In the past, internet access was indispensable on cruise ships, but with the arrival of new technologies and much faster communications, cruise lines have special individual or family packages that allow us to connect to the internet at an additional cost.
These internet packages vary a lot depending on the cruise company we travel with, having a variety of options with unlimited or limited data. Here are some of the packages that are usually available for cruises:
- Unlimited internet access package: This is the only package that allows unrestricted internet access, so we can browse web pages, watch videos, and use mobile applications without any limits, making it perfect for those who need to work or watch Netflix content, for example.
- Social media package: This is the most common package for passengers as it allows us to access the most popular social networks such as WhatsApp, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Tiktok, etc. throughout our entire trip, and unlimitedly but with limitations if we want to watch videos or use entertainment applications. For example, MSC's most economical internet package has unlimited data 24 hours a day, web browsing, email sending and receiving, and WhatsApp chat.
- Streaming package: We could categorize this as the most complete unlimited access package that allows unlimited data, web browsing, email, messaging applications (WhatsApp), video calls, music, videos, and posting videos or live streams on social networks throughout the entire stay on the ship.
- Limited internet access package: It is less common to see on cruises as it was one of the first packages to be offered, with a limit of megabytes or gigabytes that we can spend and contracted by data packs.
How much does it cost approximately to have internet on cruise ships? This depends a lot on the shipping company you travel with and the days of stay on the cruise, as they usually charge per day and usually need to hire for the entire stay. Here is an approximate price of how much internet on the ship can cost:
- MSC Cruises: The basic package without streaming has an approximate cost of 8 euros per day, and the streaming package costs 12 euros per day, costing less if we choose more devices.
- Royal Caribbean: The basic internet package has a price of 11-16 euros per day.
- Norwegian Cruise Line: The basic internet package has a price of 25 euros per day.
- Carnival Cruise Line: Social media package for 12.75 euros per day, unlimited data package for 18.70 euros per day.
- Princess Cruises: Basic internet access package for 15 euros per day.
- Costa Cruises: Social media package from 4 euros per day or 19 euros for a whole week.
If you are interested in having internet during the cruise, the best way to get it cheaper is to hire it before traveling, as some companies offer a discount of up to 25% if we do it in advance.
