carnival cruise internet price increase 2022

Carnival Cruise Line Raises Gratuities and Wi-Fi Prices

• January 4, 2023

Carnival Cruise Line is adjusting gratuity levels for all of its U.S. and European cruises, raising the values of the recommended daily crew tips starting on April 1, 2023.

According to a letter sent to booked guests, the gratuities for both standard staterooms and suites will be increased by $1.50.

“Our shipboard team members work hard to provide exceptional and friendly service, so we hope you will agree that this slight increase is well deserved,” Carnival stated.

With the change, passengers of standard cabins will now be suggested to pay $16 per guest per day, while for suite guests, the recommended amount will be $18 per guest per day.

Prepaid gratuities will be honored, the company said, with passengers being able to secure the current rates if they pay the fees online before April 1.

If not paid in advance, the recommended gratuity value will be added to passengers’ onboard account during their cruise “as a convenience,” Carnival added in the letter.

However, while onboard, guests are also free to adjust the values at their own discretion, the company explained.

In addition to raising gratuity levels, Carnival Cruise Line is also raising the prices of the onboard Wi-Fi internet access plans.

According to the same statement, the increase will be affective for all embarkations starting on January 16, 2023.

The Social plan had its fare adjusted to $12.75 per day, up from $10.20, while the Value plan will be priced at $17 per day, up from $14.45. The Premium plan will cost $18.70 per day, up from $17.

Passengers are also welcomed to prepurchase their internet plans at the current rates, the company added.

Carnival had last adjusted the value of the recommended daily gratuities in April 2022. At the time, the amounts were increased by $0.50 .

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Carnival Increasing Wi-Fi Prices by up to 20%

Get ready to pay more if you want internet access while sailing on Carnival in 2024. Today, Carnival emailed guests that the internet pricing would be going up effective December 8th. Rates will increase 14-20% depending on the plan.  

How Carnival’s internet plans work

Carnival offers three different levels of internet service depending on what kind of access you need. 

Carnival’s Social Plan

Access the most popular social websites and applications. Includes Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, Linkedin, Facebook Messenger, Whatsapp, SnapChat and the most popular airline sites. This plan does not include access to most other websites or apps.

Carnival’s Value Plan

Surf all your favorite sites, including e-mail, news, sports, weather, banking and finance. This plan does not support Skype calling or music/video streaming (such as Spotify or Netflix).

Carnival’s Premium Plan

From e-mail to video calls, our Premium plan promises the fastest possible connection, at speeds up to 3 times faster than the Value Plan. Supports Skype, Zoom and Teams video calling, where coverage allows.

Note:  Unlike other cruise lines, Carnival blocks Wi-Fi calling from working on any of its plans. That means you cannot make/receive standard calls and texts using the pricey internet plan. Third-party apps and iMessage will work on the Social plan and higher. 

A Wi-Fi/Internet plan is NOT required for the Carnival HUB app, which has the daily schedules, menus, restaurant booking, etc. You can use that app by connecting to the Wi-Fi network on Carnival’s ship without paying anything extra. 

While technically the costs are billed as “per person per day,” it really is closer to “per device per day.” Guests can switch internet access between different devices and people. For example, two people can both use one internet package over the course of the cruise by logging in and out, but only one can access it at one time. 

Carnival’s new Wi-Fi pricing

The new pricing will increase from 14-20% depending on the plan. Guests will save up to 15% by booking before getting on board.

It’s Carnival’s second price increase in 2023 and represents a total increase of 47% – 80% over the course of 15 months.

Book now to get lock-in current rates

Thankfully, if you have a cruise booked on Carnival, you can book the internet package now to lock in the current rates. You have until December 8th to book the older rates. 

You can learn more about Carnival’s internet plans here.

Want to stay up to date on all things Carnival?

