Why Is Cruise Ship WIFI So Expensive?

By Anna Duncan

Cruise ships are often seen as a luxurious vacation choice, but one of the most frustrating aspects of a cruise can be the costly price of internet access. Many travelers are wondering why cruise ship WiFi is so expensive.

The cost of providing WiFi on a cruise ship is much higher than it would be on land. Cruise ships are constantly moving, so satellite connections must be used to provide internet access onboard. This type of connection is more expensive than traditional land-based broadband connections and can require more complex equipment and maintenance.

In addition to the infrastructure costs, there is also the issue of bandwidth. Cruise ships have limited bandwidth due to their size, which means that internet speeds will be much slower than what passengers would expect from a land-based connection. As such, cruise lines have to charge more for internet access in order to cover these costs.

Cruise lines also have to factor in the costs associated with providing customer support for their internet services. Providing technical assistance for customers who are having trouble connecting or getting online can be time consuming and costly for the cruise line.

Finally, cruise lines may also view their WiFi services as a way to generate additional revenue from passengers who want to stay connected during their voyage. Since many cruises are already paid for upfront before embarking on their journey, charging extra for internet access may seem like an easy way for cruise lines to make some additional profit.

Conclusion:

Cruise ship WiFi is expensive due to the high cost of providing satellite connections, limited bandwidth available onboard, customer support costs and the potential for additional revenue. While this may be inconvenient for passengers who want to stay connected while at sea, it is an inevitable reality that comes along with taking a vacation on a cruise ship.