royal caribbean cruise wifi cost

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Royal Caribbean WiFi Cost: Is the Internet Package Worth It?

Did you know that Royal Caribbean International boasts the fastest internet in the entire cruise industry?

Whether you’re looking for onboard internet to send emails, make video calls, or stream movies, the Royal Caribbean cruise ships have a high-speed internet plan for your trip! With the implementation of Spacex’s Starlink , cruisers can purchase a VOOM Surf and Stream Package that works really well onboard the ships.

However, this internet package does come at a cost in addition to your cruise fare. So, you may find yourself wondering:

How much VOOM costs ?
Should you purchase it for your kids or just the adults ?
Is the WiFi price worth it in the end?

In the post below, I’ll explain how I found a great deal on the Royal Caribbean internet package through a Black Friday Sale . I’ll also let you know whether or not I personally think the internet package is worth it on your cruise.

VOOM Internet

Many cruisers would agree that you really don’t get the full cruise experience when you’re attached to a cell phone, tablet, or laptop during your trip. However, people have all sorts of reasons for wanting (or even needing) internet access while on vacation.

I’ll go ahead and admit it here that my family is completely guilty of spending downtime on our devices while cruising. After all, a vacation is supposed to be relaxing right?

Some of the most common reasons you may want to buy the Royal Caribbean internet package include:

Checking in at work
Communicating with family members on land
Turning in assignments for school
Watching favorite shows or movies
Posting on social media

Regardless of your reason for purchasing a Wi-Fi package on the cruise, you’ll want to ensure that the internet plan actually works . This is where Royal Caribbean International excels as it provides surfing and download speeds up to six times faster than any other cruise line.

Royal Caribbean’s VOOM internet service is currently available on all of the ships . This groundbreaking internet at sea offers super fast speeds for guests wanting to surf the web while sailing.

So, how do you buy it?

When you access your Royal Caribbean cruise planner account , you’ll see the option to purchase the internet package. Note that Royal Caribbean used to offer a VOOM Surf Voyage Package; however, this option is no longer available after they began using Elon Musk’s Starlink.

Instead, you will find the VOOM Surf and Stream Package as the sole Wi-Fi package available. The VOOM Surf & Stream Package features fast internet speeds that allow you to participate in video chat, post on social media, stream movies, etc.

Internet Package Cost

The Royal Caribbean internet package is available for different prices depending on your sailing. It’s also important to note that the cost fluctuates a lot , so you’ll want to check the cruise planner regularly.

I’m a bit of a fanatic about getting the best deals on things, especially in the Royal Caribbean Cruise Planner. So, I checked the price daily before our trip and noticed that the Royal Caribbean WiFi cost ranged from $19.99 to $25.99 per person per day .

On my family’s most recent cruise aboard the Oasis of the Seas , the cost of wifi typically hovered around $19.99. So, for our family of 4 at a price of $19.99 per day, the internet package would have cost $79.96 per day of the cruise.

Black Friday Sale

We chose not to purchase the Royal Caribbean internet package at the $19.99 price listed above. Instead, we waited for the annual Black Friday Sale in November .

Luckily, Royal Caribbean provided discounted prices for their VOOM internet package during this sale. We were able to score the VOOM Surf + Stream Package for just $13.99 per person per day !

Royal Caribbean Internet Package Black Friday Sale

On a side note, we were also able to get a big discount on the beverage packages during the Black Friday Sale. You can read all about the drink options and prices in our post on Royal Caribbean Beverage Packages. In that article, we also let you know if the Deluxe Beverage Package is worth it or not.

Piece of Advice

When you click to purchase the internet package, you’ll be prompted to choose the people in your party who you would like included in the package. For example, my stateroom had 4 members of our family assigned to it, so I could specify which family members I wanted to purchase the package for.

You could easily purchase the package just for the adults in the stateroom or just for one person in the stateroom in order to save money. During this process, I learned a really easy trick to saving money on the internet package.

Instead of purchasing an internet package for each person in your stateroom, it’s almost always cheaper to buy Wi-Fi for ONE person and then add additional devices.

In other words, when purchasing the internet package for my family, I selected my name ONLY . Then, I chose the Multiple Devices option to select the number of devices (up to 4) I wanted on my account.

For some reason, it was way cheaper for us to purchase VOOM internet for one person on four separate devices than it was to buy one device for four separate people.

Getting Started

After boarding the cruise ship, it’s really easy to get started with the onboard internet.

Just put your device in Airplane Mode.
Turn on Wi-Fi on your device and choose the ship’s guest wifi.
Create your internet account and password.

After completing those steps, your Royal Caribbean internet package should be up and running! The image below shows a copy of the VOOM instructions that we received in our stateroom.

If you purchased internet packages for multiple people in your party, each person will have his/her own login and password . However, if you purchased an internet package for multiple devices , all of the devices will share the same password .

Sharing a Package

In order to save money on Royal Caribbean’s internet packages, many cruisers choose to purchase a VOOM package for one member of their travel party. Then, they share the package throughout the cruise.

This works well for those families who are comfortable taking turns using the internet during their vacation. If you decide to share an internet package, it’s important to note that one person must log off in order for a second person to access the package.

In order to save the headache of going through and having to login each account until the right one is disconnected, I suggest disconnecting the device FIRST before logging in on the new one .

So, if you purchased an internet package for a single device, that device must log off before the new device is able to use your password. I will note here that this was one of the more frustrating issues with the internet package onboard until we started following the tip in the green box above.

My family and I had purchased the package for four devices. Whenever we needed to activate a new device, the internet did not prompt us on which device to remove . In other words, when I wanted to use my laptop instead of my phone, I would login to the internet on my laptop.

But it wouldn’t ask which device I wanted to disconnect. So, another member of my family would sometimes get annoyed when their device got disconnected.

Extra Information

Below are a few of the questions we had about the Royal Caribbean internet packages before experiencing them for ourselves:

How do you cancel the Royal Caribbean Internet package?

Before your sailing, you can cancel the Royal Caribbean internet package easily by calling RCCL or through your online Cruise Planner account . If you notice the price has gone down in the Cruise Planner, it’s super easy to cancel and rebook for the new price.

Is Wi-Fi free on Royal Caribbean ships?

Wi-Fi is not free on Royal Caribbean ships. If you are interested in Wi-Fi solely for communicating with others onboard, the cheapest option available is the chat feature in the app . This allows guests to chat with other guests in the Royal Caribbean app for free.

stateroom living room in Crown Loft Suite on Oasis of the Seas

Additionally, you may receive free Wi-Fi depending on the stateroom or other packages you book . For example, guests who have added The Key to their cruise package will receive Wi-Fi as part of their The Key fee.

Finally, if you booked a suite in the Star or Sky class , you will receive a VOOM Surf and Stream Package for each person in your room. You can read more about the suite benefits in our post on Royal Caribbean Suites Perks .

Does the internet work on shore excursions?

The internet packages do not work unless you are on the Royal Caribbean ship or at Perfect Day at CocoCay . That being said, many of the ports you visit will have Wi-Fi available, so you can always connect there.

Is the Internet Package worth it on Royal Caribbean?

If you’re looking for the full internet experience on your trip, then we totally think the Royal Caribbean internet packages are worth it .

My husband and I were able to stay connected with work and others at home. Plus, my young kids were able to stream their favorite shows and movies during downtime in the room.

Overall, we would recommend the Royal Caribbean internet package if you’re wanting an internet connection during your trip. We really lucked out in catching the Black Friday Sale that offered discounted prices for the package.

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If you’re wanting to stay connected while also saving money, I think it would be doable to purchase a package for just one or two devices. Then, the other members of your family could take turns using the packages when needed.

I suggest weighing the cost of the packages with your need of being connected. Then, just go with whatever works for you and your family to have the best vacation experiences possible!

Have you used a Royal Caribbean internet package? Share your experiences with it below!

cell phone and beach with text overlay Royal Caribbean Internet Packages

Shari is an experienced planner and organizer for Disney vacations, cruising, and U.S. travel. Her family vacation information, reviews, and tips provide insight for moms and dads everywhere. You can read more about her story, including her journey through breast cancer, in the about me page.

