More and more
travelers are availing themselves of flexible work arrangements by taking bleisure
or hush trips, with 74 percent of Americans who work remotely saying that would
consider a “workcation”, according to a recent Harris Poll data. And, with Princess
Cruises’ recently announced MedallionNet
Max premium wi-fi service powered by Starlink now available on all voyages,
now is the time to take that extended cruise vacation you’ve been dreaming of,
secure in the knowledge that you’ve got uninterrupted internet access as you
explore the world.
Included in the
Princess Plus and Princess Premier packages, the MedallionNet Max service provides
enhanced onboard connectivity designed to answer the increased demand of today’s
digitally dialed-in guests. Princess has emphasized that this upgraded internet
experience is especially valuable for those passengers seeking the flexibility to
work while sailing on longer journeys, such as its World Cruises, Journeys
Far & Away, Immersive Itineraries and Ocean Crossings. No
matter how remote their destination, this premier wi-fi capability affords
guests the ability to take the office with them as they experience all corners
of the globe.
"Today's
travelers are increasingly drawn to longer, more immersive experiences, often
in remote or bucket-list destinations, without wanting to disconnect from their
digital lives," said Terry Thornton, Chief Commercial Officer of
Princess Cruises. "MedallionNet Max ensures that connectivity is never an
issue, and when combined with the Princess Premier package, which offers
unlimited beverages and specialty dining, it makes longer voyages not only
feasible but incredibly rewarding."
Meanwhile,
Princess has also quietly raised its daily crew gratuity charges by $1 across
all stateroom categories, according to Cruise
Radio. Although the amount may seem modest, it represents roughly a six-percent
hike in passengers’ daily gratuities charges for various cabin types.
The new rates are
as follows:
| Accommodation
Type | Previous Rate | New Rate | Increase |
|
Premium Suites
|
18
|
19
|
5.6%
|
|
Reserve
Collection (Mini-Suites, Cabanas and Club-Class Staterooms):
|
17
|
18
|
5.9%
|
|
Interior,
Oceanview and Balcony Stateroom
|
16
|
17
|
6.3%
|
Although the
cruise line did not announce the change, the updated gratuity rates are now
reflected on Princess’ website, on the Crew Appreciation and Service Charge
pages.
However,
passengers who have already booked their cruises are locked in under the
previous pricing, and those who have opted for the Princess Premier and
Princess Plus packages will not be affected, as gratuities are already included
in these bundles.
The last increase
in Princess Cruises’ gratuity rates occurred in December 2022, when daily
charges rose by $1.50 across all stateroom categories. This latest adjustment
follows similar moves by other cruise lines, including Princess’ sister company,
Holland America Line, which also raised its gratuities by six to nine percent
earlier this year.
For the latest travel news, updates and deals, subscribe to the daily TravelPulse newsletter.
Topics From This Article to Explore
