Internet at Sea
How cruise Wi-Fi actually works, how to avoid surprise roaming fees, and how to choose the right plan for your sailing.
Quick Setup (Do This Before Sailaway)
The simplest way to avoid surprise charges is to lock your phone down before the ship leaves port. This takes about 60 seconds.
The 60-Second Safe Mode
- Turn Airplane Mode ON
- Turn Wi-Fi ON (you can enable Wi-Fi while Airplane Mode is on)
- Turn Cellular Data OFF
- Turn Data Roaming OFF
- Disable Wi-Fi Assist (iPhone) or Adaptive Connectivity (Android) — these can quietly switch to cellular when Wi-Fi is weak
This configuration lets you use ship Wi-Fi while preventing any cellular connections.
Before You Leave Home
Download what you'll need while you still have fast, free internet:
- Offline maps for your ports (Google Maps, Apple Maps)
- Boarding documents and cruise line app data
- Music and podcasts for sea days
- Shows and movies — verify they play offline before you sail
- Two-factor authentication backup codes — you may not have signal when you need them
The #1 Mistake: Cellular at Sea
Many cruise ships operate a maritime cellular network. If your phone connects to it, you'll be billed at rates that don't resemble normal international roaming. Some cruisers have reported bills of hundreds or even thousands of dollars.
The solution: Airplane Mode is the simplest hard lock. You can still use Wi-Fi while Airplane Mode is enabled.
Cuba-Specific Note
If your itinerary passes near Cuba, your phone may connect to Cuban cellular networks or maritime roaming depending on your location. Roaming terms for Cuba are often different from other Caribbean destinations. Check with your carrier before sailing—or simply keep Airplane Mode on.
Wi-Fi vs eSIM vs International Plans
Cruise Ship Wi-Fi
- Works at sea and throughout the ship
- Typically sold by the day or for the entire voyage
- Quality varies by ship, region, time of day, and how many passengers are online
- Pre-cruise pricing is usually cheaper than buying onboard
eSIM (Ports Only)
- Helpful when you're in port and want local data without hunting for a SIM card
- Does not work at sea — there are no cell towers in the ocean
- Can be more affordable than international roaming for port days
International Plan from Your Carrier
- Useful in port (sometimes cheaper than eSIM depending on your itinerary)
- Does not protect you from maritime cellular charges unless you manage settings carefully
- Check if your plan explicitly covers cruise ships—most don't
Bottom line: Ship Wi-Fi is your only option at sea. eSIMs and international plans help in port but won't replace onboard connectivity.
Starlink at Sea
The Good News
Several cruise lines have deployed Starlink satellite connectivity, which has generally improved both capacity and reliability compared to older satellite systems.
- Royal Caribbean: VOOM is powered by Starlink fleetwide
- Norwegian: Markets their Wi-Fi as "powered by Starlink"
The Reality Check
Even with Starlink, cruise ship internet is still satellite internet serving thousands of passengers. Performance varies with:
- Location: Coverage density is higher in some regions than others
- Congestion: Peak evening hours can be slower
- Weather: Heavy rain or storms can affect connectivity
- Ship load: More passengers online means slower speeds for everyone
If you're crossing the Pacific or in remote areas, expect slower speeds than you'd get sailing the Caribbean. This isn't a flaw—it's physics.
Cruise Line Wi-Fi Pricing
Wi-Fi pricing varies significantly by cruise line, ship, sailing date, and whether you book pre-cruise or onboard. The figures below are representative examples—always check your actual booking for current prices.
Royal Caribbean — VOOM
VOOM Surf + Stream is the standard package for most uses. Pricing varies by sailing.
Typical Pricing (Pre-Cruise)
- Most commonly reported: $20–$23 per guest per day
- Sale pricing (Black Friday, etc.): As low as $15.99/day reported
- Higher-end pricing: $30–$32/day seen on some sailings
Crown & Anchor Loyalty Benefits
- Diamond: 1 free day of VOOM Surf+Stream
- Diamond Plus: 2 free days
- Pinnacle: Unlimited Surf+Stream for 1 device for the full sailing
Suite Inclusions
Royal Suite Class (Star/Sky) generally includes Surf+Stream (1 device per person), but there are ship and class exceptions. Check Royal's FAQ for your specific booking.
Your sailing is the truth. Check the Cruise Planner price for your specific ship and date.
Norwegian Cruise Line
Free at Sea Wi-Fi (Included Minutes)
Norwegian's Free at Sea promotion includes Wi-Fi minutes:
- Per person, 1 login per guest, 1 device at a time
- Minutes-based (not unlimited) and no streaming
- Minutes vary by sailing length—check your booking's exact offer
- Not available at certain private destinations
Paid Unlimited Options
- Unlimited Wi-Fi (non-streaming): ~$29.99/day per stateroom
- Unlimited Wi-Fi (streaming): ~$39.99/day per stateroom
- Extra device: ~$14.99/day
Carnival Cruise Line
Carnival publishes clear pricing tiers:
| Plan | Pre-Cruise | Onboard | 24-Hour |
|---|---|---|---|
| Social | From $18.70/day | $22/day | — |
| Value | From $22.10/day | $26/day | $28 |
| Premium | From $23.80/day | $28/day | $35 |
Important Carnival Notes
- Speeds vary by location and time of day
- Certain sites are blocked
- VPN connections are not supported
Carnival explicitly recommends using Airplane Mode to avoid roaming fees.
