15 Cruise WiFi Tips, Secrets & Mistakes to Avoid

cruise ship wifi tips, secrets & mistakes to avoid

Sharing is caring!

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.

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

how to buy cruise wifi

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

how to buy cruise wifi

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

how to buy cruise wifi

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.

Get The Ultimate Cruise Planner

Regular price: $27 now just $17.

how to buy cruise wifi

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.

cruise-wifi-tips-secrets-mistakes-to-avoid-PIN

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

Cruise ship wifi

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

how to buy cruise wifi

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

Related & Popular Posts

  • 50+ Must-have Cruise Essentials from Amazon
  • What to Pack for Your First Cruise
  • What To Wear on a Cruise Vacation
  • 10 Things That (Almost) Always Surprise New Cruisers
  • 15 Things to Bring on a Cruise from Home (to save money)
  • 75 Genius Cruise Hacks and Tips
  • 20+ Best Cruise Dresses: Amazon Ladies Resort Wear
  • 10 Things to Never Do on a Cruise Ship Balcony
  • 25 Cruise Embarkation Day Tips You Need to Know
  • 12 Things to Do as Soon as You Get Into Your Cruise Cabin
  • 17 Cruise Cabin Essentials Every Cruiser Needs

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.

' src=

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.

' src=

Uggh. Thanks for sharing

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

  • Favorites & Watchlist Find a Cruise Cruise Deals Cruise Ships Destinations Manage My Cruise​ FAQ Perfect Day at CocoCay The World’s Biggest Weekend Crown & Anchor Society Cruising Guides Gift Cards Contact Us Royal Caribbean Group
  • Back to Main Menu
  • Search Cruises " id="rciHeaderSideNavSubmenu-2-1" class="headerSidenav__link" href="/cruises" target="_self"> Search Cruises
  • Cruise Deals
  • Weekend Cruises
  • Last Minute Cruises
  • Family Cruises​
  • 2024-2025 Cruises
  • All Cruise Ships " id="rciHeaderSideNavSubmenu-4-1" class="headerSidenav__link" href="/cruise-ships" target="_self"> All Cruise Ships
  • Cruise Dining
  • Onboard Activities
  • Cruise Rooms
  • The Cruise Experience
  • All Cruise Destinations " id="rciHeaderSideNavSubmenu-5-1" class="headerSidenav__link" href="/cruise-destinations" target="_self"> All Cruise Destinations
  • Cruise Ports
  • Shore Excursions
  • Perfect Day at CocoCay
  • Caribbean Cruises
  • Bahamas Cruises​
  • Alaska Cruises
  • European Cruises​
  • Mediterranean Cruises​
  • Cruise Planner
  • Book a Flight
  • Book a Hotel
  • Check-In for My Cruise
  • Required Travel Documents
  • Make a Payment
  • Redeem Cruise Credit
  • Update Guest Information
  • Beverage Packages​
  • Dining Packages​
  • Shore Excursions​
  • Transportation
  • Royal Gifts
  • All FAQs " id="rciHeaderSideNavSubmenu-7-1" class="headerSidenav__link" href="/faq" target="_self"> All FAQs
  • Boarding Requirements
  • Future Cruise Credit​
  • Travel Documents​
  • Check-in​ & Boarding Pass
  • Transportation​
  • Perfect Day at CocoCay​
  • Royal Caribbean
  • Celebrity Cruises

Mother and Son Snorkeling and Taking a Selfie

THE FASTEST INTERNET AT SEA 

Royal Caribbean VOOM, the fastest internet at sea, is now available on every Royal Caribbean ship. With six times faster onboard WiFi speed than you’ll find on any other cruise ships in the world, the internet connectivity is unlike anything you’re ever experienced on a cruise ship.

Voom Ultimate Family Suite Internet Starlink

SHARE THE JOY 

Stay connected with friends and family all cruise long with 24 hour access. The VOOM Surf + Stream Internet Package lets you message and video chat on messenger services, browse the web, send emails and post on social media, and video chat live. Plus stream your favorite videos, movies, music and shows.

PURCHASE VOOM SURF + STREAM INTERNET PACKAGE

YOUR CONNECTIVITY HIGH SPEED IN YOUR HANDS

Whether it’s checking your emails, browsing the web, or streaming your favorite shows, music, and movies directly to your device, amp up your cruise experience with our VOOM Surf + Stream Voyage Package. You’ll also get to share the adventure in real-time on social media and video calls. Packages are available for up to four devices.

Reserve a Package Now

Prices are per device estimates and will vary.

voom--play

vOOm surf & stream

Save more with a beverage package.

Fountain sodas on serving tray, cruise drink package for kids by Royal Caribbean.

CLASSIC SODA PACKAGE + VOOM 1 DEVICES

Kids and parents both score with the Classic Soda Package + 1 VOOM Device. They’ll stay refreshed and connected — and you’ll save.

EXPLORE BEVERAGE PACKAGES

Bartender Making Garnishing a Cocktail

DELUXE BEVERAGE PACKAGE

Stay refreshed with unlimited drinks, including cocktails, sodas and more — plus enjoy savings when you bundle high speed internet.

Harmony of the Seas Sabor Cocktails

WHAT IS ROYAL CARIBBEAN BEVERAGE DRINK PACKAGE?

Quench your thirst onboard with a beverage package that gets you the best value on your favorite drinks, from Coca-Cola® to fine wine, premium and frozen cocktails to a full selection of beers, fruit juices to Evian® water.

Harmony Couple Lounging in Solarium

Guide To An All-Inclusive Cruise

Chops Grille Steak

Ultimate Dining Guide On Your Cruise

More ways to enrich your cruise .

Before you Board

My Personas

Code: ∅.

The pre-purchase window for certain products and activities closes between one and three days prior to the sail date. If you missed the purchase window, check with us once you're on board — we'll help you find what you’re looking for.

The purchase window for certain products and activities closes before to the sail end date. If you missed the purchase window, check with us on board, we'll help you find what you’re looking for.

Internet Plans

About internet plans.

Already booked your cruise?

Log In  to shop food, entertainment and gifts for yourself or a friend!

Feeling Generous?

Give a gift to your friend going on one of our cruises!

  • 1-855-932-1711
  • My Account Hello Credits My Account Log out

how to buy cruise wifi

Cruise Wi-Fi Plans & Internet Packages

Stay connected at sea with our cruise Wi-Fi plans. Choose from options based on your browsing needs—simply surf the web, call your friends on a messaging app, or stream your favorite shows and movies.

Surf – Have It All

Read the news, check your email and keep up with your favorite sites.

  • Web surfing, emails, news & sports apps
  • Messaging apps (audio/video features not supported)

Only available with ‘Have It All’ fare

Access the sites and apps in the Surf Wi-Fi plan, plus make audio and video calls.  

  • Audio & messaging apps
  • Web surfing, sports, emails & news
  • Messaging apps (basic audio/video features are supported, video streaming services are not supported)

US $34.99** per day.

Stream your favorite movies and shows right from your Netflix, Disney+, Prime, Max, and other accounts. 

  • Binge-watch endless entertainment at sea using your streaming service accounts
  • Enjoy all the benefits of our other two Wi-fi plans including internet access, Wi-Fi calling and video messaging

US $45.99** per day

*PRICES ARE IN USD AND SUBJECT TO CHANGE **DISCOUNT MAY APPLY FOR LONGER SAILINGS. DAILY PACKAGES NOT AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE FOR ANY PLAN PRE-CRUISE. DISCOUNT MAY APPLY FOR LONGER SAILINGS. 7- DAY SURF VOYAGE PRICING BEGINS AT US $17.15 PER DAY AND 7- DAY PREMIUM VOYAGE PRICING BEGINS AT US $22.86 PER DAY, 7-DAY STREAM PRICING BEGINS AT $35.00 PER DAY. PACKAGES ARE AVAILABLE UP TO 135 DAYS.

What Wi-Fi is included in the 'Have It All' fare and can I upgrade?

Yes – upgrades are available for our Surf Wi-Fi plan, the plan included as part of the Have It All fare. Once on board, guests can upgrade to Premium or Stream, higher service level packages or to multiple devices. Premium is available for a 24-hour or daily purchase once onboard. Stream is only available for the length of the guest’s voyage or remaining days in voyage and not available for a 24-hour or daily purchase.

How much usage is allowed per day per user?

With the introduction of content-based plans guests no longer have to worry about running out of minutes or megabytes – they can use their device to access included sites all day. After certain daily limits guest data may receive lower prioritization but guests will not be prevented from accessing sites included in their package.

What is the available upload and download speed per user?

We are unable to guarantee a specific upload or download speed to our fleet. As our ships operate in a maritime environment sometimes far from shore, we rely on a complex satellite system for our internet service and speeds vary around the world. Our ships do subscribe to a high service level and speed to the ships is similar to highspeed broadband internet you may have at home.

Is Wi-Fi available reliably around the ship including in my stateroom?

Wi-Fi is available in all guest areas aboard Holland America Line ships including in guest staterooms and suites. Holland America Line has invested over the past few years to expand onboard Wi-Fi service to satisfy growing guest demand for digital access at sea.

It was very slow on my last cruise on my last cruise, has quality improved?

Holland America Line has made improvements to the plan options, service to the ships, and Wi-Fi access throughout the ship. With the changes we have made we aim to improve guest’s digital experiences compared to prior cruises aboard Holland America Line. This is a direct reflection of listening to guest feedback.

What happened to minutes-based pricing?

Based on guest feedback we have moved away from pricing based on minutes or megabytes. Our aim is to reduce friction in the guest experience by ensuring guests do not have to monitor their usage – they only need to purchase the package which includes the sites they want and enjoy. If guests need temporary access to more sites they can upgrade seamlessly from the same device they’re using to access Wi-Fi.

Does everyone in the stateroom need to purchase or can they share?

The base Wi-Fi package  included  with Have It All  includes  access for one device for each of Guest 1 and 2 on a booking. If guests would like to have more devices individually or for a 3rd or 4th guest on their booking, guests can purchase upgrades to multiple device plans onboard. This can be done seamlessly from their first device just like upgrading service level package. Guests on a multiple device plan will all have the same service level package.

how to buy cruise wifi

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

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

Last updated on January 30th, 2024 at 05:17 pm

cruise ship wifi

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?

wifi

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

The satellite internet 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

Virgin Voyages includes Basic Wi-Fi in all their cruises and not only is accessible throughout the ship, but it’s also accessible at the Beach Club in Bimini in the Bahamas ! It allows for accessing social media, surfing websites and checking email, but you can upgrade to Premium Wi-Fi for faster surfing and streaming for as little as $10/day.

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.

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.

how to buy cruise wifi

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!)

RECENT POSTS

lelepa3

Royal Caribbean Cruise Line Loyalty Programs: Sailing to Rewarding Adventures

lelepa3

Retirement Home Vs Life At Sea On A Cruise Ship

lelepa3

Do I Need Travel Insurance For A Cruise?

lelepa3

The Pros And Cons Of Cruising On A Smaller Cruise Ship

lelepa3

Are Drink Packages Worth It On A Cruise?

lelepa3

What Is It Like Being A Cruise Ship Captain?

Grab your tour with cruise port advisor now, a short description introducing your business and the services to visitors..

how to buy cruise wifi

© 2023 cruiseportadvisor All Rights Reserved.

  • Book Excursions
  • Anchorage, AK
  • Baltimore, MD
  • Cape Liberty, NJ
  • Charleston, SC
  • Ft Lauderdale, FL
  • Galveston, TX
  • Honolulu, HI
  • Jacksonville, FL
  • L.A. (San Pedro), CA
  • Long Beach, CA
  • Montreal, QC
  • New Orleans, LA
  • Norfolk, VA
  • NYC – Brooklyn
  • NYC – Manhattan
  • Port Canaveral, FL
  • Quebec City, QC
  • San Diego, CA
  • San Francisco, CA
  • San Juan, PR
  • Seattle, WA
  • Vancouver, BC
  • Whittier, AK
  • Alaska & Pacific Northwest
  • Central & South America
  • Cruise Ports in Bermuda
  • Dominican Republic
  • Mexico & Mexican Riviera
  • Eastern Canada & Quebec
  • New England
  • Los Angeles (San Pedro), CA
  • Fort Lauderdale, FL
  • Cruise Blog
  • Cruise FAQ’s

Mon-Fri 9am - 7pm EST Sat-Sun 9am - 6pm EST

how to buy cruise wifi

MSC Wi-Fi & Internet Packages

The Sea at its most Connected

Stay connected with our Wi-Fi on board and share every moment of your cruise with friends and family as you discover the treasures of the world,

by choosing one of our Internet Packages .

