princess cruise internet fee

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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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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

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Princess cruise wifi in 2023 ⚓ cost + package + is Princess cruise ship internet good?

Your experience with wifi on a Princess cruise ship may vary!

This is based on my experience and understanding!

I am just a fellow cruiser!

I once got the Princess wifi package for a 25-day cruise that was in February and March 2023.

I bought the 1-device wifi package, and it was easy to switch between devices, my phone and my laptop.

I then had Princess cruises in April and May 2023, and I did not buy wifi on either one of the cruises.

I did not get the wifi package or the day-by-day wifi.

But I did look for cruises on princess.com 😆 so I did use the wifi.

You can browse future cruises at princess.com for free when you are on the cruise ship! And if you know you will be taking another Princess cruise, you will want to do the future cruise deposit when you are on the cruise ship. You will get free onboard spending money.

Then I had Princess cruises in September 2023, and I did buy wifi by the day during those cruises.

You don’t need to buy the wifi to use the Princess app on the cruise ship.

But you do need to download the app before you get on the cruise ship.

You will want everyone in your family to download the app before you get on the cruise ship.

I have also read that imessage works without buying wifi if you have an iphone. I don’t have an iphone so I can’t personally confirm that though.

You can buy a wifi package for the whole cruise before you get on the cruise ship, and you can buy it individually every day of the cruise ship that you want it.

For my April 2023 cruise, I did notice that the cost to buy the wifi package before I got on the cruise ship and the cost to buy it on the day I got on the cruise ship was the same.

On a per-day basis, buying the wifi package for the whole cruise is cheaper than buying wifi individually every day.

If you skip using wifi just a few days, it might be cheaper to buy wifi day-by-day instead of buying the wifi package before you leave for your cruise.

You’ll want to calculate it out based on how many days you think you will be fine using the wifi during your cruise.

If your cruise has tons of port days, you may decide that you will be just fine using the data from your phone in port and skip getting online on the sea days on the cruise ship.

During the day on sea days will tend to be the slowest days to use the internet since lots more people will be online at once.

You can see my experience with t-mobile in Alaska cruise ports .

The cost of the wifi package on a Princess cruise ship if you buy it ahead of time is $15 a day. You would be buying wifi for every day of the cruise.

The cost of wifi on a Princess cruise ship if you buy it on a day-to-day basis is $20 a day. You will buy this once on the cruise ship on the day you want the internet.

The cost of Princess wifi can change, but this is my experience for my September cruises in 2023.

It was cheaper for the cruise that started in February.

You also have the option of buying wifi for just 1 device, or for 4 devices.

Even if you buy wifi for just 1 device, you can use it on multiple devices.

It’s just that you can only use it for one device at a time.

If you are at the loyalty level of platinum or elite , wifi is 50% off. ( pdf )

If you get the Princess plus package or Princess premier package , wifi is a part of your package, so you can check that for details.

Trouble shooting: How to connect to the Princess wifi on a laptop

• Connect to the free Princess medallionnet wifi, and click where it says you might need to sign in.
• If that doesn’t get your to a screen that prompts you to the paid wifi option, type into your browser: login.com
• If that doesn’t work, type into your browser: mnet.ap.ocean.com or mnet.di.ocean.com
• If that doesn’t work, check to make sure it is not defaulting to include the https (For example, it may or may not work as https://mnet.ap.ocean.com)
• If that doesn’t work, then I recommend you go to the Ocean Front desk which is by the photo gallery. They are the medallion people. Check the hours and location for Ocean Front on the back of your Princess Patter (the paper version of the daily activity schedule ). You can call guest services to ask where they are located if you’re not sure… and while you are at it, you can ask guest services for help, and maybe they can. But I feel it could be easier to just go and show the Ocean Front people your laptop so they can connect you, especially if there’s a wait at guest services.

I had trouble a couple of times getting the paid Princess wifi on my laptop.

But my troubles hopefully mean easy solutions for you if you are having trouble! (Above!)

More below about my experience with using internet on Princess cruise ships!

Now of course, you also want to know…

How good is the wifi on a Princess cruise ship?

Well, individual experiences vary.

For my first cruises, the wifi on Princess cruise ships was not good enough for me to want to buy a wifi package.

But my most recent cruises have given me more inspiration to buy wifi more!

It’s September 2023, and I’m currently on a Princess cruise ship, and I have been bought wifi on many days, because I have been happy with what I have been able to do with the Princess wifi.

This was NOT the case during my first cruise!

Even at that time when I thought it was terrible, I had read a lot of online reports, and there were people who say they have generally had good wifi experiences on Princess cruise ships.

Your internet experience may or may not depend on what cruise ship you are on, where your cruise ship is sailing (aka how remote you are), and how many people on your cruise ship are using the internet at the same time as you (aka using up tons of resources making your internet slow).

And it depends on what you want to do online!

For the best chance at having “good” internet on the cruise ship, try to think of times when less people will be using the internet and use it then.

“Good” is relative on a cruise ship in the middle of the ocean!

I have read people say that they have been able to watch netflix on a Princess cruise ship.

During that first terrible internet cruise, I never did try netflix, but I tried several times to watch my CBS, NBC, and ABC shows online.

The shows would not start.

Loading… loading…

I finally gave up.

Later on in the cruise I did try again just out of curiosity, and a show did load.

But it’s not something I could count on.

That was the Diamond Princess sailing across the vast Pacific Ocean, so maybe that had something to do with it.

Also it was a transpacific cruise which means lots of sea days which maybe means lots more people are online throughout the day.

There are lots of TV shows on the stateroom TV in your cabin that you can watch if you are without internet! You can binge watch the Love Boat !

For e-mail and general web browsing, I have found the Princess wifi to be just fine.

But personally, I do not care to spend $20 a day on general web browsing.

I’ve read people say they’ve been able to do zoom meetings and video chats.

While it may work for some people, I think it’s important to also manage your expectations and not be surprised if it doesn’t work for you.

Because the cruise that I bought the wifi package on was across the vast and remote Pacific Ocean, I thought maybe it would be unfair to decide my cruise ship wifi usage based on that.

But then my experience using wifi to browse cruises on princess.com on my 7-day cruise on the Majestic Princess did not inspire confidence.

The princess.com website timed out several times.

We can make the excuse that it was also in a very remote area, because it was at sea in the Gulf of Alaska.

It was the last sea day before getting to Whittier. Sea days = more people using the internet!

But it surely didn’t make me want to buy a wifi package!

But then…

My September cruises happened!

Those were also Alaska cruises.

It was on the Grand Princess.

Overall, I am quite happy with how I’ve been able to use internet while sailing around Alaska, including the Gulf of Alaska.

There was a time that it did seem like maybe it was a little slower in one part of the Gulf of Alaska, but overall, I have been quite happy with it.

I also did watch several episodes of netflix (for research of course 🤣) and I was successfully able to watch netflix.

This cruise ship is soon going to be sailing across the Pacific Ocean (and I’m staying on), so we will see how the internet will be at that time!!

Your experience may vary!

Buy Princess wifi at your own risk! 🤪

How to buy the wifi for your Princess cruise

You can buy the cruise ship wifi before you board the cruise ship or once you get on the cruise.

You will look for “medallion net” in the Princess app in order to purchase cruise ship wifi!

And that’s a bit about internet on a Princess cruise ship!

More about getting online in ports during your cruise: t-mobile in alaska

HAPPY USING PRINCESS CRUISE SHIP WIFI!

• Dinner menu
• Breakfast menu
• Desserts menu
• Breakfast room service
• Premium desserts
• How to find your boarding time for a Princess cruise
• How to print Princess cruise luggage tags
• What is the first day of the cruise like: Embarkation day
• What is the day you get off the cruise ship like: Disembarkation day
• Sample daily activity schedule on a cruise ship: Princess cruise activities (princess patter)
• What to watch on your stateroom TV (really!)
• Princess cruise fitness classes (free with Princess package)
• Princess cruise group sports (+ more group activities)
• What happens when a port is canceled during a cruise?
• Inside a cruise ship bathroom
• Alaska cruise with time zone change
• Princess naturalist talks
• puppies in the piazza

• Cruise News

You Could Pay 67% More for Wi-Fi on Your Next Cruise

Andrea Santillan

• January 23, 2024

It’ll now cost more to check your Facebook on Princess Cruises. On January 22, the cruise line raised the price of its MedallionNet internet package on its cruise ships, with one package nearly doubling in price.

Meanwhile, the higher rates for purchasing your internet package onboard will start on January 31.

Passengers who want internet access for one device during the entire cruise will pay the most significant increase. Previously available for $14.99 per day, the new daily rate is now 67% higher at $24.99.

If you’re paying for one day and one device, the daily price is 50% more, from $19.00 to $29.99. 

For $44.99 a day, four devices can connect to Princess’ onboard Wi-Fi for the entire voyage, 13% more than the old rate of $39.99. Those who need single-day access for up to 4 devices will pay $54.99, marking a 38% increase from the former daily rate of $39.99.

The announcement makes Princess one of the few cruise lines increasing its prices despite cheaper and faster internet services courtesy of Starlink. Princess is using the higher internet rates to encourage more guests to buy bundled packages.

Their letter reads, “…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!”

Princess Plus can be had for $60 per day, while Princess Premier and its slightly longer list of benefits are priced at a daily rate of $80. In addition to unlimited Wi-Fi, these bundles offer perks like beverage packages, free fitness classes, photo packages, and priority seating during shows.  

Sister company Carnival Cruise Line also introduced Wi-Fi price increases last December, though the fee change was not as steep.

