Cruise Ship Wi-Fi: A Guide to Onboard Internet Services

Table Of Content

• Azamara WiFi Packages
• Do cruise ships have Wi-Fi? A line-by-line guide to internet access at sea
• Windstar Cruises Wi-Fi and Internet
• Royal Caribbean
• Cruise ships typically offer multiple Wi-Fi plans
• With varying internet speeds, will I still be able to stream movies or music or use programs like Skype and FaceTime?

On Oceania, one login per cabin is included in the cruise fare, but guests can upgrade to the line’s premium Wavenet Prime streaming service for a fee. Passengers with Princess Plus or Premier have MedallionNet already bundled in. Aurora Expeditions’ Greg Mortimer and Sylvia Earle vessels have Starlink onboard. The connectivity is available to guests free of charge in their private cabins, as well as in public venues onboard the ships.

Azamara WiFi Packages

Checking in and performing the onboard safety drill are easier with the app. It allows fast web browsing, less time spent waiting for pages to load and video-streaming capabilities with access to Netflix, YouTube, FaceTime and Skype. Carnival HUB is Carnival's free-to-download app and can be used onboard without a Wi-Fi package. The app offers easy access to information, such as deck plans, ship schedules, dining info and Sail & Sign shipboard account balances. Azamara has four R-Class ships, all with onboard computer centers, called In Touch, where passengers can get online via workstations 24/7.

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

Celebrity utilizes Starlink on its ships, with the exception of Celebrity Flora in the Galapagos. Basic Wi-Fi either costs extra or comes included for passengers who have purchased an all-inclusive package. Those who buy access can also upgrade to a premium level of service for more bandwidth. Hurtigruten Expeditions uses Starlink onboard and offers the service for free to guests and crew. The adventure line’s entire fleet, except its ship in the Galapagos, utilizes the new internet connection in collaboration with long-time partner Speedcast. As of now, Carnival has three tiers of internet plans available for purchase, while Cunard and Holland America offer two purchasable options; HAL also includes internet access in its “Have It All” package.

Windstar Cruises Wi-Fi and Internet

However, it's difficult to tell how good the connection will be before you arrive. Internet aboard all Viking Ocean ships is free, but the line imposes heavy-bandwidth limitations for large uploads/downloads and live streaming. Silversea uses an intranet web page rather than an app for guests to manage their cruise onboard. Silversea also partners with the PressReader app that allows guests to read a number of news feeds.

Royal Caribbean

Hurtigruten Expeditions has already installed Starlink across its entire fleet, and other cruise lines, like Norwegian and Royal Caribbean, are following suit. Another useful tip is to simply write your email in a word processing program or an offline version of your email provider, and then paste what you've written into an email (or hit send) as soon as you log in. It's best to have your own laptop if you want to take this approach, as many onboard computer terminals have been re-jiggered so you cannot access basic word processing programs like Microsoft Word or Notepad.

MedallionNet Wi-Fi sets the industry standard for internet at sea, and it's now even better with Starlink access and 5G. Thanks to state-of-the-art technology, you can now stay connected with Wi-Fi coverage as you sail. Passengers can receive a discount by purchasing packages that bundle a drink package with internet access. If you don't need to stay connected while on board, head into port and find a restaurant, bar or 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.

What Is Starlink and Which Cruise Ships Use Starlink Internet - Cruise Critic

What Is Starlink and Which Cruise Ships Use Starlink Internet.

Posted: Wed, 28 Feb 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]

With this internet access, you can check email, chat, surf the internet, FaceTime with your kids and pets, post photos and stream shows and music with speeds similar to what you might have at home. Holland America completed the installation of Starlink across its entire fleet in December 2023, which enhanced connectivity for the line's guests and crew. 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.

It is also true that the ship itself can block a signal -- on certain courses, the funnel or mast might be between the antenna and satellite. Complimentary Wi-Fi access is available to all Explora Journeys guests. Learn how MedallionNet Wi-Fi works and discover how speed and connectivity may be affected while sailing in different regions. Crown & Anchor Society members receive special discounts on pricing ranging from one day of Wi-Fi free to Diamond level members and two free days for Diamond Plus and Pinnacle members. If you take advantage of the Free at Sea promotional cruise fare, you'll receive a number of free Unlimited Wi-Fi minutes, depending on the length of your sailing. Norwegian Cruise Lines (NCL) is one of the few we’ve found that explicitly says they will let you access via a VPN.

For a fee, passengers ages 13 and older can access the app's chat feature to message other family members and friends onboard. Stay refreshed with unlimited drinks, including cocktails, sodas and more — plus enjoy savings when you bundle high speed internet. Kids and parents both score with the Classic Soda Package + 1 VOOM Device. If Cruise Wi-Fi seems too steep for your wallet, you’ve got some other choices to stay connected. Right now, Norwegian is slowly rolling Starlink out across their fleet, so if speed is important to you, you’ll need to do some research to find out if your ship has it installed.

Carnival Corporation and Princess achieve this speed by working with SES Networks, a leading satellite connectivity provider. 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 cafe. Any internet package can be used with a laptop rental or at the onboard cafes. 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. Carnival Cruise Line offers guests the option of three plans via the line's satellite providers. This allows you online access without the cost of paying for service during the entire cruise.

To understand why shipboard internet isn't comparable to the broadband you enjoy at home, you first need to understand the technology behind it. The big golf ball-shaped domes visible on top of cruise ships are protective shells that encase freely moving satellite antennae. These antennas transmit a signal from the ship to a satellite, which then sends a signal back down to earth. Virgin Voyages does not specify its service provider, but unlimited basic Wi-Fi is included for guests, and premium internet is available as an upgrade for a daily fee. Under Royal Caribbean Group is Celebrity Cruises, Royal Caribbean International and Silversea Cruises.

The system is called Voom, and it reaches satellites from Medium Earth Orbit run by O3b. They could shoot beams directly to cruise ships as they passed by. The fastest option is the Surf + Stream at three megabits per second. While it may be slower than at home, you should be able to watch your favorite shows. The only downsides are that videos can be grainy, and you may have buffering issues. The satellites used for at-sea internet connections cost hundreds of millions of dollars.

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 $15 each), Wi-Fi for a single device and crew gratuities. Celebrity Cruises uses Starlink as a provider for internet service across its entire fleet, with the exception of its Galapagos-based ships. 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.

Passengers can choose to upgrade to Wavenet Prime to stream movies or music. One login is provided per guest and is valid on one device at a time. The WhatsApp plan is for those who use WhatsApp to talk, text and share photos. The Social plan allows access to most popular social media channels. All plans can be purchased by the day or for the duration of the cruise.