If you're wondering, "Does Royal Caribbean have free Wi-Fi", you might be surprised it doesn't, especially with more airlines and hotels including it.
Because being online is so ubiquitous today, I'll often see genuine shock that cruisers have to pay for internet access on their ship.
Royal Caribbean sells internet packages that offer unlimited access throughout your cruise, with the only limitation how many devices you want to have connected at one time.
There are two reasons why Royal Caribbean doesn't include Wi-Fi for free. First, high speed satellite internet is expensive and cruise lines don't have a large business travel segment to leverage like hotels and airlines.
Second, Royal Caribbean employs a modular approach to their cruise pricing because most of its customers don't want to pay for amenities they won't use. Basically, offering a Wi-Fi package as an optional add-on keeps the base fare lower for those that don't want or need internet access.
Before you sail on Royal Caribbean, here's a look at the internet options available on your cruise ship.
"Are we going to give free Wi-Fi? No."
You're not the first person to wonder if Royal Caribbean will ever start offering free Wi-Fi.
At an event in 2024, President and CEO of Royal Caribbean International Michael Bayley was asked that exact question by cruise fans.
He explained the high cost makes charging for internet on a cruise an unavoidable reality.
"We got to pay a ton, a ton, a ton of money for Wi-Fi," Mr. Bayley said.
"Are we going to give free WiFi? No."
Hotels and resorts have the luxury of cheaper cable-based internet access.
The app is free to use without Wi-Fi
While Royal Caribbean doesn't have free Wi-Fi, it does have a free app you can use while on the ship.
The Royal Caribbean app is free to download, even while you're onboard the ship. The cruise line wants you to take advantage of the app because it makes planning and understanding what's happening onboard easier.
Once downloaded on your device, you just need to connect to Royal Caribbean's Wi-Fi network. Don't worry, you won't be charged.
You'll have two options: log into your Wi-Fi package or just use the app.
With the app, you can use all of its functions without paying for an internet package, including the free chat feature.
The chat allows you to text anyone else on the ship that has the app downloaded and it's one of the top reasons you can skip paying for Wi-Fi so you can still communicate with friends and family sailing with you.
Wi-Fi packages for sale
If you need internet access, paying for an unlimited internet package is the best option.
You can buy internet access before the cruise or onboard. You specify how many devices at once you'd like to have and then pay for it.
You can log out devices and log in other devices. The limit is simply how many devices can be logged in at one time.
Always pre-purchase a Wi-Fi package because it's discounted before the cruise begins. Waiting to book it onboard is a mistake because it will cost more.
Cruise ship cell plans
Some cellular carriers now offer internet access while on the ship.
AT&T, Verizon, and other major carriers offer an optional "day pass" where you can connect to the ship's cellular antenna and use your phone like you would at home, including internet access.
I was pleasantly surprised how well AT&T's cruise ship pass worked when I've tried it. Not only is it easy, but impressively fast too.
One advantage using a cell phone day pass has over buying a Voom package from Royal Caribbean is you can "cherry pick" which days to pay for internet access. Royal Caribbean does offer a 24 hour pass when on the ship, but it costs about $30, whereas cell phone day passes are about half that cost.
The internet loophole that might work
I've found a loophole that might work for you to get limited internet access without paying, but I can't promise it will.
If you have an iPhone, once connected to the ship's free Wi-Fi option to just use the app, you're able to send and receive basic messages and push notifications.
The reason this works is because I believe Royal Caribbean has to open certain protocols to make push notifications within its app work properly.
You cannot send or receive photos or attachments, and it basically only works with iMessage, although you may have luck with other apps.
Since this is an unintentional loophole, Royal Caribbean could close it at any time and I make no guarantees it actually works. But in practice, it's been something that I've observed for years.
