The short answer
Starlink, a satellite internet service, has noticeably improved Wi-Fi on many cruise ships, and streaming is often possible on ships that use it. But results vary by ship, itinerary, how many people are online and what your Wi-Fi plan allows. Don’t expect home-broadband performance. The rollout is ongoing, so check whether your ship uses it and what the plan terms say.
Why ship internet used to be slow
Traditional cruise ship internet relied on older satellite systems with long delays and limited capacity. All passengers and crew shared that connection, so speeds could be slow, especially when many people were online. Early reports about cruise Wi-Fi often described speeds suitable for basic messaging and email but frustrating for video.
What Starlink changes
Starlink uses many low-orbit satellites, which can cut the delay compared with older systems and provide more capacity. Several cruise lines have announced or installed Starlink on parts of their fleets. Reports from cruisers have commonly described much better speeds and responsiveness than before, though experiences vary. Because rollouts are ongoing, a ship that had slow internet in the past may have been upgraded, and the reverse can be true for ships that have not been.
Can you stream?
On ships with Starlink, many cruisers report that they can stream video, make video calls and use cloud services, at least some of the time. Factors that affect your experience:
- How many people are online. Busy sea days and evenings can slow things down.
- Your location. Some regions and itineraries have weaker coverage.
- Your plan. Cheaper plans may block or limit streaming.
- Your device and app. Streaming quality may adjust automatically.
Limits that still apply
Even with better satellites, a ship’s connection is shared by thousands of people. Wi-Fi in cabins can be affected by the ship’s structure. Heavy use, such as downloading large files, may be limited or slow, and weather can occasionally affect signals.
Plan terms to check
Before buying, look for:
- Whether streaming and video calls are allowed on your plan
- Whether the plan covers one device or more (see can you switch between devices on Carnival Wi-Fi)
- Cost per day versus per cruise
- Whether you can buy upgrades onboard
Tips for better connections
- Connect early in the morning or late at night when fewer people are online.
- Download shows to your device before you sail and watch them offline.
- Turn off auto-play and background updates.
- Use Wi-Fi calling rather than cell data. Our guide on using your cell phone on a cruise without roaming charges explains how.
Related reading
If you mainly want to chat with family, see using Facebook Messenger and other apps on a cruise.