Staying in touch with loved ones, world news and sports scores whilst at sea has never been easier thanks to the internet options available on the majority of the world’s most-beloved cruise liners. Here is a quick insight into the WiFi and internet connectivity of all the major cruise lines.
Azamara Club Cruises
Short Answer: Limited
WiFi connectivity is available via wireless network cards in designated areas of the two Azamara liners. Roaming charges apply and internet minutes need to be bought – $40 (75 minutes), $60 (125 minutes), $80 (185 minutes) or $100 (265 minutes).
Find great Azamara Club Cruises deals, here.
Carnival Cruises
Short Answer: Yes
Carnival Cruises offers one of the most comprehensive WiFi services of all cruise lines. All of the company’s vessels have ship-wide WiFi connectivity, making it more convenient to surf on-the-go. Additionally, the connection offers a bespoke internet portal, making it easier to access sports and news sites. Roaming charges from mobile phones apply and internet minutes need to be bought – $29 (45 minutes), $59 (120 minutes), $89 (240 minutes) or $159 (480 minutes).
Find great Carnival Cruises deals, here.
Celebrity Cruises
Short Answer: Mostly
Eight of the 11 Celebrity Cruises vessels offer ship-wide WiFi connectivity with only the Century, with just the Xpedition and Constellation missing out. These three do however offer WiFi in public areas. All ships play host to cyber cafes and the Eclipse, Millennium, Solstice, Silhouette, Summit and Infinity all have iLounges complete with the latest Mac products. Roaming charges from mobile phones apply and internet minutes need to be bought – $24.95 (38 minutes), $49.95 (90 minutes), $99.95 (555 minutes) or $399.95 (1,666 minutes).
Find great Celebrity Cruises deals, here.
Cunard
Short Answer: A Bit
All three of Cunard’s ships have WiFi access points in certain public areas and cabins. The Cunard ConneXions lounges aboard each of the ships host 30 computer terminal each. Mobile phones must have international roaming capabilities and internet minutes need to be bought – $47.95 (60 minutes), $89.95 (120 minutes) or $167.95 (240 minutes).
Find great Cunard deals, here.
Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines
Short Answer: In the Hotspots
WiFi is available is designated hotspots aboard Fred. Olsen ships such as the libraries and lounges. Tokens need to be bought to access both WiFi connections and wired connections at 20p per minute and 25p per minute respectively.
Find great Fred. Olsen deals, here.
Holland America
Short Answer: Almost Everywhere
WiFi is available in cabins and the vast majority of public places aboard almost all Holland America vessels. Additionally, the ships all host Explorations cafes, complete with computers with internet access. Roaming charges apply and there is a WiFi activation cost of $3.95. Internet minutes need to be bought – $55 (100 minutes) or $100 (250 minutes).
Find great Holland America deals, here.
MSC Cruises
Short Answer: About 50/50
Seven of MSC Cruises’ 12 vessels contain WiFi access for passengers throughout the cabins and all public places, with the other five only offering this service in limited public places. The ships all play host to cyber cafes with internet access. Roaming charges apply and WiFi minutes need to be bought – $15 (30 minutes), $25 (60 minutes) or $80 (250 minutes).
Find great MSC Cruises deals, here.
Norwegian Cruise Line
Short Answer: Almost 100%
Only the Norwegian Sky and Pride of America do not have complete access to WiFi throughout all public areas and cabins. These two ships do have WiFi in public areas however as well on-board computers. The Norwegian Epic also benefits from the iConcierge application allowing Android, iOS and Windows 7 users make wireless dining and excursion reservations. Roaming charges apply and internet minutes need to be bought at 75 cents per minute.
Find great Norwegian Cruise Line deals, here.
P&O Cruises
Short Answer: Differs from Ship to Ship
All P&O ships play host to cyber cafes but only a limited have WiFi access in the cabins but it is subject to signal strengths at sea. An activation cost of £2.50 is required for P&O passengers to access the web and internet minutes need to be bought – £35 (100 minutes), £62.50 (250 minutes) or $80 (250 minutes).
Find great P&O Cruises deals, here.
Princess Cruises
Short Answer: Yes
Forward-thinking Princess Cruises offer ship-wide WiFi on all ships as well as comprehensive internet cafes. The ships all also provide wireless network cards for laptops without sufficient connectivity. Roaming charges apply and WiFi minutes need to be bought – $55 (100 minutes), $75 (150 minutes) or $100 (250 minutes).
Find great Princess Cruises deals, here.
Royal Caribbean International
Short Answer: Yes
Royal Caribbean have updated their fleet throughout 2014 so all vessels have ship-wide WiFi access. The on-board internet portals include direct access to sports and new sites, making surfing easier. Roaming charges apply and WiFi minutes need to be bought – $35 (60 minutes) or $150 (500 minutes).
Find great Royal Caribbean deals, here.
For more information and great deals on a wide range of cruise ships and itineraries visit the Cruise1st home page or call our dedicated sales team on 0808 2746 777.
Images sourced via Royal Caribbean Press Center Flickr Creative Commons. Credits: caccamo, Liz Lawley, Jeffrey Beall
