do p&o cruise ships have wifi

Wi-Fi on cruise ships: 5 things to know about internet use on board

I have good news for those of you who assume the only way to stay in touch with home from a cruise ship is via a message in a bottle: Cruise ships come equipped with internet, and cruise Wi-Fi connections have been getting faster at a rapid rate — and cheaper, too.

While checking emails and surfing the web on some vessels still requires the patience of Job, onboard technological improvements on many ships combined with new satellite and direct ship-to-shore systems is making cruise internet access much more like what you find on land.

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If you're a first-time cruiser, you're likely most concerned with the basics: Do cruise ships have Wi-Fi and how much does Wi-Fi cost on a cruise? Repeat cruisers who have paid the price for finicky service may be wondering the best way to access fast connection speeds across their devices while avoiding unnecessary charges.

I can guide you through the ins and outs of Wi-Fi on cruise ships. Here are five things to know about onboard internet before you set sail.

Wi-Fi on cruise ships will never be as fast (or reliable) as home

Yes, all cruise ships today offer an internet connection, but it might not be the seamless experience you've come to expect on land.

For most of the many years I've been writing about cruising, the typical internet connection at sea hasn't just been slow. It's been glacial. You'd click on a website only to experience many seconds of frustration. Maybe the page would come up. Maybe it wouldn't. Maybe the cruise would end while you were still sitting there.

Related: 16 mistakes cruise ship passengers make on disembarkation day

Why the slow speeds? To start, there is no Comcast cable wire running to your cruise ship. On cruise ships, every packet of data you are downloading onto your phone or computer, for the most part, is coming over a satellite, which is not a quick or inexpensive proposition.

The maritime communication companies that specialize in providing internet connections to ships have been trying to speed things up in recent years. Solutions have included adding more satellites and linking their systems to land-based towers that connect with ships as they near shore.

But, in the end, there are limits to just how well a satellite system can work. For starters, a ship needs a clear "line of sight" to a satellite to exchange data, something that isn't always the case. Cruise ships traveling through the famed Norwegian fjords, for instance, can lose their satellite signal due to the height of surrounding mountains.

And there are certain parts of the world where satellite coverage is too thin or nonexistent to allow for internet access on cruise ships. During a sailing in the Russian Arctic on a Hapag-Lloyd Cruises ship, I was forced to live without internet for a good part of a week due to a lack of satellite coverage in the area (something, I must say, was kind of wonderful).

So while onboard cruise Wi-Fi speeds are getting better, they'll never be as fast as at home, where a hard wire brings the signal straight to your router.

Onboard internet speed is getting much faster

On some cruise ships, the signal has become so much faster you now can stream Netflix from the comfort of your cabin — something that would have been unthinkable just a few years ago.

New satellite systems, paired with multimillion-dollar investments in shipboard technology, really are making things better in a big way. A turning point came in 2014, when cruise giant Royal Caribbean partnered with satellite company O3b Networks to create a new onboard internet system that it claimed was six times faster than anything else at sea. Called Voom, the system tapped into new Medium Earth Orbit satellites operated by O3b that can shoot their beams directly at ships as they move.

When I ran a speed test of Voom on Adventure of the Seas, I found the line's fastest option, the Surf + Stream service, usually offered download speeds of just around 3 megabits per second. I never found download speeds exceeding 4 Mbps, but I did see it drop as low as 1.5 Mbps. While still significantly slower than many home connections, that's fast enough to enjoy Netflix and other streaming video services, though I did experience grainy video and buffering issues on occasion.

Royal Caribbean still claims Voom is the fastest and best Wi-Fi option on cruise ships today. But we're a bit skeptical – not because the Wi-Fi is slower than stated, but because other cruise lines, like Carnival Cruise Line , are quickly catching up.

Carnival cruise Wi-Fi is also fast enough to support Netflix streaming on some ships, the company says. The cruise line uses a hybrid system that combines faster satellite connections at sea with a network of less-expensive land-based towers that take over as its vessels near coastal areas.

On a sailing on one of the Carnival ships outfitted for faster internet, Carnival Sunrise , I did notice a significant improvement in cruise Wi-Fi speed. But the promised access to Netflix streaming wasn't quite as smooth as I had hoped. Clicking on a favorite show, I only could watch for a few minutes before the connection inevitably froze.

Some lines in just the last year or so have begun partnering with Elon Musk's Starlink system for speedy internet.

Related: How fast is the internet on a Celebrity cruise? We put it to the test

Cruise internet costs have gone down

Just a few years back, you had to pay a small fortune for the privilege of accessing the internet on a cruise ship. The base rate for onboard Wi-Fi for years started around 75 cents a minute. That's $45 for a single hour online!

The old pay-by-the-minute system, which could leave even modest internet users with sky-high bills, is now giving way to simpler and more affordable "all you can browse" plans on many lines.

How much does Wi-Fi cost on a cruise today? Well, the highest-speed version of Royal Caribbean's Voom connection currently costs $26.99 per day for one device. In the old days of 75 cents-a-minute pricing, that same amount of money would have gotten you just 36 minutes of web time.

Royal Caribbean also offers a slower-speed version of Voom that can't support streaming for $19.99 per day for one device. For both cruise internet packages, there are discounts for adding more devices and purchasing a package online before your sailing.

Related: 15 ways that cruising newbies waste money on their first cruise

Another line bringing down internet costs dramatically is Carnival. At the very low end, it now offers a Social Wi-Fi plan that allows access to all the key social sites (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc.) as well as messaging services such as WhatsApp, for just $15.30 a day ($18 when purchased on board). A slightly more expensive Value Wi-Fi plan, at $19.55 per day when bought in advance ($23 per day when bought on board), adds access to email and most websites.

The line's top-tier Premium Wi-Fi plan, at $21.25 per day when bought in advance ($25 when bought onboard), triples the speed of the Value plan and adds access to VoIP calling on messaging apps and Skype (but not FaceTime). Note that you might be able to make Wi-Fi calls from an iPhone or via WhatsApp, even with the less expensive plan. Passengers who pay for a Carnival Cruise Wi-Fi plan in advance of sailing get a 15% discount.

But perhaps the biggest development in cruise internet costs in recent years is that many higher-end lines have begun offering internet access for — get this — free. Viking , Regent Seven Seas Cruises and Silversea Cruises are among lines now including unlimited internet time in the base cost of a voyage. At some of these lines, such as Regent, you can pay extra for faster service.

Another way to get free or cheaper internet time on ships is to join cruise line loyalty programs . Many offer free cruise Wi-Fi or discounted package pricing to customers who hit mid- to upper-tier levels.

At Celebrity Cruises, for instance, the top Zenith tier in the line's Captain's Club loyalty program comes with unlimited free Premium-level internet (the fastest plan at the line). At Princess Cruises , customers can get 50 percent off MedallionNet internet packages after reaching the Platinum level in the line's Captain's Circle loyalty program (to qualify, you'll need to complete either five cruises, or 50 cruise days).

On Royal Caribbean, the path to free Internet on a cruise is through its high-end suites . Book a room in a Sky Class or Star Class suite (all suites above the junior suite level), and you'll receive free Voom.

Apps offer an alternative to paid cruise Wi-Fi

In recent years, a growing number of cruise lines have rolled out free apps for your phone that will let you make reservations for onboard restaurants, spa treatments and other services without ever leaving your pool deck lounge chair. On some ships operated by Carnival, you even can order beer and pizza to wherever you happen to be using an app.

Many of these apps also will show you a schedule of daily activities, offer ship deck plans and sometimes port maps to help you get around, and let you check your onboard account statement in real time. On Celebrity Edge and other Celebrity Cruises Edge-class ships, you can even use an app to remotely open your cabin door, change channels on the television and turn off the lights.

While all these apps work off cruise ship Wi-Fi, the good news is they don't require the purchase of a plan to use. Nor do they come with any other sort of fee — at least for most features.

At Carnival, you'll pay $5 per cruise to add a "chat" feature to the line's otherwise free HUB app that will let you communicate via text-like messages with other app-enabled passengers. Norwegian Cruise Line also requires passengers to pay a fee (currently $9.95 per cruise) to use a messaging and calling feature of its Cruise Norwegian app.

Cruise internet tip: Use airplane mode to avoid unwanted charges

Whether or not you're purchasing a Wi-Fi plan on a cruise ship, I have one very strong piece of advice: Put your phone in airplane mode the moment you step on board the vessel and leave it that way for the duration of the sailing.

This is the safest way to avoid unwanted data charges, which can be enormous. (Remember the story of a family that racked up $14,000 in data charges on a cruise?)

As many cruisers have found the hard way, international phone plans such as AT&T's $10-a-day International Day Pass do not apply to cruise ships at sea. If you let your AT&T phone roam while you're on a vessel, you'll pay $2.05 per megabyte of data — even if your base plan at home offers you unlimited data. You'll also pay $3 per minute to make a call, $0.50 per text and $1.30 to send a photo. All that adds up very quickly.

