Is the Voom internet package on Royal Caribbean cruise ships actually worth it? This is one of the most common and confusing questions among cruise travelers, especially those sailing for the first time. The idea of fast Wi-Fi in the middle of the ocean sounds convenient — but it also comes at a cost. Voom is promoted as the fastest internet at sea, claiming speeds comparable to land-based broadband connections. Some travelers say it’s perfect, others say it depends on expectations. That means the answer is not as simple as yes or no — instead, it depends on your travel needs, device usage, working situation, and budget.

Voom is Royal Caribbean’s high-speed onboard Wi-Fi system available fleet-wide. It runs on satellite internet technology, originally powered by O3b satellites and now enhanced through Starlink installations on many ships. The service is designed to allow browsing, social media, email access, video calls, streaming, and even work connectivity while sailing across oceans.

Unlike older cruise Wi-Fi systems that were slow and unreliable, Voom focuses on providing broadband-like speeds. Of course, it is still satellite internet, meaning performance may vary based on ship location, weather, ship capacity, and how many passengers are online at the same time. On most sailings, however, Voom performs impressively well, especially compared to traditional cruise Wi-Fi experiences.

The core goal of Voom is simple — let you stay online as easily as you would at home. The big question is whether that convenience is worth the price.

Types of Voom packages available onboard

Before deciding if Voom is worth it, you need to understand the two main Wi-Fi plans available on Royal Caribbean ships. Both provide unlimited access per person, but differ in feature availability.

1. Voom Surf PackageThis is the basic internet package designed for lighter usage. Suitable for social media, email, WhatsApp, browsing, and news reading. You can upload pictures, send messages, view websites, and stay connected without video-heavy functions. It’s ideal for casual users who just want to stay in touch.

2. Voom Surf + Stream PackageThis package is designed for higher bandwidth needs. It supports video streaming, video calls, heavy social media usage, downloading files, streaming Netflix, YouTube, Spotify, and video chat apps like Zoom and FaceTime.

The Surf + Stream package is recommended for people who work remotely while cruising or want entertainment without interruption. It’s also better for sharing travel moments via live video uploads.

How much does Voom internet cost?

Prices vary depending on ship, sailing length, promotions, and whether you buy pre-cruise or on board. A general price breakdown:

Surf Plan• Typically $15–$20 per day per device• Sometimes discounted to $10–$15 pre-cruise

Surf + Stream• Usually $20–$26 per day per device• Discounts occasionally bring it to $16–$22

Multi-device discounts exist. If you buy for 4 devices, the price per device drops significantly. You can always switch between devices during your trip using login credentials.

Pre-booking online through Cruise Planner usually provides the best rate — often 15–30% cheaper than buying after boarding. If you're considering Voom, buying early is almost always financially smarter.

How fast is Voom really? Performance expectations

On ships equipped with Starlink, speeds often range from 50–200 Mbps depending on traffic load and location. On older non-Starlink hardware, speeds may be much lower — around 5–25 Mbps. To understand whether the Voom package is worth it, realistic expectations matter.

Typical real-world performance• WhatsApp, Messenger, Instagram browsing — smooth• Video calls — possible but occasional lag• Netflix/YouTube streaming — works best with Surf + Stream• Large downloads/uploads — slower during peak hours• Remote work VPN — functional, but expect occasional drops

Even if connectivity isn’t 100% perfect all day, Voom offers far better consistency than most cruise Wi-Fi systems in the past. If your cruise ship has Starlink (many now do), you’ll likely be impressed by how well internet functions mid-ocean.

Who is Voom ideal for?

Not everyone needs Wi-Fi at sea, but for certain groups, Voom is extremely valuable.

Perfect for:• Remote workers checking email, attending calls, sending files• Travelers wanting Netflix, YouTube, Spotify, Disney+• Social media users who love posting live stories and reels• Families keeping kids entertained with online content• People who need to stay updated with news, banking, bookings• Those who need to video call home frequently• Digital nomads or business travelers• Guests tracking weather conditions or port updates online

Not necessary for:• Travelers seeking digital detox• People who want to disconnect intentionally• Those only needing occasional communication through port Wi-Fi• Guests traveling on a budget• Passengers who prefer onboard entertainment instead of phones

For some, Wi-Fi is essential. For others, it’s unnecessary. The value lies in your purpose.

