Staying in touch with friends and family while cruising is so much easier today than in the past. Connecting to your ship's Wi-Fi is the more effective way to stay connected with friends and family back home, share your photos on your social media sites, check email, and in some cases stream videos.
The best way to use your cell phone on a cruise is to turn your phone onto airplane mode and use the apps with Wi-Fi to avoid incurring roaming charges (which can sometimes be costly.) When you are at port you can connect to local roaming networks. Check your provider’s international plans and rates for each port you plan to visit on your itinerary. It is strongly recommended to turn off cellular data and roaming while cruising, and instead use local Wi-Fi in your port of call.
There is a variety of options to purchase Wi-Fi for the duration of your cruise. Keep in mind that most cruise lines charge by device per day and base the price on which tier you need. Purchase your internet plan prior to boarding the ship for a cheaper rate.
Carnival
Carnival offers three different tiers of internet service: Social, Value, and Premium Wi-Fi plans. Each plan offer different levels of access to the Internet. *Save up to 15% when booked prior to sailing versus onboard pricing.
- Social Plan: AccessFacebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, Linkedin, Facebook Messenger, Whatsapp, SnapChat and the most popular airline sites. Does not include access to most other websites or apps. The cost is starting at $15.30 per person/per day.
- Value Plan: The Value Plan offers access to much of the Internet, e-mail, news, sports, weather, banking and finance. Note: Does not support Skype calling or music/video streaming (such as Spotify or Netflix.) The service is also faster than the Social plan. For the extra access, you’ll pay $19.55 per person/per day.
- Premium Plan: If you want the entire Internet and you want the fastest speeds available, the the Premium plan is ideal. Depending on which ship you sail, streaming might be available. (Streaming is often provided on newer ships.) The Premium plan costs $21.25 per person/per day.
Royal Caribbean
Royal Caribbean offers VOOM Internet service, which advertises as “the fastest Internet at sea.” VOOM offers two different levels of service. *If booked ahead of time, you can get up to 30% off the rates you’ll pay on the ship.
- VOOM Surf: This includes your favorite websites, email, social media, and chat on messenger apps. The estimated price for VOOM surf is $11- $16 per device/per day and varies by ship.
- VOOM Surf + Stream:This offers Internet access, plus the ability to stream music or movies. The estimated price for VOOM surf + stream is $15- $20 per device/per day.
Norwegian Cruise Lines
Norwegian offers a different take on Internet access. That’s because the cruise line has popular “Free at Sea” options that allow you to get free perks with your booking - one being free internet access. If you do not choose this perk, you can still purchase internet access or upgrade the free internet you received as part of Free at Sea. Norwegian offers three different levels of service. *Price of your service is cheaper when purchased before embarkation.
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Unlimited Wi-Fi: This plan provides full Internet access, outside of streaming. It also includes access to email providers, social media (no Tik Tok), and more. The cost is per device/per day and can only be used on one device at a time unless previously purchased multiple plans.
- Unlimited Wi-Fi - 1 device - $25.50 per day prior to embarkation or $29.99 per day after.
- Unlimited Wi-Fi - 2 devices - $44.99 per day prior to embarkation or $52.99 per day after.
- Unlimited Wi-Fi - 4 devices - $84.99 per day prior to embarkation or $92.99 per day after.
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Unlimited Premium Wi-Fi: Access to unlimited web surfing, email access (including VPN), social media access, all apps. The package also gives you streaming options via YouTube, Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Audible, Hulu, Tik Tok etc. The cost is per device/per day and can only be used on one device at a time unless previously purchased multiple plans.
- Unlimited Premium Wi-Fi - 1 device - $34.99 per day prior to embarkation or $39.99 per day after.
- Unlimited Premium Wi-Fi - 2 devices - $57.99 per day prior to embarkation or $67.99 per day after.
- Unlimited Premium Wi-Fi - 4 devices - $109.99 per day prior to embarkation or $129.99 per day after.
- 250 minutes of Wi-Fi access for $105 if pre-purchased or $125 once on the ship. Can be used only on one device at a time.
Celebrity Cruises
Celebrity Cruises offers its internet service to its passengers across the fleet. This service comes with a “Stream” and “Surf” levels, depending on the speed of access you need and how much you want to spend. One thing to know is that Celebrity trips often have a “Always Included” deal. With this offer, drinks, gratuities, and wi-fi service are already included in your fare.
- Premium Wi-Fi - $35 per person/per day - Provides all access from the basic Wi-Fi and share videos, photos, file attachments, post photos and videos, as well as stream videos and video chat.
- Basic Wi-Fi - $20 per person/per day - Provides Web Browsing, Texting through messaging apps and access emails.
Princess Cruises
Princess offers service known as MedallionNet, which is dubs “The Best Wi-Fi at Sea.” The cruise line says that it can reach speeds “often eclipsing 100 Mbps,” which is faster than the average broadband speed on land. Most of the internet packages and options are combined with other items, such as dining, beverage and crew appreciation offers.
- Access starts a $9.99 per day for one device when purchased before the cruise.
Holland America
Holland America offers three different Internet packages based on whether you want to socialize, surf the web or both. Use apps or sites in your Wi-Fi plan without worrying about minutes or megabytes.
- Social Plan: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, Linkedin, Facebook Messenger, Whatsapp, SnapChat and the most popular airline sites. Does not include access to most other websites or apps. The cost is starting at $10.00 per person/per day.
- Value Plan: The Value plan offers access to much of the Internet, e-mail, news, sports, weather, banking and finance. Note: Does not support Skype calling or music/video streaming (such as Spotify or Netflix). The service is also faster than the Social plan. For the extra access, you’ll pay $15.00 per person/per day.
- Premium Plan: If you want the entire Internet and you want the fastest speeds available, the the Premium plan is ideal. Depending on which ship you sail, streaming might be available. (Streaming is often provided on newer ships.) The Premium plan costs $20.00 per person/per day