AT&T does offer a " Cruise Plus " plan for a flat fee of $100 that allows unlimited talk and text during sailings up to 30 days in duration. But it only comes with 1 gigabyte of data (which may seem like a lot until you start streaming movies), with any overage billing at a still-hefty $10 per 100 megabytes. It's also not available on every ship. More than 175 vessels are part of the program.

If you insist on leaving your cellular service on during a cruise, you should at least disable any apps running in the background (as they'll be eating up data, and running up your bill) and disable email auto-check.

Personally, I find it easier to just hit the airplane mode button. Once in airplane mode, I reactivate the Wi-Fi feature on my phone to access the cruise Wi-Fi, and sign up for a shipboard plan that will let me stay in touch by email or a VoIP service like WhatsApp.

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New P&O Cruises WiFi Packages: Which is Best for You?

Deciding if you need WiFi on your cruise can be a tricky decision. How good is the WiFi on a cruise? How much does it cost? In this post, I explain the different P&O Cruises WiFi packages available and what’s included in each to help you decide.

Is there free WiFi on P&O cruise ships?

Unfortunately, WiFi is not included in your cruise fare with P&O Cruises and so when you’re onboard you should switch your devices to aeroplane mode/roaming off to avoid costly charges. If you do need WiFi during your cruise, you can purchase one of the P&O Cruises WiFi packages (read on).

If you choose not to purchase WiFi for your cruise, you should be able to connect in the cruise ports you visit. Check your phone contract to see if you can use your data in the countries you’re visiting .

Follow the crew! The crew are experts in knowing where the free WiFi spots are in cruise ports . You can usually find free WiFi in bars, restaurants and shopping areas in ports. Some are limited to 30 minutes, whilst others are open for as long as you stay.

How Much is WiFi on P&O Cruises?

P&O Cruises WiFi packages start from £10 per day. You can choose to pay for WiFi for one day or for the entire cruise . The price per day is cheaper if you pay for a package for your whole cruise.

You can choose from two WiFi packages depending on what you need:

My WiFi Essential

My wifi ultimate.

Both packages allow you to access the WiFi on multiple devices but only one device at a time. You must log out of one in order to use another.

If you want to use multiple devices simultaneously, you will need to purchase more than one package (discounts are available).

My WiFi Essential is the basic WiFi package and allows:

• Unlimited data
• Web browsing
• Music streaming
• Social media, texts and images (no videos)

My WiFi Ultimate WiFi package allows:

• Video streaming
• Up to 3x faster connection

Deciding on which package to choose ultimately comes down to if you want to stream video and get quicker internet. If you just want to browse the internet and check your social media, the My WiFi Essential package should do the job.

P&O Cruises WiFi Packages have Changed!

It’s important to be aware that the Essential and Ultimate WiFi packages are now the two options for WiFi . These have replaced the three WiFi packages that P&O used to offer:

If you are purchasing a internet package for your next cruise, you will need to choose either the Essential or Ultimate package/day passes.

How Good is the WiFi on P&O Cruise Ships?

WiFi on cruise ships is operated using satellites, our internet at home is served through cables. The reality is that the WiFi on cruise ships is affected by two key factors:

• Your cruise itinerary
• How many passengers are using the internet at the same time

There are some regions that are notoriously bad for WiFi (Norwegian Fjords) and some that are relatively good for WiFi (Caribbean).

Due to the large number of cruise ships that operate in the Caribbean, there are plenty of satellites serving that region.

When I was on a cruise in the Norwegian Fjords, the WiFi was pretty much non-existent, even with an internet package but I was able to jump on to my own 4G once the ship had reached port (even when I was still on the cruise ship).

It’s worth taking into account where your cruise is going and if internet is even likely to be available.

If you are sat in a busy lounge or on the lido deck, you may find a lot of other passengers trying to get on to the WiFi at the same time, which can slow things down.

The best thing to do is find a quiet spot away from busy public areas for the best chance of using the WiFi.

P&O Cruises has invested in hardware and increased its bandwidth to provide a faster connection speed and an enhanced service.

What things can’t you use wifi for on p&o cruises.

It’s likely that some sites will be blocked during your cruise such as:

• Adult content
• Alcohol and tobacco
• Anonymisers
• File sharing
• Online gambling
• Streaming hacking
• Proxy avoidance
• Violent content

Some Wi-Fi calling, remote desktop connections and VPNs may not be available.

How to Purchase WiFi from P&O Cruises

To buy the package of your choice, call P&O Cruises’ Customer Contact Centre on 0344 338 8003 (local call charges apply) and have your booking reference to hand.

Alternatively, once you’re on board, simply use the free Wi-Fi to access by following the easy on-screen instructions. The cost of the WiFi will be added to your onboard account .

You can purchase WiFi at any point during your cruise or simply pay for a day pass. If you pay for a package part way through a cruise, you only pay for the remainder of your cruise.

Tips for using WiFi on a Cruise

• Decide if you are going to need WiFi for the whole cruise or just on particular days (it may be cheaper to pay when needed)
• Save money by sharing the WiFi with others in your stateroom, you can buy one package and switch between different devices
• If the geographical area is not good for WiFi, consider saving money on a WiFi package and just use free WiFi or your own data in ports
• Ask crew where the best free WiFi spots are in port
• For faster speeds, avoid crowded areas or times of the day when more people may be browsing the internet

For more tips on how to plan for your next P&O cruise, head to my dedicated P&O Cruises section .

Laura is a UK cruise blogger based in Cornwall, UK. She founded Cruise Lifestyle in 2016 to share useful advice about cruising, destinations and food. Last port visited: Bridgetown, Barbados Next port of call: unknown, but she can’t wait for cruising to resume safely!

Find me on: Twitter

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Cruise Tips For Families & Single Cruisers

Things to Know Before You Cruise

P&O Cruises Wifi: Costs & Packages

Are you planning a cruise with P&O Cruises? As someone who loves to stay connected, I was curious about the wifi options available on board. To my surprise, I learned that wifi is not included and must be purchased separately. This got me thinking about the different packages and costs, and I was determined to find out more.

In this article, I’ll be sharing my findings on P&O Cruises wifi packages and costs. Whether you’re a first-time cruiser or a seasoned pro, staying connected while at sea can be a challenge. With a variety of package options available, it’s important to know what you’re paying for and how to make the most of your wifi access.

So, let’s dive in and explore the world of P&O Cruises wifi!

• Wifi on P&O Cruises is not included and must be purchased separately.
• Two packages are available: My Wifi Essential and My Wifi Ultimate, with different speeds, data allowances, and prices.
• Passengers should consider their internet needs and compare prices to choose the right package.
• Passengers can maximize the value they get from their wifi package by following best practices and avoiding heavy usage.

Availability and Access

I can access limited free wifi on the My Holiday planner website, but I must purchase one of two wifi packages to have full access while on board P&O Cruises. The wifi packages, My Wifi Essential and My Wifi Ultimate, offer varying prices and durations.

However, passengers should be aware that wifi speed and reliability depends on the location and number of users on board.

While on board, passengers can also use mobile data when docked, but this can be expensive at sea. Alternatively, public computers are available in the library for those who do not wish to purchase wifi packages.

It’s important to note that free internet access is available for medical reasons. It’s recommended that passengers compare prices and use the best-price guarantee before purchasing a wifi package for the whole cruise, as the author doesn’t believe it’s worth the expense.

Cost Comparison

Comparing the prices of the two wifi packages offered on P&O Cruises is a smart way to decide which one to purchase. My Wifi Essential is the cheaper option at £18 for 24 hours or £12 per day for the whole cruise. This package offers basic internet access and is suitable for checking emails and social media.

On the other hand, My Wifi Ultimate costs £24 for 24 hours or £18 per day for the whole cruise. This package provides faster internet speed and is ideal for streaming videos and making video calls.

There are benefits to both packages, depending on your needs. Pre-purchasing wifi packages before the cruise can save you money and time. You can also avoid long queues and ensure that you have internet access as soon as you board the ship.

Additionally, by comparing the prices and using the best-price guarantee, you can make sure that you’re getting the most value for your money. Ultimately, the decision to purchase wifi on a cruise depends on your personal preferences and requirements.

Package Options

Choosing the right internet package for your P&O cruise can depend on your internet needs and preferences. P&O offers two wifi packages, My Wifi Essential and My Wifi Ultimate, both of which can be purchased before or during the cruise. My Wifi Essential costs £18 for 24 hours or £12 per day for the whole cruise, while My Wifi Ultimate costs £24 for 24 hours or £18 per day for the whole cruise.

To help you decide which package is right for you, here is a comparison table of the two packages:

As you can see, the main difference between the two packages is the cost and data allowance. My Wifi Essential is cheaper, but has a limited data allowance of 150MB per day and a slower speed limit of 1 Mbps. On the other hand, My Wifi Ultimate is more expensive, but offers unlimited data and a faster speed limit of 3 Mbps. Additionally, both packages have user restrictions, meaning they can only be used on one device at a time. Consider your internet needs and preferences before choosing the right package for your P&O cruise.

tips and Recommendations

Interestingly, based on my experience working in the cruise industry, the wifi speed on a cruise ship can vary greatly depending on the location and number of users. It’s important to keep this in mind when purchasing a wifi package, as you may not always get the same speed throughout your trip.