Share your special moments in real-time, stream your favorite shows or browse the web and check your emails whenever you want.

Our Internet Packages are tailored to cover the connection and the number of devices you need during your cruise.

Discover all MSC Cruises Internet Packages and book online to save up to 20% vs on board price .

The "Browse Internet Cruise Package" keeps you connected with friends and family all cruise long. Text on messenger services, browse the web and send emails using your devices.

  • Unlimited data
  • 24 hour access
  • Browse the web
  • Send and receive emails and images
  • Chat on messenger apps (e.g. WhatsApp)

Save more on multiple device packages. Book in advance to get a 20% discount vs on board prices .

Add to my cruise Please note that with this package it is not possible to view videos or access video or music streaming websites (such as Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Music, YouTube etc.) or video chat.

The "Browse & Stream Cruise Package" keeps you connected with friends and family all cruise long. Text on messenger services, browse the web and send emails using your devices.

  • Stream music and videos
  • Post video and live stream on social media

*Prices shown in the personal area are already discounted.

Check our FAQ section for additional information about our Internet Packages.

Wi-fi On Board

24/7 Internet access means you can stay in touch with the folks at home via your smartphone, tablet or laptop any time you like. Book the internet package that best suits your needs and stay connected!

Available on: all MSC Ships

Type of service: Charges apply 

Stay connected in all public areas using your devices. Service is accessible 24 hours a day.

MORE WAYS TO PERSONALIZE YOUR CRUISE

Personalize your cruise experience with tasty Drink Packages, delicious Specialty Restaurants, exciting Excursions, pampering Spa Treatments and Internet Packages to share your adventures. 

Book online and take advantage of pre-boarding prices.

Thank you for visiting MSC Cruises

Your browser may be out of date or not compatible with our new site and may not be secure.

For a better experience and to continue your booking with MSC, please update your browser by downloading the latest version below.

Thank you for visiting our site and we look forward to seeing you on board soon!

MSC Cruises

Firefox

Do cruise ships have Wi-Fi? A line-by-line guide to internet access at sea

Gwen Pratesi

Do cruise ships have Wi-Fi? Yes, but internet access on cruise ships is both better and worse than you may expect. If you're headed on a cruise vacation and want to stay in touch with family and friends — or stream movies and music on board the ship — it is possible to stay fully connected while at sea. But if you think the connectivity will be similar to a hotel, you'll need to adjust your expectations. Connectivity can be slow and spotty, although cruise lines are working to change that.

Ships rely on satellites for their internet connections at sea. The strength of the connection depends on several factors, including where you are in the world and the weather. On many lines, certain locations — such as public spaces near the center of the ship — tend to have better connectivity than other places (like your cabin).

Cruise lines are quickly adopting new technologies to make internet access more reliable — and more affordable. Royal Caribbean Group recently announced that it will start using SpaceX's Starlink, a quickly expanding satellite network with download speeds of 50 Mbps (megabits per second) to 250 Mbps and upload speeds of 10 to 20 Mbps.

For more cruise news, reviews and tips, sign up for TPG's cruise newsletter .

Here, I'll give an overview of what to expect from internet offerings on cruise ships, as well as a line-by-line look at the plans and pricing available on your next cruise vacation.

What types of Wi-Fi plans do cruise lines offer?

Larger mainstream cruise lines typically have several plans available for purchase, with the cheaper plans only supporting email and texting and the pricier plans allowing streaming and Wi-Fi calling. Most upscale and luxury cruise lines offer a complimentary basic Wi-Fi plan that you can upgrade if you need a faster connection.

Before purchasing a plan, consider how much time you'll be online, how many devices you need to connect (a smartphone, tablet and a laptop?) and how much speed you'll need. If all you want to do is check emails or send texts, you may not need to spend additional money on an upgraded plan at all. Most cruise lines, but not all of them, let you use a one-device plan across multiple devices as long as you're only logged in to one at a time.

Note that you do not need a cruise ship Wi-Fi plan to access the free services — such as ordering food or checking the daily schedule — on a cruise line's app.

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

Pro tips for using cruise ship Wi-Fi

how to buy cruise wifi

Before booking your cruise, look for promotions and deals that include basic Wi-Fi. If you can't get cruise ship internet included, don't wait to purchase your internet package until you're on board: It's usually less expensive to purchase Wi-Fi packages before sailing. Buying a package for the entire cruise is typically a better deal than the daily rate.

Keep your phone on airplane mode when you're on the ship to avoid roaming charges and other fees. Satellite roaming fees are much higher than you realize.

Related: Can you use your cellphone on a cruise?

Download apps, movies and music before your cruise. Not only can you access this entertainment on the flight to your home port, but you will be prepared should the onboard internet be slow on a sea day when you'd like to catch up on your must-watch show or listen to your favorite tunes at the gym.

To find the strongest Wi-Fi signal on the ship, download a network analyzer like NetSpot.

If you don't need to stay connected while on board, head into port and find a restaurant, bar or a mall with free Wi-Fi. Ask crew members on the ship about the best places for free Wi-Fi in port; they often know. Or, use apps like WiFi Map that show you locations of nearby hotspots when you're in port.

Related: How can I get Wi-Fi on a cruise for free?

If you're struggling to upload photos on a sea day when everyone is on board and online, wait until folks are off the ship in port to try again. Early morning and late at night when people are sleeping are also good times to find faster connections.

Line-by-line guide to cruise ship internet access

If you want to know what's available at sea before booking your next cruise, we've compiled a list of the available Wi-Fi plans and pricing for each of the major mainstream and luxury cruise lines. Most prices listed are per person, per day for the length of the cruise, and for one device, unless otherwise noted. Here is an overview of what to expect for the current cost and capabilities for Wi-Fi at sea; note that cruise lines can update pricing and plans at any time.

Price: Starting at $19.95 per day

Azamara 's internet access is provided by AT&T and Wireless Maritime Service. Guests on board the line's ships can choose to use one of their own devices to access Wi-Fi, such as a laptop or smartphone, or they can log in at one of the onboard Touch workstations.

Prepaid packages can be purchased during the first two days of the voyage, and pricing is based on the number of minutes — or days — guests will need access to the internet. The plans are only available for one device at a time, and unused minutes are nonrefundable. Prepaid options are priced at $19.99 for one hour of usage. A one-day pass is available at $29.95 for a full day. The daily sessions will end within 24 hours of purchase.

If guests buy a Full Voyage Unlimited Package, the cost is $19.95 per day. This plan can be purchased at any time during the sailing, but guests will be charged for the full length of the voyage.

Members of the line's loyalty rewards program, Azamara Circle, receive benefits and perks for internet options based on their level. Members who book a Suite or Verandah Plus category can also combine their loyalty and suite Wi-Fi minutes. Perks of membership range from a 5% savings, including 30 free Wi-Fi minutes, or 20% toward a Full Voyage Unlimited Package at the Azamara Circle Adventurer level. For Discoverer Platinum members, there's a 100% savings on Wi-Fi that provides a Full Voyage Unlimited Package, no matter the category of stateroom or length of the voyage.

Carnival Cruise Line

Price: starting at $10.20 per day.

Carnival Cruise Line offers guests the option of three plans via the line's satellite providers.

The Social Wi-Fi Plan provides access to the most popular social media apps, including Instagram, Facebook, WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger and others. Prices start at $10.20 per day, if purchased pre-cruise. The onboard purchase price is $12 per day.

The Value Wi-Fi plan, at $14.45 per day pre-cruise (onboard price is $17 per day), includes the Social plan features and also allows guests to browse the internet and send and receive emails.

The fastest connection available (at three times the speed of the Value plan) is with the Premium Wi-Fi plan. At $17 (or $20 on board) per day, guests will be able to place video calls and stream music and videos.

You can also purchase a single 24-hour pass for the Value plan at $20 or the Premium plan at $30.

Celebrity Cruises

how to buy cruise wifi

Price: Starting at $19.99 per day

Celebrity Cruises ' newest ship, Celebrity Beyond, uses Starlink as a provider for internet service — and the line is in the process of installing this service fleetwide.

For cabins booked as cruise-only fares, ranging from inside staterooms to Concierge class, Wi-Fi can be purchased separately on board the ship at $19.99 per day, per device for a Basic plan, which allows guests to browse the web, send and receive emails and text via messaging apps. The Premium plan costs $34.99 per day, per device, and adds the capability for live streaming, video chats and more. With either plan, there's a 10% savings when it's booked pre-cruise.

If guests choose the all-inclusive cruise price, fares include a Classic Drinks Package (with non-alcoholic and alcoholic beverages), basic Wi-Fi access and gratuities. AquaClass cabins always have Basic Wi-Fi included in the fare; suites in The Retreat always come with complimentary Premium Wi-Fi. If you have basic Wi-Fi included in your cruise fare, you can upgrade to the Premium Package for $15 per day.

Benefits of the line's Captain's Club membership include discounts of between 10% off a package for Classic-level members to a complimentary Premium Package for Zenith-level guests.

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

Cunard Line

Price: starting at $15 per day.

Cunard recently upgraded the hardware, software and access points across its fleet to improve Wi-Fi service for guests and crew. The newly upgraded plans can be purchased on board by logging onto the ship's Wi-Fi and going to the My Voyage app.

The Essential Internet plan is priced at $20 per day when bought on a day-by-day basis, or $15 per day for the entire voyage. This option allows you to browse the internet, send and receive emails, stream music and stay connected on social media platforms via text and photos.

The Premium Internet plan includes video streaming and a three times faster connection speed than the Essential plan. The cost for this option is $30 per day, or $20 per day for the whole voyage.

The pricing for either plan is for one device at a time, and these plans can be purchased at any time during your sailing. If you want to connect to the internet using two devices at once, you can purchase an additional plan with a 10% discount.

Cunard World Club Members may be eligible to receive credit toward internet on the ships: $45 per person for Gold members; $80 per person for Platinum members and $135 per person for Diamond members.

Disney Cruise Line

how to buy cruise wifi

Price: Starting at $10 per day

Disney Cruise Line offers different internet plans depending on the ship you're sailing and the location of your voyage. You can find out which options are available on your ship after boarding and accessing the DCL-GUEST Wi-Fi network.

For example, on Disney Magic in Europe, guests have a choice of three different packages starting with the Stay Connected plan at $10 per day. This option will provide enough bandwidth to post photos and send texts on social media sites like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Snapchat and Linkedin.

Basic Surf costs $20 per day and includes the benefits of the lower-priced plan (posting photos on social media) along with the ability to surf the internet and send and receive emails. Premium Surf offers the fastest connection speeds at $30 per day and features access to Apple Music and Spotify. Guests will also be able to make calls on Zoom or FaceTime and view short-form videos on sites like TikTok and YouTube, along with other benefits like access to emails, web surfing and more.

None of the packages support video streaming on platforms like Hulu and Netflix. Discounted pricing is available for up to four devices.

On other ships, guests may have to purchase packages by the megabyte, with either a pay-as-you-go option at $0.25 per megabyte or buying the small package for 100 megabytes at $19 ($0.19 per megabyte). The prices per megabyte decrease the more you purchase. It's important to note that there are additional charges to send emails.

Holland America Line

Price: starting at $14.99 per day.