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• Princess / Ship Reviews

How Strong is the Internet on Princess? A Review of MedallionNet

by Prof. Cruise · Published March 21, 2022 · Updated March 21, 2022

Go ahead, ask about internet speed in a cruise-related Facebook group if you want to be be virtually spanked for not entirely disconnecting on vacation. But don’t worry, I’m here to affirm you (or enable you?) and also answer your question: How strong is the internet on Princess? First though, let us enlighten those who may not understand why anyone would want or need internet access on a cruise ship.

Internet on a cruise ship? What’s the point?

There are many good reasons one may need strong and reliable internet access on their Princess cruise. Here are some of them:

• They “forgot” to tell their boss they were going on vacation and plan to “work” virtually.
• They guilted an extended family member into taking care of their kids while they cruised: “Come on, you saw so little of them during Covid, you need to make up for lost time.” But they feel obligated to at least check in a few times: “No one dead? Excellent! Love you, but gotta run – I have a spa appointment!”
• Nightly video chats with their fur baby whom they actually really miss: “Mommy ordered an extra prime rib at dinner tonight just for you! Paws crossed that I don’t get arrested for sneaking it off the ship.”
• So they can feel less guilty about the 10,000 calories they’re eating every day by sitting on an exercise bike at the ship gym while streaming Netflix.

I’m sure there are others too, but those are the ones that popped into my head for some reason (not that any of them are even remotely autobiographical).

Speaking of autobiographical, let me answer some questions you may have about MedallionNet internet on Princess ships by referencing my own recent experience onboard Princess. Remember that this is based on one person’s experience on one ship, but hopefully it can give you a sense of what to expect. I hope that others will chime in in the comments with their experiences too!

Is the Internet Strong Enough to Work from a Princess Ship?

When your professional title is “Professor of Cruising,” AKA “subpar cruise blogger,” you work to cruise and you cruise to work. And I was mostly able to fulfill my duty to keep my one loyal reader (hi, mom!) informed while on the Majestic Princess. There were a few spots and times of day where the internet signal wasn’t as strong, but it usually worked great in my cabin where I preferred to write, answer e-mails, and update my website and social media sites.

For those of you thinking, “But what about those of us with a real job?,” I say this…

I’ll have you know that I had to try six times to get a decent video for Instagram of the atrium as I traveled all the way up on the glass elevator because people kept getting in! If that’s not real work, I don’t know what is!

Also this…

While I wouldn’t feel comfortable guaranteeing that MedallionNet will allow you to accomplish everything you need to do for work from the ship (especially if it’s critical that you be able to always attend live meetings or respond immediately to messages and e-mails), this new and vastly improved Princess internet met my work-related needs MUCH better than any non-Princess ship I’ve ever sailed on.

Can I Stream Videos on a Princess Ship?

Yes. I was able to stream Netflix during a GRUELING hour long workout on a spin bike at the ship gym. Had I been on land, I would have peddled all the way from my apartment to Pike Place Market in Seattle in that time! (Psssst, it’s only two blocks away.)

Can I Zoom from a Princess Ship?

Let me tell you from experience that there’s nothing more zen than listening to your live weekly virtual yoga class over Zoom while you gaze out at the ocean and feast on a crap ton of free food delivery (go HERE to see my review of OceanNow food and beverage delivery on Princess along with the complete menu). I really hope I remembered to turn off my camera though, as I said my final “namaste” with a mouth full of chocolate cake.

In summary, Zoom worked well for me.

Can I Video Chat from a Princess Ship?

Yes, you can. At least I could – here I am tucking in my son over Facebook video chat before asking could he please put Henry (my dog) on now (remember that thing I said about missing one’s fur baby?).

How Much Does the Internet Cost on Princess?

As I discovered, that depends. But either way, it’s refreshingly reasonable! If you purchase a plan through the OceanMedallion App prior to sailing, the cost of a 1 device plan (meaning you can only use one device at a time) for a 7 night cruise for me was $69.93. For up to 4 devices (meaning you can use up to 4 devices at the same time) it was $139.93. I figured I’d wait to purchase my plan until I got onboard because I had a bunch of onboard credit to burn through.

However, once onboard, I discovered that it’s cheaper to pre-purchase a plan (that’s usually the case on other lines, but I didn’t see or read anything about that with MedallionNet, so I didn’t know). I paid $104.93 for my 1 device plan once onboard. Learn from my mistake and purchase your plan in advance!

So, how strong is the internet on Princess? Allow me to pitch this new slogan to the Princess marketing team: “MedallionNet, strong enough to keep you from relaxing on vacation!” Yes? No?

But seriously, it was strong enough to give my dog something to look forward to for 12 days. Unfortunately 8 of those days were unexpected and the prime rib I promised him over video chat went rancid while I sat in jail. Oh! I just thought of another slogan: “MedallionNet > JailNet.”

Cruising Pro Tip: You can’t take fruit, vegetables, dairy, grains, beverages or…prime rib on or off of a cruise ship (only packaged and sealed food is permitted).

*Note: Reports from some ships this week, now that they’re closer to full capacity, are that the internet has been slower and that the app hasn’t been functioning as well (I couldn’t really get the app to work at all on my sailing, but I’d made all my reservations in advance, used the TV to order OceanNow food to my cabin , and appreciated still receiving a hard copy of the Princess Patter for the daily schedule, so I didn’t really need it). So keep in mind, that while it is technically “possible” to do all the things I discussed above with MedallionNet, internet speed slows with increasing demand. Choosing an off time (early in the morning, late at night, or in port while most passengers are off the ship) to accomplish important internet-dependent tasks may be the best option in some cases. And it’s best to have a backup plan for communication with work and home just in case.

And with that…

Class Dismissed!

Don’t forget to PIN this so you can refer back to it later!

Homework (10 points):  Share your experiences with MedallionNet in the comments and check out my other recent Princess-related content…

Does Princess Really have the Best Pizza at Sea?

Princess’s 2022 Main Dining Room Dinner Menus  

Preparing For Your Princess Cruise in 2022

Princess Cruise Line’s OceanNow Food And Beverage Delivery Menu 2022

Majestic Princess Mini-Suite Review and Tour

Princess Cruise Line’s Elite Lounge: A Review

And don’t forget to subscribe to the blog (scroll up to the top right if on a computer or keep scrolling down if on a mobile device) and follow Prof. Cruise on your favorite social social media sites:

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Princess Medallion Net Internet is excellent at middle latitudes (say…south of Ketchikan). They use lower Middle Earth Orbit satellites which provide fast service. Not having to count minutes or worry about logging out is a great improvement. Works well for real estate contracts!

Thanks for sharing your experience! I’m glad it worked well for your needs and thanks for pointing out another important use for it (real estate contracts can’t really wait). Happy cruising!

[…] You can read my full review of MedallionNet (the new fleet-wide internet service on Princess) HERE: […]

[…] the massive technology upgrades required to support Medallion technology, internet service (called MedallionNet), while still not perfect, has vastly improved on Princess. You can read my complete review of […]

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Home » Cruise Ships & Wifi (Free Internet on Cruise Ships?) Updated 2024

Cruise Ships & Wifi (Free Internet on Cruise Ships?) Updated 2024

Last updated on March 9th, 2024 at 08:40 pm

We live in a digital age where social media is prevalent in many aspects of our lives.

Whether we are chronicling our travels, advertising our business interests, getting remote work taken care of, sharing vlogs , or engaging with friends and family – few can go a day, much less extended time periods without Wi-Fi access or means of getting to their accounts.

Especially in this remote-work-driven world, business has become a work-from-anywhere endeavor where you can be cruising the world and still keeping a finger on the heartbeat of your other ventures.

Table of Contents

Do cruise ships have Wi-Fi?

The short answer is yes…but it differs from cruise line to cruise line.

What follows is a breakdown of the advertised services around Wi-Fi by the cruise line and previous cruiser insights on these services for many cruise lines sailing vacationers are considering.

Things to remember about the internet onboard cruise ships:

Ships offer internet via satellite, which will be slower than the internet you will find on land. This also means that weather can affect connectivity.

Ships also will deal with bandwidth and data issues, which means the more people that are using it at the same time, the slower it will generally be.

A common question people ask is if they will be able to work a bit from the ship, i.e. do a Zoom call, etc. The answer is usually “maybe,” but you won’t likely know until you go to actually use it.

It will depend on where in the world/ocean you are, where in the ship you are, how many other people are using at the same time, etc. It’s best not to bank on it.

Royal Caribbean WiFi Packages

After a successful trial of Starlink satellite internet on Freedom of the Seas, RCL says it will be rolling it out to the rest of the fleet soon (2022/2023). A timeline has been set that will see Starlink installed on all Royal Caribbean ships by the end of Q1 2023!

This should vastly improve the speed and reliability of the internet onboard, but for now, RCL’s internet is still touted as the “fastest internet at sea.”

From my own personal experience, I tested StarLink internet onboard the Brilliance of the Seas in January 2023. Download speed was 97.7Mbps while upload was 16.5Mbps. For most users, even heavy users, this speed is more than fast enough for streaming as well as work applications.

Royal Caribbean offers VOOM high speed internet you can add to your cruise to stream and stay connected, but costs will vary based on number of devices you wish to connect as well as your ship and sailing.

The VOOM Surf Voyage Package on average starts at $15.99/day for one device and allows you to surf the web and send emails.

If you want to be able to stream as well as browse the internet, the VOOM Surf and Stream package would be for you at an average of $22.99/day. Again, these prices vary based on ship, sailing and number of devices you wish to connect.

Watch for package deals prior to your cruise and check if your Crown and Anchor member level offers a discount on internet service.

Overall, users have good things to say about the service, though it does appear there can be some spotty coverage depending on your itinerary. You can also use Royal’s app without having to pay to connect to their Wi-Fi.

Celebrity Cruises WiFi Packages

**StarLink Internet has been installed on some Celebrity ships as of mid-2023.

With Celebrity, Premium Wi-Fi is the top-tier package you can add to your cruises on Celebrity for near-constant coverage while cruising. This package is great for those wishing to stream movies and such while underway and seems to have fairly good reviews from previous customers.

