Last Updated on July 26, 2023 by Ray Roman
Does Carnival Cruise have WiFi? In an increasingly connected world, access to the internet has become as essential as air, water, and food, even when we’re vacationing.
Cruises, once a place to escape the constant buzz of notifications and emails, have also adapted to meet this growing digital demand from those who want to stay connected.
Yes, Carnival Cruise Line does provide WiFi services onboard its ships. Carnival’s WiFi service is known as ‘WiFi@Sea.’ It offers three different internet packages to suit the varying needs of its passengers – the Social WiFi plan, the Value WiFi plan, and the Premium WiFi plan. Each package is priced differently and offers different levels of access and speed.
In this article, we will explore everything you need to know about staying digitally connected while you enjoy the high seas aboard a Carnival cruise.
We’ll delve into the nitty-gritty details, from cost and coverage to speed and data packages, ensuring that your sea-faring experience is as informed as it is unforgettable.
Let’s get started…
Carnival Cruise WiFi Packages
As I mentioned earlier, Carnival internet access is available in 3 plans.
Let’s dive into each one…
Value Plan
With the Value WiFi plan, you can surf websites and check your email. You can surf just about any website that DOES NOT stream music or video.
You also cannot use Skype, Zoom, or any other video conferencing software.
The Value WiFi plan costs $17.00 per day as of the publishing of this article.
You can save 15% if you buy the plan before sailing. If you decide to do that, you have to purchase online. The cut-off for pre-purchase is 11:59 PM EST, the day before embarkation.
Social WiFi Plan
Suppose all you need to do is have access to social media sites like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, Linkedin, Facebook Messenger, Whatsapp, and Snapchat. In that case, the social plan may be all you need.
You all get access to the most popular airline sites, but that is about it.
The Carnival Social Media internet plan costs $12.75 per day as of the writing of this article. Like all their plans, you can get a 15% discount by ordering online before sailing.
Premium WiFi Plan
The Premium WiFi plan is what I always buy when sailing on Carnival. I can use it for emails, video and audio streaming, and video conferencing. (Video conferencing is not available in all areas.
The cost is $18.70 daily, but you can save 15% if you order online before sailing.
Carnival WiFi Restriction
Because Carnival ships provide internet via satellite, there are several restrictions. These are the restriction as noted on the Carnival site:
• Only one device at a time can connect to WiFi
• Satellite internet speed may vary depending on location and time of day
• Access to certain sites, such as mature or violent content, is blocked
• VPN connections are not supported. Discuss your VPN limitations with your company’s IT department if you plan to work while sailing. We are not able to change your settings on board
• Pricing for plans purchased pre-cruise varies from plans purchased at the time of sailing
• No refunds after the plan is activated on board
Carnival WiFi My Personal Experience
Overall, Carnival’s WiFi@Sea is not too bad. The coverage can be spotty, depending on where you are on the ship. It is slow in our cabins on any of the lower decks and takes a bit to connect to websites.
I usually go to the Promenade deck, grab a coffee and sit at a table with my laptop. In open areas of the ship, coverage is very good.
As far as pricing is concerned, I’ll be honest: it is expensive. However, I have to remember that it’s satellite internet which is not cheap.
Overall I’m pretty happy with the service. As a blogger, it lets me access the sites I need to be able to write while I’m cruising the Caribbean.
Does Carnival Cruise Have Wifi? Key Takeaways
Here are my key takeaways from my experience using Carnival Wifi:
- Wifi speed is good but not great.
- Interior room coverage can be spotty at times.
- Pricing is reasonable, but the wifi service could e better for the price.
- Not suitable for serious work while onboard.
- Great for browsing, emailing, updating content, etc.,
Further Reading