Holland America uses supplemental bandwidth sources, like Starlink, to enhance connectivity for the line's guests and crew and the line offers three Wi-Fi plans. The Social plan, at $14.99 per day, per device (or $69.99 for a 7-night sailing), provides access to most social media websites and applications.

Surf is the most popular option at $24.99 per day ($99.99 for a 7-night sailing), per device, and allows you to search the web and send and receive emails.

The Premium package at $29.99 per day ($111.99 for seven nights), per device, includes streaming and audio/video calling. Additional plans are available for up to four devices at a discounted rate.

If you're considering other onboard expenses, the line's "Have It All" Premium Cruise Package is an economical way to get internet access as well as a Signature Beverage Package (with non-alcoholic and alcoholic drinks), specialty dining and a credit for shore excursions. The package is available on most sailings for $50 per person, per day.

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.

MSC Cruises

how to buy cruise wifi

Price: Starting at $10.39 per day

MSC Cruises ' current internet service providers are SES O3b and Marlink. The line says it's constantly upgrading bandwidth to increase speeds for passengers and crew. Prices for internet plans vary depending on the region; we've included current U.S. rates here.

MSC's Browse Package includes unlimited data, 24-hour internet access, chat and texts, and the ability to post photos and send and receive emails. Pricing starts at $10.39 per day, per device.

The Browse & Stream Package option includes the additional capability to video chat, stream music and movies, and post videos and live stream on social media. Pricing for this option is $14.39 per day, per device. The per-device price drops when purchasing either plan for multiple devices. Note that MSC does not let you switch from one device to another on the same plan, so make sure to sign in to your plan for the first time on the device you intend to use it on.

In addition, guests can save up to 20% on Wi-Fi packages if they book online before their sailing. Voyagers Club members also receive discounts on internet packages. Guests sailing in MSC Yacht Club receive a complimentary Browse package for two devices. It's possible to upgrade the package for an additional charge.

Norwegian Cruise Line

Price: starting at $12.50 per day.

Norwegian Cruise Line 's most basic internet plan is the Unlimited Social Media Access plan for posting on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat, WeChat, etc. (but not TikTok). This option is priced at $12.50 per day, per device ($14.99 if purchased on board). If your cruise is 13 days or longer, there will be a reduced price per day.

The cruise line's more popular option is the unlimited Wi-Fi package. It costs $25 per day for one device if purchased online before sailing ($29.99 per day if you buy the plan on the ship). This option provides web surfing capabilities and access to email and social media apps (but again, not TikTok). The unlimited Wi-Fi package for one device is also the plan that's included with a Free at Sea promotional cruise fare. You can find discounted pricing for the same package for two or up to four devices.

The Premium Package starts at $34.99 per day, per device. This plan would include streaming on Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, TikTok and more. Discounted pricing is available for up to four devices.

You can also opt to buy 250 minutes of Wi-Fi access for $105 ($125 onboard price). Only one device can be in use at a time with this plan.

If an internet package is included as part of NCL's Free At Sea promotion, guests can purchase an upgraded package before they sail or on board the ship. Loyal cruisers and members of the Latitudes Rewards Program receive discounts of up to 25% on Wi-Fi packages based on their membership tier level. Benefits begin with a 15% discount at the Platinum level.

It's also possible to rent a laptop on the ship or surf the internet at one of the workstations in the fleet's 24-hour Internet Café. Any of the internet packages can be used with a laptop rental or at the onboard cafes.

Oceania Cruises

Price: complimentary to $9.99 per day.

Oceania Cruises provides free, unlimited internet access with all cruise fares via Wavenet Wi-Fi. Released in 2018, Wavenet produces access speeds of 1 Mbps or less during prime guest use. Guests can log on to the internet throughout the ship, including in their staterooms or suites or in public spaces and outdoor areas. They can also use the computers at the Oceania@Sea Internet Center on board their ships if they don't have their own device.

One login is provided per cabin for use on one device at a time. Plans that include access for additional devices can be purchased on the ship, and an upgrade to streaming services for movies or music is available at a cost of $9.99 per day.

Princess Cruises

how to buy cruise wifi

Price: Starting at $9.99 per day

Princess Cruises claims the "fastest Wi-Fi at sea" with its MedallionNet technology, with download speeds of 12.6 Mbps and upload speeds of 1.9 Mbps. Carnival Corporation and Princess achieve this speed by working with SES Networks, a leading provider for satellite connectivity.

With this internet access, you can check email, chat, surf the internet, FaceTime with their kids and pets, post photos and stream shows and music with speeds similar to what you might have at home

Princess offers a one-device package starting at $9.99 per day that you can purchase through the MedallionClass app pre-cruise. Discounted pricing is available for up to four devices. Platinum and Elite members of Princess Cruises' loyalty program receive a 50% discount on plans that will show up as an onboard credit on the ship.

Guests can also purchase either a bundled Princess Plus or Princess Premier package, which are priced at about a 50% savings of the overall value when purchased pre-cruise through the MedallionClass app. Princess Plus includes a beverage package (with alcoholic drinks up to $12 each), Wi-Fi for a single device and crew gratuities. The cost for this plan is $50 per person per day.

With Princess Premier, guests will receive the Premier Beverage Package (with drinks up to $18 each), Wi-Fi for multiple devices, crew appreciation, two evenings of specialty dining, a photo package, and a chance to win prizes like a free onboard wine tasting, dinner at the Chef's Table or even a free cruise or cash. This package is priced at $75 per person a day.

With the latter option, you can also share the Wi-Fi availability with other passengers in the cabin that do not have Princess Premier.

Regent Seven Seas

Regent Seven Seas Cruises uses satellite communication systems and offers complimentary unlimited internet access throughout its fleet. You'll have access in most of the suites on the ships, but know that bandwidth-heavy applications such as Netflix, Skype, YouTube and VPN are not included in the free plans.

One login is provided per suite for use with one device at a time. Gold and higher-level members of the Seven Seas Society and guests in Concierge Suites and higher receive up to four logins/devices per suite.

If guests are interested in streaming, they can pay for a higher-bandwidth plan at the cost of $9.99 per day.

Royal Caribbean

how to buy cruise wifi

Royal Caribbean touts its VOOM internet as the "fastest internet at sea" with speeds six times faster than Wi-Fi plans you'll find on other cruise ships in the world. Royal Caribbean Group is also in the process of implementing Elon Musk's SpaceX Starlink technology across its fleet.

With Royal Caribbean's basic Surf plan, guests can search the internet, send emails and post photos on social media platforms. One-day passes for one device start at $25.99, and unlimited voyage packages cost $14.99 per day, per device.

With the Surf + Stream package, passengers can surf the internet, stay in touch via email, post photos and also stream music and movies while on board the ship. One-day passes (for one device) for this plan start at $32.99, and unlimited voyage packages for one device are $19.99 per day.

Discounted pricing is available on both the Surf and Surf + Stream packages for up to four devices.

Crown & Anchor Society members receive special discounts on pricing ranging from a 10% discount for Gold level members to free, unlimited voyage access on one device at the Pinnacle level. Star and Sky Royal Suite guests will enjoy unlimited VOOM access (with the Surf + Stream plan) on one device during their sailing.

Related: How fast is the internet on Royal Caribbean ships? We put it to the test

Price: Complimentary to $19.95 per day

Seabourn provides complimentary, unlimited access to the internet to guests during their voyages. The complimentary Surf Wi-Fi Package provides unlimited access on one device per person. This plan includes general web browsing, email access and posting to social media accounts.

Should passengers need faster speeds and more bandwidth, the Stream Wi-Fi Package is an upgraded option that allows up to four devices and offers additional connectivity such as video streaming, internet calling and VPN/cloud storage. 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.

Silversea Cruises

how to buy cruise wifi

Price: Complimentary to $29 per day

On Silversea Cruises ' classic ocean-going vessels, standard internet access is complimentary in Vista and Verandah Suites, while premium (the line's fastest Wi-Fi connection) Wi-Fi is complimentary for guests booked in Medallion, Silver, Royal, Grand and Owner's Suites. On the expedition ships, the level of internet access is also determined by the suite category, except for Silver Origin, which has complimentary standard Wi-Fi for all guests. For guests on Silversea's full World Cruises or Grand Voyages, all passengers have complimentary premium internet access for the sailing.

On all voyages – and with both types of internet access – the complimentary Wi-Fi is unlimited for two devices used at the same time.

If guests have standard internet access but would like to upgrade to a premium plan, the price is $29 per day (covering two devices connected at the same time). The cost of an extra device on the standard Wi-Fi plan is $20 per voyage.

Silversea is in the process of transitioning to Starlink, and the line expects the upgraded internet to be installed across the fleet by the end of March 2023.

Price: Complimentary

All of Viking 's ocean ships offer complimentary Wi-Fi. Guests can connect to the internet via a personal device such as a smartphone or laptop, or they can use one of the ship's computers in the Business Center, located on Deck 1. The line relies on a VSAT satellite terminal — what Viking says is "one of the best solutions for internet access on an ocean cruise." VSAT can provide wide variances in speed depending on weather and location.

Viking's expedition ships and river ships in Europe, Egypt and the Mississippi also feature free internet access. On Mekong River cruises in Southeast Asia, the line advises that the best option is to use the public computers on the ship to stay connected, but the internet service is limited throughout the region. Viking also asks that guests limit large uploads, downloads and streaming so that Wi-Fi is more accessible for everyone on the sailing.

Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:

  • The 5 most desirable cabin locations on any cruise ship
  • A beginners guide to picking a cruise line
  • The 8 worst cabin locations on any cruise ship
  • The ultimate guide to what to pack for a cruise
  • A quick guide to the most popular cruise lines
  • 21 tips and tricks that will make your cruise go smoothly
  • 15 ways cruisers waste money
  • The ultimate guide to choosing a cruise ship cabin
  • Enable Accessibility

User Picture

  • 00800 0310 21 21 1-855-577-9489 1-877-288-3037 1-877-288-3037 1-877-474-2969
  • | NCL Travel Blog">11-Reasons to Cruise to Alaska this Summer | NCL Travel Blog
  • | Norwegian Cruise Line">14-Day Authentic Alaska - Northbound Cruise Tour | Norwegian Cruise Line
  • | Deck Plans | Norwegian Cruise Line">14-Day Authentic Alaska - Southbound Cruise Tour | Deck Plans | Norwegian Cruise Line
  • | Norwegian Cruise Line">20-Day Transpacific from Tokyo (Yokohama) & Alaska | Norwegian Cruise Line
  • | NCL Travel Blog">11 Reasons to Cruise to Alaska this Summer | NCL Travel Blog
  • View All Results
  • Preferences
  • Latitudes Rewards
  • Special Offers
  • Personalised Recommendations
  • Make reservations before you cruise
  • 1 (current)

* Terms & Conditions Package not available on sailings less than 5 days or charter sailings.

  • 00800 0310 21 21
  • Cellular FAQs
  • Internet FAQs

Cellular and Internet FAQs

  • Email Sign Up For Special Offers
  • Phone Let Us Call You

Staying connected at sea has never been so easy. Share your unforgettable cruise moments by purchasing one of our onboard Wi-Fi packages or by calling home with plans provided by your cellular provider. As we strive to bring our guests the best onboard experience, we have partnered with Starlink - the fastest Internet at sea - to help you stay connected through your entire voyage. For cellular plan options, simply contact your provider to choose the plan that's right for you before you embark on your holiday. Got questions about staying connected at sea? We've got answers! Check out the following information to learn more.

how to buy cruise wifi

Q - Will my mobile phone work whilst cruising? A - Most cellular providers ensure their service is available at sea. Please contact your carrier directly to choose the right roaming service and package for your cruise.

Q - How do I connect my cellular device to the Cellular at Sea network? A - Once you have reached international waters connection is automatic. Depending upon your cellular device, you will know that you are on the network when you see one of the following displayed on your device: “cellularatsea”, “wmsatsea”, “NOR-18” or “901-18”.

Q - Is Cellular at Sea available in port? A - Onboard cellular services are available only in international waters (12 nautical miles or more away from shore). The service will automatically shut down when entering a port or getting close to shore.