Additionally, it’s important to note that wifi blackspots do exist on cruise ships, so you may experience some areas where the signal is weaker than others.

When it comes to getting the most value out of your wifi package, there are a few best practices to keep in mind. Firstly, consider purchasing your package before your cruise, as prices may be lower than if you were to purchase on board. Additionally, if you don’t need constant internet access, consider purchasing a package for only a portion of your trip, rather than the entire duration. This can help you save money and still stay connected when you need to be.

By following these tips and recommendations, you can maximize the value you get from your P&O Cruises wifi package.

Are there any restrictions on the type of devices that can use P&O Cruises wifi?

Yes, P&O Cruises wifi supports most devices, including smartphones, tablets, and laptops. Technical support is available for any issues. However, only one device can be connected at a time per purchased package.

Is there a limit to how much data can be used on the My Wifi Essential and My Wifi Ultimate packages?

When it comes to data usage on P&O Cruises’ My Wifi Essential and My Wifi Ultimate packages, there is a fair usage policy in place. Data usage monitoring is enforced to ensure all passengers have equal access to the service.

Can passengers receive a refund if they purchase a wifi package but are unable to connect?

Passengers can receive a refund for a wifi package if they are unable to connect. Technical support is available to help resolve any connection issues. It’s important to check the refund policy before purchasing.

Are there any public areas on the ship where free wifi is available?

Funny you should ask, as I’m currently sitting in the ship’s library, where there’s free wifi available for all passengers. However, it’s limited and can be slow. Alternatives include purchasing wifi packages or using mobile data when docked.

Is it possible to upgrade from My Wifi Essential to My Wifi Ultimate during the cruise?

Yes, upgrading options are available from My Wifi Essential to My Wifi Ultimate during the cruise. Cost comparison shows that it might be more cost-effective to purchase the Ultimate package for the whole cruise upfront.

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P&o cruises wifi – how to stay connected onboard p&o’s ships.

All you need to know about the WiFi options on P&O Cruises so you can decide what package is best for your needs – or if you need one at all!

In today’s connected world, WiFi is one of those things that is a must-have for many people.

If this is you too, you’ll be pleased to know that P&O Cruises make it easy to stay in touch with family, friends and keep up to date with your social media while on board their ships.

You don’t even have to worry about missing the latest episode of whatever TV series you are currently streaming or binging. 

That said, unfortunately WiFi is not included in your cruise fare. However, P&O offer two different WiFi packages that you can purchase depending on your requirements.

At a Glance – P&O Cruises WiFi packages

There are two WiFi packages you can choose from when onboard P&O ships.

• My WiFi – Essential (for social media, email and web browsing)
• My WiFi- Ultimate (with a faster connection for music and video streaming)

Before getting into the details of the two packages there are a few things to be aware of and take into consideration before you part with your cash.

Things to know before purchasing a WiFi package

While being unconnected may send a shiver down your spine it doesn’t actually mean you are uncontactable. If there are any emergencies at home, your family and friends can easily contact the ship to get a message to you. 

You can also still use the My Holiday webpage to personalise your cruise without purchasing a package. P&O provides limited free WiFi so you can connect to this page.

Tip | The My Holiday web page (often confused as an app) is where you can personalise your cruise holiday. You can use this to make reservations at restaurants, order room (or should that be cabin) service, book entertainment venues and more. You’ll also find information about the ship on these pages.

WiFi is only for use on board the ship you are cruising on. If you get off the ship while in port, you can use your own mobile data if available or local WiFi.

One final thing to be aware of is that the signal strength can vary. On land, these signals are transmitted by cables while at sea they have to go via satellites.

They can be impacted by location and weather conditions. So, don’t expect the same super speedy and reliable connections you can get on land. 

How much is WiFi on P&O Cruises and what is included?

If you do decide to purchase a WiFI package, you have two options to choose from.

The first is for light users, those that just want to be able to keep in touch with people or check in on their socials. While the other package is more suitable for heavier users, those that like to video chat or use streaming services.

My WiFi – Essential 

£12 per day with a cruise plan or £18 per day without .

If you just want to keep in touch with family and friends or keep your socials up to date, then the Essential package is a good option. It allows you to use messaging apps such as What’s App, share photos and update your social channels and use email. 

You can also browse the web. Handy if you want to have a quick search for what to do in port before you dock.

My WiFi – Ultimate

£18 per day with a cruise plan or £24 per day without.

The Ultimate WiFi package gives you everything in the Essential package plus a few extras.

It also comes with a faster connection. If you like to video chat or stream music or movies, this is the option for you.

You can find out more about both WiFi packages on the P&O website.

Do you really need WiFi?

You might be thinking now, well of course I need WiFi! Why are you even asking?

But before diving in and purchasing a WiFi package it is worth having a quick think about if you really need it and if you do how much you will realistically use it? It might not be as much as you think. You are on holiday after all!

Hopefully you’ll be enjoying yourself so much you won’t want to be on your phone or tablet a lot. It can also be a good opportunity for a break from social media and being connected all the time.

Not having a WiFi package doesn’t mean you won’t be able to get online all cruise either. There are other ways to connect.

When the ship is docked in port you may be able to connect to the local network and, if your mobile phone package/contract allows, use your own data allowance.

For example, my provider allows you to use data in Europe just like you are at home. For regions outside Europe there is a small daily charge. If you don’t need to be online all the time, this is a good option and doesn’t cost you any extra.

When I cruised the Norwegian Fjords , I was off the ship for the whole day in three of the four ports. I was able to use my own data allowance to send a few messages and photos to family and friends. So, the package wasn’t really worth the cost on this particular cruise.

Tip | Make sure you put your phone in airplane mode while onboard. Expensive charges can rack up very quickly and you don’t want to end up with a huge surprise bill at the end of your cruise.

Buying a WiFi Package

You can buy a WiFi package for the duration of your cruise or ad hoc per day. 

If you want to keep in daily contact with friends and family or update your socials regularly then buying WiFi for the length of your cruise means you will always be connected while onboard. 

Both packages are available to buy for the duration of your cruise before you join the ship. You can also buy at any time once onboard. You’ll just be charged for the remaining days of your cruise. 

Alternatively, if you just want to be able to check in every so often, buying per day will be a better option. You then get access to WiFi for 24 hours.  Access can be bought on the ship and will be charged to your onboard account. 

On my last two cruises with P&O, I purchased a day’s WiFi access on the two sea days. This gave me a chance to send a few messages and check social media without the cost of having to buy a week’s worth of WiFi.

It worked well for me as I could use my mobile data (with no extra charge from my provider) while in port.

The Last Word

It’s never been easier to stay connected while you are cruising. However, WiFi packages are not cheap, particular if you purchase one for your whole cruise.

So, it pays to think about how much you will really use your devices so you don’t end up spending more than you need to.

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P&O Cruises WiFi Packages - How much do they cost?

We cruised on the Iona on one of the first cruises from the UK following the pandemic in August 2021. While some people like to disconnect while at sea, we like to stay connected so we can share our experiences.

There are various WiFi packages you can buy on board and the details of all these are included below. We also let you know if we think purchasing one of these packages is good value or not.

The Connect WiFi Package

The Connect Package (£7.75 for 24 hours)

If you want to have your social media fix this connect package gives you access to social media services including Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter and Instagram. It also includes WhatsApp for staying in touch with family and friends.

The Browse WiFi Package

The Browse Package (£12.50 for 24 hours)

This package includes all that is in the connect package above but also includes internet browsing and email access such as Gmail and Outlook.

This is the package that we chose to purchase.

The Works WiFi Package

The Works (£24.95 for 24 hours)

This package provides all of the above, but also allows app downloads/updates, and streaming of You Tube, Spotify and Apple Music. Internet calling on Skype and FaceTime is also included in this package.

How to connect to the P&O WiFi Packages

Once on board, just log on to the ship’s Wi-­Fi to get connected. Almost any device that can connect to Wi-­Fi can be used on board their ships. Make sure that the Wi-­Fi is turned on and then connect to the ship’s Wi-­Fi network, which should show up automatically.

How good is the WiFi connection on P&O Iona?

P&O state that ‘It’s worth bearing in mind that satellite internet will be slower than browsing at home as the signals have to travel thousands of miles to reach the satellites in space. Weather and the ship’s position can also occasionally impact on the signal. We do our best to manage the connections, however speed will vary and intensive activities like streaming content may not work at all times or may be excluded from certain plans’.

We found that the WiFi connection on board Iona at this time was the worst we had every experienced on a cruise ship.

We are a bit confused on why P&O have launched a brand new ship that doesn’t have the best technology available. When you compare this to MSC , Royal Caribbean and Princess of which we have all experienced in the last 3 months then this is definitely the worse.

The connection would come and go, which was extremely frustrating. We tried all sorts, different parts of the ship, but it still would not constantly work.

