Are you planning a cruise and wondering – does Royal Caribbean have free WiFi?
You have likely heard stories of cruise ship WiFi being expensive; however, you may wonder if this is true.
The fact is, there are some options for you to access Royal Caribbean WiFi for free.
To get Royal Caribbean WiFi for free, you can use incentives and perks, find and use free WiFi hot spots on the ship, use Royal Caribbean’s chat app, purchase a top-tier suite, or tether your phone and laptop. You can contact their customer service team if you have more questions about WiFi on a Royal Caribbean cruise.
Now that you know the options let’s dive into the details. This guide will answer all your questions regarding – is there free WiFi on Royal Caribbean.
So, Does Royal Caribbean Have Free WiFi?
Are you wondering if you can access free WiFi during your Royal Caribbean cruise? If so, the answer is yes.
Usually, WiFi on Royal Caribbean WiFi is not offered for free.
The cruise line offers a few WiFi packages you can pay for. Usually, these are charged per day and per connected device.
While this is usually the case, there may be options for you to avoid these fees.
What Type of Internet Connection is Offered on Royal Caribbean Cruises?
If you choose to purchase WiFi on your Royal Caribbean cruise, you have two options:
- Voom Surf
- Voom Surf & Stream
Choosing a WiFi package will come down to what you want to do while you are on board.
Voom Surf
This package is more affordable than the other. Its restricted version allows you to browse the web, receive and send emails, and chat through messenger apps like Signal and WhatsApp.
The speed you get is throttled on this option, so if you require faster internet, you may want to opt for Voom Surf & Signal.
Voom Surf & Signal
The Surf & Stream package offered by Royal Caribbean provides you with the full internet experience.
It offers faster speeds and lets you stream, which means it is the best option if you plan to spend a lot of time online.
It will also allow you to video chat with your family and friends back home.
With this package, you get everything that Surf offers, and you can live stream, post on social media, video chat, and stream TV shows, music, and movies.
While the cost is higher, you get more for your money.
Factors That Impact Royal Caribbean WiFi Costs
It’s important to note that the specific WiFi cost on Royal Caribbean cruises is not fixed. Several factors impact what you must pay.
These factors include:
- The ship you are on
- Where it is sailing
- How many devices do you plan to use (connect to WiFi)
- If you plan to stream video or music
- If you purchase a daily pass or for the entire cruise
- When you purchase WiFi access
- If the cruise is having a sale
You can find the specific WiFi options and cost if you visit the Royal Caribbean Cruise Planner.
If the WiFi package you want is too expensive, wait and see if the cruise line runs a sale.
You can also explore the options to access free WiFi while you are on board.
Important Note: You can get the cheapest rates for WiFi if you purchase it long before your cruise and for the entire cruise rather than one day.
Free WiFi Options on Your Royal Caribbean Cruise
Now that you know the usual way you access WiFi on a cruise, it’s time to explore some of your options to get it for free.
Option #1: Use Free Perks When Booking Your Cruise
When booking your cruise, you can access several perks and incentives through Royal Caribbean. Free WiFi packages are often part of these offers.
In other cases, the offer will include an onboard credit. You can then apply the credit to purchase a WiFi package.
Onboard credits are used to encourage passengers to upgrade their packages.
If free perks, such as free WiFi, are offered for your cruise holiday, you will likely pay more for your fare. If you want to avoid these higher fees, you should try to book your cruise after this promotional period.
Important Tip: You can use your free onboard credit for WiFi by visiting the Royal Caribbean Cruise Planner and applying it to this purchase.
Option #2: Find and Use Free WiFi Hotspots While You Are on Board the Ship
You can access free WiFi at the ports your ship calls at. Usually, it’s easy to find.
If you don’t need WiFi access while on board, you can check your email and post updates on social media while in port.
Most agree that this is the best option for taking advantage of free WiFi on a cruise.
There are a few ways to find free WiFi while your ship is in port. These include:
Method 1: Go to an Open Deck
If free WiFi is offered in the cruise terminal, you may not have to leave the ship.
Try walking along the port side of an open deck. You can go to the promenade or top deck for your best shot of finding a WiFi signal.
Sometimes, port WiFi signals will reach the ship while it is there. You can take advantage of this signal.
Method 2: Ask the Crew
Crew members don’t receive free WiFi on board. If they have some time off, they will likely head off the ship and to the closest free WiFi hotspot.
You can find crew members easily as you leave the ship, as most will have their phones in their hands.
Usually, they will have no problem guiding you to a free hotspot.
Method 3: Download a Free WiFi Finder App
You can go to the app store on your mobile device (both iOS and Android devices) and search for “WiFi finder.”
Once you search for this, you will be given several apps that show you the closest free WiFi points.
Tip: Download a few apps before your cruise to make sure you can find the options nearby.
Option #3: Access the Chat App Offered by Royal Caribbean
While this isn’t a free option, it is much more affordable than purchasing WiFi for your cruise.
Usually, the main reason someone wants WiFi is to stay in contact with the people they are “cruising” with.
If this is the case, the chat app offered by Royal Caribbean is a good option.
You can pay for this per day and text other guests without having an internet package.
Option #4: Choose a Higher Suite or Package Option
Usually, Royal Caribbean offers free WiFi access to passengers who book their highest-tier suites and packages.
If you do this, you and everyone in your group will receive the “Surf and Stream” package and a unique login.
Option #5: Tether Your Phone and Laptop
Do you have a hotspot on your phone? If so, you can use this to access the internet.
Now there is no guarantee it will work while you are out to sea, but it may.
If your phone has a hotspot, you can tether it to your laptop and use it while you are on the ship (in some situations).
Read Next: Can You Use WhatsApp On a Cruise?
Understanding How to Access Free WiFi on a Royal Caribbean Cruise
If you are wondering, “does Royal Caribbean have free WiFi,” the answer should be clear by now.
There are ways you can access the internet for free.
It’s a good idea to consider the options above to figure out which one makes the most sense for you.
In most cases, paying for WiFi while on a cruise will not be cost-effective.
With the free options, you can access the internet, stay in touch with people back home, and avoid paying for it.
Finn Wheatley holds a Master’s Degree in Computer Science from UCL, London. He helped small data science consultancy firms, helping large corporations to grow their data capabilities, deploy advanced machine learning-based analytics and troubleshoot tech-related issues. Check out more about him here.