The last cruise I was on was back in September of 2009. Western Caribbean (Grand Cayman, Cozumel, Costa Maya, Belize, and a few days at sea). Back then the only internet was via an on-board internet café powered by ship-to-shore radio. It was awful, and really low bandwidth. Only good for email really. It's good that expanding technology has created more options, including via mobile data (3G/4G/5G), and satellite data. Then again, you're supposed to be unplugged and relaxing, not tweeting and scrolling TikTok!
Discussion
Yes, I am conflicted. I want to try this as it’s new technology, but I also enjoy disconnected sea days!
What cruises are you traveling? Most of those I’ve been on recently have deals that include Starlink Internet. Speeds are pretty respectable and use the same comms link as what you’ll get with cellular at sea. I forget the last time I had to pay for Internet on a cruise.
It’s an eSIM not WiFi.
The idea is you have one eSIM for port, land and sea.
It’s less relevant for me because I actually prefer not to be connected when at sea and my SIM has a lot of roaming built in, especially around the EU.
I understand that, but at sea the SIM service is provided by the cruise ship communications, which is the same as they use for WiFi. It’s all satellite. Speeds on your SIM data will be comparable if not slower than the WiFi provided by the ship. As mentioned, most cruises throw in free Internet as part of their incentives.
Nope, you’re not understanding it.
If you’re happy with what you’re doing ignore this, if you’re curious, research more, it’s much cleverer than you think it is.
Help me understand. How are you using eSIM on a ship without cell towers in the ocean and not using the ship’s infrastructure?