Pros of purchasing Voom Wi-Fi

Buying Voom has many advantages depending on your travel style.

1. You stay connected anywhere at seaNo more waiting until port visits to check messages or direction details. You can access the internet at any hour, even in the middle of the Atlantic.

2. Great for work and business tasksEmails, document sharing, remote calls — all possible. Many cruisers successfully work from ships full-time because of Voom.

3. Streaming and entertainment without limitsSurf + Stream unlocks movies, shows, music, live sports, and more.

4. Perfect for sharing your vacation onlineUpload photos, videos, reels instantly rather than later.

5. Helps for emergencies, banking, and bookingsMedical situations, lost credit cards, flight changes — being online helps.

6. Makes planning shore excursions easierLook up maps, transit routes, restaurant openings, ticket availability from your cabin.

These benefits make Voom worth the price for connectivity-heavy passengers.

Cons and downsides of Voom

As good as Voom is, it’s not perfect. Here are limitations you should consider before buying.

1. It’s expensive, especially for familiesDaily costs multiply with multiple people or devices. Some cruises cost $200+ per person for a week of Wi-Fi.

2. Speed may fluctuateWeather, ship position, peak usage hours — all affect performance.

3. Streaming isn’t always flawlessBuffering may happen during evening hours when most guests are online.

4. Distraction from vacation experienceBeing online all the time takes away from relaxation and ocean disconnect.

5. Cheaper alternatives existPort-based Wi-Fi, local SIM cards, international roaming may cost less.

If you are budget-focused or don’t need constant internet, Voom may not be worth the expense.

Is Voom internet worth buying?

Here is the honest answer: Voom is worth it if you plan to use the internet frequently during your cruise. If you're working remotely, posting content, keeping in touch with family, or binge-watching shows — the price is justified. If you only want basic messaging or occasional updates, the Surf package might be enough or public port Wi-Fi may be smarter.

The value depends entirely on how much you’ll use it.

Worth it for heavy users who need internet daily.Not worth it for minimal users or digital detox seekers.

How to save money when purchasing Voom

1. Always book before boardingPrices onboard are almost always higher.

2. Look for pre-cruise Cyber Monday and seasonal salesRoyal Caribbean offers Black Friday deals up to 30–50% off.

3. Share one plan across multiple devicesYou can log out of one and log into another anytime.

4. Buy one device plan for the cabinMobile hotspot sharing may work — but not always guaranteed.

5. Use port Wi-Fi when possible to reduce plan daysJust buy Voom for sea days, skip it during port intensive itineraries.

Small planning steps can cut internet cost drastically.

Personal usage scenarios to decide

If you’re unsure, use these real-world examples to judge your needs.

If your plan is to:• Post photos daily• Do video calls with family• Stream movies at night• Work online part-time• Stay reachable for businessThen the Surf + Stream plan is worth paying for.

If your priority is just:• Messaging via WhatsApp• Checking email once or twice• Browsing news occasionallyThen the basic Surf plan may be enough.

If you want to:• Disconnect• Read books• Relax in pool• Enjoy ship entertainmentThen skip Voom entirely.

Final decision conclusion

Voom offers one of the best Wi-Fi experiences at sea, especially with Starlink upgrades. It allows seamless connectivity, smooth streaming, and reliable browsing that was once impossible on cruises. Whether it’s worth it depends solely on how you use the internet. For business travelers, social media creators, digital workers, families with kids, and streaming lovers — the investment is easily justified. For passengers wanting offline relaxation, screen-free time, and budget sailing — skipping Wi-Fi may be a better choice.

In simple terms:

Voom is worth it if you will actively use the internet.It isn’t worth it if you want to unplug.

Make your decision based on travel purpose, personal usage habits, and cost comfort level.