Given the rising demand and popularity of internet services onboard, cruise lines have introduced onboard WiFi that allows you to access the internet while you are in the middle of the sea and perform various internet activities. Onboard WiFi networks make use of satellite internet to provide internet services to passengers on the ship. Although onboard WiFi is a highly convenient service, it can be expensive and it is important to properly use the limited bandwidth to avoid exceeding the data cap.
So to get the most out of your cruise WiFi and reduce excessive bandwidth consumption, here are some helpful tips for you.
Disable Push Notifications
You may not be aware of this but push notifications can use your plan’s bandwidth and having too many apps with push notifications can quickly consume your plan’s bandwidth. Unless you have a very good reason to leave the push notifications on, it is better to turn them off on your smartphone and tablet so that they don’t consume the extra bandwidth of your WiFi data plan.
Avoid Watching Excessive Videos
On onboard Carnival’s internet plans and other WiFi services, you should avoid watching excessive video content. Although video content can be extremely interesting, it can consume a huge amount of bandwidth and quickly drain your data, especially if the watching quality is good. Therefore, you should disable the video autoplay feature on all social media platforms and avoid watching too many videos to save your data.
Use WhatsApp and FaceTime for Video Calling
On a cruise, most people get homesick at times and want to get in touch with their friends and family back home. While there are many ways to get in touch with your friends and family, for video calling, you should prefer either WhatsApp or FaceTime instead of other applications like Skype.
If you want a face-to-face video chat, try using WhatsApp’s video calling feature of Apple’s FaceTime, as both of these apps consume less data and bandwidth compared to apps like Skype which typically consumes a large amount of data.
Use an Optimized Browser
Using a browser that utilizes less bandwidth is always a better choice on a cruise WiFi service like MedallionNet Wi-Fi since you have limited bandwidth. There are many web browsers available such as the Opera Mini, that are designed to minimize data usage by mobile devices. Instead of using Safari or Chrome, prefer using optimized browsers while you are onboard. These browsers will open the webpages in the same quality without consuming extra data.
Disable App Updates
App updates can significantly drain your data and bandwidth limit without you even knowing about it since it occurs in the background most of the time when you are connected to a WiFi network.
Therefore to avoid excessive data usage, make sure that you disable app updates through Play Store or App Store on your respective mobile devices before you leave for the cruise ship. In case you need to update an app, wait until you are in a port.
Avoid Downloading Big Files
While you are on board, you should avoid downloading big files because not only will it quickly drain your data but the speeds are not extremely fast that they would be downloaded in an instant. If you want to download big files, do it before leaving for the ship or while you are in a port, as the WiFi speeds are much faster there without any data or bandwidth limit.
Limit Social Media Browsing
Social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter can be significant bandwidth hogs, particularly with their media-rich content. To conserve your limited onboard WiFi data, it’s wise to limit time spent on these sites or adjust your settings to reduce data usage. For instance, you can turn off auto-playing videos and select lower-quality image downloads in app settings.
Monitor Your Data Usage
Keep an eye on your data consumption throughout the cruise by checking the usage statistics in your device’s settings. This will help you understand your consumption patterns and allow you to adjust your activities accordingly. Some cruise lines may also offer a dedicated app where you can track how much data you’ve used and how much is left on your plan.
Download Entertainment Before Embarking
If you know you’ll want to listen to music, watch movies, or read e-books during your trip, download them before you set sail. By preparing your entertainment in advance, you avoid streaming or downloading on board, which can save a significant amount of your data allowance.
Select a Suitable Data Plan
Most cruise lines offer a variety of internet packages to suit different needs. Some may provide unlimited data at various speeds, while others offer plans based on data usage. Consider your requirements carefully and choose a plan that fits your expected online activities without paying for unnecessary extra data.
Connect Only When Necessary
To further minimize your data usage, keep your device in airplane mode when you’re not using the internet. This practice prevents your phone or tablet from passively consuming data through automatic syncs or background updates. Only connect to WiFi when you need to use the internet.
Utilize Text-Based Communication
For staying in touch with family and friends, text-based messaging services consume far less data than voice or video calls. Apps like WhatsApp, Telegram, or traditional SMS (if included in your plan) are efficient ways to communicate without significantly impacting your data limit.