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Related posts:

• Carnival Rolling Out A New Digital Debarkation Procedure
• Forget About Star of the Seas, Save Thousands by Sailing These Ships Instead

Randy Young

Randy Young is the founder and editor-in-chief at Cruise Spotlight. He has been in marketing for 20 years and has been cruising for just as long. Over the years, he's worked with products like TVs, copiers, light bulbs, and EV chargers, but cruising has always been his passion. There's nothing Randy likes more than the first couple of hours on a ship, exploring every nook and cranny and seeing how it's different from everything else out there. He's known for providing detailed and analytical coverage of cruising to help cruisers get a comprehensive picture of a ship's offerings.

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Value Wi-Fi Plan

Access all sites included in the Social plan with a faster connection speed. Ideal for travelers who want to stay in touch via social media, manage emails, browse, and stay updated on news, sports, and weather. It doesn't support video streaming or cellular-network-dependent Wi-Fi calling.

Save up to 15% when booked prior to sailing versus onboard pricing. WI-FI packages purchased prior to sailing can only be purchased online.

Cut-off for pre-purchase is 11:59PM EST the day before embarkation. Additional restrictions apply.

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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.

What a difference a few years can make. Now, having wi-fi access is nearly a necessity.

The good news is that cruise lines — including Carnival — offer wi-fi access across their fleets. So what can you expect? We recently put Carnival’s wi-fi 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 or FaceTime.

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 straightforward. Below, we outline the process for accessing the internet, which you’ll need to do on any device you used to access the wi-fi.

• Open up your wi-fi connection settings and connect to the ship’s service. In our case, it was named “Carnival Radiance Wi-Fi”. You’re will be the name of your specific ship.
• Open up a browser and go to “CarnivalWiFi.com”
• Enter your folio number (found on your room keycard) and birthdate, and click “Log In”
• Click “Let’s Go!” 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 on Carnival. Speeds will vary, but doing multiple speed tests across cruises, it seems to show speeds between 6-12 Mbps. On this specific test, it returned a ping of 50 ms, a download speed of 19.8 Mbps, and an upload speed of 8.55 Mbps: 

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 felt like it does over a cell connection. You wouldn’t confuse the speed with broadband you have at home or the office, but it wasn’t noticeably slow, either. 

If you had to use the connection every day to surf the web, it may feel slow by modern standards. As well, if you’re doing something data-intensive like downloading TV shows, the speed may feel slower.

Using the wi-fi for normal browsing or streaming felt plenty fast for us.

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’s basic plans allow 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?

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.

On another cruise, we were able to stream music over Spotify , despite Carnival’s website specifically mentioning this as not supported.

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 and the picture was clear.  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 using iMessage 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.

Can I Make Wi-Fi Calls over the Internet?

When you don’t have cell service, but do have wi-fi, many phones allow you to make and receive calls over the internet.

Carnival specifically says it does not offer “cellular-network-dependent wi-fi calling” with its service. In fact, we tested it and weren’t able to make or receive calls. 

You may be able to make calls through apps like WhatsApp, but traditional calling wasn’t available.

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. 

If you want to chat with others on the ship, then you can do so through the HUB app for $5 for the length of the cruise.

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. 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.”

In reality, when we used our VPN service to connect, it was no issue at all . 

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 and are internet intensive 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.

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Has anyone using the Premium Package Internet used it to watch football, sports, movies, shows, etc… but especially the NFL and college games???? Please give me your experiences if you read this… thank you

I have and it general it works well. I find that Carnival often has some of the higher speeds available and plenty fast for streaming.

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.. 🙁

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Carnival Says It Watches Alcohol Consumption Of ALL Guests (And What To Do If Someone Has Too Much)

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Carnival Internet Package: What To Know Before You Go

Are you dreaming of sun-soaked days, tropical drinks, and endless ocean vistas on your upcoming Carnival cruise, but the thought of being cut off from the digital world is giving you anxiety? I know the feeling!

We’re here to help you pick the perfect internet package that will keep you connected no matter where you are on the ship.

