Category Archives: Internet

GigSky World Mobile Data e-SIM COUPON! Works on over 200 cruise ships!

What’s a SIM Card?

A SIM is an acronym stands for Subscriber Identity Module. It’s small card that fits in select phones that’s basically the digital identification for the phone. You can theoretically quickly change phones by swapping out your physical SIM card.

What’s an eSIM Card?

Fast forward to eSIM cards. eSIM stands for Embedded Subscriber Identity Module.  Instead of a physical SIM card an eSIM is a logical identity for select phones. No need for a physical SIM card.

The part where the magic comes in… Some phones also allow you to have multiple eSIM cards. So you can actually have multiple phone numbers on a single phone.

If you’re an avid reader you’ll have read my Airalo review. Airalo is an an app that allows international cell phone use throughout the world via their app and e-sim cards.

GigSky is in international coverage e-sim provider.

What makes GigSky revolutionary for cruise travelers?…

Most larger cruise ships have cellular capabilities. Ships have the equivalent of their own cell phone towers that provide service to people onboard and nearby. This is separate and different from Wi-Fi.  See Wil my phone work onboard? for more on this subject

Cruise ships are considered countries when it comes to coverage from your cell phone company. If you look under international coverage at your carrier you’ll often time see cruise ship names listed in the mix.

Here’s the thing… to my knowledge no carrier provides favorable rates or packaged data deals for ANY cruise ship. Beyond that no e-sim provider (again to my knowledge) provides coverage on a cruise ship.

GigSky…. DOES offer coverage on over 200 cruise ships!  That’s along with coverage in many foreign countries.

This means you can access the internet on ships in their network as part of their reasonable e-sim data bundles! They also offer tethering so you can use purchased data on your laptop with the aid of a compatible smart phone.

A compatible phone is required.

GigSky also offers a free 100 MB plan so you can try out their services!

If you’re a light to moderate internet user when cruising a GigSky e-sim could save you a substantial amount of money compared to onboard internet. I’ll be trying this out on our next cruise. Some questions I’m going to get answered are what is the coverage like onboard and what internet speeds can we expect.

This post may contain affiliate links. We may make a commission when you use our links. This will never cost you extra. Thank you for supporting Cruise Packing List!

Related: Using Your Cell Phone Onboard with WiFi Calling!

wifi calling and cruise shipsMy iPhone with Royal Caribbean Adventure of the Seas Royal Promenade int eh Background. See “VZW Wi-Fi”

Related: FREE… Royal Caribbean Perfect Day at CocoCay Phone Wallpaper

Setting Up Your Own Wireless WiFi Hotspot on Your Next Cruise!

All information provided is deemed accurate at time of publishing, but is not guaranteed and should be independently verified. top:gigsky tag:tpr

GL.iNet GL-AXT1800 (Slate AX) Travel Router + Related Review

GL.iNet GL-AXT1800 (Slate AX) Pocket-Sized Wi-Fi 6 Gigabit Travel Router, Extender/Repeater for Hotel&Public Network Storage, VPN Client&Server, OpenWrt, Adguard Home, USB 3.0, TF Card Slot

GL.iNet GL-AXT1800 (Slate AX) Pocket-Sized Wi-Fi 6 Gigabit Travel Router, Extender/Repeater for Hotel&Public Network Storage, VPN Client&Server, OpenWrt, Adguard Home, USB 3.0, TF Card Slot

More Info

From the product description, check product page for current description, price and availability:

  • 【AXT1800 WiFi 6 Wireless Router】Slate AX offers powerful Wi-Fi 6 network connection with a dual-band combined Wi-Fi speed of 1800 Mbps (600 Mbps for 2.4GHz and 1200 Mbps for 5GHz). Enhance Wi-Fi performance with MU-MIMO, OFDMA, BSS color and able to connect to up to 120 devices simultaneously.
  • 【Fast and Secure Browsing】IPv6 supported; OpenVPN & WireGuard pre-installed, compatible with 30+ VPN service providers, OpenVPN speed up to 120 Mbps; WireGuard speed up to 550 Mbps. Cloudflare encryption supported to protect the privacy.
  • 【Easy File Sharing】Our NAS feature supports SAMBA and WebDav protocol. By plugging an external USB hard disc into the router, you can create a private network to store and share your documents.
  • 【Runs on OpenWrt 21.02】Slate AX runs on the latest OpenWrt 21.02 operating system (Kernel version 4.4.60), with mass device connection capabilities, and significantly reduced signal interference. You can customize the router and install applications based on your preferences.
  • 【Repeater for Public, Hotel WiFi】Convert a public network(wired/wireless) to a private network(wired/wireless) for secure surfing. Work with Captive Portal. (Note: Most of the Free Public Wi-Fi hotspot set a time limit for users, which will disconnect your devices once the time is over. To deal with this situation, please reconnect your router to the wifi.)
  • 【Enable VPN or AdGuard Home Easily】Immediately enable/disable your selected feature (AdGuard Home or OpenVPN Client or WireGuard Client) through the physical toggle switch. ***The default setting of the button is NO Function, you need to set it in the admin panel before using this function.***

 

What are Other’s Saying?   Search this product’s Amazon reviews for “cruise” – may include reviews for other sizes or variations

GL.iNet GL-AXT1800 (Slate AX) Pocket-Sized Wi-Fi 6 Gigabit Travel Router, Extender/Repeater for Hotel&Public Network Storage, VPN Client&Server, OpenWrt, Adguard Home, USB 3.0, TF Card Slot – affiliate link, note that multiple variations of this product may be available, as such a different version may appear at this link

For lots more about what you should pack for your next cruise check out our complete packing list.

More About Travel Routers:

Travel routers are generally small devices that allow you to create a small Wi-Fi network.

The problem with traditional Wi-Fi routers is that they don’t know how to handle “captive networks”. Captive networks are networks that require you to log in before you can access the internet. Many publicly available WiFi networks are considered captive networks. That includes most hotels and cruise ships.

Travel routers are (or at least should be) designed to handle captive networks. You basically log in to the router through a web browser and then log into the captive network using the router’s settings.

Related Reviews:

Hands on Review: GL.iNet GL-MT300N-V2 Mango Travel Router

Hands on Review: GL.iNet GL-MT3000 Beryl AX Travel Router

Setting Up Your Own Wireless WiFi Hotspot on Your Next Cruise!

Setting Up Your Own Wireless WiFi Hotspot on Your Next Cruise!

Related: Using Your Cell Phone Onboard with WiFi Calling!

wifi calling and cruise shipsMy iPhone with Royal Caribbean Adventure of the Seas Royal Promenade int eh Background. See “VZW Wi-Fi”

Related: Use the 220 Outlet on Your Next Cruise

Will My Phone Work on a Cruise Ship?

All About Night Lights for Your Next Cruise!

All information provided is deemed accurate at time of publishing, but is not guaranteed and should be independently verified.

This post may contain affiliate links. We may make a commission when you use our links. This will never cost you extra. Thank you for supporting Cruise Packing List!

GL.iNet GL-MT3000 Beryl AX Travel Router + Hands on Review!

Related: Hands on Review: GL.iNet GL-MT3000 Beryl AX Travel Router!

GL.iNet GL-MT3000 (Beryl AX) Travel Router

More Info

From the product description, check product page for current description, price and availability:

  • 【DUAL BAND AX TRAVEL ROUTER】Products with US, UK, EU Plug; Dual band network with wireless speed 574Mbps (2.4G)+2402Mbps (5G); Tethering Compatible; 2.5G Multi-gigabit WAN port and a 1G gigabit LAN port; USB 3.0 port; Wi-Fi 6 offers more than double the total Wi-Fi speed with the MT3000 VPN Router.
  • 【VPN CLIENT & SERVER】OpenVPN and WireGuard are pre-installed, compatible with 30+ VPN service providers. Simply log in to your existing VPN account with our portable wifi device, and Beryl AX automatically encrypts all network traffic within the connected network. Max. VPN speed of 150 Mbps (OpenVPN); 300 Mbps (WireGuard)
  • 【OpenWrt 21.02 FIRMWARE】The Beryl AX is a portable wifi box and mini router that runs on OpenWrt 21.02 firmware. It supports more than 5,000 ready-made plug-ins for customization. Simply browse, install, and manage packages with our no-code interface within Beryl AX’s Admin Panel.
  • 【PROTECT YOUR NETWORK SECURITY】Our pocket wifi, unlike other vulnerable portable wifi hotspot for travel purposes supports WPA3 protocol–Preventive measures against password brute-force attacks; DNS over HTTPS & DNS over TLS–Protecting domain name system traffic and preventing data eavesdropping from malicious parties; IPv6–Built-in authentication for privacy protection, eliminating the need for network address translation.
  • 【VPN CASCADING AT EASE】Surpassing the mediocre performance of most VPN routers for home usage, the Beryl AX is capable of hosting a VPN server and VPN client at the same time within the same device, enabling users to remote access local network resources like Wi-Fi printers or local web servers, and accessing the public internet as a VPN client simultaneously.
  • 【PERFECT PORTABLE WIFI ROUTER FOR TRAVEL】The Beryl AX is an ideal pocket Wi-Fi device perfect for international travel. With its compact size and travel-friendly features, the portable Wi-Fi router is the perfect companion for travelers in need of a secure internet connectivity on the go.

 

What are Other’s Saying?   Search this product’s Amazon reviews for “cruise” – may include reviews for other sizes or variations

For the security conscious, this is designed to work with VPN services like NordVPN and others

GL.iNet GL-MT3000 (Beryl AX) Pocket-Sized Wi-Fi 6 Wireless Travel Gigabit Router | WiFi Router | OpenVPN, Wireguard, Connect to Public & Hotel Wi-Fi login Page – affiliate link, note that multiple variations of this product may be available, as such a different version may appear at this link

For lots more about what you should pack for your next cruise check out our complete packing list.

More About Travel Routers:

Travel routers are generally small devices that allow you to create a small Wi-Fi network.

The problem with traditional Wi-Fi routers is that they don’t know how to handle “captive networks”. Captive networks are networks that require you to log in before you can access the internet. Many publicly available WiFi networks are considered captive networks. That includes most hotels and cruise ships.

Travel routers are (or at least should be) designed to handle captive networks. You basically log in to the router through a web browser and then log into the captive network using the router’s settings.

Setting Up Your Own Wireless WiFi Hotspot on Your Next Cruise!

Setting Up Your Own Wireless WiFi Hotspot on Your Next Cruise!

Related: Using Your Cell Phone Onboard with WiFi Calling!

wifi calling and cruise shipsMy iPhone with Royal Caribbean Adventure of the Seas Royal Promenade int eh Background. See “VZW Wi-Fi”

Related: Use the 220 Outlet on Your Next Cruise

Will My Phone Work on a Cruise Ship?

All About Night Lights for Your Next Cruise!

GL.iNet GL-MT3000 (Beryl AX) Pocket-Sized Wi-Fi 6 Wireless Travel Gigabit Router | WiFi Router | OpenVPN, Wireguard, Connect to Public & Hotel Wi-Fi login Page, RV

All information provided is deemed accurate at time of publishing, but is not guaranteed and should be independently verified.

This post may contain affiliate links. We may make a commission when you use our links. This will never cost you extra. Thank you for supporting Cruise Packing List!

