Sharing Starlink Internet on Cruise Ships with the Other Travelers
If you've ever been on a cruise, you know the frustration of slow internet speeds while at sea. With cruise ship WiFi often delivering speeds under 4 Mbps, many travelers are wondering if they can bring their own Starlink satellite internet system on board, especially with the Starlink Mini being available for roaming.
Watch the video below from the Between Two Palms discussion series and read this blog post to find out what you need to know about using Starlink on cruise ships.
Should you get a second Starlink?
Is Starlink giving you great download speeds but weak uploads and random dropouts? Even with 100+ Mbps Starlink download speeds, many users get stuck with under 25 Mbps uploads, unstable connection issues.
A powerful way to upgrade your Starlink speed and stability is to run two Starlink dishes. But to actually combine both Starlink connections into one faster, stronger internet link, you need connection bonding software like Speedify.
Speedify bonds your Starlink dishes for more upload and download bandwidth, smoother Zoom and Teams calls, and far more reliable livestreams. And when one dish drops, as Starlink often does, the other instantly takes over without lag or interruptions.
If you want more reliable, faster Starlink uploads and downloads, bonding multiple Starlink connections with Speedify is the most effective way to level up your satellite internet.
See Real-time Alerts for Starlink Obstructions, Errors and Updates
Use Speedify to increase your bandwidth: Combine internet connection sources like WiFi, 4G, 5G, & Starlink together
Combine multiple internet connections to fix slow Internet
Speedify is the only app that seamlessly combines all of your connections, including WiFi, 4G, 5G, Ethernet, and Starlink, into one stronger connection to keep you online and secure.
In most cases, Speedify will automatically detect and start using any available Internet connections on your device while intelligently distributing your online traffic between them for optimal performance. If you need help we have quick start guides available for most common set ups.
Combine personal hotspots for better bandwidth and signal strength
Speedify's Pair & Share is a feature that enables you to connect to multiple hotspots at the same time and wirelessly share LTE, 4G, and 5G cellular connections back and forth between multiple Speedify users on the same local network to create a faster, more reliable connection for everyone.
For the first time, it's possible to share cellular data between multiple devices, including PCs, Macs, iPhones and Androids. Use multiple phones as hotspots for internet access and get increased bandwidth and mobile failover for all paired devices.
Most Cruise Ships Restrict Personal Starlink Internet Use
A notable incident involving YouTube content creator Richard Shillington from the "No Pants Profits" channel highlighted the complexities of using personal Starlink devices on cruise ships. After experiencing slow internet speeds of less than 4 Mbps on Carnival Cruise's WiFi, Shillington decided to set up his Starlink Mini device.
The results were impressive - his Starlink connection delivered speeds exceeding 100 Mbps, dramatically outperforming the ship's standard internet service. However, this success was short-lived. The ship's captain eventually confiscated the Starlink device, citing that such devices were not permitted on board.
Is It Legal to Restrict Personal Starlink Internet Use Aboard Cruise Ships?
The legality of restricting personal satellite internet devices on cruise ships operates in a grey area - it's best to check the terms and conditions when you book a cruise and know what to expect in terms of Internet speeds. While there are precedents protecting consumers' rights to use their own WiFi devices in certain situations (such as the Marriott case, see below), these regulations may not apply in the same way to cruise ships or satellite communications.
For context, in the Marriott case, the federal government ruled that blocking WiFi in the ISM 2.4 GHz band and 5 GHz band violated citizens' rights to use these frequencies. However, this ruling specifically pertained to WiFi frequencies and land-based properties, not necessarily satellite communications or maritime vessels.
Alternative Solutions for Better Internet on Cruise Ships
When you need reliable internet connectivity while on a cruise ship, you can consider these alternatives:
- Use the ship's premium internet packages
- Bring a mobile router that can utilize multiple connection types, such as the Miri X510 bonding network router
- Consider devices and apps that can bond multiple internet connections together
- Use cellular data when in port or near coastlines.
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Miri X510 Bonding Router
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Bond up to 7 Links Simultaneously
Combine wired, Wi-Fi, 5G, and LTE connections plus Pair & Share with other Speedify users.
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Read T&Cs Before Bringing Your Own Personal Starlink on Cruise Ships
While Starlink technology offers good speeds and can provide excellent internet connectivity at sea, current cruise line policies generally prohibit passengers from using personal Starlink devices.
Before packing your Starlink for your next cruise, check with your cruise line about their specific policies regarding personal satellite internet devices to avoid any uncomfortable situations or potential device confiscation.
Until clearer regulations emerge or cruise lines change their policies, passengers will likely need to rely on ships' provided internet services or seek alternative connectivity solutions for their time at sea.
Connectivity Tech Discussions
Our Connectivity Tech Discussions Between Two Palms video series shines the spotlight on Alex and technical guests, diving deep into caonversations about the latest Internet technology, including Starlink satellite, WiFi 7, Apple, fiber optics, new routers, remote connectivity, and networking protocols.
Join us and let's talk tech!