Vika LakiYour Princess cruise is a few weeks away. The booking page lists a standalone WiFi package and the Plus and Premier packages. News also says prices change on October 13. It is unclear what MedallionNet Max is, what Plus and Premier include, and what happens to the four-device package.
The guide below gives Princess WiFi prices before and after October 13, 2026, with a check date. It explains MedallionNet and MedallionNet Max, how to connect and share, and if the package is worth it. It also compares Cellular at Sea, carrier passes, port Wi-Fi and a travel eSIM from Yesim, a Swiss travel eSIM provider. A travel eSIM helps in port, but it does not replace ship Wi-Fi at sea.
How much is WiFi on Princess cruises?
Princess Cruises sells a standalone WiFi package and includes WiFi in Princess Plus and Premier. Princess WiFi cost depends on the devices you need and on when you buy. A pre-cruise price is lower than an onboard price, according to Princess. Princess announced new prices for October 13, 2026.
What did Princess WiFi cost before October 13, 2026?
Princess cruise WiFi cost came from Princess’s pages and from reported sources:
| Option | Pre-cruise per day | Onboard per day | Devices | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| One-device WiFi (MedallionNet) | $24.99 | Check Princess | 1 | Reported by Holafly and a 2023 Reddit thread |
| Four-device WiFi | $44.99 | $55 | 4 | Reported by Cruise Critic and a travel-news post |
| Princess Plus (includes MedallionNet Max) | $65 | $70 | 1 per guest | Price of the whole package, not only WiFi |
| Princess Premier (includes MedallionNet Max) | $100 | $105 | 4 per guest | Price of the whole package, not only WiFi |
Princess’s page gives the Plus and Premier prices on all ships except Sun Princess and Star Princess. Some third-party guides list $65 to $100 as the WiFi price. Those are package prices, and they cover far more than WiFi.
Read also: How to avoid roaming charges in the USA, for your home plan on land.
What are the new Princess WiFi prices from October 13, 2026?
How much is WiFi on Princess cruise ships after the change? These prices were announced to travel advisors, per Cruisemummy and Cruise Critic. Confirm them on Princess’s public page:
| Option | Pre-cruise per day | Onboard full voyage per day | Onboard one day | Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| One-device WiFi | $27.99 | $33.99 | $39.99 | Up from $24.99 pre-cruise, as reported |
| Two-device WiFi (new) | $39.99 | $47.99 | $55.99 | New two-device package |
| Four-device WiFi | Discontinued | Discontinued | Discontinued | Stays only in Premier |
| Princess Plus | $70 | $75 | Not listed | Up $5 pre-cruise |
| Princess Premier | $105 | $110 | Not listed | Up $5 pre-cruise |
On Sun Princess and Star Princess, Plus costs $75 pre-cruise and $80 onboard. Premier costs $110 and $115. Confirm these on Princess’s page.
How much will 7 days of Princess WiFi cost?
This table is calculated from the prices above, at pre-cruise rates:
| Option | Per day | 7 days | Per device per day |
|---|---|---|---|
| One-device WiFi (from October 13) | $27.99 | $195.93 | $27.99 |
| Two-device WiFi (from October 13) | $39.99 | $279.93 | $20.00 |
| Four-device WiFi (before October 13) | $44.99 | $314.93 | $11.25 |
| Two two-device plans for four devices (from October 13) | $79.98 | $559.86 | $20.00 |
A group that used the four-device package pays about $35 more per day after the change, unless it books Premier. The two-device package costs about $8 less per device than the one-device package.
Yesim tip: divide the price by the devices you use at the same time, not the devices you own. One plan runs one device at a time, so one device is often enough.
What do the October 13 changes mean for you?
Reports and Princess’s rules say this:
- Packages bought before October 13 reportedly keep the current price. Confirm it on your booking.
- Princess has not clarified if a four-device package bought for a 2027 cruise stays valid.
- The Captain’s Circle discount was not reported as cancelled. Reports name Platinum, Elite or both, so check the tiers.
- Plus and Premier must be bought at least 4 days (96 hours) before departure, or they cost $5 more per day. You can add them onboard in the first two days.
- Onboard WiFi costs more than the pre-cruise price.
What is the difference between MedallionNet and MedallionNet Max?
MedallionNet is the standalone WiFi service for any guest. MedallionNet Max adds prioritized access to the best bandwidth available. Princess introduced Max in 2024, exclusively with Plus and Premier.
What is MedallionNet, the standalone WiFi?
- Any guest can buy it, before the cruise or onboard.
