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How Do I Add Friends on the Princess Cruise App?

  • Michael Rodriguez
  • 6 min read

Traveling with friends can make a Princess cruise even more enjoyable, but staying connected with everyone is important once you are onboard. The Princess Cruises App includes features designed to help guests connect with people in their travel party and other guests, communicate, and find each other around the ship.

If you are trying to figure out how to add travel companions on princess app, the process can depend on whether the person is already included in your reservation, is traveling under a separate booking, or simply needs to be added as a friend or shipmate.

The app has changed over time, so the names and locations of certain options may look different depending on your app version, sailing, and ship. In general, you should first make sure everyone has an active Princess profile and that the correct cruise is connected to their account.

Can You Add Friends on the Princess Cruise App?

Yes. Princess provides onboard features that allow guests to connect with members of their travel party and other guests through its app experience.

The app's social and onboard communication features have included the ability to add people as Shipmates. A Shipmate can be someone in your travel party or another guest whom you invite through the app.

Once connected, eligible guests can use communication features such as onboard messaging and, depending on the available features for the sailing, locate one another around the ship.

However, adding someone as a friend in the app is not necessarily the same thing as linking two separate cruise reservations. These are two different situations and should not be confused.

How to Add Friends on the Princess Cruise App

If you want to connect with a friend who is sailing with you, start by making sure both of you have the latest version of the Princess Cruises App installed.

Step 1: Download or Update the Princess App

Open the App Store or Google Play Store and check whether an update is available for the Princess Cruises App.

Using the latest version is important because Princess periodically updates the app's navigation and features.

After updating:

  • Open the Princess Cruises App.

  • Sign in to your Princess account.

  • Make sure your upcoming cruise appears correctly.

  • Confirm that your personal information matches your booking.

Step 2: Make Sure Your Cruise Is Connected

Before trying to add another guest, verify that your cruise is properly associated with your account.

If your booking does not appear, check the reservation information you entered when setting up your account.

Your friend should also have access to their own Princess account and cruise information where required.

If either person has incorrect booking information, some app features may not work as expected.

Step 3: Look for the Shipmates or Social Feature

After logging in, look through the app for the section associated with your onboard contacts, Shipmates, or communication features.

The exact menu name and location can change as Princess updates the app.

The Shipmates feature is intended to let guests connect with people they are traveling with or invite other guests to become Shipmates.

Step 4: Add or Invite Your Friend

If the Shipmates option is available for your sailing, select the option to add or invite another guest.

Follow the information requested by the app.

Your friend may need to accept the invitation before the connection becomes active.

If your friend is already part of your travel party, the app may handle the connection differently from someone traveling under a separate reservation.

Step 5: Ask Your Friend to Accept the Invitation

Adding someone does not necessarily mean the connection is immediately active.

Your friend should:

  1. Open the Princess Cruises App.

  2. Sign in to the appropriate account.

  3. Check for the invitation or request.

  4. Accept it if prompted.

  5. Return to the Shipmates or communication area to confirm the connection.

Once both guests are connected, available communication or location features can be used according to the app's permissions and the sailing's supported features.

How to Add Travel Companions on Princess App

If your question is specifically how to add travel companions on princess app, first determine what you mean by "travel companion."

There are two common situations.

Your Friend Is on the Same Reservation

If you and your friend are booked under the same reservation, they may already be associated with your travel party.

In this situation, you may not need to add them manually as a separate friend.

Instead, make sure:

  • Their name is correctly listed on the reservation.

  • Their Princess profile is set up correctly.

  • Their cruise information is connected to their account.

  • Both guests have completed the required OceanReady information.

The app can use travel-party information for certain cruise-related features.

Your Friend Has a Separate Reservation

This is different from simply being on the same booking.

If you booked separately but are sailing on the same cruise, you may need to connect with the other guest through the app's available Shipmates or social functionality.

For features involving reservations, dining, activities, or other booking-related arrangements, simply adding someone as a Shipmate may not automatically combine or link the two reservations.

If a specific reservation needs to be associated with another booking, you may need to contact Princess or have the bookings handled through the appropriate reservation process.

What Is the Difference Between a Travel Party and a Shipmate?

This distinction is important when using the Princess app.

A travel party generally refers to guests who are traveling together through the booking or app's travel-party structure.

A Shipmate can be another guest whom you connect with through the app. Princess describes Shipmates as people in your travel party as well as other guests you invite to become Shipmates.

Therefore, becoming someone's Shipmate does not necessarily mean that your cruise reservations have been merged.

For example, you could be traveling with a friend who booked a separate cabin. You may be able to connect with that person as a Shipmate while keeping your individual reservations.

Can I Chat With Friends on the Princess App?

Yes, Princess's onboard app experience supports communication with connected Shipmates.

This can be particularly useful when everyone is staying in different cabins or spending time in different parts of the ship.

For example, you might use the app to coordinate:

  • Where to meet for dinner

  • Which onboard activity to attend

  • When to meet at the pool

  • Where to find someone on the ship

  • Plans for an evening show

  • A meeting location before going ashore

Messaging availability can depend on your cruise, app version, and onboard functionality.

Can I Find My Friends on the Ship?

The Princess app has included OceanCompass functionality that can help guests locate connected Shipmates around the ship.

This can be useful on larger Princess ships where it is easy for members of a group to end up in different areas.

Location sharing is subject to the app's settings and permissions. Guests can control certain privacy preferences, including whether their location is visible to people outside their travel party.

If you cannot see a friend, check whether both guests are properly connected and whether the relevant location-sharing settings are enabled.

What If I Cannot Find the Add Friend Option?

