Do cruise ships have free WiFi or Internet?

Table Of Content

• Purchasing a WiFi package
• Accessibility of Wifi on Different Cruise Lines
• Connectivity May Be Slow on Some Cruise Ships
• Do Cruise Ships Have Wi-Fi? And 6 Other Things You Need to Know About Internet at Sea
• Wifi on Royal Caribbean
• Satellite Internet on Cruise Ships Won't Be as Reliable As Your Broadband at Home

In fact, for me it’s now one of my deciding factors on what cruise ships I will sail on – Do they have Starlink? All Silversea Cruises vessels feature Starlink connectivity on board. Holland America's 5-Star Mariner guests receive a $30 credit toward a Wi-Fi package. Early Booking Benefits for Grand Voyages include 5,000 minutes of complimentary internet access in select suite categories. Members of the line's loyalty rewards program, Azamara Circle, receive benefits and perks for internet options based on their level.

Purchasing a WiFi package

However, if you are trying to look at pages with adult themes, then you’ll likely find you’re unable to connect. For example, Carnival says that “access to certain sites such as mature or violent content is blocked” over their network. In other words, while you may find service is more than fast enough to meet your needs, be prepared for the possibility of slower speeds than you are used to. We’ve been on ships with blazing fast connections and others that have been insufferably slow. Other Cruise LinesIf your cruise line isn’t listed above, that’s ok.

Accessibility of Wifi on Different Cruise Lines

If you plan on taking a cruise soon, it’s essential to know that staying connected to the internet while at sea can be a bit different than what you’re used to on land. Slow speeds, different price packages, and need to put your phone on airplane mode are just a few things to remember. Most cruise lines, such as Royal Caribbean, Carnival Cruise Line, and Norwegian Cruise Line, charge around $20 to $30 per day per device for internet access. The future of Wi-Fi on cruise ships involves seamless integration with onboard amenities and services.

Connectivity May Be Slow on Some Cruise Ships

The internet service, even on Premium packages, is designed for messaging and basic video streaming. If you need a lot of data, you may encounter problems even though there isn’t a ‘data cap’ of sorts. Nowadays, we can’t seem to go anywhere without a solid wifi connection. Whether it’s for work or to stream Netflix, internet access is a necessity! AT&T’s Cruise Package is an option for AT&T customers who need to make a few calls while onboard, or who primarily text to stay in touch with things at home.

Holland America WiFi Packages

Carnival Cruise Line raises prices for specialty restaurants, Wi-Fi - USA TODAY

Carnival Cruise Line raises prices for specialty restaurants, Wi-Fi.

Posted: Wed, 06 Dec 2023 08:00:00 GMT [source]

This services includes full access to the web and streaming movies and music. While Celebrity doesn’t list costs publicly on their website, the rate for an upcoming cruise was seen $30 per day for one device, with a 20% discount if booking ahead of time. Virgin Voyages does not specify its service provider, but unlimited basic Wi-Fi is included for guests, and premium internet is available as an upgrade for a daily fee.

Cruise lines offer discounts to passengers who buy the service before they sail. This discount can be significant — often 10-20% off the price of booking onboard. Book a Cruise With Free Internet as a PerkNorwegian, Celebrity, Princess and other lines have started to offer sales that provide free perks for cruising. Book one of these and you don’t have to worry about the cost of access.

Do Cruise Ships Have Wi-Fi? And 6 Other Things You Need to Know About Internet at Sea

MSC Cruises, following suite with Virgin Voyages and other cruise lines,  will be rolling out Starlink across their vessels. Other major cruise operators including Norwegian, Royal Caribbean and Carnibal have also been making the switch to Starlink. In 2023, Celebrity will be installing StarLink Satellite internet on its ships, which will provide a much faster experience. Stay tuned for more details as they roll out the system across all their ships. Ships offer internet via satellite, which will be slower than the internet you will find on land. To stream Skype, Netflix, YouTube, and VPN services, you must purchase an upgraded package for $9.99 per day.

Wifi on Royal Caribbean

These apps often have a daily activity schedule, deck plans, and maps to help you navigate the ship. Some will also allow you to message others on your cruise through the app. Cruise lines with multiple Starlink setups can dramatically increase download speeds, significantly improving the Wi-Fi experience, but how much this will affect costs for guests is yet to be determined. Due to the potential limitations of Wi-Fi at sea, it is a good practice to download any important files, documents, or entertainment content in advance.

Satellite Internet on Cruise Ships Won't Be as Reliable As Your Broadband at Home

Starlink satellites are smaller, less expensive to build, and have a lower space launch cost than their predecessors. They also make use of modern technology and offer much faster speeds. You can almost think of Starlink as a “mesh” of connections in the sky, so location issues have mostly been resolved or minimized.

If you need cell service, disable apps operating in the background. While you may only be able to use it on some cruise ships, over 170 cruise ships are in the program. Carnival Cruise Line also reduces costs with their Social Wi-Fi plan for $10.20/day. Their Value Wi-Fi plan offers email and website access to each passenger for $14.45/day. Additionally, having a VPN solution in place means that your data will remain encrypted while you are connected to the ship’s network.

Pricing will switch to the country-specific roaming rate when the ship reaches port. Carriers usually offer per-day international plans that activate automatically if your phone is not in airplane mode in a foreign port. Some wireless plans include select countries in your home plan, particularly Canada and Mexico.

Atlas Ocean Voyages utilizes Starlink onboard vessels World Traveller and World Navigator, and its forthcoming World Voyager, will offer connectivity, as well. Pricing for Wi-Fi on cruise ships varies pretty dramatically from one cruise line to another. In the age where being online is nearly as essential as sunscreen for many, the question of Wi-Fi access onboard is more than valid. Cruises have evolved, and with this evolution, staying connected via Wi-Fi has become a standard service. Diamond-level members of Seabourn Club and guests booked in Penthouse and Premium suites receive the Stream plan on a complimentary basis. Passengers in other suite categories can upgrade for a charge of $19.95 per day.

For example, Carnival offers a plan that only includes access to social media sites and apps, plus major airline sites. By contrast, the line's least-restrictive Premium package is essentially an all-access pass, including streaming and Skype, where available, for a pre-cruise price of $14.95 per person, per day. One of the most significant benefits of wifi on cruise ships is the ability to stay connected with friends and family back home. Passengers can utilize messaging apps, social media, or video calls to share their experiences, provide updates, or simply feel connected with loved ones while enjoying their vacation. The cost of wifi on cruise ships varies depending on the cruise line and the packages they offer. Most cruise lines provide different plans, allowing guests to choose based on their usage and needs.

Gold members receive $45, Platinum members receive $80, and Diamond members receive $135. This section will explore the WiFi packages available on various cruise lines. Whether you decide to use Wi-Fi or not, remember to switch your phone to airplane mode shortly after departure.

This way, you can access them offline when needed, minimizing your reliance on an internet connection and avoiding any potential disruptions. Cruises get their internet from a satellite service and with so many passengers, the speed may not be the quickest. However, the quality and speed of this connection may vary depending on how many passengers are using the service. If streaming videos or music is important to you during your trip, then it is always best to research what kind of fast wi-fi package they have available on board before leaving port. Sometimes that pathway between the antenna and the satellite is blocked. In port, it might be that a tall building is directly in between the ship and satellite.

That said, it’s still an extra cost, so do the math before buying to confirm it makes sense for you. If you decide to take the plunge, consider pre-paying to score yourself a discount. And if you pay with a rewards card, you may be able to redeem points that'll wipe away the cost of your purchase. It’s possible to save money on your Wi-Fi purchases by pre-paying for a package before you board.