How to upgrade wifi onboard royal carbbean cruise?

Reliable internet at sea has shifted from a luxury to a necessity. Whether you’re working remotely, staying in touch with family, or streaming entertainment, many cruisers eventually ask:

“How do I upgrade Wi-Fi onboard a Royal Caribbean cruise?”

The good news is that Royal Caribbean makes it relatively easy to upgrade your Wi-Fi package during your cruise, but the process, costs, and best strategies depend on timing, ship technology, and how you plan to use the internet.

Understanding Royal Caribbean Internet (VOOM®)

Royal Caribbean’s onboard internet service is branded as VOOM® Internet, one of the most advanced cruise Wi-Fi systems currently available.

Unlike early cruise internet systems that were limited to email, VOOM is designed to support:

• Messaging apps (WhatsApp, iMessage)

• Social media

• Voice and video calls

• Streaming services (with the right plan)

Why Cruise Ship Wi-Fi Is Different from Home Internet

Cruise ships rely primarily on satellite internet, not fiber-optic cables or land-based cellular networks. According to the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC):

• Satellite connections have higher latency

• Bandwidth is shared among thousands of guests

• Performance varies based on weather, ship location, and network congestion

To improve speeds, Royal Caribbean has deployed Starlink (SpaceX) low-Earth orbit satellites across most of its fleet, significantly reducing latency compared to older satellite systems.

Authoritative sources:

• Royal Caribbean Group – Technology & Innovation Updates

• FCC.gov – Satellite Communications Overview

• ITU.int – Maritime Connectivity

Why You Might Need to Upgrade Wi-Fi Mid-Cruise

Many travelers initially purchase a lower-tier internet plan, only to realize later that it doesn’t meet their needs.

Common reasons passengers upgrade Wi-Fi onboard include:

• Needing to make voice or video calls

• Remote work requirements (Zoom, Teams)

• Streaming entertainment

• Sharing photos and videos on social media

• Unexpected family or work obligations

From a behavioral standpoint, this aligns with findings published in Harvard Business Review, which notes that travelers increasingly value digital continuity, even during leisure travel.

Types of Royal Caribbean Wi-Fi Packages Explained

Royal Caribbean typically offers two main VOOM internet tiers. Exact names and prices may vary by ship and sailing.

VOOM Internet Package Comparison

Key takeaway: Upgrading Wi-Fi usually means moving from VOOM Surf to VOOM Surf + Stream.

Can You Upgrade Wi-Fi Onboard? (Official Policy)

The Official Answer

Yes, you can upgrade your Wi-Fi package onboard a Royal Caribbean cruise.

Royal Caribbean allows guests to:

• Upgrade internet plans mid-cruise

• Switch from Surf to Surf + Stream

• Add additional devices (in some cases)

According to Royal Caribbean’s official VOOM policy, changes can be made directly through the onboard Wi-Fi portal or the Royal Caribbean app.

Source:

• RoyalCaribbean.com – VOOM Internet FAQ

Step-by-Step: How to Upgrade Wi-Fi Onboard a Royal Caribbean Cruise

Step 1: Connect to the Ship’s Wi-Fi

• Enable Wi-Fi on your device

• Select the ship’s network

• Open a browser (or Royal Caribbean app)

You’ll be redirected to the VOOM login portal.

Step 2: Log In to Your VOOM Account

• Enter your stateroom number and last name

• Access your current internet plan details

Step 3: Select “Upgrade” or “Change Plan”

If your current plan is eligible for an upgrade, you’ll see:

• Available higher-tier packages

• Price difference (prorated for remaining cruise days)

Step 4: Review Pricing and Confirm

Royal Caribbean typically charges only the difference between plans for the remaining days of the cruise.

Example:

• Original plan: VOOM Surf

• Upgrade to: Surf + Stream

• Cost: Prorated daily difference × remaining days

Step 5: Complete Payment and Restart Connection

• Confirm payment method on file

• Log out and reconnect to Wi-Fi

• New plan usually activates within minutes

Upgrading Wi-Fi Before vs During the Cruise

Pre-Cruise Upgrade

Pros:

• Lower pricing (often discounted)

• No interruptions onboard

• Better planning

Cons:

• Hard to predict actual usage needs

Onboard Upgrade

Pros:

• Pay only if you need it

• Adjust based on real experience

Cons:

• Usually more expensive

• Limited promotions

Expert insight:From a cost-efficiency standpoint, Consumer Reports recommends purchasing the lowest plan initially and upgrading only if usage demands increase—especially for short cruises.