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14 comments.

How could i facebook a family member on cruise with me if i have one package and 2 devices with same log in?

If you have one package with two devices, it will allow you to login to the WIFI using the same password on both devices. From there, you should be able to use Facebook and other apps normally.

Does having the package and adding 1 device allow me and the other person using the same login/password….

To text nonstop between each other? For instance me and my daughter.

I have heard using the royal app for free can be delayed in texting.

If you have two devices on the package (one for you and one for your daughter), you can both be logged in at the same time. This will allow you to text each other.

Hi. I am soon on RC Wonder of the Seas with two 13 year old boys. I know they will be having fun in the pools and waterslides. Besides their cell phones, is there any way to keep tabs on them? I am worried they will leave their phones on tables or forget and get in the water. Is there are any way to keep tabs on them without their phones? I want to give them a bit of free reign, not too much, and need to know where they are.

My kids are small, so this isn’t something we have had to deal with yet. But, I know a lot of families cruise with walkie talkies to keep in touch with their kids on the ship. These walkie talkies were recommended to me by another cruiser, but I have not personally used them. Maybe another reader will chime in with their experience.

How much was it to add on an additional device to your primary account?

The price for adding a device will depend on your ship and sailing. On our last Oasis of the Seas cruise, we paid $12 per day for each additional device.

Hi Shari, I’m a bit confused. When looking at the app there is an option of buying the Vroom package for each guest – 4 guest and 1 device $ 1053 1 guest and 4 device – $800. we are 2 adults and 2 teens travelling. Does one person buy the package for 4 devices?? so confusing

I was so confused by this too! You can purchase either option that you mentioned above, but my family and I always go with the cheaper one. So, if you buy 1 guest with 4 devices, you will all share login information. All four of you can be on your devices at the same time. If you want to login with an additional device, it will automatically log out of one of the original four devices. Hope that helps!

Thanks for that! I’ve been wondering whether it would work to buy 3 devices or 3 packages. So, all you need is the same password and my kids will be fine?

When deciding between 3 devices or 3 packages, I would go with whichever option is cheaper. If you do the 3 devices, you will be able to use the same password on up to 3 devices. If you need to login to a fourth device, it will just disconnect one of the other 3. Hope that helps! Have a great trip!

Can you purchase internet for just one day? (Rather than buying a whole package). Thanks, Jon

I have never seen the option in the Cruise Planner to purchase internet for just one day. However, I have heard from multiple people that Royal Caribbean *sometimes* allows you to purchase internet onboard the ship for around $30 per 24 hours.

Reviewed: Royal Caribbean VOOM Internet at Sea (Speed, Features, and More)

Royal Caribbean’s VOOM Internet service is billed as “The Fastest Internet at Sea.” That’s good news because gone are the days where having Internet service was considered a luxury. Today, it’s a necessity. And even if you want to disconnect while on a cruise (which is a good idea) there are still times where you’ll want access to hop online.

Whether it’s checking in for a flight, sending a quick email back home, or checking in with work while you are sitting on the balcony, there is no shortage of reasons you might need access. As the public becomes more dependent on Internet access, cruise lines have made real strides to offer online access to their guests.

If you’re taking a cruise, then you might be wondering exactly how the service works, how fast it really is, and how much it costs. Having sailed the line countless times, here’s what we can tell you…

In This Article...

Price of Royal Caribbean’s VOOM Internet Service

First things first, if you are planning to get online during your cruise, then expect to fork over some considerable money.

While we appreciate the complexities that are involved in accessing the Internet from the middle of the ocean aboard the ship, the price of the VOOM service is still considerably more than you would pay for service on land.

While rates may vary based on your specific cruise, expect to pay $20-25 per device , per day. We can’t tell you exactly what you’ll pay because Royal Caribbean often changes prices depending on the specific trip. As well, there are often discounts that can factor in as well.

For instance, on a recent cruise, we saw a price of $25 per day for the first device and $17 per day for additional connections. This assumes you bought a package for the full length of the trip. Booking wi-fi before the cruise, we paid around $17 for the first device.

What if you just want to hop online for a single day or just for a few minutes to check email? There are time blocks available for purchase, as well as a daily rate that is higher than the multi-day package rate. In this case, it was $28 for a 24-hour pass.

Remember: For the biggest savings you can pre-purchase an Internet package through the Royal Caribbean Cruise Planner. The cruise line usually offers a discounted rate on Internet packages if booked ahead of time. We’ve seen this often at 10-25% off the onboard rate.

Signing Up/ Logging In to Access the Internet

The sign-up process for Royal Caribbean’s VOOM service is relatively simple. First, passengers enable wi-fi on their device and then select the ship’s service from the list of available connections.

Then, you will open up a new browser window. If you don’t see a login prompt to connect, then simply open a window and go to “Login.com”. From there, it should walk you through the steps to sign up for access, including creating a username and PIN.

You should continue to have access to the Internet throughout the rest of the trip, but if the connection drops or you disconnect, then simply make sure you are connected to the Wi-Fi network and then visit “Login.com” again to sign-in.

During our trip, it seemed to help if we accessed the login page via a new private window, which cleared out any prior cookies from our browser.

If you have trouble accessing the Internet, there is a help-desk available on the ship.

Testing the Speed of Royal Caribbean’s VOOM Service

How fast is Royal Caribbean’s Internet? Following a recent upgrade to SpaceX’s Starlink service, it appears that speeds have improved dramatically .

Before Starlink, we commonly encountered speeds of 3-5 Mbps on the ship for its then fastest connection. For reference, many home broadband connections range between 20-100 Mbps (you can test your current connection speed here .)

And after the initial rollout of Starlink, we found similar speeds as well, leaving us unimpressed with the hype about the service. However, it seems those low speeds were an aberration.

Taking a cruise in late 2023 — well after the full rollout of Starlink across the fleet — the speeds were blazing. We frequently tested the VOOM speed and consistently reached 40-60 Mbps, making it just as fast as our home internet.

We used the service extensively during our cruise, morning, day and night and across different devices and around different spots on the ship. The speed was solidly in the 40-60 Mbps range and doing everything from checking email to streaming video was solid. The slowest speed we encountered was around 15 Mbps.

Note that we haven’t checked the speed on every sailing and every ship. It could be that larger ships with more passengers connecting could lead to slower speeds. But the move to Starlink has seemed to lead to a significant speed increase.

Reliability of the Internet Connection

It can be frustrating to try to access the web, only to have issues with the internet connection. Unfortunately, you may run into some issues with the reliability of VOOM at times.

For instance, during the first day of one trip we took, the weather was bad, which has an impact on the connection. We had issues accessing websites and the service seemed to come and go. In fact, we had a similar issue during a morning storm later on in the cruise. There were also other times here and there that the connection seemed to be hit or miss for short spurts. Often it was resolved by logging out and logging back in.

Another cruise to Alaska aboard Royal Caribbean saw the Internet completely down for almost a day. When we went down to talk to the staff, we found an entire line of other passengers already there with the same complaint.

On the other hand, our most recent cruise where we saw significantly faster VOOM speeds via Starlink had almost zero issues with connectivity or speed. It was nearly flawless (there was a time or two where the service seemed down momentarily, but then came back quickly).

Bottom line: Don’t be surprised if the connection has some issues occasionally (you are at sea, after all), especially if you run into bad weather. For the most part, however, we found the service reliable.

Can I Stream With VOOM?

These days, streaming is a major part of everyone’s lives. The good news is that yes, you can stream with the “Surf+Stream” package.

We’ve tested various streaming services via the VOOM connection. According to Netflix , the absolute minimum required speed to access its service is 0.5 Mbps, with 3 Mbps recommended for standard definition streaming, and 5 Mbps recommended for HD streaming.

Streaming Netflix on a Royal Caribbean cruise

In our tests, streaming shows worked well. The same can be said for streaming on Max, YouTube, and other streaming services we’ve tried.