We are hoping that P&O take on board the feedback we have given and the majority of passengers who we spoke to who were also frustrated with the WiFi and that they make some improvements for the future.

It will be interesting to see if it does improve as we are back on Iona in January. For now though we advise you not to waste your money and stick to using your data or free WiFi at a cafe on your port days.

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P&O Cruises Bar Prices and Drinks Packages

P&O Iona Cruise Ship Accessible Cabin Review

P&O Iona Cruise Ship Standard Balcony Cabin Review

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Is There Wi-Fi on Cruise Ships?

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Table of Contents

Do cruises have Wi-Fi?

Types of wi-fi on cruise ships, the cost of cruise wi-fi, is there free wi-fi on a cruise, how to save money on cruise wi-fi, if you’re interested in wi-fi on cruise ships.

Do cruise ships have Wi-Fi? Amongst all that food, swimming, dancing and drinking you may want to post a few pictures of your fun.

But if you’re out at sea, it’s probably not a great idea to use your phone plan for service. Happily for cruisers, Wi-Fi is nearly always available, though the type and costs will vary.

Most cruise lines these days have options for onboard internet, but you’ll need to pay for access, and not all types of internet service are equal.

When you book a cruise, you’ll generally be given the opportunity to purchase Wi-Fi before boarding. Doing so can save you money versus buying on board. However, it's difficult to tell how good the connection will be before you arrive. 

» Learn more: Is cruise travel insurance worth the cost?

Cruise lines have been hard at work improving their Wi-Fi offerings. This is great news, as options in the past were both slow and spotty. Depending on who you’re sailing with, you can now find speeds that’ll support streaming, video calls and more.

It’s not all good news, though. The race to improve connectivity is a marathon, not a sprint.

Disney Cruise Line, for example, has updated its internet access and pricing packages for four out of its five ships.

The new service, which has three separate tiers based on what type of browsing you’d like to do, can be found on the following ships:

Disney Dream.

Disney Fantasy.

Disney Magic.

Disney Wish.

Prices are available for a single day or for your entire cruise; this is standard practice throughout the industry.

The Disney Wonder cruise ship retains the old internet connection service, which uses Connect@Sea for guests. With this program, you’ll pay a set price for the amount of data you use rather than how long you use it. 

» Learn more: The best airline elite status this year

Pricing for Wi-Fi on cruise ships varies pretty dramatically from one cruise line to another.

Sticking with Disney Cruise Line as an example, it’ll now cost you as little as $10 per day for the most basic internet package on most ships, which allows you to send photos and access social media, but little else.

The premium package, starting at $30 per day, grants you the ability to stream music and make video calls. These prices are valid when you purchase internet for the entire duration of the cruise; per-day rates are higher.

However, on the Disney Wonder, which maintains the older Connect@Sea service, pricing starts at $19.00 for just 100MB of data. 

Norwegian Cruise Line allows you to pre-purchase various packages at a discounted rate. The cost of an unlimited premium Wi-Fi package for a single device starts at $34.99 per day (or $39.99 if you wait and buy on board).

Finally, Carnival’s Wi-Fi packages start at $12.75 per day for access to social media, while premium access goes as high as $18.70 per day. 

» Learn more: The best cruise lines

There aren’t any cruises that’ll give you unlimited Wi-Fi for free, but some do provide limited complimentary services. 

Because cruise lines are already operating Wi-Fi networks, it can make sense to create in-house systems to allow guests to communicate with each other. Disney Cruise Line has done so with its app, which provides complimentary messaging to other guests on the ship. 

The service also provides showtimes, daily activities, menus and the ability to book paid activities without needing to go to the front desk. 

» Learn more: Tips for getting the best deal on your next cruise

So, let’s say you’re interested in staying connected while aboard ship. If you’re not able to wait for ports of call (or don’t have international data on your phone), it might be worthwhile to pay for a Wi-Fi package. 

Although prices have decreased over the years, it can still be pretty costly to purchase Wi-Fi for your cruise. But there are a few ways you can help lower the overall cost.

Pre-pay for internet

It’s possible to save money on your Wi-Fi purchases by pre-paying for a package before you board. For example, both Carnival and Norwegian Cruise Line have this option. 

Buy a day pass

Not all cruise lines offer the ability to purchase a day pass (rather than unlimited internet), but if yours does, it may be worth considering. This is especially true if you plan on being on shore as much as possible.

Disney’s day passes for the most basic internet access are $12 for 24 hours — just $2 more than the daily rate you'd get by buying the full-trip package.

Redeem points

If you’re truly looking to keep your costs as low as possible, consider paying with a credit card that’ll let you wipe away your charges .

There are plenty of cards that’ll do this, but an especially popular choice is the Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card . This card will allow you to redeem your points at a rate of one cent each toward any purchase you make — effectively negating the entire cost of your Wi-Fi.

» Learn more: Best credit cards for cruises

There is internet on cruise ships if you’re interested in purchasing it. It’s faster than it used to be, and it’s also less expensive.

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. 

How to maximize your rewards

You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are our picks for the best travel credit cards of 2024 , including those best for:

Flexibility, point transfers and a large bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

No annual fee: Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card

Flat-rate travel rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Bonus travel rewards and high-end perks: Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Luxury perks: The Platinum Card® from American Express

Business travelers: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

on Chase's website

1x-5x 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases.

75,000 Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's over $900 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.

on Bank of America's website

1.5x-2x Earn unlimited 2 points for every $1 spent on travel and dining purchases and unlimited 1.5 points for every $1 spent on all other purchases.

60,000 Receive 60,000 online bonus points - a $600 value - after you make at least $4,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening.

What’s the On-Board Wifi Internet Package Like on P&O Arvia?

Because I run my own business, and have various family matters that mean I have to stay in touch with home when away on holiday, we decided to pay the extra fee on our Caribbean cruise on Arvia for the wifi internet package, as there’s no mobile service at sea.

It’s an expensive add-on (about £250 per person) so I hoped it was effective!

You actually pay per connected device, so if you just pay for one connected device, you can only have one single device connected at any one time.

However that doesn’t mean it’s limited only to that device – you can use as many devices as you want throughout the holiday, but only one can be connected at any one time.

You can’t be online on your mobile and then connect a laptop – you need to disconnect the mobile in order to then connect a laptop.

So if, like us, you have two teenagers, only one of them can be online at a time, meaning they have to agree between themselves to let each other use it one at a time!

In practice this actually worked out fine, as we didn’t really want to be stuck on our devices all the time – and having the single device plan shared between all four of us was no problem at all and it wouldn’t have been worth paying extra to have more than one device (that money would be much better spent on shore excursions).

So how well does the wifi work on board P&O cruise ship Arvia?

The answer is – pretty well, certainly well enough for everything we needed to do on it, for work and personal use.

It’s not like we were trying to do extensive heavy downloads of films or streaming content, so I can’t say how well it works if that’s your intention.

But we used it for….

• Social media (children on Snapchat / Instagram, etc
• Messaging (WhatsApp, etc)
• WhatsApp voice calls and video calls home
• Checking / sending emails
• Uploading our holiday photos and videos to the cloud
• Researching shore excursions on the web

… And it worked 100% of the time for all of these things.

The internet on P&O Arvia is provided by satellite (Elon Musk’s Starlink) and it was fast enough to use when out at sea with no trouble at all.

It wasn’t as fast as normal home broadband, but it still had surprisingly good reliability, and I can’t remember one single time where I lost connection or couldn’t do what I needed to do on it.

There are points at several of the ports where you can get free wifi, but these actually seemed less reliable than the on-board wifi.

The £250 or so cost was worth it to be able to stay in touch with what I needed to do for work, keep in touch with home and for the children to stay in touch with their friends back home (which we wanted to let them do as they’re at the age when coming on holiday with their parents is probably not as fun for them as it used to be).

It was also useful for staying in touch to some extent with each other onboard.

Although we could only have the one connected device, we could still send messages to a WhatsApp group, knowing that any one of the other members of the family on board would soon be connecting and would then receive that message – albeit not in ‘real time’, but still adequate for communicating when we’d gone our separate ways around the ship.

It’s expensive, but works well enough to justify the cost if you need internet on your cruise.

I realised another benefit of it too, when a fellow passenger told us she’d lost her phone on an excursion meaning all her photos from her entire holiday had gone with it – because she had no internet, none of them were backed up to iCloud.

Having taken thousands of photos of dream locations, I realised the value of having them automatically backed up each day via the ship’s wifi connection, which wouldn’t happen without the wifi package.

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Everything to Know About Internet on a Cruise (Speed, Cost, & More)

It wasn’t that long ago that having internet access at sea was a nice perk, but hardly a necessity. Today, most people must have wi-fi — even if they are on a cruise in the middle of the ocean. In fact, we always sign up for service every time that we sail.

Of course, there are challenges to providing online access for thousands of people on a cruise ship that can be hundreds of miles of miles from the nearest land. That’s why in general you should expect the service on a cruise ship to be more expensive — and slower — than what you’d find back home.