GL.iNet GL-SFT1200 (Opal) Travel Router – on sale for $30.88, save 38%

GL.iNet GL-SFT1200 (Opal) Secure Travel WiFi Router – AC1200 Dual Band Gigabit Ethernet Wireless Internet | IPv6 USB 2.0 MU-MIMO DDR3 |128MB Ram Repeater Bridge Access Point Mode

GL.iNet GL-SFT1200 (Opal) Secure Travel WiFi Router – AC1200 Dual Band Gigabit Ethernet Wireless Internet | IPv6 USB 2.0 MU-MIMO DDR3 |128MB Ram Repeater Bridge Access Point Mode

More Info

From the product description, check product page for current description, price and availability:

  • 【AC1200 Dual-band Wireless Router】Simultaneous dual-band with wireless speed up to 300 Mbps (2.4GHz) + 867 Mbps (5GHz). 2.4GHz band can handles some simple tasks like emails or web browsing while bandwidth intensive tasks such as gaming or 4K video streaming can be handled by the 5GHz band.
  • 【Pocket-friendly】Lightweight design(145g) which designed for your next trip or adventure. Alongside its portable, compact design makes it easy to take with you on the go.
  • 【Full Gigabit Ports】Gigabit Wireless Internet Router with 2 Gigabit LAN ports and 1 Gigabit WAN ports, ideal for lots of internet plan and allow you to connect your wired devices directly.
  • 【Keep your Internet Safe】IPv6 supported. OpenVPN & WireGuard pre-installed, compatible with 30+ VPN service providers. Cloudflare encryption supported to protect the privacy.
  • 【Repeater for Public WiFi】Convert a public network(wired/wireless) to a private Wi-Fi for secure surfing. In general, most of the Free Public Wi-Fi hotspot set a time limit for users, which will disconnect your devices once the time is over. To deal with this situation, please reconnect your router to the wifi. ***Do NOT support easytethering***

 

What are Other’s Saying?   Search this product’s Amazon reviews for “cruise” – may include reviews for other sizes or variations

10/21 4:30 PM Central: This is on sale for just $30.88. That’s a whopping 38% off list. It’s also the best historical third party Amazon price I found, notwithstanding Lightning Deals or coupons. Prices, promotions and availability can change quickly.  Check product page for current info and availability.

GL.iNet GL-SFT1200 (Opal) Secure Travel WiFi Router | AC1200 Dual Band Gigabit Ethernet Wireless Internet | IPv6 USB 2.0 MU-MIMO DDR3 | 128MB Ram Repeater Bridge Access Point Mode – affiliate link, note that multiple variations of this product may be available, as such a different version may appear at this link

For lots more about what you should pack for your next cruise check out our complete packing list.

More About Travel Routers:

Travel routers are generally small devices that allow you to create a small Wi-Fi network.

The problem with traditional Wi-Fi routers is that they don’t know how to handle “captive networks”. Captive networks are networks that require you to log in before you can access the internet. Many publicly available WiFi networks are considered captive networks. That includes most hotels and cruise ships.

Travel routers are (or at least should be) designed to handle captive networks. You basically log in to the router through a web browser and then log into the captive network using the router’s settings.

Related Reviews:

Hands on Review: GL.iNet GL-MT300N-V2 Mango Travel Router

Hands on Review: GL.iNet GL-MT3000 Beryl AX Travel Router

Setting Up Your Own Wireless WiFi Hotspot on Your Next Cruise!

Setting Up Your Own Wireless WiFi Hotspot on Your Next Cruise!

Related: Using Your Cell Phone Onboard with WiFi Calling!

wifi calling and cruise shipsMy iPhone with Royal Caribbean Adventure of the Seas Royal Promenade int eh Background. See “VZW Wi-Fi”

Related: Use the 220 Outlet on Your Next Cruise

Will My Phone Work on a Cruise Ship?

All About Night Lights for Your Next Cruise!

All information provided is deemed accurate at time of publishing, but is not guaranteed and should be independently verified.

This post may contain affiliate links. We may make a commission when you use our links. This will never cost you extra. Thank you for supporting Cruise Packing List!

Game Changer for Cruisers… GigSky Works on over 200 cruise ships!

What’s a SIM Card?

A SIM is an acronym stands for Subscriber Identity Module. It’s small card that fits in select phones that’s basically the digital identification for the phone. You can theoretically quickly change phones by swapping out your physical SIM card.

What’s an eSIM Card?

Fast forward to eSIM cards. eSIM stands for Embedded Subscriber Identity Module.  Instead of a physical SIM card an eSIM is a logical identity for select phones. No need for a physical SIM card.

The part where the magic comes in… Some phones also allow you to have multiple eSIM cards. So you can actually have multiple phone numbers on a single phone.

If you’re an avid reader you’ll have read my Airalo review. Airalo is an an app that allows international cell phone use throughout the world via their app and e-sim cards.

GigSky is in international coverage e-sim provider.

What makes GigSky revolutionary for cruise travelers?…

Most larger cruise ships have cellular capabilities. Ships have the equivalent of their own cell phone towers that provide service to people onboard and nearby. This is separate and different from Wi-Fi.  See Wil my phone work onboard? for more on this subject

Cruise ships are considered countries when it comes to coverage from your cell phone company. If you look under international coverage at your carrier you’ll often time see cruise ship names listed in the mix.

Here’s the thing… to my knowledge no carrier provides favorable rates or packaged data deals for ANY cruise ship. Beyond that no e-sim provider (again to my knowledge) provides coverage on a cruise ship.

GigSky…. DOES offer coverage on over 200 cruise ships!  That’s along with coverage in many foreign countries.

This means you can access the internet on ships in their network as part of their reasonable e-sim data bundles! They also offer tethering so you can use purchased data on your laptop with the aid of a compatible smart phone.

A compatible phone is required.

GigSky also offers a free 100 MB plan so you can try out their services!

If you’re a light to moderate internet user when cruising a GigSky e-sim could save you a substantial amount of money compared to onboard internet. I’ll be trying this out on our next cruise. Some questions I’m going to get answered are what is the coverage like onboard and what internet speeds can we expect.

GigSky Coupon!

Coupon code CRUISEPACK list saves you 10% on GigSky credit!

This post may contain affiliate links. We may make a commission when you use our links. This will never cost you extra. Thank you for supporting Cruise Packing List!

Related: Using Your Cell Phone Onboard with WiFi Calling!

wifi calling and cruise shipsMy iPhone with Royal Caribbean Adventure of the Seas Royal Promenade int eh Background. See “VZW Wi-Fi”

Related: FREE… Royal Caribbean Perfect Day at CocoCay Phone Wallpaper

Setting Up Your Own Wireless WiFi Hotspot on Your Next Cruise!

All information provided is deemed accurate at time of publishing, but is not guaranteed and should be independently verified. top:gigsky tag:tpr

GL.iNet GL-AXT1800 (Slate AX) Travel Router + Related Review

GL.iNet GL-AXT1800 (Slate AX) Pocket-Sized Wi-Fi 6 Gigabit Travel Router, Extender/Repeater for Hotel&Public Network Storage, VPN Client&Server, OpenWrt, Adguard Home, USB 3.0, TF Card Slot

GL.iNet GL-AXT1800 (Slate AX) Pocket-Sized Wi-Fi 6 Gigabit Travel Router, Extender/Repeater for Hotel&Public Network Storage, VPN Client&Server, OpenWrt, Adguard Home, USB 3.0, TF Card Slot

More Info

From the product description, check product page for current description, price and availability:

  • 【AXT1800 WiFi 6 Wireless Router】Slate AX offers powerful Wi-Fi 6 network connection with a dual-band combined Wi-Fi speed of 1800 Mbps (600 Mbps for 2.4GHz and 1200 Mbps for 5GHz). Enhance Wi-Fi performance with MU-MIMO, OFDMA, BSS color and able to connect to up to 120 devices simultaneously.
  • 【Fast and Secure Browsing】IPv6 supported; OpenVPN & WireGuard pre-installed, compatible with 30+ VPN service providers, OpenVPN speed up to 120 Mbps; WireGuard speed up to 550 Mbps. Cloudflare encryption supported to protect the privacy.
  • 【Easy File Sharing】Our NAS feature supports SAMBA and WebDav protocol. By plugging an external USB hard disc into the router, you can create a private network to store and share your documents.
  • 【Runs on OpenWrt 21.02】Slate AX runs on the latest OpenWrt 21.02 operating system (Kernel version 4.4.60), with mass device connection capabilities, and significantly reduced signal interference. You can customize the router and install applications based on your preferences.
  • 【Repeater for Public, Hotel WiFi】Convert a public network(wired/wireless) to a private network(wired/wireless) for secure surfing. Work with Captive Portal. (Note: Most of the Free Public Wi-Fi hotspot set a time limit for users, which will disconnect your devices once the time is over. To deal with this situation, please reconnect your router to the wifi.)
  • 【Enable VPN or AdGuard Home Easily】Immediately enable/disable your selected feature (AdGuard Home or OpenVPN Client or WireGuard Client) through the physical toggle switch. ***The default setting of the button is NO Function, you need to set it in the admin panel before using this function.***

 

What are Other’s Saying?   Search this product’s Amazon reviews for “cruise” – may include reviews for other sizes or variations

GL.iNet GL-AXT1800 (Slate AX) Pocket-Sized Wi-Fi 6 Gigabit Travel Router, Extender/Repeater for Hotel&Public Network Storage, VPN Client&Server, OpenWrt, Adguard Home, USB 3.0, TF Card Slot – affiliate link, note that multiple variations of this product may be available, as such a different version may appear at this link

For lots more about what you should pack for your next cruise check out our complete packing list.

More About Travel Routers:

Travel routers are generally small devices that allow you to create a small Wi-Fi network.

The problem with traditional Wi-Fi routers is that they don’t know how to handle “captive networks”. Captive networks are networks that require you to log in before you can access the internet. Many publicly available WiFi networks are considered captive networks. That includes most hotels and cruise ships.

Travel routers are (or at least should be) designed to handle captive networks. You basically log in to the router through a web browser and then log into the captive network using the router’s settings.

Related Reviews:

Hands on Review: GL.iNet GL-MT300N-V2 Mango Travel Router

Hands on Review: GL.iNet GL-MT3000 Beryl AX Travel Router

Setting Up Your Own Wireless WiFi Hotspot on Your Next Cruise!

Setting Up Your Own Wireless WiFi Hotspot on Your Next Cruise!

Related: Using Your Cell Phone Onboard with WiFi Calling!

wifi calling and cruise shipsMy iPhone with Royal Caribbean Adventure of the Seas Royal Promenade int eh Background. See “VZW Wi-Fi”

Related: Use the 220 Outlet on Your Next Cruise

Will My Phone Work on a Cruise Ship?

All About Night Lights for Your Next Cruise!

All information provided is deemed accurate at time of publishing, but is not guaranteed and should be independently verified.

This post may contain affiliate links. We may make a commission when you use our links. This will never cost you extra. Thank you for supporting Cruise Packing List!