Q - How much will I be charged when I use my mobile phone onboard? A - Rates vary, depending on your cellular service provider. Most carriers offer special cruise packages you can use whilst sailing. The charges incurred will appear on your regular cellular bill you receive at home. For more information on exact pricing contact your carrier or visit their webpage.

Q - Can I purchase a cellular package? A - Cellular prices and packages are set by your home cellular provider. Most carriers offer cruise packages, contact yours directly to find out the options available to you whilst cruising.

Q - Can my family call me onboard? A - Yes, Norwegian Cruise Line guests can be contacted by calling the guest's mobile phone number directly. The cellular roaming service works just as it does on land; to be reached, the Cellular feature must be on (airplane mode off). Please contact your cellular provider for specific details on rates.

Q - How do I make calls onboard? A - For calls to North America dial “1” plus the area code and the number. For international calls dial "+" followed by country code, city code and number.

how to buy cruise wifi

Q - Is there internet onboard the ship? A - Yes, we have Internet/Wi-Fi available on all of our ships. Our Internet Café Managers will be able to assist during posted hours with any questions / concerns you may have during your cruise with us.

Q - Can I access my own email provider onboard? A - Yes. Web based email providers are accessed as normal from our onboard system.

Q - How much does it cost to use the internet onboard? A - Pricing is outlined HERE . Once onboard, instructions on how to create an account and pricing details are present on-screen in the Internet Café or on your wireless device during the log-in process. Internet pricing is the same, whether you are using the Internet Café terminals, or any other wireless devices. All internet access charges will be billed directly to your onboard account.

Q - Can I check-in for my post cruise flight and print my boarding passes prior to leaving the ship? A - Yes, you can check-in online and print your boarding passes in the Internet Café. Please note that regular printing and online time charges apply.

Q - Can I use my wireless device onboard? A - Yes, you may use your personal or company issued wireless device whilst onboard. Wireless internet is available throughout NCL's entire fleet. Simply open your settings and connect to the ships’ Wi-Fi. You will be directed to our login page once your internet browser is opened, but if not, please visit loginnow.com. Use the Logout button to save your minutes if you have a minute plan. You can return to this window at any time by visiting loginnow.com in your browser. For unlimited plans, logging out is not necessary. If you are planning to utilise VPN access whilst onboard, be sure to discuss your VPN limitations with your company's IT department if you are planning to work whilst sailing. We are not able to change your settings onboard.

Q - Is the speed of my connection the same as on land? A - No, the data for onboard connection is transmitted via a slower wireless signal to satellites orbiting the earth approximately 22,000 miles from the earth’s surface and then bounce back down to the land-based exchange. At home, your data is sent through a fast cable connection to your local exchange, just around the corner from your house. Therefore, internet access onboard is significantly slower than high-speed connections normally experienced on land. We are in the process of updating our fleet with Starlink, the fastest internet at sea and are constantly working on finding ways to improve your internet experience onboard.

Q - Can I access video streaming and conferencing onboard? A - Yes, you access streaming with our Premium Wi-Fi plans.

Q - What do I need to prepare before the cruise / bring with me to use the internet onboard? A - 1. Convert your e-post settings to basic; you will have a better experience if your e-post is less graphic intense. 2. Discuss VPN limitations with your company's IT department if you are planning to work whilst sailing. We are not able to change your settings onboard. 3. Remember to bring:

  • Wi-Fi enabled wireless devices
  • Power supply for each of the devices you are bringing with you
  • A charged battery for your trip to the ship
  • Data cables to transfer pictures

Q - How can I improve my Internet experience? A - To get the most value from your internet package, adjust your device settings to disable internet usage that takes place in the background.

  • Turn off all cloud-based syncing services: iCloud, Google Photos App, DropBox, etc.
  • Turn off automatic software updates for all devices.
  • Turn off background app refresh.
  • Disable automatic back-up for photos & instant messenger chats.
  • Disable automatic video play on social media apps.

Q - Will closing my internet browser or device end my internet session? A - No, you will always have to ensure that the LOG OUT button is clicked, or that you visit loginnow.com in the browser's address bar to end your internet session. If you are using your laptop, please ensure that your pop-up blocker is disabled to allow the "Logout/Time Remaining" window to appear and log out from there.

Q - Are there any restricted websites? A - Please be aware that some websites and Internet services will be restricted due to bandwidth limitations, depending on the plan selected.

This is the announcement bar for Poornima to test the Close Button.  It will expire May 31 2024.

  • Pre-Cruise FAQ
  • Onboard FAQ
  • Post-Cruise FAQ
  • Cruisetours FAQ
  • Special Offers Sign Up
  • Cruise Deals

You have been logged out

Your window will update in 5 secs

MedallionNet ® The Best Wi-Fi at Sea

Fast. reliable. unlimited. affordable. now on all ships..

MedallionNet Wi-Fi is included in your fare when you book Princess Plus or Princess Premier!

Wi-Fi wherever you are

Access the internet everywhere on board so you can text, post photos, video chat and stream your favorite shows, movies, music and sports with ease. Read on to learn just how revolutionary MedallionNet Wi-Fi is and how popular it is with our guests.

Fast and reliable internet

MedallionNet Wi-Fi sets the industry standard for internet at sea, and it's now even better with Starlink access and 5G. FaceTime your pooch in the morning. Stream your favorite shows by the pool in the afternoon. Post your picture-perfect dessert from your dinner table. Thanks to state-of-the-art technology, you can now stay connected with Wi-Fi coverage as you sail.

By clicking select links below, you will leave the Princess Cruises website and navigate to a 3rd party website that is not owned, operated, or controlled by Princess Cruises or any of its affiliates.

Unlimited and affordable internet

Choose from one-device or four-device packages starting from just $24.99 USD. Packages are available with additional savings as part of our Princess Plus and Princess Premier Packages. They can also be purchased pre-cruise and on board through the Princess® Cruises App. Platinum and Elite guests get an exclusive discount of 50% off*.

*Discount will be applied on board in the form of an onboard credit.

What our guests are saying about MedallionNet Wi-Fi

"I was so incredibly impressed with how well the internet worked and how fast it was too! It was so convenient to use and ended up being really cost effective too." –  Lauren V. from Vandifair

"With the rollout of MedallionNet, Princess Cruises is completely changing the game for internet at sea – with blazing fast speeds – and it is now much more affordable." –  Courtney O. from Sweet C's

"Knowing we could access and successfully respond to any pressing work stuff was probably the greatest benefit of all…we wouldn’t be leaving colleagues in the lurch or incurring the wrath of overworked bosses." – from the Kerrie B. blog

"I barely noticed a difference from my home internet…and knowing that I was going to have the internet at sea is probably what made me feel so comfortable leaving [my daughter] for the first time when she was just 6 months old." – Rebecca H. from Sugar & Soul

All about MedallionNet Wi-Fi

Learn how MedallionNet Wi-Fi works and discover how speed and connectivity may be affected while sailing in different regions.

You May Also Like

Medallionclass® on all ships.

Next-level technology. More time for you. Your vacation – simplified, personalized.

Medallion® Accessories & Customizations​

Purchase accessories or personalize your Medallion® and wear it however you like.

OceanView® - View Free Award-Winning Travel Shows

Enjoy OceanView on your stateroom TV or anywhere around the ship using the Princess® app.

  • Need help? 1-888-751-7804 1-888-751-7804
  • Let Us Call You CALL ME
  • Drink Packages
  • Flights by Celebrity℠
  • Hotels by Celebrity
  • Manage Reservation
  • Shore Excursions
  • Upgrade with MoveUp

how to buy cruise wifi

  • My Tier and Points
  • Join Captain's Club

Already booked? Sign in or create an account

  • South Korea
  • New Zealand
  • Grand Cayman
  • St. Maarten
  • U.S Virgin Islands
  • New England & Canada
  • Pacific Coast
  • Antarctic Ocean
  • Panama Canal
  • Transatlantic
  • Transpacific
  • Cruise Ports (+300)
  • Mediterranean
  • Perfect Day at CocoCay
  • All Inclusive
  • Bucket List Cruises
  • Cruise & Land Package
  • Groups & Events
  • New Cruises
  • Popular Cruises
  • Specialty Cruises
  • Destination Highlights
  • Group Excursions
  • Private Journeys
  • Shore Excursions Overview
  • Small Group Discoveries

CARIBBEAN GETAWAYS & WEEKEND CRUISES

  • 360° Virtual Tours
  • Celebrity Apex®
  • Celebrity Ascent℠ NEW
  • Celebrity Beyond℠ NEW
  • Celebrity Constellation®
  • Celebrity Edge®
  • Celebrity Eclipse®
  • Celebrity Equinox®
  • Celebrity Infinity®
  • Celebrity Millennium®
  • Celebrity Reflection®
  • Celebrity Silhouette®
  • Celebrity Solstice®
  • Celebrity Summit®
  • Celebrity Xcel℠ COMING SOON
  • Explore Edge Series

Galapagos Expedition Series

  • Celebrity Flora®
  • Celebrity Xpedition®
  • Celebrity Xploration®
  • The Retreat
  • All Suites. All Included
  • Iconic Suite
  • Penthouse Suite
  • Reflection Suite
  • Royal Suite
  • Signature Suite
  • Celebrity Suite
  • Aqua Sky Suite
  • Horizon Suite
  • Concierge Class
  • Galapagos Accommodations
  • Eat & Drink
  • Entertainment
  • Spa & Wellness

Introducing Celebrity Xcel℠

  • Cruising 101
  • Cruise Fare Options
  • Cruise Tips
  • First Time on a Cruise
  • What is Included on a Cruise
  • Future Cruise Vacations
  • Accessible Cruising
  • Captain's Club Rewards
  • Cruise Insurance
  • Flights by Celebrity
  • Healthy at Sea
  • Manage Cruise
  • The Celebrity Store
  • Travel Documents
  • Royal Caribbean International
  • Celebrity Cruises

CAPTAIN'S CLUB

  • Semi-Annual Sale - 75% Off 2nd Guest
  • 3rd and 4th Guests Sail Free
  • Galapagos 20% Savings + Free Flights
  • Resident Rates
  • Exciting Deals
  • View All Offers
  • All Included
  • Cruise & Land Packages
  • Dining Packages
  • Photo Packages
  • Wi-Fi Packages
  • View All Packages
  • Captain's Club Overview
  • Join the Club
  • Loyalty Exclusive Offers
  • Tiers & Benefits
  • Celebrity Cruises Visa Signature® Card

Semi-Annual Sale

Enjoy 75% off your second guest’s cruise fare and get bonus savings of up to $200. Plus, additional guests in your stateroom sail free on select sailings.

Wi-Fi and Phone

Pre-Cruise Pricing Always Lower Than On Board*

  • Wi-Fi & Phone Packages

Your Connectivity, Your Choice

We’re sailing with Starlink - the world’s most advanced broadband satellite internet - to bring you high-speed connectivity for a better onboard experience.

Whether checking emails, sharing moments in real time, or streaming your favorite shows is most important to you, we’ve got you covered. Our Wi-Fi packages are tailored to the level of connection you desire and the number of devices that you need. Book your package pre-cruise and save up to 10%.

how to buy cruise wifi

Premium Access

Unlock your ticket to a curated selection of experiences and upgraded access, including premium amenities and even more personalized services. No detail is overlooked. Enjoy Premium Wi-Fi, unlimited room service, expedited arrival, & more. Take your cruise to the next level.

Premium Wi-Fi

Post and share all your vacation memories on social media with Premium Wi-Fi. Message or video chat with your friends and family, browse the web, and send emails even with larger files attached. You can enjoy videos, movies, binge-worthy shows, and music on your favorite streaming apps.  Plus, stream from your personal device to your in-stateroom TV*.

*Available on Celebrity Edge, Celebrity Apex, Celebrity Beyond, and Celebrity Ascent

Basic Wi-Fi

With our Basic Wi-Fi, included in All Included cruise fares, you can browse the web, send emails, and text family and friends via select messaging apps. It’s a great value option for staying connected while you’re on vacation, but please note that you won’t be able to email large files, share photos or videos on social media, use streaming apps, or make video calls.

