Staying connected while cruising has become as essential as packing sunscreen or planning shore excursions. Whether you’re working remotely, sharing vacation moments online, or streaming your favorite shows, knowing how to upgrade WiFi onboard Royal Caribbean can dramatically enhance your experience. Despite being in the middle of the ocean, Royal Caribbean offers surprisingly reliable internet—especially through its signature VOOM service, often called the “fastest internet at sea.”
Yet many travelers board the ship unsure of how the upgrade system works. Can you upgrade anytime? Can you upgrade from a single-device plan to a multi-device plan? Does upgrading mid-cruise cost more? What’s the fastest way to complete the upgrade?
This pillar article provides a detailed, easy-to-understand, interactive guide that answers all these questions and more. By the end, you’ll know exactly how to upgrade your WiFi plan, optimize your connection, and choose the best package for your needs—without overspending.
Internet habits have changed drastically in recent years. Once upon a time, guests wanted to disconnect during vacations. Today, however, digital needs have expanded. Many guests need to work online, manage businesses, attend virtual meetings, livestream their vacation, or stay connected to family members at home.
Royal Caribbean uses advanced satellite technology that allows fast connectivity even in remote waters. This includes:
High-speed internet even in the middle of the ocean
Support for video calls, browsing, and streaming
Options for multiple device connections
Packages tailored to browsing needs or streaming preferences
If any of the following match your situation, upgrading might be the best choice:
You initially purchased only a basic Surf plan but now need dynamic connectivity
You underestimated how many devices your family uses
You’re working remotely and need stronger, more stable internet
You want to stream movies, music, or shows
You bought just one device but now want to switch among more devices seamlessly
You are sharing media on social platforms frequently
Understanding your needs helps you make the right upgrade choice without unnecessary expenses.
Upgrading your WiFi package onboard is easy, flexible, and accessible through multiple methods. Whether you're comfortable using your phone or prefer direct assistance from staff, Royal Caribbean gives you several convenient ways to upgrade.
The Royal Caribbean mobile app is your primary tool for managing onboard services. Once connected to the ship’s network—even without a paid package—you can browse available WiFi plans and make upgrades anytime during your trip.
Connect your device to the ship's WiFi network (no purchase required for browsing).
Open the Royal Caribbean app.
Go to Internet & WiFi under your account or service options.
Find your current package details.
Select Upgrade Package to view all available upgrade options.
Complete the check-out process.
This method is ideal because it’s quick, available 24/7, and lets you compare upgrade prices in real time.
If your app is not working, don’t worry. You can also upgrade right from your internet browser through the login portal.
Connect to the ship’s network.
Your browser should automatically redirect to the Royal Caribbean WiFi portal.
Find your current plan.
Look for an Upgrade or Manage Package button.
Choose your new plan and follow the purchase steps.
Browser access works even without internet because the portal is hosted on the ship.
If technology isn’t your strong suit or you prefer human help, Guest Services can assist. They can:
Show available packages
Explain upgrades clearly
Handle manual changes
Resolve billing concerns
Help with device connection problems
Some Royal Caribbean ships feature a dedicated VOOM desk or kiosk. Their staff specialize in all connectivity-related upgrades and troubleshooting. They may:
Optimize your connection
Identify device issues
Recommend the best plan based on usage
Help you transition from Surf to Surf + Stream plans effortlessly
This is the best choice if you’re looking for technical expertise.
Royal Caribbean's WiFi service typically includes two primary types of plans—each customizable and available for upgrade during your cruise.
Guests often start with the Surf plan for basic browsing but eventually realize they need more speed and capability. Upgrading to Surf + Stream offers benefits like:
Faster load times
Seamless video calls
Support for streaming movies and social media content
Better overall performance across multiple apps
Sometimes a single device plan sounds good—until the family arrives on the ship and everyone wants access. Upgrading to multiple devices allows you to connect:
Phones
Tablets
Laptops
Streaming gadgets
This upgrade is especially helpful for families, digital nomads, or guests with multiple work tools.
If you initially purchased a plan for only part of your trip or activated your package late, you can upgrade to extend it for the remaining cruise days.
Many guests worry they’ll pay the full package price even if upgrading mid-cruise. Fortunately, the system is typically prorated based on:
Remaining cruise days
Current package value
New plan cost
This ensures you pay fair pricing for the upgrade.
Optimizing your WiFi experience is just as important as choosing the right upgrade. The following tips help you get fast, stable internet while ensuring you don’t overspend.
Look at:
Cost difference between Surf vs Surf + Stream
Number of devices you truly need
Your usage requirements (browsing vs video)
Time remaining in the cruise
This helps prevent unnecessary add-ons.
Early in your cruise, the internet tends to be:
Less congested
Priced more competitively
Easier to set up before onboard demand increases
You can still switch between devices by logging out from one to activate another. But if you find yourself switching constantly, a multi-device upgrade might be worth it.
Some areas offer better connectivity:
Lounges
Observation areas
Some stateroom corridors
Upper decks
Using stronger zones helps maximize your upgraded speed.
While Royal Caribbean WiFi is typically unlimited, maintaining fewer active devices prevents slowdowns.
The upgrade price depends on:
The remaining number of cruise days
The package you’re shifting to
The number of devices added
It is usually prorated and fair for mid-trip upgrades.
Yes. Most WiFi upgrades activate within minutes of purchase.
Generally, WiFi downgrades are not available once the package is activated. It’s best to choose carefully before upgrading.
Yes. Each guest may purchase or upgrade their WiFi packages independently.
Internet congestion increases deeper at sea, making upgrades a bit slower or more expensive.
Guests often underestimate or overestimate their needs. Evaluate device usage before upgrading.
If you rely on video calling, uploading content, or watching shows, Surf alone may feel inadequate.
This is a common cause of slow speeds or login errors.
The app often shows exclusive discounts not available at Guest Services.
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