On-Board Wifi
This is specifically for our 2025 cruise to Alaska on Celebrity.
Internet on ships is SLOW. The first time I took a cruise I paid for service by the minute, only to be super irritated when my expensive minutes ticked away while pages loaded like it’s the Stone Age.
The primary factor that can slow down internet speed on a cruise ship is the limited satellite bandwidth available to the ship. Cruise ships are often in remote areas and away from land-based networks, making their access to internet speeds more limited than on land.
This can cause websites and applications to load slowly, or even not at all. The spinning wheel of death is all too common on voyages in remote locations. And let’s be real - Alaska is still pretty remote.
Additionally, cruise ships may also experience congestion due to multiple people attempting to access the same network simultaneously, leading to slower speeds. Other factors such as weather conditions and technical issues can also contribute to slower internet speeds. Even mountain ranges can limit the line of site needed for reliable internet connectivity.
Don’t forget, you’re on a moving vessel. This means connection to the internet can be spotty and is much more reliable when you’re in port.
Whether you sign up for the paid Wi-Fi or not, you should still connect your phone or tablet to the ship’s Wi-Fi. This will allow you to see all of the relevant information about your cruise the the cruise line’s app. You will be able to see the program for the day, the shows and events scheduled, and even the menu for the restaurants on board.
In fact, one of the first things you should do when you get on the ship is to connect to the ship’s Wi-Fi so you can make any reservations for shows or check out your account for adding any additional amenities to your journey.
Celebrity now has “XCelerate” Internet at Sea, a cutting-edge Wi-Fi service that boasts faster speeds compared to typical internet access on cruise ships. This new service is now available on all ships in Celebrity’s fleet, except for those on Galapagos sailings.
Celebrity offers two internet packages for basic internet and streaming: Basic Wi-Fiand Premium Wi-Fi.
With Basic for $20 per day you can use messaging apps, check your email, and browse the web. You cannot send large files via email nor can you upload photos and videos to social media accounts with this package.
With Premium for $35 per day Wi-Fi passengers can use streaming apps like Netflix and Hulu and upload photos and videos to social media accounts. The unlimited Wi-Fi service allows users to use video chat apps as well like Skype and Zoom.
Remember that these prices are “per device”. Personally I will not put the service on my phone, but on a shared iPad with my spouse so we can both easily access our work emails on the same device.
Make sure to check my other post about wifi spots on land for our Alaska cruise!