Daily internet prices to increase!

[MissP22]

1 hour ago, TM said:

I just don't understand why all the fuss about internet.  Certainly no one likes to see these kind of price increases.  But for those of us that have cruised for many years, we certainly got by before all the smart phones and tablets proliferated our society.  Yes, as elite we had "x" number of minutes to use in the internet cafe.  I used it to check e-mails and that was about it.  On our last cruise we did not have an internet package and survived with no problem.  We did connect to free wi-fi in several ports but didn't feel that we missed out on anything.  I guess it's just a case of "to each his own."

On our last cruise we missed out on a great deal at my local supermarket for toilet paper. If only I had known before the sale had ended.  🤪

[XuGator]

Can you just buy 1 device and use the hotspot feature on your phone to feed any other devices you want to use?

Edited January 19 by XuGator

[Therese S.]

3 hours ago, PacnGoNow said:

I have my 2026 cruises blocked

from booking internet.  It WAS open, they just closed it, probably due to the new increase. 

Take another look at your 2026 cruise as I was just able to book/pay for internet on our March 2026 cruise at the current rate.  

[dreams_of_travel]

Why can't you use your OBC to book the wifi?  Why do I have to charge it to a credit card? 🤦🏻‍♀️

[voljeep]

3 minutes ago, dreams_of_travel said:

Why can't you use your OBC to book the wifi?  Why do I have to charge it to a credit card? 🤦🏻‍♀️

OBC = "ON BOARD CREDIT" - used for activities, services, etc which are performed "ON BOARD"

 

EXcursions are not "ON BOARD" ... so OBC can be used for those prior to being "ON BOARD"

[PacnGoNow]

14 minutes ago, Therese S. said:

Take another look at your 2026 cruise as I was just able to book/pay for internet on our March 2026 cruise at the current rate.  

Thanks!  They just updated the new App.  Was able to purchase with Elite discount.  👍🏻 

[richstowe]

16 hours ago, ZoeyVictoria said:

The last time I called them, two weeks ago, the rep tried to talk me into upgrading to premium at a cost of $2,240.00 for fourteen days. I told him three times it makes no sense because we are non-drinkers, but he just kept reading the script. I will do almost anything to avoid calling again!  I just used the app and paid full price. 

 

 

Edited to add:  I really appreciate all of the good info that is shared on Cruise Critic, thank you all. 

 

I am very willing to stay on the phone for the "quick survey" so as to properly give feedback for reps like this . 👎

[Gaynors]

Thanks for the tip on the price increase!!  I was trying to wait until boarding to purchase the one device plan but did so today using the app and had no problem getting my platinum discount.

A big savings $$$ on my 32 night sapphire cruise in April.

Love cruise critic for helping fellow members out!

[Therese S.]

1 hour ago, karatemom2 said:

Grateful that I saw this discussion. I just went on my app and purchased in advance with our Elite discount for our upcoming summer cruise. I feel like Princess is trying to bully those of us who opt out of the packages - at some point we will just give in and decide it is the most affordable option. Maybe instead you will just bully me over to another line once my Elite benefits aren't as attractive as they once were. Already looking at some Celebrity and NCL cruise options this year. They have some nice casino offers as well.

 

You are so right! but Princess will never get me to purchases any of the packages.  Packages are still in Princess favor and always will be and  I can’t justify the cost. As long as I can pre-purchase water, soda and alcohol Im good.  And if they take that away I have other ways 🙂 

 

I am also looking at other cruise lines now that another poster has described how easy it is to take Amtrak from Sacramento to San Diego.  

[MsSoCalCruiser]

10 hours ago, dog said:

 

He said it.

🤣 it was 4 AM and I couldn’t sleep… I missed that part. 🤣

[dreams_of_travel]

17 minutes ago, voljeep said:

OBC = "ON BOARD CREDIT" - used for activities, services, etc which are performed "ON BOARD"

 

EXcursions are not "ON BOARD" ... so OBC can be used for those prior to being "ON BOARD"

 

Thanks for that explanation.  So any specialty dining reservations have to also be paid with a card vs using OBC?  That's quite annoying IMO.  I have credits that are use or lose, and I have to wait until onboard to use them 😛  which of course works in Princess' favor if I wait to book the higher cost wifi onboard. 🙄

[helenb]

1 hour ago, XuGator said:

Can you just buy 1 device and use the hotspot feature on your phone to feed any other devices you want to use?

 On our recent cruise, 3 of us shared a single 'one device wifi' package. I purchased on my device. When my husband or son tried to load an internet page on their laptops, they were shunted to a page that asked for their credentials. IIRC, they only needed our stateroom number and my birthday to login and use my wifi package.

 

Of course, logging in would kick off anyone who was already using it, and there was no popup warning. But we would verbally discuss who was using it when with each other, and all 3 of us were able to share.

Edited January 19 by helenb

[Gaynors]

I couldn't buy the wifi for my 2025 cruise on the website but was able to on the new app by logging out then using my booking number to log in.   When I log in using my username and password only my 2024 cruise shows up??  I know on the old app I could see both.

