How Much Is WiFi on Princess Cruise Lines Revealed

WiFi on Princess Cruise Lines starts at $19.99 per day for a basic package, with faster, more reliable options available through premium plans. All packages are priced per device, so cruisers can choose between Standard, Premium, and Premium Plus based on streaming, browsing, and connection speed needs—ensuring flexibility for every traveler.

Key Takeaways

• WiFi packages vary: Choose from hourly to unlimited plans based on your needs.
• Book early for discounts: Pre-purchase online for lower rates than onboard pricing.
• Unlimited premium is fastest: Best for streaming and video calls, but costs more.
• Standard WiFi is free: Basic browsing included with all fare types.
• Check device limits: Some plans restrict the number of connected devices.

How Much Is WiFi on Princess Cruise Lines? A Complete Breakdown

Let’s be honest: in today’s hyper-connected world, going on vacation doesn’t mean *disconnecting* from life. Whether you’re a digital nomad, a social media enthusiast, or just want to share that perfect sunset photo with your family back home, having reliable WiFi on Princess Cruise Lines is more of a necessity than a luxury. But here’s the thing—cruise WiFi has a reputation for being expensive, slow, or both. So, when planning your next Princess cruise, one of the first questions you probably ask is: *How much is WiFi on Princess Cruise Lines?*

As someone who’s sailed on three Princess cruises—from the Caribbean to Alaska—I’ve tested the WiFi in every possible scenario: posting Instagram reels, attending Zoom calls, streaming Netflix, and even trying to upload a 10-minute family video. I’ve also talked to fellow cruisers, read hundreds of reviews, and even chatted with crew members to get the real scoop. In this guide, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know about WiFi pricing, packages, performance, and how to get the most value without breaking the bank. Whether you’re sailing on the Discovery Princess or the Caribbean Princess, this guide is your go-to resource for understanding how much WiFi on Princess Cruise Lines really costs—and whether it’s worth it.

Understanding Princess Cruise Lines’ WiFi Packages and Pricing

Princess Cruises offers a tiered WiFi system designed to meet different needs, from light browsing to heavy streaming. The pricing structure has evolved over the years, and while it’s not the cheapest at sea, it’s become more competitive and flexible. The key is understanding what you actually need—because paying for a high-speed plan when you only check email is a waste of money.

Three Tiers of WiFi: Value, Premium, and Premium Plus

As of 2024, Princess Cruises offers three main WiFi packages:

• Value Plan: Best for light users. Includes email, messaging apps (like WhatsApp and iMessage), and basic web browsing. No streaming or video calls. Priced around $19.99 per day (or $15.99/day if booked early).
• Premium Plan: The most popular option. Supports video calls (Zoom, FaceTime), social media, and standard-definition streaming (YouTube, Spotify). Priced at $24.99 per day (or $19.99/day with early booking).
• Premium Plus Plan: The high-speed option. Allows HD streaming (Netflix, Hulu), large file uploads, and multiple devices. Priced at $34.99 per day (or $27.99/day with early booking).

Here’s a real-world example: On my 7-day Alaska cruise, I booked the Premium Plan early and paid $139.93 for the week (7 x $19.99). My husband, who only needed to check emails and send photos, used the Value Plan for $111.93. We saved about $50 compared to booking at full price onboard. That’s a solid tip: always book WiFi before your cruise—you’ll save 20-30%.

Per-Day vs. Cruise-Long Packages

You can buy WiFi in two ways: per day or as a full-cruise package. The per-day option is flexible but expensive if you use it every day. For example, using the Premium Plan daily on a 10-day cruise would cost $249.90. But a cruise-long Premium package costs $199.90—saving you nearly $50.

However, if your cruise includes a few sea days where you don’t need WiFi (maybe you’re reading a book or relaxing), the per-day option might make sense. I once bought the Premium Plan only for port days (4 out of 7), which saved me about $60. Just remember: once you activate a daily plan, it runs for 24 hours—even if you don’t use it.

Device Limits and Sharing

Each WiFi package allows you to connect two devices simultaneously. That means you and your travel buddy can each use a phone and tablet, or one of you can use a laptop and phone. Need more? You can buy a second plan, but it’s pricey. Some cruisers try to share one plan by switching devices, but Princess’s system tracks device IDs, so it’s not foolproof—and against the terms of service.

Pro tip: Use a travel router (like a TP-Link Nano) to connect multiple devices through one plan. I’ve seen this work on smaller ships, but it’s hit-or-miss and not officially supported. Use at your own risk!

How Early Booking Saves You Money (And How to Do It Right)

One of the biggest money-savers on Princess WiFi is early booking. If you purchase your package before your cruise, you can save up to 25%. But there’s a catch: you need to know *when* and *how* to book.

