No More Being Adrift at Sea—Cruise Ship Wi-Fi Sees Major Improvements

As a regular cruiser, I’ve observed countless internet connectivity issues: the lawyer struggling to download case files; the consultant eager to review a new contract; the reporter hurriedly trying to send a story with high-resolution images before the deadline.

The key lesson from these experiences is that internet service on cruise ships often pales in comparison to land-based broadband, leading to frustration for travelers just wanting to share stunning photos of whales on social media. Fast and reliable internet is crucial not only for guests but also for crew members, who depend on ship Wi-Fi to stay connected with their families during long stretches at sea.

Recognizing the growing demand for connectivity among travelers, cruise lines are in a constant race to outdo each other. A recent example is the collaboration between Royal Caribbean Group—which encompasses Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises, and the ultra-luxury line Silversea—and Elon Musk’s high-speed SpaceX Starlink. Royal Caribbean Group has historically provided excellent at-sea satellite access and is now enhancing connectivity further with this cutting-edge technology.

Starlink represents the first and largest satellite constellation operating in low Earth orbit, reducing the distance data must travel and enabling faster internet speeds. Specific speed and bandwidth expectations from Royal Caribbean have not yet been revealed.

The rollout of high-speed SpaceX Starlink internet access has commenced across the Royal Caribbean fleet, with all installations anticipated to be completed by early 2023. The upgrade on Celebrity Cruises began with its latest vessel, Celebrity Beyond, and will extend to all Edge-class ships by year-end, with the entire fleet set to be equipped by May 2023.

Jason Liberty, president and CEO of Royal Caribbean Group, stated that this new technology will revolutionize internet connectivity on cruise ships, enabling 'more high-bandwidth activities such as video streaming and video calls.'

Royal Caribbean’s partnership with Starlink is just the start of its foray into cruise ship connectivity. Shortly after Royal Caribbean announced its Starlink collaboration in late August, SeaDream, the luxury line operating two 112-passenger vessels, SeaDream I and SeaDream II, also decided to utilize Musk’s technology for enhanced internet access, becoming the first boutique cruise line to do so.

What type of Wi-Fi connection can you anticipate on your cruise ship?

Cruise lines like Royal Caribbean and Carnival Corporation (which includes brands such as Carnival Cruise Line, Princess Cruises, Holland America Line, and Seabourn) have made notable strides in improving connectivity in recent years, aiming to alleviate the anxiety passengers feel when they can’t stay as connected on ships as they do on land.

While Royal Caribbean has utilized satellites, including SES’s O3b medium orbit satellites, Carnival has created a hybrid system that combines satellites with land-based towers, significantly enhancing connectivity, particularly in the Caribbean and Bahamas—key destinations for the cruise industry.

Princess Cruises made significant enhancements to its internet access in 2020 by integrating O3b medium Earth orbit technology with a geostationary network, part of what they refer to as MedallionNet. In a press release, they proudly stated that on their MedallionClass ships, guests can work remotely with 'access to cloud-based enterprise applications like storage, video conferencing, and email... without annoying signal drops.'

These advancements come at a hefty price for cruise companies—costing up to hundreds of millions of dollars annually.

However, the reality is that service can still be inconsistent on many ships. Ships are constantly moving, and satellite service can be impacted by geographical factors (like a lack of a clear 'line of sight'), weather conditions, and other variables. Expedition vessels in remote locations frequently experience service interruptions, despite the cruise lines' best efforts.

Moreover, bandwidth is limited. Imagine what happens when thousands of passengers try to connect simultaneously on a cruise ship. Additionally, to access better connectivity, passengers often have to pay a significant fee.

The positive news is that, alongside efforts to enhance speeds, cruise lines have successfully reduced the cost of service in recent years.

Tips for Utilizing Wi-Fi on Cruise Ships

Gain unlimited internet access with a premium package

If you anticipate needing fast access, with the ability to make calls on FaceTime or Zoom and stream your favorite Netflix shows, consider investing in the best package available on the ship. Prices vary by sailing. For example, Royal Caribbean charges approximately $20 to $24 per day for its VOOM Surf & Stream service, which allows you to use messaging apps, browse the internet, send emails, video chat, live stream, share on social media, and stream videos, movies, music, and TV shows (it remains unclear how this pricing may change with the SpaceX partnership). While this may seem expensive, remember that just a decade ago, internet on ships cost about 75 cents per minute. Opting for a package covering your entire cruise duration—rather than daily rates—can save you up to 15 percent off the daily cost and help you avoid the hassle of remembering to log off.

The advantages of a basic package

With a basic package, you can expect to pay around $13 to $18 per device per day (you can save up to 20 percent if you book ahead of your cruise). This plan allows for some web browsing, social media updates, and email checking. However, don’t count on streaming anything, and be prepared for frustration if you try to download large files.

Discover what type of Wi-Fi might be included

The good news is that more cruise lines—such as Celebrity Cruises and Viking—are now including at least a basic internet package in their cruise fares. Other lines like Holland America, Norwegian, and Princess Cruises also offer promotions that include free Wi-Fi. On river cruises, Wi-Fi is provided, as ships stay close to land and rely on cell towers, but the connection can be quite slow at times. Luxury vessels typically include some level of Wi-Fi, with options to upgrade to a premium package. For instance, Silversea provides premium access for guests in its Medallion, Silver, Royal, Grand, and Owner’s suites, while standard access is available for those in Vista and Veranda suites (upgrades incur additional costs). Seabourn offers complimentary basic Wi-Fi for one device per guest, with an option to pay for a streaming package.

Think about the optimal time to go online

To maximize your connectivity, try to go online when fewer passengers are using the service. If you want to share your photos and videos with family back home, consider logging on during the early hours or when others are engaged in popular events like lectures or shows, or while they are ashore.

Switch your phone to airplane mode

One common mistake made by first-time cruisers is forgetting to enable airplane mode on their phones. While you might still connect, the at-sea roaming charges can be astronomical. There are numerous horror stories of passengers receiving bills from their cell phone carriers totaling hundreds or even thousands of dollars. Logging onto the ship’s Wi-Fi is truly the best and most economical way to stay connected. For AT&T subscribers, there's a $100 plan that includes talk, text, and data (with additional charges applying after 200 MB). Be sure to check with your cell service provider about international data and roaming options to avoid surprises.