Note that Royal Caribbean used to offer a simpler (and cheaper) “Surf” package that only allowed web browsing. With the move to Starlink, that seems to have gone away, and the only package offered is “Surf+Stream.”

If you do sail a ship that has both options, you’ll want the faster “Surf+Stream” service to watch video online.

Are There Dead Zones for Service Around the Ship?

You likely know that in your house there may be spots — like the corner of that one bedroom — where for whatever reason your wi-fi just doesn’t work. With a huge ship there may be dead zones for wi-fi service, but we’ve never encountered them.

Yes, there may be spots where the signal strength declines some (from a full three bars to two), but that’s never seemed to impact the speed of service. In fact, whether in a cabin, a dining room, the theater, or anywhere around the ship, we’ve been surprised at how consistent the wi-fi signal is onboard.

Keep in mind we haven’t visited every ship and every nook and cranny. Still, it seems you get a reliable connection no matter where you go.

Can I Use One VOOM Account for Multiple Devices?

One of the big drawbacks of the service is that for a considerable price, you only get the ability to connect one device. So if you want to hook up with your laptop and your traveling partner wants to connect their phone at the same time, then you need to pay for two devices. This costs considerably more.

As a workaround, if you don’t need full-time access you can simply use multiple devices, with only one connected at a time. So you can login on your laptop and browse. When you are done, your spouse can then sign-in on their phone using the same account.

It will inform you the device limit has been reached and ask if you want to connect the new device. If you do, then the new device will login and knock the other device offline.

What About Using Video Chat Services Like FaceTime?

Want to get in touch back home? VOOM allows services like FaceTime and other video calling. During our cruises we’ve been able to use FaceTime on our iPhone. The call quality did depend on the Internet connection. Some calls were choppy here and there, while others were crystal clear. The most recent cruise with the fastest connection made called flawlessly.

Overall, it was easy to talk to people back on land using the service.

Can I Message and Make Calls on my Phone via Wi-Fi?

Yes. While connected, we used WhatsApp to both message and make calls through the app. It worked flawlessly, and the voice calls were crystal clear. Other messaging apps or wi-fi calling should work as well. We also used iPhone’s iMessage and had no issues.

Can I Use a VPN With VOOM?

For privacy or work, some people connect to the internet via a VPN. We do too. Using the VOOM service, we had no issues using a VPN while on the ship and were able to easily connect.

Does the Internet Work on CocoCay?

One perk of the VOOM service is that Royal Caribbean has setup service to where you can connect while on their private island, CocoCay . If you’re buying a wi-fi package, this essentially gives you an extra day of service since normally you can’t use the ship’s internet when in port.

We tested the connection while visiting the island and had the same positive impression as we did following the full implementation of the Starlink service. Speeds were blazing fast, even with two ships in port during the day. While there was some variance, they were generally in the 30-60 Mbps range. As well, the connection was solid.

So if you wanted to make a video call back home to make your family jealous of where you were visiting, that would be no problem.

Can I Work or Attend School With the Service?

Generally we are hesitant to say that a passenger would be able to work or attend classes online using a cruise ship’s internet connection. Reliability can be spotty and speeds can be slow.

Following the rollout of Starlink and our recent experience on a cruise to The Bahamas, we’ve changed our tune for Royal Caribbean’s VOOM service. During this most recent cruise the connection was solid with no hang-ups or dropped connections.

Meanwhile, the speeds of upwards of 60 Mbps were plenty fast for the vast majority of people. With that, you could attend Zoom meetings, watch lectures, upload large files or anything else you might need.

If that’s going to be the experience across the fleet, then working or going to school online should be no issue.

Have more questions about the specifics of using the VOOM service? Let us know in the comments below.

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This is an absolute lie. I am currently on a cruise, and I cannot even access a low/grade video, let alone play a game, download anything important, (heaven help you if you have to upload anything), or listen to Apple Music. It was 454.00 for 3 devices, and I cannot text my grandkids. So, my advice; don’t cruise if you need internet. Hotels everywhere have free internet. You’re much better off booking a vacation to where you’d like, unless of course you like a soda now and again or you need internet access. Truth.

I’ll be aboard the Icon of the seas on its Maiden voyage Jan 23. Do you know if I will be able to connect to my work vpn while aboard the cruise?

We had no issues on a recent cruise (not aboard Icon) connecting via our VPN, so it should be ok.

My wife and I are traveling on Wonder of the seas with RC in a week. We have the option of us both doing 1 device. Or I can do 2 devices under just me which is cheaper. If I do 2 devices under my name will my wife be able to have access as well under my 2nd device?

Yes, she will just need your login info.

You don’t mention anything about data limits. How much are you limited to, or is it unlimited? Royal Caribbean doesn’t mention anything about it as well. Guess a phone call is required to get straight answers.

I’ve never seen anything about data limits. It’s likely not going to be an issue unless you’re downloading massive files one after another. So if you stream a few movies during the cruise, that’s likely ok. But if you’re downloading the Library of Congress, they might notice and ask you to stop.

I know this is a late response to this 2018 article, but wanted to give you some info about the StarLink network. The strength of your download speed is dependent on which satellite you’re ship is closest to – in other words, regardless of RCCL’s contract, if there is not a SL satellite overhead, there won’t be SL service. When this article was written, the StarLink web was just getting started. Finally this year, Elon has announced the network will be completed “in 2023”. Ironically, I live in Cape Canaveral, among many SpaceX workers, and no one I know is using the service locally.

We’ll be on the ALLURE from 9/3-10. My wife purchased the “Surf only” package (1phone, and an Android). Will she be able to do text messaging or be able to use FB messenger?

Should be able to do so. I normally recommend always getting the fastest package, even though it may cost more. In general speeds are slower than we are all used to, so skimping here can be a pain.

Dear Tanner, do you have some update on the latest’s SL performances on Royal fleet? I Mean, I have some business that requires some Video calls / streaming and I`m afraid to not be able to do them while cruising… Don’t see the average 3-5Mbps you commented enough to those services…

I sailed a ship with Starlink equipped (Allure OTS in late 2022) and to be honest, I saw zero difference in connectivity.

Just want to make sure I understand correctly. If I am sailing with my husband and two children, I can by the package for just one of us with 4 devices and we can all share? That is significantly cheaper than buying the package for all of us, but want to make sure that this is allowed.

Yes, you can buy a four device package and all be on the wi-fi at once.

Hi, I’m thinking of cruising on Explorer of the Seas with Royal Caribbean. I’m going to need to possibly have an ethernet connection (wifi may be an option but not sure yet) for some zoom meetings I’ll have to do for work while there. Curious if you know what the speeds are now with Voom since this article was written and if they have the option to connect via ethernet in staterooms or somewhere else on the ship. Just not sure I can completely rely on cruise internet to get me through a bunch of zoom meetings. Thanks for your input.

Jose — I’ve never seen an option to connect via ethernet. And even if there was, you’re still relying on a satellite signal at sea. Royal Caribbean has moved to Starlink which is said to offer faster speeds, but on the ship we sailed with the service in November, we noticed no difference. At that point, service was in the 5-10 Mbps.

I will say that I’ve never used Zoom at sea, but have made video calls. The experience varies from perfectly smooth to very choppy, depending on the signal at that point. I’d think a schedule of full-fledged group video calls might be a big ask in my experience.

Jose, expect a 4 second delay when on any sort of “real-time” communication program at sea (like Zoom). There is quite a bit delay added between the ship and the satellite, then another delay added between the satellite and the Earth.

Patience is needed.

I phoned Royal Caribbean to query whether it was necessary to pay for 4 devices two my own two husbands if only using one each at any given time. They said need to pay for 4 which is more than £1000 in UK. Reading above information on this usage basis, we only need to pay for one device each and switch between using the connection on our phone and laptop. Is that correct please?

Right. If you don’t need all four connected at once, then you can pay for one device and switch between them.

Hi, I’m going on Mariner of the Seas at the end of the month. I need to log into an app which requires GPS location when I sign in and out at the end of the day. If I purchase the Surf & Stream using ships WiFi and I put my iPhone on airplane mode, will my app work and give my location?