- Princess’s page calls it “MedallionNet a la carte”, and its FAQ says “MedallionNet Classic”. Use Princess’s own wording after you check.
- Per Princess, it supports streaming, chat and photo sharing.
- One plan runs one device at a time. The two-device package arrives on October 13.
- Users report that it is slower than Max.
What is MedallionNet Max, included with Plus and Premier?
- Max gives prioritized access to the best bandwidth, per Princess’s page.
- Plus includes one device per guest. Premier includes four devices per guest.
- Princess does not sell Max alone, as far as the sources show. Confirm this.
- Check Princess for extra devices on a Plus or Premier booking.
How the two compare:
| Point | MedallionNet | MedallionNet Max |
|---|---|---|
| Who gets it | Any guest | Plus and Premier guests |
| Devices | 1, or 2 from October 13 | 1 in Plus, 4 in Premier |
| Speed priority | Standard | Prioritized access to the best bandwidth |
| Where to buy | Manage Booking or the Princess app | Inside Plus or Premier |
Is Princess Plus WiFi included in Plus and Premier?
Yes. Princess Plus WiFi means MedallionNet Max for one device per guest. Premier gives four devices per guest. Both packages also include drinks, dining and other onboard perks, so the package price is not the WiFi price.
- A Plus or Premier package can pay off if you want the other perks as well as WiFi.
- A standalone package suits you better if you need only WiFi.
- To compare, price what you would buy separately: WiFi, drinks and dining.
Is there free WiFi on Princess Cruises?
Partly. The Princess app works on the ship’s network at no cost. It does not connect you to people at home.
- Free: the schedule, and messages between guests and with the crew.
- Users report that iMessage text without pictures works on some ships. This varies by ship.
- OceanNow costs $14.99 per guest per cruise without a package, per Princess’s FAQ. Verify it.
How does Princess WiFi work?
You buy a package before the cruise or onboard, then connect through the MedallionNet network. Internet on Princess cruise ships runs on satellite connections, so speed depends on conditions.
How do you buy and connect to Princess WiFi?
Follow these steps:
- Buy a package in Manage Booking before the cruise, or in the Princess app onboard.
- Turn on airplane mode, then turn on Wi-Fi.
- Join the MedallionNet network.
- Sign in with your stateroom details and personal information.
- Redeem the package after you sign in, if the page asks.
Yesim tip: keep airplane mode on at sea and turn on only Wi-Fi. It stops your phone from using data roaming by mistake.
Can you share a Princess WiFi package?
Plan for one device at a time:
- A one-device package runs on one device at a time. You can switch devices.
- Premier gives four devices per guest.
- Packages are bought per guest, so do not assume other guests can use yours.
- Holafly says packages cannot be shared. Check Princess’s terms for the exact rule.
Read also: Best eSIM for Alaska cruise, for another route.
How fast is Princess WiFi, and does it use Starlink?
Cruisemummy reports that MedallionNet runs on Starlink. Confirm it on Princess’s page or in its news.
- Speed depends on the number of users, the region and the weather.
- Users report slow service in some regions.
- Users report outages on some sailings.
Is Princess WiFi worth it?
The answer depends on how you use your phone and on your cruise.
When is Princess WiFi worth it?
- You need email, work or video calls.
- Your sailing has many days at sea.
- You want to check on your home or a pet.
- You need several devices, which means Premier or the two-device package.
When can you skip Princess WiFi?
- You want a digital detox.
- The Princess app and port Wi-Fi cover your needs.
- Your cruise is short.
- You can download films before you sail.
What are the alternatives to Princess WiFi?
No alternative replaces ship Wi-Fi at sea, but some cut the cost. Princess cruise internet plans are not the only option. The table compares them:
| Option | Where it works | Typical cost | Voice and SMS | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Princess WiFi package | On the ship | From $27.99 per day pre-cruise, from October 13 | App-based calls | Sea days |
| Cellular at Sea | The ship’s cellular network | GigSky says about $3 per minute. Verify with your carrier | Yes, at high rates | Emergencies |
| Home carrier cruise or day pass | Ports, and some maritime networks | Holafly says about $20 per day. Check carrier sites | Yes | Short calls |
| Cruise eSIM (at sea and port) | Per the provider’s terms | GigSky lists a free 100 MB trial and plans from $7. Check its site | Usually data only | Sea and land |
| Travel eSIM for port days | In port and near shore | Depends on the plan. See the plan page | Usually data only | Port days |
| Free Wi-Fi in ports | Terminals and cafes | Free | App-based only | Quick updates |
Why should you turn off Cellular at Sea?
