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However, bandwidth-heavy applications such as Netflix, Skype, YouTube and VPN are not included in the free plans. Larger mainstream cruise lines typically have several plans available for purchase, with the cheaper plans only supporting email and texting and the pricier plans allowing streaming and Wi-Fi calling. Most upscale and luxury cruise lines offer a complimentary basic Wi-Fi plan to upgrade if you need a faster connection.
Celebrity Cruises Wi-Fi and Internet
The vast majority of smaller or specialized cruise lines like Regent Seven Seas Cruises and Oceania also offer onboard internet services, often tailored to the size of the ship and the typical voyager’s needs. They also offer a 15% discount for purchasing the package prior to boarding, as well as the option to purchase services by the day rather than the whole cruise. Carnival has rolled out Starlink across its entire fleet. Most of the other major cruise lines are not far behind either. In fact, for me it’s now one of my deciding factors on what cruise ships I will sail on – Do they have Starlink? So before we get into the nitty gritty of what different cruise lines have to offer, let’s cover the basics of what you need to know about Internet and WiFi on cruise ships.
Cruise ships typically offer multiple Wi-Fi plans
MedallionNet is available onboard all ships in the princess fleet. In fact, the cheapest plans usually have access only to the social media sites and apps like Facebook, Twitter, Snap, Instagram and more. If this is the main way you keep in touch with people back home, then it’s a cheap way to stay connected.
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Can I Post to Facebook, Instagram or Other Social Media Sites?
When logging out or back in, the system will tell you how many minutes you've used and how many you have left. You can keep this tracker open in the background while on the internet so you can keep tabs on your time at any given moment. As more ships install the latest technology, the need to be in a certain spot on the ship to get a good signal is quickly becoming a thing of the past on most mainstream lines. Lack of service on today's modern ships is more likely to come from the location of the ship on the globe than from its onboard distribution system. Royal Caribbean has an extensive app for guests to manage their cruise experience both before and during the sailing.
Can I Message and Make Calls on my Phone via Wi-Fi?
For those who must pay for service, you have several choices for purchasing internet service. The per-minute rate, where it is offered, is the most expensive. Your best bet is to buy a package, which brings the per-minute pricing down. On some ships, packages are the only way to buy internet, and many lines offer discounts for purchasing your package online before your cruise begins.
Many ports offer their own Wi-Fi, which can be a godsend. It’s easy to find – just watch to see where all the crew are huddled in port. It’s only good when you’re off the ship, and network security could be an issue. Don’t use the Wi-Fi for any financial transactions and use a VPN for peace of mind. If you purchase an all-inclusive Princess Plus or Princess Premier, they offer free WiFi as part of your fare. In other words, unless you are sailing on Norwegian, then you should just assume you can’t access with a virtual private network.
The Unlimited Wi-Fi plan includes unlimited access to websites, email, social media (excludes TikTok) and all apps (but no VPN). The Unlimited Premium Wi-Fi package adds VPN access and streaming. Share your unforgettable cruise moments by purchasing one of our onboard Wi-Fi packages or by calling home with plans provided by your cellular provider. As we strive to bring our guests the best onboard experience, we have partnered with Starlink — the fastest Internet at sea — to help you stay connected through your entire voyage. For cellular plan options, simply contact your provider to choose the plan that's right for you before you embark on your vacation. With improvements in satellite internet coverage and onboard technology, Wi-Fi access on cruise ships has vastly improved over the last decade.
Crystal Cruises
Through these free apps, passengers can typically make restaurant reservations, book onboard services, view deck maps, and even access maps of ports of call. In some cases, these apps also offer free chat among passengers. After exploring the features of the app, you may decide that Wi-Fi access isn't necessary — or, at least, not a must-have for the entirety of the trip. Before setting sail, it's important to do your research regarding your cruise ship's internet plans and policies. Or, if an internet connection is an important consideration, search for promotions and deals that include internet access with your cruise purchase.
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Some of them can be commended for making internet access affordable, while others force you to pay for enhanced service. The following six cruise lines are our favorites for fast and/or affordable Wi-Fi onboard. Internet access onboard is free, but there are some significant limitations on bandwidth for such activities as streaming.
The service is available starting at $24.99 per day for one device when purchased before the cruise. Celebrity CruisesCelebrity Cruises offers wi-fi service to its passengers across the fleet. Like sister cruise line Royal Caribbean, Celebrity now offers one level of service known as the Premium Wi-Fi Package.
Most plans are sold this way (similar to drink packages). You pay a set amount per day, and the plan is purchased for the entire cruise. So if it’s $20 per day, you’ll pay $140 for a seven-day cruise. Two free logins are provided per cabin or suite for use on one device at a time. Plans that include access for additional devices can be purchased on the ship, and an upgrade to streaming services for movies or music is available at a cost of $9.99 per day. The Premium Internet plan includes video streaming and a three times faster connection speed than the Essential plan.
Many people use a VPN in order to access their work privately. As well, you can setup your phone to call over wi-fi or call through a communication app. Either way, you can use the ship’s wi-fi to keep in touch. Cell service is provided on the ship at sea, but it can be expensive. A much easier thing to do is simply use the ship’s wi-fi to send messages and even make calls.