GL.iNet GL-SFT1200 (Opal) Travel Router + Related Review

GL.iNet GL-SFT1200 (Opal) Secure Travel WiFi Router – AC1200 Dual Band Gigabit Ethernet Wireless Internet | IPv6 USB 2.0 MU-MIMO DDR3 |128MB Ram Repeater Bridge Access Point Mode

GL.iNet GL-SFT1200 (Opal) Secure Travel WiFi Router – AC1200 Dual Band Gigabit Ethernet Wireless Internet | IPv6 USB 2.0 MU-MIMO DDR3 |128MB Ram Repeater Bridge Access Point Mode

More Info

From the product description, check product page for current description, price and availability:

  • 【AC1200 Dual-band Wireless Router】Simultaneous dual-band with wireless speed up to 300 Mbps (2.4GHz) + 867 Mbps (5GHz). 2.4GHz band can handles some simple tasks like emails or web browsing while bandwidth intensive tasks such as gaming or 4K video streaming can be handled by the 5GHz band.
  • 【Pocket-friendly】Lightweight design(145g) which designed for your next trip or adventure. Alongside its portable, compact design makes it easy to take with you on the go.
  • 【Full Gigabit Ports】Gigabit Wireless Internet Router with 2 Gigabit LAN ports and 1 Gigabit WAN ports, ideal for lots of internet plan and allow you to connect your wired devices directly.
  • 【Keep your Internet Safe】IPv6 supported. OpenVPN & WireGuard pre-installed, compatible with 30+ VPN service providers. Cloudflare encryption supported to protect the privacy.
  • 【Repeater for Public WiFi】Convert a public network(wired/wireless) to a private Wi-Fi for secure surfing. In general, most of the Free Public Wi-Fi hotspot set a time limit for users, which will disconnect your devices once the time is over. To deal with this situation, please reconnect your router to the wifi. ***Do NOT support easytethering***

 

What are Other’s Saying?   Search this product’s Amazon reviews for “cruise” – may include reviews for other sizes or variations

GL.iNet GL-SFT1200 (Opal) Secure Travel WiFi Router | AC1200 Dual Band Gigabit Ethernet Wireless Internet | IPv6 USB 2.0 MU-MIMO DDR3 | 128MB Ram Repeater Bridge Access Point Mode – affiliate link, note that multiple variations of this product may be available, as such a different version may appear at this link

For lots more about what you should pack for your next cruise check out our complete packing list.

More About Travel Routers:

Travel routers are generally small devices that allow you to create a small Wi-Fi network.

The problem with traditional Wi-Fi routers is that they don’t know how to handle “captive networks”. Captive networks are networks that require you to log in before you can access the internet. Many publicly available WiFi networks are considered captive networks. That includes most hotels and cruise ships.

Travel routers are (or at least should be) designed to handle captive networks. You basically log in to the router through a web browser and then log into the captive network using the router’s settings.

Related Reviews:

Hands on Review: GL.iNet GL-MT300N-V2 Mango Travel Router

Hands on Review: GL.iNet GL-MT3000 Beryl AX Travel Router

Setting Up Your Own Wireless WiFi Hotspot on Your Next Cruise!

Setting Up Your Own Wireless WiFi Hotspot on Your Next Cruise!

Related: Using Your Cell Phone Onboard with WiFi Calling!

wifi calling and cruise shipsMy iPhone with Royal Caribbean Adventure of the Seas Royal Promenade int eh Background. See “VZW Wi-Fi”

Related: Use the 220 Outlet on Your Next Cruise

Will My Phone Work on a Cruise Ship?

All About Night Lights for Your Next Cruise!

All information provided is deemed accurate at time of publishing, but is not guaranteed and should be independently verified.

This post may contain affiliate links. We may make a commission when you use our links. This will never cost you extra. Thank you for supporting Cruise Packing List!

GL.iNet GL-SFT1200 (Opal) Travel Router

GL.iNet GL-SFT1200 (Opal) Secure Travel WiFi Router – AC1200 Dual Band Gigabit Ethernet Wireless Internet | IPv6 USB 2.0 MU-MIMO DDR3 |128MB Ram Repeater Bridge Access Point Mode

GL.iNet GL-SFT1200 (Opal) Secure Travel WiFi Router – AC1200 Dual Band Gigabit Ethernet Wireless Internet | IPv6 USB 2.0 MU-MIMO DDR3 |128MB Ram Repeater Bridge Access Point Mode

More Info

From the product description, check product page for current description, price and availability:

  • 【AC1200 Dual-band Wireless Router】Simultaneous dual-band with wireless speed up to 300 Mbps (2.4GHz) + 867 Mbps (5GHz). 2.4GHz band can handles some simple tasks like emails or web browsing while bandwidth intensive tasks such as gaming or 4K video streaming can be handled by the 5GHz band.
  • 【Pocket-friendly】Lightweight design(145g) which designed for your next trip or adventure. Alongside its portable, compact design makes it easy to take with you on the go.
  • 【Full Gigabit Ports】Gigabit Wireless Internet Router with 2 Gigabit LAN ports and 1 Gigabit WAN ports, ideal for lots of internet plan and allow you to connect your wired devices directly.
  • 【Keep your Internet Safe】IPv6 supported. OpenVPN & WireGuard pre-installed, compatible with 30+ VPN service providers. Cloudflare encryption supported to protect the privacy.
  • 【Repeater for Public WiFi】Convert a public network(wired/wireless) to a private Wi-Fi for secure surfing. In general, most of the Free Public Wi-Fi hotspot set a time limit for users, which will disconnect your devices once the time is over. To deal with this situation, please reconnect your router to the wifi. ***Do NOT support easytethering***

 

What are Other’s Saying?   Search this product’s Amazon reviews for “cruise” – may include reviews for other sizes or variations

GL.iNet GL-SFT1200 (Opal) Secure Travel WiFi Router | AC1200 Dual Band Gigabit Ethernet Wireless Internet | IPv6 USB 2.0 MU-MIMO DDR3 | 128MB Ram Repeater Bridge Access Point Mode – affiliate link, note that multiple variations of this product may be available, as such a different version may appear at this link

For lots more about what you should pack for your next cruise check out our complete packing list.

More About Travel Routers:

Travel routers are generally small devices that allow you to create a small Wi-Fi network.

The problem with traditional Wi-Fi routers is that they don’t know how to handle “captive networks”. Captive networks are networks that require you to log in before you can access the internet. Many publicly available WiFi networks are considered captive networks. That includes most hotels and cruise ships.

Travel routers are (or at least should be) designed to handle captive networks. You basically log in to the router through a web browser and then log into the captive network using the router’s settings.

Related Reviews:

Hands on Review: GL.iNet GL-MT300N-V2 Mango Travel Router

Hands on Review: GL.iNet GL-MT3000 Beryl AX Travel Router

Setting Up Your Own Wireless WiFi Hotspot on Your Next Cruise!

Setting Up Your Own Wireless WiFi Hotspot on Your Next Cruise!

Related: Using Your Cell Phone Onboard with WiFi Calling!

wifi calling and cruise shipsMy iPhone with Royal Caribbean Adventure of the Seas Royal Promenade int eh Background. See “VZW Wi-Fi”

Related: Use the 220 Outlet on Your Next Cruise

Will My Phone Work on a Cruise Ship?

All About Night Lights for Your Next Cruise!

All information provided is deemed accurate at time of publishing, but is not guaranteed and should be independently verified.

This post may contain affiliate links. We may make a commission when you use our links. This will never cost you extra. Thank you for supporting Cruise Packing List!

Mango Travel Router GL.iNet GL-MT300N-V2 + Hands on Review

A picture from my Hands on Review

GL.iNet GL-MT300N-V2

More Info

From the product description, check product page for current description, price and availability:

  • 【WIRELESS MOBILE MINI TRAVEL ROUTER】 Convert a public network (wired or wireless) to a private Wi-Fi for secure surfing. Tethering. Powered by any laptop USB, power banks or 5V/2A DC adapters (sold separately). 39g (1.41 Oz) only, portable and pocket friendly. 2.4GHz ONLY
  • 【OPEN SOURCE & PROGRAMMABLE】 OpenWrt pre-installed, USB disk extendable.
  • 【LARGER STORAGE & EXTENDABILITY】 128MB RAM, 16MB Flash ROM, dual Ethernet ports, UART and GPIOs available for hardware DIY.
  • 【OPENVPN CLIENT】 OpenVPN client pre-installed, compatible with 30+ VPN service providers.
  • 【PACKAGE CONTENTS】 GL-MT300N-V2 (Mango) mini router (2-year Warranty), USB cable, Ethernet cable, User Manual. Please update to the latest firmware.

 

What are Other’s Saying?   Search this product’s Amazon reviews for “cruise” – may include reviews for other sizes or variations

GL.iNet GL-MT300N-V2(Mango) Portable Mini Travel Wireless Pocket VPN WiFi Router – Access Point/Extender/WDS | OpenWrt | 2 x Ethernet Ports | OpenVPN/Wireguard VPN | USB 2.0 | 128MB RAM – affiliate link, note that multiple variations of this product may be available, as such a different version may appear at this link

For lots more about what you should pack for your next cruise check out our complete packing list.

GL.iNet GL-MT300N-V2(Mango) Portable Mini Travel Wireless Pocket VPN WiFi Router - Access Point/Extender/WDS | OpenWrt | 2 x Ethernet Ports | OpenVPN/Wireguard VPN | USB 2.0 | 128MB RAM

More About Travel Routers:

Travel routers are generally small devices that allow you to create a small Wi-Fi network.

The problem with traditional Wi-Fi routers is that they don’t know how to handle “captive networks”. Captive networks are networks that require you to log in before you can access the internet. Many publicly available WiFi networks are considered captive networks. That includes most hotels and cruise ships.

Travel routers are (or at least should be) designed to handle captive networks. You basically log in to the router through a web browser and then log into the captive network using the router’s settings.

Setting Up Your Own Wireless WiFi Hotspot on Your Next Cruise!

Setting Up Your Own Wireless WiFi Hotspot on Your Next Cruise!

Related: Using Your Cell Phone Onboard with WiFi Calling!

wifi calling and cruise shipsMy iPhone with Royal Caribbean Adventure of the Seas Royal Promenade int eh Background. See “VZW Wi-Fi”

Related: Use the 220 Outlet on Your Next Cruise

Will My Phone Work on a Cruise Ship?

All About Night Lights for Your Next Cruise!

All information provided is deemed accurate at time of publishing, but is not guaranteed and should be independently verified.

This post may contain affiliate links. We may make a commission when you use our links. This will never cost you extra. Thank you for supporting Cruise Packing List!

GL.iNet GL-MT3000 Beryl AX Travel Router + Hands on Review!

Related: Hands on Review: GL.iNet GL-MT3000 Beryl AX Travel Router!

GL.iNet GL-MT3000 (Beryl AX) Travel Router

More Info

From the product description, check product page for current description, price and availability:

  • 【DUAL BAND AX TRAVEL ROUTER】Products with US, UK, EU Plug; Dual band network with wireless speed 574Mbps (2.4G)+2402Mbps (5G); Tethering Compatible; 2.5G Multi-gigabit WAN port and a 1G gigabit LAN port; USB 3.0 port; Wi-Fi 6 offers more than double the total Wi-Fi speed with the MT3000 VPN Router.
  • 【VPN CLIENT & SERVER】OpenVPN and WireGuard are pre-installed, compatible with 30+ VPN service providers. Simply log in to your existing VPN account with our portable wifi device, and Beryl AX automatically encrypts all network traffic within the connected network. Max. VPN speed of 150 Mbps (OpenVPN); 300 Mbps (WireGuard)
  • 【OpenWrt 21.02 FIRMWARE】The Beryl AX is a portable wifi box and mini router that runs on OpenWrt 21.02 firmware. It supports more than 5,000 ready-made plug-ins for customization. Simply browse, install, and manage packages with our no-code interface within Beryl AX’s Admin Panel.
  • 【PROTECT YOUR NETWORK SECURITY】Our pocket wifi, unlike other vulnerable portable wifi hotspot for travel purposes supports WPA3 protocol–Preventive measures against password brute-force attacks; DNS over HTTPS & DNS over TLS–Protecting domain name system traffic and preventing data eavesdropping from malicious parties; IPv6–Built-in authentication for privacy protection, eliminating the need for network address translation.
  • 【VPN CASCADING AT EASE】Surpassing the mediocre performance of most VPN routers for home usage, the Beryl AX is capable of hosting a VPN server and VPN client at the same time within the same device, enabling users to remote access local network resources like Wi-Fi printers or local web servers, and accessing the public internet as a VPN client simultaneously.
  • 【PERFECT PORTABLE WIFI ROUTER FOR TRAVEL】The Beryl AX is an ideal pocket Wi-Fi device perfect for international travel. With its compact size and travel-friendly features, the portable Wi-Fi router is the perfect companion for travelers in need of a secure internet connectivity on the go.