Basic Wi-Fi is for those needing some basic email and messaging services for a more value-added cost. This is included in Celebrity’s “ Always Included.”

Costs will vary based on ship, sailing and number of devices, but they do note that Wi-Fi packages are not available on ships sailing from the Galapagos.

Celebrity suggests if you book it in advance, you’ll save 10% than if you were to wait and purchase it on board, but often there will be additional deals when paired with other upgraded packages.

In 2023, Celebrity will be installing StarLink Satellite internet on its ships, which will provide a much faster experience. Stay tuned for more details as they roll out the system across all their ships.

MSC Cruises WiFi Packages

MSC Cruises, following suite with Virgin Voyages and other cruise lines,  will be rolling out Starlink across their vessels. Other major cruise operators including Norwegian, Royal Caribbean and Carnibal have also been making the switch to Starlink.

The satellite internet , called Browse (just surfing websites), or Browse & Stream (allows for streaming Netflix) packages on MSC Cruises offer the ability to bring your own devices for public area and café spot coverage.

When added to a cruising package, it is available 24/7 with no data caps, which is nice considering others throttle when available if you read the fine print. The packages vary in price based on the length of the cruise and number of devices you wish to connect, but you can expect to pay approximately $12/day per device for the Browse internet package for a week-long cruise.

They also have cafes with printers and full screens and keyboards to facilitate work or other activities.

You can get discounts on the packages if you purchase them before boarding, or when adding multiple devices because each package is attached to a certain device, so you’d need a separate package for each device you wish to access the internet.

They do advise that if you want to use the internet when it’s fastest, to avoid doing it first thing in the morning, or when the majority of passengers return from shore excursions .

Carnival Cruises WiFi Packages

Carnival is pretty transparent in the three levels of Wi-Fi offered:

Social Plan – $6.80/person per day (can save 15% if purchased online pre-cruise) – allows access to social sites/apps, and airline websites, presumably to allow the user to check in for their flight while aboard, but may not allow access to other websites/apps

Value Plan – 10.20/person per day (can save 15% if purchased online pre-cruise) – allows surfing on websites and access to email, but does not allow for streaming (i.e. Netflix or Spotify) or for video calls (i.e. Skype or Zoom)

Premium Plan – $13.60/person per day (can save 20% if purchased online pre-cruise).  boasts three times faster connection to allow for streaming and video calling (where coverage allows).

Check the fine print and ensure that you pick the right package as there are some pre-purchase restrictions that are enforced before embarking .

*Carnival Cruise Lines will be installing StarLink Satellite internet on their ships in 2023. This will be a much faster experience. Stay tuned for more info on when it will be installed on all ships in the fleet. 

Holland America WiFi Packages

HAL offers satellite internet through the ship’s Wi-Fi or at workstations in the Explorations Cafe. There are three packages available, all with varying levels of data available:

Social – allows you to access popular social sites and apps, but may not allow for streaming or audio/video calls – $14.99/day

Surf – the most popular option which allows for broader internet surfing including news and sports sites, accessing your e-mail, but also may not allow for streaming or audio/video calls – $24.99

Premium – this has the highest amount of data which allows for everything including streaming and video calls.

The caveats with their internet, however, are that it won’t be as fast as internet on land (and current customers agree), and because it’s provided via satellite, physical blockages will affect connectivity (i.e. inclement weather or mountains).  Also, they do have a select number of free sites under “Complementary Browsing.”

*As Holland America is part of Carnival, StarLink Internet will be coming to the fleet in 2023.

Princess Cruises WiFi Packages

MedallionNet is the Wi-Fi service of Princess cruise lines, and recently they announced some improvements to their service even to help accommodate those that might need to work while onboard.

They boast their services being “The Best Wi-Fi at Sea,” and they have several unlimited day packages for as little as $9.99 a day for a one device package. If you are a Platinum or Elite guest, you’ll get 50% off, or if you purchase Princess Plus , your Wi-Fi will be included.

It must be added that there is a lot of good reviews out there that might back this claim but again, read through all the data to make the best-informed decision.

*As Princess is part of Carnival, StarLink Internet will be coming to the fleet in 2023.

Norwegian Cruise Lines WiFi Packages

Norwegian’s services onboard are offered in internet cafes onboard , with some stateroom access on certain ships.

Laptop rentals, email access, and other items for this coverage can be found on their website, but for those needing streaming services or more robust coverage for work, you must take a hard look at this one before booking.

Unlimited  Wi-Fi Package – 1 device is $25.50/day when purchased prior to your cruise. This allows you to browse websites, use social media apps (except for TikTok), and access email (no VPN).

Unlimited Premium Wi-Fi Package – 1 device is 34.99/day when purchased prior to your cruise. This allows access to streaming sites, like YouTube, Netflix, etc. as well as if you need to use a VPN to access your email.

Unlimited Social Media Wi-Fi – 1 device – 12.50/day when purchased prior to your cruise allows access to Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, but not TikTok.

Norwegian also has an option where you can purchase 250 minutes of internet for use any time during your cruise for the price of $105.00 if purchased in advance of your cruise. If you want to purchase it onboard, it will be $125 plus a $3.95 activation fee. It can be used only on one device at at time.

NCL offers different perks on different cruises, so many bookings come with some complimentary minutes of internet and it’s easy to upgrade your package once on board.

*Norwegian has experimented with StarLink internet on their ships so plan on upgrades coming in 2023. 

Disney Cruises WiFi Packages

Connect@Sea is the program covering all of Disney’s Internet packages at sea options. You will pay for the data you use, not by the minute, so if you’re looking to stream Netflix or just upload a few pictures to Instagram, you’ll be able to find the package right for you.

You can also share the package between devices simultaneously, as Disney’s technology will combine the amount of data. There is no discount for purchasing packages before your cruise, as Disney advises to look for a current price list in your cabin, or by talking to Guest Services.

There is free access to the Disney Cruise Line Navigator app, which is also accessible to view other data packages.

Virgin Voyages WiFi Packages

Wanting to stay ahead of the game and to keep current with their innovative approach to cruising, Virgin Voyages will be the first cruise line to incorporate SES Cruise mPOWERED + Starlink PRO services.

SES is a global leader in satellite communications and Virgin will combine Medium Earth Orbit (MEO) and Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite coverage in their bid to deliver the fastest internet speeds for their cruise passengers.

The cruise line will be offering speeds up to 1.5 Gbps, well above the standard offerings. The pandemic changes the way the world does business, and has opened up remote working opportunities for many.

The world has also become acutely aware of the importance of connectivity. While most people don’t want to work on a vacation, the ability to remain connected, even for short periods, has made it apparent that combining business and pleasure can work out very well for all concerned.

Younger guests, such as those attracted to Virgin Voyages, tend to attract, feels that connectivity is paramount.  Having a reliable internet connection allows for cruisers to check in at work or home with confidence that those important connections will be ready and available when needed. 

Passengers will be able to keep up on messaging, emails and make video calls. This valuable service will help keep a cruiser current with business obligations and also give the peace of mind that being able to connect with home brings. 

Costa Cruises WiFi Packages

Costa features a Data and Social package for their internet, with access available in all public areas and cabins throughout their ships. They have an Internet Point area where you can use onboard devices or bring your full ship usage.

Additionally, their packages range from 250 MB to 3 GB. Their social package has a list of sites it allows access to in a more economical fashion – or you can pay as you go if you aren’t sure of your needs before sailing.

*As Costa Cruises is part of Carnival, StarLink Internet will be coming to the fleet in 2023.

Viking Ocean Cruises WiFi Packages

Internet access onboard is free , but there are some significant limitations on bandwidth for such activities as streaming. The ships do have a Business Center on board with computers or use your device, but the other amenities onboard are the draw – internet access due to itineraries, and locations along with onboard setup make access to the internet not as spectacular as on other cruise lines.

Oceania WiFi Packages

Wavenet is the internet service provided by Oceania, and the basic levels are free to all sailing with them. Additionally, a Prime option can be tacked for $9.99 a day to more robust access to allow for such things as streaming and the like.

Passengers in the premium Owners and Vista suites even get provided an iPad ensuite for the duration of the voyage for their use in accessing social media, email, and other internet options.

Azamara WiFi Packages

Azmara offers packages that start at $0.33/a minute with one-hour passes to one-day or full cruise packages. Several spelled out limitations to their services, such as Skype and others, so it’s important to go through their exceptionally detailed and transparent services listings before setting expectations for your cruise.

Silversea Cruises WiFi Packages

Silversea has unlimited complimentary internet for all those sailing. Speed limitations depend on the package level and ship, so checking to ensure you have the right service may include additional service level add-ons, but basic levels remain free.

They also feature onboard cafes where you may use their computers and other devices or bring your own and access the internet throughout their ships.

Seabourn WiFi Packages

Seabourn, the luxury cruise line is the newest cruise line to be equipped with Starlink internet . Expect fast internet speeds while you’re cruising to exotic locations offered by Seabourn. Learn more about complimentary WiFi on Seabourn .

A Word of Caution About Cruise Line Wi-Fi

Certain apps, a variety of service options, port of call , and destinations along your cruise can all impact the internet service on a ship.

If these services and having access to friends, coworkers, work, or even social media feeds are important to you, do your research before embarking as not all cruise lines have given their online services the same consideration.

Can you stream movies on a cruise ship?

Wi-Fi is getting better for certain and more readily available. While the speed of an individual cruise ship might be enough to stream movies, you might end up going through your available bandwidth quickly.

Additional charges in most cases will apply for streaming or higher/longer coverage periods and can have a significant impact on the cost of your cruise experience if not booked in advance.

That being said, it is not the same on every ship, and the costs are specific to each cruise line, so don’t make assumptions that just because you sail on one two years ago and want to pick a new line, the services may not be the same.