From streaming your favorite shows to sharing your exotic adventures on social media, our guide will help you find the ideal plan that fits your needs and budget, so you can stay online and on course throughout your voyage.

Table of Contents

How Much Is WiFi On A Carnival Cruise?

Carnival Cruise Lines offers three wifi package options on board. The prices range from $12.75 to $22.00 per day. The price varies depending on when whether you pre-book it and how much internet access you need.

Unfortunately, you can’t just purchase these packages on a day-by-day basis. Carnival Cruise line requires passengers to buy the internet package for the entire duration of the cruise.

In the past, you had the option of buying it just for the days you needed, but that is no longer an option.

Either way, you get 15% off if you purchase before you go on board. Cut-off for pre-purchase is 11:59 PM EST the day before embarkation.

Let’s take a closer look at the package options Carnival Cruise Line offers guests…

Carnival Cruise Internet Plans and Prices

Carnival offers three Wi-Fi packages onboard, the Social, Value, and Premium Packages.

The pricing is as follows:

The Social Plan : This is the most basic plan Carnival offers, costing $12.75 if you purchase before boarding. If you purchase while on the ship, the price is $15 per day.

As the name suggests, the Social Package gives you access to popular social media apps and websites. These include Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, Linkedin, Facebook Messenger, WhatsApp, TikTok, and Snapchat.

Most other sites and apps are blocked.

The Value Plan : With the value package, you have access to most websites and can check email, news sites, and all the social media sites offered in the Social Plan. However, streaming sites like Netflix and Hulu won’t work. The value plan also doesn’t support video or Skype calling.

Anything that requires a lot of upload speed won’t work on this plan.

The Value plan starts at $17.00 per day with the pre-booking discount, or $20 per day if you book it on board.

Now the Premium Plan : This plan includes everything in the Social and Value Plans plus streaming apps and video calling such as Zoom and Skype.

The Premium package starts at $18.70 per day with the pre-booking discount, or $22 per day if you book onboard.

It’s important to note, however, the reliability of all these packages can vary greatly and Carnival does not offer any refunds for weak or poor connections.

How Do You Access The Internet Once On The Ship

Connecting to the internet on a Carnival cruise ship is pretty straightforward. To get connected, get on your device, go to the Wi-Fi settings, and select ‘Carnival WiFi’ from the list of networks. There may be some variability in the name, as it may be named after the ship you’re on, but it would still be called ‘Carnival (Ship Name) WiFi.’

Once you click on the network it will open a browser. From there, follow the prompts to get connected.

If the webpage isn’t popping up, you can also type in carnivalwifi.com on your browser and it’ll take you to the same page.

If you have trouble connecting or bad connection, go to guest services. They may help you or connect you with technical support.

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

There is no need to buy access for every device but you can only use your Carnival WiFi package on one device at a time.

You can move between devices freely as the packages aren’t locked into a single device.

Meaning, if you want to use your laptop and phone, you can, but not at the same time.

Also, if multiple people in your cabin want to be online at the same time, they will each have to purchase a plan.

How Fast Is Carnival’s Wi-Fi Service?

Carnival doesn’t state on its website the internet speeds they offer. This is likely because there is a lot of variability depending on where the cruise ship is sailing.

It will, of course, also depend on the package you purchase.

However, we have found from various reports that the speed is considered ‘reasonably good’ for a cruise.

There are times when streaming the web will seem sluggish and there are times when the speed will be quick and efficient. It isn’t very consistent the whole trip.

The connection can be considered slow by modern standards, and if you plan on working or downloading large files, you may experience problems.

If you just want to stay connected, check email, and post a couple of selfies here and there – you will be just fine.

It’s also important to keep in mind that Carnival does not offer a refund if the speed isn’t up to your standards. As long as you have internet and can access the sites they promise, regardless of the speed, they have held up their end of the bargain.

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

You may have heard of Carnival’s HUB app . It offers real-time info and features like restaurant booking, excursion booking, messaging with other passengers, and more.