 

What are Other’s Saying?   Search this product’s Amazon reviews for “cruise” – may include reviews for other sizes or variations

For the security conscious, this is designed to work with VPN services like NordVPN and others

GL.iNet GL-MT3000 (Beryl AX) Pocket-Sized Wi-Fi 6 Wireless Travel Gigabit Router | WiFi Router | OpenVPN, Wireguard, Connect to Public & Hotel Wi-Fi login Page – affiliate link, note that multiple variations of this product may be available, as such a different version may appear at this link

For lots more about what you should pack for your next cruise check out our complete packing list.

More About Travel Routers:

Travel routers are generally small devices that allow you to create a small Wi-Fi network.

The problem with traditional Wi-Fi routers is that they don’t know how to handle “captive networks”. Captive networks are networks that require you to log in before you can access the internet. Many publicly available WiFi networks are considered captive networks. That includes most hotels and cruise ships.

Travel routers are (or at least should be) designed to handle captive networks. You basically log in to the router through a web browser and then log into the captive network using the router’s settings.

Setting Up Your Own Wireless WiFi Hotspot on Your Next Cruise!

Setting Up Your Own Wireless WiFi Hotspot on Your Next Cruise!

Related: Using Your Cell Phone Onboard with WiFi Calling!

wifi calling and cruise shipsMy iPhone with Royal Caribbean Adventure of the Seas Royal Promenade int eh Background. See “VZW Wi-Fi”

Related: Use the 220 Outlet on Your Next Cruise

Will My Phone Work on a Cruise Ship?

All About Night Lights for Your Next Cruise!

GL.iNet GL-MT3000 (Beryl AX) Pocket-Sized Wi-Fi 6 Wireless Travel Gigabit Router | WiFi Router | OpenVPN, Wireguard, Connect to Public & Hotel Wi-Fi login Page, RV

All information provided is deemed accurate at time of publishing, but is not guaranteed and should be independently verified.

This post may contain affiliate links. We may make a commission when you use our links. This will never cost you extra. Thank you for supporting Cruise Packing List!

Mango Travel Router GL.iNet GL-MT300N-V2

A picture from my Hands on Review

GL.iNet GL-MT300N-V2

More Info

From the product description, check product page for current description, price and availability:

  • 【WIRELESS MOBILE MINI TRAVEL ROUTER】 Convert a public network (wired or wireless) to a private Wi-Fi for secure surfing. Tethering. Powered by any laptop USB, power banks or 5V/2A DC adapters (sold separately). 39g (1.41 Oz) only, portable and pocket friendly. 2.4GHz ONLY
  • 【OPEN SOURCE & PROGRAMMABLE】 OpenWrt pre-installed, USB disk extendable.
  • 【LARGER STORAGE & EXTENDABILITY】 128MB RAM, 16MB Flash ROM, dual Ethernet ports, UART and GPIOs available for hardware DIY.
  • 【OPENVPN CLIENT】 OpenVPN client pre-installed, compatible with 30+ VPN service providers.
  • 【PACKAGE CONTENTS】 GL-MT300N-V2 (Mango) mini router (2-year Warranty), USB cable, Ethernet cable, User Manual. Please update to the latest firmware.

 

What are Other’s Saying?   Search this product’s Amazon reviews for “cruise” – may include reviews for other sizes or variations

GL.iNet GL-MT300N-V2(Mango) Portable Mini Travel Wireless Pocket VPN WiFi Router – Access Point/Extender/WDS | OpenWrt | 2 x Ethernet Ports | OpenVPN/Wireguard VPN | USB 2.0 | 128MB RAM – affiliate link, note that multiple variations of this product may be available, as such a different version may appear at this link

For lots more about what you should pack for your next cruise check out our complete packing list.

GL.iNet GL-MT300N-V2(Mango) Portable Mini Travel Wireless Pocket VPN WiFi Router - Access Point/Extender/WDS | OpenWrt | 2 x Ethernet Ports | OpenVPN/Wireguard VPN | USB 2.0 | 128MB RAM

More About Travel Routers:

Travel routers are generally small devices that allow you to create a small Wi-Fi network.

The problem with traditional Wi-Fi routers is that they don’t know how to handle “captive networks”. Captive networks are networks that require you to log in before you can access the internet. Many publicly available WiFi networks are considered captive networks. That includes most hotels and cruise ships.

Travel routers are (or at least should be) designed to handle captive networks. You basically log in to the router through a web browser and then log into the captive network using the router’s settings.

Setting Up Your Own Wireless WiFi Hotspot on Your Next Cruise!

Setting Up Your Own Wireless WiFi Hotspot on Your Next Cruise!

Related: Using Your Cell Phone Onboard with WiFi Calling!

wifi calling and cruise shipsMy iPhone with Royal Caribbean Adventure of the Seas Royal Promenade int eh Background. See “VZW Wi-Fi”

Related: Use the 220 Outlet on Your Next Cruise

Will My Phone Work on a Cruise Ship?

All About Night Lights for Your Next Cruise!

All information provided is deemed accurate at time of publishing, but is not guaranteed and should be independently verified.

This post may contain affiliate links. We may make a commission when you use our links. This will never cost you extra. Thank you for supporting Cruise Packing List!

GL.iNet GL-MT3000 Beryl AX Travel Router + Hands on Review!

Related: Hands on Review: GL.iNet GL-MT3000 Beryl AX Travel Router!

GL.iNet GL-MT3000 (Beryl AX) Travel Router

More Info

From the product description, check product page for current description, price and availability:

  • 【DUAL BAND AX TRAVEL ROUTER】Products with US, UK, EU Plug; Dual band network with wireless speed 574Mbps (2.4G)+2402Mbps (5G); Tethering Compatible; 2.5G Multi-gigabit WAN port and a 1G gigabit LAN port; USB 3.0 port; Wi-Fi 6 offers more than double the total Wi-Fi speed with the MT3000 VPN Router.
  • 【VPN CLIENT & SERVER】OpenVPN and WireGuard are pre-installed, compatible with 30+ VPN service providers. Simply log in to your existing VPN account with our portable wifi device, and Beryl AX automatically encrypts all network traffic within the connected network. Max. VPN speed of 150 Mbps (OpenVPN); 300 Mbps (WireGuard)
  • 【OpenWrt 21.02 FIRMWARE】The Beryl AX is a portable wifi box and mini router that runs on OpenWrt 21.02 firmware. It supports more than 5,000 ready-made plug-ins for customization. Simply browse, install, and manage packages with our no-code interface within Beryl AX’s Admin Panel.
  • 【PROTECT YOUR NETWORK SECURITY】Our pocket wifi, unlike other vulnerable portable wifi hotspot for travel purposes supports WPA3 protocol–Preventive measures against password brute-force attacks; DNS over HTTPS & DNS over TLS–Protecting domain name system traffic and preventing data eavesdropping from malicious parties; IPv6–Built-in authentication for privacy protection, eliminating the need for network address translation.
  • 【VPN CASCADING AT EASE】Surpassing the mediocre performance of most VPN routers for home usage, the Beryl AX is capable of hosting a VPN server and VPN client at the same time within the same device, enabling users to remote access local network resources like Wi-Fi printers or local web servers, and accessing the public internet as a VPN client simultaneously.
  • 【PERFECT PORTABLE WIFI ROUTER FOR TRAVEL】The Beryl AX is an ideal pocket Wi-Fi device perfect for international travel. With its compact size and travel-friendly features, the portable Wi-Fi router is the perfect companion for travelers in need of a secure internet connectivity on the go.

 

What are Other’s Saying?   Search this product’s Amazon reviews for “cruise” – may include reviews for other sizes or variations

For the security conscious, this is designed to work with VPN services like NordVPN and others

GL.iNet GL-MT3000 (Beryl AX) Pocket-Sized Wi-Fi 6 Wireless Travel Gigabit Router | WiFi Router | OpenVPN, Wireguard, Connect to Public & Hotel Wi-Fi login Page – affiliate link, note that multiple variations of this product may be available, as such a different version may appear at this link

For lots more about what you should pack for your next cruise check out our complete packing list.

More About Travel Routers:

Travel routers are generally small devices that allow you to create a small Wi-Fi network.

The problem with traditional Wi-Fi routers is that they don’t know how to handle “captive networks”. Captive networks are networks that require you to log in before you can access the internet. Many publicly available WiFi networks are considered captive networks. That includes most hotels and cruise ships.

Travel routers are (or at least should be) designed to handle captive networks. You basically log in to the router through a web browser and then log into the captive network using the router’s settings.

Setting Up Your Own Wireless WiFi Hotspot on Your Next Cruise!

Setting Up Your Own Wireless WiFi Hotspot on Your Next Cruise!

Related: Using Your Cell Phone Onboard with WiFi Calling!

wifi calling and cruise shipsMy iPhone with Royal Caribbean Adventure of the Seas Royal Promenade int eh Background. See “VZW Wi-Fi”

Related: Use the 220 Outlet on Your Next Cruise

Will My Phone Work on a Cruise Ship?

All About Night Lights for Your Next Cruise!

GL.iNet GL-MT3000 (Beryl AX) Pocket-Sized Wi-Fi 6 Wireless Travel Gigabit Router | WiFi Router | OpenVPN, Wireguard, Connect to Public & Hotel Wi-Fi login Page, RV

All information provided is deemed accurate at time of publishing, but is not guaranteed and should be independently verified.

This post may contain affiliate links. We may make a commission when you use our links. This will never cost you extra. Thank you for supporting Cruise Packing List!

Easy Communication on Your Next Cruise… Using WiFi Calling

wifi calling and cruise shipsMy iPhone with Royal Caribbean Adventure of the Seas Royal Promenade in the Background. See “VZW Wi-Fi”

Thinking back to our first cruises communicating back home was… brutal.

We had young children and really needed to check in on a regular basis. Options were slim and expensive. Onboard calling was out of the question financially. Onboard internet was horribly slow and expensive, albeit not as bad as ship to shore calls. We did, periodically, race the clock and try to get an email through. Typically we would try to call back home from port. We’d find an internet café or a business offering international calls by the minute and give it a go.

Times have gotten a lot better. Ship internet is much, much, much better and generally reasonably priced. This makes it easier than ever to stay connected when you need to.

Onboard Cellular

Most larger cruise ships have cellular capabilities. Ships have the equivalent of their own cell phone towers that provide service to people onboard and nearby. This is separate and different from Wi-Fi.

These towers are international no matter where the ship is. If you look on your cell phone carriers website for international coverage, many times cruise ships will be listed by names and show up alongside foreign countries.

Related: Use the 220 Outlet on Your Next Cruise

Using Cruise Line Cellular

Using cruise line cellular for voice and data can be VERY expensive. Check with your carrier to be sure, but generally, it’s super expensive to use your cell phone (via cellular) on a cruise ship.