Why Is StarLink Internet a Game-changer for Cruise Ship Internet?

One of the primary advantages of Starlink Internet is its exceptional speed. Traditional satellite internet systems often suffer from latency issues due to the long distance signals must travel to reach the orbiting satellites and back to Earth.

However, Starlink employs a novel approach by deploying a constellation of thousands of small, low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites. These satellites are positioned much closer to the Earth’s surface, significantly reducing the latency and providing faster internet speeds.

Early tests and user reports have shown that Starlink offers download speeds ranging from 50 to 150 Mbps, with latency typically under 50 milliseconds. This makes it comparable to, and sometimes even surpassing, land-based broadband connections.

These innovations are good news for ALL cruise lines passengers. Cruise lines are striving to meet the need of cruisers to maintain a reliable connection with home and work. This will be a benefit for all. 

What’s the Verdict on Cruise Ship WiFi?

Depending on the destination, cruise ship capabilities, and even your stateroom location, the variances in coverage can be significant.

Look at the cruise line websites and reviewers on popular websites like the CruiseCritic Forums who can be brutally honest in reviewing such amenities. Real-life examples may help you from being frustrated mid-cruise and not enjoying a hard-earned vacation due to slow internet when you are already out to sea.

This page contains affiliate links for which we may receive financial compensation when a purchase has been made through one of our affiliate partners.

About Jonathon Hyjek

Jonathon is the tech guy behind CruiseportAdvisor.com. When he's not stuck in front of his computer, Jonathon enjoys travel & cruising (even after being on a cruise ship that caught fire - a story for another day!)

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Explore All the Details — There’s a Lot to Love

How does the ship know that I have pre-paid Wi-Fi? MedallionNet® Wi-Fi automatically recognizes pre-paid MedallionNet plans. Guests have the option to “redeem” after sign-on to activate their device.

Does each guest in the stateroom with Princess Premier get four devices of Wi-Fi with Princess Premier? Yes, each guest with Princess Premier will receive the four-device Wi-Fi plan. 

Guests who are Platinum and Elite receive 50% off MedallionNet Wi-Fi as a loyalty benefit. What is the impact to their benefits? With Princess Plus, MedallionNet single-device Wi-Fi is provided as a promotional bundle included in the price of the fare. There is no additional discount for Platinum and Elite guests for the Wi-Fi package. However, Platinum and Elite guests will automatically receive a 50% discount if they decide to upgrade to a four-device package on board. Loyalty benefits are not redeemable for cash or onboard credit.

What’s included in the Plus Beverage Package? The Plus Beverage Package includes beer, spirits, wine by the glass and cocktails up to $15 USD / $22 AUD, all non-alcoholic beverages including bottled water (500ml only), fountain sodas, the new Juice Bar, plus fresh juices (if available), specialty coffees and teas, frappes at Coffee & Cones, milkshakes (if available) and Red Bull energy drinks. Bar service charges are included in this package. The package includes the additional benefit of a 25% discount on the following excluded items: all bottles of wine, one-liter bottles of water and bottled juices. The package has a daily limit on alcoholic beverages of 15 beverages over a 24-hour period (6 a.m. to 6 a.m.).

What’s included in the Premier Beverage Package? The Premier Beverage Package includes a premium selection of beer, spirits, wine by the glass and cocktails $20 USD / $30 AUD and under, all non-alcoholic beverages including bottled water (500ml only), fountain sodas, the new Juice Bar, plus fresh juices (if available), specialty coffees and teas, frappes at Coffee & Cones, milkshakes (if available) and Red Bull energy drinks. Bar service charges are included in this package. The package includes the additional benefit of a 25% discount on the following excluded items: all bottles of wine, one-liter bottles of water and bottled juices. The package has a daily limit on alcoholic beverages of 15 beverages over a 24-hour period (6 a.m. to 6 a.m.).

What if I’m not of legal drinking age (21 years of age or older)? Guests who are under the legal drinking age on board will receive the Zero-Alcohol Package, previously called Coffee & Soda Package. This package type will be assigned prior to sailing based on age of guest. When sailing from North America, the legal drinking age on Princess Cruises is 21. However, when sailing from Europe, Asia, South America, Australia and New Zealand, the legal drinking age is 18.

What if I don’t drink alcohol? The value of these packages are a great deal even if you don’t drink alcohol. Both packages include fountain sodas, the new Juice Bar, fresh juices, bottled water, specialty coffees & teas, frappes, milkshakes and Red Bull energy drinks, with pre-paid 18% service charge included for these items. In the event that you don’t want the Plus Beverage Package or Premier Beverage Package, no substitutions will be offered.

What’s included in the Zero-Alcohol Package? This includes fountain soda by the glass, fruit juices, specialty coffees and teas, frappes, milkshakes and Red Bull energy drinks, all subject to availability on ship, with pre-paid 18% service charge included for these items. You also receive a 25% discount on 1L bottled water and bottled juice. The Zero-Alcohol Package does not include mini-bar items, sodas ordered through room service or vending machine purchases.

How does the ship know that I have the Plus Beverage Package or Premier Beverage Package? The ship systems recognize the package attached to a guest’s booking and notify our crew at the time of each transaction. When a guest orders an included item, the crew will see the applicable package and enter an order according to the package inclusions in the system. Please note: the addition of the Juice Bar to your beverage package is only available for those with the $60/day Plus package or $80/day Premier package. All other packages booked prior to December 14, 2022 will not be eligible for the Juice Bar unless guests have upgraded to these new and improved packages.

How does the ship know that my package option includes crew appreciation? Your folio will reflect the pre-payment, by Princess Cruises, on your behalf for the suggested crew appreciation in the U.S. dollar amounts of $16 per person per day for interior, oceanview, and balcony staterooms, $17 per person per day for mini-suite, cabanas, and Reserve Collection staterooms and $18 per person per day for suites.

Photo package

What is included in the photo package? The photo package includes all digital photos of all guests in a stateroom from their voyage, including 3rd and 4th guests. The package also includes three physical prints of up to 8x10 size per guest and can be redeemed on board at the Photo Gallery. Digital photos are available for download through the app or may be transferred to a USB device on board at the Photo Gallery before disembarkation. Physical prints and digital photos are not available after the cruise ends.

Can I purchase the photo package separately? The photo package is currently an exclusive offer for Princess Premier guests only. Other digital and print packages are available for purchase through the Princess® Cruises app or at the Photo Gallery on board.

Food & dining

What are casual dining meals and where can I get them? We’re introducing exciting new 3-course prix fixe meals at our casual dining venues. These vary by ship, but include: O’Malley’s, Ocean Terrace, Vines, Alfredo’s Pizzeria, Gigi’s Pizzeria, Kai Sushi, Planks, BBQ, Steamers and Salty Dog Gastropub.

Do I need to make reservations for my specialty dining meals in advance? It’s not necesssary but we do recommend guests book early via the reservations function within the Princess® Cruises app to get the specialty dining restaurant, day and time of their preference.

What if I don’t use the specialty dining or casual dining meals included in my package? The specialty dining credits are available only for your current voyage, are non-refundable if not used and cannot be redeemed for cash.

If I sail on back-to-back cruises, do I get four specialty dining meals in Princess Premier? If you have booked Princess Premier on both of the back-to-back cruises then you will get two (2) specialty dining meals on each voyage, making it a total of 4 specialty dining meals.

Fitness & Entertainment

What is included in Fitness Classes? How do I make reservations? As part of our partnership with XPonential Fitness, we will be offering 3 types of classes for you to choose from: StretchLab, Pure Barre and YogaSix. With the Plus package, you will be able to participate in 2 classes per voyage, and with Premier, you will have unlimited access to these classes. You can sign up at the Fitness Center.

What is included in reserved theater seating? As part of the Premier package, you will have access to a section of reserved seating in the Princess Theater for production shows only. Seats in this section are available on a first-come, first-served basis and will be held up until 15 minutes before the performance start time and then released. All guests in your stateroom will be able to sit with you in this reserved section. Unfortunately, if you are traveling with others who are not Premier package guests, they will not be able to join you in this reserved section.

Medallion® device

What do you mean by free Medallion® device shipping? How does that work? You will be receiving a complimentary Medallion device and lanyard as part of your cruise experience. For any guests with a Plus or Premier package, you may order these items delivered to your home (for U.S. guests only) for no extra shipping fees. If you do not have the package, you pay a $10 flat fee to have these delivered to your home. Or you could choose to pick them up at the departure port for no extra fees.

When will my Medallion be shipped? Between 12 to 21 days prior to your voyage. Please note, if you purchase your cruise within 12 days of your sail date, we will not be able to ship your complimentary Medallion device and lanyard to you because it may not be delivered in time for your cruise. Instead, it will be waiting for you at the port.

What if I don’t live in the U.S.? Your Medallion device and complimentary lanyard will be available to pick up at the port with no shipping fee. You should still complete your OceanReady® travel checklist in advance to save time on embarkation day.

What is Princess Prizes? Princess Prizes is a promotion on board that allows guests to win great prizes through their stateroom door portal. The prize portal is activated when a guest opens their stateroom door using their Medallion® device.

Does Princess Prizes have any limitations? Due to gaming laws, Princess Prizes can only operate when the ship is in international waters. In addition, minors are not eligible to play.

What are the range of prizes for Princess Prizes? You can find the full list of current prizes in the  Princess Prizes terms and conditions . Prizes currently include onboard credits, onboard dining experiences, free cruises and more! Prize offerings may change from time to time.

What are the chances of winning the grand prize in Princess Prizes? The odds for the current prizes are available in the  Princess Prizes terms and conditions .

Are Princess Prizes per person or per stateroom? How many entries do we get? Princess Prizes is limited to one (1) entry per stateroom. That entry covers the guest’s entire voyage from the time purchased or from embarkation (if upgraded with Princess Premier).