Booking Window: 60-90 Days Before Departure

Princess opens WiFi sales about 60 to 90 days before your sail date. You’ll get an email notification, or you can check your cruise dashboard on the Princess website. I recommend setting a calendar reminder. I once missed the early booking window by just two days and ended up paying $50 more on a 7-day cruise. Ouch.

Here’s how it works: Let’s say your cruise departs on August 15. You can start booking your WiFi package around June 1. The early rates are locked in for about 30 days—after that, prices jump to full rate. So don’t procrastinate!

How to Book Early: Step-by-Step

1. Log in to your Princess Cruise Account (or create one if you haven’t).
2. Click on “My Cruise” and select your upcoming voyage.
3. Go to “Add-Ons” and select “WiFi Packages.”
4. Choose your plan (Value, Premium, Premium Plus) and duration (full cruise or daily).
5. Enter payment info and confirm.

You’ll receive a confirmation email with your login details. Save it! You’ll need it to activate WiFi once onboard.

Group Bookings and Family Discounts

If you’re traveling with a group of 10 or more, Princess may offer a group WiFi discount—but you have to ask. Contact the group sales team at least 45 days before departure. I once booked a family reunion cruise for 12 people and saved 15% on WiFi by requesting a group quote.

Also, keep an eye out for promotional offers. Princess sometimes runs “Buy One, Get One 50% Off” deals during off-peak seasons. For example, during a 5-day Caribbean cruise in September, they offered 50% off the second Premium Plan. That’s a great deal if you’re traveling with a partner who also needs WiFi.

Real-World WiFi Performance: Speed, Reliability, and Where It Works Best

Let’s talk about what really matters: does it work? WiFi on Princess Cruise Lines has improved dramatically in the past few years, thanks to partnerships with satellite providers like SES and Intelsat. But performance still varies by location, ship, and time of day.

Speed Test Results: What to Expect

Based on my tests and data from fellow cruisers (via Cruise Critic forums and Reddit), here’s a realistic breakdown:

• Value Plan: 1–2 Mbps download. Good for email and messaging. Struggles with photos over 1MB.
• Premium Plan: 3–5 Mbps download. Handles Zoom calls and SD video (720p). Buffering happens during peak hours (7–9 PM).
• Premium Plus Plan: 6–10 Mbps download. Smooth HD streaming (1080p), fast uploads. Best for remote workers or families uploading videos.

I once tried streaming a Netflix movie on the Premium Plan. It buffered every 5 minutes. Switched to Premium Plus—no issues. So if you plan to stream, go for the upgrade.

Best and Worst Locations on the Ship

WiFi strength depends on your location. Here’s what I’ve found:

• Best spots: Midship lounges (like the Piazza or Vista Lounge), staterooms on decks 5–8, and the library. These areas have strong signal boosters.
• Worst spots: Cabins at the very front or back of the ship, lower decks (especially near the engine room), and outdoor areas during heavy rain. I once lost connection completely while on the aft pool deck during a storm.

Pro tip: If you’re working remotely, book a stateroom on deck 7 or 8 midship. I did this on my Alaska cruise and had consistent 8 Mbps speeds—perfect for video calls.

Peak vs. Off-Peak Hours

WiFi slows down during peak usage times: 7–9 PM (when everyone’s posting dinner photos) and 8–10 AM (morning check-ins). If you need fast speeds, use WiFi early in the morning or late at night. I often uploaded videos between 5:30 and 6:30 AM—zero buffering.

WiFi at Ports: What Happens When You Dock?

One of the most confusing things about cruise WiFi is what happens when you’re in port. Does your ship’s WiFi work on land? The answer is: sometimes.

Onshore WiFi Coverage

When the ship docks, Princess uses a combination of satellite and local cellular signals. In major ports like Juneau, Cozumel, or Vancouver, the ship’s WiFi often works within 1–2 miles of the dock. This is because the ship connects to local cell towers or public WiFi networks.

But here’s the catch: not all ports have strong coverage. In remote places like Skagway (Alaska) or Ketchikan, the signal drops quickly once you leave the pier. I once walked 10 minutes from the dock in Juneau and lost connection completely. Had to use my phone’s data plan instead.

Using Your Ship’s WiFi in Port

If you’re staying near the ship (like at a dockside restaurant or gift shop), your ship’s WiFi may work. But if you’re on a tour or exploring a city, you’ll likely lose signal. Here’s what to do:

• Download maps and videos before leaving the ship.
• Use offline mode on apps like Google Maps or WhatsApp.
• Buy a local SIM card (in countries that allow it) for reliable data. I did this in Mexico and saved a ton on roaming charges.

Also, some excursions offer port WiFi passes. For example, a zip-lining tour in St. Thomas gave us free WiFi at their base camp. Always ask!