I know of no carrier that includes cruise ships in their international plans or international day plans. Example, Verizon’s TravelPass gets you unlimited international coverage in select countries for as little as $10 per day. That’s not available for cruise ships.

Voice and Data

Because of cost, I recommend against using cruise line for voice and data. It’s just too expensive. An internet package with Wi-Fi calling is much more cost effective. SMS messages are a potential exception to this recommendation. Keep reading for more on that.

Using Texts To Communicate While Onboard

While data and voice rates on cruise ships is generally very expensive, SMS messages are generally much more economical. If you’re looking for a way to communicate while onboard, this is an option. Check with your cellular provider to see how much text messages will cost.

Use Airplane Mode

If you choose to use cruise line cellular for voice and SMS. My recommendation is to ALWAYS turn data roaming off while onboard. Or better yet, use airplane mode.

I use airplane mode while on board and turn WiFI on. This allows me to access the Internet (with a package) and not worry about getting data roaming charges.

This post may contain affiliate links. We may make a commission when you use our links. This will never cost you extra. Thank you for supporting Cruise Packing List!

Full Phone Functionality with Wireless Internet… WiFi Calling!

If you purchase an Internet plan you can use many of the features of your phone like web browsing, social media, video and audio calling (Facetime, Skype, Snapchat, Facebook Messenger, etc).

There are some activities that don’t work with an Internet only connection – standard voice calls and SMS messages (iMessages do work because they rely on Internet).

You can make standard voice calls and SMS work without a cellular connection by enabling WiFi Calling

With a compatible phone and an internet connection WiFi calling makes your phone think that it has a cell tower. This allows you to place voice calls and send text messages as if you had a regular tower,

I use this and it works REALLY well. I turn airplane mode on and connect to WiFi. Quality is at the mercy of the ship’s internet but in general it has worked great for me.

Again, it’s important to have data roaming turned off. I turn my phone to airplane mode, turn on and connect to WiFi and the phone activates WiFi calling.

My iPhone with stateroom balcony in the background. See the “VZW Wi-Fi” on the top of the screen along with the airplane icon. This says A. my phone is in airplane mode and B. It’s using Verizon WiFi calling. The phone behaves as if it was connected to a tower back home!

Enabling WiFi Calling

More About WiFi Calling from Carriers

Test WiFi Calling Before Leaving Home

One thing to note is that you should activate and test this before you leave home. At least with Verizon, we were unable to activate it with only a WiFi connection. Maybe that’s changed, but it’s best to test it ahead of time anyway.

A way to test this is to activate WiFi calling, turn on airplane mode and connect to WiFi. Try placing a regular call. If the call goes through, WiFi calling is working.

Does WiFi Calling Cost Extra?

Generally speaking WiFi calling is free or counted the same as domestic minutes. But, check with your cell phone carrier to double check availability and pricing.

This article may contain affiliate links. We may make a small percentage if you use our links to make a purchase. You won’t pay more and you’ll be supporting Cruise Packing List and more content like this. Thank you for your support!

Related: FREE… Royal Caribbean Perfect Day at CocoCay Phone Wallpaper

Setting Up Your Own Wireless WiFi Hotspot on Your Next Cruise!

All information provided is deemed accurate at time of publishing, but is not guaranteed and should be independently verified. 5.24.23 top:wificalling tag:tpr

New Updates… Setting Up Your Own Wireless WiFi Hotspot on Your Next Cruise!

Related: Hands on Review: GL.iNet GL-MT3000 Beryl AX Travel Router!

But First… Read Cruise Lines Terms and Conditions

This article will walk you through options for creating your own WiFI hot spot on your next cruise. That can save you some money and make things a little easier around the cabin. You should also ask… can I do this? When you sign up or sign into your cruise line’s WiFi you will be presented with terms and conditions. I suggest reading through those to see if this is allowed or prohibited. This is going to vary by cruise line.

Next… What Are We Doing Again?

Setting up your own WiFi hot spot allows you to have your own mini network. You purchase an internet plan, setup a WiFi hot spot and then share that connection with other devices. The technologies used to do this will result in a small network that will be available in or very near your cabin. These solutions will not give you access throughout the entire ship.

Option 1: Travel Router

Travel routers are generally small devices that allow you to create a small Wi-Fi network.

The problem with traditional Wi-Fi routers is that they don’t know how to handle “captive networks”. Captive networks are networks that require you to log in before you can access the internet. Many publicly available WiFi networks are considered captive networks. That includes most hotels and cruise ships.

Travel routers are (or at least should be) designed to handle captive networks. You basically log in to the router through a web browser and then log into the captive network using the router’s settings.

This post may contain affiliate links. We may make a commission when you use our links. This will never cost you extra. Thank you for supporting Cruise Packing List!

Some Travel Router Options:

GL.iNet GL-MT3000 (Beryl AX) Pocket-Sized Wi-Fi 6 Wireless Travel Gigabit Router | WiFi Router | OpenVPN, Wireguard, Connect to Public & Hotel Wi-Fi login Page, RV

TP-Link AC750 Wireless Portable Nano Travel Router(TL-WR902AC) - Support Multiple Modes, WiFi Router/Hotspot/Bridge/Range Extender/Access Point/Client Modes, Dual Band WiFi, 1 USB 2.0 Port

GL.iNet GL-SFT1200 (Opal) Secure Travel WiFi Router | AC1200 Dual Band Gigabit Ethernet Wireless Internet | IPv6 USB 2.0 MU-MIMO DDR3 | 128MB Ram Repeater Bridge Access Point Mode

GL.iNet GL-MT300N-V2(Mango) Portable Mini Travel Wireless Pocket VPN WiFi Router - Access Point/Extender/WDS | OpenWrt | 2 x Ethernet Ports | OpenVPN/Wireguard VPN | USB 2.0 | 128MB RAM

There are other options available  – search Amazon for “travel router” – look for something with good ratings and something that can handle captive networks. Specific mention of being compatible with hotel and cruise ship networks is also something I’d look for.

This article may contain affiliate links. We may make a small percentage if you use our links to make a purchase. You won’t pay more and you’ll be supporting Cruise Packing List and more content like this. Thank you for your support!

Option 2: Connectify Hot Spot

Connectify is a program that you install on your compatible Windows laptop. After it’s installed it runs in the background and shares the internet connection that your laptop is using. You handle the captive network business on your laptop browser, so Connectify doesn’t have to specifically handle that.

Set your laptop power plan to always on so the hot spot stays up and going.

Connectify Hot Spot

Other Options to Save on Internet on Your Next Cruise

  • Sometimes cruise lines offer free to discounted internet via their loyalty programs or in certain cabin categories.
  • Sharing a log in. Some cruise lines (I know this is the case for Royal Caribbean) allow you to log in and log out of devices. This allows you to use one account across multiple devices.
  • Get an international plan and access internet on port days.
  • You’re on vacation… don’t get on the internet. 🙂

What Else?

Got another great solution or tip for accessing Internet on cruises?  Leave a comment and let us know.

Related: Using Your Cell Phone Onboard with WiFi Calling!

wifi calling and cruise shipsMy iPhone with Royal Caribbean Adventure of the Seas Royal Promenade int eh Background. See “VZW Wi-Fi”

Related: Hands on Review: GL.iNet GL-MT300N-V2 Mango Travel Router!

Related: Hands on Review: GL.iNet GL-MT3000 Beryl AX Travel Router!

Related: Use the 220 Outlet on Your Next Cruise

Will My Phone Work on a Cruise Ship?

All About Night Lights for Your Next Cruise!

All information provided is deemed accurate at time of publishing, but is not guaranteed and should be independently verified. top:wifiap tag:tpru

Mango Travel Router GL.iNet GL-MT300N-V2, Renewed + My Hands on Review

GL.iNet GL-MT300N-V2(Mango) Portable Mini Travel Wireless Pocket VPN WiFi Router - Access Point/Extender/WDS | OpenWrt | 2 x Ethernet Ports | OpenVPN/Wireguard VPN | USB 2.0 | 128MB RAM

GL.iNet GL-MT300N-V2

More Info

From the product description, check product page for current description, price and availability:

  • 【WIRELESS MOBILE MINI TRAVEL ROUTER】 Convert a public network (wired or wireless) to a private Wi-Fi for secure surfing. Tethering. Powered by any laptop USB, power banks or 5V/2A DC adapters (sold separately). 39g (1.41 Oz) only, portable and pocket friendly. 2.4GHz ONLY
  • 【OPEN SOURCE & PROGRAMMABLE】 OpenWrt pre-installed, USB disk extendable.
  • 【LARGER STORAGE & EXTENDABILITY】 128MB RAM, 16MB Flash ROM, dual Ethernet ports, UART and GPIOs available for hardware DIY.
  • 【OPENVPN CLIENT】 OpenVPN client pre-installed, compatible with 30+ VPN service providers.
  • 【PACKAGE CONTENTS】 GL-MT300N-V2 (Mango) mini router (1-year Warranty), USB cable, Ethernet cable, User Manual. Please update to the latest firmware.

 

GL.iNet GL-MT300N-V2(Mango) Portable Mini Travel Wireless Pocket VPN Router – WiFi Router/Access Point/Extender/WDS | OpenWrt | 2 x Ethernet Ports | OpenVPN/Wireguard VPN | USB 2.0 Port (Renewed) – affiliate link, note that multiple variations of this product may be available, as such a different version may appear at this link

Learn More: My Hands on Review!

Standard (new, non-renewed) Version:

For lots more about what you should pack for your next cruise check out our complete packing list.

More About Travel Routers:

Travel routers are generally small devices that allow you to create a small Wi-Fi network.

The problem with traditional Wi-Fi routers is that they don’t know how to handle “captive networks”. Captive networks are networks that require you to log in before you can access the internet. Many publicly available WiFi networks are considered captive networks. That includes most hotels and cruise ships.

Travel routers are (or at least should be) designed to handle captive networks. You basically log in to the router through a web browser and then log into the captive network using the router’s settings.

Setting Up Your Own Wireless WiFi Hotspot on Your Next Cruise!

Setting Up Your Own Wireless WiFi Hotspot on Your Next Cruise!

Related: Using Your Cell Phone Onboard with WiFi Calling!

wifi calling and cruise shipsMy iPhone with Royal Caribbean Adventure of the Seas Royal Promenade int eh Background. See “VZW Wi-Fi”

Related: Use the 220 Outlet on Your Next Cruise

Will My Phone Work on a Cruise Ship?

All About Night Lights for Your Next Cruise!

All information provided is deemed accurate at time of publishing, but is not guaranteed and should be independently verified.

This post may contain affiliate links. We may make a commission when you use our links. This will never cost you extra. Thank you for supporting Cruise Packing List!

Hands on Review: GL.iNet GL-MT300N-V2 Mango Travel Router!

Travel routers are generally small devices that allow you to create a small Wi-Fi network.

The problem with traditional Wi-Fi routers is that they don’t know how to handle “captive networks”. Captive networks are networks that require you to log in before you can access the internet. Many publicly available WiFi networks are considered captive networks. That includes most hotels and cruise ships.

Travel routers are (or at least should be) designed to handle captive networks. You basically log in to the router through a web browser and then log into the captive network using the router’s settings.