If I win onboard credit from Princess Prizes, is that redeemable for cash? Onboard credits will be automatically applied to the guest’s end-of-voyage folio and are non-refundable and not redeemable for cash.

Can I purchase Princess Prizes on board in addition to what I receive with Princess Premier to have more chances to win? No, Princess Prizes is limited to one (1) entry per stateroom. That entry covers the guest’s entire voyage from the time purchased or from embarkation (if upgraded with Princess Premier).

I already purchased my cruise. Can I upgrade to either Princess Plus or Princess Premier? Absolutely! You can upgrade from Princess Standard to Princess Plus for only $60 per day or to Princess Premier for $80 per day. If you already have Princess Plus on your reservation, you can upgrade to Princess Premier for the difference, either $20 or $30 per-day, based on the price of your original package. To do so, simply log in to Cruise Personalizer,  contact Princess via our Contact Center , or contact your Travel Advisor.

Are third and fourth guests required to purchase the same package (Princess Plus or Princess Premier)? Third and fourth guests are not required to purchase or defaulted to the selected package of first and second guests in a stateroom. Should 3rd and 4th guests want to opt in to purchase a package, you will need to contact Princess or your Travel Advisor to have it applied to the booking.

Can items in Princess Plus or Princess Premier be shared across guests in the stateroom, even if 3rd and 4th guests don’t have these packages? For the Princess Premier package the following items can be shared across all guests: Wi-Fi for 4 devices per guest, the digital photo portion of the Photo Package and reserved theater seating. Free shipping for Medallion® devices can also be shared across all guests in the stateroom when shipped at once to the same address. Casual Dining or Specialty Dining meals cannot be shared with the 3rd and 4th guests in the stateroom.

Can I purchase Princess Plus or Princess Premier when I’m on board? Yes. Princess Plus and Princess Premier are available for purchase on board. You may purchase or upgrade a package through the second day of your voyage.

Are Princess Plus and Princess Premier applicable on the land portion of my cruisetour? Unfortunately, no. These great value packages are designed around your MedallionClass® shipboard experience and are not applicable during the land portion of cruisetours.

What's changed with packages?

How do I book Princess Plus or Princess Premier? You may select your preferred package upon booking online, through your preferred Travel Advisor or by  contacting Princess Cruises via our Contact Center . If you’re already booked, you can  upgrade to a package through the Cruise Personalizer .

What’s changing with Princess Plus and Princess Premier? We added new fixed price casual dining meals and OceanNow® delivery and room service for both! The enhanced package for Princess Plus ($60 USD) includes two free casual dining meals per guest. The enhanced Princess Premier package ($80 USD) includes unlimited free casual dining meals. These new perks will be (at no extra charge) fleetwide August 2, 2023.

What changes can I expect if I don’t have a Princess Plus or Princess Premier package? Select casual dining venues will now include a cover charge of $14.99 for the new multi-course prix fixe meals. A la carte items may also be purchased individually. A one-time access fee of $14.99 per person per voyage will apply for OceanNow® delivery and a $5 room service fee will apply for each order placed by stateroom phone. OceanNow delivery refers to orders placed through the app that are delivered to wherever you are, including your stateroom.

Will I still be able to order breakfast for delivery through the doorknob card I find in my stateroom? Can I continue to order housekeeping items like ice buckets or bathrobes with no charge? Breakfast ordered for stateroom delivery by placing the card outside your door will continue to be complimentary and no additional fees will be charged, regardless of whether or not you have Princess Plus or Princess Premier package. The same is true for housekeeping items ordered either by telephone or through your stateroom steward. For guests on a standard Princess Package, housekeeping items ordered using OceanNow will incur the one-time $14.99 OceanNow delivery access fee.

Will I receive the new perks if I purchased Princess Plus or Premier at the old rate of $50/$75 per day? You can absolutely upgrade to the new perks at the new price! If you do not wish to upgrade, you can enjoy the package with the original perks as you initially purchased them.

Are Princess Plus and Princess Premier available for all stateroom types? Yes! Both Princess Plus and Princess Premier are available to ALL guests and ALL stateroom types. These packages are capacity controlled and are available for purchase pre-cruise or on board.

Specifics & Terms

What if I only want certain components of the Princess Plus or Princess Premier package and not others? Princess Plus and Princess Premier are not available as individual components. However, the value of each package is strong and should be evaluated for each guest’s own circumstance.

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11 extra charges on cruise ships that will drive you nuts — and what to do about them

One of the great allures of cruising is that a lot is included in the fare.

Those $499-a-week rates that you see advertised include not just a room on a ship but also meals and entertainment. The ship also acts as your transportation — it gets you from place to place at no extra cost.

Still, for the most part, cruises aren't all-inclusive. On many ships, there are a lot of little things — and some big things — for which you'll pay extra.

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

Some of the things that come with an additional charge are what you would expect. You'll pay extra for treatments in shipboard spas, for instance, or for guided shore excursions in most cases.

But on many ships, there also are a growing number of extra fees that might take you by surprise — particularly if you haven't been on a ship in a while.

For instance, some lines now charge extra for room service — something that always used to be free. On some ships, certain menu items in the "free" main dining room now come with an extra charge.

Related: The ultimate guide to picking a cruise line

Here at TPG, we call this the nickel-and-diming-ization of the cruise world, and we're not happy about it. You shouldn't be happy about it, either.

You also shouldn't assume there's nothing you can do about it. In the segments below, we look at nearly a dozen different fees that you may encounter when cruising on big-ship cruise lines — and offer advice on what to do about them.

Taxes, fees and port charges

At many lines, the extra-fee shocks start even before you get on a ship.

The first one you're likely to encounter is a levy for "taxes, fees and port charges." It'll appear on your final invoice during the booking process, and it can often run into hundreds of dollars per person.

It can make a sailing significantly more expensive than it initially appears.

As of the date of this posting, for instance, Carnival Cruise Line was advertising four-night cruises to Mexico out of Los Angeles starting at $179 per person.

However, that doesn't include taxes, fees and port charges of $118.65. So the true starting price of the cruise is 66% more than what you see in big print on the line's website.

Related: 14 things you should do before every cruise

The taxes, fees and port charges line on invoices covers all the fees that countries, states, towns and ports charge ships and their occupants — fees that the line passes on to you.

You can't get around these fees. However, you can go into the booking process wide-eyed by searching the fine print on booking sites for such fees before you commit to a particular sailing.

Internet access fees

Free internet has become standard at a lot of hotel chains, so it might seem logical that cruise lines would offer free internet, too. After all, cruise ships are just hotels that happen to float. In general, though, only the highest-end lines in the cruise world (and many river lines) offer free internet.

At many big brands, such as Royal Caribbean , Carnival and Princess Cruises , you'll sometimes pay exorbitant amounts for internet access. The fastest service on Carnival vessels, for instance, was recently priced at $18.70 per person, per day . Compare that to what you pay for the internet at home.

One way to avoid the charges is to wait until you're in a port to check your emails, read the news online and do whatever else you do on the internet. You can often find free internet in the cruise terminal where your ship docks or at a nearby cafe or eatery.

Related: 26 cruising secrets from an expert that will blow your mind

Another option: Some lines offer less expensive internet plans that have scaled-back access. Carnival, for instance, has a less pricey "social" plan that brings access to key social sites (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc.), as well as messaging services such as WhatsApp — but not much else — for $12.75 a day. It may be all you need.

Note that these internet charges seem to do nothing but rise in cost. At $12.75 Carnival's social plan costs 37% more than it did two years ago.

Room service 'convenience' fees

Complimentary room service used to be a standard on cruise ships, but a growing number of lines now charge extra for it.

The world's biggest cruise line by passenger capacity, Royal Caribbean, for instance, now levies a $7.95 per order "service charge" for room service even if all you order is a single side of hash browns.

It also — and this could really drive you nuts — adds an 18% "gratuity fee" on top of the service charge for good measure. For the record, we find that fee-on-top-of-a-fee structure absurd. Just say you're going to charge us $9.38.

Related: How to book a cruise with points and miles

Other lines that have started charging for room service include Norwegian Cruise Line , which now has a $9.95 "convenience charge" for room service. Celebrity Cruises also added a $9.95 room service fee this year for all items except Continental breakfast. Like Royal Caribbean, Celebrity adds an 18% gratuity fee on top of that charge — another service fee on top of a service fee situation that we find innane.

The way around these fees is simple: Don't order room service.

On many ships, there is no-extra-charge food available nearly around the clock from multiple outlets just steps away from your room, from casual buffet eateries to grab-and-go pizza stands. All it takes is a short walk from your cabin to get it.

Related: 21 tips and tricks to make your cruise go more smoothly

Drinks charges

While meals are generally included on cruise ships (at least in some onboard eateries), you'll pay extra for most drinks — and not just alcoholic drinks.

On many ships, soda and bottled water come with an extra charge (though, oddly, coffee, iced tea, lemonade and hot chocolate usually are available for free). A soda can cost anywhere from $2 to $4, depending on the line.

The exception is on luxury lines, where drinks of all types are generally included in the fare. Many river lines will include many drinks, including beer and wine, with lunches and dinners.

If you're a big drinker, consider a drinks package. It can save you money if you normally would order a large number of drinks every day. That said, drinks package prices have soared of late, with one of the biggest lines now charging $138 a day for its top-tier drinks package.

Related: Are drinks packages worth the price? A line-by-line guide

Corkage fees

Speaking of drinks, many cruise lines will allow you to bring your own wine or Champagne on board, usually in limited quantities. If you do so, be careful where you drink it. Depending on where you pop open your own bottle, you might be slapped with a corkage fee of $15 or more.

