Last summer, I spent over two days traveling to join an expedition cruise in Western Australia. However, even in the remote Kimberley area, far removed from urban life, I was able to FaceTime my family back home, feeling as if we were in the same place, all thanks to Seabourn’s strong Wi-Fi service.

While cruises are designed to give guests a break from their everyday lives, many find it essential to keep in touch with those back on land. Fortunately, modern technology allows for connectivity even in very distant locations.

Wi-Fi is just one of many options available. Here’s what travelers need to know.

Is Wi-Fi Available on Cruise Ships?

These days, Wi-Fi is a standard feature on most cruise ships, with significant improvements in quality. Previously, internet access was known for being slow, dropping connections, or failing completely, as noted by Theresa Scalzitti, COO at Cruise Planners.

“It used to be about walking around the ship to find a spot with decent service,” Scalzitti explained to YSL News last year. This has changed as many cruise lines have started using SpaceX’s Starlink technology.

Carnival Corporation, which operates multiple lines including Carnival and Princess Cruises, announced in May the completion of this technology installation across its fleet. Other cruise lines, like Royal Caribbean Group, have made similar announcements.

Typically, Wi-Fi packages come in various tiers, with Carnival offering the following:

◾ The Social Wi-Fi Plan is priced at $18.70 per person, per day, allowing access to social media and major airline websites.

◾ The Value Wi-Fi Plan provides the same services as the Social plan but at a faster speed for $22.10.

◾ The Premium Wi-Fi Plan offers speeds up to three times faster than the others, permitting video chats and streaming for $23.80.

◾ The Multi-Device Premium Wi-Fi Plan costs $84, covering the fastest connection for up to four devices.

Norwegian Cruise Line has two plans: The Voyage Wi-Fi Pass at $29.99 per day for browsing and messaging on one device, and the Streaming Voyage Wi-Fi Pass for $39.99, which includes video and audio streaming.

Purchasing Wi-Fi is ultimately a “personal decision,” Scalzitti said, one that depends on individual priorities. For some, like remote workers, it may be essential, while others might choose to disconnect during the cruise and reconnect when they dock to save money.

Is Cell Service Available on Cruise Ships?

Yes, it’s true! Similar to Wi-Fi, cruise ship mobile service lets guests use their phones much like they would on dry land, though with some differences.

WMS, a leading provider, operates cellular networks on cruise ships. Their Cellular at Sea service allows passengers to make phone calls, browse the web, and send and receive messages via satellite connection.

This service is especially advantageous for those wishing to text between Android and iPhone users, as those messages appear in green rather than blue. “Wi-Fi wouldn’t support that,” said Pramod Arora, WMS’s president and CEO.

Passengers might also use Wi-Fi calling, although Arora noted that this method can be less secure and usually has lower quality than cellular calls.

The company has roaming agreements with over 400 cellular providers worldwide, accessible from more than 200 cruise ships. When moving far from shore, devices will connect to the network automatically if roaming is enabled and airplane mode is off.

The plans and pricing may differ. For example, Verizon offers a $30 Cruise Daily Pass that includes 50 minutes of calls, unlimited texts, and 0.5 gigabytes of data (with a $1.99 per minute overage fee) for 24 hours. This pass applies only on board the ship; users will incur standard rates when disembarking.

Passengers can enroll for services through their mobile carrier before or during the cruise, though it’s advisable to explore the options beforehand.

For those planning to use their devices frequently, particularly for data-heavy activities like streaming videos, opting for Wi-Fi may be a smarter choice, according to Arora.

Can I Use a Foreign SIM or eSIM on a Cruise?

Many travelers have turned to foreign SIMs or eSIMs to bypass roaming fees as fewer smartphones have traditional SIM slots. WMS does offer a data-only eSIM option for users whose carriers lack roaming agreements.

They can also utilize these services on land.

However, the cost difference isn’t as significant as in the past. Cellular companies have adopted a more affordable day-pass pricing for international service. “If your home provider offers a daily fee of $10, $15, or $20, then eSIM providers will have to offer similar pricing to remain competitive,” Arora pointed out.