Don't worry if the option does not appear exactly as expected.

Princess regularly updates its app, and the layout can change. Some features may also vary by sailing or ship.

Try these steps:

Update the App

Check your device's app store and install any available Princess Cruises App update.

Sign Out and Sign Back In

Sometimes account information does not refresh correctly after a booking or profile change.

Sign out of the app, close it completely, and sign in again.

Check Your Cruise Details

Make sure the correct sailing is connected to your account.

If the cruise information is missing or incorrect, social and onboard features may not work properly.

Check Your Friend's Account

Ask your friend to confirm that:

  • They are using the correct Princess account.

  • Their cruise is connected.

  • Their personal information matches the booking.

  • They have updated their app.

Check Privacy Settings

If you are trying to locate or message someone, privacy settings can affect what you can see or do.

Ask your friend to review their relevant communication and location settings.

Try the Web Version When Appropriate

Princess also provides a web-based option for certain cruise preparation functions when a compatible mobile device is unavailable.

Keep in mind that the web version may not provide the same onboard features as the mobile app.

Why Can't I Add Someone With a Different Booking Number?

A different booking number does not necessarily mean there is a problem.

Two friends can be sailing on the same cruise while having completely separate reservations.

The important distinction is between:

  • Connecting with another guest through the app

  • Linking or coordinating reservations

  • Making a reservation for multiple guests

  • Adding someone as a Shipmate

These functions are not always interchangeable.

If your goal is simply to communicate with your friend onboard, the Shipmates functionality may be what you need.

If you are trying to make a dining reservation or coordinate another booking-related service across separate reservations, you may need to use the appropriate reservation feature instead.

Can I Add Someone Who Is Not in My Travel Party?

Princess's app has supported inviting other guests to become Shipmates, meaning the person does not necessarily have to be in the same booking.

However, the exact options available can depend on the current app version and sailing.

If the person is on the same ship but does not appear as an available contact, check that both guests have completed their app setup and that the relevant permissions are enabled.

Do Both Friends Need the Princess App?

For the best experience, both guests should have access to the Princess Cruises App and their own account.

This is especially important if you want to use app-based communication or other interactive onboard features.

One person having the app does not automatically give that person access to another guest's account or private information.

Each guest should use their own appropriate account credentials.

What Happens After You Add a Friend?

Once a connection is established, the available features may allow you to communicate with the person or locate them onboard.

Your experience can depend on:

  • Your ship

  • Your sailing

  • The current Princess app version

  • Your account setup

  • Privacy settings

  • Whether the other guest has accepted the connection

Remember that adding a friend in the app does not automatically change either person's reservation.

Tips for Staying Connected With Friends on a Princess Cruise

Adding your friends before sailing can save time once you board.

Here are some practical tips:

  • Update the app before departure. This reduces problems caused by outdated software.

  • Set up your Princess account early. Do not wait until embarkation day.

  • Confirm everyone's booking details. Incorrect information can interfere with app setup.

  • Connect with your group before boarding when possible.

  • Review privacy settings. Location and communication options can affect what your friends can see.

  • Use clear meeting points. Even with location features, agreeing on a specific venue is useful.

  • Keep your phone charged. App-based communication is much easier when your device has sufficient battery.

  • Don't assume separate bookings are linked. A Shipmate connection is different from combining reservations.

Conclusion

Adding friends through the Princess Cruise App can make it much easier to stay connected during your vacation. The key is understanding the difference between a travel party, a Shipmate, and a separate cruise reservation.

If you are searching for how to add travel companions on princess app, start by updating the app, signing into the correct accounts, confirming the cruise information, and looking for the Shipmates or communication features available for your sailing. Your friend may need to accept an invitation before you can use the relevant features.

Because Princess regularly updates its app, the exact menu names and placement can change. If an option is missing, checking the latest app version and confirming your account and booking information should be your first troubleshooting steps.

Frequently Asked Questions?

How do I add travel companions on Princess app?

Open the Princess Cruises App, sign in, connect your cruise, and look for the Shipmates or related social/communication feature. If available for your sailing, use the invitation or add option to connect with your travel companion. The other guest may need to accept the invitation.

Can I add a friend who booked a different cabin?

Generally, friends traveling under separate reservations can use the app's Shipmates functionality where supported. However, adding them as a Shipmate does not automatically combine their reservations.

Can I add someone after boarding the ship?

App-based guest connections can be made during the cruise when the relevant feature is available. It is still a good idea to set up your account and complete your cruise preparation before embarkation.

Why isn't my friend appearing in the Princess app?

Check that both guests have the correct app version, are signed into the appropriate accounts, and have the correct cruise associated with their profiles. Privacy settings or differences between app versions can also affect available options.

Can friends chat through the Princess app?

Princess's Shipmates functionality supports messaging between connected guests. Availability and specific communication features can vary depending on the current app and sailing.

Can I locate my friends on a Princess cruise?

The Princess app has provided OceanCompass functionality for locating connected Shipmates onboard. Location visibility depends on the relevant privacy settings and connection between guests.

Does adding a Shipmate link our reservations?

No. Being connected as Shipmates is not the same as combining or linking cruise reservations. Separate bookings remain separate unless they are handled through the appropriate reservation process.

Do children need permission to add Shipmates?

Princess has stated that parental consent is required for guests under 18 to add Shipmates. Additional restrictions can apply to messaging with people outside the child's travel party.

What should I do if the app does not let me add a friend?

First update the app and verify that both guests have correctly connected their cruise information. Check privacy settings and try signing out and back in. If the feature still does not appear, contact Princess Guest Services for assistance with your particular sailing.

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