Remember dial-up internet? The funky rhythm and tune of computer generated tones, and then you waited… a long time. It was slower than a retirement community of turtles. And that’s generally been the case on cruise ships until very recently.
During the pandemic, several cruise lines used the opportunity to significantly upgrade the technology on their ships, and it’s substantially better than it once was, but still not as fast as home. I DO find it a bit ridiculous when people complain about the speed of the internet when they’re on board a plane or ship (or really any moving vessel for that reason).
Think about this for just a minute: you’re flying through the air, or perhaps in Antarctica – thousands of miles from the nearest human community, and you’re fully connected. It’s a marvel… and those that think it should be as fast as the fibre optic connection at home need to dial-back (pun intended) their expectations.
So here’s some Q & A on internet connections on cruise ships:
Q: Which Cruise Line Has the Fastest Internet?
A: Several make the claim of the “fastest”. In reality, it depends where the vessel is, and how many people are accessing it at the same time. Most cruise lines use Starlink, or one of its European competitors, so the technology is very similar between the cruise lines.
Q: What Does Internet Cost on a Cruise Ship?
A: The smaller-ship cruise lines, and river boats usually include connectivity in your fare. The mega-ship cruise lines will charge you between $15 and $50 per day, depending on how much data you want to move.
Q: Sounds like it’s better than it was. What still sucks?
A: If you want to stream video, use a VPN or take video calls, you’ll sometimes still struggle. Some cruise lines also limit the number of devices you can connect.
Q: What causes variation in internet speed?
A: The position of the vessel, the number of people using it at the same time, and whether it’s a satellite or cellular connection will all impact your connectivity.
Q: Are there any hacks that will make it quicker?
A: Download videos, or maps you intend to use before you leave home, so you’re not trying to download big files over limited bandwidth. You will also do better when others AREN’T using the wifi. If you want to upload the photos you took that day as soon as you get back to the ship and before dinner, keep in mind everyone else is doing the same thing. It will be slow.
Q: What’s Your BEST Suggestion For Internet At Sea?
A: DON’T PARTICIPATE. You’re on vacation… disconnect, and be in the moment. If you like to post your vacations on social media, consider doing that once you get home.
Dream-Travel-Share UNPACKED:
Check out our VIDEO BLOG where Kim & Bob talk about Wifi on Cruise Ships, and how to get maximum connectivity:
In Case You Missed It:
NATIONAL PARKS: The hardcore outdoor enthusiasts have been going for years, but there’s something for everyone at our National Parks:
https://pamperedcruiser.com/time-to-visit-our-national-parks/
TRAVEL TRIVIA: How much fluid will you lose on a 10-hour flight? This and other mysteries solved:
https://pamperedcruiser.com/travel-trivia/
TAUCK River Cruising: Tauck is the most inclusive of the river cruise lines in Europe. Here’s a bit more information about them:
https://pamperedcruiser.com/what-about-tauck/
Featured YOUTUBE Video:
VIKING’S PRE-TRIP MAIL PACKAGE. Yes, they send you luggage tags. What else can you expect from your pre-trip mail out from Viking?
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Today’s Travel Opportunities
Oceania
Oceania has changed the inclusions offered in the base fare. If it seems like they just did that… you are correct (but it was a year ago). Your Oceania fare will now include:
- Onboard Gratuities
- Specialty Dining
- Unlimited Wifi
- Choice of Beer/Wine with meals OR Shore Excursion Credit
FALL SALE EVENT: Oceania is offering a 2-category upgrade on select sailings. Here are two examples:
PANAMA CANAL departing Panama City April 24 for 10-days
- Start in Panama City, and then do a full daylight transit of the canal. Then visit Cartagena, Costa Rica, Roatan, Costa Maya, and Cozumel before arriving in Miami.
- Veranda fares from $3899
ICELAND round-trip Reykjavik departing July 24 for 10-days
- Visit 7 ports in Iceland, as well as 2 port calls in the Faroe Islands
- Veranda fares from $4949
There are over 100 more itineraries included on the FALL SALE. Here’s the link:
WINDSTAR YACHTING Experiences
With a maximum of 320 guests, Windstar offers a casual elegance, with a great culinary experience.
ALASKA: Vancouver to Anchorage for 12-days on the new STAR SEEKER
- This is a new ship, and a new destination for Windstar. They’ve chosen some less frequented ports. Perfect for those that have been to Alaska previously.
- Visit Misty Fjords, Wrangell, Petersburg, Sitka, Endicott Arm, Haines, Icy Strait Point, Hubbard Glacier, Kenai Fjords NP.
- 2026: Fares from $7699 for departures May through August
- 2027: Fares from $6899 for departures May through August
TAHITI round-trip from Papeete for 7-days. Departures every Thursday.
