3 Ways to Stay Connected on a Celebrity Cruise (and What They Cost)

At sea, a strong internet connection can be tricky, and costly if you wait until you’re on board. 

‍

On many cruises, WiFi speeds dip during peak times and packages add up quickly. It’s not that the service isn’t valuable, connecting in the middle of the ocean is no small feat, but without a plan, you could pay more and get less.

‍

On a Celebrity Cruise, you can:

‍

• Roam with your mobile carrier
• Use Celebrity cruise WiFi
• Choose GigSky’s Cruise + Land eSIM for coverage on ship and shore

‍

Each has its own balance of cost, convenience, and coverage. Here’s how they compare, so you can stay connected without missing a moment.

Option 1: Roaming with Your Home Carrier

Using your mobile carrier’s roaming services can be a convenient way to stay connected during your cruise. However, it’s also the priciest option for most travelers, especially on the high seas.

Features

• Seamless Setup: Your phone remains connected to your home cellular network using satellite coverage — no new apps or hardware required.
• Usage-based Billing: You’ll likely pay per megabyte or gigabyte, depending on your carrier’s roaming agreement and the actions you want to take (calls, texts, data use).
• Global Reach: Most major carriers offer roaming services wherever Carnival ships sail.

Estimated Pricing

• Rates often vary, but many carriers charge $2 to $6 per megabyte while at sea or when roaming internationally.
• Some offer packages, such as $100 for a few hundred megabytes. Always check with your carrier to avoid unexpected charges.

Best For

This option works well if you prioritize convenience and only need minimal data (e.g., for occasional texts or emails). Heavy internet users might want to avoid roaming entirely due to its high costs. 

Option 2: Celebrity Cruise WiFi

Celebrity Cruises offers its own onboard WiFi packages powered by satellite service. 

These plans provide direct access to the ship’s network, ensuring you stay connected throughout the voyage. 

There are no mentions on the Celebrity website of discounts for booking before you cruise (but it’s always worth inquiring about). 

Plan Options & Pricing

• Basic Plan: 
  
  • Cost: $20 per day per device
  • Features: Ideal for general browsing, social media, and checking emails. It excludes higher bandwidth activities like uploading photos or streaming.
• Premium Plan: 
  
  • Cost: $35 per day per device
  • A more robust option, including faster speeds and access to streaming services, video calls, and WiFi calling.

How to Connect to Celebrity Cruise WiFi

1. Activate WiFi once onboard: Upon boarding the ship, switch your device’s WiFi on and connect to the network labeled “Celebrity WiFi.”
2. Open your browser: You’ll be redirected to a login or purchase page where you can select your desired WiFi package.
3. Create an account or log in: Follow prompts to complete your purchase.
4. Start browsing: Once connected, enjoy access according to your selected package.

Ideal For

Celebrity cruise WiFi is perfect for travelers who want seamless connectivity throughout their voyage and don’t mind paying for the convenience.

Option 3: GigSky’s Cruise + Land eSIM Plan

The GigSky Cruise + Land eSIM plan is a modern option that works seamlessly both onboard Carnival ships and when docked at port destinations. All you need is an eSIM-compatible smartphone.

Features

• Affordable Rates: Plans start at just $19.99, significantly cheaper than cruise-specific WiFi for most users.
• On & Off-Ship: Get uninterrupted coverage on and off the ship.
• User-Friendly Setup: No physical SIM required — just activate through the GigSky app.
• Data-Use Monitoring: GigSky’s app lets you track your real-time data usage so you never run out.
• No Hidden Fees: Never pay data roaming charges; you only pay for the data you need. 

How to Connect Using GigSky

When you are ready to start your trip, use the following instructions to set up your GigSky Cruise + Land eSIM! 

1. Check eSIM Compatibility:

  Ensure your smartphone supports eSIM technology.

2. Download the GigSky App:

  Install the GigSky app on your device from your app store.

3. Purchase a Cruise + Land Plan:

Open the app and browse the available plans. Pick the Cruise + Land plan that corresponds with your cruise itinerary.

4. Activate by Scanning the QR Code:

Follow the activation instructions in the app. Sometimes, you’ll scan a QR code to install the eSIM profile.

5. Set Default Data Provider:

Once installed, configure GigSky as your active data provider under your phone’s settings.

Pricing Breakdown

• Plans start at $19.99. For a 7-day cruise, travelers can expect to pay $34.99 for 1GB of data. 
• No hidden fees — track every megabyte with straightforward, transparent pricing.

Best For

Frequent travelers and budget-conscious cruisers will find GigSky’s eSIM plans a cost-effective, hassle-free alternative to cruise ship WiFi. It’s an especially good option if you plan to explore ports and need connectivity off the ship. 

Comparing the Options

Here’s a side-by-side look at these connectivity options:

Tips for Staying Connected on Your Cruise

1. Pre-book your WiFi plan:

There are no mentions of saving on cruise WiFi costs if cruisers book before sailing. But, Celebrity may offer special discounts to customers who are booked. It’s worth checking! GigSky routinely runs sales and offers rewards to returning customers. Take advantage of these offers to save even more!

2.Track usage:

Monitor data consumption to avoid surprises, especially on pay-as-you-go plans like roaming. (Avoid asking What is data roaming? On your trip. You may come home to a very expensive cell phone bill!)

3. Limit usage during peak times:

Cruise ship WiFi tends to slow down when demand is high, such as evenings. Also, keep in mind that cruisers have reported data throttling on Celebrity cruises. 

‍

How to Get the Internet on Celebrity Cruises [Recap]

• Roam with mobile carrier: Easiest to set up but highest cost ($2–$6/MB or ~$100 packages); best for minimal use.
• Celebrity Cruise WiFi: Shipwide coverage; Basic ($20/day) for browsing, Premium ($35/day) for streaming; activated onboard.
• GigSky Cruise + Land eSIM: Works on ship and ashore; starts at $19.99; 1GB for $34.99 (7 days); app-based, no hidden fees.

‍

Key differences:

• Cost: Carrier roaming most expensive; GigSky most affordable for typical use.
• Coverage: Carrier roaming and GigSky both work on ship and in ports; Celebrity WiFi is ship-only.
• Ease: Carrier roaming is pre-set; Celebrity WiFi requires onboard login; GigSky requires one-time app/eSIM setup.

‍

Optimization tips: Pre-book when possible, monitor data usage, and avoid peak-time browsing to maintain speed and control costs.

‍