How to Use Starlink Internet on Cruise Ships: Setup Guide and What to Expect

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.