All About Cruising

Do Cruise Ships Have Wi-Fi?

Published July 8, 2021

Updated July 8, 2021

Travel Experts

at The Cruise Web

A family using iPad tablets on a couch aboard a cruise ship with a bucket of iced drinks in the foreground.
A family using iPad tablets on a couch aboard a cruise ship with a bucket of iced drinks in the foreground.

Do cruise ships have Wi-Fi? In short, yes.

In today’s day and age, travelers would be hard-pressed to find a cruise ship that is not equipped with some form of internet service. Except for a few barebones expedition ships, all major cruise lines offer their guests a variety of internet packages to choose from.

What You Need To Know About Wi-Fi at Sea

Satellite Internet v. Broadband

At home, you may be used to your ultra-fast, ultra-reliable broadband internet. At sea, satellite internet is used.

Satellite internet is usually not as fast or reliable as the broadband internet you may be accustomed to on land.

However, satellite technology is becoming more advanced every day. Several years ago, it may have taken minutes to load a webpage. This can now be accomplished in a matter of seconds.

Check out our article on Starlink satellites here.

Cruise Ship Wi-Fi Packages

Cruise lines will usually present guests with several different Wi-Fi packages to choose from, often in the ballpark of $30-50 per day.

Packages generally vary in price based on speed, data usage, and how each guest plans to use the internet. Many cruise lines now include free Wi-Fi internet in their base fares!

As a traveler, it is important to know how much Wi-Fi you plan to use and what you want to use it for to ensure you get the best plan for your needs.


For more information on Wi-Fi at sea or to book your dream vacation today, call The Cruise Web at 1-800-377-9383 and speak with one of our expert travel consultants, or visit us online at www.cruiseweb.com.