Cruise ships have never been more popular. People love the way they make it so easy to travel to far-flung corners of the world. Passengers now expect to be able to stay online throughout their trip, but despite advances in technology, many still encounter challenges in staying connected.
The Problem with Starlink
The cruise industry is booming, and in 2025, a record 37.2 million passengers enjoyed a trip on a cruise ship. But just like any other type of trip, those passengers want to stay connected during their cruise.
Starlink provided a new solution. Many major cruise lines have now fitted their fleets with Starlink terminals so they can get access to fast internet anywhere in the world. This is great for passengers, who can now enjoy using the internet in ways they couldn’t before, like streaming videos and making video calls from the middle of the ocean.
But there are still a few problems with Starlink. Capacity is still shared, so when thousands of guests all want to use the same connection, like in the evening, speeds can take a hit.
Then there’s the cost. Wi-Fi is still a daily add-on, and every night a traveler connects, their bill gets more expensive. Obviously, this varies by ship and route, but prices tend to be high.
In fact, prices seem to be increasing. In December 2025 and early 2026, Carnival Cruise Line and Disney Cruise Line raised their Wi-Fi prices. All those satellite systems cost money to install and operate, after all.
Port Days Are a Big Gap
Of course, cruise ship passengers aren’t always on the ship. Port calls are part of the experience, and passengers spend many hours ashore, enjoying the different places on their itinerary. But they may find they’re unable to connect to the ship’s network. As soon as they step off the gangway, they need a way to connect if they want to access maps, GPS, online reviews, and more.
If they connect directly to local carriers, they can be caught off guard by expensive roaming charges. The alternative for many is to seek out a local SIM card at every stop. But finding a shop, queueing up, and swapping out the SIM can be a hassle and reduce their limited time for exploring. As such, they only solve part of the problem. That’s where another solution comes into play.
How eSIMs Can Help
eSIMs have very little friction because the profile is installed on the device. Many recent smartphones support the technology, and people simply install the eSIM before they leave home. They choose a plan covering the countries they’ll visit, and when they step ashore, it connects to a local network automatically, but without the roaming fees.
In addition, there are dedicated plans like the cruise eSIM for staying connected out at sea. The cruise eSIM works when passengers are 12 nautical miles or more from a coast, and it connects automatically, helping to reduce how much onboard Wi-Fi passengers need.
Travelers can now stay covered for their entire trip, whether out at sea or on port days, using solutions like eSIMs. Some may choose to combine options, like using the Wi-Fi sparingly while on the ship, then connecting via an eSIM on port days for instant access to maps, translation, and mobile payments.
This way, they can split the load, which helps to keep the Wi-Fi costs down onboard and cuts roaming fees ashore. Cruise lines may start leaning into this approach too. They already sell Wi-Fi packages, so they might start pointing guests to the best eSIM options to improve the experience on port days.
On-Board Connectivity Matters
Staying connected is more important than ever before. Wherever people go, they want to have the reassurance of being able to send an email and make a video call. Cruise ships are no different, and being connected increases the comfort level for passengers while out in the ocean.
Connectivity is increasingly an issue when people choose their cruise line. If cruise lines get it right, not just at sea but in port, this will stand out. The best experience for travelers will combine satellite Wi-Fi with eSIMs, and travelers who go prepared will have fewer surprises when they check their bill after arriving home.