Lines such as Royal Caribbean, Carnival and Princess levy corkage fees for passengers opening their own bottles in restaurants, bars, lounges and other onboard venues.

The only way to avoid this fee is to open your wine or Champagne in your room and then either drink it there or take it around the ship in a nondescript glass.

Not that this always works: Norwegian charges a $15 corkage fee even if you want to drink your own wine in your own room. It will levy the charge the moment you walk on board with a bottle.

Fees for lounging in adults-only areas

Several of the biggest cruise lines like to boast about the adults-only sunning areas on their ships where you can escape from the little ones. However, what they sometimes leave out is that they'll often charge you for the privilege of being in a kids-free zone.

Princess, for instance, charges $20 per person for a half-day pass to the Sanctuary, an adults-only lounge area found on most of its ships (a full-day pass costs $40 per person).

Norwegian has an adult lounge area called Vibe Beach Club on some of its ships that can cost a whopping $99 per person for a day pass (or $278 for two if you want a cabana). Week-long passes, at $209 per person, are a better deal.

If you love the idea of an adults-only deck-top area but don't want to pay for it, you might want to look at Disney Cruise Line and Carnival ships. Both lines offer adults-only zones that are available to passengers at no extra charge.

Or consider a trip with Viking or Virgin Voyages . Neither allows kids, so every lounge area on the ship is a kids-free area.

Related: 5 cruise lines to try if you can't stand being around kids

Fees for select menu items in the 'free' dining room

One of the hallmarks of cruising is that there's always a free meal available somewhere on a ship. All but the smallest vessels usually feature a main dining room that is included in the fare, as well as a buffet eatery where you can count on getting complimentary breakfast, lunch and dinner.

However, in recent years some lines have started sneaking extra charges into these "free" eateries.

Carnival and Royal Caribbean now charge extra for filet mignon, lobster or a surf-and-turf combination entree in their main restaurants. The prices range from around $17 to well over $30 a plate.

Princess sometimes turns its free buffet area into a "crab shack experience" serving such items as snow crab, jumbo shrimp, clams and mussels for a hefty fee.

The way to avoid this: Order the chicken.

Related: The ultimate guide to Royal Caribbean

Fees for using spa areas

A growing number of cruise ships have luxurious spa complexes that go well beyond treatment rooms.

You'll find sprawling "thermal suites" with saunas and steam rooms, thalassotherapy pools, heated loungers, rain showers and even snow rooms (with real snow) where you can laze away the day. On many vessels, though, you'll face a steep charge just to set foot in one of these areas.

Norwegian charges $199 per person per week for a thermal suite pass at its spas (day passes also are available for $49), and lines such as Cunard and Carnival have daily fees for access to thermal suites, too.

The good news: Not every thermal suite on a ship comes with an extra charge. Fast-growing Viking has made free access to the thermal suites in its spas a hallmark of the line.

Fees for access to top attractions

Some of the signature attractions on big cruise ships such as Norwegian Encore and Royal Caribbean's Anthem of the Seas come with extra fees.

Norwegian Encore's much-ballyhooed go-cart track (it's one of the only ones at sea) will set you back $15 for a single, eight-lap ride. The ship's nearby laser tag course will cost you $10 for a five-minute shoot-out. In both cases, you can buy a weeklong pass, but only if you're OK dropping an extra $199 per person.

Royal Caribbean, meanwhile, will charge you extra for a 60-second flying experience on Anthem of the Seas' skydiving simulator (after one initial free ride). Carnival charges as much as $59 for a two-hour class in the kitchen classroom on one of its newer ships, Carnival Panorama , and tacks on an 18% gratuity fee on top of that, too.

Other cruise ship attractions that often come with an extra charge include wine-tasting events, IMAX theater shows, escape rooms and behind-the-scenes tours.

Related: 12 cruise ships with the most fun attractions

Fitness class fees

Access to the fitness center on your cruise ship will be included in the fare, but that doesn't mean you can go to fitness classes for free. On many ships, you'll pay $10 or more for classes in yoga, Pilates, spinning and the like.

This isn't always the case. River lines and luxury lines often offer fitness classes at no extra charge, as does adult-only line Virgin Voyages. However, on most mass-market ships, expect to pay extra.

If taking lots of fitness classes is part of your vacation routine, you might consider the value of trading up to a higher-end cruise line that includes fitness classes (and other extras) in its fare.

Automatic gratuities

Some cruise lines call them service fees. Others call them gratuity charges. Either way, the daily fees that some cruise lines tack on to passenger bills can be a shock to first-time cruisers.

At some lines, these charges run as high as $25.50 per day. Also, unlike the typical service fee or resort fee found at a land resort, they are not per room. They are per person .

At big lines such as Royal Caribbean and Norwegian, it's not uncommon for a family of four staying in a single cabin to see around $70 to $80 a day in service fees added to its bills (Royal Caribbean recently hiked its service charge to $72 per day for a family of four). On a typical seven-night cruise, that's around $500 in fees for a family of four.

Want to avoid such charges? One way around them is to book a cruise during one of the frequent promotions that some lines offer where they throw in service charges for free.

Another option: Consider one of the growing numbers of lines that include service charges in their base fares.

Lines that now include gratuities in their fares include Azamara, Ponant, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours, Seabourn , SeaDream Yacht Club , Silversea Cruises and Virgin Voyages .

Related: Everything you need to know about tipping on cruise ships

Cruise lines without lots of extra charges

If you'd rather not bother with workarounds and just want a more inclusive cruise experience, you might want to book a trip with a luxury cruise line such as Regent Seven Seas Cruises, Silversea or Seabourn. Luxury lines generally include almost everything in their base fares, from drinks of all kinds to gratuities.

Luxury lines have much higher fares than mainstream brands such as Royal Caribbean, Norwegian and Princess, of course. However, the price differential sometimes isn't nearly what it appears when you start to factor in all the extra charges you'll experience on a less all-inclusive line.

River cruise lines at many price points also are known for their all-inclusiveness. It's common for even mid-priced river cruise lines to include shore tours in every port, for instance. Many offer wine, beer and soda with lunch and dinner at no extra charge.

Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:

• The 5 most desirable cabin locations on any cruise ship
• The 8 worst cabin locations on any cruise ship
• A quick guide to the most popular cruise lines
• 15 ways cruisers waste money
• 12 best cruises for people who never want to grow up
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• Princess Cruises

Internet Fee's

By cruzinjudi , September 8, 2005 in Princess Cruises

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I am going on my first princess cruise in October on the Sapphire to the Mexican Rivera and was wondering what the ship charges for use of the Internet and also going out to mexico does the cell phones work?

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Internet is .35/minute.

I was on the Sun Princess to Alaska the last week of Aug. and internet was 35 cents a min. but it took 2 to 3 mins. to get connected.

Re cell phone, we were on the Diamond Princess last winter and had no reception in any of the Mexican ports (we have Cingular) which surprised me, I have to admit.

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Starlink on cruise ships: Which lines have faster internet connections on board?

N o matter how far your cruise roams, staying connected to the internet can be as important for some cruisers as oxygen and water. Whether you're keen on live-streaming penguins from your balcony on an Antarctica cruise, catching up on your favorite TV series or hopping on a Zoom call in the middle of the Pacific, connectivity and high-speed access are now considered essentials when cruising.

In the past, cruise lines struggled to keep up with the demand for seamless connectivity at sea. In the middle of an ocean, ships had to rely on satellite systems that could be unreliable, prohibitively expensive and maddeningly slow. Satellite systems allotted only so much broadband for each ship, and every ship carried thousands of people, each with multiple devices.

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A better solution was required. Enter Starlink, the world's first and largest satellite constellation using a low Earth orbit to deliver broadband internet. Part of Elon Musk's SpaceX program, Starlink now provides many cruise ships with bandwidth that can support streaming, online gaming, video calls and more worldwide. Starlink debuted in 2019 and has quickly revolutionized how hundreds of cruise ships provide internet access, boosting connectivity and capacity as ships roam the world.

Will your next cruise offer landlike Wi-Fi speeds? Here is everything you need to know about Starlink on cruise ships.

How does Starlink work?

Compared to standard communications satellites, which orbit from 22,000 miles away, Starlink's thousands of satellites orbit the atmosphere from about 340 miles above the Earth's surface. With much closer proximity to Earth, Starlink's data connections offer stronger and faster connections and provide the opportunity for more bandwidth on cruise ships.

The coverage of the Starlink satellites is extensive and growing, with more than 5,400 satellites currently in orbit and plans in future years to reach up to 42,000 satellites in orbit at once. Traditional satellite networks have a much more limited fleet and reach, especially in some of the ocean's most remote areas. Starlink is the world's largest satellite constellation, with near-complete coverage of all the world's oceans and waterways.

The Starlink system is affixed to ships as a series of flat panels positioned on upper decks, replacing the now antiquated domes often placed near the ship's funnel and radar masts.

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

How fast is Starlink internet access?

Starlink's website estimates download speeds that range from 40 to over 200 Mbps and upload speeds that come in at 8 to more than 25 Mbps, with a latency of less than 99 milliseconds. These are wide-ranging estimates that don't factor in cruise ship-based throttling, cruise ship capacity, global positioning and the costs and challenges of outfitting a cruise ship with bow-to-stern Wi-Fi connectivity.

The industrial-strength steel frames and fireproof materials used throughout the ship make a strong, consistent signal throughout a cruise ship an industry-wide challenge. There will be patches on a ship, regardless of which line you're sailing, where you'll find a weaker signal. Signals are often at their strongest in the main public gathering areas.

Similar to traditional satellites, severe weather can be a factor in Starlink connections while at sea. Intense storms can bring temporary service interruptions or reduced speeds, while heavy rain or snowfall can cause signal attenuation, which might cause a brief loss of connectivity.

