Cruise

Princess WiFi Costs Explained + Easy Ways to Stay Connected at Sea and in Port

July 18, 2025

Alexis Miller

Staying connected while cruising is more important than ever, whether you’re sharing photos of turquoise waters or keeping in touch with loved ones back home.

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If you’re planning a trip with Princess Cruises, understanding their WiFi options and costs is essential.

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This article explores WiFi pricing on Princess Cruises, examines its value, and compares it to GigSky's Cruise + Land eSIM plans.

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By the end, you’ll be fully equipped to choose the best connectivity option for your next adventure on the seas.

WiFi Pricing Options on Princess Cruises

Princess Cruise offers its guests MedallionNetⓇ and MedallionNet MaxⓇ options, which are frequently marketed as the “Best WiFi at Sea.”

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Our research found that Princess pushes cruisers to bundle their WiFi access with other amenities – like drink packages. These are known as the Princess Plus and Princess Premier packages.

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The website claims these bundles can result in up to 74% savings. This is good news for cruisers, since this cruise ship WiFi is some of the most expensive in the industry.

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Pricing for Princess cruise WiFi couldn’t be found on their website. Therefore, pricing was sourced from bloggers who have cruised with Princess.

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It appears there are no pre-cruise purchase discounts. However, there is a 50% discount for Platinum and Elite guests.

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It’s not clear if each plan includes all of the same access. Princess indicates there is a difference between connectivity speeds between the MedallionNetⓇ and MedallionNet MaxⓇ, but doesn’t specify other differences.

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Single Device: $25 per device per day
Single Device 24-Hour: $30 per device
4 Devices: $45 per device per day
4 Devices 24-Hour: $55

Princess Cruise WiFi Cost Analysis

The convenience of staying connected on a cruise ship does come at a premium.

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To get a sense of the above costs, we calculated the cost for each of the aforementioned plans on a seven-day cruise.

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This means needing seven days of connectivity. The following are the estimated costs per plan (including if you chose to buy the 24-hour pass each day…for some reason):

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Single Device: $175
Single Device 24-Hour: $210
4 Devices: $315
4 Devices 24-Hour: $385

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Although Princess cruise WiFi is convenient, its costs still warrant a closer examination of alternatives like GigSky’s Cruise + Land eSIM plans, which offer potentially cheaper and more flexible solutions.

GigSky vs. Princess Cruise WiFi Pricing

If you’re looking to stay connected while cruising without breaking the bank, GigSky’s Cruise + Land eSIM plan is worth considering. Here, we’ll compare it to the Princess cruise WiFi options.

GigSky Cruise + Land eSIM

Cost: Plans start at $19.99
Coverage: Both onboard cruise ships and in port destinations
Advantages:
- Seamless connectivity between ship and shore
- Global coverage in popular cruise regions
- Cost-effective for frequent cruisers or data-savvy users
No Hidden Fees:
- Never worry about data roaming charges; you only pay for what you need.

Princess Cruise WiFi

Cost: Starts at $25 per day
Coverage: Only works onboard ships
Advantages:
- Integrated into the Princess Cruise experience
- Deeper discounts could be available by bundling with other ship amenities
Drawback:
- Not usable off the ship; travelers will need an additional solution once docked.
- Extremely expensive, especially when adding additional devices and opting for the premium plan.

Tips for Saving on Cruise WiFi

If you’re planning to stay connected on your next voyage, here are some strategies to reduce costs and get the most out of your cruise WiFi:

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Pre-Purchase Discounts

Sometimes discounts are offered for WiFi if purchased before boarding the ship. While Princess Cruises doesn’t offer this information ahead of time, it’s definitely worth exploring once your trip is booked.

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Leverage Free WiFi Onshore

Many ports of call feature free WiFi in cafes, restaurants, or public spaces. Save your onboard data for when you’re at sea.

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Alternate Solutions like GigSky

If uninterrupted connectivity is non-negotiable, consider a service like the GigSky app that allows you to use your plan both at sea and onshore. This minimizes reliance on costly cruise ship WiFi.

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Choose the Right Plan for Your Needs

Analyze your data usage beforehand. For example, if you only need basic internet access, you can save by opting for Princess’ MedallionNetⓇ single device plan.

5. Turn Off Auto-Updates

Prevent apps or devices from eating up bandwidth and data allowance by disabling background updates and syncing.

6. Download Content in Advance

Save entertainment, maps, and other essentials ahead of your trip to reduce in-cruise data needs.

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By mixing and matching options, you can optimize your travel budget while staying connected.

Which Connectivity Option is Right for You?

Choosing the best connectivity option depends on your priorities. If convenience and unlimited onboard data are must-haves, Princess cruise WiFi may be the right choice despite its higher cost.

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However, for a more flexible and budget-friendly solution, GigSky’s Cruise + Land eSIM stands out with its dual ship-and-shore coverage.

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Ultimately, your decision will hinge on your connectivity needs and how much you’re willing to spend. Armed with this guide, you’re now ready to set sail without sacrificing your link to the digital world. Bon voyage!