Staying connected on a cruise is different from staying connected at home. Once a Princess cruise ship leaves port, passengers have several ways to communicate with family, friends, and other guests. The right option depends on whether you want to contact someone who is traveling with you or someone who is back home.
So, how do passengers communicate on a Princess cruise?
Passengers can communicate through the Princess Cruises app and its onboard MedallionClass features, including OceanCompass and shipmate messaging. For communication with people back home, passengers can use MedallionNet Wi-Fi for internet-based messaging, video chats, email, social media, and other online services. Cellular service through Cellular at Sea is another option when available and appropriate for your mobile carrier.
Understanding these options before boarding can help you choose the right way to stay in touch without paying for connectivity you do not need.
Princess Cruises uses MedallionClass technology to make communication between passengers easier.
The Princess Cruises app works with the Medallion experience and includes features designed to help passengers find and communicate with people traveling with them.
One of the most useful features is OceanCompass. It can provide directions around the ship, help passengers locate shipmates, and allow eligible shipmates to communicate through messaging.
For families or groups traveling together, this can be much more convenient than trying to arrange a meeting place every time someone moves to another part of the ship.
The Princess Cruises app is the central digital tool for many onboard services.
Before your cruise, Princess recommends downloading the app and completing the necessary pre-cruise information. Once onboard, the app can provide access to MedallionClass features and other cruise services.
Depending on the available features, passengers can use the app to:
The app is free to download, but that does not mean every internet-based service is free.
OceanCompass is a Princess MedallionClass feature designed to help passengers navigate the ship and stay connected with their group.
Princess states that OceanCompass can provide wayfinding and shipmate-location functions. The app also allows shipmates to communicate through messaging.
This can be especially helpful on a large cruise ship.
For example, imagine that one family member is near the pool while another is at a restaurant. Instead of calling or walking around the ship looking for each other, they may be able to use the app's shipmate features to locate and message one another.
Yes. Princess specifically describes onboard communication features that allow parents to chat or text with their children on MedallionClass ships. The Medallion technology also supports location-related features for families.
Parents should review the current app settings and applicable age or consent requirements because Princess's app terms include specific rules for minors and shipmate communication.
Princess provides onboard shipmate messaging through its MedallionClass experience.
However, passengers should understand the difference between onboard app communication and general internet access.
Princess's app terms state that shipmate messaging is a feature of OceanCompass, while internet services such as broader online communication are handled through MedallionNet.
Therefore, if your only goal is to communicate with people traveling on the same ship, you may not need the same internet package required for someone who wants to browse the web or message people at home.
Communication with friends and family who are not on the ship is different.
Princess offers MedallionNet Wi-Fi, which provides internet access onboard. Princess says MedallionNet can be used for texting, video chat, sharing photos, email, social media, streaming, and browsing.
This means passengers who want to stay connected with people at home can use internet-based communication services through an appropriate Wi-Fi connection.
Examples include:
The availability and performance of specific applications can vary, so passengers should check the current onboard internet terms before relying on a particular service.
MedallionNet is Princess Cruises' onboard internet service.
Princess describes it as high-speed Wi-Fi available throughout the ship. It supports activities such as browsing, messaging, video chatting, photo sharing and streaming.
MedallionNet can be purchased separately, while certain Princess packages include Wi-Fi benefits.
According to Princess's current information, MedallionNet Max is included with Princess Plus and Princess Premier packages, with different device allowances.
Depending on your package and the service's current terms, you can use onboard internet to:
Princess notes that internet speeds can vary by destination.
Yes, but passengers should be careful about how cellular service is used at sea.
Princess explains that Cellular at Sea can provide cellular talk, text and data services once the ship is in international waters, depending on the passenger's carrier and service availability.
This means your normal mobile phone may work during parts of the voyage, but your regular land-based cellular plan may not work the same way at sea.
Cruise cellular service can involve roaming or maritime charges depending on your carrier and plan.
Before sailing, check:
If you want predictable internet costs, a cruise Wi-Fi package may be easier to manage.
Passengers have several communication choices, but traditional cellular calling is not necessarily the simplest option while at sea.
For communication between people onboard, the Princess app and shipmate features can be useful.
For calls to people outside the ship, passengers can use internet-based calling or video-chat services when their Wi-Fi package and the onboard network support those services.
Princess notes that some high-bandwidth applications, including certain voice-over-IP services, may be restricted on selected ships.
Because of this, passengers who need reliable calling should check the current connectivity information before their cruise.
WhatsApp can be used when you have suitable internet access.
The important point is that WhatsApp communication with someone back home uses internet connectivity. Having the Princess Cruises app does not automatically provide unlimited internet access to every third-party application.
MedallionNet is the Princess service designed for broader internet connectivity, including messaging and video chat.
If you only want to communicate with another passenger on your ship, the Princess app's shipmate messaging features may be a more appropriate option.