This in an in depth look at the GL.iNet GL-MT300N-V2 Mango Travel Router including setup, speed trials and real world use during travel

Unboxing GL-MT300N-V2 Mango Travel Router

Front of the box – Travel Friendly, Flexible Power Supply, Powerful Hardware, Open Source Platform

Back of the box. This actually has some really useful information on it including 3 steps to setup the router.

Side of the box. VPN (this router can work with VPN services like NordVPN and others), max 300 Mbps Wi-Fi, Compact

Out of the box. This comes with the router, a USB power cable, a network cable (not needed for bridging a Wi-Fi connection) and a getting started guide.

Top down view of the router

Check Current Price, Specs and Availability:

What are Other’s Saying?   Search this product’s Amazon reviews for “cruise” – may include reviews for other sizes or variations

GL.iNet GL-MT300N-V2(Mango) Portable Mini Travel Wireless Pocket VPN WiFi Router – Access Point/Extender/WDS | OpenWrt | 2 x Ethernet Ports | OpenVPN/Wireguard VPN | USB 2.0 | 128MB RAM – affiliate link, note that multiple variations of this product may be available, as such a different version may appear at this link

Also, sometimes available as renewed: GL.iNet GL-MT300N-V2(Mango) Portable Mini Travel Wireless Pocket VPN Router – WiFi Router/Access Point/Extender/WDS | OpenWrt | 2 x Ethernet Ports | OpenVPN/Wireguard VPN | USB 2.0 Port (Renewed) – affiliate link, note that multiple variations of this product may be available, as such a different version may appear at this link

Size comparison, onboard GL.iNet GL-MT300N-V2(Mango) next to GL.iNet GL-MT3000 (Beryl AX) – Hands on Review

Continue reading →

Hands on Review: GL.iNet GL-MT300N-V2 Mango Travel Router!

Travel routers are generally small devices that allow you to create a small Wi-Fi network.

The problem with traditional Wi-Fi routers is that they don’t know how to handle “captive networks”. Captive networks are networks that require you to log in before you can access the internet. Many publicly available WiFi networks are considered captive networks. That includes most hotels and cruise ships.

Travel routers are (or at least should be) designed to handle captive networks. You basically log in to the router through a web browser and then log into the captive network using the router’s settings.

This in an in depth look at the GL.iNet GL-MT300N-V2 Mango Travel Router including setup, speed trials and real world use during travel

Unboxing GL-MT300N-V2 Mango Travel Router

Front of the box – Travel Friendly, Flexible Power Supply, Powerful Hardware, Open Source Platform

Back of the box. This actually has some really useful information on it including 3 steps to setup the router.

Side of the box. VPN (this router can work with VPN services like NordVPN and others), max 300 Mbps Wi-Fi, Compact

Out of the box. This comes with the router, a USB power cable, a network cable (not needed for bridging a Wi-Fi connection) and a getting started guide.

Top down view of the router

Check Current Price, Specs and Availability:

What are Other’s Saying?   Search this product’s Amazon reviews for “cruise” – may include reviews for other sizes or variations

GL.iNet GL-MT300N-V2(Mango) Portable Mini Travel Wireless Pocket VPN WiFi Router – Access Point/Extender/WDS | OpenWrt | 2 x Ethernet Ports | OpenVPN/Wireguard VPN | USB 2.0 | 128MB RAM – affiliate link, note that multiple variations of this product may be available, as such a different version may appear at this link

Also, sometimes available as renewed: GL.iNet GL-MT300N-V2(Mango) Portable Mini Travel Wireless Pocket VPN Router – WiFi Router/Access Point/Extender/WDS | OpenWrt | 2 x Ethernet Ports | OpenVPN/Wireguard VPN | USB 2.0 Port (Renewed) – affiliate link, note that multiple variations of this product may be available, as such a different version may appear at this link

Size comparison, onboard GL.iNet GL-MT300N-V2(Mango) next to GL.iNet GL-MT3000 (Beryl AX) – Hands on Review

Continue reading →

Will My Phone Work on a Cruise Ship?

will my phone work on a cruise ship?

The short answer is… yes it will work. But that answer has some caveats.

Onboard Cellular

Most larger cruise ships have cellular capabilities. Ships have the equivalent of their own cell phone towers that provide service to people onboard and nearby. This is separate and different from Wi-Fi.

These towers are international no matter where the ship is. If you look on your cell phone carriers website for international coverage, many times cruise ships will be listed by names and show up alongside foreign countries.

This post may contain affiliate links. We may make a commission when you use our links. This will never cost you extra. Thank you for supporting Cruise Packing List!

Using Cruise Line Cellular

Using cruise line cellular for voice and data can be VERY expensive. Check with your carrier to be sure, but generally, it’s super expensive to use your cell phone (via cellular) on a cruise ship.

I know of no carrier that includes cruise ships in their international plans or international day plans. Example, Verizon’s TravelPass gets you unlimited international coverage in select countries for as little as $10 per day. That’s not available for cruise ships.

This article may contain affiliate links. We may make a small percentage if you use our links to make a purchase. You won’t pay more and you’ll be supporting Cruise Packing List and more content like this. Thank you for your support!

Voice and Data

Because of cost, I recommend against using cruise line for voice and data. It’s just too expensive. An internet package with Wi-Fi calling is much more cost effective. SMS messages are a potential exception to this recommendation. Keep reading for more on that.

Using Texts To Communicate While Onboard

While data and voice rates on cruise ships is generally very expensive, SMS messages are generally much more economical. If you’re looking for a way to communicate while onboard, this is an option. Check with your cellular provider to see how much text messages will cost.

Use Airplane Mode

If you choose to use cruise line cellular for voice and SMS. My recommendation is to ALWAYS turn data roaming off while onboard. Or better yet, use airplane mode.

I use airplane mode while on board and turn WiFI on. This allows me to access the Internet (with a package) and not worry about getting data roaming charges.

Full Phone Functionality with Wireless Internet… WiFi Calling!

If you purchase an Internet plan you can use many of the features of your phone like web browsing, social media, video and audio calling (Facetime, Skype, Snapchat, Facebook Messenger, etc).

There are some activities that don’t work with an Internet only connection – standard voice calls and SMS messages (iMessages do work because they rely on Internet).

You can make standard voice calls and SMS work without a cellular connection by enabling WiFi Calling

With a compatible phone and an internet connection WiFi calling makes your phone think that it has a cell tower. This allows you to place voice calls and send text messages as if you had a regular tower,

I use this and it works REALLY well. I turn airplane mode on and connect to WiFi. Quality is at the mercy of the ship’s internet but in general it has worked great for me.

Again, it’s important to have data roaming turned off. I turn my phone to airplane mode, turn on and connect to WiFi and the phone activates WiFi calling.

See: Using Your Cell Phone Onboard with WiFi Calling! for lots more on WiFi calling

wifi calling and cruise shipsMy iPhone with Royal Caribbean Adventure of the Seas Royal Promenade int eh Background. See “VZW Wi-Fi”

Related: Hands on Review: Airalo e-SIM – use your phone internationally!

This post may contain affiliate links. We may make a commission when you use our links. This will never cost you extra. Thank you for supporting Cruise Packing List!

Setting Up Your Own Wireless WiFi Hotspot on Your Next Cruise!

All information provided is deemed accurate at time of publishing, but is not guaranteed and should be independently verified. top:willmyphonework tag:tpru

Easy Communication on Your Next Cruise… Using WiFi Calling

wifi calling and cruise shipsMy iPhone with Royal Caribbean Adventure of the Seas Royal Promenade int eh Background. See “VZW Wi-Fi”

Thinking back to our first cruises communicating back home was… brutal.

We had young children and really needed to check in on a regular basis. Options were slim and expensive. Onboard calling was out of the question financially. Onboard internet was horribly slow and expensive, albeit not as bad as ship to shore calls. We did, periodically, race the clock and try to get an email through. Typically we would try to call back home from port. We’d find an internet café or a business offering international calls by the minute and give it a go.

Times have gotten a lot better. Ship internet is much, much, much better and generally reasonably priced. This makes it easier than ever to stay connected when you need to.

Onboard Cellular

Most larger cruise ships have cellular capabilities. Ships have the equivalent of their own cell phone towers that provide service to people onboard and nearby. This is separate and different from Wi-Fi.

These towers are international no matter where the ship is. If you look on your cell phone carriers website for international coverage, many times cruise ships will be listed by names and show up alongside foreign countries.

Related: Use the 220 Outlet on Your Next Cruise

Using Cruise Line Cellular

Using cruise line cellular for voice and data can be VERY expensive. Check with your carrier to be sure, but generally, it’s super expensive to use your cell phone (via cellular) on a cruise ship.

I know of no carrier that includes cruise ships in their international plans or international day plans. Example, Verizon’s TravelPass gets you unlimited international coverage in select countries for as little as $10 per day. That’s not available for cruise ships.

Voice and Data

Because of cost, I recommend against using cruise line for voice and data. It’s just too expensive. An internet package with Wi-Fi calling is much more cost effective. SMS messages are a potential exception to this recommendation. Keep reading for more on that.

Using Texts To Communicate While Onboard

While data and voice rates on cruise ships is generally very expensive, SMS messages are generally much more economical. If you’re looking for a way to communicate while onboard, this is an option. Check with your cellular provider to see how much text messages will cost.

Use Airplane Mode

If you choose to use cruise line cellular for voice and SMS. My recommendation is to ALWAYS turn data roaming off while onboard. Or better yet, use airplane mode.

I use airplane mode while on board and turn WiFI on. This allows me to access the Internet (with a package) and not worry about getting data roaming charges.

This post may contain affiliate links. We may make a commission when you use our links. This will never cost you extra. Thank you for supporting Cruise Packing List!

Full Phone Functionality with Wireless Internet… WiFi Calling!

If you purchase an Internet plan you can use many of the features of your phone like web browsing, social media, video and audio calling (Facetime, Skype, Snapchat, Facebook Messenger, etc).

There are some activities that don’t work with an Internet only connection – standard voice calls and SMS messages (iMessages do work because they rely on Internet).

You can make standard voice calls and SMS work without a cellular connection by enabling WiFi Calling

With a compatible phone and an internet connection WiFi calling makes your phone think that it has a cell tower. This allows you to place voice calls and send text messages as if you had a regular tower,

I use this and it works REALLY well. I turn airplane mode on and connect to WiFi. Quality is at the mercy of the ship’s internet but in general it has worked great for me.

Again, it’s important to have data roaming turned off. I turn my phone to airplane mode, turn on and connect to WiFi and the phone activates WiFi calling.

My iPhone with stateroom balcony in the background. See the “VZW Wi-Fi” on the top of the screen along with the airplane icon. This says A. my phone is in airplane mode and B. It’s using Verizon WiFi calling. The phone behaves as if it was connected to a tower back home!

Enabling WiFi Calling

More About WiFi Calling from Carriers

Test WiFi Calling Before Leaving Home

One thing to note is that you should activate and test this before you leave home. At least with Verizon, we were unable to activate it with only a WiFi connection. Maybe that’s changed, but it’s best to test it ahead of time anyway.

A way to test this is to activate WiFi calling, turn on airplane mode and connect to WiFi. Try placing a regular call. If the call goes through, WiFi calling is working.

Does WiFi Calling Cost Extra?

Generally speaking WiFi calling is free or counted the same as domestic minutes. But, check with your cell phone carrier to double check availability and pricing.

This article may contain affiliate links. We may make a small percentage if you use our links to make a purchase. You won’t pay more and you’ll be supporting Cruise Packing List and more content like this. Thank you for your support!