  Compare Wi-Fi Packages

In-Stateroom Phone

Friends and family can contact the ship by calling 877-266-1020. From outside the U.S., they can call 321-953-9002. The cost is $7.95 USD a minute. This can be charged to their MasterCard ® or Visa ® . From outside the U.S. additional long distance charges will also apply. You can make ship-to-shore calls from your stateroom 24 hours a day. The cost is $7.95 USD per minute and will be automatically charged to your SeaPass account.

Cellular At Sea

Enjoy the convenience of cellular service at sea. You can access your wireless services on your device quickly and easily.

Rates for cellular service at sea are determined by your wireless carrier. Some wireless carriers offer cruise packages; prior to cruising contact your wireless carrier for details on the rates and plans available to you.

Once on board, the connection is automatic. You can place an important call, send a quick text to check on the pets or share your unforgettable cruise adventures with friends and family at home.

*Spa and Fitness excluded

Basic Wi-Fi and Premium Wi-Fi Packages not available on ships based out of the Galapagos.

  • Credit cards
  • View all credit cards
  • Banking guide
  • Loans guide
  • Insurance guide
  • Personal finance
  • View all personal finance
  • Small business
  • Small business guide
  • View all taxes

You’re our first priority. Every time.

We believe everyone should be able to make financial decisions with confidence. And while our site doesn’t feature every company or financial product available on the market, we’re proud that the guidance we offer, the information we provide and the tools we create are objective, independent, straightforward — and free.

So how do we make money? Our partners compensate us. This may influence which products we review and write about (and where those products appear on the site), but it in no way affects our recommendations or advice, which are grounded in thousands of hours of research. Our partners cannot pay us to guarantee favorable reviews of their products or services. Here is a list of our partners .

Is There Wi-Fi on Cruise Ships?

Carissa Rawson

Many or all of the products featured here are from our partners who compensate us. This influences which products we write about and where and how the product appears on a page. However, this does not influence our evaluations. Our opinions are our own. Here is a list of our partners and here's how we make money .

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

Chase Sapphire Preferred Credit Card

on Chase's website

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

60,000 Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.

Bank of America® Premium Rewards® Credit Card

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.

how to buy cruise wifi

  • Port Overview
  • Transportation to the Port
  • Uber & Lyft to the Port
  • Dropping Off at the Port
  • Cruise Parking
  • Cruise Hotels
  • Hotels with Parking Deals
  • Uber & Lyft to the Ports
  • Things to Do
  • Cozumel Taxi Rates
  • Free Things to Do
  • Restaurants Near the Cruise Port
  • Hotels & Resorts With Day Passes
  • Closest Beaches to the Cruise Port
  • Tips For Visiting
  • Shore Excursions
  • Cruise Parking Discounts
  • Hotels with Shuttles
  • Which Airport Should I Use?
  • Transportation to the Ports
  • Dropping Off at the Ports
  • Fort Lauderdale Airport to Miami
  • Inexpensive Hotels
  • Hotels near the Port
  • Hotels With Shuttles
  • Budget Hotels
  • Carnival Tips
  • Drink Packages
  • Specialty Restaurants
  • Faster to the Fun
  • More Articles
  • CocoCay Tips
  • Norwegian Tips
  • Great Stirrup Cay
  • Harvest Caye
  • How to Get the Best Cruise Deal
  • Best Time to Book a Cruise
  • Best Websites to Book a Cruise
  • Cruises Under $300
  • Cruises Under $500
  • Spring Break Cruise Deals
  • Summer Cruise Deals
  • Alaskan Cruise Deals
  • 107 Cruise Secrets & Tips
  • Tips for First-Time Cruisers
  • What to Pack for a Cruise
  • What to Pack (Alaska)
  • Packing Checklist
  • Cruising with Kids
  • Passports & Birth Certificates
  • Bringing Alcohol
  • Cruising with a Disability
  • Duty-Free Shopping
  • Cruise Travel Insurance
  • Things to Do on a Cruise Ship
  • What Not to Do on a Ship
  • News & Articles

Cruzely.com | Everything Cruising

Reviewed: Carnival Cruise Wi-Fi Service (Speed, Reliability, Cost, and More)

Not that long ago, Internet on a cruise was largely a luxury. While someone might buy access to be able to work remotely from the ship or buy a few minutes to check email, broad access by many people on the ship wasn’t common.

Internet wi-fi-access on a Carnival cruise

What a difference a few years can make. Now, having wi-fi access is nearly a necessity. Not only does it give you a chance to check in back home and keep tabs on your email or the office while you’re away, but it also allows you to post those nice pictures of yourself having fun onto social media, watch movies in the cabin, listen to music, and even check-in for flights when heading home after the trip.

It’s no exaggeration that Internet access has gone from a luxury to a must-have.

The good news is that cruise lines — including Carnival — offer wi-fi access across their fleets. Whether you want to hook up to the Internet with your laptop or post to Facebook from your phone, you can get service anywhere on the ship on any device.

That said, wi-fi access is not free, nor is it as quick as you are used to back on land. It is still a challenge to get access while hundreds of miles in the middle of the water. So what can you expect? We recently put Carnival’s Internet access through the paces to give you all the details on what we experienced with the service.

In This Article...

What Wi-Fi Packages Are Available on Carnival?

Like other cruise lines, Carnival offers different tiers of service, all at different price points. Each tier offers different access, from just being able to login to social media, all the way to full web access at faster speeds. Here’s a run-down of what’s offered:

Social Plan: Gives access to social media sites like Twitter and Facebook, WhatsApp, and Snapchat, along with airline websites. However, it doesn’t include most websites (including email), streaming, or wi-fi calling, FaceTime or iMessage.

Value Plan: Gives email access, what’s included in the social plan, as well as broad access to the rest of the web — all at faster speeds than the Social plan. However, Carnival says it still doesn’t support video/music streaming, FaceTime, or wi-fi calling.

Premium Plan: Carnival’s highest tier of service, it offers everything in the other two tiers, with faster speeds (Carnival says up to three times faster than the value plan). It also allows Netflix, giving you the ability to stream shows. However, the cruise line says it doesn’t support video or music streaming with other services like Hulu. (See below for more details — including our experience — on streaming).

How Much Does Wi-Fi Access Cost on Carnival?

What you pay for access will depend on when you purchase and how long you want access. Typically, Internet access is sold for the length of the entire cruise based on a per-day cost. There is a discount if you buy service before the cruise compared to the onboard price . 

The prices below are what’s seen on Carnival’s website as of now:

How Do You Access the Internet Once on the Ship?

The sign-in process is fairly straightforward, but there were some hiccups here and there. Sometimes logging in took a few tries to gain access.

  • Open up your wi-fi connection settings and connect to the ship’s service. In our case, it was named “Carnival Celebration Wi-Fi” or something similar.
  • Open up a browser and go to “CarnivalWiFi.com”
  • Enter your folio number and birthdate, and click “Log In”
  • Click “Confirm” on the next screen to enable access.

At this point you should be connected and can then surf the web as normal.

How Fast Is Carnival’s Wi-Fi Service?

For our cruises, we’ve tested the fastest Premium plan of service. Doing multiple speed tests across cruises, it seems to show speeds between 6-12 Mbps. On this specific test, it returned a ping of 680 ms, a download speed of 9.09 Mbps, and an upload speed of 2.64 Mbps: 

Wi-fi speed on Carnival cruise

Those numbers likely mean little to most people, but for a cruise ship, they are pretty good. (Keep in mind, however, that speed will vary. We’ve been on other ships with slower speeds or in locations where speeds are slower.)

In layman’s terms, surfing the web did seem sluggish. There were times when the connection seemed faster than others, but you wouldn’t confuse the speed with broadband you have at home or the office. Sites would load, but took their time.

For instance, visiting YouTube took about 10 seconds before video thumbnails started to load. A visit to CNN.com brought up the text headlines relatively quickly, but images were delayed.

If you had to use the connection every day to surf, it would be slow by modern standards. It definitely took some time to load images onto posts for Cruzely.com when we live-blogged the cruise. Using the wi-fi here and there to check the news or email, however, was just fine.

Do I Have to Buy Access For Every Device? Can I Share Access?

It’s likely you’re traveling with other people that want access to the Internet. In that case you have two options. First, you can buy more than one package, giving access to multiple devices at once. Or, you can simply share access on different devices.

Carnival allows you to login to the wi-fi from separate devices, but you can only use one device at a time. So one person could connect with the wi-fi on a laptop and when finished, another person could login to have access on their phone. If you don’t need access every moment of the day, it’s an easy way to save some money by sharing.

To transfer access between devices, you simply follow the login procedures as normal. It will notify you that the account is already in use and ask if you want to switch devices. Simply confirm the switch and you’re good to go on the second device.

Can I Stream Movies/TV on Carnival’s Wi-Fi?

Streaming while on a cruise

Whether you can stream on your cruise may be hard to say. Here’s the issue: Carnival says that its fastest Premium plan supports Netflix, but not other video/music streaming services. 

Our experience, however, is that you can actually stream at least some of those services that are supposedly no supported.

During one cruise aboard Carnival Vista, for instance, we were able to access and watch YouTube videos. We also streamed Amazon Prime videos multiple times with no issues. The picture was nice, and there was minimal buffering. When trying to stream Showtime, however, we encountered an error and weren’t able to watch.

Bottom line is that yes, you can stream in at least some cases. The better option, however, is to go ahead and download any shows you want to watch ahead of time. That way you don’t have to worry about wi-fi service at all. Even if you are able to stream, there might be points where a slow connection makes the show appear choppy or pixelated. Downloading before boarding makes this a non-issue.

Can I Make FaceTime Calls on the Wi-Fi?

Yes. On our trip we tested FaceTime calls from an iPhone with the Premium plan. There were no issues connecting. The call quality itself was so-so. We were able to talk, but there were some times where the image was blurry or froze for a few seconds. Audio had no issues.

Bottom line: FaceTime was able to be used, even though Carnival says on its website that it’s not supported.

Can I Text Message Over Carnival’s Wi-Fi?

For most of us, we message a lot more than we actually make calls on our phone. In this case, during our tests we noticed that texting iPhone to iPhone seemed to work with no problems. We were able to send and receive messages when connected to wi-fi, including messages with pictures.

However, when messaging to an Android phone, our messages had trouble going through. In the end, we ended up just emailing the person we were trying to text as we couldn’t send the text. (This might also have been due to settings on our phone, which is possible.)

In that case, messaging apps like WhatsApp might be a better option. We didn’t test any messaging apps on our cruise, but they are specifically mentioned by Carnival as being supported on its wi-fi service.

Do I Have to Buy Wi-Fi Access to Use Carnival’s HUB App?

If you’re about to sail, you’ve likely seen mention of downloading the HUB app to use on the ship. This app is extremely useful on the cruise, and you can use it to access everything from dinner menus to ship maps to tracking your onboard spending account.

The good news if that you don’t have to purchase wi-fi access to use the app. All the features can be used without buying an Internet plan. You are able to connect and get data from the app at no cost.

Can I Use a VPN?

Some people need to use a virtual private network (VPN) when working or simply use one for more privacy online. While we didn’t specifically test out a VPN while sailing, Carnival says they do not support VPNs on their ships.

According to the FAQ on their website: “VPN connections are not supported. Discuss your VPN limitations with your company’s IT department if you are planning to work while sailing. We are not able to change your settings on board.”

Can I Work or Do School Work With the Wi-Fi?

Of course, one major reason to sign up for Internet is to be able to work from the ship. These days, many people opt to take a “working cruise” and enjoy themselves while also being able to complete work back home. So is that possible on a Carnival cruise?

In our opinion, it depends on the type of work or school work you’re doing. Have something where you need to be live on Zoom with perfect clarity and reception? That might be tough to manage. Need to make an informal video call? That should be fine. Simply need Internet access to access documents, submit an assignment, or send some emails? That’s no issue at all.

