Working on a cruise ship, at least work that required an internet connection, used to be pretty much impossible. Carnival and other cruise lines offered internet packages, but as recently as 2022, those packages were limited at best.
Before the brands of both Carnival Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean, added Elon Musk's SpaceX Starlink Internet service, ship internet was not reliable. During times of heavy use, it often became borderline useless.
At its best, pre-Starlink internet could be used to check the internet, send an email, and do some very basic things. It was not possible, in most cases, to attend a video meeting, or do anything that required a stable connection with decent download and upload speeds.
Starlink changed the game for cruise-ship internet. It basically made it so that any ships that added the technology could offer passengers a serviceable internet connection.
That does not mean cruise ships offer internet like most people have at home, or even what you can find at any decent coffee shop. How well Starlink works depends upon your location on the ship, the ship's position relative to the satellites that deliver the internet service, and how many people are using it at any given time.
It's a much-improved situation that has made working on cruise ships more possible. That's something Carnival (CCL) has addressed with a new internet package.
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Image source: Carnival Cruise Line
Carnival adds a new Internet product
Royal Caribbean (RCL) has always allowed passengers to buy internet for multiple devices at a discount compared to buying each device separately. Both cruise line's allow passengers to share an internet connection by logging out of one device and logging in on another.
Carnival Cruise Line Brand Ambassador John Heald shared some news on its internet offerings in a recent post on his Facebook page.
"If you know anybody who uses the Internet when they cruise, I would kindly ask that you please share. Last week I had quite a few people asking me about the multi-device program for the Internet, which allows you to use multiple devices when you purchase the premium Internet. We had successfully tested this on a few ships, but now it is available across the fleet and can be pre-purchased only and not from onboard," he wrote.
Carnival offers three levels of internet. Social, which starts at $15.30 per day, Value, which begins at $19.55 per day, and Premium, which costs $21.25 per day. All prices are per person and do not include taxes.
Royal Caribbean allows people to buy multi-device packages with 2, 3, or 4 devices, Carnival appears to be offering a similar package plan.
"Experience our fastest possible connection across up to 4 devices with our multi-device Premium Wi-Fi plan. Whether you are keeping the family connected or sharing every fun moment as it happens, more devices means more memories," the cruise line shared on its website. "Enjoy internet speeds up to 3 times faster than our Value Plan. Supports Video and Music streaming, Skype, Zoom and Teams video calling, where coverage allows."
Carnival passengers share internet thoughts
Any discussion of cruise ship internet tends to get overrun with people sharing how the cruise to disconnect and don't buy internet. That was the case here as well.
"If people went on vacation and put their phones down they wouldn’t need this. Vacation is suppose to mean no working. How did everyone live before internet? They lived just fine and still went on cruises I can’t stand when someone says I have to check in well there is a phone in your stateroom on the ship that’s only 1.99 a minute to call out to land," wrote Melissa Simmons.
Not every response was quite as sanctimonious, and some pushed back on Simmons' comments.
"First, why do you care why people want/need WiFi? Maybe they have elderly parents, maybe they have sick relatives, maybe they have a job that requires it. To use your phrase, I can't stand when people like you make blanket statements," posted Kimberly Hansen.
Others pointed out how better internet connections have helped them cruise more.
"Before internet we did one cruise every other year. Because we can work for an hour or so each day, we now take multiple. Simple as that," shared Sofia Seningalia Wildgren.
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Many passengers appreciate the bundle option, but due to costs will stick to a single connection.
"I only have my phone and Kindle. If I want to use one or the other , I just log off the WiFi on the one that I using then log on to the WiFi, on the other one," wrote Steve Bronstein.
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