Want to watch Netflix while you take your cruise? Or not just Netflix, but Prime, Hulu, HBO, Disney+, or any other number of other streaming options?
You’re not alone, and the good news is that if you want to binge your favorite show while in the middle of the ocean… it’s possible.
The funny thing is, you could watch every cruise commercial ever made and you’d never see is people just relaxing in the cabin, watching TV. And while we feel a little guilty to admit it, one of favorite things to do on a cruise is put our feet up and watch the tube after a long day of being out and about in the sun. It’s relaxing, and a perfect way to unwind.
Like many people, streaming is how we watch content. We love that we can take it anywhere on our laptop or iPad — watching on the road, in bed, or just sitting on the couch.
Of course, where the love of cruising and the love of streaming intersect, there is an important question. Can you watch Netflix — or any other number of services — on a cruise?
Just a few years ago, the answer was no. Today, however, you CAN watch streaming services on a cruise, although it sometimes takes some planning ahead.
Option #1: Downloading Shows for Viewing on a Cruise
By far the simplest way to watch your favorite shows is to download them before you get on the ship.
Netflix and other services have a ton of programming that you can download and then watch later, with or without an internet connection. This is the absolute best way to make sure you can watch your show while you are in the middle of the ocean.
When you download your shows beforehand, you don’t have to worry about the speed or strength of your Internet connection on the ship — which can sometimes be spotty. As well, you don’t have to pay for wi-fi, which can be expensive on a cruise.
The downside is that not every show in the Netflix library is available for download. If you have a show you’re in the middle of watching, you might not be able to watch this way.
As well, if you don’t know what you want to watch before you get onboard, then you’ll need to have a wi-fi connection on the ship to browse titles.
Option #2: Streaming While on Your Cruise
Can you stream Netflix, Disney+, HBO, or any other number of services while at sea? The answer is maybe, depending on your internet connection.
First things first, if you want to stream then, you’ll need to purchase an wi-fi access on the cruise. Wi-fi Internet is available on every major cruise ship.
Service usually ranges from lower-priced packages that allow you to access the web at slower speeds or only access select websites, up to higher-priced packages that gives you the fastest speeds and access to (nearly) everything. You’ll need to have the fastest service available in order to stream programs.
While prices will vary, you can expect to pay $15-30 per day for access to the highest-level of service, depending on your cruise line. In general, you can expect streaming to be allowed if you purchase the top-tier wi-fi package.
But even though streaming is largely allowed, it’s no guarantee that it will work well. While the technology has advanced, internet on a cruise can still be spotty. Given the connection needed, you might find the picture fuzzy, or simply not able to stream at times.
We’ve found that wi-fi connections on ships are typically around 3-5 Mbps — near the minimum required to stream in HD. (The speed, however, can vary from below 1 Mbps to more than 10 Mbps.) The good news is that we’ve generally been able stream services without too many problems or interruptions. At times the picture may not be HD, but it’s usually always usable.
So for that reason we first suggest to download your show ahead of time if possible. Then you can also stream beyond that if you want.
We’ve outlined the policies for the biggest cruise lines below.
Can I Stream on Carnival?
Yes, while Carnival used to only allow streaming on select ships, it is now available fleetwide. According to Carnival’s website, with it’s highest-tier plan:
“You can stream movies, video chat, monitor your home and browse the web seamlessly, including apps like Netflix, Hulu, Spotify, FaceTime, Zoom, and Ring where coverage allows. “
To access your account and watch at sea, you must purchase the “Premium Wi-Fi Plan” while you sail. This runs around $25 per day, depending on if you purchase before your cruise (cheaper) or onboard (more expensive).
Can I Stream on Royal Caribbean?
Yes. Royal Caribbean offers VOOM, which it claims is the fastest internet at sea. This package is available across the fleet.
Once purchased, you can watch your shows when you want. Just know that despite being fast for internet on a cruise ship, VOOM can still sometimes have slower periods where your picture might not be in high-definition.
Can I Stream on Norwegian Cruise Lines?
Yes. Norwegian offers high-speed Internet access onboard that allows you to stream. You’ll need to purchase the “Streaming Voyage Wi-Fi Pass.”
This package gives you access to Netflix and other streaming services. The less expensive “Voyage Wi-Fi Package” does not enable streaming on the cruise.
Helpful Hint: Bring Your Own Device
One thing that we haven’t explicitly mentioned is that you should bring your own device to watch your shows. Every cabin will have its own TV, but we have yet to see any “smart” TVs that have Netflix (or any other streaming service) built in. Instead, it’s just a handful of channels that you can watch. See our cruise TV channel lineups here.
To binge your shows, you’ll want to have your favorite app on your phone, tablet, or computer. Also keep in mind that TVs on cruise ships usually have their input ports disabled, so you normally aren’t able to broadcast your show onto the cabin television.
The bottom line? Yes, one way or another you should be able to watch a streaming service on your cruise, although it might not always be perfect. We’d suggest finding titles to download before you sail. These allow you to watch without an internet connection.
Beyond that, cruise lines offer high-speed wi-fi that can allow you to watch in many cases. It is just more expensive and less reliable to watch this way.