In other words, access to work that requires a reliably fast and solid connection could have issues (you are at sea, after all). However, less-intensive tasks should be perfectly feasible.

Is Carnival’s Wi-Fi Worth It?

For a 7-day cruise, you’ll pay about $150 for the Premium plan — or nearly $22 a day. That’s a sharp price to pay for online access. So is it worth it?

In our eyes, it depends on what you need access for. If you simply want to stay connected, check email occasionally and text some friends, then paying that much seems too high to us (that’s where the cheaper Social and Value plans are nice). However, if you have work obligations or things going on back home that you simply can’t miss, then by all means, hop online.

One thing to note is that many ports of calls offer wi-fi service in some shape or form . There may be restaurants that offer wi-fi to customers or ports of call that offer access for a cheaper fee than what’s on the ship. You can also access the Internet with a day-pass so you don’t have to pay for access the entire week.

This way, you can still stay in touch back home without spending as much money.

Popular: 39 Useful Things to Pack (17 You Wouldn't Think Of)

Read next: park & cruise hotels for every port in america, popular: 107 best cruise tips, secrets, tricks, and freebies, related articles more from author, 10 questions and answers to using a birth certificate to cruise, answered: what time should i get to the cruise port, carnival jubilee officially christened by gwen stefani (plus, see photos of the new ship), carnival announces $100 million expansion to private destination… before it’s even opened, cruise ship buffets: what to know from a veteran cruiser, carnival vs. msc: 11 major differences between the two cruise lines, 22 comments.

Would the premium service allow you to play games on your phone?

Yes, that should be no issue.

does wireless travel router work on carnival ?

i was on rcl’s symphony and worked just fine. all my fam were able to connect

Never tried.

My work laptop doesn’t connect directly to cruise wifi but if I don’t through a router or create my own wifi hotspot through phone then it works. Google pixel phones can turn cruise and airplane wifi into hotspot similar to travel wifi. I have shared plane wifi with family member by turning hotspot on and same can be done on cruises.

If you want to share internet with other devices you can either hotspot your phone or bring a travel router

I’ve personally tried the hotspot and it didn’t work.

It works with certain phone. My Google pixel can turn wifi into hotspot but my Motorola can’t. I don’t know about iphone however.r

This response is solely related to internet on Carnival cruise ships…

I suspect Tanner has taken one Carnival cruise and thinks his experience is the norm for all Carnival ships. The article is missing a fleetwide perspective. Some of the information is useful, but some of it is not so good.

Yes, Carnival has invested in improving its internet experience on its newer ships, however the older ships still have the worst in the industry bandwidth. The Carnival Vista is one of their newer ships, so it will have faster internet. I have had decent internet on the Carnival Vista, Horizon, and Mardi Gras. I expect the same on the Celebration when I sail in 2023. These are all newer ships. My experience on 14 other Carnival ships was less than enjoyable. Granted some of my earlier cruises were before smartphones were a thing. And as mentioned, they are making improvements. Those improvements are obviously a work in progress.

That said, I must concur with Jon about the Carnival Paradise. I have been on that ship 4 times in 2022, and internet is dismal. Don’t expect to be able to stream video. Lily didn’t mention which ship she was on, but I suspect it was one of the smaller and older ships.

The most useful advice I can share is about when to purchase an internet plan for an upcoming Carnival cruise. If it is a newer ship, I suggest buying in advance to save 10% or 20% (depending on the current offer). If it is a older ship, wait until you are on the boat. Yes, you will pay full price. If the internet is usable, you will soon forget about the higher cost. However, if internet is unusable, head to the guest services midway through the cruise (or whenever you see short lines). Make your complaint, and it is very likely they will refund a portion of your internet plan, in my experience typically 50%. This is only an option if purchase the plan while on the ship. If you prepaid for the plan, you will need to complain to customer service when back on land. Getting any type of refund from in this case is hit or miss, usually miss.

One final piece of advice on internet. Based on where you are at on the boat can affect the signal you have. The closer you are to a wifi access point, the better the signal. On the smaller boats, the closer you are to the middle of the ship, the better signal strength. Larger boats have more wifi access points. Don’t confused signal strength with bandwidth. I try to book aft view balcony rooms, signal strength is not very good there.

The nice thing about cruise ships is there are lots of places to sit and do your surfing. That is, if there is sufficient bandwidth to do so. Just bring a headset so you don’t annoy others.

“I suspect Tanner has taken one Carnival cruise and thinks his experience is the norm for all Carnival ships.”

Incorrect. In the past few months, I’ve sailed both the oldest (Ecstasy before it was retired) and newest (Celebration) Carnival ships. Celebration did have faster internet ~10-12 Mbps, but Ecstasy was still a solid 5-7 Mbps during my test. Vista, covered in the article was ~9 Mbps. So yes, there seems to be a correlation between faster service on newer ships, but I still found the service on the oldest ship to be solid.

My experience on a recent Falll 2022 Western Caribbean cruise on the Carnival Paradise was vastly different than yours. For most of the cruise, the Internet was not available. Wifi and their internal Mobile App worked and I could check in to restaurants etc; just couldn’t access the Internet. One time while in Port at Roatan I experienced 10MBS Down and 2MB Up for a few hours then Internet disappeared again from their WiFi. A few times while cruising when Internet access did work, I was experiencing 178KBPS Down!! Small Pic uploads to facebook either took 20 minutes or longer or would often time-out. I had the so-called “Premium Plan”. I called Guest services 4 times and hung up after 25 minute wait/hold times. I transferred my WiFi to another device thinking there could have been an issue with one of my devices but I experienced the same sad performance. I used the Post-Cruise Survey to relay my sad WiFi experience. I will never again purchase their expensive WiFi again.

I just got off a Carnival cruise, had “premium” internet – and on the first night, they changed their network configuration and I was suddenly unable to connect to my work. I begged them for five days to please fix their network – it was definitely their network, as I got the same error from three different clients on two machines we had with us – and the error would have been easy for them to correct – but they refused to even discuss it. I was told by guest services “I’ll check into it” but nothing happened. All they would have had to do is look at their server logs and they’d see what they had done. I was unable to do my work for the entire week. I have been cruising Carnival for years and never had this issue (well, once but they fixed it in 3 hours), but this was a nightmare. All they had to do was look at their server logs, and most likely update their digital certificate/time clock, but instead they kept asking me “which URL is not working, we will see if we can connect”. I told them half a dozen times its not a URL, its a *program*. I hope this turns out to be an isolated incident – if it happens again, my cruising days are over.

I feel your pain as I experienced similar sad performance on the Carnival Paradise but it won’t end my cruise days, it will just end my purchase of any of their WiFi plan packages.

With a 680millisecond ping time for the “premium” service, that means there’s such a huge latency (delay/lag), that anyone you’re with on a Teams or Zoom call will already be on the next sentence or paragraph before the video catches up with you. Disgraceful, Carnival to charge so much money for such subpar performance.

Do you have to have the premium to access YouTube? Or will one of the other plans work?

We’d suggest the highest level plan to offer the best experience in streaming anything.

Good idea. The social plan doesnt even allow email access.. 🙁

LEAVE A REPLY Cancel reply

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

7 Easy Ways to Get from the Seattle Airport to the Cruise Port

What i wish i knew before i sailed royal caribbean, hotels with cruise shuttles for every major port in america, 107 best cruise tips, tricks, secrets, and freebies, 39 useful things to pack for your cruise (including 17 you’d never think of).

  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms & Conditions

Help Center

How can we help you.

how to buy cruise wifi

Website & Technical Help – Frequently Asked Questions

Do the ships offer Wi-Fi service?

Disney Cruise Line offers multiple internet packages for purchase based on your online needs. Use the onboard Wi-Fi anywhere on the ship to chat, post pictures on social media or simply stay connected while at sea. Once on board, open the Disney Cruise Line Navigator app and select "Connect to Internet," which will take you to a separate browser to view and purchase onboard internet plans.

Note that there is no cost for connecting to the ship’s Wi-Fi network when used only for the Disney Cruise Line Navigator app .

Learn more about wireless and cellular service on board Disney Cruise Line.

Did you find this answer helpful?

Related Questions

How do I create a Disney account?

Can I use my cell phone while out at sea?

Virgin Voyages WiFi Packages: Essential Guide & Speed Test

' src=

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. We may receive compensation when you purchase via my links at no cost to you. See my disclosure for more information.

Virgin Voyages is a new and popular cruise line known for its innovative, trendy, and all-inclusive experiences. As part of their “Always Included Luxury” cruise fare, all guests receive free basic WiFi on the ship and at their private resort, The Beach Club at Bimini.

Their decision makes Virgin Voyages one of the only cruise lines providing guests free WiFi .

While the basic internet service is good for email, web browsing, and instant messaging, Virgin Voyages also offers premium packages for guests who require faster connectivity or the ability to stream music and videos. Prices for the highest-speed package start at $40 for a four-night cruise vacation.

While onboard Scarlet Lady , we tested their Virgin Voyages WiFi packages to see if the premium package was worth the price and compared their internet speeds with other cruise lines.

Table of Contents

Virgin Voyages WiFi Packages and Pricing

The aft of Virgin Voyages Scarlet Lady with the Virgin logo and The Dock bar visible

Virgin Voyages provides two WiFi packages for guests.

  • Basic WiFi is provided for free to all sailors. The basic plan is slow but provides internet, email, messaging, and social media access.
  • Premium Voyage internet plan provides faster browsing speeds at an additional price. It’s the only internet plan that includes video and movie streaming.

The internet service can be accessed anywhere on the vessel. And their “always on” WiFi makes it easy to connect.

There’s no fancy password to log in. Simply enter your name and cabin number, and your device is connected for the cruise.

There’s no logging in and out while you’re onboard.

Unlike other cruise lines, you don’t need to log out to change devices or log out to save precious internet minutes. The WiFi is unlimited and usable on multiple devices, even when upgraded to the faster internet plan.

Best of all, the WiFi plans are accessible at The Beach Club at Bimini, Virgin Voyages’ private beach destination in the Bahamas.

Basic (Free)

Virgin Voyages includes the Basic WiFi package for every sailor as part of their all-inclusive fare. Sailors can use the onboard internet to browse the web, access emails, use social media, make voice calls, and send messages.

While sailing on Virgin Voyages Scarlet Lady in the Bahamas, we found consistent internet speeds of 1-2 Mbps.

This basic internet service provides a reliable experience for casual browsing but may not be suitable for more demanding tasks like streaming or video calls. While we could browse the web, pages took longer to load.

Additionally, we didn’t notice drops in connection throughout the day. However, we were surprised to find a consistent connection throughout the ship. We found no dead zones or drop-off spots while exploring the cruise ship.

Premium Voyage

For passengers who require faster connectivity and the ability to stream music or videos, Virgin Voyages offers a Premium WiFi package at an affordable price. By upgrading to Premium WiFi, you’ll get faster internet speeds.

You’ll need to upgrade to Premium Internet to stream audio and video.

The cost of the Premium WiFi package varies depending on the length of the cruise. Upgrading to the Premium WiFi plan costs $50 for our five-night cruise. But it is available at a discounted price of $40 if you book it on the first day of the voyage.

Virgin also allows guests to purchase the upgraded internet plan daily at $15 per day.

The Premium package is a must to stream videos, movies, or audio. We purchased the package simply for the faster internet speeds and were pretty impressed.

How Much Does Virgin Voyages Internet Service Cost?

Screenshot of Virgin Voyages WiFi Packages and pricing on Scarlet Lady

The basic internet service on Virgin Voyages cruise ships is entirely free for all sailors. Premium WiFi can be purchased for $50 during a four or five-night sailing or at a daily rate of $15.

If you purchase the Premium Voyage internet service on embarkation day, you’ll receive a $10 discount, bringing the cost down to $40.

Virgin Voyages is one of the few cruise lines to offer free internet for cruisers.

