When you head out to sea, it’s natural to wonder how you’ll stay in touch with people back home. Many guests ask whether there is phone service on Princess ships, how onboard calls work, and what it costs to use the cabin phone or their own cell phone. Understanding the basics of communication, satellite phone coverage, and ship calls can help you avoid surprises on your bill.
The short answer: yes, Princess does provide ways to make phone calls and stay connected, but most options involve special networks and extra charges. You should treat calls and texts made at sea differently from your normal land-based usage.
One of the most common questions is: does Princess Cruises offer cell service onboard?
Modern cruise ships, including many Princess vessels, are equipped with at-sea cellular systems that work via satellite phone and maritime networks. When you’re far from land, your phone may show a network name different from your usual provider, often labeled as a “cellular at sea” or similar service. This allows:
Voice calls
Text messages (SMS)
Sometimes limited data
However, this is not part of your regular mobile plan in most cases. Charges for at-sea phone service are typically much higher than standard roaming rates, because they route over satellites rather than land towers. Your home carrier bills you, but the rates are determined by special cruise or maritime agreements.
Because of this, any time your phone shows a ship or maritime network, you should assume you’re incurring premium charges unless your carrier clearly confirms otherwise.
There are several ways how to make phone calls on Princess ships, depending on whether you want to use your own cell, the ship’s system, or internet-based options.
If you leave your phone in normal roaming mode, it may connect to the ship’s phone service network when available. You can then:
Dial numbers as you normally would
Send and receive texts
But remember:
You are billed by your home carrier at maritime roaming rates.
These per-minute and per-message costs can be high.
You should check your carrier’s cruise or maritime roaming policies before sailing.
Each cabin typically has a phone that can be used for onboard calls (to other cabins, room service, guest services) and ship calls to shore.
This is often the simplest way to place a direct call if you do not want to use your mobile device.
If you purchase a Wi-Fi package, you may be able to use:
App-based calling (e.g., WhatsApp audio, Wi-Fi calling, or other internet calling apps, depending on ship policies and your provider)
This method routes calls over data instead of traditional phone service, and costs will depend on:
The Wi-Fi plan you buy from Princess
Whether your calling app is supported or restricted
It’s a useful alternative to maritime cellular calling, but still not “free” unless your Wi-Fi plan is already purchased and supports that usage.
The cost of using cabin phone on Princess can vary depending on:
Whether the call is internal (within the ship) or external (to land-based numbers)
The destination country you’re calling
Current pricing set by Princess and the ship’s satellite provider
In general:
Calls between cabins or to onboard services are usually free of extra charge or included as part of your onboard experience.
Calls to landlines or mobile numbers off the ship often incur per-minute fees, which can be relatively high due to satellite costs.
You’ll typically find specific pricing details:
In the information booklet or directory in your cabin
On the ship’s TV info channel
At Guest Services if you want to confirm rates before dialing
Because the phone service connects through satellite, it’s wise to treat external calls from your cabin phone as a premium option for important or short conversations rather than casual chat.
When it comes to onboard phone and texting options Princess ships provide, you can think of three main paths:
Ship’s cabin phone and internal phones
Good for contacting Guest Services, restaurants, or other cabins.
Usually no extra charge for internal calls.
Charges apply for off-ship calls.
Cellular at sea service
Lets you use your mobile phone normally, but at maritime roaming rates.
Controlled by your mobile carrier and can be expensive.
Works when the ship’s cellular system is active and you have roaming turned on.
Wi-Fi and app-based communication
Once you buy a Wi-Fi plan, you may use messaging and calling apps to stay in touch.
Good for chatting with people at home without using traditional phone service.
Quality and reliability can vary based on coverage and bandwidth.
Some guests even choose to avoid traditional calling altogether and rely purely on messaging apps and email while at sea.
If your goal is contacting shore from Princess cruise, you have several options depending on urgency and budget:
Cabin phone external call Direct, but may be costly per minute. Good for short, important calls (e.g., emergencies, time-critical issues).
Cellular at sea voice call Also high-cost, but convenient if you’re comfortable with maritime roaming charges.
Wi-Fi calling or messaging apps Purchase a Wi-Fi plan and use internet-based calling or texting to reach people at home. This can be more cost-effective than satellite voice rates, particularly if you’ll be online for other reasons anyway.
Email or messaging only Many guests simply use messaging apps or emails for non-urgent contact, avoiding traditional calls.
Whichever method you choose, it’s smart to decide your strategy before you sail so you’re not surprised by fees once you start using communication services onboard.
To make the most of phone service, onboard calls, and ship calls without overspending, consider these tips:
Check with your mobile carrier before sailing Ask specifically about cruise or maritime roaming packages and rates for does Princess Cruises offer cell service onboard situations.
Use airplane mode when you don’t want roaming Turn on airplane mode and enable Wi-Fi only if you want to avoid accidental maritime charges while still using Wi-Fi.
Plan ahead how you’ll contact shore Decide whether you will use cabin phones, cellular systems, or a Wi-Fi plan for contacting shore from Princess cruise.
Use onboard chat or apps for shipboard communication To talk with other guests on your ship, you may be able to use app-based chat features instead of paid calls.
Keep calls short if using satellite-based options If you must use the cabin phone or at-sea cellular for an external call, try to keep conversations brief to control costs.
Yes, Princess does provide phone service and several communication options at sea:
Cabin phones for onboard calls and ship calls to shore
Maritime cell service that allows your mobile phone to work via satellite at roaming rates
Wi-Fi-based options that enable app calling and messaging
However, because these systems depend on satellite phone networks, they can be expensive for external calls and texts. Understanding how to make phone calls on Princess ships, typical cost of using cabin phone on Princess, and the variety of onboard phone and texting options Princess offers will help you choose the best way of contacting shore from Princess cruise without shock when you see your bill.
1. Does Princess Cruises offer cell service onboard?
Yes, many Princess ships provide cell service onboard through a maritime network. Your phone connects via satellite phone systems, and your home carrier bills you at special cruise or maritime roaming rates.
2. How can I make phone calls on Princess ships?
You can use your mobile phone via the ship’s cellular network, use the cabin phone for onboard calls or ship calls to shore, or use internet-based calling if you purchase a Wi-Fi package.
3. What is the cost of using cabin phone on Princess?
Internal calls within the ship are usually included, but calls to shore are charged per minute at satellite-based rates. Exact costs are listed in your cabin information or available from Guest Services.
4. What onboard phone and texting options does Princess offer?
Princess offers cabin phones, maritime cellular service for your mobile, and the option to use Wi-Fi for app-based calling and messaging, giving you different ways to stay in touch while cruising.
5. How can I contact shore from a Princess cruise without overspending?
Plan ahead: consider Wi-Fi-based apps for most communication, keep satellite-based calls short, and check with your mobile carrier about maritime roaming rates before using your phone at sea.
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