Still, all cruise lines now provide wi-fi on their ships so that you can stay in touch whether it be for work or just checking in on the kids. You can also access social media sites, check email, and even stream movies in some cases.

But before you head out into the middle of the ocean, there’s likely a few things you’ll want to know about getting online on a cruise. We’ve answered some of the biggest questions so that you know what to expect once you board your ship.

In This Article...

How Much Does Internet Cost on a Cruise?

At your home, things are pretty simple. You pay one amount for your internet service and connect as many devices as you want — and they all have access to the full internet.

On a cruise, things are a little different. The cruise lines charge different amounts for different tiers of service. They also charge based on the number of devices used at one time. So if you want to connect two devices at once (such as a husband and wife both surfing the internet), then you’ll pay twice as much.

All that said, expect the price of service on a cruise to be much more than you pay back home. We’ve rounded up the costs of internet for several major cruise lines below.

In general, expect to pay about $20-30 per day, per device for wi-fi access.

Carnival Carnival offers three different tiers of service: Social, Value, and Premium wi-fi plans. Each offers different levels of access to the internet. One tip to save money: purchase your plan ahead of time to save off the rates on the ship .

Social Plan: Carnival’s Social plan offers access to social media sites, Facebook Messenger, WhatsApp, and airline sites. However, most of the internet (such as email and news websites) are blocked. You also can’t stream music or movies. The cost is $18 per day for one device once you are on the ship.

Value Plan: The Value plan offers access to much of the internet, including websites for news, weather, sports, and most importantly — email. The service is also faster than the Social plan. For the extra access, you’ll pay $23 per day if you wait to purchase once you are on the ship.

Premium Plan: If you want the entire internet and you want the fastest speeds on Carnival, the the Premium plan is ideal. It offers full access at triple the speed of the Value plan. Depending on which ship you sail, streaming might be available. (Streaming is often provided on newer ships.) The Premium plan costs $25 per day. 

Royal Caribbean When it comes to internet on a cruise, Royal Caribbean is trying to position itself as a leader. The cruise line offers VOOM internet service , which it bills as “the fastest internet at sea.” If booked ahead of time, you can get up to 30% off the rates you’ll pay on the ship.

Surf + Stream: This package offers internet access, including the ability to stream music or movies. On a recent cruise the rate was $23.99 per day for one device when purchased on the ship. The cost was $29.99 if purchased for a single day only. Rates are considerably cheaper when booking ahead of time.

Norwegian Cruise Line Norwegian offers a different take on internet access. That’s because the cruise line has a popular “Free at Sea” sale that allows passengers to get free perks with their booking. One perk is internet access. Still, if you book a cruise without the free internet, you have three different levels of service you can purchase.

Unlimited Wi-Fi : This plan provides full internet access, outside of streaming. It also includes access to email providers, social media, and more. The cost runs $29.99 per day for one device.

Unlimited Premium Wi-Fi : Want to stream Netflix, Hulu or other services? Then you’ll need Norwegian’s highest-level package. It allows streaming movies and music and costs $39.99 per day if purchased on the ship.

Norwegian also offers a packages of minutes of access. 

Celebrity Cruises Celebrity Cruises offers wi-fi service to its passengers across the fleet. Like sister cruise line Royal Caribbean, Celebrity now offers one level of service known as the Premium Wi-Fi Package.

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.

One thing to know is that Celebrity trips often have a “Always Included” deal. With this offer, drinks and wi-fi service are already included in your fare.

Princess Cruises Princess offers service known as MedallionNet, which is dubs “The Best Wi-Fi at Sea.” The cruise line says that it can reach speeds “often eclipsing 100 Mbps,” which is faster than the average broadband speed on land.

The service is available starting at $24.99 per day for one device when purchased before the cruise.

Like Celebrity, Princess also has special fares with things like drink packages, gratuities, and wi-fi already included. In other words, you may have to pay nothing extra for service if you book one of these deals.

Other Cruise Lines If your cruise line isn’t listed above, that’s ok. Most lines have prices that vary based on the level of service, but most are in the $20-30 range for one device .

Additional devices are usually in the $15-$20 range.

How Fast Is Internet on a Cruise?

Expecting to have blazing fast internet on the ship like you would back at home? Well, it’s time to lower your expectations a little bit before you get online. While the cruise lines love to boast about the speed of their service, the actual speeds you see can vary.

We’ve been on ships with blazing fast connections and others that have been insufferably slow.

In our tests across different cruise lines, the speed of service has varied widely, but seems most consistently in the 3-5 Mbps range. That said, we’ve been on cruises with speeds in the 1 Mbps range and some that approached 60 Mbps .

Bottom line, it’s tough to say exactly what sort of speed you will experience. That said, with the introduction of Starlink (a satellite internet provider) across many lines, speeds do seem to be trending upward.

For lower-tier plans that are less expensive, expect the speed to be slower .

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.

Can I Post to Facebook, Instagram or Other Social Media Sites?

Absolutely. In fact, the cheapest plans usually have access only to the social media sites and apps like Facebook, Twitter, Snap, Instagram and more. If this is the main way you keep in touch with people back home, then it’s a cheap way to stay connected.

Even so, don’t expect the service to be blazing fast. You’ll have access but will still deal with the slower service you often find at sea.

Can I Stream Movies or Music on a Cruise?

Usually you can stream, however there are some caveats. First, you must purchase a plan that allows streaming. Many cruise lines offer lower tiers of service that are less expensive, but do not offer streaming capabilities. Those packages offering streaming are higher-priced.

Second, given the internet speed, you could see some lagging or lower-quality pictures. Many reports from users complain about streaming troubles. We’ve personally have had issues as well in tests we’ve done on cruises. Other times, it’s streamed perfectly.

There can be some hiccups. For example, a show might stream well for a while and then suddenly have a pixelated picture or pause while data loads.

Bottom line: Yes, you can stream while on a cruise, but don’t be surprised if there are times where it doesn’t work as well. If you want to watch a show, we think it’s a better idea to download it before you arrive on the ship. That way you don’t have to rely on internet access to watch.

Can I Use the Wi-Fi to Call or Message With My Phone?

Cell service is provided on the ship at sea, but it can be expensive. A much easier thing to do is simply use the ship’s wi-fi to send messages and even make calls.

Depending on your phone, it may be easiest to use a messaging app like WhatsApp. We’ve noticed that the iMessage service on iPhones seems to work well to send messages to other iPhones, but doesn’t easily text Android users over the wi-fi. Services like WhatsApp work with no issues.

As well, you can setup your phone to call over wi-fi or call through a communication app. Either way, you can use the ship’s wi-fi to keep in touch.

Are There Data Caps on the Plans?

Most of the cruise line plans these days are “unlimited” plans that don’t put a cap on your data. 

That said, we wouldn’t push it by trying to download the Lord of the Rings trilogy. First of all, it would take forever at the connection speeds. Beyond that, the internet is being provided by satellite for thousands of passengers at any given time. It’s likely that you would be asked about using such a massive amount of data.

If you’re doing what the service is designed for — streaming shows, checking email, etc. — you likely won’t be running into issues. But if you are using a ton of data, you might be asked about what’s going on.

Do I Have to Buy Internet for Every Day of the Cruise?

When we mentioned pricing above, you noticed that it was on a per-day basis. Most plans are sold this way ( similar to drink packages ). You pay a set amount per day, and the plan is purchased for the entire cruise. So if it’s $20 per day, you’ll pay $140 for a seven-day cruise. This gives you access for the whole trip.

But what if you want to only occasionally check email or post to Facebook? In that case, the cruise lines usually sell a smaller package. It can either be a 24-hour pass (unlimited access for 24 consecutive hours) or a number of minutes to access the web. 

This allows you online access without the cost of paying for service during the entire cruise.

Are Websites Blocked or Filtered?

As you might expect, there is some blocking and filtering of websites while on the ship’s wi-fi. Of course, if you buy a lower-tier plan that doesn’t allow full access to the internet (such as Carnival’s Social plan) then you won’t be able to access the full internet. Even if you do have full online access, you can still expect some content filtering.

For most people this will never be an issue. 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, expect to use the internet like you would at your local library. You’ll be able to access everything you need… but maybe not everything you want.

Can I Use a VPN on the Cruise Ship?

Many people use a VPN in order to access their work privately. Unfortunately, these don’t always work on a cruise.

Carnival, for instance, has stated clearly in the past that “VPN connections are not supported” on their network. Royal Caribbean doesn’t explicitly state one way or the other, but we’ve seen several reports that using a VPN can be hit or miss for passengers. In our experience, using a VPN led to some interruption in the connection.

Norwegian Cruise Lines (NCL) is one of the few we’ve found that explicitly says they will let you access via a VPN. If you purchase their Unlimited Premium package, you are allowed access using one. Lower-tier packages do not allow VPN access.

In other words, unless you are sailing on Norwegian, then you should just assume you can’t access with a virtual private network. You might get lucky and be able to, but chances are slim.

Cruise Internet Seems Expensive, How Can I Save Money?