You don’t need an internet connection for the HUB app, as it runs on the ship’s internal network. But, no browsing or social media comes with it.

Also, you will want to download the app before boarding the ship if you aren’t purchasing an internet package.

Is There Free WiFi On Carnival Cruise Ships?

Carnival Cruise Line does not offer free Wi-Fi . To stay connected with your loved ones and friends, you must buy an internet package.

These plans range from basic social media access to a more expensive premium plan. Prices depend on data usage, speed requirements, length of voyage, etc.

You can buy a plan before or while on board the ship. The service is available everywhere on board, including private balconies and cabins .

Is Carnival WiFi Worth It?

Carnival WiFi packages could be an awesome addition to your getaway, but whether or not they’re worth it can depend on a lot of variables.

For example, a standard Social Package for a 7-day cruise will cost you $89.25 and the Premium would set you back $131.25

It really depends on how much you plan on using your internet while at sea. Depending on where you sail to, when the ship is in port you’ll likely have a 4G or 5G connection available.

Plus, when you go on excursions, you won’t need internet access.

So it comes down to how many days you’ll really need the internet while on the ship and how often you think you’ll use it.

Can I Make FaceTime Calls On The Wi-Fi?

If you purchase the Premium Package, you will be able to FaceTime while on the cruise. You won’t be able to FaceTime (or use any other video call app) with the Social or Value package.

Keep in mind, although the premium plan supports FaceTime, the connection won’t be as reliable as the one you have at home. There may be areas on the ship that have better reception.

Are There Blocked Websites On The Carnival Internet Packages?

Even with the premium package plans, there are websites you won’t be able to access.

Gambling and adult websites are blocked on all plans. Gambling isn’t legal everywhere and it creates a lot of legal issues in International waters, so it’s easier to block the sites altogether.

Likewise, Carnival is a family-friendly cruise and to make sure no children accidentally access any inappropriate sites, adult-content sites are also blocked.

Can I Stream Movies or Music on Carnival’s Wi-Fi?

On the Premium Package, you technically can stream movies and music. Sites like Netflix, Amazon Prime, and YouTube are available while onboard.

However, some customers have stated that certain streaming sites can be a hit or miss.

meaning you may be able to access Netflix perfectly fine on the Wi-Fi, but encounter issues and buffering on Hulu.

We honestly recommend downloading shows you want to watch before going on your cruise. That way you won’t have to worry about the speed of the Wi-Fi and can even opt for a cheaper Wi-Fi package.

Can I Use A VPN On Carnival?

I always opt for a virtual private network (VPN) when I travel for security and privacy online.

However, carnival states they don’t support VPN’s while onboard. They state: “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.”

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• Carnival Cruise Lines

Internet prices going up?

By EllieinNJ , April 22, 2022 in Carnival Cruise Lines

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I have heard that prices for internet and other things are going up May 1st.  Can someone tell me how much?  Does it pay to order it now for 2023?  We have a 9 day and a 12 day booked for next May and June.

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From my PVP.   

19 minutes ago, EllieinNJ said: I have heard that prices for internet and other things are going up May 1st.  Can someone tell me how much?  Does it pay to order it now for 2023?  We have a 9 day and a 12 day booked for next May and June.

Probably not worth pre-paying at this point for internet in 2023, but it is possible (likely?) it will go up again before your cruise.

6 hours ago, JT1962 said: Probably not worth pre-paying at this point for internet in 2023, but it is possible (likely?) it will go up again before your cruise.

If you want to save the money, purchase it now. That way you don't pay the higher price later. Personally, I plan to go with the premium wifi plan. I used premium on the Vista and it worked great. I had no issues. People complain about the internet but most don't pay for premium. I'm not sure if the level of internet service you get matters, but I didn't have any issues. The premium internet package price will not increase. 