Data Roaming: When Your Phone’s Data Plan Kicks In

If you lose ship WiFi, your phone may switch to data roaming—which can be expensive. To avoid surprise charges:

• Turn off Data Roaming in your phone settings.
• Use Wi-Fi calling (if your carrier supports it).
• Buy an international data plan before your trip. I use Google Fi, which gives me 200MB/day free in most countries.

Hidden Costs and Tips to Maximize Your WiFi Value

WiFi on Princess Cruise Lines isn’t just about the price tag. There are hidden costs, workarounds, and smart hacks that can save you time and money.

Hidden Fees and Gotchas

Here are a few things they don’t tell you:

• Activation Fee: If you buy WiFi onboard, there’s a $5 activation fee. Booking early? No fee.
• Auto-Renewal: Daily plans auto-renew unless you cancel. I forgot to cancel one day and got charged for a sea day I didn’t use.
• No Refunds: If you buy a full-cruise plan and don’t use it, you can’t get a refund. So plan wisely!

Smart Tips to Save Money and Improve Performance

Here’s how to get the most out of your WiFi:

• Use a browser-based VPN like Windscribe or ProtonVPN. It helps bypass throttling and improves speeds. (Avoid premium VPNs—they often get blocked.)
• Clear your cache daily. A cluttered browser slows everything down.
• Download content early. I downloaded all my Netflix shows on the first sea day. Saved me from buffering later.
• Use data-saving modes on social media apps. Instagram’s “Data Saver” mode cut my usage by 50%.
• Ask for a signal check. If your cabin has weak WiFi, call guest services. They may move you to a better location (rare, but it happened to me once).

When to Skip WiFi Altogether

Sometimes, the best option is no WiFi. If you’re on a short cruise (3–4 days) and only need to send a few photos, consider:

• Using free WiFi in ports (many cafes and malls offer it).
• Buying a local SIM card for data.
• Just enjoying your vacation offline. I did this on a 4-day cruise to the Bahamas—felt amazing!

Data Table: WiFi Pricing and Features (2024)

Plan	Daily Price (Onboard)	Daily Price (Early Booking)	Speed (Avg.)	Best For	Streaming
Value	$19.99	$15.99	1–2 Mbps	Email, messaging, light browsing	No
Premium	$24.99	$19.99	3–5 Mbps	Video calls, social media, SD streaming	Yes (SD)
Premium Plus	$34.99	$27.99	6–10 Mbps	HD streaming, remote work, large uploads	Yes (HD)

Note: Prices are per person, per day. Early booking available 60–90 days pre-cruise. All plans allow 2 devices.

Final Thoughts: Is Princess WiFi Worth the Cost?

So, how much is WiFi on Princess Cruise Lines? It depends on your needs. For light users, the Value Plan at $15.99/day is a solid deal. For most travelers, the Premium Plan at $19.99/day strikes the right balance between price and performance. And if you’re a heavy user, the Premium Plus Plan at $27.99/day is worth the upgrade.

The key takeaways? Book early, choose the right plan, and use smart tech habits to maximize speed and value. WiFi on Princess has come a long way—it’s not perfect, but it’s reliable enough for most travelers.

And remember: a cruise is about more than just staying connected. Sometimes, the best moments happen when you put the phone down and look out at the ocean. But when you do need to share that perfect sunset? Princess WiFi has you covered—just know the price, the plan, and the best spots to get the signal.

Happy sailing—and may your connection be strong!

Frequently Asked Questions

How much is WiFi on Princess Cruise Lines for a full voyage?

WiFi on Princess Cruise Lines starts at $19.99 per day for a basic plan, but pricing varies based on the length of your cruise and data needs. For a 7-day cruise, a Premium Plus plan (unlimited data) typically costs around $299.99 total.

Does Princess Cruises offer free WiFi to passengers?

Princess Cruises doesn’t include free WiFi for all guests, but select staterooms (like suites) or promotions may offer complimentary access. Loyalty members in higher tiers (e.g., Elite) often receive free basic WiFi as a perk.

What’s the difference between Princess WiFi plans?

Princess Cruise Lines offers three tiers: Basic (social media/email, $19.99/day), Premium (streaming, $24.99/day), and Premium Plus (unlimited, $29.99/day). The latter is ideal for heavy users or families sharing devices.

Can I share my Princess Cruise WiFi package across devices?

Yes, most WiFi plans on Princess Cruise Lines allow multi-device use, but only one device can be active at a time. Premium Plus is the best option for families or travelers with multiple gadgets.

Is WiFi on Princess Cruise Lines reliable?

WiFi reliability on Princess Cruise Lines has improved significantly with their MedallionNet® service, offering faster speeds and better coverage. However, connectivity can still vary depending on your location at sea.

How do I purchase WiFi before my Princess cruise?

You can pre-purchase WiFi on Princess Cruise Lines via their website or app under the “Manage Booking” section. Buying early often locks in lower rates compared to onboard pricing.