Even their Premium internet plan is cheaper than other cruise lines. Most mainstream cruise lines charge anywhere from $25 to $40 per day for basic internet. But Virgin’s Premium WiFi is only $50 for the entire cruise or $10 per day on a five-night sailing.

It’s important to remember that while onboard WiFi is included in the cruise fare, Virgin Voyages’ cruise fare is considerably more than other mainstream cruise lines.

But you get what you pay for.

The cruise line’s basic fare includes WiFi, soda, gratuities, and all dining onboard Virgin Voyages . It’s all part of their “Always Included Luxury” pricing.

How Fast is Virgin Voyages Internet Service?

While on Scarlet Lady in the Bahamas, we tested the Basic internet plan. On our five-day cruise, we conducted multiple speed tests at different times of the day.

Overall, Virgin Voyages Basic internet package provides internet speeds of 1-2 Mbps.

The internet is fast enough for basic web browsing, email, social media, and messaging. But you won’t be able to stream music and movies.

Below is a screenshot of a speed test we conducted while docked in Key West, Florida. I took this speed test from our cabin on the 13th deck in the middle of the ship. The speed test recorded download speeds of 2.07 Mbps and upload speeds of 2.25 Mbps.

Screenshot of Vrigin Voyages WiFi packages speed test while docked in Key West, Florida

And again, here is another screenshot of a speed test we conducted while sailing off the coast of the Bahamas. This speed test was slightly faster than the previous day in Key West. We recorded download speeds of 2.18 Mbps and upload speeds of 1.26 Mbps. This time, I was sitting by the “Well-Being Pool,” the smaller of the two main pools on the pool deck.

Screenshot of a internet speed test of Virgin Voyages Basic WiFi taken while at sea in the Bahamas

We had some luck loading Facebook and Twitter videos, but only after a long buffering time. But we couldn’t get YouTube, Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, or Disney Plus to work on the Basic service.

Overall, the internet connection was mostly consistent. I say mostly because there were some times during the day when internet speeds noticeably dropped. This is likely due to the inconsistency of the satellite internet service.

We didn’t notice any drop-offs or dead zones as we made our way around the ship. This was a pleasant surprise as it provided a more consistent internet experience. As a newer vessel, Scarlet Lady is built with technology in mind. And the internet access was consistent no matter where we were on the ship.

As we stayed with the Basic package, we couldn’t directly test the Premium Voyage WiFi.

However, several passengers were kind enough to give us speed tests with the Premium internet service.

We found a wide range of internet speeds, but generally, the Virgin Voyages Premium WiFi provides speeds of 3-8 Mbps.

The Premium WiFi plan provides a noticeably faster web experience. Web pages loaded considerably faster than on the Basic plan, though nowhere near the speeds were used to seeing back home.

The most significant benefit of the upgraded WiFi package is the ability to stream music, podcasts, movies, and television. While passengers who purchased the Premium package could access YouTube, Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney Plus, and more, passengers couldn’t always stream in high definition. The video was somewhat blurry, with occasional buffering of 10-20 seconds.

Marcello De Lio

Marcello De Lio

Marcello's been cruising since he was 12 years old. He loves the freedom that cruising provides, meeting new people, and exploring amazing new ships. Marcello created High Seas Cruising to share his passion for cruising and travel with readers and grow a community of passionate voyagers.

Leave a Reply Cancel Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Name  *

Email  *

Add Comment  *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Post Comment

Related Posts

French toast from the Virgin Voyages room service menu on Scarlet Lady cruise ship

Virgin Voyages Room Service Menu and Prices (Ship Eats)

The sea terrace cabin on Scarlet lady with curtains bed and tv

Virgin Voyages Cabins Guide

Virgin Scarlet Lady docked in PortMiami Terminal V cruise port

Virgin Voyages Dress Code and What to Wear on Your Cruise

Virgin Voyages the Beach Club private island welcome sign at the resort entrance

Virgin Voyages Beach Club at Bimini: What to Expect

The bow of scarlet lady docked in Key West Florida

Virgin Voyages Scarlet Lady Review: A Trendy New Experience

Passengers on the Pool deck of Virgin Voyages Scarlet lady cruise ship in the Bahamas

What’s Included on Virgin Voyages: Essential Guide

Trending now.

Man on a cruise connecting to Princess Cruises MedallionNet Internet on a laptop

RailTravel Station

RailTravel Station

Singapore, Malaysia & ASEAN Railway Travel Blog • RailTravel Station features pictures and information of railways and other means of travel with a special focus on Singapore, Malaysia and ASEAN.

how to buy cruise wifi

Genting Dream Cruise WiFi Prices & How To Use

Genting dream cruise wi-fi.

Wi-Fi is available on board Resorts World Cruises’ Genting Dream throughout the cruise. Here are the prices and details for Genting Dream Wi-Fi during your cruise.

Genting Dream Cruise Wi-Fi Types

  • Standard Wi-Fi: Connect to the Internet at basic speeds
  • Premium Wi-Fi: Connect to the Internet at prime speeds

Genting Dream Cruise Wi-Fi Prices

Do note that the full pricing of your cruise will be charged no matter which day you start your Wi-Fi usage. For example, if you are on a 5 Nights cruise and you connect only on the last night, you will still be charged for the full 5 nights price.

So if you are planning to buy Wi-Fi on Genting Dream, just connect once you board on the first day for the first time as it will be the same price no matter when you start using it.

How To Connect To Genting Dream Cruise Wi-Fi

Step 1: connect to wi-fi network and select “rw cruises wifi”.

how to buy cruise wifi

Switch on your phone or device’s Wi-Fi connection and connect to “RW Cruises WiFi”.

Step 2: Go to “ wifi.onboardicafe.com ”

how to buy cruise wifi

Scan the QR code above or open your browser and go to “ wifi.onboardicafe.com ”.

Step 3: Key in your cabin number and birthday

how to buy cruise wifi

Key in your cabin number and birthday.

Step 4: Choose your Genting Dream Wi-Fi plan

how to buy cruise wifi

As described above, decide if you would require Standard or Premium Wi-Fi. If just using messaging apps like WhatsApp, Standard Wi-Fi would be sufficient. However, if you are using data-intensive apps like Instagram, you may want to consider Premium Wi-Fi.

Do note that Wi-Fi speeds are subjected to the weather conditions outside the ship.

Step 5: Confirm your Genting Dream Wi-Fi plan

how to buy cruise wifi

There will be a confirmation page once you decide on the Wi-Fi plan that you want. To confirm, click “Confirm”.

Step 6: Click “Start internet session”

how to buy cruise wifi

Your order is confirmed the moment you click “Confirm” in the previous page. Now, click on “Start internet session” to start surfing the web.

Pro-tip: 1 Device simply means only 1 device connected at any 1 time. If you are juggling between a phone and laptop for example, and you do not need tandem connection, you can connect on your other device to switch the connection instantly.

This cruise was kindly sponsored by Resorts World Cruises.

Genting Dream Cruise

  • Boarding at Marina Bay Cruise Centre Singapore
  • Embarkation Day F&B and Shore Excursions Bookings
  • Balcony Deluxe Stateroom Review (With Deluxe Shower)
  • All-Inclusive Restaurants (Free of Charge) • The Lido & Dream Dining Rooms
  • Halal-Friendly Features • OIC/SMIIC Halal Standard
  • Wi-Fi Prices & How To Use
  • Ship Facilities & Activities
  • The Palace Exclusive Facilities
  • Palace Restaurant
  • Palace BBQ Dinner
  • Bistro by Reinhard Mammes Palace Set Menu
  • Bistro by Reinhard Mammes À La Carte Menu
  • Blue Lagoon
  • Silk Road Palace Set Menu
  • Umi Uma Teppanyaki Palace Set Menu
  • Captain’s Bridge Tour
  • Helipad Experience

Genting Dream Cruise Shore Excursions

  • Port Klang Shore Excursion to Kuala Lumpur • Explore Kuala Lumpur, Batu Caves & Klang Bespoke Journey
  • Penang Shore Excursion • Panoramic View of Penang Bespoke Journey
  • Phuket Shore Excursion • Phuket Taste & Culture Tour
  • Surabaya Transfer Service B to Tunjungan Plaza
  • North Bali (Celukan Bawang) Shore Excursion • Best of North Bali

Share this:

  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)
  • Click to print (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pocket (Opens in new window)
  • Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

Discover more from RailTravel Station

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Type your email…

Continue reading

The Points Guy

Cruise line gift cards: Where to buy them, how to spend them

I f you're racking your brain to come up with the perfect gift for your cruise-loving family member or friend, consider buying them a gift card or certificate from their favorite cruise line.

Cruisers will appreciate a gift they can use toward purchasing their cruise fare or splurging on a beverage package, specialty restaurant or spa treatment. Don't rule out the first-timers on your list; you can help them fund their first foray into cruising or surprise them with something extra to make their upcoming trip special.

If you're a cruiser, you may also want to purchase a gift card for yourself, especially when you can find a deal. AARP sometimes offers digital gift cards for cruise lines like Princess, Holland America, Celebrity and Royal Caribbean at a savings of up to 10%.

Gift cards purchased with Target's RedCard receive a 5% discount. You can also look for Black Friday sales on Disney gift cards at Sam's Club and other promotions offered through the cruise lines or retailers.

For cruise news, reviews and tips, sign up for TPG's cruise newsletter .

Not every cruise line offers gift cards, and some have alternative ways to help pay for a portion of someone else's vacation. However, if you're in the market for cruise line gift cards, read on to find out which seven lines offer them, where to buy them and how to use them.

Holland America Line

Holland America offers gift cards in denominations between $5 and $2,000 that are available to buy on its website. You can either purchase a physical card to send enclosed with a personal message or choose a digital version that the recipient can open online with personalized audio and photos.

The line offers one or two sales a year that feature an added perk, such as a $100 bonus card with a $1,000 purchase.

You can use the cards to pay for cruise bookings, pre-cruise expenses or onboard charges covering specialty dining, beverages, shore excursions, spa treatments, gratuities and other purchases. They can also be used to buy Holland America's "Have It All" bundle, which includes a beverage package, shore excursion credit, Wi-Fi and specialty restaurant meals.

Holland America's gift cards are also available at online retailers, including Amazon, Target and Walmart, in preset amounts. Certain banks feature credit card programs where you can redeem points for the cruise line's gift cards. If you prefer to shop in person, you'll find gift cards in stores such as Target, Publix, Kroger and Giant Eagle.

Related: The 4 classes of Holland America ships, explained

Gift cards are only available in U.S. dollars. Gift cards are activated upon receipt, and they cannot be resold. In addition, buyers cannot purchase an aggregate amount exceeding $10,000 in one day.

Princess Cruises

Princess Cruises also offers gift cards on its website in denominations between $5 and $2,000. Buyers can personalize the line's eGift Card with photos and audio for the recipient. Princess Classic Gift Cards arrive by mail, with free shipping on cards over $100. Expedited shipping is also available.

You can use Princess gift cards to pay for your cruise, including fares with the Princess Plus and Princess Premier all-inclusive packages .

Recipients can also settle part or all of their onboard bill with gift cards at the end of the cruise at the passenger services desk. That means gift cards can essentially pay for meals in specialty restaurants, shore excursions, spa treatments and other onboard splurges.

You cannot use the gift card to pay for land excursions as part of a cruisetour, flights booked through Princess or gratuities.

Related: The ultimate guide to Princess Cruises ships and itineraries

You can find Princess gift cards in grocery stores like Kroger, Harris Teeter and Giant Eagle and online at retail sites such as Amazon, Target and Best Buy.

Gift cards are only available to residents in the U.S. and Canada. Classic Gift Cards cannot be mailed to Canada, so Canadian residents should choose the eGift Card option.

Buyers are limited to a $10,000 online aggregate purchase in one day and a maximum of five transactions a day. Anyone can use the gift card since there's no name on the card.

