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Is Royal Caribbean Wi-Fi too expensive?

What does Royal Caribbean's Voom internet service cost? Rates for Royal Caribbean's Voom internet service seem to be always changing. But on my Adventure of the Seas sailing, the basic Surf service cost $17.99 per day for a single device when booked on board. The upgraded Surf + Stream service cost $22.99 per day.



Whether Royal Caribbean's Wi-Fi is "too expensive" is a common debate among cruisers in 2026. The service, branded as VOOM, is powered by Starlink, making it some of the fastest internet at sea. However, this speed comes at a premium; daily rates for the "Surf + Stream" package typically range from $25 to $35 per device, depending on the ship and sailing. For a family of four on a 7-night cruise, this can easily add over $700 to the total bill. While Royal Caribbean offers multi-device discounts and pre-cruise sales (often 10–30% off) through their "Cruise Planner" app, the cost remains high compared to land-based connections. Many travelers find it "worth it" only if they must work remotely or stay in constant contact with home. If your goal is just to check emails occasionally, you might find it more cost-effective to use an eSIM or local data plan during port days, saving the high onboard costs for actual vacation experiences.

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What does Royal Caribbean's Voom internet service cost? Rates for Royal Caribbean's Voom internet service seem to be always changing. But on my Adventure of the Seas sailing, the basic Surf service cost $17.99 per day for a single device when booked on board. The upgraded Surf + Stream service cost $22.99 per day.

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If you're not able to wait for ports of call (or don't have international data on your phone), it might be worthwhile to pay for a Wi-Fi package. Although prices have decreased over the years, it can still be pretty costly to purchase Wi-Fi for your cruise.

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Can you use WhatsApp on a cruise? Yes, but bear in mind video calling services such as Skype or messaging services like WhatsApp will use your onboard data if you're connected to the cruise ship's Wi-Fi.

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Typically charges will appear on the next monthly bill, but depending on your carrier it may occasionally take up to 60 days for charges to appear on your phone bill. Please note that most cell phone carriers do not allow their unlimited rate plans to apply to cellular calls, texts or data used while onboard ships.

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Data use onboard a cruise ship is ridiculously expensive, especially because it tends to add up quickly. Always remember to put your phone in airplane mode or turn off data roaming before you head out to sea and don't want to be smacked with a hefty bill upon returning home. Even in port, the rates get pretty high.

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But, please be aware that cellular data used on the ship or in certain ports of call will result in charges from your cell phone provider. As you sail into international waters, these expenses can add up, so we recommend that guests turn off their cellular data and connect to the ship's Wi-Fi instead.

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Royal Caribbean wifi cost – Surf + Stream Package This package allows for up to four devices and costs around $26 per day if purchased onboard.

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The price of Wi-Fi on a cruise ship can range from $15 to $30 and more per device per day. On luxury cruise lines or even some premium lines there is free Wi-Fi included in the cost of the cruise fare.

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To use your cell phone on your cruise, you have two options — either connect to the ship's cellular service or connect to the ship's wi-fi. Both will cost you extra. For traditional cell service, today's modern cruise ships use providers such as “Cellular at Sea” or “Wireless Maritime Services”.

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How to Use Your Cell Phone on a Cruise Ship
  1. Download the Ship Mate app. ...
  2. Check what your cell phone provider offers. ...
  3. Decide if you want a data, messaging, or calling plan. ...
  4. Consider buying a Wi-Fi package onboard. ...
  5. Know how to post to social media via text. ...
  6. Download the Connect@Sea app.


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If you use WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, or WeChat, you may be able to use them whenever you have a Wi-Fi connection. Other suggestions are dependent on the cruise line you are traveling. Guests can use the following apps for texting: Shipmate (available in Apple and Google Play Stores)

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When you connect to an access point (Hotspot or Wi-Fi) you don't know if it's a legitimate hospitality wireless network, or one that is set up to steal your information. Even legitimate Wi-Fi networks (as mentioned in the 2021 EOS Report for NCLH) may be collecting information about you.

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Royal Caribbean's VOOM internet is the gold standard when it comes to cruise ship Wi-Fi, with the fastest speeds out there. Some Cruise Critic forum members report speeds of up to 24Mbps, which, believe us, is fast! With Voom, there's not much you can't do. Need to upload pictures to Facebook or Instagram?

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Internet connectivity on cruise sailings isn't known for being super reliable. A new satellite-driven Wi-Fi technology could change that. It's getting easier and more affordable to stay connected out on the open seas.

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What are the free drinks on Royal Caribbean? Your cruise fare always includes tap water, basic coffee/tea, milk and hot chocolate. Anything else usually costs extra. At breakfast, the Windjammer also serves fruit juice from concentrate that is included in your cruise fare, but freshly squeezed juices cost extra.

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On all Royal Caribbean ships, there is complimentary soft-serve ice cream on the ship. Usually, it is near the pools and there are ice cream cones available to pour the ice cream onto.

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