Cruise Ship Wi-Fi: Is It Worth It or Should You Disconnect?

There was a time, not too long ago, that it was accepted that if you booked a cruise holiday you would completely be out of contact and away from the stresses and strains of everyday life.

Things have really changed in the past few years. Cruise ships offer Wi-Fi services onboard, so you can keep in contact with friends and family, and keep up to date with world affairs.

Often, this Wi-Fi is at an additional charge, although Virgin Voyages and more luxury lines include it as standard.

In this post we look at cruise ship Wi-Fi – is it worth the additional charges, or are you better to stay disconnected and catch up with things at a later date?

Connectivity At Sea

Wi-Fi on cruise ships has improved dramatically in recent years, with the introduction of services such as Starlink.

Starlink has the first network of Low Earth Orbit satellites which fly approximately 340 miles above the earth’s surface.

Standard satellites orbit over 22,000 miles away. Starlink’s low-Earth satellites significantly speed up data travel, resulting in quicker upload and download speeds.

Starlink is the world’s first and largest satellite constellation using a low Earth orbit to deliver broadband internet capable of supporting streaming, online gaming, video calls and more.

Starlink

Although Virgin Voyages include Wi-Fi as standard, most other mainstream cruise lines don’t. Virgin wants to target a younger age demographic, so good connection to the internet is seen as essential for attracting younger customers.

Luxury cruise lines such as Seabourn, Emerald, Regent Seven Seas and Oceania include Wi-Fi as standard.

Mainstream cruise lines don’t include Wi-Fi, and the cost of connecting can be expensive.

Pros of Using Cruise Ship Wi-Fi

• Stay Connected with Loved Ones
  • You may be uncomfortable with being completely out of contact with family members at home.
  • You will be able to use messaging apps or social media.
    • You can choose WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram and more.
  • Ideal for parents travelling without their kids, or those needing to check in on work occasionally.
• Work Flexibility
  • I usually work to some degree or another when I am cruising.
  • As I run my own business, it is hard to be out of contact completely – that is when my website will go down or some other disaster will happen!
  • It is useful for people who can’t afford to be completely offline during the trip.
• Access to Social Media and Entertainment
  • Buying Wi-Fi and staying connected allows cruisers to share photos and posts on social media.
  • You may be able to stream entertainment like movies, TV shows, or music.
  • This is great for people like me who who want to document their trip in real-time or unwind with some digital entertainment.
• Emergencies
  • It might be important to you to have internet access in case of emergencies or if someone needs to contact you urgently.
    • It is always helpful that I have Wi-Fi when we cruise. My parents don’t ever buy it, but because my Gran is in her late 90s family members can contact her via me. Mum doesn’t want to be totally out of touch with home.
  • If something goes wrong at home, Wi-Fi is great for handling urgent matters, contacting relatives, looking up insurance policy documents etc.

Cons of Cruise Ship WiFi

• It is costly
  • Most cruise ships now charge a “Per Day” tariff.
  • But remember this is usually per device, not by cabin or by passenger – so it can be costly if you have two people using more than one device.
  • Some lines offer social media-only packages or tiered plans. Even basic plans are expensive, and it can feel overpriced for what you get.
• Slow and Unreliable Connection
  • You can’t rely on the internet being good enough to work.
  • People are always asking me if they can work from a ship. I can, but I work for myself, so if there is no pressure if I can’t get online.
  • Understandably, it is hard for cruise lines to maintain strong connectivity in the middle of the ocean. There is little they can do about that.
  • You may find Streaming, video calls, or downloading large files may be frustrating – or even impossible.
  • You can never guarantee you will have a good internet connection when you sail.
• Limited Value for Short Cruises
  • The cost of Wi-Fi might not be worth it on a short cruise, as you will typically be busy with onboard activities or shore excursions.
  • Many cruisers may not have time to use Wi-Fi, so the extra expense can’t be justified
    • If I take a short cruise, it is normally from Southampton. I can use my mobile data in Europe at no extra charge within my phone package. I will just wait until we dock to catch up with things.
• Less time to enjoy the cruise!
  • It is nice to be able to enjoy your time onboard, without being distracted by your phone.
  • You may be tempted to check emails or social media too often and that can pull people out of the moment.

Reasons To Disconnect

• You are on a cruise!
  • It’s the perfect time to disconnect and allow yourself to relax and recharge.
  • With no work emails, social media notifications, or distractions you will be able to fully enjoy your cruise experience.
• Spend quality time with friends and family
  • I love to spend quality time with those I am cruising with, with little or no outside distractions.
• Digital Detox!
  • There is a growing trend for “digital detoxing”, where travellers purposefully leave the internet behind to unplug and focus on their surroundings.
  • Cruises offer the perfect opportunity to embrace digital detoxing and take a break from the constant barrage of information you get in everyday life.

When Might Cruise Ship Wi-Fi Might Be Worth It?

• Work or Personal Commitments
  • If you really do need to stay in touch with your office or handle important personal matters, Wi-Fi might be essential to avoid stress.
  • If you run your own business like me or have a job that requires regular check-ins, the peace of mind could make it worth the cost.
• Staying Connected with Family
  • If you are parents of teenagers or young adults and have left your kids at home, or travellers with elderly family members elsewhere – having the ability to check on them quickly can be a relief. You can then totally relax.
• Longer Cruises
  • If you are cruising for a week or longer, being offline might not be realistic. Purchasing a Wi-Fi package might help you feel less disconnected from home.
• Content Creators like me…
  • Travel bloggers, vloggers, or influencers make money by sharing their travel experiences.
  • They will want to stay connected as they will probably want to share their experience in real time.

Money Saving Tips

Choose The Right Package

Pick the right Wi-Fi package based on your needs, whether you just want access to social media or full browsing.

Many cruise lines offer tiered options, so consider what you really need because it will be cheaper if you don’t need the full, unlimited Wi-Fi package.

Think About Port Days

If you are buying Wi-Fi by the day, look at your cruise itinerary. If you are in port, you may be able to use mobile data within your phone’s package at no extra charge instead.

You can often use free Wi-Fi in places like McDonalds, Costa Coffee or in the port terminal buildings.

You will often see the ship’s crew sitting in the terminal on their phones. They always seem to know the best places for free Wi-Fi!

Use Airplane Mode

Using airplane mode while onboard will avoid unnecessary roaming charges.

The last thing you need is for your phone to connect to the expensive “Maritime Network.” You may end up with a large, unexpected bill on your return.

You Don’t Need Wi-Fi To Use The Cruiseline App

Don’t mistakenly think you need to buy the Wi-Fi Package to use the Cruise line’s app – you don’t!

Find out all about that here:

You Don’t Need to Pay For Wi-Fi To Use a Cruise Line App – Here’s Why

Before You Go

Find out everything you need to know about using your phone on a cruise here:

Costly Mistakes to Avoid When Using Your Phone on a Cruise – (Beginners Guide)

Find out about other costs that you might not be aware of when cruising here:

The 5 Cruise Costs That Catch Out Unsuspecting Cruisers