P&O Cruises Wi-Fi explained: Packages, prices and what to expect

Last updated: 12/06/2026 

If you’re used to having the internet at your fingertips, the idea of being at sea for days at a time can feel a little daunting. Whether you want to keep in touch with family, check the news, browse social media or catch up on a few emails, it’s natural to wonder what kind of internet access you’ll have during your cruise. 

The good news is that all P&O Cruises ships offer onboard Wi-Fi. However, the internet at sea works a little differently from the connection you’re used to at home. There are different packages available, speeds can vary depending on where you’re sailing and not every guest will need to buy a package at all. 

In this guide, we’ll explain everything you need to know about P&O Cruises Wi-Fi, including the available packages, what they cost, how they work and what you can realistically expect once you’re onboard. 

Yes, all P&O Cruises ships offer onboard Wi-Fi, so you won’t have to spend your entire holiday disconnected from the outside world unless you want to.

The service is available throughout the fleet and can be accessed from most public areas, lounges, restaurants and cabins. In recent years, P&O Cruises has also introduced Starlink technology across its ships, improving internet speeds and reliability compared to traditional satellite connections. 

That said, it’s worth remembering that the internet at sea isn’t quite the same as the internet on land. Your connection is still being delivered via satellite, so speeds can vary depending on factors such as your location, the weather and how many people are online at the same time.

For more guests, though, the onboard Wi-Fi is more than capable of handling everyday internet use. The next step is deciding whether you actually need a Wi-Fi package and, if you do, which one is right for you. 

Useful links: Arcadia | Arvia | Aurora | Azura | Britannia | Iona | Ventura 

Not necessarily. While many guests choose to purchase a Wi-Fi package during their cruise, others are perfectly happy without one. It really comes down to how connected you want to be while you’re away. 

If you’re planning to spend your days exploring ashore, relaxing by the pool and enjoying everything the ship has to offer, you may find you don’t need internet access as often as you expect. Many guests use free Wi-Fi in ports, cafés or terminals when they’re ashore and simply disconnect while at sea. 

It’s also worth remembering that not everything onboard requires a paid Wi-Fi package. P&O Cruises’ My Holiday app is free to use throughout your cruise. Simply connect to the ship’s Wi-Fi network, and you’ll be able to view daily activities, browse restaurant menus, manage bookings and keep track of your onboard account without purchasing internet access. 

Of course, if you’d like to browse the web, use social media, send messages or stream content while you’re at sea, you’ll need to purchase a Wi-Fi package. The good news is that P&O Cruises offers different options depending on how you plan to use the internet during your holiday. 

P&O Cruises currently offers two Wi-Fi packages: Essential Wi-Fi and Ultimate Wi-Fi. Both provide unlimited internet access, but they’re designed for different types of users. 

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. 

If you’re mainly planning to browse the web, check emails, use social media and send messages, Essential Wi-Fi will usually be more than enough. It’s designed for everyday internet use and is often the most popular option for guests who simply want to stay connected while they’re away. 

✔️ Web browsing

✔️ Email

✔️ Social media

✔️ Texts and images 

For more frequent internet users, Ultimate Wi-Fi includes everything available in the Essential package, along with video streaming, voice and video calls and video content on social media platforms. If you’re hoping to make FaceTime calls, join video meetings or stream films and TV shows, this is the package you’ll want to consider. 

✔️ Web browsing 

✔️ Email

✔️ Social media, including video

✔️ Texts and images

✔️ Music and video streaming

✔️ Voice and video calls 

At the time of writing, Essential Wi-Fi starts from around £14 per day when purchased for the full cruise, while Ultimate Wi-Fi starts from around £20 per day. Guests can also choose pay-as-you-go options, although these tend to be more expensive per day. Prices can vary depending on the length of your cruise and the number of devices connected, so it’s always worth checking the latest rates before you travel.

One useful tip is that Wi-Fi packages can usually be purchased before you sail through My P&O Cruises, often at a lower rate than buying onboard. 

In most cases, yes. As long as you’ve purchased a Wi-Fi package, you’ll be able to use many of the apps and websites you use at home. The main difference is that some features require the more advanced Ultimate Wi-Fi package. 

Yes, WhatsApp works on both Essential Wi-Fi and Ultimate Wi-Fi, making it easy to stay in touch with friends and family while you’re away. Whether you’re sending messages, sharing photos or checking group chats, most guests will find the Essential package is enough for everyday WhatsApp use. 

Yes, social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, X and TikTok can all be accessed through P&O Cruises’ Wi-Fi packages. If your main goal is sharing holiday photos, browsing your feed or keeping up with friends, Essential Wi-Fi is usually sufficient. 

If you’re planning to use FaceTime, Zoom, Microsoft Teams or other video calling services, you’ll need Ultimate Wi-Fi. These services require more bandwidth than messaging or browsing, which is why they’re only included in the higher-tier package. 

Yes, but you’ll need Ultimate Wi-Fi. This package is designed for guests who want to stream films, TV shows, and video content while on board. As with any satellite internet connection, streaming quality can vary depending on demand and your location at sea.

