All Cruise Lines offer internet access for crewmembers by using Wi-Fi access and access from the onboard crew internet cafés. Unlike before when crew members had only access per minute, today cruise lines offer various packages such as Social media package and all internet access charged by Megabytes. Compared to the past years the prices had decreased and the internet speed has increased too. However the prices are still high and many crew members feel this is a rip-off, that’s why they are using free wi-fi hotspots in the ports. We decided to find out just how much crew members pay for internet access on various cruise lines and make a comparison. This data is collected by a direct online interview with the crew members working for the following cruise lines: Norwegian Cruise Line, Cunard, Seabourn, Oceania, Regent Seven Seas, MSC Cruises, Azamara Club Cruises.

The internet speed depends on how many people use the onboard satellite system and ships location. Busy times are usually after 10 p.m. Some cruise lines such as NCL offer half rate after 2 a.m.

Cruise Lines with Free Internet access for crew:

• Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line Crew Internet
• The internet onboard Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line ships is free of charge for the crew members from 9 am to 5 pm.
• Virgin Voyages Crew Internet
• Virgin Voyages announced that the onboard internet will be free of charge for the crew members.
• Viking Ocean Cruises Crew Internet
• The internet onboard Viking cruise ships is free of charge for the crew members.
• Aida Cruises
• The German Cruise line AIDA Cruises provides 500 megabytes a month of free internet per crew when the ship is in port.

Disney Cruise Line Free Texting For Crew

Starting 31 October 2019, Disney Cruise Line will provide free texting for crew members across the fleet, making it easier for the shipboard teams to stay connected. The free service will be available fleet wide including Disney Magic, Disney Wonder, Disney Fantasy, and Disney Dream. This will allow the crew to stay in contact with family and friends back home from the comfort of the cruise ship. Shipboard employees with iOS and Android mobile devices will be able to send and receive unlimited texting and use Whatsapp while on board, free of charge.

Holland America Line Free Texting For Crew

Starting 17 December 2019, Holland America Line will provide free WhatsApp texting, making it easier for the crew members to stay connected.

Here are the Onboard Internet prices for cruise ship crew members:

• Norwegian Cruise Line Crew Internet Prices
• 55 Minutes Internet Package for crew is $5 = 9 Cents per minute
• 110 Minutes Internet Package for crew is $10 = 9 Cents per minute
• 220 Minutes Internet Package for crew is $20 = 9 Cents per minute
• There is a pick on port days and at 2 am where they charge half the amount of time spent.
• Regent Seven Seas and Oceania Cruises Crew Internet Prices
• 55 Minutes Internet Package for crew is $5 = 9 Cents per minute
• 110 Minutes Internet Package for crew is $10 = 9 Cents per minute
• 220 Minutes Internet Package for crew is $20 = 9 Cents per minute
• 83 Megabyte Package for crew is $5 - Price per 1MB= 6 Cents
• 167 Megabyte Package for crew is $10 - Price per 1MB= 6 Cents
• 334 Megabyte Package for crew is $20 - Price per 1MB= 6 Cents
• Princess Cruises Crew Internet Prices
• 222 Megabyte Package for crew is $20 - Price per 1MB= 9 Cents
• 667 Megabyte Package for crew is $40 - Price per 1MB= 6 Cents
• Holland America Line Crew Internet Prices
• 50 Megabyte Package is $5 - Price per 1MB= 10 Cents
• 220 Megabyte Package is $10 - Price per 1MB= 4.5 Cents
• 668 Megabyte Package is $20 - Price per 1MB= 3 Cents
• Cunard Line Crew Internet Prices
• Cunard crew can purchase $28 social media package which includes 28 days unlimited access to social media like Facebook Instagram WhatsApp.
• Cunard Crew onboard packages by MB
• 100 Megabyte Package for crew is $7.5 - Price per 1MB= 7.5 Cents
• 300 Megabyte Package for crew is $15 - Price per 1MB= 5 Cents
• 500 Megabyte Package for crew is $22.5 - Price per 1MB= 4.5 Cents
• 1000 Megabyte Package for crew is $37.5 - Price per 1MB= 3.4 Cents
• Costa Cruises Internet Prices for crew members
• According to Costa Cruises internet policy crew pays 7 euro cents per minute at sea, and 5 euro cents per minute in port During the seasons in the Caribbean, South America or China crew pays in US dollars.
• Azamara Club Cruises Crew Internet Prices
• 40 Minutes Internet Package for crew is $5 = 12.5 Cents per minute
• 90 Minutes Internet Package for crew is $10 = 11 Cents per minute
• 200 Minutes Internet Package for crew is $20 = 10 Cents per minute
• 375 Minutes Internet Package for crew is $30 = 8 Cents per minute
• Seabourn Crew Internet Prices and Packages
• 50 Megabyte Plan for crew is $5 - Price per 1MB= 10 Cents
• 222 Megabyte Plan for crew is $20 - Price per 1MB= 9 Cents
• 667 Megabyte Plan for crew is $40- Price per 1MB= 6 Cents
• MSC Cruises Crew Internet Prices and Packages
• Daily Internet Package for crew
• Social media package for crew is 1, 5 Euros per day. You can use Facebook, Instagram WhatsApp, and other social media but you can’t make calls, only messages.
• Monthly Internet Social Media Package for crew
• 30 Euros package allows you 24 hours monthly access to all social media except no calls or video calls and no YouTube videos.
• 900 Megabyte Plan for crew is 10 Euros - Price per MB= 1 Euro Cent
• With this package, you have access to all internet features and you can make audio or video calls via social networks.
• New Revises Wi-Fi Prices for crew on MSC Cruises

• Carnival Cruise Line Crew Internet Prices and Packages
• Old Price List
• Pay by the minute is 19 Cents
• One hour continuous access is 7 dollars which is 11 cents per minute
• Other crew internet packages include: 
• 120 Minutes Internet Package for crew is $20 = 16 Cents per minute
• 360 Minutes Internet Package for crew is $50 = 14 Cents per minute
• 1000 Minutes Internet Package for crew is $120 = 12 Cents per minute
• 2500 Minutes Internet Package for crew is $200 = 8 Cents per minute
• Carnival Cruise Line New Price List

50 Megabyte Package is $5 - Price per 1MB= 10 Cents

220 Megabyte Package is $20 - Price per 1MB= 9 Cents

667 Megabyte Package is $40 - Price per 1MB= 6 Cents

AIDA Cruises Crew Internet prices

• Package: Quick Check (50 MB data volume is 1 Euro) Valid for 3 days.
• Package: L (1GB data volum is 10 Euros) Valid for 30 days.
• Package: L (5GB data volum is 40 Euros) Valid for 30 days.

Cruise Lines with low internet rates for crew

According to this data collected in March 2018, MSC Cruises offers the lowest internet rate per 1MB which is only 1 Eurocent, with their 10 Euro - 900 Megabyte Package. Cunard Line has also a good deal for the crew by offering 1000 Megabyte Package for $37.5 which is 3.4 Cents per 1MB.

Cruise Lines with high internet rates for crew

The analysis has shown that Carnival Cruise Line has by far the most expensive internet for crew ranging from 19 cents to 8 cents per minute. Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania, and Regent, which belong to the same company, have also high internet rates for the crew (9 Cents per minute or 6 Cents per 1MB. Azamara Club Cruises which is owned by Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd charges crew 8 to 12.5 Cents per minute depending on the purchased internet package. Seabourn Crew Internet Prices range from 6 to 10 cents depending on the Package, and Princess Cruises is charging 6 to 9 Cents per Megabyte.