Oh, that’s a tough question. I’m not 100% sure, but it seems like the location services tie to where the signal is based. For instance, I think I remember seeing mention of my device being in Miami while online on the ship. I would count on accurate GPS positioning not working, but not totally sure.

On Day 7 on Liberty of the Seas- bought the surf+stream – haven’t seen anything above 600Kbps since day 2- average has been between 200 and 400 Kbps or about 10X slower than the promised 2-3 Mbps. My business is dead in the water because I can’t do simple functions like send documents for esignature, access my CRM application or do other basic business tasks. I can barely send an email. Max speed in our stateroom (where you might actually want to stream a movie) has maxed out at 170 Kbps- I echo previous comments that they treat you like an IT idiot- and say things that don’t actually make sense- it might work on some of the old retired folks on this cruise but not everyone- the least they could be is honest.

Just off Mariner of the Seas. Boom was pretty bad. I had Voom Surf and Stream package. IT Rep told me Mariner is limited to 2Meg up an download. My experience was between 1.0 and 1.8 with upload being faster than download one time. Voom is different from one RCI type ship to another but RCI does not publish that disclaimer. Buyer beware!

can i connect to vpn using VOOM

That’s one that I’m not sure about. Royal Caribbean doesn’t mention anything specifically on its website and haven’t personally tested it before.

Will the Surf&Stream speeds support being able to take a Covid test for returning to the US. I’ll be on Serenade for an Alaska cruise.

I would think it should work. I was able to stream Netflix while at sea with it.

Cruising Jan 30th. I will need to log into daily Zoom calls for school. I live in Canada and have been out of country before and Zoom didn’t work. I wondered if you have any experience with this. Thanks

Not specifically with Zoom, but according to their requirements, you need to have 3.8Mbps/3.0Mbps (up/down) for group calls. It’s less for lower quality video. So you should be able to get that. Zoom might be blocked on the “Surf” (lower tier) but should be available on the “Surf + Stream” tier.

Keep in mind that your connection speed can vary depending on location and weather.

Hi cruising Jan. 8th on symphony of the seas purchased voom will I be able to call my brother back home anytime from any port or at sea ? Also will my brother be able to call me anytime from home when we’re at a port or when we’re at sea. Thank you

For phone calls, that will depend on the wi-fi call settings on your phone. That said, I’ve done video calls via Facetime and WhatsApp and it worked well.

hi there we are going to Alaska on Quantum of the Seas and My teen needs internet for school work. How well does it work going thru Alaska?

Haven’t personally tested it in that region. But in general, it’s much slower than at home. If they are connecting via video chat, then it might be pixelated/laggy… or it could be clear (it varies in our experience). If it’s getting to websites to submit assignments, then it should be fine.

I just experienced the worst possible internet service on R.C.’s Grandeur of the Seas. Speed measured in Kbytes instead of Mbytes, ping never less than 600 and even the end of cruise ‘deal’ cost $50 for 3 days of service. I did complain and was treated as if I were a computer novice, which I am not. They informed me that maximum speed was rated at 4 Mybtes but wifi service would be somewhat slower. Yes, 90% slower.

We have AT&T mobiles, and see that they have cruise packages in conjunction with the cruise lines. So if we purchase their $100 unlimited package for each phone, does that mean we use it on board, and don’t have to purchase VOOM? And we use our phones as usual? Adventure of the Seas on December 15.

Not entirely sure about the ins and outs of your phone’s plan. Sounds like it would work for you, however.

I am booked on Liberty if the Seas and purchased a 4 device package. There are 4 of us going. Does that mean we all 4 can log on at the same time or do I need to have a package for each?

If you booked the four device package, that means you can log on all at once. If you book the one device package, you can all four use it, but only one person at a time.

I sailed on Ovation of the Sea 7/5 – 7/12/2019. I purchased Voom for one device. It worked when it felt like working. I visited the Voom desk multiple times and was told that the area we were sailing in just had bad service. I paid nearly $100 for the week and did not get my money’s worth. They advertise that they are the fastest and best at sea. That is not true. It sometimes took me 30 minutes to log on. Very frustrating. I can’t even find someone to talk to about getting some kind of a refund.

If I purchase the Voom, will I be able to use a fire stick on the Vision of the Seas? How is the internet connection on The Vision of the Seas?

On the Independence of the Seas the internet is horrendous. Not worth the price. RC has fixed the TVs so you cannot use a fire stick even if the internet was faster.

We’d highly doubt it. The connection isn’t always great and the input ports on the TV are usually disabled.

Currently on the Voyager of the Seas, off the coast of Vietnam.

The service is much better than what we’ve had on Holland America in the last couple years.

However it’s hardly “streaming” capable. I would guess that the massive use of handheld devices is causing the systems to collapse under the load. All of these devices are constantly making updates to Twitter, Snapchat, Instagram, etc and the cruise companies are still not equipped to deal with it.

Thanks for the update! It really helps other passengers.

Royal Caribbean Rhapsody INTERNET SUX! Connectivity was extremely poor and at times nonfunctional. It consistently dropped connections requiring one to constantly re-sign in. Speed tests showed under 2Mbps consistently tested over the course of 6 days in several areas of the ship which made streaming or uploading photos to social media simply impossible, never mind video calls. This indicated a switch not outputting enough POE to supply enough power to WAPS or simply not enough WAPS aboard for consistent coverage. Very disappointed that it was touted “the fastest internet at sea”. Completely useless and unmanageable. Seeking a refund.

Ah a comedian! 😉

So if I paid for 2 devices, I assume I’m just given 2 codes? We have 2 rooms and hoped each room could use 1 device. (Even though one person bought the 2-device package?)

It’s not codes, it’s just that you login to use the Internet. With two devices paid for you will be able to login with both at the same time. If you only paid for one, you would be booted off the other device when a new one logs in.

I prepaid for Voom on my upcoming cruise because they offered a discount precruise. So when I go to sign in, will they know that? I want to make sure I don’t get charged.

The system should recognize that you’ve already paid. Don’t worry though, there are staff members on the ship who are there to help people get online. If you have questions you can just talk to them to get everything sorted out.

I´m currently in Mariner of the Seas, and have been doing several speed test fom my phone (iPhone10) and my laptop (Lenovo Yoga); I´m using the “Voom Surf + Stream” service, and the speeds have have been: Ping at 628ms, Download at 0.78 Mbps and Upload at 0.65 Mbps. Video chat is not possible. Video streaming is very very slow and poor quality.

Thank you for the update! There’s no doubt that speeds will vary from ship to ship, but those speeds are particularly slow.

I tried to stream my DirecTV on my tablet while in port in Canada, and it did not work. I also tried to watch via Bravo’s website, and I got an error message that I could not use the service due to my location. I called DirecTV and they informed me that I cannot access content from my account outside of the US. Will I be able to connect while using Voom on a Caribbean cruise? I’d like the ability to stream live TV or view on demand shows during down time.

We aren’t sure, but would guess that you would not given that you will be outside the U.S. If you have Netflix, you can download some shows to watch offline. Maybe DirecTV has the same feature?

I read that the ships use US IP addresses. Has anyone else heard or have experience with this?

We’d love to know! We did you Youtube and Netflix and didn’t seem to have any issues with being out of the country. Not sure if other programs like DirecTV might raise an issue.

Hi, I’m going on Anthem of the Seas in 2 weeks. I teach English to kids in China over the internet live each day. I had planned on teaching from the ship. Now, I’m worried. I’ve paid for Voom streaming but 3mbs won’t work. I need at least 20.bs and a ping no higher than 100 at the most. Is there any service anywhere I can buy? Help!

That’s a tough one. I would guess that you can likely connect via Skype or a similar service, but the video will likely be a bit grainy through VOOM. You could connect to faster wi-fi when you are in port. Many restaurants and shops in ports offer wi-fi as a service to their customers.

Becky, did it work? I do the same thing and am going on my cruise at the end of the month.