Many guests use P&O Cruises’ Wi-Fi to check emails, access cloud-based documents and stay on top of work while travelling. However, if you’ll be relying on video meetings, large file transfers or other data-heavy tasks, Ultimate Wi-Fi is likely to be the better option. 

In recent years, P&O Cruises has introduced Starlink technology across its fleet, helping to improve internet speeds and reliability onboard. As a result, many guests find the Wi-Fi more than capable of handling everyday online activities, whether that’s browsing the web, using social media or making video calls with the appropriate package. 

That said, it’s important to set realistic expectations. Even with Starlink, you’re still connecting to the internet from a ship at sea rather than from your living room. Connection speeds can vary depending on whether you’re sailing, the weather and how many guests are using the network at the same time.  

For most people, this won’t be a problem. Sending messages, checking emails, browsing websites, and sharing photos should feel fairly straightforward. Activities that require a stronger connection, such as streaming high-definition video or joining long video meetings, may be more affected by speed fluctuations.

If you’re expecting the same experience as a home fibre broadband connection, you may be disappointed. However, if your goal is to stay connected while enjoying your holiday, most guests find P&O Cruises’ Wi-Fi performs perfectly well for everyday use. 

Yes, but there is an important limitation to be aware of.

P&O Cruises’ Wi-Fi packages can be used across multiple devices, so you can log in on your phone, tablet, or laptop with the same package. However, only one device can be connected at a time under a single-device plan.

For example, you could use your Wi-Fi package on your phone during the day and then switch to your laptop in the evening. If you want to use multiple devices simultaneously, you’ll need to purchase a package that supports additional devices. 

This is worth considering before you travel, particularly if you’re sharing a cabin with a partner or family member. While it may be tempting to share one package, it can quickly become frustrating if multiple people want to use the internet at the same time. 

If you’re unsure which option is best, it’s worth checking the latest package details before you sail, as P&O Cruises occasionally updates its Wi-Fi plans and pricing. 

Buying a Wi-Fi package on P&O Cruises is fairly straightforward, and you can do it either before your cruise or once you’re onboard. 

If you already know you’ll want internet access during your holiday, the easiest option is usually to purchase a package through your My P&O Cruises account before you sail. Wi-Fi packages can typically be booked up to a few days before departure, and P&O Cruises often offers a discount for guests who purchase in advance.

Pre-purchasing also means one less thing to think about once you’re onboard, allowing you to get online as soon as your cruise begins. 

Haven’t decided yet? No problem! 

You can also purchase a Wi-Fi package at any point during your cruise through the My Holiday planner. Simply connect to the ship’s Wi-Fi network, open My Holiday and follow the on-screen instructions to choose your package. The cost will then be added to your onboard account.

This can be a useful option if you’d prefer to wait and see how often you need internet access. Some guests choose to buy Wi-Fi for their entire cruise, while others only purchase access on sea days when they’re spending more time onboard. 

Yes. If you decide you need more internet access during your cruise, P&O Cruises allows guests to upgrade from Essential Wi-Fi to Ultimate Wi-Fi. This means you’re not locked into your original choice if your plans change once you’re onboard. 

The answer really depends on how you like to spend your time onboard.

For some guests, a cruise is the perfect opportunity to switch off completely. They might check messages when the ship is in port and spend the rest of their holiday enjoying the restaurants, entertainment and destinations without worrying about what’s happening back home. 

Others prefer to stay connected throughout their trip. Whether that’s keeping in touch with family, managing work commitments or sharing photos from their holiday, having internet access can provide valuable peace of mind.

If you’re only planning to send the occasional message or browse the web, Essential Wi-Fi will usually be enough. Guests who want to stream content, make video calls or use the internet more heavily may find the additional cost of Ultimate Wi-Fi worthwhile. 

It’s also worth considering how often you’ll actually use it. On many itineraries, you’ll have opportunities to connect to mobile networks or local Wi-Fi when the ship is in port. If most of your internet use is on land, you may not need to purchase a package for the entire cruise. 

Ultimately, P&O Cruises’ Wi-Fi is best viewed as a convenience rather than a necessity. Thanks to the introduction of Starlink, the experience is far better than many guests expect from internet at sea, but it’s still not quite the same as being connected at home. For guests who want the flexibility to stay in touch while travelling, it’s often money well spent. 

Yes, you can use your mobile phone on board. However, once the ship is at sea, your phone may connect to a maritime network rather than your usual mobile provider. This can result in significantly higher charges, so it’s important to check with your network before travelling and ensure data roaming is switched off if you don’t plan to use it. 

Yes, Wi-Fi is available throughout P&O Cruises ships, including guest cabins, public areas, lounges and restaurants. Connection quality can vary depending on your location onboard and how many guests are using the network at the same time.

Mobile signal is often available when the ship is close to land or in port. Once you’re further out at sea, coverage can become limited, and your device may connect to a maritime network instead. Charges for using these networks can be considerably higher than standard roaming rates. 

In most cases, yes. Once you’ve connected to the ship’s Wi-Fi network and activated your package, you’ll be able to get online. Guests who purchase Wi-Fi before sailing can usually access their package as soon as services become available onboard.