Cruising the high seas with a cocktail in hand and your favorite shows streaming on your phone—sounds perfect, right? But if you’ve ever been on a cruise, you know that getting good WiFi onboard is anything but cheap. With prices that can make even the most seasoned cruiser raise an eyebrow, you might be wondering: Why isn’t WiFi free on cruise ships like it is almost everywhere on land?
It’s a good question. After all, when you stroll into a coffee shop, hop on a bus, or even sit in a car dealership waiting room, you’ve got access to free internet. And now, with United Airlines announcing plans to roll out free Starlink WiFi across their entire fleet by 2025, the question becomes even more pressing: will cruise lines follow suit?
The Cost of Staying Connected at Sea
If you’ve ever cruised with Carnival, Royal Caribbean, or Holland America, you know WiFi isn’t just pricey—it’s eye-watering. We’re talking upwards of $20 to $30 per day, per device. And if you’ve got a family in tow, those numbers multiply fast. But why does it cost so much? Is it just another way for cruise lines to squeeze a few more dollars out of passengers, or is there more to it?
Some cruise lines offer packages to help soften the blow, like discounts if you prepay or bundle deals in higher-tier packages. But is this really enough? Wouldn’t it be easier if WiFi were just, you know, free?
Will Free WiFi Ever Set Sail?
When asked about offering free WiFi, Royal Caribbean’s president didn’t mince words. His quick response during a recent Q&A left little room for doubt. But does that mean there’s no hope for free WiFi on cruise ships, ever? Or could there be some scenarios where it might happen—like for loyalty members or those who spend big in the casino?
And what about the technology involved? If you’re curious about how internet service is actually delivered to cruise ships in the middle of the ocean, it’s a whole different ball game compared to WiFi on land. Ever heard of Starlink Maritime? The costs of this high-tech service might surprise you.
Curious for More?
So, what’s the real deal with WiFi at sea? Is it ever going to be free, or is that just wishful thinking? To dive deeper into these questions and get the full story on what’s really going on with cruise ship WiFi—plus some inside scoops on how to save on your next cruise—head over to my cruise website and get the skinny!