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Royal Caribbean Internet VOOM Packages Prices

Here, CruiseMapper provides you with updated for 2021 information on all currently offered by the company Royal Caribbean International Internet packages, RCI ships' unlimited Internet cost, and different plans prices. Here you will also find an extensive review of Royal Caribbean International's VOOM internet, as well as the company's shipboard Internet policy rules.

Royal Caribbean VOOM Internet

VOOM is named RCI's new high-speed internet shipboard service that provides cruise ship passengers with the pleasure to enjoy at sea faster connectivity, with almost the same high-speed Internet connections they use on land. The new satellite technology utilizes each RCI ship specifically.

VOOM Internet has latency 120 ms, ping ~300 ms, download speed ~4,6 Mbps, upload speed ~5,2 Mbps. VOOM allows fast streaming of music and movies (incl YouTube, Netflix), uploading multiple (incl big-sized) pictures, also video chatting (FaceTime, Skype, conference calls), checking email, web surfing, stable and fast VPN connections. The onboard system is based on the 802.11b wireless connection (theoretical bandwidth peak 11 Mbps).

Shipboard Internet access is integrated into the stateroom number and the personal onboard account. Following the log-on to the ship's wireless network "Royal WiFi", there is an option for creating an Internet account where the passenger can sign up for a particular Internet plan or pay by the minute. The charge is always applied to the cabin (onboard) account.
While using the VOOM Internet package, passengers can switch between various mobile devices (smartphones, tablets, laptops). However, the number of devices connected at the same time is limited by the Internet plan.
The cruise ship also has several Internet workstations available for all passengers on an FCFS basis (first-come, first-served).

Among the cheaper alternatives to the VOOM internet are connecting onboard (while the cruise vessel is in ports of call) or ashore (in restaurants, bars, etc).

RCI's shipboard Internet tips and information

The VOOM Wi-Fi ("Wireless Internet Access") service is provided for all wireless devices with WiFi capability. Wired Internet service is provided in some shipboard venues (Internet Cafes) where for passenger use are available Internet-connected computer stations.

To connect personal mobile devices (phones, tablets, laptops) to the ship's VOOM Internet, passengers need to first make a connection to the onboard "royal-wifi" network (on their personal device), then to open an Internet browser and register for a pre-purchased package.

Pre-cruise purchasing VOOM is recommended as RCI offers discount prices in comparison to the shipboard rates. To pre-purchase VOOM online, booked passengers must log in to "My Cruises", then go to "Cruise Planner".

Since 2017, the VOOM Internet is available fleetwide - meaning it's currently offered on all RCI ships.

Current Wi-Fi prices start at USD 15.99 per 1 device per day (Surf Internet/slower) and USD 19.99 per 1 device per day (Surf & Stream Internet/faster).

New Internet packages cost (2021 prices)

RCI's ship internet offering was revamped from only one plan into different per day packages with pricing based on the number of included devices. Two new packages are currently available for booking.

All below listed unlimited Internet package prices are "Cruise Planner" booking rates and include the 30% pre-cruise booking discount. Packages can be purchased on the ship and also pre-purchased (before the cruise) via RCI's "Cruise Planner" booking system.

"VOOM Surf Voyage" Internet package

"VOOM Surf Voyage" is the "light package" providing high-speed Internet for general web browsing, emails, and social media platforms (excepting video streaming).

The "VOOM Surf Voyage" package cost (per day) depends on the number of mobile devices using it.

VOOM Surf pricing is as follows: $16 (1 device), $15 (2 devices), $13 (4 devices) and $23 (Single Day Pass per device / per day / 24-hours).

"VOOM Surf + Stream" Internet package

"VOOM Surf + Stream" is the "real deal", offering unlimited Internet activities, including high-speed video streaming (music, movies, video chatting, texting, VoIP apps /Internet phone calls).

The "VOOM Surf + Stream" package cost (per day) also depends on the number of mobile devices included.

VOOM Surf + Stream pricing is as follows: $20 (1 device), $19 (2 devices), $17 (4 devices) and $30 (Single Day Pass per device / per day / 24-hours).

Occasionally, Royal Caribbean offers VOOM package discounts for passengers with pre-purchased online (via "Cruise Planner") internet packages. Discounts are also offered for Royal Caribbean loyalty program members (by the "Crown and Anchor Society" program) when the VOOM package is purchased on the cruise ship.

Note: Keep in mind that Voom speeds vary by deck location (depending on usage) and also by the ship's location (at sea, near shore, in ports) as different satellites are used in different regions around the world. The fastest internet (O3B) is provided to ships located between 45°S-45°N latitudes, which excludes regions like Alaska, Canada, Australia-New Zealand, Northern Europe, South America. Ships operating in regions more distant from the equator are usually provided with Internet from geostationary satellites.

VOOM Internet discount prices (2021)

Since 2018, RCI offers Internet discount deals for Diamond and above loyalty program members ("Crown and Anchor Society" program). These deals are available fleetwide and on all cruise itineraries.

Passengers must be Diamond, Diamond Plus or Pinnacle status "Crown and Anchor Society" members.
The full-voyage VOOM Internet package must be purchased on board.
The pre-paid VOOM package (booked online / via "Cruise Planner") must be priced USD 15,99 pp per day (1 device) or higher (VOOM Surf and VOOM Stream).
The discount is applicable only if the VOOM package is purchased on day two of the cruise.

Next, are listed the full-voyage discounted Internet package pricing compared to the regular (below Dimond level past members) package prices.

Full-cruise 7-night itineraries Internet prices and discount pricing

Shipboard (regular pricing) 7 days x USD 19,99 = USD 139,93
Shipboard (Diamond members discount pricing): - USD 22,99 (total USD 116,94 / for 7 days)
Pre-cruise online purchasing (via "Cruise Planner"): 7 days x USD 15,99 = USD 111,93
Internet package purchasing shipboard on 2nd day: 6 days x USD 19,99 = USD 119,94
Shipboard (Diamond members discount pricing): - USD 22,99 (total USD 96,95 / for 6 days)

Full-cruise 9-night itineraries Internet prices and discount pricing

Shipboard regular pricing): 9 days x USD 19,99 = USD 179,91
Shipboard (Diamond members discount pricing): - USD 22,99 (total USD 156,92 / for 9 days)
Pre-cruise online purchasing (via "Cruise Planner"): 9 days x USD 15,99 = USD 143,91
Internet package purchasing shipboard on 2nd day: 8 days x USD 19,99 = USD 159,92
Shipboard (Diamond members discount pricing): - USD 22,99 (total USD 136,93 / for 8 days)

Full-cruise 12-night itineraries Internet prices and discount pricing

Shipboard regular pricing): 12 days x USD 19,99 = USD 239,88
Shipboard (Diamond members discount pricing): - USD 22,99 (total USD 216,89 / for 12 days)
Internet package purchasing shipboard on 2nd day: 11 days x USD 19,99 = USD 219,89
Shipboard (Diamond members discount pricing): - USD 22,99 (total USD 196,90 / for 11 days)
Pre-cruise online purchasing (via "Cruise Planner"): 12 days x USD 15,99 = USD 191,88

Diamond members Internet discounts varry between 9,6-28,8% (based on itinerary length). Next are listed VOOM Internet discounts as percentages (based on cruise length) for Diamond members, As you can see, best deals are for shorter voyages.

4-night itineraries: 28,8%
5-night itineraries: 23%
6-night itineraries: 19,2%
7-night itineraries: 16,4%
8-night itineraries: 14,4%
9-night itineraries: 12,8%
10-night itineraries: 11,5%
11-night itineraries: 10,5%
12-night itineraries: 9,6%

On February 14, 2018, RCCL and Speedcast (global comm and IT service provider) extended their relationship by increasing the satellite bandwidth delivered across RCI's fleet. This parterning started in 2006, when Speedcast installted its first "Ku-Band VSAT" antenna. Multiple antennas on each cruise vessel deliver seamless transfer between Ku-Band and C-Band. The company's network provides fully managed connectivity solutions and IT services to a total of 37 RCCL vessels. These enhanced communications are used for onboard administration, as well as by passengers, crew and land-based employees.

