Royal Caribbean's Starlink Internet: The Ultimate 2025 Guide (Speeds, Pricing & Is It Worth It?)

Remember the old days of cruise internet? Huddling in a specific corner of the ship, paying a small fortune for a connection that felt slower than dial-up, and celebrating when you could finally upload a single, blurry photo to Facebook. For years, "good cruise WiFi" was an oxymoron.

Those days are officially over.

Royal Caribbean's fleet-wide partnership with SpaceX's Starlink has completely revolutionized what it means to be connected at sea. But what does that actually mean for your next vacation? Is it really as fast as your internet at home? And most importantly, is it worth the cost?

As we sail through 2025, we're breaking down everything you need to know about the best internet on the high seas.

What is Starlink and Why Is It a Game-Changer for Cruising?

In simple terms, Starlink is a satellite internet service provided by SpaceX. Unlike traditional internet satellites that are in a very high, geostationary orbit (about 22,000 miles away), Starlink uses a massive constellation of thousands of Low-Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites (only about 340 miles away).

This drastic reduction in distance does two things:

1. Increases Speed: Data has a much shorter distance to travel, resulting in significantly faster download and upload speeds.

2. Reduces Latency: Latency, or "ping," is the delay before a data transfer begins. Lower latency means webpages load instantly, and video calls are smooth and clear without that awkward lag.

For cruisers, this means no more compromises. You can now stream 4K movies, join a Zoom call for work (if you must!), and livestream your sail-away party without a single buffer.

The 2025 Fleet-Wide Status: Is Starlink on Every Ship?

Yes! As of early 2024, Royal Caribbean successfully completed the installation of Starlink across its entire fleet. This was a monumental task and makes them the first major cruise line to fully adopt this cutting-edge technology.

Whether you're sailing on the brand-new Star of the Seas or a classic favorite like Adventure of the Seas, you can expect the same high-speed Starlink connection.

Ship Class	Starlink Confirmed & Active?
Icon Class	✅ Yes
Oasis Class	✅ Yes
Quantum Class	✅ Yes
Freedom Class	✅ Yes
Voyager Class	✅ Yes
Radiance Class	✅ Yes
Vision Class	✅ Yes

Real-World Speed Tests: What to Actually Expect

This is the question everyone asks: "How fast is it, really?"

While speeds can fluctuate based on the ship's location, weather, and network congestion, the performance is consistently impressive. Based on hundreds of passenger reports and our own tests throughout 2024 and 2025, here are the typical speeds you can expect:

• Download Speeds: Generally range from 50 Mbps to 150 Mbps. We've seen peak tests hit over 200 Mbps! This is more than enough to stream multiple Netflix shows in 4K.

• Upload Speeds: Typically between 10 Mbps and 30 Mbps. This is a massive improvement and is crucial for posting high-quality videos to social media or making crystal-clear FaceTime and Zoom calls.

• Latency: Often below 100ms, and sometimes as low as 40ms. This is what makes the connection feel snappy and responsive, just like your fiber internet at home.

To put it in perspective, the old satellite systems often struggled to deliver 5 Mbps. Starlink is, without exaggeration, 20 to 30 times better.

The Voom Internet Packages: Now Powered by Starlink

Royal Caribbean has kept its familiar "Voom" branding for its internet packages. The only difference is that the technology powering them is now lightyears ahead. You can purchase packages before your cruise on the Cruise Planner website (usually at a discount) or once you're on board.

There are two main tiers:

1. VOOM SURF + STREAM

This is the premium, all-access package that unlocks the full potential of Starlink. It's the one you want for a truly connected experience.

• Price: Typically ranges from $24.99 to $32.99 USD per day, per device. Prices are dynamic and vary based on the ship, itinerary, and how far in advance you book. Buying a package for the full duration of your cruise is cheaper than buying single-day passes.

• What it includes:

  • Full-speed web browsing

  • Email and messaging apps (WhatsApp, iMessage)

  • Video and music streaming (Netflix, Hulu, YouTube, Spotify)

  • Video calls (FaceTime, Zoom, Microsoft Teams)

  • Social media posting, including videos and stories

  • Wi-Fi Calling

2. VOOM SURF

This is the more basic package, intended for light use.

• Price: Typically ranges from $19.99 to $25.99 USD per day, per device.

• What it includes:

  • Basic web browsing

  • Email and messaging apps

Important Note: Royal Caribbean has intentionally made the price difference between SURF and SURF + STREAM relatively small. For the extra few dollars per day, the SURF + STREAM package offers overwhelmingly better value and is the recommended choice for nearly everyone.

Is the SURF + STREAM Package Worth The Cost?

For most travelers in 2025, the answer is a resounding yes.

Consider what the high-speed connection unlocks:

• Peace of Mind: Staying in touch with family and kids back home via video call.

• Entertainment: Winding down with a movie in your stateroom after a long day at port.

• Convenience: Uploading photos and videos daily instead of waiting until you get home.

• Flexibility: The ability to check a work email or take an important call without stress, allowing for longer "work-from-sea" vacations.

  
  

When you factor the cost into your total vacation budget, paying around $200 for a week of premium, reliable internet that fundamentally improves your cruise experience is an excellent investment.

The Verdict: Royal Caribbean's Internet is No Longer a Compromise

The rollout of Starlink is arguably one of the most significant quality-of-life improvements in the history of cruising. It has transformed a long-standing passenger pain point into a genuine highlight.

The ability to seamlessly share your vacation with friends, stream your favorite shows, and stay connected to loved ones without frustration makes a Royal Caribbean cruise feel more modern and convenient than ever before. While it still comes at a premium price, the performance finally matches the promise. You are no longer just paying for WiFi; you're paying for a truly connected and stress-free experience at sea.

Have you used Starlink on a Royal Caribbean ship? Share your speed tests and experiences in the comments below!