 

Either way was able to book the internet for the 2025 cruise,  I wasn't sure I was even going to book internet but at least now I'm locked in at the lower rate.   If I decide I don't need it (fairly port intensive itinerary which I should have phone service in the ports) I can always cancel... up to 72 hrs before the cruise.

[dlh015]

2 hours ago, XuGator said:

Can you just buy 1 device and use the hotspot feature on your phone to feed any other devices you want to use?

Sure. However, I bring a laptop to use as my hotspot...I've had 4 devices attached to that hotspot with no issues...my phone, a firestick, a fire tablet and my paperwhite reader...

[MissP22]

1 hour ago, Therese S. said:

You are so right! but Princess will never get me to purchases any of the packages.  Packages are still in Princess favor and always will be and  I can’t justify the cost. As long as I can pre-purchase water, soda and alcohol Im good.  And if they take that away I have other ways 🙂 

 

 

So true. 😆

[richstowe]

3 hours ago, karatemom2 said:

Grateful that I saw this discussion.

Yup! Just purchased single device for my upcoming cruise. And this is why CC is still useful !

1 hour ago, helenb said:

 On our recent cruise, 3 of us shared a single 'one device wifi' package. I purchased on my device. When my husband or son tried to load an internet page on their laptops, they were shunted to a page that asked for their credentials. IIRC, they only needed our stateroom number and my birthday to login and use my wifi package.

 

Of course, logging in would kick off anyone who was already using it, and there was no popup warning. But we would verbally discuss who was using it when with each other, and all 3 of us were able to share.

 

30 minutes ago, dlh015 said:

 I bring a laptop to use as my hotspot...I've had 4 devices attached to that hotspot with no issues...my phone, a firestick, a fire tablet and my paperwhite reader...

Excellent advice .

[Jadn13]

Saved $695 by pre paying for Wifi for 2024 and 2025. 
Thank You for starting this thread! 

[Jemnibabe02]

7 minutes ago, Jadn13 said:

Saved $695 by pre paying for Wifi for 2024 and 2025. 
Thank You for starting this thread! 

May I ask how you paid for the wifi? Was it done on the app or did you have to call Princess?TIA

[1965]

3 minutes ago, Jemnibabe02 said:

May I ask how you paid for the wifi? Was it done on the app or did you have to call Princess?TIA

I'm not the jadn 13 but I can tell you I pre paid for my medallion net on the app this morning. 

Edited January 19 by 1965

[Jadn13]

4 minutes ago, Jemnibabe02 said:

May I ask how you paid for the wifi? Was it done on the app or did you have to call Princess?TIA

I had to call. My Captain Circle Level is incorrect in the App. It took an hour but it was well worth the time.

[sunviking90]

2 hours ago, voljeep said:

OBC = "ON BOARD CREDIT" - used for activities, services, etc which are performed "ON BOARD"

 

EXcursions are not "ON BOARD" ... so OBC can be used for those prior to being "ON BOARD"

Other cruiselines including Celebrity do allow you to pre purchase onboard expenses such as spa, wifi, etc with OBC so that is why this question gets asked.

[mtnesterz]

2 hours ago, Therese S. said:

You are so right! but Princess will never get me to purchases any of the packages.  Packages are still in Princess favor and always will be and  I can’t justify the cost. As long as I can pre-purchase water, soda and alcohol Im good.  And if they take that away I have other ways 🙂 

 

I am also looking at other cruise lines now that another poster has described how easy it is to take Amtrak from Sacramento to San Diego.  

If you are looking to get to San Diego on Amtrak, you might enjoy reading the thread I started over on the HAL board. Likely for the same reason you are looking.

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2981876-hal-sail-times-out-of-san-diego-and-amtrak/#comment-66667826

Also, just today, saw Allison from Let's Go, Travel Tips. No more pre-purchased water bottles on Princess. Starts about 7:00. https://youtu.be/rnSgJ4ExyQI?feature=shared

Edited January 19 by mtnesterz

[sunviking90]

1 hour ago, dreams_of_travel said:

 

Thanks for that explanation.  So any specialty dining reservations have to also be paid with a card vs using OBC?  That's quite annoying IMO.  I have credits that are use or lose, and I have to wait until onboard to use them 😛  which of course works in Princess' favor if I wait to book the higher cost wifi onboard. 🙄

I agree it is annoying. We have  LOT of OBC for our upcoming transpacific cruise and I had planned to use it to buy wifi once onboard. I may still wait for the sea days to buy. Will still be less than buying for the whole voyage now.

[dog]

5 minutes ago, sunviking90 said:

Other cruiselines including Celebrity do allow you to pre purchase onboard expenses such as spa, wifi, etc with OBC so that is why this question gets asked.

Voljeep kindly gave the correct answer for Princess Cruises, in the Princess Forum.

[Sea Hag]

22 hours ago, reedprincess said:

The discount,, if not being applied T time of purchase, is refunded aboard as OBC. You'll have to go to Guest Services or do a Crew Chat to get it applied. 

I can never get the discount booking through the app, even though I'm elite. In my past experience, the 50% discount shows up on my onboard account. What I'm wondering now is this. I already purchased the package at the old price through the app, without the discount. Will my 50% credit show up as 50% of what I paid, or will they do some kind of nonsense about crediting me less because the current price is more. Hmmm. I wonder.