Princess Cruises offers free WiFi to some passengers, but most pay for it

Princess Cruises does not give WiFi to all passengers at no cost. The ship provides free basic WiFi to passengers who book certain cabin types or hold elite status in the Crown & Anchor Society loyalty program. Everyone else pays per day or per week. The free tier, where it applies, is limited to email and messaging — streaming video and large downloads are blocked.

If you do not fall into the free categories, your options are a daily pass (around $7 to $8), a weekly pass (around $50 to $60), or a monthly pass. Prices vary by sailing date and ship. The company also sells a "Surf" plan for faster speeds at a higher price. Purchasing WiFi before you board, through the Princess website, is usually cheaper than buying it onboard.

Key Takeaways

  • Passengers in certain premium cabin types and Crown & Anchor members at Gold level or higher receive free WiFi automatically.
  • Free WiFi on Princess is limited to email and messaging; video streaming and large downloads do not work on the free tier.
  • Paid WiFi plans start at around $7 per day and are cheaper when purchased before boarding through the Princess website.
  • The Surf plan offers faster speeds than standard WiFi but costs more and is useful only if you need to upload or read large files.

Which cabin types include free WiFi

Princess includes free WiFi with certain suites and premium cabin categories. The exact list changes by ship and sailing, so check your booking confirmation or call Princess directly at 1-800-PRINCESS to confirm your cabin type before you board.

Generally, suites — including Mini Suites, Suites, and Grand Suites — come with free WiFi. Some premium inside and oceanview cabins on newer ships also include it. Standard inside and oceanview cabins do not. If your confirmation does not say WiFi is included, assume you will need to purchase it.

Crown & Anchor loyalty status and free WiFi

Princess's loyalty program, Crown & Anchor Society, grants free WiFi to members at Gold level and above. You reach Gold by earning 10 cruise days within a calendar year, or by holding elite status from a previous year. Platinum, Elite, and Diamond members also receive free WiFi.

If you are a new cruiser or have not sailed with Princess in the past year, you start at the base level (no free WiFi). You can check your status by logging into your Crown & Anchor account on the Princess website. If you are close to Gold status and plan to sail again within the same calendar year, reaching it before your next cruise will unlock free WiFi on that sailing.

How to buy WiFi before you board

Purchasing WiFi through the Princess website before your sailing date is cheaper than buying it onboard. Log into your account, find your booking, and look for the "Onboard Purchases" or "WiFi" section. You will see the available plans and their prices.

Select the plan you want — daily, weekly, or monthly — and complete the purchase. The WiFi will be activated on your account and ready when you board. You can also call 1-800-PRINCESS to purchase over the phone if you prefer not to use the website.

WiFi plans and what each one covers

Princess offers three main WiFi tiers: Standard, Premium, and Surf. Standard WiFi is the cheapest option and covers email, messaging, web browsing, and social media. It does not support video streaming, video calls, or large file downloads. Premium WiFi is faster and allows light streaming and video calls, though heavy streaming may still buffer. Surf is the fastest tier and is designed for passengers who need to upload or read large files or do heavy streaming.

Pricing for Standard WiFi is typically $7 to $8 per day when purchased onboard, or around $50 to $60 per week. Premium costs more per day. Surf is the most expensive option. Buying a weekly or monthly pass is cheaper per day than buying daily passes one at a time. If you purchase before boarding, you will usually save 20 to 30 percent compared to onboard prices.

How to connect once you are onboard

When you board the ship, open your phone or laptop's WiFi settings and look for the network name (SSID) that matches your ship's name. Select it and open a web browser. You will be taken to a login page where you enter your Crown & Anchor number or the email address associated with your booking.

If you purchased WiFi before boarding, your account will show it as active and you will be connected when ready. If you did not purchase it yet and want to buy it onboard, you can do so through the same login page. The WiFi signal varies by location on the ship — it is usually strongest in public areas like the atrium, dining rooms, and pool deck, and weaker in cabins and lower decks.

Alternatives if WiFi is too slow or unreliable

Princess ships have cellular coverage when in port or near land, so you can use your phone's data plan to send messages or check email during those times. This is free if you have an international data plan, but roaming charges can be high depending on your carrier. Check with your phone company before you sail to understand what you will be charged.

Some passengers bring a portable WiFi hotspot device that works on cellular networks, though again, roaming charges explore. Another option is to wait until the ship docks and use free WiFi at a port terminal or nearby café. If you need reliable internet for work during your cruise, the Surf plan is your best onboard option, though even it can be slow during peak hours when many passengers are online at once.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use my phone's data plan instead of buying WiFi?

Yes, but international roaming charges are usually very expensive. Check with your carrier before sailing to see what they charge per megabyte or per day. Many passengers find it cheaper to buy a weekly WiFi pass than to use roaming data for a week-long cruise.

Does free WiFi work in my cabin?

Free WiFi works throughout the ship, but the signal is often weaker in cabins, especially inside cabins and those on lower decks. You will have better speed and reliability in public areas like the atrium, dining rooms, and pool deck.

What happens if I buy WiFi but it does not work?

Contact the front desk or the WiFi support desk onboard. They can troubleshoot your connection, restart your device, or re-authenticate your account. If the problem cannot be fixed, you may be issued a credit for the unused portion of your plan.

Can I share my WiFi login with other passengers?

Princess's terms of service do not allow sharing login credentials. Each passenger is expected to have their own account. Sharing may result in your access being suspended or your account being charged for multiple devices.

Is WiFi included if I book a group cruise?

Group bookings do not automatically include free WiFi unless your cabin type or loyalty status qualifies. Check your group booking confirmation or contact the group coordinator to see what is included in your package.