40 minutes ago, melz1010 said: If you want to save the money, purchase it now. That way you don't pay the higher price later. Personally, I plan to go with the premium wifi plan. I used premium on the Vista and it worked great. I had no issues. People complain about the internet but most don't pay for premium. I'm not sure if the level of internet service you get matters, but I didn't have any issues. The premium internet package price will not increase. 

On Mardi Gras earlier this month, Premium internet... it was unusable for almost half the cruise. Completely unable to load any website, or even send messages on Facebook Messenger. The rest of the time it varied from painfully slow, to decent.

7 hours ago, superrupe said: From my PVP.   

I'm not sure where this originated, but the Internet pricing is wrong. Current pricing is already over $13.60/day for Premium Internet (now $14.45). If that is what the new pricing will be, I'll cancel my plans for cruises after May 1 and repurchase.

I found the Wifi on Mardi Gras to be usable.

I went and called as I was charged 7.60 per person per day prebooking for our cruise in November for kids... apparently Freedom, magic and a few other ships have a higher cost. I didnt know that or do I know why lol. but could also explain why you were charged more currently for the premium one. 

How many devices can be used?

tallnthensome

33 minutes ago, Sea Legs said: How many devices can be used?    

One device per package purchased. That information is on the Carnival website FYI.

2 hours ago, Sea Legs said: How many devices can be used?    

One device at a time .  Beware though.  My DH says he doesn’t want the internet but then he’ll steal it from me when he thinks I’m napping.  

CruisingFromLA

I was watching a YouTube video on wifi speeds for different lines and now understand why I always get such shitty speeds on Carnival. Note my average upload speeds on my last 3 cruises were 0.10-0.15 Mbps (Radiance, Sunrise and Panorama). What I don't understand is that Carnival charges $14 per day for the premium plan, while Princess has the best speeds and only charges $9.99 per day. The wifi on Carnival is just not worth it.

Hopefully with the increased prices will come enhanced services. They really need an overhaul with regards to onboard communication. 

1 hour ago, jetsfan58 said: Hopefully with the increased prices will come enhanced services. They really need an overhaul with regards to onboard communication. 

We do NOT need more CD announcements!

10 hours ago, CruisingFromLA said: I was watching a YouTube video on wifi speeds for different lines and now understand why I always get such shitty speeds on Carnival. Note my average upload speeds on my last 3 cruises were 0.10-0.15 Mbps (Radiance, Sunrise and Panorama). What I don't understand is that Carnival charges $14 per day for the premium plan, while Princess has the best speeds and only charges $9.99 per day. The wifi on Carnival is just not worth it.      

I definitely had better luck on Panorama than you. I have a screenshot of 15.0up/27.2 down on Panorama. The older Carnival ships usually have worse internet so I wouldn't have high expectations on radiance or sunrise though I did have pretty good speeds...good enough to upload videos in a minute or two for most of my glory cruise last month so maybe there have been some improvements. 

The speed tests aren't really comparable IMO. Unless you know that everything is the same, it's not a fair test. There are way too many variables. To me the internet isn't worth it but it's for different reasons than speed - I just don't like paying for it, I'd rather spend that money on other things during my cruise and use the internet when in port. Just follow the crew when they get off, often they're headed to the wifi.

On 4/22/2022 at 3:49 PM, melz1010 said: .... People complain about the internet but most don't pay for premium....

I haven't been on any of the Vista Class or Excel Class ships yet so maybe (hopefully) internet on them is better.  I've been on aech of the earlier classes of ships and paid for the "premium" every single time and it SUCKS.  Early in the morning before many people are up it seems somewhat reasonable, but by 8 or 9 AM it's horrible if you want to do much more than check email.  On our next cruise I'm going to see if I can survive without internet, it's definitely overpriced for what you get.

The Internet connection on ships is via satellite and it is shared by all. You want faster speeds? Use it when demand is low. It is also possible for an access point to be overloaded. Soultion? Connect to a different point.

The oldest ship (Ecstasy) in the fleet have acceptable speeds all things considered.