Cruises with Starlink

Here's a full rundown of all the major cruise lines sailing with the new Starlink technology. How much will the connectivity cost you? Check TPG's guide to Wi-Fi access on cruise ships.

Note: Starlink on cruises can be a white label service, depending on the line. While the cruise line might not advertise that it uses the new Wi-Fi technology, the list below will help to identify which lines are sailing with Starlink.

Azamara 's fleet features Starlink Wi-Fi at an additional cost. There is one level of bandwidth available.

Carnival Cruise Line

Carnival Cruise Line 's entire fleet features Starlink Wi-Fi at an additional cost. There are three levels of bandwidth available: Social Wi-Fi (with access only to popular social media and airline websites), Value Wi-Fi (for email, news, weather, banking and other basic websites) and Premium Wi-Fi (for streaming and high-bandwidth usage).

Celebrity Cruises

Celebrity Cruises ' entire fleet features Starlink Wi-Fi at an additional cost. There are two levels of bandwidth available: Basic Wi-Fi (for social media, email, web browsing and internet-based messaging) and Premium Wi-Fi (for streaming and high-bandwidth usage).

Cunard 's entire fleet features Starlink Wi-Fi at an additional cost. There are two levels of bandwidth available: Essential (for social media, email, web browsing and internet-based messaging) and Premium (for streaming and high-bandwidth usage).

Disney Cruise Line

Disney Cruise Line does not currently use Starlink Wi-Fi.

Holland America

Holland America offers fleetwide Starlink Wi-Fi. There are three levels of bandwidth available: Surf (for social media, email, web browsing and internet-based messaging), Premium (for Wi-Fi audio and video calls) and Stream (for streaming and high-bandwidth usage).

Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic

Lindblad Expedition offers complimentary, basic Starlink Wi-Fi to all guests aboard their ships, with the exception of Delfin II. There are two levels of bandwidth available for purchase: Enhanced (for social media, email, web browsing and internet-based messaging) and Premium (for streaming and high-bandwidth usage).

MSC Cruises

MSC Cruises is currently rolling out Starlink throughout its fleet, with two-thirds of the line's ships currently sailing with the upgraded service. The ships in the fleet that do not have the service include MSC Opera and MSC World Europa (both will receive Starlink in the coming weeks) and MSC Armonia, MSC Bellissima, MSC Musica, MSC Sinfonia and MSC Splendida (scheduled to receive Starlink before the summer 2024 season.)

There are two levels of bandwidth available for purchase: the Browse Internet Cruise Package (for social media, email, web browsing and internet-based messaging) and the Browse & Stream Cruise Package (for streaming and high-bandwidth usage).

Norwegian Cruise Line

Norwegian Cruise Line is currently rolling out Starlink throughout its fleet this year, with select ships presently sailing with the upgraded service. Currently, the ships with upgraded internet include Norwegian Viva, Norwegian Prima, Norwegian Encore, Norwegian Getaway, Norwegian Breakaway, Norwegian Epic and Norwegian Pearl.

NCL offers two levels of bandwidth available for purchase: the Unlimited Wi-Fi Package and the Unlimited Premium Wi-Fi Package. As part of the line's Free at Sea promotion , guests can receive a limited number of Wi-Fi minutes for free.

Oceania Cruises

Oceania Cruises is rolling out Starlink Wi-Fi on all its ships and will have its entire fleet outfitted with the service by the end of 2024. Oceania Cruises offers fleetwide basic complimentary internet with a premium option available for streaming.

Princess Cruises

Princess Cruises ' fleet features MedallionNet, the only Wi-Fi network in the cruise industry that combines multi-orbit satellites — Geostationary Earth Orbit (GEO), Mid-Earth Orbit (MEO) and Low Earth Orbit (LEO/Starlink) with 5G terrestrial networks to deliver a strong connection regardless of ship location. There is one level of bandwidth available.

Regent Seven Seas Cruises

Starlink Wi-Fi can currently be found on two Regent Seven Seas ships, Seven Seas Mariner and Seven Seas Grandeur. The entire Regent Seven Seas fleet will be equipped with Starlink Wi-Fi by the end of 2024. There are two levels of bandwidth available on Regent Seven Seas: A complimentary basic package for emails and news and an upgraded package for streaming services and high-bandwidth usage that's available for a fee.

Royal Caribbean

Royal Caribbean 's entire fleet features Starlink Wi-Fi at an additional cost. There is one level of bandwidth available.

Seabourn offers fleetwide complimentary Starlink Wi-Fi. There is one level of bandwidth available.

Silversea Cruises

Silversea Cruises ' entire fleet features Starlink Wi-Fi. There are two levels of bandwidth available: Standard Internet (for social media, email, web browsing and internet-based messaging) and Premium Internet (for streaming and high-bandwidth usage). Your suite and ship class determine which option you receive at no extra charge. Upgrades in service are available for an additional fee.

Viking 's entire fleet features Starlink Wi-Fi at no additional cost. There is one level of bandwidth, though the line advises users that it can limit heavy-bandwidth usage to ensure all have equal access.

Virgin Voyages

Virgin Voyages ' entire fleet features Starlink Wi-Fi at no additional cost. The included plan allows for social media, email, web browsing and internet-based messaging. There is an upgraded Premium bandwidth option available for streaming and high-bandwidth usage for an additional fee.

Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:

• The 5 most desirable cabin locations on any cruise ship
• A beginners guide to picking a cruise line
• The 8 worst cabin locations on any cruise ship
• The ultimate guide to what to pack for a cruise
• A quick guide to the most popular cruise lines
• 21 tips and tricks that will make your cruise go smoothly
• Top ways cruisers waste money
• The ultimate guide to choosing a cruise ship cabin

Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

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Princess Rewards Visa Card review: Extra perks for cruise lovers with no annual fee

Princess Cruises, part of the Carnival Corporation, is a leading cruise line with 15 ships visiting destinations, including Hawaii and New Zealand. If Princess is your cruise line of choice, the Princess® Rewards Visa® Card could be a worthwhile addition to your travel credit card lineup. It has no annual fee, but it has a valuable bonus offer for new cardmembers and extra perks.

Although it may be a useful card for some, its rewards structure provides limited value. Learn about the Princess Rewards Visa Card's rates, terms and fees to decide whether it's a good fit for you.

Princess Rewards Visa Card at a glance

Annual fee : $0

Welcome offer : Earn 10,000 bonus points by spending $500 within the first 90 days of account opening

2x points per $1 spent on all Princess purchases

1x point per $1 spent on all other purchases

The Princess Rewards Visa Card has no annual fee . Without an annual fee, you can earn rewards at no cost as long as you pay off your statement balance in full every month by the due date.

Welcome offer

New cardmembers who spend $500 or more within 90 days of opening an account can qualify for 10,000 bonus points — a value of about $76 when redeemed for Princess cruise purchases.

Intro offer

The card has an introductory APR offer for balance transfers. You can take advantage of 0% APR for 15 billing cycles on balance transfers completed within 45 days of account opening, giving you more than a year to pay down your debt without interest charges. After the promotional period ends, a variable APR of 20.24% to 29.99% will apply. Keep in mind that a balance transfer fee of either $5 or 5% of the transfer amount — whichever is greater — will apply.

Rewards rate

Unlike some credit cards that have complex rewards structures, the Princess Rewards Visa's rewards program is simple. You'll earn two points per $1 spent on all Princess purchases, and one point per $1 spent on all other purchases.

How to earn rewards

With the Princess Rewards Visa, you can maximize your rewards by using the card to book upcoming cruises, cruise activities and onboard purchases. You'll earn two points per $1 spent on Princess purchases.

For example, let's say you book a Caribbean cruise on Princess for two. Here is how much you could earn in rewards:

If you redeem those rewards for Princess purchases or statement credits, your points would be worth about $34.

How to redeem rewards

You can redeem Princess Rewards Visa points for the following:

Statement credits

Onboard amenities, such as spa treatments or drinks

Merchandise

Redemptions start at 3,300 points for $25, giving you a value of about $0.0076 per point.

Your points never expire as long as the account is open and in good standing.

Additional benefits

When you apply for the Princess Rewards Visa, you are automatically considered for the Visa Signature and the Visa Platinum card. The Visa Signature is for those with stronger credit profiles, and it offers more benefits. If you qualify, the card's benefits include:

Extended warranty: This perk doubles the warranty on eligible purchases with warranties of three years or less.

Trip cancellation and interruption insurance: If your trip is canceled or interrupted due to an unexpected emergency, this coverage reimburses you for non-refundable trip costs, up to a maximum of $1,500 per covered person.

Baggage delay insurance: Use your card to pay for your fare on a common carrier, and you automatically receive baggage delay insurance. If your trip is delayed by four hours or more, the card will reimburse you for essential purchases, up to a maximum of $100 per day for up to three days.

Travel accident insurance: If you're traveling and are injured or killed in an accident, this benefit will provide up to $250,000 in compensation.

Auto rental collision damage waiver: If you're renting a car during your trip, use your card to cover the cost and decline the rental company's coverage to get coverage against theft or collision damage through your credit card.

Roadside dispatch: Roadside dispatch is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week if you need fuel delivery, a tire change or a battery jumpstart. There's no membership fee required, but you may need to pay for services provided.

Cell phone protection: Pay your cell phone bill with the Princess Rewards Visa and you'll be covered against damages or theft, up to a maximum of $600 per claim and $1,000 per 12-month period. Each claim is subject to a $25 deductible.

Who is the Princess Rewards Visa Card best for?

The Princess Rewards Visa is best for cruise enthusiasts who are devotees of Princess cruises. You'll earn a higher rewards rate on Princess purchases when you use your card, and you can enjoy perks like cell phone protection, car rental insurance and concierge service.

However, the card provides limited rewards on non-Princess cruise purchases; you'll earn just one point per $1 spent on all other purchases, and each point is worth about $0.0076 — a lower-than-usual rate.