MSC Cruises
MSC offers Browse and Browse & Stream packages, but pricing often appears during booking rather than as a public table.
Example Pricing (Not Universal)
- 7-night sailing: ~$112 (Browse) / ~$140 (Browse & Stream) reported
- 6-night sailing: ~$99 (Browse & Stream) reported
Voyagers Club Benefits
- 5% discount on internet packages
- Free Browse Package available at some loyalty tiers—verify with your booking
MSC pricing varies significantly by ship and itinerary. Check your booking for accurate quotes.
VPN & Remote Work
Will My VPN Work?
This varies by cruise line:
- Carnival: VPN not supported
- Norwegian: VPN included with Streaming package
- Royal Caribbean / MSC: Varies by ship and network configuration
Best practice: Join your ship's Facebook group before sailing and ask specifically: "Did VPN work reliably on [ship name]?" You'll get recent, real-world reports.
Video Calls
Video calls (Zoom, FaceTime, Teams) may work on higher-tier packages, but ship latency and congestion can make them inconsistent. If you have critical work calls:
- Schedule them for off-peak hours (early morning is often best)
- Have a backup plan (audio-only, rescheduling)
- Test connectivity before your call starts
Security Practices
- Enable 2FA before sailing and store backup codes offline
- Avoid sensitive banking on ship networks when possible
- Update your devices before the cruise — don't burn ship bandwidth on OS updates
iMessage & Push Notifications
The Official Answer
Apple's documentation is clear: iMessage uses internet (Wi-Fi or cellular data). Without a connection, messages won't send.
What Cruisers Report
Some cruisers report that text-only iMessages occasionally work on the ship's free intranet without purchasing a Wi-Fi package. Others report it doesn't work at all.
For reliable communication, purchase a Wi-Fi package or use the cruise line's app for ship-to-ship messaging (many cruise apps offer free onboard messaging).
Money-Saving Tips
- Buy pre-cruise — onboard pricing is typically 20-30% higher
- Watch for sales — Black Friday, wave season, and flash sales offer significant discounts
- Re-check pricing — some lines allow cancel/rebuy if prices drop before sailing
- Consider one login, rotate devices — works for couples/families who don't need simultaneous access
- Do heavy uploads/downloads in port — use trusted shore Wi-Fi for large files
- Download entertainment before you sail — don't stream on expensive ship bandwidth
- Use ship apps for coordination — many cruise lines offer free onboard messaging through their apps
Troubleshooting
"Why is it so slow?"
Ship internet serves thousands of passengers over satellite. Common causes of slowdowns:
- Peak evening hours (everyone's online after dinner)
- Remote locations with less satellite coverage
- Weather affecting satellite signal
- Many passengers streaming video simultaneously
"Why won't my VPN connect?"
Some cruise lines block VPN traffic. On Carnival, VPN is explicitly unsupported. Try connecting without VPN first to confirm your base connection works.
"Why did my phone bill spike?"
Your phone connected to maritime cellular. Check your settings—Cellular Data and Data Roaming should be OFF, and Airplane Mode should be ON while at sea.
"Can I FaceTime/Zoom?"
Plan and coverage dependent. Some packages explicitly support video chat "where coverage allows." Test during off-peak hours and have a backup plan.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I avoid huge cell phone bills on a cruise?
Turn on Airplane Mode before the ship leaves port, then enable Wi-Fi while keeping Airplane Mode on. Turn off Cellular Data and Data Roaming. This prevents your phone from connecting to expensive maritime cellular networks while still allowing you to use ship Wi-Fi.
Do cruise ships have Starlink now?
Yes, several cruise lines have deployed Starlink. Royal Caribbean's VOOM is powered by Starlink fleetwide, and Norwegian also uses Starlink for their Wi-Fi. Performance has generally improved, though speeds can still vary with location, congestion, and weather conditions.
Will my VPN work on a cruise ship?
It depends on the cruise line. Norwegian's Streaming package explicitly includes VPN access. Carnival states VPN connections are not supported. Royal Caribbean and MSC vary by ship and network configuration. Ask in your ship's Facebook group for recent reports.
Can I use an eSIM instead of cruise Wi-Fi?
An eSIM is helpful in port when you can connect to local cellular networks. However, it won't help you at sea—there are no cell towers in the ocean. For connectivity while sailing, you'll need the ship's Wi-Fi.
Is this information official?
This page provides community insights gathered from cruiser reports, cruise line documentation, and practical experience. Prices and policies change—always confirm with your cruise line before making decisions.
Help Us Keep This Current
Ship internet changes constantly. If you've recently sailed and have specific information about Wi-Fi performance, VPN functionality, or pricing, we'd love to hear from you.
Especially useful:
- Ship name and sailing date
- Route/region (Caribbean, Alaska, Pacific, etc.)
- Did VPN work? Which provider?
- Were video calls stable?
- Any blocked apps or services?
Contact us with your reports.