- Visit Papeete, Moorea, Raiatea, Tahaa, Bora Bora (overnight), Huahini. Remember this tropical paradise is only 2 hours past Hawaii, and has a fraction as many tourists.
- 2026: Depart January through December from $3282 with ALL-IN Fare Package
- Here’s our video blog from when we did this cruise: https://youtu.be/ctytpPPx1tM
RIVER CRUISES with TAUCK
Tauck is the most inclusive of the river cruise lines, and they have some unique itineraries in Europe:
GERMAN OKTOBERFEST: Amsterdam to Munich for 10-days in September
- Visit Amsterdam (overnight), Dusseldorf (to visit local craft breweries), sail the Rhine Gorge, Heidelberg for a beer-paired lunch, Strasbourg, Lucerne and Mt. Pilatus, Lake Konstanz, and then on to Munich for 2 nights for the world’s largest festival!
- 2026: Depart September 16 or 23 from $8490
FRENCH RIVIERA to Switzerland for 14-days
- Fly to Marseille, and visit Cannes, Nice, Monte Carlo, Aix-en-Provence, Arles, Avignon, Chateau Neuf du Pape, Tain L’hermitage, Macon, Cluny, Chalon sur Saone, Burgundy, Lyon, Geneva, Chamonix.
- 2026: Departures April through October from $9190
REMOTE EXPLORATIONS with HX
If you’d rather do a nature walk than a shopping mall, or be on a sea kayak instead of a motor coach, then HX can get you to some remote places where fewer people go:
GALAPAGOS ISLANDS and Quito for 9-days
- 2-nights in Quito, then fly to Galapagos (included in fare) for 6 nights. Visit Mosquera Inlet, Santa Fe, South Plaza, Santa Cruz, Charles Darwin Research Station in Port Ayora, Espanola Island, Eden Islet.
- January through March from $6900
- April through December from $7968
- See our video blog from this trip: https://youtu.be/3F38Km2EEjQ
NORTHERN LIGHTS in NORWAY with HX
- Round-trip from Tromso, for 8-days with 5 stops on Norwegian Coast
- Northern lights PROMISE. If you DON’T see the Aurora Borealis on this journey HX will offer credit towards another cruise. The Northern Lights run in a decade-long cycle, and the natural phenomenon will begin to wane after this season.
- 2026: Depart February, March, November, or December from $4132
- 2027: Depart January through March from $5248
LAND CRUISES with INTREPID TRAVEL
You can’t visit everywhere by ship, and Intrepid is a great option for those that like the structure of cruise, but want to visit some places not accessible by river boat or ocean ship.
MOROCCO: Casablanca to Marrakech for 15-days
- If you’re in Southern Europe, then this North African country is close by, and in many ways is more comparable to travelling in Europe, than Africa.
- Visit the Museum of Judaism, and Mosque of Hassan II in Casablanca. Walk the Medinas and Souks in Meknes, get a home-cooked dinner in Fes, visit the desert oasis town of Erfoud, go for a camel ride during your stay at a Sahara Desert Camp, stop in at Ait Benhaddou (where Lawrence of Arabia, Game of Thrones, and many other movies have been filmed), stay overnight in a village in the High Atlas Mountains, and finish in Marrakech, where you’ll experience the crossroads of cultures that is Morocco.
- 2026: Weekly departures year-round from $4225
CROATIA & SLOVENIA for 16-days:
- Start in Venice and then travel to Slovenia where you’ll see Postojna Caves, Ljubljana, Lake Bled, and Lake Bohinj. You’ll then travel to Croatia to visit Motovun and Buzet before heading inland again to see the incredibly scenic Plitvice Lakes NP. From there it’s out to the Dalmatian Coast to experience Zadar, Sibenik, Split, Korcula, before finishing with 2-nights in Dubrovnik.
- This trip offers a comprehensive experience in Croatia, with some days in Slovenia, which has yet to be discovered (but it won’t be long).
- Weekly departures April through October from $8560.
Recently booked a Viking Cruise?
Viking makes it really easy to book direct, either online, by phone, or on board. Our clients worry that if they book on-line, that they’re cutting us out, but if you let us know after you’ve booked, then we can still help you with your reservation (even if you booked ON BOARD).
We’ll check over your reservation to make sure you’re getting the best possible deal, and we will also add some onboard credits that are not available on direct bookings.
We can add at least $100 per person onboard credit to any direct Viking reservation made in the last 60 days.
There is never a situation where you’ll get a better deal by booking directly with Viking (or any other cruise line).
If you recently booked a Viking Cruise, please let us know as soon as possible.
If you’re planning a trip, I’d love to help! Click here or call 800-876-0168 to get in touch today.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Sue Bradley
Sue Bradley