When poking around, it seems my cabin had an access point 🙂

On 4/22/2022 at 4:39 PM, BlerkOne said: I'm not sure where this originated, but the Internet pricing is wrong. Current pricing is already over $13.60/day for Premium Internet (now $14.45). If that is what the new pricing will be, I'll cancel my plans for cruises after May 1 and repurchase.   I found the Wifi on Mardi Gras to be usable.

The internet pricing is different on different ships.  Some (like Horizon) still has the premium for $13.60 but I paid $14.45 per day on a different ship two weeks ago.   The social on Horizon is $7.60 but I paid $6.80 two weeks ago (Paradise).   Makes no sense.  

Jelly_Toast

The price increase of 21 cruise days of value internet is $17.80.  For two people it's an increase of $35.60.

Is it worth the savings to let them have your money for an entire year? That's how you should make your decision. They are essentially paying you this much money for the privilege of holding your money for a year.

Can you switch devices on one plan?  For example my iPad and iPhone?

41 minutes ago, snowdogsmm said: Can you switch devices on one plan?  For example my iPad and iPhone?  

YES you can use one plan on your iPhone and the same plan on your iPad, just not at the same time. 

I bought the premium plan on the Breeze but it was barely useable until midnight 😄 . I'm debating whether to buy it for our Horizon trip coming up.

On 4/24/2022 at 7:08 AM, CruisingFromLA said: I was watching a YouTube video on wifi speeds for different lines and now understand why I always get such shitty speeds on Carnival. Note my average upload speeds on my last 3 cruises were 0.10-0.15 Mbps (Radiance, Sunrise and Panorama). What I don't understand is that Carnival charges $14 per day for the premium plan, while Princess has the best speeds and only charges $9.99 per day. The wifi on Carnival is just not worth it.      

I am guessing the main reason for speed differences is Princess cruisers probably tend to be older and not married to their phones and internet so the number of users at any given time would be much less.

It's a supply and demand issue... too many people sharing the bandwidth means they need to drive up the price to cut down a little on people using it. Bandwidth is limited they need to do something...

24 minutes ago, n6uqqq said:   I am guessing the main reason for speed differences is Princess cruisers probably tend to be older and not married to their phones and internet so the number of users at any given time would be much less.

The main difference is Princess has better service which will someday be rolled out to all Carnival brands. No doubt Carnival has more bloggers, vloggers, FB live, etc. users hogging bandwidth and getting worse.

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Carnival Cruise Line WiFi Prices and Plans Detailed

Doug Parker

• July 10, 2018

The folks at Carnival Cruise Line know that many passengers need the internet, whether on vacation or not.

It might be great if we could all disconnect when we set sail, but some of us can’t… and most of us won’t. So, every ship in the fleet is outfitted with wireless internet, which can be purchased.

But how much will it cost and what are the various packages? That’s what nearly every cruiser wants to know, and that’s what we’re here today to answer.

When the internet was first rolled out on cruise ships in the early 2000s, guests had to go to a workstation — usually, a bank of computers set just off the atrium — in order to access the web.

Back then, there was almost always a full-time employee of the satellite company, which provided internet access to assist you with getting online and any billing discrepancies.

READ MORE: 11 Reasons to Download Carnival’s Hub App

These days, connecting to the internet is far simpler, and it’s almost hard to imagine a time when we couldn’t just pop open our laptop on the balcony of our stateroom and check our email or use our smartphone to make everyone back home jealous with a few great selfies.

So let’s dive in and discuss what you need to know about accessing the web — and how much it will cost — during your next cruise on a Carnival ship.

Note: This article was originally published in July 2018. It was updated in December 2023.

Carnival Cruise Internet Pricing and Packages

There are three different internet packages for you to choose from while onboard. Which one is best for you will depend entirely on what you’re looking to do. Some people just want to check Facebook and send out tweets, while others want to watch movies or Skype with the office.