At the following CruiseMapper links, you can compare the onboard Internet package pricing on Carnival and NCL vessels.

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Royal Caribbean Internet Packages: Voom WiFi In-Depth

Navigating the high seas doesn’t mean you have to be cut off from the digital world. Whether you’re a social media aficionado, a work-from-anywhere professional, or simply someone who likes to stay in touch with family and friends, the allure of onboard internet is undeniable.

Thankfully, Royal Caribbean has got you covered with their robust internet offerings, promising you a seamless online experience while you cruise.

Is Royal Caribbean’s Voom WiFi truly the “fastest internet at sea,” as they claim? They offer two distinct packages: Surf, for basic internet needs like browsing and social media, and Surf & Stream, ideal for those looking to video chat, stream, and more.

Stay tuned as we dive into the nitty-gritty of Royal Caribbean’s internet packages, offering you a comprehensive guide to help you make an informed choice for your cruising needs.

(Unless you want to use a walkie-talkie on your next cruise to communicate with your group and save some serious $$$ )

Table of Contents

Royal Caribbean Internet Packages

The price range for Voom WiFi packages aboard a Royal Caribbean cruise can fluctuate based on several variables. Typically, you can anticipate spending approximately $11 to $16 daily for the standard package, and around $15 to $20 daily for the more advanced package.

Before going deeper into the complex pricing structure, let’s first explore the two distinct types of internet packages available and the features they offer.

Voom Surf Voyage Package

If your internet needs are fundamental, the Voom Surf Voyage package might just be what you’re looking for.

Tailored for cruisers who want straightforward internet access, this package keeps you online around the clock. Here’s what you can do with this basic plan:

Web Browsing : Freely navigate the internet, whether it’s for leisurely reading or important research.
Email Access : Keep your inbox in check and never miss an important email while you’re sailing.
Messenger Apps : Stay connected through chat apps like WhatsApp, iMessage, and Facebook Messenger. Please note that while text messaging is supported, voice and video calls are not available with this package.

Speed and Limitations

It’s important to manage your speed expectations when you opt for the Voom Surf Voyage package. Royal Caribbean intentionally limits the speeds on this plan.

Why? The idea is to encourage passengers to upgrade to the more bandwidth-heavy Voom Surf & Stream package.

If you’re planning to just browse the internet or shoot off some emails, this package should suffice. However, for those requiring faster speeds for tasks like streaming, upgrading would be a wise choice.

Voom Surf & Stream Package

For those who demand more from their internet experience while cruising, the Voom Surf & Stream package takes connectivity to the next level. It encompasses all the features of the basic Surf package, but with several enticing add-ons and faster speeds. So what sets this package apart?

Video Chatting : Stay face-to-face with your loved ones or even hold a business meeting via video chat platforms.
Live Streaming : Keep your social media followers in the loop by live streaming your cruise adventures.
Streaming Services : Binge-watch your favorite shows or groove to your favorite playlists, all while cruising in the middle of the ocean.

Speed and Capabilities

The Surf & Stream package is not throttled, which translates to faster and more reliable internet speeds. If your internet needs include watching videos, streaming music, or anything that requires high bandwidth, this is the package for you.

The Voom Surf & Stream Package offers:

24-hour internet access
Standard web browsing
Emailing capabilities
Chat support on messenger apps like WhatsApp and Signal
Video live chats
The ability to stream movies, TV shows, music, and other content
Live streaming and posting on social media platforms

While the Surf & Stream package is undoubtedly more feature-rich, it does come at a higher cost compared to the basic Surf package.

However, if you value faster speeds and the ability to engage in a range of online activities, the extra cost can be justified.

Royal Caribbean's Internet Package - Woman on laptop by pool

Royal Caribbeans Internet Pricing Breakdown

Understanding the cost of internet access aboard a Royal Caribbean cruise can be a bit of a puzzle, but don’t worry—we’ve got you covered.

Just like the fluctuating prices of their drink packages, the cost of WiFi varies based on several factors such as the ship, the sailing, and the time of purchase.

Here’s a breakdown to help you navigate these waters:

Standard Rates for Cruise-Length Access

Voom Surf Package : The average daily rate usually falls between $12.99 and $15.99 per device. This is the cost if you’re planning on using the internet throughout the entire length of your cruise.
Voom Surf & Stream Package : If you want the higher tier, expect to pay around $17.99 to $19.99 per device per day.

Single-Day Pass

If you don’t need internet for the entire cruise, you have the option of purchasing a 24-hour pass. However, this comes at a steeper price:

Voom Surf 24-hour pass : Generally costs in the ballpark of $25.99 per device.
Voom Surf & Stream 24-hour pass : Prepare to shell out around $32.99 per device for a single day.

Yes, you read that right—the prices almost double when you opt for just a day’s access!

Family and Multi-Device Plans

Here’s where it gets even more interesting.

If you’re cruising with family or simply have multiple devices, you can snag a discount by purchasing a family plan.

For example, a five-device plan for the Surf package can reduce the average cost to approximately $9 per device.

Pro Tip For Extra Savings

Early Bird Discounts : Royal Caribbean encourages early purchases by offering significant discounts when you buy your internet package before sailing. Simply log into the Cruise Planner on Royal Caribbean’s website, navigate to the ‘Internet & More’ section, and secure your Voom internet package there. Pre-booking not only secures your internet access but also saves you money.
Multiple Device Discounts : If you have more than one device or are cruising with family, take advantage of Royal Caribbean’s multi-device discounts. This can bring down your per-device cost considerably.
Watch for Price Changes : The price of internet packages can fluctuate throughout the year. Keep an eye out for price drops even after you’ve made your purchase. If you notice a lower price, you have the option to call Royal Caribbean for a discount or cancel and re-buy the package at the reduced rate.

Diamond Discount: A Royal Perk for Loyal Cruisers

If you’re a member of Royal Caribbean’s Crown & Anchor Society and have achieved Diamond status or higher, you’re in for an extra treat: a special discount on Voom internet packages.

However, it’s important to note that you can only take advantage of this benefit once you’re onboard.

How the Diamond Discount Works:

When to Apply : Unlike pre-booking discounts, the Diamond discount is applied exclusively onboard. You won’t be able to use your Crown & Anchor discount in advance of your sailing.
4-night itineraries : 28.8% discount
5-night itineraries : 23% discount
6-night itineraries : 19.2% discount
7-night itineraries : 16.4% discount
8-night itineraries : 14.4% discount
9-night itineraries : 12.8% discount
10-night itineraries : 11.5% discount
11-night itineraries : 10.5% discount
12-night itineraries : 9.6% discount

If you’re a Diamond or higher member of the Crown & Anchor Society, make sure to capitalize on these onboard discounts to get the most bang for your buck when purchasing a Voom internet package.

How Fast Is Voom?

Voom’s internet speed is revolutionized by Royal Caribbean’s partnership with Starlink, making it incredibly fast for a sea-bound experience.

Recent tests showed download speeds of up to 77.03 Mbps and upload speeds of 15.72 Mbps on Starlink-enabled ships.

However, speed can vary depending on factors like the ship’s location and satellite coverage. It’s worth noting that you might experience a slight slowdown when connecting from your cabin.

If your cruise is on a non-upgraded ship, expect slower internet—adequate for basic tasks but less ideal for heavier data usage.

Nonetheless, with Starlink technology becoming increasingly standard across the fleet, you’re likely to enjoy high-speed internet comparable to what you’d have back home.

Which Voom Package Should You Buy?

Choosing the right Voom package on a Royal Caribbean cruise boils down to your specific internet needs and preferences.

If your primary concern is basic connectivity—for checking emails, updating social media, or sending text messages via apps like WhatsApp—the Voom Surf Voyage Package should suffice.

However, if you’re looking for a more robust internet experience that includes video streaming, live video chats, or access to streaming platforms like Netflix or Spotify, the Voom Surf & Stream Package would be a more suitable choice.

