Recently, Carnival Cruise Line confiscated a passenger’s Starlink Mini portable satellite dish, highlighting ongoing challenges with cruise internet connectivity and updated policies on what is allowed aboard their ships.
Richard Shillington, a YouTuber who runs the “No Pants Profits” channel, faced this firsthand during a 15-night roundtrip cruise aboard the Carnival Miracle. During his journey from San Francisco to Hawaii with nine sea days, Shillington sought to bring his own internet solution – a Starlink Mini. But this move would soon land him in trouble with the Carnival Cruise WiFi policy.
Why Bring a Starlink Mini on a Carnival Cruise?
Shillington’s intention was to stay connected during the voyage for his YouTube channel. Like many cruise passengers, he was concerned about the connectivity and speed of the ship’s WiFi packages, especially in the deep Pacific where internet coverage is spotty at best. Investing $599 for the Starlink Mini and $250 per month for its satellite service over the ocean, he planned to circumvent the need to purchase Carnival’s WiFi packages.
During his time on the cruise, Shillington ran tests to compare the connectivity options available to him. Testing Carnival’s WiFi package against the Starlink Mini, the results were surprising. While Carnival’s Premium WiFi package offered download speeds under 4 Mbps, his Starlink Mini reached speeds of 123 Mbps – a drastic improvement in internet speed while at sea. But his excitement was short-lived.
Carnival Confiscates the Starlink Mini: A Clash with Cruise Policy
Shortly after posting a video about his experience with the Starlink Mini to his YouTube channel, Shillington was called to the hotel director’s office aboard the Carnival Miracle. There, he was informed that bringing the satellite dish violated Carnival’s policies, resulting in the confiscation of his device.
According to Shillington, the cruise line’s prohibited items list initially banned “satellite discs,” which he found vague and unclear. Carnival Cruise Line has since updated this list to explicitly state that “satellite dishes” are not allowed onboard. This amendment clarifies that devices like the Starlink Mini fall under the banned items for the safety and regulation of the cruise line’s technology.
Carnival Cruise WiFi Policy: Pricing and Connectivity Challenges
Shillington’s case sheds light on the common complaints about cruise ship WiFi: it’s expensive and often slow. Carnival Cruise Line’s Premium WiFi Plan costs $21.25 per person per day, adding up to a significant expense on longer cruises – $318.75 for Shillington’s 15-night voyage. However, passengers can save approximately 15% if they pre-purchase the package, reducing the cost by about $48.
Carnival offers several internet packages to cater to varying needs:
- Social Plan: Starts at $15.30 per person per day and allows access to social media platforms like Instagram and Facebook. Streaming services like Netflix are excluded.
- Value Plan: At $19.55 per person per day, this package provides faster speeds than the Social Plan, but it is still not optimal for heavy internet use.
- Multi-Device Premium WiFi Plan: For those with multiple devices, this new plan can connect up to four devices for $75 per day.
The packages are designed to suit various passenger needs, but the connectivity may still falter during at-sea days when the ship is further from land-based signals.
Carnival Upgrades Its Fleet with Starlink WiFi
Interestingly, Carnival Corporation has been working to improve onboard connectivity. As of May 2024, the entire Carnival Cruise Line fleet, along with sister brands like Holland America and Princess Cruises, were upgraded with Starlink WiFi access. This major step forward is designed to enhance the guest experience, addressing common complaints about slow and unreliable internet on cruise ships.
Carnival Corporation CEO Josh Weinstein praised the Starlink rollout, stating, “Starlink has been a game-changer for the onboard connectivity experience our cruise lines deliver to their guests, and we’ve already seen a surge in guest satisfaction and positive feedback from the super-fast and reliable WiFi service we provide onboard.”
Starlink, developed by SpaceX, uses a network of over 6,000 low-Earth orbit satellites, aiming to deliver fast download speeds and reduced latency. Shillington’s own tests confirmed Starlink’s speeds can exceed 100 Mbps, vastly outperforming traditional cruise internet options. However, he also found that the service is not flawless; for instance, he demonstrated that TVs in the ship’s sports bar were not consistently connected to the internet, showing that even the new technology has some challenges.
What Should You Know Before Bringing Tech Gadgets on a Cruise?
For tech-savvy travelers like Shillington, the lure of staying well-connected during a cruise is enticing, but it’s crucial to understand cruise line policies before bringing advanced technology like satellite dishes. While devices like the Starlink Mini promise superior connectivity, they violate the Carnival Cruise WiFi policy, potentially resulting in confiscation and a less-than-ideal situation for passengers.
Carnival Cruise Line, like many cruise companies, aims to ensure fair and safe usage of technology on board. By prohibiting personal satellite dishes, they can better regulate the ship’s overall connectivity, ensuring that all guests have fair access to the available WiFi network.
Staying Connected While Adhering to Cruise Policies
Although Richard Shillington had to give up his Starlink Mini during his voyage on the Carnival Miracle, he remains an avid cruiser and plans to embark on two more Carnival cruises this year. His story serves as a reminder to all cruise passengers to carefully review cruise line policies on technology and WiFi usage. While Carnival’s recent upgrade to Starlink WiFi offers better connectivity than ever before, passengers should rely on the approved WiFi packages to stay connected without violating any rules.
For those planning a cruise and concerned about internet connectivity, it’s essential to weigh the costs and benefits of the available WiFi packages, and to remember that despite new advancements, at-sea connectivity may still have limitations.
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