As Starlink Mini becomes more popular, more future cruise goers are asking about bringing the device on board. The problem is, it’s not usually allowed and could get you in big trouble if you try to sneak by security.
Cruise lines like Carnival, Royal Caribbean, and Norwegian now rely on SpaceX’s Starlink to deliver onboard Wi-Fi. Ever since these cruise lines switched over to the new technology, speeds have been faster and more reliable at sea than ever before.
Carnival finished its fleetwide rollout by May 2024, boasting speeds up to 200 Mbps. Royal Caribbean’s Voom, powered by Starlink, began rolling out in 2022 and has since added it to the entire fleet.
MSC Cruises has also completed its fleet-wide Starlink installation.
Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings, which includes Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises, and Regent Seven Seas Cruises, also utilizes Starlink fleetwide
But even though cruise lines have Starlink on all these ships, passengers can’t bring their own Starlink devices. Companies have updated policies to ban them, often under “satellite dishes” or “routers.”
Cruise Lines with Rules on Starlink Devices or Satellite Tech
Here’s a breakdown of cruise lines that have banned Starlink devices or have policies on these services:
- Carnival Cruise Line: The Prohibited Items list bans “satellite dishes, routers, and other internet-related equipment,” clarified after a “discs” typo. In September 2024, Carnival seized a Starlink Mini from YouTuber Richard Shillington on the Carnival Miracle after he showcased it online during a 15-day Hawaii cruise. The order came from their CIO, signaling top-down enforcement.
- Royal Caribbean: The Guest Conduct Policy prohibits “Satellite dishes, routers, and other networking equipment”. No recent confiscations are public, but the company has already banned travel routers which are not allowed on the ships.
- Norwegian Cruise Line: The Prohibited Items page lists “satellite phones” and devices that might disrupt ship systems. No confiscation reports exist as far as I know.
Disney Cruise Line explicitly bans “satellite receivers,” which would include personal Starlink devices. While Celebrity Cruises uses Starlink for its own internet, they likely prohibit passenger-owned versions due to the risk of interference. Smaller lines might enforce similar rules at check-in.
Possible Reasons for the Ban
Some have argued that the bans protect profits—Carnival’s $21.25/day Premium Wi-Fi nets $318.75 over 15 days, far pricier than a Starlink Mini ($599, $150-$250 monthly).
Interference with ship tech is another stated concern, though Starlink’s design makes this unlikely.
Enforcement of these bans is a real thing, and Shillington’s case isn’t isolated—X and Reddit mention Royal Caribbean and Norwegian confiscations, often after passengers start bragging about its usage online.
A Reddit user on r/Cruise summed it up: “Most cruise lines have banned them and will confiscate them,” highlighting the strict measures most cruise lines have in place.
Starlink on Phones
Meanwhile, Starlink’s hitting phones via T-Mobile’s “Direct to Cell” beta, launched in 2025. Compatible devices (iPhone 14+, Galaxy S21+) text via satellites, free on Go5G Next until July 2025, then $10-$20 monthly.
Voice and data are coming, powered by 450+ satellites. It needs a sky view—decks work, cabins don’t—and splits 2-4 Mbps across users, limiting it to basics.
Cruise lines can’t ban phones, as Shillington noted: “What, confiscate everyone’s device?”
But availability hinges on your carrier and phone—AT&T and Verizon may join via rivals like AST SpaceMobile by 2026, but T-Mobile’s lead means most cruise-goers could see it soon, especially on newer devices.
As it scales, expect spotty but growing access by 2026, challenging onboard Wi-Fi. But in this industry, it’s all about adaptation, so we’ll see how cruise lines manage this if Starlink continues to make inroads.
