Cruise ship Wi-Fi has a reputation for being slow and expensive, but that’s not the case anymore.
Modern cruise ships are now rolling out smarter satellite internet systems that make staying connected at sea far more convenient. This newer connectivity tech is more efficient and better at managing demand, making it far less wasteful than the systems ships once relied on.
The Environmental Impact of Satellite Internet at Sea
Looking at cruise connectivity through a green tech lens doesn’t mean ships suddenly become carbon neutral because they upgraded their Wi-Fi connectivity. However, smarter satellite internet systems can have a positive environmental impact.
Satellite internet requires a lot of onboard power to run servers, antennas, network equipment, and cooling systems, continuously drawing energy while at sea. So, when a Wi-Fi system is inefficient, it wastes that energy.
Poor connectivity leads to congestion, which leads to repeat data requests and devices retrying the same actions over and over, all of which increases power use. This excess power generation is also directly linked to higher fuel consumption, and in turn, higher emissions.
When this becomes especially harmful is on longer voyages where ships spend extended periods at sea without port stops, like the major cruises leaving from Southampton.
Modern satellite systems reduce this waste by delivering data more reliably on the first attempt, cutting down on the retry loops that drain power.
How Cruise WI-Fi Packages Usually Work
Most cruise lines structure their Wi-Fi packages in tiers per device. They usually start with message-only plans, followed by browsing, and then full-streaming access.
You can also generally choose between daily access and a full-voyage rate, depending on your needs.
Checking the fine print is highly recommended before picking a package. Streaming quality may be capped, VPNs aren’t always supported and speeds could drop while at sea, so keep this in mind if you’re planning to work.
And, should the service go down, checking whether you’ll get a refund or credits is also helpful.
The Best Package Type for Your Traveling Style
Knowing how you prefer to travel makes it easier to choose a connectivity package that’s worth your money.
The Social Cruiser
If you mainly just want to be able to stay in touch through messaging apps and some light browsing while you’re away, an entry-level package will suffice.
The Planner and Explorer
If you love planning on the go, look for packages that are more geared towards browsing and light downloads. However, you can also download offline maps and guides before you sail or while you’re at port.
The Streamer and Content Creator
High bandwidth tiers are a must if you plan to stream and create content while you’re at sea, so look for ships with newer low-Earth-orbit systems such as Starlink, which can help reduce lag. Just be mindful of peak-time slowdowns.
The Remote Worker
Stability needs to be your priority as a remote worker at sea, so hybrid systems like Viasat and SES are best choices for reliable connections. VPN support and video call quality can vary, though, so keep this in mind.
The Family Cabin
If your trip includes multiple devices and family members, look out for packages that mention multi-device access, as some ships only allow for one device to be connected at a time per package.
Staying Connected at Sea
Thanks to smarter satellite systems and flexible packages, it’s now much easier to stay connected on the water. What’s important is to choose a plan that matches how you prefer to travel, not just what’s advertised.
Don’t forget to pack a small power bank for your trip so you can keep your devices powered up during shore excursions and download playlists, maps, and anything else you might need. Bon voyage!
