Cunard Wi-Fi explained: Packages, prices and what to expect

Last updated: 12/10/2026 

Cunard’s ships may be known for their ocean views, elegant surroundings and opportunities to disconnect from everyday life, but that doesn’t mean you have to leave the internet behind completely. Whether you’re hoping to stay in touch with family, check emails, share holiday photos or stream your favourite content, Wi-Fi is available across the Cunard fleet.

In this guide, we’ll explain everything you need to know about Cunard Wi-Fi, including the internet packages available, how much they cost, what you can use them for and whether they’re worth purchasing for your voyage. 

Yes, all Cunard ships offer onboard Wi-Fi, so you can stay connected throughout your voyage if you’d like to. Whether you’re checking emails, sharing holiday photos or keeping in touch with family and friends back home, internet access is available across the fleet. Cunard’s Wi-Fi is powered by Starlink technology, which provides faster and more reliable connectivity at sea than traditional satellite systems. 

The service is available throughout the ship, including staterooms, suites, lounges and public areas. Guests can purchase internet packages before they sail or once onboard, depending on how and when they expect to use the internet during their cruise.

As with any internet service at sea, speeds aren’t always identical to those you’d expect at shore. Your connection depends on satellite coverage, meaning factors such as location, weather conditions, and the number of guests online at any one time can occasionally affect performance. 

For most guests, however, Cunard’s onboard Wi-Fi is more than capable of handling everyday internet use. The next step is deciding whether you need a Wi-Fi package and, if so, which option best suits the way you travel.

Useful links: Queen Anne | Queen Elizabeth | Queen Mary 2 | Queen Victoria 

Not always. Whether you need a Cunard Wi-Fi package largely depends on how connected you want to be during your holiday.

For some guests, a cruise is an opportunity to switch off completely. Days are spent exploring destinations, enjoying the ship’s facilities and making the most of sea days without the distraction of emails, social media notifications and constant messages. In these cases, a Wi-Fi package may not feel essential. 

It’s also worth remembering that not every onboard digital service requires a paid internet package. Cunard’s complimentary My Voyage platform can be accessed by connecting to the ship’s Wi-Fi network, allowing guests to browse daily programmes, reserve restaurants, book activities and manage elements of their cruise from their personal device without purchasing internet access.

That said, certain voyages make staying connected more appealing. Guests embarking on a transatlantic crossing, world voyage or longer itinerary with several consecutive sea days may find a Wi-Fi package particularly useful for keeping in touch with loved ones, following the news or sharing their journey as it happens.

Ultimately, there’s no right or wrong choice. Many guests happily complete an entire Cunard cruise without purchasing internet access, while others consider staying connected an important part of their holiday experience. If you decide you do want internet access at sea, Cunard offers a choice of Wi-Fi packages designed to suit different usage needs. 

Cunard currently offers two internet packages: The Essential Internet Plan and The Premium Internet Plan. Both are powered by Starlink and are designed to help guests stay connected at sea. 

Rather than focusing on the technical differences, it’s often easier to think about what you’ll actually be using the internet for during your cruise. 

The Essential Internet Plan is designed for everyday online activities. If you’re hoping to browse the web, read the news, check emails or stay in touch through messaging apps, this package will usually be more than sufficient. It’s a popular option for guests who simply want to remain connected while they’re away without needing high-bandwidth services. 

☑️ Web browsing 

☑️ Email

☑️ News websites

☑️ Messaging apps

☑️ General day-to-day internet use 

The Premium Internet Plan is designed for guests who want a faster, more robust connection and expect to use data-intensive services throughout their voyage. If you plan to stream films and TV shows, make video calls, or share large amounts of content online, this is likely the better option.

☑️ Web browsing

☑️ Email

☑️ Social media

☑️ Video calls

☑️ Music and video streaming

☑️ Sharing photos and videos 

At the time of writing, Cunard’s Essential Internet Plan starts at US$24 per day when purchased for the full voyage, while the Premium Internet Plan starts at US$33 per day. Guests can also purchase internet access on a 24-hour basis onboard, although this tends to work out more expensive, with the Essential Internet Plan priced at US$30 per 24 hours and the Premium Internet Plan priced at US$50 per 24 hours. Prices can vary depending on the length of your voyage and the package selected, so it’s always worth checking the latest rates before you travel. 

One useful tip: you can buy Wi-Fi packages before you sail through My Cunard, often at a lower rate than onboard. You can buy a Wi-Fi package for your entire voyage up until four days before you sail, saving 10% compared to prices on board. 

For the most part, yes. Cunard’s Wi-Fi packages allow guests to stay connected using many of the same apps and websites they use at home. Whether you’re messaging family during a Mediterranean cruise, uploading photos from Alaska, or joining a video call during a transatlantic crossing, the internet package you choose determines what you can do online at sea. 

Yes. You can use WhatsApp on Cunard’s internet service, making it easy to message friends and family throughout your voyage. If your main goal is sending messages, checking group chats and sharing the occasional holiday photo, Cunard’s Essential Internet Plan will typically provide everything you need. 

Yes, Cunard guests can access popular social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, X, and TikTok, through the ship’s Wi-Fi network. For many travellers, social media is one of the main reasons for purchasing a Wi-Fi package. 

Yes, although you’ll generally need Cunard’s Premium Internet Plan for the best experience. Video calling services such as FaceTime, Zoom, Microsoft Teams and Google Meet require more bandwidth than standard browsing or messaging. If staying visually connected with family, friends, or colleagues is important to you, the Premium Internet Plan is likely the more suitable option. 

