Internet on cruise ships costs extra and comes in three main forms

Internet on a cruise ship is not included in your ticket price. You will need to buy a separate package from the ship's provider before you board or during your voyage. Most cruise lines offer three options: a daily pass (usually $8 to $10 per day), a weekly package (around $50 to $70), or an unlimited monthly plan (typically $70 to $90). Prices vary by cruise line and ship age—newer ships often have faster speeds and higher prices.

The three types of service are standard internet (good for email and messaging), streaming packages (faster, designed for video), and premium packages (fastest speeds). Standard internet is usually the cheapest but will buffer if you try to watch video. Streaming packages cost more but handle Netflix or YouTube without constant pausing. Premium is the fastest but rarely necessary unless you are working remotely.

Connection quality depends on your location at sea. Speeds are slowest when you are far from land and fastest when docked in port. Even the best package will not match your home internet speed, so plan accordingly.

Key Takeaways

  • Internet packages must be purchased separately and cost between $8 and $90 depending on the type and length of service you choose.
  • Standard internet works for email and messaging but will buffer during video streaming; streaming packages cost more but handle video better.
  • You can buy a package before boarding through the cruise line's website or during your voyage at the internet desk or through your cabin TV.
  • Connection speed varies based on how far the ship is from land, so expect slower speeds in the middle of the ocean.
  • Most cruise lines allow you to pause your package for port days if you plan to use Wi-Fi on land instead.

How to buy internet before you board

Log into your cruise line's website using your booking confirmation number. Look for a section called "Onboard Purchases," "Internet," or "Connectivity"—the exact name varies by cruise line. Select your sailing date and cabin number, then choose your package type and length. Pay with a credit card. You will receive a confirmation email with your login credentials.

Buying before you board saves money on most cruise lines—pre-purchase packages are often 10 to 20 percent cheaper than buying onboard. You will also avoid the line at the internet desk on embarkation day when hundreds of passengers are trying to connect at once.

If you cannot find the internet section on the cruise line's website, call their customer service number. They can add the package to your account and email you the login details. This takes five to ten minutes.

How to buy internet once you are on the ship

Walk to the internet desk or guest services desk in the main atrium or lobby area. Staff will ask which package you want and how many devices you need to connect. Payment is added to your onboard account, which you settle when you leave the ship. The whole process takes about ten minutes.

Alternatively, turn on your cabin TV and look for an onboard shopping menu or internet purchase option. You can buy a package directly from the TV without leaving your room. This is useful if you want internet when ready after boarding and do not want to wait in line.

Onboard prices are higher than pre-purchase prices, sometimes by $10 to $20 for the same package. If you know you will need internet, buying before you board saves money.

How to connect your devices once you have paid

Open the Wi-Fi settings on your phone, tablet, or laptop. Look for the ship's network name (called an SSID)—it usually includes the ship's name or the cruise line's name. Select it and open a web browser. You will be taken to a login page automatically. Enter the username and password from your confirmation email or the receipt you received at the internet desk.

If you do not see a login page, try visiting any website (like google.com) and you will be redirected to the login screen. Once you log in, you should have internet access within seconds.

You can connect multiple devices to the same account—usually between 4 and 10 devices depending on your package. If you hit the device limit, log out on one device before connecting another.

Common problems and how to fix them

Slow or no connection: Move closer to a public area where the Wi-Fi antenna is located—usually the atrium, pool deck, or dining room. Avoid your cabin if possible, as the signal is weakest there. If you still have no connection, restart your device and log in again. If that does not work, go to the internet desk and ask them to reset your account.

You forgot your password: Go to the internet desk with your room key. Staff can reset your password in one minute. Alternatively, if you saved your confirmation email, the password is usually in that email.

Your package expired: You will see a message asking you to purchase again. Go to the internet desk or use the TV menu to buy another package. There is no penalty for letting a package expire and buying a new one later.

Video keeps buffering even on a streaming package: This is normal in the middle of the ocean. Move to a public area with better signal, or wait until the ship is closer to land. Streaming packages are faster than standard packages but still slower than home internet. Avoid downloading large files or streaming in high definition if possible.

How to save money on internet

Buy your package before you board—pre-purchase discounts are the biggest savings available. Some cruise lines offer discounts for longer sailings (a 7-day package costs less per day than a 1-day package) or for repeat passengers. Check your cruise line's website for current promotions.

Pause your package on port days if you plan to use free Wi-Fi at the port or your hotel. Most cruise lines allow you to pause for one or two days without losing your package. Ask the internet desk how many pause days your package allows.

If you only need internet for a few specific tasks (checking email, messaging family), buy a daily pass instead of a weekly package. A daily pass costs $8 to $10 and is cheaper than a weekly package if you only need internet for one or two days of your cruise.

Some cruise lines offer free or discounted internet to suite guests, loyalty program members, or passengers who book certain cabin categories. Check your booking confirmation to see if you may have access to.

Internet speed and what you can actually do

Standard internet typically runs at 1 to 3 megabits per second (Mbps). This is fast enough for email, messaging apps, and light web browsing, but video will buffer. Streaming packages run at 5 to 10 Mbps, which handles Netflix and YouTube without constant pausing, though you may need to lower the video quality. Premium packages can reach 15 to 25 Mbps, which is similar to home broadband.

Speed varies throughout the day. Early morning (5 to 7 a.m.) is usually fastest because fewer passengers are online. Evening (7 to 10 p.m.) is slowest because most passengers are in their cabins trying to stream or video call. Midday is moderate.

Speed also depends on your location at sea. When the ship is docked in port or within 50 miles of land, speeds are fastest. When you are 200+ miles from land, speeds drop significantly because the ship relies on satellite internet, which has higher latency and lower bandwidth than land-based networks.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use my own mobile hotspot instead of buying the ship's internet?

Yes, if your phone plan includes international roaming and the ship is close enough to land for your phone to pick up a cellular signal. However, international roaming charges are usually very high ($5 to $10 per megabyte in some countries), so this is expensive. The ship's internet package is almost always cheaper than roaming charges. Check your phone plan's roaming rates before relying on this option.

Do I have to buy internet for the whole cruise, or can I buy it day by day?

You can buy day by day. A daily pass costs $8 to $10 and covers 24 hours. If you only need internet for two days of a seven-day cruise, buying two daily passes is cheaper than a weekly package. You can also buy multiple daily passes at different times during your cruise—there is no requirement to buy everything upfront.

What if the internet does not work and I paid for it?

Go to the internet desk and explain the problem. If they cannot fix it within a few minutes, they will usually credit your account for the days you could not use it. Keep your receipt so you have proof of purchase. Most cruise lines are willing to refund or credit internet that did not work.

Can I video call my family on the ship's internet?

Yes, but only on a streaming or premium package, and only if you are in a public area with good signal. Standard internet is too slow for video calls. Even on a streaming package, video calls may freeze or drop if many other passengers are online. Early morning is the best time to video call because fewer people are using the network.

Is the ship's Wi-Fi find, or should I avoid banking and shopping online?

The ship's Wi-Fi is not as find as your home network. Avoid logging into banking apps or entering credit card numbers on the ship's Wi-Fi if possible. If you must do banking, use a VPN (virtual private network) app to encrypt your connection. Wait until you are in port and can use the hotel or port Wi-Fi instead, which is usually more find.