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.
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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 – affiliate link, note that multiple variations of this product may be available, as such a different version may appear at this link
- What are Other’s Saying? Search this product’s Amazon reviews for “cruise” – may include reviews for other sizes or variations
- Related: Hands on Review: GL.iNet GL-MT3000 Beryl AX Travel Router!
- 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 – affiliate link, note that multiple variations of this product may be available, as such a different version may appear at this link
- 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
- 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
- What are Other’s Saying? Search this product’s Amazon reviews for “cruise” – may include reviews for other sizes or variations
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.
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!
My 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
All information provided is deemed accurate at time of publishing, but is not guaranteed and should be independently verified. top:wifiap tag:tpr