Don’t forget to consider the pricing: Surf generally costs around $13 per day for a single device, while Surf & Stream is around $18 per day, with fluctuations depending on various factors.

Does The Royal Caribbean App Work Without WiFi?

You don’t need to purchase a Voom internet package to use the Royal Caribbean app while you’re onboard. All you have to do is connect to the ship’s guest Wi-Fi.

You can easily do this through your phone’s settings; just look for the Wi-Fi network named “Guest-(ship name)-Wi-Fi.”

Once connected, you’ll be able to use the app or even purchase an internet package if you decide you want broader online access.

To purchase or activate a package, simply go to login.com through a web browser.

The app itself comes packed with a range of features, although these can vary depending on the specific ship you’re on.

Some universal functionalities include the ability to sign into your guest account (you must be at least 13 years old), check into your cruise, and link reservations with other guests.

It’s also your gateway to a variety of onboard activities, dining options, and even loyalty program details.

Once you’re connected to the guest Wi-Fi, you’ll be able to make specialty and My Time dining reservations , reserve shows and shore excursions, browse and save daily activities to your calendar, explore deck plans, monitor your onboard spending, and even unlock your stateroom door.

Some ships even offer the ability to order food delivery through the app. Even without a paid internet package, the Royal Caribbean app keeps you well-connected throughout your cruise.

Can I Use One Account For Multiple Devices?

One limitation of the service is that each account only allows for a single device to be connected at any given time. If both you and your spouse want to use the internet on separate devices simultaneously, you’ll have to purchase access for two devices.

However, there’s a way around this restriction if continuous connectivity isn’t a must-have for you. You can switch between multiple devices while keeping just one connected at any given moment.

For instance, if you’ve been using the internet on your laptop and then want to switch to your phone, you’ll encounter a prompt informing you that you’ve reached your device limit.

At this point, you can choose to disconnect the laptop and connect the phone instead.

Can I Use Voom For Video Chat Services Like Facetime Or Zoom?

Yes! If you’re looking to make video calls via FaceTime, Zoom, or other similar services while cruising on Royal Caribbean, you’ll need to opt for the Voom Surf + Stream WiFi package.

The basic Voom Surf package won’t suffice for these activities as it has speed restrictions that prevent video calling.

Call quality on the Voom Surf + Stream package is generally good, although you may experience occasional choppiness.

If staying connected via video calls is important to you while you’re at sea, the Surf + Stream package is your go-to option.

Do Royal Caribbean Cruise Ships Have Free Wifi?

Generally speaking, Royal Caribbean cruise ships do not offer free WiFi to guests. The exception is for those who have booked a Star or Sky Royal Suite Class suite, as each guest in these premium suites receives one complimentary Surf + Stream package.

If you’re a member of Royal Caribbean’s Crown and Anchor loyalty scheme, even at the Diamond level, free WiFi is not included as a perk.

However, there are some opportunities for free WiFi during the cruise when the ship is docked at a port.

Overall, unless you are staying in one of the most luxurious suites, you should expect to pay for internet access while on a Royal Caribbean cruise.

Which Royal Caribbean Ships Have Starlink Internet?

Royal Caribbean is in the process of upgrading its ships with Starlink Internet, aiming to complete the fleet-wide update soon.

As of now, at least four ships have been confirmed to have active Starlink internet:

Freedom of the Seas
Independence of the Seas
Liberty of the Seas
Enchantment of the Seas

Other ships like Allure of the Seas are in line for the upgrade, but the cruise line has been discreet about the rollout schedule.

Reader reports have also indicated that Liberty of the Seas and Enchantment of the Seas recently activated their Starlink services.

However, Royal Caribbean has not announced an official timeline for each ship’s upgrade, relying instead on the passenger community to confirm the presence of Starlink.

Importantly, the cost of internet services on Starlink-equipped ships remains the same as it was with the previous technology, as of the latest information available.

How To Connect To Royal Caribbean WiFi

By following these straightforward steps, you should have no trouble accessing the internet while enjoying your Royal Caribbean cruise.

Turn On Device WiFi : Open your device’s WiFi settings and look for the network named “royal-wifi.” Connect to it.
Open Web Browser : Once connected, your device should automatically open a web browser. If it doesn’t, you’ll need to manually open a browser.
Login or Sign Up : At this point, a login prompt should appear. If you’ve pre-purchased a Voom package, entering your details will activate your pre-paid internet access. If you haven’t pre-purchased, you can select the package you want at this point, and the cost will be added to your onboard account.
Troubleshooting : In case you encounter any issues or glitches during this process, Guest Services is available to assist you.
Maintaining Connection : If you find you’ve lost connection at any point during your cruise, double-check to ensure your WiFi is enabled and visit “Login.com” to re-sign into your account.
Additional Support : If you experience connectivity issues that you cannot resolve, you can always visit the help desk on the ship for assistance.

FAQ’s

Can you send texts via royal caribbean’s wifi.

Regular text messaging through your mobile network isn’t advised due to possible roaming charges. However, text messaging through internet-based services like WhatsApp, iMessage, or Facebook Messenger is possible with a purchased Voom Surf WiFi package.

Is WiFi calling possible on Royal Caribbean ships?

You can make WiFi calls if you’ve opted for the Surf + Stream Voom package. The basic Surf package restricts WiFi calling, allowing only texting and browsing.

Can WhatsApp be used on Royal Caribbean?

Absolutely! Text messaging through WhatsApp is possible with the basic Voom Surf package. For voice or video calls on WhatsApp, you’ll need the Surf + Stream package.

Can I use iMessage on Royal Caribbean ships?

iMessage works with any Voom WiFi package for texting. If you wish to send voice messages, the Surf + Stream package will be required.

Is FaceTime an option on Royal Caribbean cruises?

Yes, you can use FaceTime, but you’ll need to purchase the Voom Surf + Stream package for sufficient internet speed. The basic Surf package will not support FaceTime.

Can I use Zoom while on a Royal Caribbean cruise?

Zoom is accessible, but only with the Surf + Stream package, as the basic Surf package does not offer the required speeds for video calls.

What about using TikTok on board?

You may be able to use TikTok with the basic Voom Surf package, but for more reliable loading and streaming, the Surf + Stream package is recommended.

Can I stream content with Voom?

Certainly! The Surf & Stream package offers speeds between 3-5 Mbps, which meets the minimum requirements for most streaming services like Netflix, Prime Video, and Hulu.

Can Voom handle video chatting apps like Facetime or Zoom?

Yes, you can conduct video calls via Facetime, WhatsApp, and Facebook Messenger with the Surf + Stream package, although you may experience some minor interruptions in call quality.

Can I use internet messaging and WiFi calling on my phone with Voom?

Absolutely, the Voom internet works well with internet-based messaging apps like WhatsApp, Signal, and Facebook Messenger. Voice calls are usually clear. Just remember to switch your phone to airplane mode to avoid extra roaming charges.

Can multiple devices be connected to a single Voom account?

The service generally allows only one device per account at a time. However, you can switch between devices by disconnecting one and connecting another. You’ll be prompted to do this once you reach your device limit.

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Is the Voom internet on Royal Caribbean cruise ships really as fast as they say?

The "fastest internet at sea" isn't as fast as you might hope.

As I found during a recent speed test, Royal Caribbean 's Voom internet service, which the line touts as the fastest internet service in the cruise industry, is still far slower than what you're probably used to at home.

That said, the service is a lot faster than the internet service was on cruise ships just a few years ago. And it is, indeed, faster than what some of Royal Caribbean's competitors offer.

I tested Royal Caribbean's Voom internet service on board the line's 5,518-passenger Symphony of the Seas in May as it sailed to the Bahamas from the New York City area. The seven-night voyage included calls at Port Canaveral, Florida, and two Bahamian destinations: Nassau and Perfect Day at CocoCay , Royal Caribbean's private island.

Unveiled in 2018, Symphony of the Seas is one of the newest of Royal Caribbean's 27 vessels, and — as I'll explain below — that's a factor in the internet speeds it's able to offer.