Carnival Cruises

Carnival Cruise Line 's online gift cards are customizable from $100 up to $1,000. You can purchase a physical card that's mailed and even have it wrapped and delivered in a tin for an additional $1.99 (for up to five cards). If you prefer, you can choose an e-gift card that's sent to the recipient online.

The gift card can be used toward a cruise booking, pre-purchased shore excursions or spa treatments. You can also apply it to beverage packages and gratuities. If you'd like to use the card as an onboard credit, you must go to the guest services desk or Sail & Sign kiosk to apply the gift card as payment for your onboard bill once you're on the ship.

Related: Cruise onboard credit: What it is, where to get it and how best to use it

Carnival's gift cards are available in over 9,000 retail outlets, including Best Buy, Walmart, Kroger, Albertsons, Lowe's, Safeway, Winn-Dixie and Publix. You can also purchase gift cards on board Carnival's ships. You can buy as many cards as you'd like, but there is a maximum online transaction of five gift cards at one time.

All gift cards are in U.S. dollars and not accepted on ships using a different onboard currency. You can transfer the gift card to another user since there are no names on the cards.

Disney Cruise Line

Gift cards for Disney Cruise Line are sold online at shopdisney.com in preset amounts, from $25 to $500. You can choose from over 60 Disney designs of physical gift cards and have them shipped, or you can send a themed eGift Card.

Gift cards are also sold at Walt Disney World Resort, Disneyland Resort and Disney retail locations throughout the U.S., Puerto Rico and Canada. If you're purchasing them in person, you can load them for any amount from $15 to $1,000. The cards are reloadable with as little as $5 and up to $1,000. They can be reloaded at any location that sells the gift cards. That option is not available online.

Related: 11 ways to save money on a Disney cruise

Use Disney gift cards to purchase a cruise, shore excursions, merchandise on the ship and other onboard expenses. You can also spend the cards at Disney-owned properties, like Disney's Vero Beach Resort; on trips or cruises with Adventures by Disney; for Disney on Broadway; and at retail stores and other Disney businesses.

You'll also find them in preset amounts at retailers like Target, Walmart and Best Buy.

Norwegian Cruise Line

Norwegian Cruise Line ended its gift card program in 2021, but you still can send gifts to cruisers in the form of an onboard credit or spa credit. Onboard credit is available in $25 increments up to $100. Mandara Spa certificates are offered in amounts of $25, $50 and $100.

To send the gift, you'll need to know some personal information, including the birth date of the recipient or the reservation number for the booking. You can order the gift of onboard credits on Norwegian's website.

CruiseFirst certificates are another gift option. These advance purchase vouchers can be used to pay for cruises of six days or longer and are valued at double the price. For example, you'll pay $150 for a certificate worth $300. You can transfer these vouchers to another person as a gift without a charge.

You can purchase up to 10 certificates per person at a time, and they can only be applied to new reservations on voyages scheduled at least 120 days out from the purchase date of the certificate. Only one certificate can be used per sailing — and there are a few other restrictions. These vouchers expire within three years of the purchase date.

Royal Caribbean

Royal Caribbean is another line that uses a gift certificate program rather than gift cards. Certificates are available in the following U.S. dollar increments: $50, $100, $250, $500, $1,000, $1,500, $1,700 and $2,000. These certificates must be redeemed at least 10 days before the cruise.

Use them to pay the cruise fare, with some restrictions, or apply them toward onboard credit to cover specialty dining, beverage packages, spa treatments, gift shop purchases and other items. If you want to apply the gift certificates as payment for expenses on the ship, you'll need to redeem them online 10 days before the sailing date. They cannot be used for government taxes, fees, gratuities or casino play.

Related: 35 Royal Caribbean cruise tips and tricks that will make your voyage better

Celebrity Cruises

Celebrity Cruises has an online store where you can purchase onboard credit to celebrate someone's birthday, honeymoon, anniversary or other memorable occasion while on their cruise.

Gift certificates are available in $25 increments. These certificates can be purchased online if you know the recipient's reservation information, or you can call Celebrity's Store Customer Support team to place an order.

Note that gift cards cannot be used to pay shipboard charges, including gift shop purchases, casino debts, shore excursions or gratuities.

You can also give specialty dining certificates for $45 each. If the amount charged is less than that, the remaining sum will be applied to the passenger's onboard account.

Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:

  • The 5 most desirable cabin locations on any cruise ship
  • A beginners guide to picking a cruise line
  • The 8 worst cabin locations on any cruise ship
  • The ultimate guide to what to pack for a cruise
  • A quick guide to the most popular cruise lines
  • 21 tips and tricks that will make your cruise go smoothly
  • The top ways cruisers waste money
  • The ultimate guide to choosing a cruise ship cabin

Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

NCL Garden Villa Stateroom. JIM HUGHES/NORWEGIAN CRUISE LINE

COMMENTS

  1. Wi-Fi on cruise ships: What you need to know about internet use on

    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!

  2. Cruise Line Wi-Fi and Internet Packages

    The Unlimited Wi-Fi plan ($29.99 per day for one device, up to $84.99 for 4 devices) includes unlimited access to websites, email, social media (excludes Tik Tok) and all apps (but no VPN). The ...

  3. 15 Cruise WiFi Tips, Secrets & Mistakes to Avoid

    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.

  4. Fastest Cruise Wi-Fi & Internet at Sea: Voom

    THE FASTEST INTERNET AT SEA. Royal Caribbean VOOM, the fastest internet at sea, is now available on every Royal Caribbean ship. With six times faster onboard WiFi speed than you'll find on any other cruise ships in the world, the internet connectivity is unlike anything you're ever experienced on a cruise ship.

  5. Internet Plans

    Premium Wi-Fi Plan. Starting At. $21.25 /person per day. Add to Cart. More Details. 1-3 Out of 3 Results. Whether you want to surf the web or stream content, Carnival has the perfect internet plan for you. Stay connected with our onboard internet plans.

  6. How to get Wi-Fi on a cruise for free

    You can use your credit to pay for onboard internet access, thereby getting Wi-Fi on your cruise for free! On most cruise lines, you'll need a minimum of $100 in onboard credit per device for a week's worth of free basic Wi-Fi. On lines that offer premium plans designed for streaming, you'll need around $20 per day per device.

  7. Cruise Wi-Fi Plans & Internet Packages

    DAILY PACKAGES NOT AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE FOR ANY PLAN PRE-CRUISE. DISCOUNT MAY APPLY FOR LONGER SAILINGS. 7- DAY SURF VOYAGE PRICING BEGINS AT US $17.15 PER DAY AND 7- DAY PREMIUM VOYAGE PRICING BEGINS AT US $22.86 PER DAY, 7-DAY STREAM PRICING BEGINS AT $35.00 PER DAY. PACKAGES ARE AVAILABLE UP TO 135 DAYS.

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

    Surf + Stream: The higher tier of service is Surf + Stream. As you can guess, this offers Internet access, plus 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.

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

    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.

  10. Wi-Fi and Internet on cruise: all the packages

    The Sea at its most Connected. Stay connected with our Wi-Fi on board and share every moment of your cruise with friends and family as you discover the treasures of the world, by choosing one of our Internet Packages. Share your special moments in real-time, stream your favorite shows or browse the web and check your emails whenever you want.

  11. A line-by-line guide to internet access at sea

    Note that you do not need a cruise ship Wi-Fi plan to access the free services — such as ordering food or checking the daily schedule — on a cruise line's app. Related: Wi-Fi on cruise ships: ... If guests buy a Full Voyage Unlimited Package, the cost is $19.95 per day. This plan can be purchased at any time during the sailing, but guests ...

  12. Do Cruise Ships Have Wifi? Internet Packages for Each Cruise Line

    Crystal Cruises. Wifi: Available in cabins and all public areas of all ships. Cost: All guests receive at least 60 minutes of free wifi each day, and beyond that guests can pay as they go for $0.74/minute or choose one of the following packages: 2 hours for $55, 5 hours for $127, or 10 hours for $220.

  13. Onboard Cellular and Internet FAQs

    A - No, the data for onboard connection is transmitted via a slower wireless signal to satellites orbiting the earth approximately 22,000 miles from the earth's surface and then bounce back down to the land-based exchange. At home, your data is sent through a fast cable connection to your local exchange, just around the corner from your house.

  14. MedallionNet®

    MedallionNet Wi-Fi sets the industry standard for internet at sea, and it's now even better with Starlink access and 5G. FaceTime your pooch in the morning. Stream your favorite shows by the pool in the afternoon. Post your picture-perfect dessert from your dinner table. Thanks to state-of-the-art technology, you can now stay connected with Wi ...

  15. Do Cruise Ships Have Wi-Fi (and 6 Other Internet at Sea Tips)?

    Simply wait and buy onboard when you actually need it. If you have to pay for Wi-Fi on your cruise by the amount you use, 10 MBs will give you about 30 minutes on Facebook, four minutes of Skype ...

  16. Internet at Sea: Internet & Phone Packages

    Some wireless carriers offer cruise packages; prior to cruising contact your wireless carrier for details on the rates and plans available to you. Once on board, the connection is automatic. You can place an important call, send a quick text to check on the pets or share your unforgettable cruise adventures with friends and family at home.

  17. Do Cruise Ships Have Wi-Fi?

    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 ...

  18. Review: Princess Cruises Wi-Fi Service (Speed ...

    When it comes to the price for wi-fi, Princess has the most affordable plan we've seen in cruising. If you elect just to buy the plan on its own, the cost is $15 per day for one device. So for a one-week cruise, you'd pay $105 for access. A recent cruise showed a price to upgrade to four devices as an extra $10 per day — or a total of $25 ...

  19. Ultimate Guide To Carnival Cruise WiFi (Latest 2024 Info)

    Carnival WiFi costs were increased in December 2023 and it now costs anywhere from $15.30 to $30 US Dollars per day depending on what Carnival Cruise Internet package you buy. If you book and pay for the Carnival cruise Internet Plans before boarding, you will save 15% on the prices that you would pay onboard.

  20. Reviewed: Carnival Cruise Wi-Fi Service (Speed ...

    Open up your wi-fi connection settings and connect to the ship's service. In our case, it was named "Carnival Celebration Wi-Fi" or something similar. Open up a browser and go to "CarnivalWiFi.com". Enter your folio number and birthdate, and click "Log In". Click "Confirm" on the next screen to enable access.

  21. Wifi Service

    For assistance with your Disney Cruise, please call (800) 951-3532. Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 10:00 PM Eastern time; Saturday and Sunday, 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM Eastern time. Guests under 18 years of age must have parent or guardian permission to call. Learn about the availability of Wi-Fi service on board Disney Cruise ships.

  22. Virgin Voyages WiFi Packages: Essential Guide & Speed Test

    The basic internet service on Virgin Voyages cruise ships is entirely free for all sailors. Premium WiFi can be purchased for $50 during a four or five-night sailing or at a daily rate of $15. If you purchase the Premium Voyage internet service on embarkation day, you'll receive a $10 discount, bringing the cost down to $40. ...

  23. Genting Dream Cruise WiFi Prices & How To Use

    S$126. S$210. Do note that the full pricing of your cruise will be charged no matter which day you start your Wi-Fi usage. For example, if you are on a 5 Nights cruise and you connect only on the last night, you will still be charged for the full 5 nights price. So if you are planning to buy Wi-Fi on Genting Dream, just connect once you board ...

  24. Cruise line gift cards: Where to buy them, how to spend them

    The line offers one or two sales a year that feature an added perk, such as a $100 bonus card with a $1,000 purchase. You can use the cards to pay for cruise bookings, pre-cruise expenses or ...

  25. Is WiFi included?

    Additional logins and upgrade packages are available for purchase on board. For your convenience, Internet-enabled computers are also available in the Oceania@Sea Internet Center aboard each of our ships. Starlink's high-speed WiFi is currently available Vista and Riviera, and will be available on every vessel by the end of 2024.

  26. What You Need to Know About Antarctica Cruises

    Antarctica is half a world away, but if you want to visit, you have more options than ever before. Cruisers have so many options in this upcoming season due to all the new ships -- we saw the ...