Your Guide To Royal Caribbean Wi-Fi
Demystifying Your Internet Options Onboard A Cruise
By Robert Schrader | Published on February 16, 2024
These days, getting away doesn't have to mean feeling disconnected — even on a cruise. The answer to the question "Do cruise ships have Wi-Fi?" is, thankfully, a resounding "Yes." Here's how to set your expectations for what internet packages cost and what service will be like during your sailing.
Do Cruise Ships Have Wi-Fi?
Did you know that cruise ships have had internet access for more than 20 years? However, internet access on ships wasn't originally reliable or affordable. Then, in 2014, Royal Caribbean Wi-Fi changed the internet access game with its Voom® internet service, which used satellites that were originally designed to bring Wi-Fi to less-developed countries to offer internet access that was six times faster than any other cruise line.
Today, Wi-Fi at sea is better than ever across the industry. Although cruising is the ultimate getaway, there are more options available now for staying connected. Whether that means checking your stocks or work email account, sharing selfies at the beach on Instagram and videos of you crew nailing it on the ice-skating rink on TikTok or streaming your favorite TV shows and movies on Netflix or Hulu, you can do it from the comfort of your ship. After all, this is your vacation, and if your perfect sea day ends with a sushi-and-sake dinner at Izumi followed by a night in spent watching latest episode of "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel" on Amazon Prime Video — no judgment!
The best news? While every Royal Caribbean ship offers VOOM internet service, some ships in the fleet have been upgraded to SpaceX Starlink, which is the same price and even faster. Royal Caribbean is currently in the process of upgrading more vessels to Starlink, so you can check to see if your ship has it before you set sail.
Where Will Your Wi-Fi Work?
Once you've paid for a Royal Caribbean Wi-Fi package, you can expect to be connected for the duration of your plan, wherever you are onboard. That's true from your stateroom to the buffet and even the spa — though you should probably try to unplug when you're in the sauna. The onboard internet will start working as soon as you've signed in with your credentials and until your time expires.
Since all Royal Caribbean Wi-Fi is satellite-powered, you don't need to worry about service disruptions based on sailing location. Geographically speaking, this means that Wi-Fi should work everywhere in the world, whether you're hundreds of miles from shore or about to dock at a port of call. While there are certain parts of the globe where satellite transmissions are blocked for security reasons or are weak due to magnetism (such as more remote parts of the polar regions), most cruise ships don't sail in these waters. Likewise, while weather conditions can weaken satellite signals, these disruptions tend to be fleeting.
If you're sailing to Perfect Day at CocoCay®, you'll be happy to know that Wi-Fi works there, whether you're laying out in a lounge chair by the pool at Oasis Lagoon®, holding you're toddler's hand as they walk the plank at Captain Jill's Galleon℠ or waiting in line for a waterslide at Thrill Waterpark®. Perfect Day at CocoCay is in The Bahamas, so your cell service will work there, too, though your carrier might charge you roaming fees depending on your plan.
This raises another question: If you don't use Royal Caribbean Wi-Fi , can you still access the internet on your cruise through your cell service provider? The answer — and the cost — depends on your carrier, so it's worth reaching out to them before your trip to get rates. Most cell plans offer international data roaming, some for free and others at a per-day cost. Keep in mind that speeds and coverage in these cases can be variable, and some services (such as mobile hotspot tethering) might not always be available. If you absolutely must stay connected, it's a good idea to purchase a Wi-Fi package.
If you choose to leave your laptop and tablet at home and your phone in your safe, you can go to the iCafe, which is located on every ship and offers wired internet stations for a fee. This is a good choice for those who prefer to surf with a larger screen, rather than on their phone.
How Much Does Royal Caribbean Wi-Fi Cost?
Prices and availability before you sail are different than what they are once you're onboard. Before departure, you'll receive an option to pre-pay for Wi-Fi for the entirety of your cruise. This not only gives you the best price on a per-device and per-day basis, but ensures you can get connected the moment you are onboard the ship.
As is the case with your home internet plan, the cost of internet on your Royal Caribbean depends on your needs and the package you choose. As of April 2023, for example, you can pay as little as $15.99 per device, per day for a plan that allows you to surf the internet — browsing websites, reading articles and sending emails. Surf + Stream packages, meanwhile, tend to cost more, usually around $4 extra per device, per day, and those allow you to stream videos on sites such as YouTube.
Of course, you don't have to buy Wi-Fi in advance. You can choose to set sail with the intention of going off the grid for a while and decide only to access the internet once or twice during your sailing. In this case, you can purchase a 24-hour pass, which allows you to connect for 24 consecutive hours. Note that prices for options such as this are generally more expensive than pre-paid plans and plans for the duration of your cruise.
Some travelers accumulate points or onboard credit in their Crown & Anchor® Society account — a loyalty program for cruisers — that they can later use to pay for onboard Wi-Fi. There might also be circumstances in which you receive a specified amount of free Wi-Fi in the form of a promo code. And if you book even a segment of the Ultimate World Cruise℠, you get a complimentary VOOM Surf + Stream package — among other treats, such as complimentary laundry service, gratuities and a deluxe beverage package. For the most part, however, there's no Royal Caribbean® Wi-Fi "hack" to staying online as you sail the sea. As in much of life, you get what you pay for.
Stay Connected As You Sail Away
Whether you're planning to get a little work done during a sea day while you sun by the pool, FaceTime with the grandparents as you put the kids to bed at night or just stay on top of your Fantasy Baseball league status, it's a relief to know you can stay connected if you choose to with Royal Caribbean Wi-Fi. Parents with little ones who can't live without their afternoon dose of "Blippi's Treehouse" or "PAW Patrol" after naptime, take notice. After all, it's not just grown-ups who have grown accustomed to having uninterrupted internet access. However, if you don't want to buy your teenagers a Wi-Fi package to indulge their video game habits, it's good to know that when they're done having fun in the sun you can send them to the Teen Hangout to spend some time in the gaming lounge, free of charge.
While internet access might not be your primary focus as you shop for cruises or plan your trip, choosing a cruise line with state-of-the-art technology means you never have to miss an episode of your favorite show or your best friend's engagement post on Instagram, even when enjoying a sea day.
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