You are right that getting online access is pricey on a cruise. The good news is that there are ways you can save. We’ve covered them in more detail here , but here are some ideas:

Book a Cruise With Free Internet as a Perk Norwegian, Celebrity, Princess and other lines have started to offer sales that provide free perks for cruising. One of those perks is usually free wi-fi during your cruise. Book one of these and you don’t have to worry about the cost of access. It’s already included in your fare.

Wait Until You’re in Port to Get Online If you don’t need access every day, there’s a free way to get service: wait until you get to port. In many cruise ports there are stores or restaurants that offer free wi-fi to customers. You can sit down, have a bite to eat, and check email, etc. Now you might not be able to spend all day loitering while you watch a movie on your phone, but it’s a good way to check your email for free.

Pay For a Smaller Package While the internet is most widely sold in a package that lasts the length of your cruise, there are options for smaller amounts of time. Head to the ship’s internet Café and you’ll find that you can access the internet by the minute. It can be pricey on a per-minute basis, but still much cheaper than buying a package for the length of the cruise.

Buy Ahead of Time Want to save? Book ahead of time. 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.

It won’t make the service “cheap,” but it can take the sting off the high price tag.

Share a Connection Internet plans on cruise ships charge per device. So if you want to have two devices connected at once, then it’s double the cost. However, they also allow you to share a connection. 

Say you have a wi-fi package with one device. Once a person is done with it, then another person can login to that account and access the internet from their own device. So a husband can hop online to check email on his laptop, and then a wife can login later to surf the web on her phone without paying for an extra device. It’s just that only one device at a time is allowed.

More on Internet on a Cruise:

• Royal Caribbean VOOM Internet at Sea (Speed, Features, and More)
• Carnival Cruise Wi-Fi Service (Speed, Reliability, Cost, and More)
• Princess Cruises Wi-Fi Service (Speed, Reliability, Cost, and More)

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I am going on the Silver Dawn in Dec 23 I have discovered that it is the only ship in the Silver Seas brand that doesn’t have a contract with ATT. I really need to be able to receive and make phone calls on a 10 day caribbean cruise. You mentioned What’s APP Unless the person I am calling has What’s APP can I still receive /call this person.

Hi Vickie, in the Caribbean we use whatsapp a lot instead of texts so most persons have whatsapp. The catch is both persons need to have whatsapp for the features to work for whatsapp calls or whatsapp video as it’s using voip. You will still need an internet service to use whatsapp . It doesn’t work like regular phone calls in that sense so you would have to tell people in advance call me via whatsapp call during this period. Hope this helps .

Is it possible to teach online while cruising? I need minimum 10mbps upload and download

That would be iffy. During our tests across several lines, we’ve seen speeds ranging from 1-5 mbps.

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15 Cruise WiFi Tips, Secrets & Mistakes to Avoid

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Are you going on a cruise & wondering if you need to buy the cruise internet package, use an international plan or simply go without?

Cruise ship WiFi has changed over the years, making it more accessible, less expensive, and faster than ever. However, many cruisers are making huge mistakes when it comes to cruise ship WiFi.

In this post I share what to expect on a cruise, when it comes to WiFi & internet service. We also go through how to get faster internet speeds, free WiFi and the best ways to keep in touch with other cruise passengers & people back home!

This post contains affiliate links which means if you click and buy that I may make a commission, at no cost to you. Please see my disclosure policy for details.

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Cruise Ship Wifi – Everything You Need to Know

1. cruise ship wifi is slower than on land.

Whether you’re on a cruise ship with Starlink internet or a cruise that claims to have the “fastest WiFi at sea”, the WiFi speed will still be slower than on land. Unfortunately, even with the enhancements, cruise ship WiFi just isn’t 100% reliable at all times.

It’s important to have low expectations the WiFi may lose connectivity and will certainly be slower on a cruise ship. Often, cruise ship WiFi speed depends on the cruise line and ship you are sailing on, as well as your itinerary.

In my experience and that many other cruise passengers, the internet is usually better on Caribbean cruises than in other destinations. Mountainous regions like the Norwegian Fjords are notorious for having bad wifi connections.

2. The Cost of Wi-Fi on a Cruise

Unlike most hotels on land, cruise ship internet isn’t usually free. Internet prices and packages vary by cruise line. The cost ranges from $8 a day for the least expensive plan with Carnival Cruises, to $34.99 a day for an unlimited premium internet plan with Norwegian Cruise Line.

3. How to Get Free Wi-fi on a Cruise

Wi-fi can be expensive, so getting Wi-Fi or internet for free on a cruise is always good. Unfortunately, most cruise lines don’t include unlimited Wi-Fi in the cost of the cruise. However, there are some exceptions.

Luxury cruise lines like Viking Ocean and Silversea Cruises include WiFi for the duration of your cruise. When it comes to mainstream cruise lines, Virgin Voyages includes basic internet with the cost of the cruise.

4. Get an All-Inclusive Package That Includes Wi-Fi

If you’re not cruising with those cruise lines, there are some great options if you need wifi while cruising. Look for all-included cruise packages or WiFi bundles.

All-Inclusive Packages

For example, if you’re sailing with Princess Cruises, you can purchase Princess Plus at the time of booking. With Princess Plus, you’ll get WiFi for one device per person, a beverage package, the crew gratuities included. If you do the math, this is a great value.

Other cruise lines that offer a similar all-inclusive plan are Celebrity Cruises and Holland America.

Celebrity’s all-included plan includes basic WiFi, a beverage package and tips for the crew. Holland America’s Have it All promotion is all-inclusive plan consisting of WiFi , a beverage package, and specialty restaurant.

Free-Wifi Perks

If you book with Norwegian Cruise Line, take a look at the Free At Sea promotion . This includes perks such as a beverage package, specialty dining, a shore excursion credit and 75-350 minutes of Wi-Fi, depending on the length of your cruise.

Wi-Fi Package Bundles

Even if your cruise line does not have an all-inclusive package, you may have the option of purchasing two items together, bundling internet with another package. For example, buying the Wi-Fi and beverage package together is often less expensive than buying each on its own.

5. Purchase Your Internet Package in Advance

By purchasing your WiFi plan in advance on the cruise line’s website, you can save 15% or more on the internet package. Many first-time cruisers make the mistake of waiting until they board their cruise to purchase wi-fi, and then they have to pay the price.

It’s best to purchase your WiFi, specialty dining, and drink packages on the cruise website’s cruise planner before you go. This is a good way to save some money on your cruis e.

6. Cruise Line Loyalty Discounts

Cruise lines have loyalty programs which reward their guests with points that accumulate. Once cruise passengers reach higher levels, they are often able to get access to some loyalty perks and discounts.

This can include discounts on the Wi-Fi package, or even on an upgrade from the basic internet package to a high-speed internet package.

Depending on the cruise line, cruise loyalty rewards can also include free laundry, specialty dining, and discounts on the drink package.

7. Put Your Phone in Airplane Mode

Many people wonder how to use Wi-Fi when their phone is on Airplane mode. However, when you are in airplane mode, you can still access the cruise ship’s Wi-Fi.

Forgetting to put your cell phone onto airplane mode, can be a huge mistake for cruise ship passengers . Once away from land and out to sea, you can can be faced with the cost of international roaming charges, which can be hundreds or even thousands of dollars.

To connect to the cruise ship’s WiFi and onboard app, first put your mobile phone in airplane mode. If you need help with this, you’ll find crew members at the internet help desk that will be glad to assist.

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8. Cruise Line App

Even if you don’t want to purchase the cruise ship WiFi, you can still access the cruise line app. The cruise ship will have a wi-fi network so that you can access their app.

Nowadays, cruise line apps are more important than ever for seeing the daily activities , making reservations, and booking shore excursions.

You can often look look at the dining room menus, order room service, and even order food to your location or to pick up (on certain cruise lines).

Some cruise lines have a control which allows you to access controls in your cabin. For instance, on Celebrity Beyond I was able to open the blinds in my Infinite Veranda cabin , open and close lights, and even adjust the temperature from the cruise line app.

9. Messaging & Chats

Messaging people on your cruise.

Wondering how to keep in touch with family member and friends onboard your cruise? Many cruise lines offer free messaging to other passengers through the cruise line app. Norwegian Cruise Line and Carnival charge a small fee ($5-10).

This is a great way to reach your friends, family, and other passengers you meet on the cruise ship.

Messaging People Back Home

If you purchased the cruise ship’s Wi-Fi, you could message your friends and family on the cruise or back home by using Facebook Messenger, WhatsApp or iMessage.

You can even use FaceTime or FaceTime Audio to make calls while on your cruise vacation.

10. Cellular at Sea

These days many people are asking about ways to use a mobile phone on a cruise and wonder if Cellular at Sea programs are good options.

It’s possible to purchase an international phone plan. However, this doesn’t mean that using your phone will be free while you’re at sea.

Verizon and AT&T have Cellular at Sea plans. With At & T, plans start at $50 for 30 days, with up to 50 minutes of talk and unlimited texts.

