamsburg for dinner at a Colonial Williamsburg Tavern
• Day 4: Full day of Colonial Williamsburg historic area
• Day 5: Tour Richmond National Battlefield Park and Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello estate
• Day 6: Enjoy Harpers Ferry National Historic Park and guided tour of Gettysburg Battlefield
• Day 7: City of Brotherly Love, Philadelphia, for Independence Hall, Liberty Bell, First Bank, Carpenter’s Hall, Betsy Ross House, Elfreth’s Alley and Christ Church
• Day 8: Arrive in New York City to embark Enchanted Princess for cruise
• Day 9: Newport, Rhode Island
• Day 10: Boston, Massachusetts
• Day 11: Portland, Maine
• Day 12: At Sea
• Day 13: Halifax, Canada
• Day 14: At Sea
• Day 15: Return to New York City

On sale now, there are 10 Historic America cruisetour options in 2025 with departure dates of August 16, 23, 30; September 6, 13, 20, 27; October 4, 11 and 18, 2025. Rates start at $4,529 per person.

Thornton added, “With the upcoming 250th anniversary of America in 2026, now is the time to visit our nation’s historic landmarks and celebrate our independence.”

Additional information about Princess Cruises is available through a professional travel advisor, by calling 1-800-Princess (1-800-774-6237) or by visiting www.princess.com.

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About Princess Cruises

Princess Cruises is The Love Boat, the world’s most iconic cruise brand that delivers dream vacations to millions of guests every year in the most sought-after destinations on the largest ships that offer elite service personalization and simplicity customary of small, yacht-class ships. Well-appointed staterooms, world class dining, grand performances, award-winning casinos and entertainment, luxurious spas, imaginative experiences and boundless activities blend with exclusive Princess MedallionClass service to create meaningful connections and unforgettable moments in the most incredible settings in the world - the Caribbean, Alaska, Panama Canal, Mexican Riviera, Europe, South America, Australia/New Zealand, the South Pacific, Hawaii, Asia, Canada/New England, Antarctica, and World Cruises. The company is part of Carnival Corporation & plc (NYSE/LSE:CCL; NYSE:CUK).

Additional media information is available at princess.com/news

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Princess is launching an all-inclusive, 4-month, around-the-world cruise for $20,000— see what it'll be like

• Princess Cruises announced a 114-day  world cruise to 52 destinations in 2026, starting at $20,000 per person. 
• Guests who book early would get a free, all-inclusive package, a first for Princess' global itineraries.
• Extended and all-inclusive cruises have emerged as big trends in the vacation industry.

Princess Cruise's new around-the-world voyage will hit two vacation trends in one itinerary.

In January 2026, the company says its Coral Princess will embark on a 114-day cruise to 52 ports in 28 countries and six continents — more destinations than any of its previous global sailings .

It's the Carnival Corp brand's latest appeal to the extended cruising trend . But it's not the only fad this four-month vacation is targeting.

The sailing, which starts at $20,000 per person, also marks the first time Princess is offering a complimentary all-inclusive package as a way to entice early bookings.

Ultra-long and all-inclusive cruises have emerged as big trends in the industry.

Regent Seven Seas, Azamara, and Oceania's 2024 around-the-world cruises all sold out before departing in January. The former was fully booked within three hours, while every cabin on the latter was called for in 30 minutes.

Besides being high-end, these three companies share one commonality: some level of all-inclusiveness , as is common with premium cruise lines.

Mass-market cruise companies rarely go the all-inclusive route.

Princess, Royal Caribbean, and Norwegian are generally beloved for their affordability.

But if you want to experience all their ships have to offer, be prepared to face a list of up-charged amenities like pay-to-play rides and specialty restaurants . After all, there's a reason their base fares are much cheaper than their increasingly popular ultra-luxury, all-inclusive counterparts.

But Princess has been increasingly vying for a slice of the luxury cruiser pie.

The cruise line says guests who book its 2026 world cruise early (that is, by the end of October) will receive its most inclusive Princess Premier package for free. The perk — launched two years ago — covers amenities that typically have a fee, like WiFi, premium drinks, some specialty restaurants, and workout classes.

Travelers who reserve one of the ship's high-end cabins by the same deadline would also receive complimentary airport transfers and airfare, services normally exclusively offered by luxury cruise lines .

The itinerary would have two roundtrip embarkation options: Fort. Lauderdale, Florida, on January 5, 2026, or Los Angeles 16 days later.

From there, the 2,000-guest Coral Princess would sail more than 35,000 nautical miles to ports in North America, the Pacific Islands, New Zealand and Australia, Asia, the Mediterranean, Europe, and Central and South America.

It wouldn't be Princess' longest voyage — that title goes to its 116-day world cruise in 2025 — but it would be one of its most destination-heavy.

While two days longer, next year's around-the-world cruise would hit six fewer ports and four fewer countries than its 2026 counterpart.

According to the itinerary, about half of the 2026 voyage consists of sea days.

That's a lot of time on the water with no land in sight. Luckily, travelers can keep themselves entertained by attending lectures and programs related to the destinations, leisuring around the adult-only lounge, or taking a dip in Coral Princess' four pools.

The 21-year-old ship also has 10 places to grab a bite, although the Italian and steakhouse restaurants are considered specialty. Premier is the cruise line's most inclusive package, but it only includes 16 free dinners at these upcharge restaurants, paced once a week.

Princess is still a mass-market cruise line, after all.

The company has been increasingly dangling its inclusive package as a big perk.

The company says its two-month-old Sun Princess will debut in the US in October with its first-ever Sanctuary Collection . Travelers who splurge on these expensive and luxurious accommodations would be rewarded with two major benefits: a private lounge and Princess Premier.

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