Wi-Fi on Cruise Ships: How to Stay Connected at Sea
Breaking Down Your Options for WiFi on Cruise Ships
By Robert Schrader | Published on November 05, 2025
These days, getting away doesn't have to mean feeling disconnected — even on a cruise. That’s because you can get Wi-Fi on cruise ships. Here's how to set your expectations for what internet packages cost and what the service will be like during your sailing.
Key Takeaways: How to Get Wi-Fi On a Cruise Ship
- ● Every Royal Caribbean ship offers fast Wi-Fi with Starlink.
- ● You can pre-purchase a package before your cruise for the best rate.
- ● Plans range from basic browsing to full streaming internet access.
- ● Pick a Voom® internet package and experience the fastest Wi-Fi at sea.
Can You Get Wi-Fi on a Cruise Ship?
Yes! Many cruise ships have had internet access for more than 20 years.
However, Wi-Fi calling on a cruise ship wasn't originally reliable or affordable. In 2014, Royal Caribbean changed the game with its Voom internet service. Today, Wi-Fi at sea is better than ever across the industry, with Voom available on every ship in the Royal Caribbean fleet.
How Does Wi-Fi Work on Cruise Ships?
Royal Caribbean uses satellites originally designed to bring Wi-Fi to less-developed countries, allowing it to offer internet access six times faster than any other cruise line. Although cruising is the ultimate getaway, staying connected has never been easier.
Whether that means checking your work email, sharing selfies at the beach on Instagram 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 spent watching the latest episode of "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel" on Amazon Prime Video — no judgment!
The best news? Every Royal Caribbean ship offers VOOM internet service via SpaceX’s Starlink. That means you get the best connection in the cruise business, no matter your trip or destination.
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 your 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.
Can You Text on a Cruise Ship Without Wi-Fi?
How Much Is Wi-Fi on a Cruise Ship?
Internet access typically isn’t included in your fare. How much does Wi-Fi cost on a cruise ship? It depends on your needs and the package you choose. You can pay less 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 per device, per day, allowing you to stream videos on sites such as YouTube.
Prices and availability also depend on when you purchase. 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 step onboard. Plus, you can potentially snag seasonal discounts or special offers throughout the year.
Of course, you don't have to buy Wi-Fi in advance. You can set sail to go 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 expires at the end of the day. Note that options such as this are generally more expensive than pre-paid plans and plans for the duration of your cruise.
Is There Free Wi-Fi on Cruise Ships?
Stay Connected as You Sail Away
Whether you're planning to get a little work done 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, it's a relief to know you can stay connected 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.
