A vacation on a cruise can be a great way to spend some precious time with loved ones while enjoying a wide range of facilities and services. Among the facilities and services provided one of the most common things travelers ask for is related to the Wi-Fi service on the ship. At present, cruise lines provide free Wi-Fi on ships to its passengers, or they can purchase a Wi-Fi package if it is not provided for free.
Having Wi-Fi on Cruise Ships – 5 Things to Know
Here are the five things to know about Wi-Fi on ships if you want to use social media or other internet-related services.
1 – Speed of internet on cruise ship
Speed of internet on a cruise ship is slower compared to that on the ground due to which it might take time to load websites. The reason behind such slow speed of the internet is there are no cables that are connected to the ships, so the only option is to use satellite-based internet. Efforts have been made in recent years to increase internet speed aboard ships by adding more satellites and connecting them to ground-based towers that connect to cruise ships as they get closer to port.
2 – Cost of internet on cruise ships
The cost of internet on cruise ships is higher as compared to the ground based internet and a few years back travelers had to pay a significant amount to use the internet while on-board. Efforts have been made in recent years to minimize the cost of internet access for cruise ship passengers. Furthermore, cruise lines provide many discounts and offers to travelers when they purchase internet packages before starting on their cruise journey. Some of the most well-known cruise lines, like Viking, Celebrity Cruises, Silversea Cruises, and Regent Seven Seas, provide unlimited internet access as part of the base fare. Travelers can join cruise line loyalty programmes to gain free or discounted service of Wi-Fi on ships.
Also Read:- Top 5 Tips to Make your next Solo Cruise Memorable
3 – Alternative options to paying for a cruise Wi-Fi
Several cruise lines have developed apps that do not require travelers to buy an internet package in order to use them. These apps are used to make reservations for a variety of services such as spa treatments, onboard restaurants, and other amenities. Travelers can use these apps to order food and beverages into their rooms. Additionally, many of these provide information about the daily schedule of ship activities and ship deck plans, which can assist travelers in planning the things they want to go for. These apps also allow travelers to check the statement of their onboard account.
4 – Use onboard Wi-Fi to make calls and send messages
There is an option to purchase cell service while on the ship to make calls or send messages, but these packs are expensive, so it is recommended to use onboard internet, which can be much cheaper. It is best to use WhatsApp with the help of the internet, which can be used to make calls and to keep in touch with family members. Similarly, iPhone users can simply utilize iMessage via the ship’s Wi-Fi, which works really well. You can also use your mobile phone to make calls over Wi-Fi to stay in touch with others.
Read more: Explore Sailings For Free Drinks And Wifi On MSC Cruises
5 – Set your mobile phone on airplane mode
One of the best things to do while on the ship is to set your mobile phone on airplane mode in order to avoid any kind of unwanted data charges. This is an intelligent way to save your money and only use the internet on mobile phone when it is necessary. After setting the mobile phone on airplane mode, activate the Wi-Fi in order to use the internet through onboard Wi-Fi of the ship. If you do not want to use airplane mode, another alternative is to close all applications that are operating in the background that may be using unnecessary internet.
Read more: How Do You Stay Connected On A Cruise?
Conclusion
While on a vacation on a cruise, travelers can use the onboard Wi-Fi to use the internet however the speed of internet might be slower compared to speed on ground. Some cruise ships do not have free Wi-Fi service so the travelers can either pay for the Wi-Fi or use onboard credit to use it. As an alternative to Wi-Fi on ships, travelers can purchase internet packages via their cell phone provider, although these packages are substantially more expensive.
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