Remember that all internet plans are offered at a reduced rate if you purchase them before your cruise. In order to do so, all you need to do is sign onto your account at Carnival.com and click on the Cruise Manager page.

You can also head to Carnival.com/FunShops and find information on internet packages there. If you’d rather wait to buy until you’re on board — which will cost you more than you’ll pay if you pre-purchase — you can do so through the HUB app.

As we discuss the various programs and pricing options, note that all prices are listed in US dollars. The pricing we discuss here will be the pre-cruise cost.

Breakdown of Carnival WiFi Plans

As of December 8, 2023, the Social Plan is $15.30 per day, allowing unlimited access to the most popular social networking sites. This is for people who want to use Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Messenger, Snapchat, LinkedIn, WhatsApp, and similar websites/apps.

You’re also able to access airline apps to check in for your flight. Some of the airline applications currently supported are American, Delta, Southwest, United, Spirit, Southwest, Air Canada, Allegiant, Hawaii Airlines, and West Jet.

This plan is good for the basic internet user. It can be used on multiple devices, but only by signing out on one before signing in on another. But if little Johnny and Susie are both going to want to be on their phones at the same time, you’ll need separate plans.

As of December 8, 2023, the Value Plan is $19.95 per day and gives you access to all the social sites mentioned above, plus email, online banking, news, lifestyle, sports, and weather websites. Neither the value nor social plans provide access to streaming of any kind.

This plan is good for the moderate internet user looking to stay connected via social media while also perusing the web.

The Premium Plan starts at $21.25 per day and offers social and value plans and internet streaming. Carnival boasts that this plan is three times faster than the value plan and lets you use Skype, Zoom, and Teams video calling.

I’ve also used Facebook Video and FaceTime with this plan, and it worked well when not many people were on. 11 p.m. to 8 a.m. seemed the optimal time for video streaming. This plan is a good choice for someone who needs to be fully connected or has to work on vacation.

How strong a signal you get on the various plans can vary greatly from ship to ship. For instance, Carnival Vista and Carnival Horizon have upgraded bandwidth to allow more people to surf and stream video.

When I sailed Carnival Magic in early 2018, the WiFi was awful. Even on the Premium Plan, it was pulling only around .04 Mbps. (For those of you who aren’t technically minded, suffice it to say it was really slow.)

All about the Carnival HUB App

In 2015, Carnival Cruise Line launched the HUB app, which allowed guests to get online and do basic things like read an electronic version of the Fun Times, check their account balance, and see what the weather was like in their ports of call.

Now, however, the functionality of the app has been vastly approved, allowing guests to do things such as:

• Complete cruise check-in
• Begin the mandatory muster drill
• Order food for delivery to most spots on the ship
• Read restaurant menus and make dining reservations
• View ship maps
• Chat with cruise companions
• Purchase things such as shore excursions, drink packages, and wifi packages

READ MORE: Review: Does Carnival Mardi Gras Live Up To The Hype?

The app is currently available to download from the Google Play Store and iTunes. It is suggested that guests download the app before they get on the ship in order to avoid being charged huge fees by their cell phone service provider during their sailing.

Passengers do not need to purchase internet to use the app.

How fast is the internet?

Right off the bat, know this: the cruise ship is receiving the internet signal via satellite. What does that mean? Well, the ship is constantly moving, so the signal is being transmitted to a moving target.

How fast the internet is while you’re on board will depend on several factors, including the ship’s itinerary, how many of your fellow passengers are also trying to access the signal, and — perhaps most importantly — which plan you purchased.

It’s safe to say that you won’t usually enjoy the same internet speeds you have back home. (Unless, of course, you have a crappy provider back home.)

However, if you’re trying to do everyday things like check Facebook, send an email (without a lot of attachments), or load a weather app, you’ll be fine. Heavier-loading websites and smartphone apps may require a bit of patience.

Can I call home?

If you have the Premium Plan, you will be able to call home using a voice or video app such as FaceTime audio, Skype, or WhatsApp. If your phone has a WiFi-enabled calling and texting feature, you can also use that if you have purchased the Premium Plan.

