Princess Cruises has announced a $5 / £3 per person, per day price increase for its popular Princess Plus and Princess Premier packages, effective for sailings departing on or after 13th October 2026. The cruise line is also revamping its standalone WiFi offerings, introducing a new two-device option whilst discontinuing the four-device package for passengers who don’t purchase the top-tier Premier bundle.
The price adjustments represent a notable shift for Princess Cruises’ bundled package structure, which has become increasingly popular among passengers seeking predictable costs and enhanced onboard experiences. Princess Plus will rise from $65 to $70 per person, per day when purchased before sailing, whilst the onboard purchase price climbs from $70 to $75 daily.
For UK sailings, those prices will increase from £50 to £53 if bought before the cruise, and £55 to £58 if bought onboard.
For passengers considering the more comprehensive Princess Premier package, pre-cruise pricing will increase from $100 to $105 per person, per day. Those who wait to purchase onboard will see rates rise from $105 to $110 daily, making advance planning even more financially advantageous for cruisers.
UK cruisers will pay £78 for Princess Premier (up from £75), or £83 per day if bought onboard.
Premium Ships Already Operating Under Higher Rate Structure
Interestingly, the cruise line’s newest vessels – Sun Princess and Star Princess – have already been operating under a higher pricing model, with rates $5 above the standard fleet. These premium ships currently charge $70 pre-cruise and $75 onboard for Princess Plus, and $105 pre-cruise and $110 onboard for Princess Premier.
Following the October 2026 implementation, these newest ships will see their prices increase further to $75 pre-cruise and $80 onboard for Princess Plus, whilst Princess Premier will reach $110 pre-cruise and $115 onboard per day. This tiered pricing structure reflects the enhanced amenities and newer infrastructure available aboard the line’s most modern vessels, which feature cutting-edge technology and expanded dining venues.
Again, UK cruisers pay more, so Princess Plus costs £58 or £63 per day, while Premier costs £83 or £88, depending on if you buy the package before sailing on once onboard.
Comprehensive Benefits Remain Intact Despite Price Increases
Despite the price increases, both packages will maintain their comprehensive benefit structures. Princess Plus continues to bundle unlimited beverages including cocktails, beer, wine, and specialty coffees, casual dining at select venues, unlimited room service, crew appreciation (gratuities), and WiFi connectivity for one device.
The package represents a convenient option for passengers who want to enjoy enhanced amenities without reaching for their wallet repeatedly throughout the voyage.
Princess Premier elevates the experience considerably, incorporating everything from Princess Plus whilst adding unlimited specialty dining across all premium restaurants, unlimited alcoholic beverages throughout the ship, shore excursion credits of $100 to $200 per port (depending on cruise length), reserved theatre seating for production shows, professional photo packages capturing memories throughout the sailing, and upgraded WiFi allowing connection of up to four devices.
This premium tier has proven particularly attractive to passengers on longer voyages where the cumulative value of included benefits can significantly exceed the package cost. Industry executives justify the pricing adjustments as necessary adaptations to evolving market conditions.
“We periodically review our offerings to ensure they continue to provide meaningful benefits whilst reflecting changes in our operating environment,” explained Carmen Roig, Senior Vice President, North America Sales and Trade Marketing for Princess Cruises, in correspondence to travel advisors. “We believe both packages offer strong value.”
MedallionNet WiFi Structure Undergoes Significant Restructuring
The changes to Princess Cruises’ WiFi offerings represent perhaps the most substantial shift in connectivity options since the line introduced its MedallionNet service. Operating on SpaceX’s Starlink satellite internet infrastructure, MedallionNet has earned widespread praise from passengers for delivering genuinely high-speed connectivity at sea, rivalling shore-side internet performance in many cases.
The most significant alteration involves the complete discontinuation of the standalone four-device WiFi package. Passengers requiring connectivity for four devices simultaneously will now need to upgrade to Princess Premier, making the top-tier bundle the exclusive path to multi-device connectivity for families or business travellers managing multiple gadgets.
New Two-Device Option Fills Middle Ground In Connectivity Tiers
In place of the eliminated four-device standalone option, Princess is introducing a new two-device package positioned between the single-device and Premier-inclusive offerings. This new tier will cost $39.99 per person, per day when purchased before the cruise begins, representing a middle ground for couples or individuals with both a phone and tablet or laptop.
Passengers who wait until embarkation will pay $47.99 per day for the two-device package when purchasing for the full voyage duration. Those seeking even more flexibility can opt for single-day purchases at $55.99, though this option proves considerably more expensive over a week-long cruise.
The tiered pricing structure clearly incentivises advance planning and full-voyage commitments over day-by-day purchasing decisions.
Single-Device WiFi Rates Also Increase Under New Structure
The one-device WiFi package, likely the most popular standalone connectivity option for solo travellers or couples willing to share access, will see pricing adjustments across all purchase scenarios. Pre-cruise pricing will settle at $27.99 per day, whilst passengers purchasing onboard for the full voyage will pay $33.99 daily.
Single-day purchases of the one-device package will cost $39.99, making this option suitable primarily for passengers who need occasional connectivity rather than continuous access throughout their sailing. The pricing structure continues Princess’s strategy of rewarding advance planning and longer-term commitments with more favourable rates.
Strategic Positioning Reflects Broader Industry Pricing Trends
Princess Cruises’ pricing adjustments align with broader trends across the cruise industry, where lines have increasingly moved toward bundled packages that simplify the booking process whilst generating predictable revenue streams. The all-inclusive model, pioneered by luxury and premium lines, has gradually filtered down to contemporary cruise operators seeking to enhance the passenger experience whilst maintaining financial transparency.
The cruise industry has faced mounting operational costs in recent years, from fuel price volatility to enhanced health protocols and crew welfare improvements. Package pricing adjustments allow cruise lines to maintain service levels and amenities whilst adapting to these evolving cost pressures.
Princess’s approach of periodic, modest increases rather than dramatic sudden jumps represents an effort to manage passenger expectations whilst addressing financial realities.
Implementation Timeline Provides Ample Planning Opportunity
With the changes taking effect for voyages departing on or after 13th October 2026, passengers have considerable time to evaluate their options and potentially lock in current pricing for sailings booked before the implementation date. This extended notice period reflects Princess’s commitment to transparency and allows travel advisors and direct bookers to make informed decisions about package purchases.
Passengers with existing bookings for voyages departing after the October 2026 date who have already purchased packages at current rates will likely honour those prices, though Princess has not explicitly addressed this scenario in public communications. Those considering Princess sailings in late 2026 or beyond may wish to consult with travel advisors about the optimal timing for package purchases.
The WiFi changes will similarly take effect from 13th October 2026, giving passengers time to understand the new structure and determine which connectivity option best suits their needs. For Princess Premier purchasers, the four-device WiFi access remains unchanged, potentially adding value to that top-tier package as standalone multi-device options disappear.
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