MedallionNet Wi-Fi is included in your fare when you book Princess Plus or Princess Premier. Otherwise, Wi-Fi costs $15/day for entire voyagee or $20/day for single day.
How much does Internet cost aboard cruise ships? Overall, prices have been coming down in recent years, and there are even a few ways now to receive free Internet during your cruise ranging from by the minute to packages that last the length of your cruise.
Internet connectivity has also improved markedly in recent years, as cruise lines have responded to cruisers' desire to surf, send messages and post photos during their voyages — and as satellites improve those challenging connections at sea.
Cruise lines usually offer a few different packages to purchase Internet access. If you're a power user, you'll save money by purchasing a full Internet package up front. Some cruise lines offer pay-as-you-go packages, where your fees depend on your usage. Others may charge an activation fee. Check with your cruise line for details.
Different varieties of Internet plans at sea
In general, you'll have to pony up for Wi-Fi aboard cruise lines except for the luxury lines. In some cases, you'll be able to use the Wi-Fi signal from your stateroom; in other cases, you'll need to saunter on down to the Internet cafe (available on all midsize or large ships) or another public room to connect. Don't expect fast connections on most lines.
Here are the latest pricing plans that the cruise lines are offering guests. If you see any information that differs from your own experience, please let us know and we'll update this pricing guide.
cruise line
shipwide availability*
cost
Azamara
Available in staterooms and public areas of the ships. Internet access is available at In Touch on deck 10, 24 hours a day
Wi-Fi package costs $19.95/day for unlimited Internet; full voyage required. Day pass: $29.95. Speeds vary greatly.
Carnival
Available in staterooms and most public areas of all ships.
The Social Wi-Fi Plan starts at $15.30 per person per day for the full cruise; post to social networks but you can't visit other sites or apps. The Value plan starts at $19.55 per day. The Premium plan starts at $18.75 per day and features speeds up to three times paster than the Value plan. Costs are $18 to $25 per day if purchased on board.
Celebrity
Available in staterooms and most public areas of ships except Galapagos-based ships.
The Basic Wi-Fi plan lets you email, text and browse the Web; the cost is free. The Premium Wi-Fi plan lets you also share videos, photos and more. Prices typically range from $19.99 to $25.99 per device per day.
Costa
Available in staterooms and most public areas of all ships.
The Social Package provides access to all major social platforms. A WhatsApp Package lets you stay in touch with friends and family. Passpay lets you pay by the minute. The Unlimited Package lets you browse, stream video chat and more. Prices vary but are comparable to other cruise lines.
Crystal
Available in staterooms and all public areas of all ships.
Crystal provides complimentary Wi-Fi to all guests as part of its all-inclusive approach.
Cunard
Available in most public areas of all ships.
The Essential Plan allows web browsing, email, music streaming and social media; cost is $18 (if purchased for the entire voyage) or $24 (purchased per day on the ship). The Essential Plan adds video streaming and 3x faster connection speed; cost is $24 (if purchased for the entire voyage) or $36 (purchased per day on the ship).
Disney
Available in most staterooms and in most public areas of all ships.
Guests receive a complimentary 50-megabyte Internet package upon embarkation through the DCL app. The Stay Connected Package lets you email, text and do basic Web browsing at $16 per day (entire cruise) or $18 per day (purchased on board). The Basic Surf Package is a slight upgrade at $24 per day (entire cruise) or $28 per day (bought on board). The Premium Surf Package adds faster connection speeds and video connectivity at $34 per day (entire cruise) or $42 per day (bought on board).
Holland America
Available in staterooms and most public areas.
The Premium plan includes audio and video calls, Web surfing, email and messaging apps but not video streaming; it costs $22.86/day (for voyages of 7 days or more) to $34.99/day. The Stream plan lets you binge streaming services like Netflix, Disney+, Max and Prime as well as make Wi-Fi calls and hold video chats; it costs $35/day (for voyages of 7+ days) to $45.99/day.
MSC Cruises
Available in staterooms and most public areas.
The Browse plan provides access to email, Web surfing, all social networks and chat apps but no access to video or music streaming. The Browse and Stream plan includes music and video streaming plus video uploads and chats. Costs vary.
Norwegian
Available in most staterooms and most public areas.
Unlimited Wi-Fi Package includes email, messaging, social media apps and Web browsing but excludes audio & video streaming and enhanced web browsing; cost is $29.99/day for one device. Unlimited Premium Wi-Fi package includes audio & video streaming; cost is $39.99/day.
Oceania
Enjoy free Wi-Fi access throughout the ship, including in all suites, staterooms, public rooms and outdoor decks.
Two free log-ins are provided per suite or stateroom, each of which can be used on one device at a time. Additional log-ins and upgrade packages are available for purchase on board. Starlink’s high-speed Wi-Fi is available Vista and Riviera, and will be available on every vessel by the end of 2024.
Princess
Available in staterooms and most public areas.
Regent Seven Seas
Available shipwide and in most suites.
Access is provided using satellite communications; Wi-Fi is included in the base fare. Bandwidth-heavy applications such as Skype, Netflix, YouTube and VPN are not included in the free Unlimited Wi-Fi plans. Starlink’s high-speed Wi-Fi is available on Seven Seas Mariner and Seven Seas Grandeur and will be available fleetwide by the end of 2024.
Royal Caribbean
Available in most public areas of all ships and in staterooms. Royal has the fastest Internet at sea because it accesses a fleet of low-orbiting satellites.
The Voom Surf + Stream Internet Package lets you message and video chat on messenger services, browse the web, send emails and post on social media, and video chat live. Plus, stream your favorite videos, movies, music and shows. Cost varies but it's generally free to Sky and Star Suite guests.
Seabourn
Available in most staterooms and most public areas.
Complimentary Wi-Fi is included with unlimited minutes for all guests. The Stream Wi-Fi Package upgrade permits up to four devices per guest with access to video streaming, Internet telephony and VPN/cloud storage; cost is $19.95 per day but waived for Diamond-level members of Seabourn Club and guests booked in Penthouse and Premium suites.
Silversea
Available in all staterooms and most public areas of all ships. All Silversea ships feature Starlink satellite connections.
Standard Internet access is complimentary in Vista and Verandah Suites. Premium Wi-Fi costs $29.95/day but is complimentary for guests booked in Medallion, Silver, Royal, Grand and Owner's Suites. On expedition ships, the level of Internet access is generally determined by suite category.
Viking Ocean Cruises
Available in staterooms and most public areas. All of Viking's ocean ships offer complimentary Wi-Fi.
Two plans are available: the Email Plan or the Surfing Plan.
Virgin Voyages
Available in staterooms and most public areas. All of Vrgin's ships offer complimentary Wi-Fi.
The complimentary plan includes social media, email, messaging and Web browsing. An upgraded Premium plan includes streaming; cost is $15/day.
Windstar Cruises
Available in staterooms and most public areas. (No Internet is available during transatlantic cruises.)
Two plans are available: the Email Plan or the Surfing Plan.
*All these ships also have Internet cafes open 24 hours a day.
Note: All pricing is subject to change at any time.
Your take
How about you? Do you have any tips for cutting down on unneeded bandwidth during a cruise?
See anything wrong? What did we overlook? Be a co-creator!