I use T-Mobile, and the first thing I do when I get onto the ship is put my phone on airplane mode.

I then turn on the T-Mobile WiFi so that when my phone is connected to the ship’s internet system, it will essentially function as a regular phone. WiFi calling does not use cell phone data, merely the internet. AT&T also offers WiFi calling.

Carnival WiFi Tips and Tricks

• Purchase the plan before you leave to save money (around 15%).
• Each plan will allow you to use as many devices as you like, but only one at a time. So, if several people share the plan, only one can be logged onto a device at any time.
• If you go to log in and someone else is already on the plan, it will ask you if you’d like to kick them off in order to gain access. On the plus side, if Mom or Dad wants to use the internet, they can easily boot their Twitter-obsessed kids off.
• The website says that streaming services such as Netflix and Spotify aren’t able to be accessed, but I was able to use Amazon Music during my workouts without any issues.
• If you figure a cruise is the perfect time to binge-watch something from Netflix, download the series before you leave home. Even if, by some chance, you were able to get it to work on board, the streaming would be as slow as molasses.
• The $5 chat feature is a super-affordable way to stay connected with your travel companions during the cruise. You can purchase it once you’re onboard, and it will be billed directly to your Sail & Sign account.
• If you’re having internet issues of any kind, take your device to guest services and dispute the charges. They’ll usually refund your money if you can prove that your device is not connecting.

READ NEXT: 10 Secrets And Money-Saving Tips The Cruise Lines Don’t Usually Tell You

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Princess Cruises Reveals Updates to Premium Wi-Fi Rollout and Gratuities

M ore and more travelers are availing themselves of flexible work arrangements by taking bleisure or hush trips, with 74 percent of Americans who work remotely saying that would consider a “workcation”, according to a recent Harris Poll data. And, with Princess Cruises ’ recently announced MedallionNet Max premium wi-fi service powered by Starlink now available on all voyages, now is the time to take that extended cruise vacation you’ve been dreaming of, secure in the knowledge that you’ve got uninterrupted internet access as you explore the world. 

Included in the Princess Plus and Princess Premier packages, the MedallionNet Max service provides enhanced onboard connectivity designed to answer the increased demand of today’s digitally dialed-in guests. Princess has emphasized that this upgraded internet experience is especially valuable for those passengers seeking the flexibility to work while sailing on longer journeys, such as its World Cruises, Journeys Far & Away, Immersive Itineraries and Ocean Crossings. No matter how remote their destination, this premier wi-fi capability affords guests the ability to take the office with them as they experience all corners of the globe. 

"Today's travelers are increasingly drawn to longer, more immersive experiences, often in remote or bucket-list destinations, without wanting to disconnect from their digital lives," said Terry Thornton, Chief Commercial Officer of Princess Cruises. "MedallionNet Max ensures that connectivity is never an issue, and when combined with the Princess Premier package, which offers unlimited beverages and specialty dining, it makes longer voyages not only feasible but incredibly rewarding."

Meanwhile, Princess has also quietly raised its daily crew gratuity charges by $1 across all stateroom categories, according to Cruise Radio . Although the amount may seem modest, it represents roughly a six-percent hike in passengers’ daily gratuities charges for various cabin types. 

The new rates are as follows:

Although the cruise line did not announce the change, the updated gratuity rates are now reflected on Princess’ website, on the Crew Appreciation and Service Charge pages. 

However, passengers who have already booked their cruises are locked in under the previous pricing, and those who have opted for the Princess Premier and Princess Plus packages will not be affected, as gratuities are already included in these bundles.

The last increase in Princess Cruises’ gratuity rates occurred in December 2022, when daily charges rose by $1.50 across all stateroom categories. This latest adjustment follows similar moves by other cruise lines, including Princess’ sister company, Holland America Line, which also raised its gratuities by six to nine percent earlier this year.