Whether you're navigating the Caribbean or exploring the Mediterranean, staying connected while at sea is more important than ever. Cruise ship WiFi is a valuable tool – whether you're sharing vacation snapshots, keeping in touch with loved ones, or handling work emails en route.
2025 has brought new trends and updates in cruise WiFi packages, from Carnival Cruise WiFi to Disney Cruise WiFi and more. This guide dives deep into the costs, features, and alternatives for staying online across some of the world's top cruise lines.
Cruise WiFi varies significantly in cost and quality. Some packages start at $16 per device per day but can rise to $40-plus for premium options. Weekly unlimited packages range from $118 to $400-plus, depending on your cruise's length and destination.
Many lines now offer tiered plans based on data speed and coverage, so you can choose what best fits your needs. Pre-cruise deals are your best friend, often saving you up to 30% if booked online before boarding.
But how do the leading cruise lines stack up? Here’s the lowdown:
We researched the WiFi plans across seven major cruise lines: Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian Cruise Lines, Disney, Celebrity and Princess. We broke down the pricing for each and offered a cost analysis based on a 7-day cruise.
Carnival offers four different Wi-Fi packages to customers. The following are the starting prices for each plan:
It’s unclear on the Carnival cruise website if the prices listed above are with the pre-cruise discount or not.
The social plan is ideal for those who simply want access to their favorite social media apps. But this plan does not allow for access to other websites, email access, Wi-Fi calling, and video and music streaming services.
The value plan is ideal for those who want access to all of the social media sites with a faster connection. Additionally, it provides access to email and internet browsing. This plan doesn’t allow video streaming or Wi-Fi calling.
The premium plan offers up to three times faster speeds than the value plan. In addition to faster connections, users can expect access to all social media apps, streaming services and internet browsing. This plan doesn’t allow Wi-Fi calling.
Customers can save 15% on these Wi-Fi plans by booking before they cruise.
The premium multi-device plan is great for groups. This plan includes the fastest connection on the ship and access to all social media networks, email, internet browsing, and video and music streaming (where coverage allows).
Customers can save up to 25% per device by booking before they sail.
To get a sense of the above costs, we calculated the cost for one device for a 7-day cruise. This means needing seven days of connectivity. The following are the estimated costs per plan:
These prices cost more than some monthly cellular bills at home! It’s important to consider these costs when planning your trip. Aside from the Premium Multi-Device plan, these prices are about average for cruise WiFi.
Royal Caribbean cruise WiFi is called “VOOM.” It’s boasted as “the fastest internet at sea” and is powered by Starlink. Notably, unless you have a cruise booked, you cannot see the costs of the WiFi packages anywhere on the Royal Caribbean website. The following is the estimated cost of the VOOM Surf + Stream Package, as sourced by the Royal Caribbean blog:
There used to be several internet packages available to cruisers. However, since the transition to Starlink, Royal Caribbean consolidated its WiFi offerings to one plan that varies based on devices. The VOOM Surf + Stream package provides access to social media, internet browsing, email access, video and music streaming and Wi-Fi calling.
The cruise line changes its pricing frequently, according to some bloggers. Additionally, pricing is affected if you add more devices and your loyalty status. Most customers receive at least 10% off their packages when booked in advance, though some report getting up to 30% off. And some Crown & Anchor Members receive one or two days of free internet. Additional discounts are available when adding more devices to your plan.
To get a sense of the above costs, we calculated the costs for each number of devices for a 7-day cruise. This means needing seven days of connectivity. The following are the estimated costs per device (including if you chose to buy the 24-hour pass each day…for some reason):
Again, these prices outpace most regular monthly cellphone bills at home. They’re on the higher side of the cruise ship wifi pricing, as compared to the rest of the companies in this article.
Norwegian Cruise WiFi plans come in two packages and offer “unlimited” connectivity. They, too, boast having the “fastest internet at sea” and are also powered by Starlink. The following are the estimated costs per plan:
With the Voyage plan, cruisers have access to social media apps, Wi-Fi calling, email access and internet browsing. This plan also allows for file sharing. It doesn’t include video and music streaming or VPN access.
The Steaming Voyage plan includes all of the above, plus faster connectivity speeds, VPN access, and video and music streaming.
To get a sense of the above costs, we calculated the cost for one device for a 7-day cruise. This means needing seven days of connectivity. The following are the estimated costs per plan:
Though more expensive than other cruise lines, the basic plan (Voyage) seems to offer the most access at that level (as compared to the other “basic” plans). There are no mentions of pre-booking discounts for NCL Cruise WiFi.
Similar to Royal Caribbean, the prices for the Disney Cruise WiFi packages are not listed anywhere on their website. The website does list two WiFi packages, which must be purchased through the Disney Cruise Line Navigator app (according to the Disney cruise website). However, upon further research, it seems as though the price of the WiFi plan depends on the ship and the itinerary.