Yes. Cunard’s Premium Internet Plan is designed for guests who want to stream films, television programmes, live sport and online video content during their cruise. This can be particularly useful on longer voyages, where guests may wish to supplement Cunard’s onboard entertainment with their favourite streaming platforms. 

Many guests do. With Starlink-powered Wi-Fi available across the fleet, you can check emails, access cloud-based systems, and stay connected to work while travelling. Guests on longer voyages often use Cunard’s internet service to maintain flexibility between life ashore and life at sea.

If your role relies heavily on video meetings, large file uploads, or collaboration platforms, the Premium Internet Plan will generally provide the best experience. 

Cunard’s Wi-Fi is generally reliable, especially since Starlink technology was introduced to the fleet. For most guests, it’s perfectly capable of handling everyday online activities such as browsing the internet, checking emails, using social media and staying in touch with family and friends. 

Like any internet service at sea, however, the experience won’t always match what you might expect at home. Your connection still depends on satellite coverage, which means speeds can vary depending on your location, weather conditions, and how many guests are using the network at the same time.

The good news is that cruise ship Wi-Fi has improved significantly in recent years. Activities that were once frustratingly slow at sea are now much more achievable with the right package.

It’s also worth considering the type of voyage you’re taking. Guests on a short Northern Europe cruise may use the internet very differently from those embarking on a transatlantic crossing or world voyage. On itineraries with multiple consecutive sea days, having reliable onboard Wi-Fi can feel far more valuable than on port-intensive sailings where you’ll regularly have access to mobile data ashore.

Ultimately, if your expectations are realistic, most guests find Cunard’s Wi-Fi more than capable of supporting the online activities they’d typically want to enjoy during their holiday. The key is choosing the package that best matches how you plan to use the internet while you’re onboard. 

Yes, but there are some limitations. Cunard allows guests to use multiple devices on a single Wi-Fi plan. However, only one device can connect and actively use the internet at a time. If you’d like to switch from your smartphone to your laptop, for example, you can simply log in on the new device.

This means some guests choose to share a Wi-Fi package between devices, particularly if they don’t expect to be online at the same time. It can be a useful way to stay connected without purchasing multiple plans.

However, if two people want to use the internet simultaneously, they'll need individual Wi-Fi plans. Cunard states that guests who want to use multiple devices at the same time must purchase additional internet packages.

For many travellers, a single plan is perfectly adequate, especially if it’s only being used occasionally to check messages, browse the web or keep up with social media throughout the day. 

Purchasing Wi-Fi on Cunard is straightforward, whether you prefer to arrange everything before you travel or wait until you’re onboard. Guests can purchase both the Essential and Premium Internet plans before departure or during their cruise, giving you plenty of flexibility depending on your plans. 

If you already know you’ll want internet access during your voyage, it’s usually worth purchasing your Wi-Fi package before you sail. Cunard allows guests to buy internet packages through My Cunard up to four days before departure. As an added benefit, packages purchased in advance receive a 10% discount compared to onboard pricing. 

If you’d rather decide once your holiday begins, you can also purchase Wi-Fi once you join the ship. You can buy internet packages through Cunard’s My Voyage app, either daily or for the duration of your cruise. This flexibility can be helpful if you’re unsure how much internet you'll actually use during your voyage. 

For example, some guests wait until they’re onboard to decide whether they need a package, particularly on itineraries with plenty of ports where they may be able to use mobile data ashore. 

While Cunard lets guests purchase internet access before and during their voyage, package options and availability can vary. If your internet needs change during your cruise, check the latest options through My Voyage or visit Guest Services onboard for help.

For many guests, choosing the right package from the outset is the simplest approach. However, onboard support is available if you have questions about your internet plan or need help selecting the most suitable option for the remainder of your voyage. 

The answer largely depends on how you like to spend your time at sea.  For some guests, a Cunard cruise is the perfect opportunity to disconnect. Many travellers embrace the chance to step away from emails, social media and constant notifications for a while.

Others prefer to stay connected throughout their voyage. Whether that’s keeping in touch with family, sharing photos from a Mediterranean cruise, following the news or checking in with work, onboard internet access can provide valuable convenience and peace of mind. 

If your internet use is relatively light, such as browsing websites, sending messages on WhatsApp or checking emails, the Essential Internet Plan will usually be sufficient. Guests planning to stream content, join video calls or work remotely during their cruise.

Some Cunard World Club membership tiers include complimentary internet credit as part of their loyalty benefits. The amount varies by membership level, so check your specific entitlement before you sail. 

No. You can access Cunard’s My Voyage free of charge once you’re connected to the ship’s Wi-Fi network, so you can browse daily programmes, make dining reservations, and manage various aspects of your cruise without buying an internet package. 

Read next: Cunard’s loyalty programme explained: Benefits, tiers & rewards 

In some ports, yes. When the ship is docked, many guests switch to their mobile provider’s roaming service or connect to local Wi-Fi ashore. However, mobile charges can be expensive depending on your destination, so check with your network provider before travelling.

Cunard’s Wi-Fi is available throughout the ship, including staterooms, suites and public areas. As with any onboard internet service, connection quality can vary depending on your location and how many guests use the network at the same time.

If you know you’ll want internet access throughout your voyage, purchasing before departure can be worthwhile. Cunard currently offers a 10% saving on voyage-long Wi-Fi packages purchased through My Cunard up to four days before sailing.