You can likely earn more rewards on other purchases with a more general rewards card. For example, you'll earn 1.5% cash back on every purchase you make with the Quicksilver Card from Capital One. If you used that card to pay for your cruise, airfare and hotel accommodations from the example above — a $2,800 total — you'd earn $42 in rewards, about $8 more than you'd get with the Princess Rewards Visa.

Princess Rewards Visa Card pros

No foreign transaction fees: There are no foreign transaction fees on this card, so you don't have to worry about paying added fees at ports of call during your cruise.

Low spend requirement for the bonus offer: While some new cardmember offers require customers to spend thousands, you can qualify for the bonus by spending just $500 within three months — a relatively low requirement.

Valuable perks: For a card without an annual fee, the Princess Rewards Visa has a surprising number of perks, including cell phone protection and travel accident insurance.

Princess Rewards Visa Card cons

No promotional APR on cruises: Some cruise line cards offer special financing rates on new cruise reservations. But with the Princess Rewards Visa, the promotional APR only applies to balance transfers.

Limited rewards: The Princess Rewards Visa has a limited rewards program; on non-Princess purchases, you'll earn just one point per $1 spent.

Low rewards value: Redemptions start at 3,300 points for $25, so your points are worth less than one cent each. You may find that other rewards credit cards give you more value for your routine purchases, such as gas or groceries.

How to make a Princess Rewards Visa Card payment

The Princess Rewards Visa is issued by Barclays. Barclays allows you to make payments online, through its mobile app, over the phone or by mailing a check:

Phone: 877-523-0478

Credit Card payments

P.O. Box 13337

Philadelphia, PA 19191

Princess Rewards Visa Card customer service info

Customer service availability info:

Customer support is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week

Phone number: 877-523-0478

Princess Rewards Visa login page

Alternative cards to consider

If you're looking for a rewards credit card that offers more value for your everyday spending, consider these options:

Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card

Why we like it : Like the Princess Rewards Visa, the Quicksilver card has no annual fee. But its rewards structure may be more useful if you don't go on cruises often; the Quicksilver card allows you to earn 1.5% cash back on every purchase, with no limit on how much you can earn in rewards.

Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card

Why we like it : The VentureOne Rewards card doesn't have an annual fee, but it may be a better travel rewards card for you than the Princess Rewards Visa. You can earn 1.25 miles per $1 spent on every purchase, and you'll earn 5 miles per $1 spent on hotel stays and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel. Plus, the card offers a generous introductory APR for balance transfers and purchases.

Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express

Why we like it : If you're more of a homebody, the Blue Cash Everyday Card is likely a better option than the Princess Rewards Visa. It has no annual fee, and you can earn 3% cash back on up to $6,000 at U.S. supermarkets per year (then 10%); 3% cash back on up to $6,000 at U.S. online retailers per year (then 1%); 3% on up to $6,000 at U.S. gas stations per year (then 1%); and 1% cash back on all other purchases (see rates and fees ; terms apply).

Blue Cash Everyday card review

Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards card review

Best travel credit cards

This article was edited by Rebecca McCracken

Editorial Disclosure: The information in this article has not been reviewed or approved by any advertiser. The details on financial products, including card rates and fees, are accurate as of the publish date. All products or services are presented without warranty. Check the bank’s website for the most current information. This site doesn't include all currently available offers. Credit score alone does not guarantee or imply approval for any financial product.

• Princess Cruises

Internet Package Fee's

By FryGirl , December 5, 2006 in Princess Cruises

Recommended Posts

I was wounding if they have a package deal for the internet.

Like X $’s for so many minutes.??

I know that the fee is .50 a minute and I was hopping to get

a better deal. This is only our 2nd cruise.

Will be on the Coral to Panama Canal Jan 2008

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Toto2Kansas

Sorry, 50 cents a minute it the best you can get for the internet. But just think, once you hit your 6th cruise, it is free!

Thank You even if it is only .50 a minute as good as it gets.

I don't think that we will make it to 6 Cruises at our age.

I know of 1 or 2 more I would like to make.

If you need internet access at a cheaper rate you'll need to use the internet access at the ports of call. We did the Coral Panama last year and used the terminals at several of the ports. Much cheaper... ;)

Happy cruising! :)

When did it change from 35c to 50c per minute?

Within the last month or two. It was still .35 in September.

If you need internet access at a cheaper rate you'll need to use the internet access at the ports of call. We did the Coral Panama last year and used the terminals at several of the ports. Much cheaper... ;)   Happy cruising! :)

Cheaper and faster in the ports.

Psee & fti

I did a search in Aruba and found one place in the Royal Mall

but for Limon, MO Bay, Cartagena I found nothing at all.

Do you have any info on internet cafe there for any help.

I haven't looked yet at the possibilities for internet in the Caribbean. My cruise last summer was to AK. I am not cruising to the Caribbean until Nov 2007. A site you might want to check out for possibilities is:

www.wififreespot.com

Not sure if it will help you in the places you are looking for but it has lots of info. This however is mainly for using your own laptop.

Lots of times, they're right near the docks. Ask a crew member. They use the internet alot when in port.

Another money-saving tip is to bring your own laptop (if you have one). The cost is still the same to connect to the net, but you can write all of your emails offline, at your leisure, and then just connect to send them. That's my plan until I finish my 6th cruise.;)

Toledosfinest

I have a good answer for you.... Find someone on the ship that is a Platinum or higher member, see if they are willing to use their card to swipe the computer with, and you can also have free internet time to check your e-mails etc. All Platinum members and up get unlimited free internet time. You might have to pay them a fee to do this, but it might be worth it to you. Its just a thought.....

Oh yes, lets do that so if the person gets caught they will loose their free internet with Princess, great idea. :(

Like buying one soda card and sharing it with 3 in the family, costs us all more in the end when people do that but saves a few bucks for that person.

fti That is a nice site will check it out more later.

NJGRANNY I had forgotten that the crew know the best places for anything. Very good Idea.

Porkys2 Also a good idea but I onlt have a tower to big to bring. LOL

Toledosfinest Sorry I agree with Toto2Kansas never want to get any one else in trouble for me. And I would be hurt twice now and in the furture when prices go up even more. Or I would never be able to get to the

Platinum membership.

Again Thank You All

News Flash:

We are just off the Caribbean Princess 11/26 - 12/3 sailing. New login system and new pricing structure are in effect.

To login, you no longer need your cruise card. You start at a login screen where you enter your login name (first initial, last name, cabin number) and password). Then select a pricing plan.

The new pricing structure has three options:

Time Plan 1: 250 minutes for $100 (0.40 per minute);

Time Plan 2: 100 minutes for $55 (0.55 per minute) and

Pay-as-you-go for 0.75 per minute.

No more 0.35 per minute!

They had a "special" the last day or two. Didn't write down the prices but they were just a little lower than the regular prices.

The connection was god-awful the first four days of the trip. Half the time we'd get a Page Not Found error, and when we could get to a site, a page would take literally 5 minutes to load. The only reason we put up with it at all is because we're Platinum. We never would have logged on if we had to pay these prices for this non-service.

Princess Chatterer

It's not free for laptops.

Frugalist Wrote

"The new pricing structure has three options:

No more 0.35 per minute!"

I hope that this is true for the Coral also when we cruise to Panama Canal.

I could live with that. I'm still not have much luck finding Internet Cafe online for our cruise. Don't want to spend a loot of time looking for one either. Will want to see the different ports.

News Flash:   We are just off the Caribbean Princess 11/26 - 12/3 sailing. New login system and new pricing structure are in effect.   To login, you no longer need your cruise card. You start at a login screen where you enter your login name (first initial, last name, cabin number) and password). Then select a pricing plan.   The new pricing structure has three options: Time Plan 1: 250 minutes for $100 (0.40 per minute); Time Plan 2: 100 minutes for $55 (0.55 per minute) and Pay-as-you-go for 0.75 per minute. No more 0.35 per minute!   They had a "special" the last day or two. Didn't write down the prices but they were just a little lower than the regular prices.   The connection was god-awful the first four days of the trip. Half the time we'd get a Page Not Found error, and when we could get to a site, a page would take literally 5 minutes to load. The only reason we put up with it at all is because we're Platinum. We never would have logged on if we had to pay these prices for this non-service.

Wow, this is crazy! 75 cents a minute is not an option. :eek: Royal Caribbean has unlimited access (in your cabin) for $125 for 7 days. Why would anyone spend $100 for 4 hours? :rolleyes:

This is getting out of hand.... :(

That is the price structure on NCL ships.

Wow, this is crazy! 75 cents a minute is not an option. :eek: Royal Caribbean has unlimited access (in your cabin) for $125 for 7 days. Why would anyone spend $100 for 4 hours? :rolleyes: (

Royal Caribbean has computers in all of their cabins? Otherwise, this "package" is meaningless to most. Who wants to schlep their laptop all over the world so they can stay hooked up to the Internet? I have enough stuff in my carry-on and I'd rather not carry my laptop through international airports and countries; for me, it's just as easy to use the Internet cafe.

Guess it's just different strokes for different folks. We drive to the port so there's no schlepping involved. With RCL's in-room wired connection the laptop stays in the cabin the whole cruise (no carrying it to a wireless hot spot in a crowded atrium or waiting for a terminal to free up in the internet cafe). Leisurely composing emails (with photos) while relaxing in the cabin is a much better scenario (at least for me). :)

News Flash:   The new pricing structure has three options: Time Plan 1: 250 minutes for $100 (0.40 per minute); Time Plan 2: 100 minutes for $55 (0.55 per minute) and Pay-as-you-go for 0.75 per minute. No more 0.35 per minute!

Something tells me this new policy will cut down on the "Live From The _____ Princess" threads.:(

As I have elite status, I'm not unhappy to see this change, should stop the IMers.

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

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