Wi-Fi Internet Access & Remote Working
With both basic and premium Wi-Fi on offer, Virgin Voyages has become a popular remote working destination. This guide covers the costs, speed and availability.
Virgin Voyages is one of the few larger cruise lines to offer inclusive Wi-Fi internet access on board for one device, making it an excellent choice for those seeking to stay connected during their cruise. This guide covers both the free option and the additional charge for Wi-Fi Options.
Wi-Fi Package Overview
| Wi-Fi Tier | Cost | Suitable For |
|---|---|---|
| Classic Wi-Fi (Included) | Free for all | Messaging, calling, and web browsing (no streaming or video) |
| Premium Wi-Fi (Upgradable) | From $30/day | Streaming and video calling |
| Work From Sea Wi-Fi (Top Tier) | From $50/day | The fastest internet (ideal for virtual meetings and VPN access) |
Classic Wi-Fi
Suitable for browsing, messaging and light work.
Price
- Included free with every cruise at no additional cost.
Number of Connections
- You can only connect one device per sailor.
Premium Wi-Fi
Everything from Classic Wi-Fi, plus; suitable for full audio streaming, video streaming/calling, and unlocks additional websites.
Price
- $40/day a la carte (24-hour Pass) + $15 for an additional device.
- $30/day for a Voyage Pass + $15 for an additional device per day.
- Voyage Passes apply to the remaining length of the voyage from the time of purchase.
Number of Connections:
- Standard Sailors: You can only connect one device per sailor and purchase additional devices for a reduced rate.
- Deep Blue Extras Sailors/Mega Rockstars/485c: You can connect up to two devices per sailor (e.g., tablet and phone).
Work from Sea Wi-Fi
Everything from Premium Wi-Fi plus suitable for gaming, virtual meetings and unlocks VPN availability.
Price
- $50/day + $50 per additional device per day.
- There is no 24 hour Pass for this option you must buy the entire voyage.
You can switch devices at any time if you need to connect another device. Watches don’t count towards the limit as they connect via your phone.
Messaging on Board
Messaging in the Virgin Voyages app is limited to Sailor Services at this time. It’s advised to use alternatives like iMessage, WhatsApp, or Facebook Messenger over the Wi-Fi. Apps requiring GPS, such as some dating apps, may not work as expected and are best used at port.
Avoid SMS or standard phone calls due to potential high costs when the ‘Cellular at Sea’ network is active.
Remote Work on Board
Virgin Voyages has become a popular working destination, with some sailors spending months on board for work. With the inclusive Wi-Fi, reasonable premium options, and ample bandwidth it is an ideal choice for remote work. Video conferencing is feasible from any part of the ship including your cabin when purchasing the premium Wi-Fi option.
VPNs are fully supported in the Work from Sea tier only for remote work. However you must disable them to use the Virgin Voyages app, which needs access to onboard servers.
Wi-Fi Availability & Speed
Virgin Voyages uses the Starlink system for satellite connectivity, ensuring a decent speed. Ports visited connect directly to land towers for enhanced performance.
Bandwidth is typically around 10mbps down, 5mbps up, depending on the region and overall capacity of the network.
The Work from Sea package is promoted as providing speeds up to 5x faster than Classic Wi-Fi, while Premium Wi-Fi is advertised as offering 2x the speed of Classic Wi-Fi. However, some users have reported variations in performance.
Note: When sailing in select regions you may have limited availability, it is worth checking the availability map for additional regions that Virgin Voyages may sail in.
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