Royal Caribean's Voom internet service doesn't operate at the same speed on every one of the line's vessels. In general, Royal Caribbean's newer ships have faster internet speeds.

How internet works on cruise ships

I'll get to the results of my speed test on Symphony of the Seas in a moment. But first, a little primer on cruise ship internet.

If you haven't cruised before, you may be surprised to learn that internet access on ships generally is not free, as it is at many resorts on land. Indeed, it's often quite expensive — more than $25 a day on some lines. On a ship, you easily can spend more than $150 a week on internet services just to hook up one device. You'll pay even more if you want to have multiple devices online simultaneously.

Internet on cruise ships also is generally far slower than what you've experienced on land. Where I live in North Carolina, the local cable company's least-expensive internet package promises download speeds of 300 Mbps for an introductory rate of $49.99 per month — and the company, Spectrum, actually delivers closer to 350 Mbps to our location. You can pay just $30 more a month and get a download speed of 1 Gbps, which is truly fast.

On a cruise ship, you'll be lucky to get download speeds of 5 to 10 Mbps.

Before you rail against the cruise lines about the cost and speed of what they offer, know that they're doing their best. They know you want fast internet on ships like you have at home, at an affordable price, and they are trying everything they can to make internet at sea faster and less expensive. On that front, they've made great strides in recent years.

But the bottom line is, delivering fast and inexpensive internet to people on ships that are on the move in the open ocean isn't easy . Remember that there are no high-speed cable lines reaching out to moving cruise ships or line-of-sight transmitters that can reach them (except when they are close to ports). When you're getting internet on a cruise ship, you're getting it via a very expensive satellite system that's designed to be compatible with a moving target like a cruise ship that may be traveling at 20 mph or more through bouncing waves.

When you think about it that way, it's really quite astounding to get internet at all when at sea.

Royal Caribbean's Voom service at a glance

Royal Caribbean now offers just one version of its Voom internet service on ships, which is a change from recent years. It's called Surf + Stream, and it's billed as being fast enough to stream movies and music and do many of the other things that require high-speed internet.

Royal Caribbean has discontinued its less expensive and less comprehensive Surf package. That service was designed for general internet browsing but didn't support streaming.

What does Royal Caribbean's Voom internet service cost?

Rates for Royal Caribbean's Voom internet service seem to change often, but on my Symphony of the Seas sailing, the Surf + Stream service cost $29.99 per day.

That's the rate based on buying the service for the entire cruise. You can't get these rates if you just want internet access for a single day. My Symphony of the Seas sailing was seven nights in length, so the $29.99 per day cost of the faster service worked out to $209.93 for a single device for the length of the trip.

Note that if you wait a few days after boarding to buy the internet service, you just pay for the remaining days of the voyage. That's a hack to keep your internet cost down, assuming you don't mind being offline for a bit at the start of your cruise. Additionally, at certain status levels in Royal Caribbean's Crown & Anchor Society loyalty program, you can get a discount on an internet package.

You can also often buy a single-day pass for Voom on board at a significantly higher per day cost than the multiday rate above. On my sailing, a single-day (24-hour) pass for Surf + Stream was $32.99.

The above rates apply to those buying internet service on board, but that's not necessarily the best way to do it. One way to save considerably when buying internet service for a Royal Caribbean cruise is to buy it in advance of your sailing through the line's website.

For my sailing, for instance, the Surf + Stream package cost just $23.99 when bought in advance — or $167.93 for the week. That's a 20% discount, amounting to a $42 savings, compared to the onboard price.

All the pricing noted so far in this section is for buying internet for a single device. Royal Caribbean also sells packages that allow access to two, three or four devices.

With each device that you add, you pay a little less per device. A two-device package for my sailing cost $251.93 for the week when booked in advance. That worked out to about $18 per day, per device — a 25% discount to the single device package.

You can purchase internet and other services for your sailing in advance at the Royal Caribbean website. You'll have to create an account on the website and log in to reach the "cruise planner" section for your sailing to purchase such services.

How fast is Royal Caribbean's Voom internet service?

I ran speed tests at different times throughout the sailing using speedtest.net on both my laptop and an iPhone. What I found was that the Surf + Stream service usually offered download speeds of around 9 Mbps. The upload speeds were typically around 4 Mbps, but they sometimes varied.

Here is a screenshot of a speed test I conducted May 25 at 10 a.m. when Symphony of the Seas was at sea off the coast of North Carolina.

Below is another speed test I did two days later when Symphony of the Seas was docked at Port Canaveral.

As you can see, both the download and upload speeds for the Voom internet on Symphony of the Seas at this point were very similar to the speeds of two days before.

At no time during the cruise did I find download speeds exceeding 10 Mbps, but at times, they dropped to as low as 4 Mbps.

Here is a different speed test I conducted when Symphony of the Seas was docked at Port Canaveral.

The slow speed seen above seemed to be a momentary glitch. When I followed up a minute later with another speed test, the download speed had bounced back to the 9 Mbps range.

Compared to internet speeds at resorts on land, the aforementioned speeds may seem excruciatingly slow. However, I found the Surf + Stream service on Symphony of the Seas did allow me to stream movies, as promised. I was able to continue my recent binge-watching of "Criminal Record" on Apple TV+ at bedtime on most nights.

Netflix says the minimum speed required to stream is 0.5 Mbps. Netflix recommends 3 Mbps for standard-definition streaming and 5 Mbps for high-definition streaming.

The internet speed on Symphony of the Seas was also significantly faster than the internet speeds on Royal Caribbean ships just a few years ago. When I did a similar test on Royal Caribbean's Adventure of the Seas three years ago, the internet speeds, on average, were about 3 Mpbs — about a third as fast.

The big change since then is that Royal Caribbean has begun using Starlink satellites to provide internet to its vessels, which is a faster solution than the older satellite system the line previously used.

There were a few hiccups with the Voom service, however.

A couple of times during the cruise, I lost the internet connection completely for a spell. The speed also seemed to briefly slow down at times, as with the previously mentioned drop to 4.25 Mbps when we were docked in Port Canaveral.

Perhaps most seriously, I had a momentary bout of freezing while doing an important Microsoft Teams video interview with a top cruise line executive for another story. Luckily, he seemed to understand ... and he should have. It was Jason Liberty, the CEO of Royal Caribbean Group, and this was one of his ships.

To be fair, all these glitches lasted just seconds in most cases. I never experienced a long spell of the internet being down.

The internet speeds on the ship also weren't nearly as fast as the "six times faster" than internet on other lines point that Royal Caribbean touts on its website. With the rollout of Starlink across many cruise line fleets in the past year, there are plenty of other ships not operated by Royal Caribbean that have similarly fast internet.

In general, though, Voom's streaming promise was met — particularly in the one area where I really needed it to count. I was able to participate in an important 45-minute staff meeting on Zoom while the ship was docked at Perfect Day at CocoCay.

Factors affecting Voom speed

Royal Caribbean's Voom service has traditionally been faster on the line's newer vessels, which were wired from the beginning with higher-speed internet in mind. These include the line's new Icon of the Seas and its Quantum Class and Oasis Class ships .

Voom service has also traditionally been faster on some older Royal Caribbean ships that have undergone "Royal Amplified" overhauls in dry dock, including upgrades to the internet systems.

The weather and location of a ship at any given time can affect Royal Caribbean's Voom speed — because both factors can affect the connection to satellites.

Bottom line

If you're new to cruising, you might find yourself shocked at the price of internet service on a Royal Caribbean ship. On a per day basis, Royal Caribbean's Surf + Stream service is about 10 times more expensive than the typical cable internet service in the U.S. You also may be shocked by the slow speed of the service. At around 350 Mbps, my cable service at home in North Carolina is about 39 times faster than what I experienced on Symphony of the Seas. That's quite a difference!

That said, for a cruise ship, the Voom service on Symphony of the Seas and other Royal Caribbean ships is actually quite fast. It also lives up to its billing as a service fast enough to let you watch streaming movies and shows at sea.

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