Related: FREE… Royal Caribbean Perfect Day at CocoCay Phone Wallpaper

Setting Up Your Own Wireless WiFi Hotspot on Your Next Cruise!

All information provided is deemed accurate at time of publishing, but is not guaranteed and should be independently verified. top:wificalling tag:tpru

GL.iNet GL-SFT1200 (Opal) Travel Router

GL.iNet GL-SFT1200 (Opal) Secure Travel WiFi Router – AC1200 Dual Band Gigabit Ethernet Wireless Internet | IPv6 USB 2.0 MU-MIMO DDR3 |128MB Ram Repeater Bridge Access Point Mode

GL.iNet GL-SFT1200 (Opal) Secure Travel WiFi Router – AC1200 Dual Band Gigabit Ethernet Wireless Internet | IPv6 USB 2.0 MU-MIMO DDR3 |128MB Ram Repeater Bridge Access Point Mode

More Info

From the product description, check product page for current description, price and availability:

  • 【AC1200 Dual-band Wireless Router】Simultaneous dual-band with wireless speed up to 300 Mbps (2.4GHz) + 867 Mbps (5GHz). 2.4GHz band can handles some simple tasks like emails or web browsing while bandwidth intensive tasks such as gaming or 4K video streaming can be handled by the 5GHz band.
  • 【Pocket-friendly】Lightweight design(145g) which designed for your next trip or adventure. Alongside its portable, compact design makes it easy to take with you on the go.
  • 【Full Gigabit Ports】Gigabit Wireless Internet Router with 2 Gigabit LAN ports and 1 Gigabit WAN ports, ideal for lots of internet plan and allow you to connect your wired devices directly.
  • 【Keep your Internet Safe】IPv6 supported. OpenVPN & WireGuard pre-installed, compatible with 30+ VPN service providers. Cloudflare encryption supported to protect the privacy.
  • 【Repeater for Public WiFi】Convert a public network(wired/wireless) to a private Wi-Fi for secure surfing. In general, most of the Free Public Wi-Fi hotspot set a time limit for users, which will disconnect your devices once the time is over. To deal with this situation, please reconnect your router to the wifi. ***Do NOT support easytethering***

 

What are Other’s Saying?   Search this product’s Amazon reviews for “cruise” – may include reviews for other sizes or variations

GL.iNet GL-SFT1200 (Opal) Secure Travel WiFi Router | AC1200 Dual Band Gigabit Ethernet Wireless Internet | IPv6 USB 2.0 MU-MIMO DDR3 | 128MB Ram Repeater Bridge Access Point Mode – affiliate link, note that multiple variations of this product may be available, as such a different version may appear at this link

For lots more about what you should pack for your next cruise check out our complete packing list.

More About Travel Routers:

Travel routers are generally small devices that allow you to create a small Wi-Fi network.

The problem with traditional Wi-Fi routers is that they don’t know how to handle “captive networks”. Captive networks are networks that require you to log in before you can access the internet. Many publicly available WiFi networks are considered captive networks. That includes most hotels and cruise ships.

Travel routers are (or at least should be) designed to handle captive networks. You basically log in to the router through a web browser and then log into the captive network using the router’s settings.

Related Reviews:

Hands on Review: GL.iNet GL-MT300N-V2 Mango Travel Router

Hands on Review: GL.iNet GL-MT3000 Beryl AX Travel Router

Setting Up Your Own Wireless WiFi Hotspot on Your Next Cruise!

Setting Up Your Own Wireless WiFi Hotspot on Your Next Cruise!

Related: Using Your Cell Phone Onboard with WiFi Calling!

wifi calling and cruise shipsMy iPhone with Royal Caribbean Adventure of the Seas Royal Promenade int eh Background. See “VZW Wi-Fi”

Related: Use the 220 Outlet on Your Next Cruise

Will My Phone Work on a Cruise Ship?

All About Night Lights for Your Next Cruise!

All information provided is deemed accurate at time of publishing, but is not guaranteed and should be independently verified.

This post may contain affiliate links. We may make a commission when you use our links. This will never cost you extra. Thank you for supporting Cruise Packing List!

GL.iNet GL-MT3000 Beryl AX Travel Router

Related: Hands on Review: GL.iNet GL-MT3000 Beryl AX Travel Router!

GL.iNet GL-MT3000 (Beryl AX) Travel Router

More Info

From the product description, check product page for current description, price and availability:

  • 【DUAL BAND AX TRAVEL ROUTER】Products with US, UK, EU Plug; Dual band network with wireless speed 574Mbps (2.4G)+2402Mbps (5G); Tethering Compatible; 2.5G Multi-gigabit WAN port and a 1G gigabit LAN port; USB 3.0 port; Wi-Fi 6 offers more than double the total Wi-Fi speed with the MT3000 VPN Router.
  • 【VPN CLIENT & SERVER】OpenVPN and WireGuard are pre-installed, compatible with 30+ VPN service providers. Simply log in to your existing VPN account with our portable wifi device, and Beryl AX automatically encrypts all network traffic within the connected network. Max. VPN speed of 150 Mbps (OpenVPN); 300 Mbps (WireGuard)
  • 【OpenWrt 21.02 FIRMWARE】The Beryl AX is a portable wifi box and mini router that runs on OpenWrt 21.02 firmware. It supports more than 5,000 ready-made plug-ins for customization. Simply browse, install, and manage packages with our no-code interface within Beryl AX’s Admin Panel.
  • 【PROTECT YOUR NETWORK SECURITY】Our pocket wifi, unlike other vulnerable portable wifi hotspot for travel purposes supports WPA3 protocol–Preventive measures against password brute-force attacks; DNS over HTTPS & DNS over TLS–Protecting domain name system traffic and preventing data eavesdropping from malicious parties; IPv6–Built-in authentication for privacy protection, eliminating the need for network address translation.
  • 【VPN CASCADING AT EASE】Surpassing the mediocre performance of most VPN routers for home usage, the Beryl AX is capable of hosting a VPN server and VPN client at the same time within the same device, enabling users to remote access local network resources like Wi-Fi printers or local web servers, and accessing the public internet as a VPN client simultaneously.
  • 【PERFECT PORTABLE WIFI ROUTER FOR TRAVEL】The Beryl AX is an ideal pocket Wi-Fi device perfect for international travel. With its compact size and travel-friendly features, the portable Wi-Fi router is the perfect companion for travelers in need of a secure internet connectivity on the go.

 

What are Other’s Saying?   Search this product’s Amazon reviews for “cruise” – may include reviews for other sizes or variations

For the security conscious, this is designed to work with VPN services like NordVPN and others

GL.iNet GL-MT3000 (Beryl AX) Pocket-Sized Wi-Fi 6 Wireless Travel Gigabit Router | WiFi Router | OpenVPN, Wireguard, Connect to Public & Hotel Wi-Fi login Page – affiliate link, note that multiple variations of this product may be available, as such a different version may appear at this link

For lots more about what you should pack for your next cruise check out our complete packing list.

More About Travel Routers:

Travel routers are generally small devices that allow you to create a small Wi-Fi network.

The problem with traditional Wi-Fi routers is that they don’t know how to handle “captive networks”. Captive networks are networks that require you to log in before you can access the internet. Many publicly available WiFi networks are considered captive networks. That includes most hotels and cruise ships.

Travel routers are (or at least should be) designed to handle captive networks. You basically log in to the router through a web browser and then log into the captive network using the router’s settings.

Setting Up Your Own Wireless WiFi Hotspot on Your Next Cruise!

Setting Up Your Own Wireless WiFi Hotspot on Your Next Cruise!

Related: Using Your Cell Phone Onboard with WiFi Calling!

wifi calling and cruise shipsMy iPhone with Royal Caribbean Adventure of the Seas Royal Promenade int eh Background. See “VZW Wi-Fi”

Related: Use the 220 Outlet on Your Next Cruise

Will My Phone Work on a Cruise Ship?

All About Night Lights for Your Next Cruise!

GL.iNet GL-MT3000 (Beryl AX) Pocket-Sized Wi-Fi 6 Wireless Travel Gigabit Router | WiFi Router | OpenVPN, Wireguard, Connect to Public & Hotel Wi-Fi login Page, RV

All information provided is deemed accurate at time of publishing, but is not guaranteed and should be independently verified.

This post may contain affiliate links. We may make a commission when you use our links. This will never cost you extra. Thank you for supporting Cruise Packing List!

Mango Travel Router GL.iNet GL-MT300N-V2

GL.iNet GL-MT300N-V2(Mango) Portable Mini Travel Wireless Pocket VPN WiFi Router - Access Point/Extender/WDS | OpenWrt | 2 x Ethernet Ports | OpenVPN/Wireguard VPN | USB 2.0 | 128MB RAM

GL.iNet GL-MT300N-V2

More Info

From the product description, check product page for current description, price and availability:

  • 【WIRELESS MOBILE MINI TRAVEL ROUTER】 Convert a public network (wired or wireless) to a private Wi-Fi for secure surfing. Tethering. Powered by any laptop USB, power banks or 5V/2A DC adapters (sold separately). 39g (1.41 Oz) only, portable and pocket friendly. 2.4GHz ONLY
  • 【OPEN SOURCE & PROGRAMMABLE】 OpenWrt pre-installed, USB disk extendable.
  • 【LARGER STORAGE & EXTENDABILITY】 128MB RAM, 16MB Flash ROM, dual Ethernet ports, UART and GPIOs available for hardware DIY.
  • 【OPENVPN CLIENT】 OpenVPN client pre-installed, compatible with 30+ VPN service providers.
  • 【PACKAGE CONTENTS】 GL-MT300N-V2 (Mango) mini router (2-year Warranty), USB cable, Ethernet cable, User Manual. Please update to the latest firmware.

 

What are Other’s Saying?   Search this product’s Amazon reviews for “cruise” – may include reviews for other sizes or variations

GL.iNet GL-MT300N-V2(Mango) Portable Mini Travel Wireless Pocket VPN WiFi Router – Access Point/Extender/WDS | OpenWrt | 2 x Ethernet Ports | OpenVPN/Wireguard VPN | USB 2.0 | 128MB RAM – affiliate link, note that multiple variations of this product may be available, as such a different version may appear at this link

For lots more about what you should pack for your next cruise check out our complete packing list.

More About Travel Routers:

Travel routers are generally small devices that allow you to create a small Wi-Fi network.

The problem with traditional Wi-Fi routers is that they don’t know how to handle “captive networks”. Captive networks are networks that require you to log in before you can access the internet. Many publicly available WiFi networks are considered captive networks. That includes most hotels and cruise ships.

Travel routers are (or at least should be) designed to handle captive networks. You basically log in to the router through a web browser and then log into the captive network using the router’s settings.

Setting Up Your Own Wireless WiFi Hotspot on Your Next Cruise!

Setting Up Your Own Wireless WiFi Hotspot on Your Next Cruise!

Related: Using Your Cell Phone Onboard with WiFi Calling!

wifi calling and cruise shipsMy iPhone with Royal Caribbean Adventure of the Seas Royal Promenade int eh Background. See “VZW Wi-Fi”

Related: Use the 220 Outlet on Your Next Cruise

Will My Phone Work on a Cruise Ship?

All About Night Lights for Your Next Cruise!

All information provided is deemed accurate at time of publishing, but is not guaranteed and should be independently verified.

This post may contain affiliate links. We may make a commission when you use our links. This will never cost you extra. Thank you for supporting Cruise Packing List!

