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

Table Of Content

• How To Join Carnival Wi-Fi Packages?
• Azamara Onward: Origins, Renovation, and Future Plans
• How many guests can the refurbished ship accommodate?
• How do I get the best Wi-Fi experience whilst onboard?
• Can I use my mobile data plan to connect to the Internet?
• Carnival Raising Wi-Fi Prices Up to 20% Starting Next Week
• Holland America Line Wi-Fi and Internet

These packages are expensive and unsuitable for streaming videos or other high-bandwidth activities. So, before purchasing, knowing what you’re getting and what you need is important. The good news if that you don’t have to purchase wi-fi access to use the app.

How To Join Carnival Wi-Fi Packages?

This is a difficult one as it really depends on how robust your connection needs to be for your work. I have been able to get work done and access remote computers and devices, but it can be frustrating at times. The key thing to remember with Cruise ship Wi-Fi is that it is slower than you might be used to at home.

Azamara Onward: Origins, Renovation, and Future Plans

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. We’re here to help you pick the perfect internet package that will keep you connected no matter where you are on the ship. Bubble cruising could be a game-changer for the North American cruise industry as it provides an opportunity to resume sailing and meet PVSA requirements.

How many guests can the refurbished ship accommodate?

Wi-Fi is not available on Carnival’s private island in the Bahamas, Half Moon Cay. As you might expect, there is some blocking and filtering of websites while on the ship’s wi-fi. Of course, if you buy a lower-tier plan that doesn’t allow full access to the internet (such as Carnival’s Social plan) then you won’t be able to access the full internet.

Carnival Internet packages are called "Time Plans" and can be used anytime throughout the sailing until debarkation. Instructions on creating an account and pricing information will be provided (Internet Cafe/ personal device) once you connect to the ship's Wi-Fi network. Neither the value nor social plans provide access to streaming of any kind.

In December 2023, CCL increased the Social Plan's onboard price from US$15 to $18 per person per day. The Value Plan now costs US$23 (up from $20), while the Premium Plan is priced at US$25 (from $22). On my recent cruise, the onboard Internet was upgraded to Starlink. For the first time, I stopped complaining about slow download speeds.

Carnival Is Raising Prices for Wi-Fi and Some Specialty Restaurants - TravelPulse

Carnival Is Raising Prices for Wi-Fi and Some Specialty Restaurants.

Posted: Thu, 07 Dec 2023 08:00:00 GMT [source]

When you’re in port, you will be able to access WiFi for free by heading to the nearest WiFi hotspot. You have until midnight Eastern Time on the day before your cruise departs to make your purchase. In other words, expect to use the internet like you would at your local library.

Carnival Cruise Line quietly raising another key price - TheStreet

Carnival Cruise Line quietly raising another key price.

Posted: Sun, 03 Dec 2023 08:00:00 GMT [source]

Carnival Raising Wi-Fi Prices Up to 20% Starting Next Week

No Wi-Fi plan needs to be purchased to access the online planner. 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. Carnival offers fast ship wide Wi-Fi, as well as internet access at onboard cafes and kiosks, across its popular fleet.

Seabourn offers a complimentary Surf package to all guests, one device per guest. A package suitable for four devices, plus streaming and VPN capabilities is available for purchase. It is complimentary for guests in Penthouse and Premium Suite categories and for guests who have reached Diamond level or higher. Cunard does not offer a downloadable app, but rather a planner (My Voyage) for use while accessing the ship’s Wi-Fi. My Voyage provides shipboard activity schedules, access to your reservations and the ability to join a dining queue.

It’s usually best to download the movies you want to watch ahead of time so you don’t have to worry about signal strength during your cruise. The price of Wi-Fi on a cruise ship can range from $15 to $30 and more per device per day. On luxury cruise lines or even some premium lines there is free Wi-Fi included in the cost of the cruise fare. Some cruise lines that offer complimentary internet include Viking, Virgin Voyages, Silversea Cruises, Seabourn Cruise Line, and Regent Seven Seas Cruises. You can also sometime buy a package combo that includes free internet access with some lines like Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, and Princess. Celebrity now has “XCelerate” Internet at Sea, a cutting-edge Wi-Fi service that boasts faster speeds compared to typical internet access on cruise ships.

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Anything which involves streaming video – including Zoom, Skype and similar – will only work on that top tier, otherwise it is blocked from the network. Let’s take a look at Carnival’s WiFi offering, which is pretty unique among the cruise lines since it’s tailored to certain apps and services. Premium internet access is also available, free of charge, to all passengers on world cruises. Silversea provides all its passengers with unlimited complimentary internet. Passengers of Silversea's ocean fleet booked in Vista, Terrace and Veranda suites receive unlimited Standard internet access.

Check with your mobile carrier and cruise line for rates before you depart to avoid surprise charges. Norwegian Cruise Line states on their Wi-fi package page that VPN support is only offered with the premium internet packages and not with the basic offerings. The primary factor that can slow down internet speed on a cruise ship is the limited satellite bandwidth available to the ship.

At Celebrity Cruises, for instance, the top Zenith tier in the line's Captain's Club loyalty program comes with unlimited free Premium-level internet (the fastest plan at the line). On a sailing on one of the Carnival ships outfitted for faster internet, Carnival Sunrise, I did notice a significant improvement in cruise Wi-Fi speed. But the promised access to Netflix streaming wasn't quite as smooth as I had hoped. Clicking on a favorite show, I only could watch for a few minutes before the connection inevitably froze.