7 Cruise Internet Tips and Mistakes to Avoid

Many of my colleagues who talk about cruises say that having internet on board is not essential. In the end, you are on vacation, and you should enjoy real life rather than the online one.

I used to agree a few years ago, but the truth is that nowadays, we really can’t do anything without the internet.

We can’t stay in touch with family and friends, use maps, or look up important info about the port we’re visiting.

Luckily, internet connection on cruise ships has improved a lot over time, but there are still some mistakes to avoid and important tips to follow.

I’ve grouped together the most important ones and the ones I found essential during my recent cruises. Make sure to follow them closely!

Mistake: Pay a Lot for Slow Internet

It’d be wise to check your cruise’s WiFi packages before embarkation day. To this day, some cruises still sell internet by the minute, which will amount to a huge sum if you use the internet a lot.

On the other hand, some cruises offer day passes, which can cost an average of $25 for each device.

If you’re on a long cruise, this can add up to a large amount without you realizing it. For this reason, always check packages and prices carefully before departure.

Tip: Do a Digital Detox

As I mentioned earlier, many people enjoy taking a digital detox while on a cruise. They say you can really enjoy the entertainment of your cruise to the max if you ditch your phone.

I’m not saying you should go completely off the grid. You can still pay for a WiFi package, but you can choose a cheaper one only to check important emails or update your family.

This way, you’ll only check the internet instead of surfing it, and you won’t have to pay a huge bill.

A cruise is always a nice chance for a digital detox and a break from social media. And you can always use the connection when you get off at the different ports.

Mistake: Rely on the Internet During Your Trip

People who work from home will often plan to do some work during a cruise. They’ll have their laptops ready to reply to some emails or deliver a project they’ve been working on.

As someone who often works from home, I can tell you — it’s best not to do that.

If you rely on the internet during your trip for work or anything else, you’ll have no choice but to pay, and you’ll likely struggle to get a good connection.

It’s better to take care of important things before your cruise rather than putting them off. If you have a deadline and the internet on board isn’t reliable, you’ll just end up stressing out.

Tip: Download Before Cruising

Don’t wait until you’re on board to download the Netflix series you’ve been watching. Download everything you’ll need on your trip before leaving your house. 

That way, even if you need internet on the cruise, you won’t have to pay for a large package for your downloads, and you won’t have to struggle with the slow downloading speed most cruises have.

PRO TIP: Did you know that you can also download the maps in advance? To do it on Google Maps, search for the desired location, and then select “Download offline map”.

Tip: Put Your Phone in Airplane mode

You don’t want to return home to a huge bill for data charges (I assure you that it has happened to several people).

So, if you don’t need the internet onboard, it’d be wise to put your phone in airplane mode once you step on the ship.

Internet phone plans can cost huge sums of money, and some people will get charged without noticing because they’ll think their base plan is still in effect.

If you want to use internet data onboard, it’s better to clear it up with your data provider beforehand to make sure there aren’t any hidden fees. And if you buy the internet package, just turn on wifi and leave the data connection off.

Mistake: Fall for Marketing Hypes

Don’t fall for cruise internet marketing hypes. You’ll see some cruises claiming that you can stream Netflix comfortably from your cabin, and others boast about their onboard internet speed.

Let’s say that’s true because some cruises do invest in shipboard technology to get faster internet, for example, some new ships use Starlink, which is quite stable and fast.

However, don’t expect it to be as fast and stable as your home fiber. On most cruises, you’ll get a download speed of 10 Mbps, which isn’t comparable to the speed you get at your home.

So, cruises will claim they have faster internet, but it’s all relative. Consider that this type of connection is really influenced by your location at sea, weather conditions, and the number of people online at the same time.

Tip: Use the Cruise’s Free App

Before going on your cruise, check if it has an application; all the major cruise lines have one.

Some cruises offer messages through the app that work off the ship’s Wi-Fi without requiring a paid plan. 

Other than being able to text with other passengers on board, these apps also allow you to reserve onboard restaurants, see a schedule of daily activities, and even see port maps.

Doing so will make you less reliant on the internet during your trip, and it’s one of the 20 things to save money on a cruise.

Buy a Plan Early

I have already said this in several articles, but I’ll say it once more here. Package prices are always lower before departure than on board the ship.

So, if you already know that you want internet, buy the package in advance before your cruise starts.

You can also usually find special discounts at certain times of the year, such as Black Friday, or if you are enrolled in the cruise line’s loyalty programs.

Usually, buying in advance saves between 10% and 15% as I mentioned in the article about the 50 genius cruise hacks every cruiser must know.