Buying a Wi-Fi Package on a Cruise? 5 Things Many People Don’t Realise Until It’s Too Late

There are lots of things to consider before you spend your hard-earned money on a cruise internet package.

You might find your package is expensive – and disappointing!

Here are some important things to consider before you buy…

#1. “Unlimited” Usually Doesn’t Mean Unlimited

Cruise lines often advertise packages as “unlimited,” but that doesn’t necessarily mean you get:

• Unlimited devices
• Unlimited streaming
• Unlimited speed
• Unlimited access to all websites/apps

You might find that some WiFi packages block video streaming. Others limit you to browsing only.

Some slow your speeds right down after you have used a certain amount of data.

Others only allow one device to be connected at a time.

Many people buy the cheapest package expecting to watch Netflix, upload YouTube videos, or make video calls – and then realise they can’t.

The cheapest internet packages allow access only to the web, social media, email, and messaging services.

Passengers should carefully check exactly what each WiFi package includes before buying.

#2. Wi-Fi Is Usually Sold Per Device, Not Per Cabin

This catches loads of people out. Two people are normally sharing a cabin, but only one will have access to the WiFi!

This could cause a few problems – or arguments!

This means:

• A package often only works on one device at a time.
• Logging in on your phone logs you out on your laptop.
  • This always causes me problems, as my phone is my main tool for work – but I often need my laptop too.
• Couples & families often accidentally buy too few packages
  • And if you buy multiple packages, it becomes prohibitively expensive!

Some cruise lines let you switch between devices, which means you have to keep logging in and out on each one.

Others make it even more awkward and don’t let you do that.

When I cruised on MSC Euribia, I ended up buying two WiFi packages because I needed my laptop for a YouTube livestream. MSC don’t allow you to switch between devices.

Can I switch my Internet package to another device?


No. Once activated, a device is permanently linked to your Internet package for the entire cruise. Even with multi-device plans, only the selected devices can use the service, and these cannot be changed or swapped at any point during the cruise.

MSC Cruises

Sometimes it’s cheaper to buy one premium package and share it carefully between the family (if logging in and out is an option with the cruiseline you are sailing with).

Passengers should think about HOW they’ll want to use Wi-Fi before buying – WhatsApp on the phone? working on a laptop? streaming videos? What is important to you?

#3. The Wi-Fi Can Be Amazing… Or Basically Useless Depending On Where You Are

The location of the ship matters massively to the quality of WiFi you will get.

• If you are cruising along the coast, WiFi should be good; if you are crossing vast oceans, not so good.
• Fjords, Alaska, polar regions and remote islands mean the signal could be bad, or nonexistent.
• On busy sea days, when thousands of people can be online at once, you will find the internet speed slow right down.

Modern Starlink-equipped ships are often dramatically better than older systems.

Some ships now genuinely have very usable internet.

Starlink uses low Earth orbit satellites about 340 miles above the Earth

This enables faster data transfer than older/ standard cruise-ship satellite systems.

Starlink coverage currently covers:

• The Mediterranean
• Parts of the Caribbean and South America
• Western Europe
• Japan
• New Zealand and Australia
• Coastal areas of North America

Carnival Corporation fitted its entire fleet with Starlink in 2024, so that includes brands like Carnival, Holland America, Princess, Seabourn, Cunard, Costa, AIDA, and P&O.

MSC cruises and Norwegian Cruiseline also have Starlink.

Some other cruise lines still struggle badly.

Older ships, such as those in the Marella fleet, aren’t great for WiFi, and they still sell packages by the MB, rather than per day or per cruise. This means you can use your allowance very quickly.

On some ships, the internet slows dramatically during peak evening hours, when many people onboard are using it.

The best internet I have ever had was onboard the Star Pride – and Windstar ship. Speeds were faster than I ever receive at home!

Find out more about that here:

The Best Cruise Wi-Fi I’ve Ever Used Wasn’t On A Mega Ship

Even the most expensive Wi-Fi packages on a ship don’t guarantee perfect internet

#4. Your Phone Might Suddenly Connect To Expensive Maritime Data Instead

Watch out for Maritime Networks!

Phones can accidentally connect to maritime/mobile-at-sea networks.

If you do this, you can end up with huge data roaming bills.

Avoid Maritime Networks by:

• Turning on airplane mode, so your phone can’t connect to mobile data sources.
  • Then manually enabling Wi-Fi
• Make sure you avoid “Cellular at Sea” at all costs.
• On many phones, it is possible to set your cell/mobile phone plan to not allow you to run up extra charges.
  • This is perfect, because if data is going to cost you, it won’t connect to it.

Many years ago, when I was relatively new to cruising, I ran up a £50 bill. I forgot to turn my phone off, it connected to Maritime Data, and I received two emails. That cost £50! Never again!

Remember, buying cruise Wi-Fi does NOT automatically stop you from receiving roaming charges!

5. You Often Don’t Need Cruise Wi-Fi As Much As You Think

If my job didn’t involve me working from cruise ships, I wouldn’t buy the WiFi.

My cell/mobile’s package allows me to use mobile data when in port free of charge – and sometimes when we are sailing close to land.

I have my phone set up so that it won’t connect to anything that costs me extra money, so there is no risk of running up bills from connecting to the Maritime Network.

To avoid the expense of buying WiFi, why not:

• Use the free Wi-Fi in ports – often in the terminal buildings, or go to McDonald’s or Starbucks!
• Download Netflix/Spotify beforehand, then you can watch it at your leisure.
• Use offline maps to navigate in port.
• Messaging apps sometimes work without WiFi packages.
• Use the Cruise ship app, which are free onboard.

Find out more about cruise ship apps here:

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

Many people initially panic about being disconnected from the world, but once they settle into it, they find it rather nice to be able to totally unwind without distractions on their phone.

Cruisers often discover they don’t miss constant notifications and disturbances.

I am quite happy to just check my emails and messages when we arrive in port.

Sometimes the best strategy is not buying Wi-Fi at all! Cruise lines always try to upsell you extra things, but do you really need them?

Don’t forget, you can use The Cruise Globe in Offline Mode. You don’t need WiFi!

You can load your cruises on Globe anywhere at sea – even without an internet connection.

It can be so frustrating when trying to show your cruise profile to new friends on board, only to be stuck on a loading screen!

Download your free Cruise Globe app here:

Before You Go

Find out what other hidden charges catch cruisers out here:

The 5 Cruise Costs That Catch Out Unsuspecting Cruisers

Find out whether you get the best deals by booking your cruise early or late here:

Booking A Cruise Last Minute Vs Early – Which Is Actually Cheaper?