DEAL! Mango Travel Router GL.iNet GL-MT300N-V2, Renewed

GL.iNet GL-MT300N-V2(Mango) Portable Mini Travel Wireless Pocket VPN WiFi Router - Access Point/Extender/WDS | OpenWrt | 2 x Ethernet Ports | OpenVPN/Wireguard VPN | USB 2.0 | 128MB RAM

GL.iNet GL-MT300N-V2

More Info

From the product description, check product page for current description, price and availability:

  • 【WIRELESS MOBILE MINI TRAVEL ROUTER】 Convert a public network (wired or wireless) to a private Wi-Fi for secure surfing. Tethering. Powered by any laptop USB, power banks or 5V/2A DC adapters (sold separately). 39g (1.41 Oz) only, portable and pocket friendly. 2.4GHz ONLY
  • 【OPEN SOURCE & PROGRAMMABLE】 OpenWrt pre-installed, USB disk extendable.
  • 【LARGER STORAGE & EXTENDABILITY】 128MB RAM, 16MB Flash ROM, dual Ethernet ports, UART and GPIOs available for hardware DIY.
  • 【OPENVPN CLIENT】 OpenVPN client pre-installed, compatible with 30+ VPN service providers.
  • 【PACKAGE CONTENTS】 GL-MT300N-V2 (Mango) mini router (1-year Warranty), USB cable, Ethernet cable, User Manual. Please update to the latest firmware.

 

GL.iNet GL-MT300N-V2(Mango) Portable Mini Travel Wireless Pocket VPN Router – WiFi Router/Access Point/Extender/WDS | OpenWrt | 2 x Ethernet Ports | OpenVPN/Wireguard VPN | USB 2.0 Port (Renewed) – affiliate link, note that multiple variations of this product may be available, as such a different version may appear at this link

Learn More: My Hands on Review!

Standard (new, non-renewed) Version:

For lots more about what you should pack for your next cruise check out our complete packing list.

More About Travel Routers:

Travel routers are generally small devices that allow you to create a small Wi-Fi network.

The problem with traditional Wi-Fi routers is that they don’t know how to handle “captive networks”. Captive networks are networks that require you to log in before you can access the internet. Many publicly available WiFi networks are considered captive networks. That includes most hotels and cruise ships.

Travel routers are (or at least should be) designed to handle captive networks. You basically log in to the router through a web browser and then log into the captive network using the router’s settings.

Setting Up Your Own Wireless WiFi Hotspot on Your Next Cruise!

Setting Up Your Own Wireless WiFi Hotspot on Your Next Cruise!

Related: Using Your Cell Phone Onboard with WiFi Calling!

wifi calling and cruise shipsMy iPhone with Royal Caribbean Adventure of the Seas Royal Promenade int eh Background. See “VZW Wi-Fi”

Related: Use the 220 Outlet on Your Next Cruise

Will My Phone Work on a Cruise Ship?

All About Night Lights for Your Next Cruise!

All information provided is deemed accurate at time of publishing, but is not guaranteed and should be independently verified.

This post may contain affiliate links. We may make a commission when you use our links. This will never cost you extra. Thank you for supporting Cruise Packing List!

Setting Up Your Own Wireless WiFi Hotspot on Your Next Cruise!

Related: Hands on Review: GL.iNet GL-MT3000 Beryl AX Travel Router!

But First… Read Cruise Lines Terms and Conditions

This article will walk you through options for creating your own WiFI hot spot on your next cruise. That can save you some money and make things a little easier around the cabin. You should also ask… can I do this? When you sign up or sign into your cruise line’s WiFi you will be presented with terms and conditions. I suggest reading through those to see if this is allowed or prohibited. This is going to vary by cruise line.

Next… What Are We Doing Again?

Setting up your own WiFi hot spot allows you to have your own mini network. You purchase an internet plan, setup a WiFi hot spot and then share that connection with other devices. The technologies used to do this will result in a small network that will be available in or very near your cabin. These solutions will not give you access throughout the entire ship.

Option 1: Travel Router

Travel routers are generally small devices that allow you to create a small Wi-Fi network.

The problem with traditional Wi-Fi routers is that they don’t know how to handle “captive networks”. Captive networks are networks that require you to log in before you can access the internet. Many publicly available WiFi networks are considered captive networks. That includes most hotels and cruise ships.

Travel routers are (or at least should be) designed to handle captive networks. You basically log in to the router through a web browser and then log into the captive network using the router’s settings.

This post may contain affiliate links. We may make a commission when you use our links. This will never cost you extra. Thank you for supporting Cruise Packing List!

Some Travel Router Options:

GL.iNet GL-MT3000 (Beryl AX) Pocket-Sized Wi-Fi 6 Wireless Travel Gigabit Router | WiFi Router | OpenVPN, Wireguard, Connect to Public & Hotel Wi-Fi login Page, RV

TP-Link AC750 Wireless Portable Nano Travel Router(TL-WR902AC) - Support Multiple Modes, WiFi Router/Hotspot/Bridge/Range Extender/Access Point/Client Modes, Dual Band WiFi, 1 USB 2.0 Port

GL.iNet GL-SFT1200 (Opal) Secure Travel WiFi Router | AC1200 Dual Band Gigabit Ethernet Wireless Internet | IPv6 USB 2.0 MU-MIMO DDR3 | 128MB Ram Repeater Bridge Access Point Mode

GL.iNet GL-MT300N-V2(Mango) Portable Mini Travel Wireless Pocket VPN WiFi Router - Access Point/Extender/WDS | OpenWrt | 2 x Ethernet Ports | OpenVPN/Wireguard VPN | USB 2.0 | 128MB RAM

There are other options available  – search Amazon for “travel router” – look for something with good ratings and something that can handle captive networks. Specific mention of being compatible with hotel and cruise ship networks is also something I’d look for.

This article may contain affiliate links. We may make a small percentage if you use our links to make a purchase. You won’t pay more and you’ll be supporting Cruise Packing List and more content like this. Thank you for your support!

Option 2: Connectify Hot Spot

Connectify is a program that you install on your compatible Windows laptop. After it’s installed it runs in the background and shares the internet connection that your laptop is using. You handle the captive network business on your laptop browser, so Connectify doesn’t have to specifically handle that.

Set your laptop power plan to always on so the hot spot stays up and going.

Connectify Hot Spot

Other Options to Save on Internet on Your Next Cruise

  • Sometimes cruise lines offer free to discounted internet via their loyalty programs or in certain cabin categories.
  • Sharing a log in. Some cruise lines (I know this is the case for Royal Caribbean) allow you to log in and log out of devices. This allows you to use one account across multiple devices.
  • Get an international plan and access internet on port days.
  • You’re on vacation… don’t get on the internet. 🙂

What Else?

Got another great solution or tip for accessing Internet on cruises?  Leave a comment and let us know.

Related: Using Your Cell Phone Onboard with WiFi Calling!

wifi calling and cruise shipsMy iPhone with Royal Caribbean Adventure of the Seas Royal Promenade int eh Background. See “VZW Wi-Fi”

Related: Use the 220 Outlet on Your Next Cruise

Will My Phone Work on a Cruise Ship?

All About Night Lights for Your Next Cruise!

All information provided is deemed accurate at time of publishing, but is not guaranteed and should be independently verified. top:wifiap tag:tpru

GL.iNet GL-MT3000 Beryl AX Travel Router + Hands on Review!

Related: Hands on Review: GL.iNet GL-MT3000 Beryl AX Travel Router!

GL.iNet GL-MT3000 (Beryl AX) Travel Router

More Info

From the product description, check product page for current description, price and availability:

  • 【DUAL BAND AX TRAVEL ROUTER】Products with US, UK, EU Plug; Dual band network with wireless speed 574Mbps (2.4G)+2402Mbps (5G); Tethering Compatible; 2.5G Multi-gigabit WAN port and a 1G gigabit LAN port; USB 3.0 port; Wi-Fi 6 offers more than double the total Wi-Fi speed with the MT3000 VPN Router.
  • 【VPN CLIENT & SERVER】OpenVPN and WireGuard are pre-installed, compatible with 30+ VPN service providers. Simply log in to your existing VPN account with our portable wifi device, and Beryl AX automatically encrypts all network traffic within the connected network. Max. VPN speed of 150 Mbps (OpenVPN); 300 Mbps (WireGuard)
  • 【OpenWrt 21.02 FIRMWARE】The Beryl AX is a portable wifi box and mini router that runs on OpenWrt 21.02 firmware. It supports more than 5,000 ready-made plug-ins for customization. Simply browse, install, and manage packages with our no-code interface within Beryl AX’s Admin Panel.
  • 【PROTECT YOUR NETWORK SECURITY】Our pocket wifi, unlike other vulnerable portable wifi hotspot for travel purposes supports WPA3 protocol–Preventive measures against password brute-force attacks; DNS over HTTPS & DNS over TLS–Protecting domain name system traffic and preventing data eavesdropping from malicious parties; IPv6–Built-in authentication for privacy protection, eliminating the need for network address translation.
  • 【VPN CASCADING AT EASE】Surpassing the mediocre performance of most VPN routers for home usage, the Beryl AX is capable of hosting a VPN server and VPN client at the same time within the same device, enabling users to remote access local network resources like Wi-Fi printers or local web servers, and accessing the public internet as a VPN client simultaneously.
  • 【PERFECT PORTABLE WIFI ROUTER FOR TRAVEL】The Beryl AX is an ideal pocket Wi-Fi device perfect for international travel. With its compact size and travel-friendly features, the portable Wi-Fi router is the perfect companion for travelers in need of a secure internet connectivity on the go.

 

What are Other’s Saying?   Search this product’s Amazon reviews for “cruise” – may include reviews for other sizes or variations

For the security conscious, this is designed to work with VPN services like NordVPN and others

GL.iNet GL-MT3000 (Beryl AX) Pocket-Sized Wi-Fi 6 Wireless Travel Gigabit Router | WiFi Router | OpenVPN, Wireguard, Connect to Public & Hotel Wi-Fi login Page – affiliate link, note that multiple variations of this product may be available, as such a different version may appear at this link

For lots more about what you should pack for your next cruise check out our complete packing list.

More About Travel Routers:

Travel routers are generally small devices that allow you to create a small Wi-Fi network.

The problem with traditional Wi-Fi routers is that they don’t know how to handle “captive networks”. Captive networks are networks that require you to log in before you can access the internet. Many publicly available WiFi networks are considered captive networks. That includes most hotels and cruise ships.

Travel routers are (or at least should be) designed to handle captive networks. You basically log in to the router through a web browser and then log into the captive network using the router’s settings.

Setting Up Your Own Wireless WiFi Hotspot on Your Next Cruise!

Setting Up Your Own Wireless WiFi Hotspot on Your Next Cruise!

Related: Using Your Cell Phone Onboard with WiFi Calling!

wifi calling and cruise shipsMy iPhone with Royal Caribbean Adventure of the Seas Royal Promenade int eh Background. See “VZW Wi-Fi”

Related: Use the 220 Outlet on Your Next Cruise

Will My Phone Work on a Cruise Ship?

All About Night Lights for Your Next Cruise!

GL.iNet GL-MT3000 (Beryl AX) Pocket-Sized Wi-Fi 6 Wireless Travel Gigabit Router | WiFi Router | OpenVPN, Wireguard, Connect to Public & Hotel Wi-Fi login Page, RV

All information provided is deemed accurate at time of publishing, but is not guaranteed and should be independently verified.

This post may contain affiliate links. We may make a commission when you use our links. This will never cost you extra. Thank you for supporting Cruise Packing List!