The ship switches on a satellite cellular network, and your phone shows it as a carrier. Calls and data on it can cost far more than at home.
- GigSky says about $3 per minute. Check the rate with Princess and your carrier.
- Turn on airplane mode, and turn off data roaming on your home SIM.
- Users report that regular cell service works in port within about 5 miles of shore.
Do home carrier cruise plans work?
Often yes, but check the price first:
- Verizon and AT&T sell cruise passes and international day passes.
- Holafly says about $20 per day for 500 MB of high-speed data. A forum post says AT&T’s $30 package ended.
- Check each carrier’s site on the day you buy.
- Roaming left on can cause surprise charges. Read how to avoid roaming charges.
Do travel eSIMs work on Princess cruises?
A travel eSIM works in port and near shore, where your phone uses local networks. At sea, it does not replace the ship’s Wi-Fi.
- Some providers, such as GigSky, advertise sea coverage. Check their terms and the date.
- Yesim offers connectivity in ports and near the coast, not at sea or by satellite.
- Read the eSIM for cruise page and the guide to the best eSIM for cruise.
- For another line, see internet on a Royal Caribbean cruise.
How can you stay connected in port with Yesim?
If you buy Princess WiFi only for sea days, a travel eSIM can cover the port days. The table lists typical Princess regions. Check your own route. See also the Caribbean eSIM page.
| Country | Typical Princess region (check your itinerary) | Yesim page |
|---|---|---|
| Bahamas | Caribbean (Nassau, Princess Cays) | Bahamas eSIM |
| US Virgin Islands | Caribbean (St. Thomas) | US Virgin Islands eSIM |
| Cayman Islands | Caribbean (Grand Cayman) | Cayman Islands eSIM |
| Mexico | Mexican Riviera and Caribbean | Mexico eSIM |
| Aruba | Southern Caribbean | Aruba eSIM |
| Curacao | Southern Caribbean | Curacao eSIM |
| Turks and Caicos | Caribbean (Grand Turk) | Turks and Caicos eSIM |
| Canada | Alaska and Canada-New England | Canada eSIM |
| Italy | Mediterranean | Italy eSIM |
| Greece | Mediterranean | Greece eSIM |
| Spain | Mediterranean (Barcelona) | Spain eSIM |
| France | Mediterranean and Northern Europe | France eSIM |
| Norway | Northern Europe | Norway eSIM |
| Japan | Asia | Japan eSIM |
| Australia | South Pacific | Australia eSIM |
Country pages list fixed data plans and unlimited plans where they are available. For Europe-wide sailings, see the best eSIM for Europe cruise. Use this checklist:
- Install the eSIM at home on Wi-Fi, before you sail.
- Check that your phone is one of the eSIM supported phones.
- Keep the eSIM data line off while you are on the ship.
- Turn off data roaming on your home SIM.
- Turn on the eSIM when you reach the port.
Yesim tip: match each port day to a country plan before you sail. A day of maps and messages needs far less data than a day of streaming. See how much mobile data you need.
How can you save money on Princess WiFi?
Follow these six steps:
- Buy at least 4 days before departure to keep the pre-cruise price.
- Choose one or two devices by what you really use at once.
- Compare the WiFi price with Plus and Premier, using the package prices only for the whole bundle.
- Use port days for updates and downloads.
- Download films and music before you board.
- Check your carrier’s cruise pass and a travel eSIM for ports.
How was this guide checked?
This guide is based on documents, not on onboard tests. It separates what comes from Princess from what others report.
- From Princess’s pages: Plus and Premier prices before October 13, the Max devices and the booking deadline.
- Reported, not confirmed by Princess: the standalone WiFi prices, the new prices from October 13 and the Captain’s Circle tiers.
- Reported by one source: Starlink, the Cellular at Sea rate and the carrier plans.
- Open questions: the 2027 four-device packages and the exact sharing rules.
Which Princess WiFi package is right for you?
Choose by need, not by price:
- Standalone MedallionNet for messages and email.
- Max with Plus or Premier for work and several devices.
- No package if the Princess app, an eSIM or port Wi-Fi are enough.
Remember the October 13 changes and the difference between a Plus or Premier price and a WiFi price. Check these points before you pay:
- The price on the day you buy.
- The number of devices.
- The Captain’s Circle discount.
- The cancellation terms.
To cover port days, choose an eSIM for cruise and download the Yesim application before you sail.
Yesim Team