Cost Differences and What to Expect

Typical Pricing Structure (Approximate)

Prices vary based on:

• Ship class

• Sailing demand

• Length of cruise

• Promotions

Common Problems When Upgrading Wi-Fi (and How to Fix Them)

Upgrade Option Not Showing

Solution:

• Log out and back into the VOOM portal

• Restart your device

• Visit Guest Services if unresolved

Upgrade Charged Twice

Solution:

• Take screenshots of receipts

• Contact Guest Services onboard

• Royal Caribbean typically resolves billing issues quickly

Internet Speed Doesn’t Improve

Possible causes:

• Network congestion

• Peak usage hours

• Weather interference

Solution:

• Test during off-peak hours (early morning, late night)

Expert Tips to Get the Best Value from Your Wi-Fi Upgrade

Drawing from real-world cruise experience and digital communication best practices:

• Upgrade only when needed, not automatically

• Share one upgraded device among family members (log in/out)

• Use text and voice calls instead of video

• Turn off cloud backups and app auto-updates

• Use public areas with stronger Wi-Fi signals

Research from NIH.gov and WHO on digital communication reliability supports reducing background data usage to improve performance on constrained networks.

Privacy, Security, and Fair-Use Policies

Is Upgraded Wi-Fi Secure?

Royal Caribbean uses encrypted connections, but public Wi-Fi best practices still apply:

• Avoid sensitive financial transactions

• Use VPNs if required for work

• Log out when finished

Fair-Use Policy

Royal Caribbean may throttle speeds for:

• Excessive streaming

• Network abuse

• Bandwidth-heavy applications

This is standard practice across the cruise industry.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Can I upgrade Wi-Fi for just one day?

Usually no. Upgrades apply to remaining cruise days.

2. Can I downgrade Wi-Fi after upgrading?

Generally no. Downgrades are not supported.

3. Can multiple people share one upgraded plan?

Yes, but only one device can be logged in at a time.

4. Does upgrading Wi-Fi improve signal strength?

It improves speed and access, not physical signal range.

5. Is Wi-Fi better on newer Royal Caribbean ships?

Yes. Ships with Starlink typically perform better.

6. Can I upgrade Wi-Fi for only one device?

Yes. Plans are per device, not per cabin.

7. Does weather affect upgraded Wi-Fi?

Yes. Severe weather can impact satellite connectivity.

8. Is upgraded Wi-Fi good enough for Zoom calls?

Usually yes, but occasional lag is normal.

9. Can Guest Services upgrade Wi-Fi for me?

Yes, if you encounter technical issues.

10. Is upgrading Wi-Fi worth it for short cruises?

For 3–4 night cruises, many guests find basic Surf sufficient.

Final Verdict: Is Upgrading Wi-Fi Onboard Worth It?

Yes—upgrading Wi-Fi onboard a Royal Caribbean cruise is worth it if your connectivity needs change mid-cruise.

Expert conclusion:

• Casual users → VOOM Surf is usually enough

• Remote work / video calls → Upgrade to Surf + Stream

• Best strategy → Start basic, upgrade only if needed

Royal Caribbean’s flexible upgrade system allows travelers to adapt without committing upfront, making it one of the more user-friendly internet offerings in the cruise industry.

Authoritative Sources Referenced

• Royal Caribbean International (Official Website)

• FCC.gov – Satellite Communications

• ITU.int – Maritime Internet Infrastructure

• ConsumerReports.org

• Harvard Business Review – Digital Connectivity Trends

• NIH.gov – Network Reliability Research

• WHO – Digital Communication Best Practices

If you’d like, I can also:

• Compare Royal Caribbean Wi-Fi with Disney or Carnival

• Create a ship-by-ship Starlink performance guide

• Help you decide the best internet plan for your itinerary

Just let me know what you’d like next.