Something to note is that Cellular at Sea is not available on all cruise ships. If you go over your limits, fees can be costly.

It’s a good idea to check the available plans, ask questions and read the fine print, to see what is best for you.

11. How to Save Money on Cruise Ship Wi-Fi

It’s no secret that cruise ship WiFi can be expensive. However, in recent years cruise lines have been making an effort to lower the cost of onboard internet.

Most cruise lines offer a couple different WiFi packages. Basic packages often allow access to popular social media platforms, text messages and email. Premium packages have faster speeds and usually allow uploads and streaming, in addition to social media and email.

If you don’t plan on streaming videos while on your cruise, consider purchasing the basic or cheaper packages. This is a great way to save money on cruise ship WiFi.

The other thing you can do is share a WiFi plan with the other people in your cabin. Rather than buying a multi-device plan, you can buy a plan for one single device. This is great for those who plan on using wi-fi on only their phone rather than on their tablets or computer.

13. Save Time By Downloading Before Your Cruise

If you like to read books on your mobile device, listen to audiobooks, or watch Netflix while you’re on a cruise, then be sure to download them before your cruise.

Since the cruise ship WiFi can be slow, it can take very long to download your online content. You will save tons of time by downloading your e-books, audiobooks, podcasts, and movies in advance.

14. Wi-fi Is Usually Faster Early in the Morning or Late At Night

If you’re using the wi-fi for work or streaming, use it early in the morning or late at night. From our experience, we’ve found that when fewer people are on the WiFi, the internet works faster.

The wi-fi tends to be slower during the day, as many people are using the internet at the same time and there is some congestion. If you need to use the WiFi for work or school, you will want to go on the internet in the morning or in the evening.

15. Look for Free Public Wi-Fi in Ports of Call

Often, most cruise ports will have places, like restaurants and cafes, where you can find free public Wi-Fi. If you like to disconnect while you’re on vacation, this is the perfect way to send a quick message or email to your family to let them know you’re safe.

Tip: When you’re in port, you will see groups of crew members on their phones hanging out by the places that offer free internet. You can also ask crew on your ship, as they often know some good spots at the cruise port.

16. Can You Use a VPN on a Cruise?

Many people are concerned about using public wi-fi. However, many cruise ships do not allow passengers to use a VPN while on board (an exception is Norwegian, with it’s premium plan).

Cruise lines tell us cruise ship WiFi is safe. However, you may want to consider using a VPN if you’re accessing public WiFi during your travels.

Video: 15 Cruise Ship Wifi Tips, Tricks & Things to Know

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Final Thoughts on Cruise Wi-Fi Tips, Secrets & Mistakes to Avoid

Well, there it is, all the cruise wi-fi tips, secrets, and mistakes you must avoid!

Whether you’re an experienced cruiser or a new cruiser, there is so much to know about cruise wi-fi. Knowing these cruise ship internet tips will be helpful for your next cruise.

Cruise internet is changing. Do you usually get a Wi-Fi plan on a cruise? Please let me know your questions and tips in the comments below.

Happy Cruising!

If you enjoy this post please don’t keep it to yourself ;-). Please feel free to share on Facebook or Pinterest (share buttons at the top). Thanks so much!

Author Bio: Ethan Schattauer writes about fashion, travel and college advice on the website WhatToWearMen.com . As a frequent cruiser, Ethan shares his unique perspective on what cruising is like for teens and young adults.

Re: scams. I have fallen for this twice in 2 different countries! I asked for a medium Tshirt and they said they had it but gave me a small, which I’m sure they have trouble getting rid of. Didnt check the shirt to see if they were honest til later.

Uggh. Thanks for sharing

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Where is Wi-fi available on board?

Once on board, you will be able to connect to the ships internet on wireless enabled devices such as your mobile phone/tablet and laptop.

The most reliable location for Wi-fi access is in the Atrium as well as most public areas. Further information can be found on board, including prices and how to connect.

Home » Cruise Ships & Wifi (Free Internet on Cruise Ships?) Updated 2024

Cruise Ships & Wifi (Free Internet on Cruise Ships?) Updated 2024

Last updated on March 9th, 2024 at 08:40 pm

We live in a digital age where social media is prevalent in many aspects of our lives.

Whether we are chronicling our travels, advertising our business interests, getting remote work taken care of, sharing vlogs , or engaging with friends and family – few can go a day, much less extended time periods without Wi-Fi access or means of getting to their accounts.

Especially in this remote-work-driven world, business has become a work-from-anywhere endeavor where you can be cruising the world and still keeping a finger on the heartbeat of your other ventures.

Table of Contents

Do cruise ships have Wi-Fi?

The short answer is yes…but it differs from cruise line to cruise line.

What follows is a breakdown of the advertised services around Wi-Fi by the cruise line and previous cruiser insights on these services for many cruise lines sailing vacationers are considering.

Things to remember about the internet onboard cruise ships:

Ships offer internet via satellite, which will be slower than the internet you will find on land. This also means that weather can affect connectivity.

Ships also will deal with bandwidth and data issues, which means the more people that are using it at the same time, the slower it will generally be.

A common question people ask is if they will be able to work a bit from the ship, i.e. do a Zoom call, etc. The answer is usually “maybe,” but you won’t likely know until you go to actually use it.

It will depend on where in the world/ocean you are, where in the ship you are, how many other people are using at the same time, etc. It’s best not to bank on it.

Royal Caribbean WiFi Packages

After a successful trial of Starlink satellite internet on Freedom of the Seas, RCL says it will be rolling it out to the rest of the fleet soon (2022/2023). A timeline has been set that will see Starlink installed on all Royal Caribbean ships by the end of Q1 2023!

This should vastly improve the speed and reliability of the internet onboard, but for now, RCL’s internet is still touted as the “fastest internet at sea.”

From my own personal experience, I tested StarLink internet onboard the Brilliance of the Seas in January 2023. Download speed was 97.7Mbps while upload was 16.5Mbps. For most users, even heavy users, this speed is more than fast enough for streaming as well as work applications.

Royal Caribbean offers VOOM high speed internet you can add to your cruise to stream and stay connected, but costs will vary based on number of devices you wish to connect as well as your ship and sailing.

The VOOM Surf Voyage Package on average starts at $15.99/day for one device and allows you to surf the web and send emails.

If you want to be able to stream as well as browse the internet, the VOOM Surf and Stream package would be for you at an average of $22.99/day. Again, these prices vary based on ship, sailing and number of devices you wish to connect.

Watch for package deals prior to your cruise and check if your Crown and Anchor member level offers a discount on internet service.

Overall, users have good things to say about the service, though it does appear there can be some spotty coverage depending on your itinerary. You can also use Royal’s app without having to pay to connect to their Wi-Fi.

Celebrity Cruises WiFi Packages

**StarLink Internet has been installed on some Celebrity ships as of mid-2023.

With Celebrity, Premium Wi-Fi is the top-tier package you can add to your cruises on Celebrity for near-constant coverage while cruising. This package is great for those wishing to stream movies and such while underway and seems to have fairly good reviews from previous customers.

Basic Wi-Fi is for those needing some basic email and messaging services for a more value-added cost. This is included in Celebrity’s “ Always Included.”

Costs will vary based on ship, sailing and number of devices, but they do note that Wi-Fi packages are not available on ships sailing from the Galapagos.

Celebrity suggests if you book it in advance, you’ll save 10% than if you were to wait and purchase it on board, but often there will be additional deals when paired with other upgraded packages.

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.

MSC Cruises WiFi Packages

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.

The satellite internet , called Browse (just surfing websites), or Browse & Stream (allows for streaming Netflix) packages on MSC Cruises offer the ability to bring your own devices for public area and café spot coverage.

When added to a cruising package, it is available 24/7 with no data caps, which is nice considering others throttle when available if you read the fine print. The packages vary in price based on the length of the cruise and number of devices you wish to connect, but you can expect to pay approximately $12/day per device for the Browse internet package for a week-long cruise.

They also have cafes with printers and full screens and keyboards to facilitate work or other activities.

You can get discounts on the packages if you purchase them before boarding, or when adding multiple devices because each package is attached to a certain device, so you’d need a separate package for each device you wish to access the internet.

They do advise that if you want to use the internet when it’s fastest, to avoid doing it first thing in the morning, or when the majority of passengers return from shore excursions .

Carnival Cruises WiFi Packages

Carnival is pretty transparent in the three levels of Wi-Fi offered:

Social Plan – $6.80/person per day (can save 15% if purchased online pre-cruise) – allows access to social sites/apps, and airline websites, presumably to allow the user to check in for their flight while aboard, but may not allow access to other websites/apps

Value Plan – 10.20/person per day (can save 15% if purchased online pre-cruise) – allows surfing on websites and access to email, but does not allow for streaming (i.e. Netflix or Spotify) or for video calls (i.e. Skype or Zoom)

Premium Plan – $13.60/person per day (can save 20% if purchased online pre-cruise).  boasts three times faster connection to allow for streaming and video calling (where coverage allows).