Finding another passenger can be difficult on a large cruise ship, particularly when different family members are participating in separate activities.
Princess's OceanCompass feature can help passengers locate shipmates and navigate to different areas of the ship. The system can also support messaging between shipmates.
The location functionality has privacy controls. Princess's app terms explain that users can choose whether their location is hidden from guests outside their travel party.
This gives passengers more control over how their location information is shared.
The Princess Medallion is a wearable device used as part of the MedallionClass experience.
Princess says the Medallion can support several onboard functions, including:
When paired with the Princess app, it can help passengers stay connected with their group.
The Medallion is therefore more than simply an identification device. It forms part of the technology Princess uses to connect passengers with onboard services.
The Princess Cruises app is free to download.
Princess recommends downloading and updating the app before your cruise. The company also states that the app may be downloaded or updated onboard at no cost while connected to the ship's MedallionNet network.
However, passengers should not confuse the free app with free unrestricted internet.
The app provides access to Princess's digital services, while internet access for activities such as browsing and communicating with people at home may require MedallionNet or an included Wi-Fi benefit.
The best method depends on who you need to contact.
The Princess app and shipmate features can be useful for locating and messaging family members onboard.
MedallionNet is the more relevant option for internet-based messaging, email, social media and video calls.
Cellular at Sea may be an option, depending on your carrier and location.
Check your Princess package before sailing and determine whether Wi-Fi is already included.
This approach can help you avoid buying an unnecessary connectivity package.
Preparing your phone before boarding can make communication much easier.
Install the Princess Cruises app before leaving home and sign into your account.
Use the app to complete applicable OceanReady requirements before boarding.
If you are traveling with family or friends, make sure you understand how to add or communicate with your shipmates through the app.
Review your booking to see whether your fare or package includes MedallionNet Max.
Ask your carrier about Cellular at Sea and roaming charges if you plan to use your phone's cellular service.
If you expect to spend time without internet access, save important travel information, booking details and emergency contact information on your phone before boarding.
If the Princess app or Wi-Fi is not working correctly, first check that your phone is connected to the correct onboard network and that the app is updated.
Princess recommends switching the device to Airplane Mode, turning Wi-Fi on, selecting MedallionNet and following the connection instructions.
If you still cannot connect, speak with a crew member or Guest Services.
Princess also says that onboard how-to videos may be available through stateroom TVs.
Communication MethodMain UseMay Require Paid Internet
Princess Cruises AppCruise services and onboard communicationNot necessarily
OceanCompassFind and message shipmatesNot necessarily
MedallionLocation and onboard connectivity featuresNo separate purchase for the device
MedallionNetInternet, messaging, email and video chatYes, unless included
Cellular at SeaCellular calls, texts and dataCarrier-dependent
Stateroom TV and ship portalsAccess selected onboard servicesNo separate internet package for those functions
The exact availability of features can change, so passengers should check their sailing's current Princess information before departure. Princess states that application features and availability are subject to change.
Passengers can communicate through the Princess Cruises app, OceanCompass shipmate messaging, MedallionClass features, MedallionNet Wi-Fi and, where available, cellular service through Cellular at Sea.
Yes. Princess provides shipmate messaging through its OceanCompass and MedallionClass experience. This can help passengers communicate with family and friends who are traveling on the same ship.
Onboard shipmate communication is different from general internet access. Princess provides messaging features through its MedallionClass experience, while internet-based communication with people at home generally uses MedallionNet or another applicable connection.
Yes. You can use your phone through the ship's Wi-Fi and, when available, Cellular at Sea. Princess advises passengers to check their carrier information and understand applicable cellular charges.
Yes, when you have an appropriate internet connection. WhatsApp messages and calls to people outside the ship require internet connectivity, so an applicable Wi-Fi or cellular connection may be necessary.
Princess currently states that MedallionNet Max is included with Princess Plus, with one device per guest in a stateroom. Princess Premier includes four devices per guest in a stateroom.
Yes. Princess states that parents can use the MedallionClass app to chat or text with their children onboard, and Medallion technology supports location features for families.
Check that your phone is in Airplane Mode with Wi-Fi enabled, select the MedallionNet network and follow the connection instructions. If the problem continues, ask a crew member for assistance.
Passengers have several ways to communicate on a Princess cruise, and the right option depends on who they need to reach.
For communication with people traveling on the same ship, the Princess Cruises app, OceanCompass and MedallionClass shipmate features can make it easier to locate and message family and friends. For communication with people back home, MedallionNet provides internet access for messaging, email, video chat, social media and other online activities. Cellular at Sea can provide another option when supported by the passenger's mobile carrier.
The smartest approach is to decide what type of communication you actually need before boarding. If you only need to find family members around the ship, you may not need the same connectivity package as someone who plans to make video calls, work online or stream content throughout the voyage.
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