For example, according to the Singapore Disney Cruise Line blog, the WiFi plans cost as follows:
(This is extremely expensive WiFi. For just one gigabyte of data, you can expect to pay $190!)
However, according to Dinks On A Trip blog and The Disney Food Blog, the WiFi plans cost as follows:
* Each of these plans is also available in 24-hour passes at $18, $28 and $42, respectively.
The Stay Connected plan includes access to certain social media sites. It doesn’t include Wi-Fi calling, internet browsing, email access or video and music streaming.
The Basic Surf plan includes the above, plus access to Wi-Fi calling, internet browsing and email access. It doesn’t include video and music streaming.
The Premium Surf plan includes all of the above, plus access to video and music streaming.
You cannot connect more than one device at once. But you can disconnect one device and then connect another. This option isn’t available on some other cruise lines.
To get a sense of the above costs, we calculated the cost of one device for a 7-day cruise. This means needing seven days of connectivity. The following are the estimated costs per plan (including if you chose to buy the 24-hour pass each day…for some reason):
At first glance, Disney’s cruise WiFi plans may seem the most affordable. However, the basic plan only specifies “certain” social media apps are available – not which ones. There are no mentions of discounts for booking cruise WiFi in advance.
Like some of its counterparts, MSC cruise WiFi costs aren’t listed anywhere on their website. But, they seem to keep things simple with two offerings: Browse Cruise Package, and Browse and Stream Cruise Package. From our research, MSC seems to sell their WiFi plans only for the entire voyage – rather than day by day. The following is the estimated cost for their WiFi plans, based on a Reddit thread:
The Browse Cruise plan includes internet browsing, email access, messaging and social media apps. It’s not recommended for Wi-Fi calling, and video and music streaming. (Does this mean it won’t work at all? Or that it will have slow load times? This was not specified.)
The Browse and Streaming plan offers faster speeds. Additionally, it’s good for the aforementioned activities as well as Wi-Fi calling, and video and music streaming.
The costs above are based on a seven-day cruise. Its prices are about in line with Disney, both of which are lower than their competitors. Again, be mindful of what access it truly provides and consider if the cost is worth it.
Like its sister company, Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruise WiFi is also powered by Starlink. The following is the estimated cost of the WiFi plans:
The Basic plan includes internet browsing, email access and access to social media apps. It does not include uploading or sharing content online, Wi-Fi calling, or video and music streaming.
The Premium plan includes all of the above plus uploading and sharing content online, Wi-Fi calling, and video and music streaming.
To get a sense of the above costs, we calculated the cost for one device for a 7-day cruise. This means needing seven days of connectivity. The following are the estimated costs per plan:
There are no mentions of saving if you book in advance of sailing. These prices are in the middle of the pack when compared to the costs of the WiFi plans on other cruise lines. Still, these fees add up quickly!
Princess Cruise WiFi is known as MedallionNetⓇ and MedallionNet MaxⓇ – boasted as the “best WiFi at sea.” Our research found that Princess pushes cruisers to bundle their WiFi access with other amenities – like drink packages. These are known as the Princess Plus and Princess Premier packages. The website claims these bundles can result in up to 74% savings. The following are the estimated costs of just the WiFi plans based on the Cruise Critic community boards:
It appears there are no pre-cruise purchase discounts. However, there is a 50% discount for Platinum and Elite guests. It’s not clear if each plan includes all of the same access. Princess indicates there is a difference between connectivity speeds between the MedallionNetⓇ and MedallionNet MaxⓇ, but doesn’t specify other differences.
To get a sense of the above costs, we calculated the cost of one device for a 7-day cruise. This means needing seven days of connectivity. The following are the estimated costs per plan (including if you chose to buy the 24-hour pass each day…for some reason):
Much like its counterparts, these prices add up quickly for only a week of internet access. Though less than Norwegian, these WiFi packages are on the costlier side.
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Some cruise lines offer pre-cruise deals on WiFi packages. This can save you 10% to 15%, maybe more, and you’ll have one less thing to worry about onboard.
Some cruises offer bundled deals with WiFi and amenity packages, like dining discounts or drink menus. Combine them to save more.
Avoid surprises by tracking your WiFi usage regularly. Many cruise lines provide dashboards for monitoring data consumption.
If you’re a repeat customer or member of a cruise loyalty program, you may qualify for free or discounted WiFi.
When docked, skip the onboard WiFi altogether. Use local cafes for internet access or invest in a GigSky Cruise + Land eSIM to stay connected affordably.
Whether you go for cruise ship WiFi or an innovative GigSky Cruise + Land eSIM, one thing is clear: Being connected while sailing the high seas is easier and more customizable than ever before.
With options for every type of traveler, the right choice comes down to your browsing needs, budget, and style of travel. Planning a cruise for 2025 and beyond? Secure your WiFi solution today and ensure every moment, from ship to shore, is seamlessly connected.
Get started with affordable and reliable connectivity by trying GigSky today!