Check the fine print and ensure that you pick the right package as there are some pre-purchase restrictions that are enforced before embarking .

*Carnival Cruise Lines will be installing StarLink Satellite internet on their ships in 2023. This will be a much faster experience. Stay tuned for more info on when it will be installed on all ships in the fleet. 

Holland America WiFi Packages

HAL offers satellite internet through the ship’s Wi-Fi or at workstations in the Explorations Cafe. There are three packages available, all with varying levels of data available:

Social – allows you to access popular social sites and apps, but may not allow for streaming or audio/video calls – $14.99/day

Surf – the most popular option which allows for broader internet surfing including news and sports sites, accessing your e-mail, but also may not allow for streaming or audio/video calls – $24.99

Premium – this has the highest amount of data which allows for everything including streaming and video calls.

The caveats with their internet, however, are that it won’t be as fast as internet on land (and current customers agree), and because it’s provided via satellite, physical blockages will affect connectivity (i.e. inclement weather or mountains).  Also, they do have a select number of free sites under “Complementary Browsing.”

*As Holland America is part of Carnival, StarLink Internet will be coming to the fleet in 2023.

Princess Cruises WiFi Packages

MedallionNet is the Wi-Fi service of Princess cruise lines, and recently they announced some improvements to their service even to help accommodate those that might need to work while onboard.

They boast their services being “The Best Wi-Fi at Sea,” and they have several unlimited day packages for as little as $9.99 a day for a one device package. If you are a Platinum or Elite guest, you’ll get 50% off, or if you purchase Princess Plus , your Wi-Fi will be included.

It must be added that there is a lot of good reviews out there that might back this claim but again, read through all the data to make the best-informed decision.

*As Princess is part of Carnival, StarLink Internet will be coming to the fleet in 2023.

Norwegian Cruise Lines WiFi Packages

Norwegian’s services onboard are offered in internet cafes onboard , with some stateroom access on certain ships.

Laptop rentals, email access, and other items for this coverage can be found on their website, but for those needing streaming services or more robust coverage for work, you must take a hard look at this one before booking.

Unlimited  Wi-Fi Package – 1 device is $25.50/day when purchased prior to your cruise. This allows you to browse websites, use social media apps (except for TikTok), and access email (no VPN).

Unlimited Premium Wi-Fi Package – 1 device is 34.99/day when purchased prior to your cruise. This allows access to streaming sites, like YouTube, Netflix, etc. as well as if you need to use a VPN to access your email.

Unlimited Social Media Wi-Fi – 1 device – 12.50/day when purchased prior to your cruise allows access to Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, but not TikTok.

Norwegian also has an option where you can purchase 250 minutes of internet for use any time during your cruise for the price of $105.00 if purchased in advance of your cruise. If you want to purchase it onboard, it will be $125 plus a $3.95 activation fee. It can be used only on one device at at time.

NCL offers different perks on different cruises, so many bookings come with some complimentary minutes of internet and it’s easy to upgrade your package once on board.

*Norwegian has experimented with StarLink internet on their ships so plan on upgrades coming in 2023. 

Disney Cruises WiFi Packages

Connect@Sea is the program covering all of Disney’s Internet packages at sea options. You will pay for the data you use, not by the minute, so if you’re looking to stream Netflix or just upload a few pictures to Instagram, you’ll be able to find the package right for you.

You can also share the package between devices simultaneously, as Disney’s technology will combine the amount of data. There is no discount for purchasing packages before your cruise, as Disney advises to look for a current price list in your cabin, or by talking to Guest Services.

There is free access to the Disney Cruise Line Navigator app, which is also accessible to view other data packages.

Virgin Voyages WiFi Packages

Wanting to stay ahead of the game and to keep current with their innovative approach to cruising, Virgin Voyages will be the first cruise line to incorporate SES Cruise mPOWERED + Starlink PRO services.

SES is a global leader in satellite communications and Virgin will combine Medium Earth Orbit (MEO) and Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite coverage in their bid to deliver the fastest internet speeds for their cruise passengers.

The cruise line will be offering speeds up to 1.5 Gbps, well above the standard offerings. The pandemic changes the way the world does business, and has opened up remote working opportunities for many.

The world has also become acutely aware of the importance of connectivity. While most people don’t want to work on a vacation, the ability to remain connected, even for short periods, has made it apparent that combining business and pleasure can work out very well for all concerned.

Younger guests, such as those attracted to Virgin Voyages, tend to attract, feels that connectivity is paramount.  Having a reliable internet connection allows for cruisers to check in at work or home with confidence that those important connections will be ready and available when needed. 

Passengers will be able to keep up on messaging, emails and make video calls. This valuable service will help keep a cruiser current with business obligations and also give the peace of mind that being able to connect with home brings. 

Costa Cruises WiFi Packages

Costa features a Data and Social package for their internet, with access available in all public areas and cabins throughout their ships. They have an Internet Point area where you can use onboard devices or bring your full ship usage.

Additionally, their packages range from 250 MB to 3 GB. Their social package has a list of sites it allows access to in a more economical fashion – or you can pay as you go if you aren’t sure of your needs before sailing.

*As Costa Cruises is part of Carnival, StarLink Internet will be coming to the fleet in 2023.

Viking Ocean Cruises WiFi Packages

Internet access onboard is free , but there are some significant limitations on bandwidth for such activities as streaming. The ships do have a Business Center on board with computers or use your device, but the other amenities onboard are the draw – internet access due to itineraries, and locations along with onboard setup make access to the internet not as spectacular as on other cruise lines.

Oceania WiFi Packages

Wavenet is the internet service provided by Oceania, and the basic levels are free to all sailing with them. Additionally, a Prime option can be tacked for $9.99 a day to more robust access to allow for such things as streaming and the like.

Passengers in the premium Owners and Vista suites even get provided an iPad ensuite for the duration of the voyage for their use in accessing social media, email, and other internet options.

Azamara WiFi Packages

Azmara offers packages that start at $0.33/a minute with one-hour passes to one-day or full cruise packages. Several spelled out limitations to their services, such as Skype and others, so it’s important to go through their exceptionally detailed and transparent services listings before setting expectations for your cruise.

Silversea Cruises WiFi Packages

Silversea has unlimited complimentary internet for all those sailing. Speed limitations depend on the package level and ship, so checking to ensure you have the right service may include additional service level add-ons, but basic levels remain free.

They also feature onboard cafes where you may use their computers and other devices or bring your own and access the internet throughout their ships.

Seabourn WiFi Packages

Seabourn, the luxury cruise line is the newest cruise line to be equipped with Starlink internet . Expect fast internet speeds while you’re cruising to exotic locations offered by Seabourn. Learn more about complimentary WiFi on Seabourn .

A Word of Caution About Cruise Line Wi-Fi

Certain apps, a variety of service options, port of call , and destinations along your cruise can all impact the internet service on a ship.

If these services and having access to friends, coworkers, work, or even social media feeds are important to you, do your research before embarking as not all cruise lines have given their online services the same consideration.

Can you stream movies on a cruise ship?

Wi-Fi is getting better for certain and more readily available. While the speed of an individual cruise ship might be enough to stream movies, you might end up going through your available bandwidth quickly.

Additional charges in most cases will apply for streaming or higher/longer coverage periods and can have a significant impact on the cost of your cruise experience if not booked in advance.

That being said, it is not the same on every ship, and the costs are specific to each cruise line, so don’t make assumptions that just because you sail on one two years ago and want to pick a new line, the services may not be the same.

Why Is StarLink Internet a Game-changer for Cruise Ship Internet?

One of the primary advantages of Starlink Internet is its exceptional speed. Traditional satellite internet systems often suffer from latency issues due to the long distance signals must travel to reach the orbiting satellites and back to Earth.

However, Starlink employs a novel approach by deploying a constellation of thousands of small, low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites. These satellites are positioned much closer to the Earth’s surface, significantly reducing the latency and providing faster internet speeds.

Early tests and user reports have shown that Starlink offers download speeds ranging from 50 to 150 Mbps, with latency typically under 50 milliseconds. This makes it comparable to, and sometimes even surpassing, land-based broadband connections.

These innovations are good news for ALL cruise lines passengers. Cruise lines are striving to meet the need of cruisers to maintain a reliable connection with home and work. This will be a benefit for all. 

What’s the Verdict on Cruise Ship WiFi?

Depending on the destination, cruise ship capabilities, and even your stateroom location, the variances in coverage can be significant.

Look at the cruise line websites and reviewers on popular websites like the CruiseCritic Forums who can be brutally honest in reviewing such amenities. Real-life examples may help you from being frustrated mid-cruise and not enjoying a hard-earned vacation due to slow internet when you are already out to sea.

This page contains affiliate links for which we may receive financial compensation when a purchase has been made through one of our affiliate partners.

About Jonathon Hyjek

Jonathon is the tech guy behind CruiseportAdvisor.com. When he's not stuck in front of his computer, Jonathon enjoys travel & cruising (even after being on a cruise ship that caught fire - a story for another day!)

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