Everything You Need To Know About P&O Cruises’ WiFi (Including Cost & How To Buy)

P&O Cruises don’t include WiFi in your cruise fare (pretty much no cruise line does), so if you want to use the internet while at sea, you’ll need to pay for it.

In this guide, I’ll show you all of the P&O Cruises internet packages and how to buy them, so that you can access the internet during your cruise without spending any more than you need to.

But wait – do you even need WiFi?

Before you go ahead and buy a wifi package, let’s think about whether you actually need one or not…

Can you use mobile data?

Whenever the ship is docked, you’ll usually be able to access 3G, 4G or 5G data. Even since Brexit, many mobile phone providers let you use your standard data allowance in Europe for no extra cost.

Outside of Europe, you’ll likely have to pay for data on your phone. But this doesn’t always cost a lot, so be sure to check with your mobile network before you go.

You can also use mobile data while at sea, but I definitely would not recommend that. Once the ship leaves port, your phone will connect to a maritime network and it will cost you a lot.

You can understand how much data roaming at sea costs and why here: How to Avoid Roaming Charges on a Cruise.

You could try switching off…

Unless you have a family member or urgent business to worry about back home, you might consider turning your phone off while your ship is at sea.

Most cruises have no more than two consecutive sea days and it can be great to spend time connecting with the people you’re with without looking at your phone.

If there’s ever an emergency at home, your family members would be able to contact the ship and pass on a message.

The ‘My Holiday’ platform still works without WiFi

During your cruise, you can use P&O Cruises’ My Holiday to view your onboard account, make dining and theatre reservations, join virtual queues and book shore excursions.

The My Holiday planner isn’t an app, it’s a website. But you won’t need a WiFi package to access it, as you can do so using P&O Cruises’ limited free WiFi. Just connect to ‘P&OCruises_Guest_WIFI’ and then use your browser to visit myholiday.pocruises.com.

P&O Cruises Wifi Packages

If you’ve decided that you would like to have internet access during your P&O Cruise, here’s how you can arrange that…

P&O Cruises offer two different wifi packages, plus a ‘Pay Per Minute’ option:

P&O Cruises’ Essential WiFi is only for social media, web browsing and email. So you can check your Facebook, Instagram and Twitter as well as send messages via WhatsApp.

With this package, it used to be the case that you couldn’t check your emails or browse the web for information. But, after some feedback from guests with complaints along the lines of “I bought the internet package and I can’t use the internet”, web browsing and email is now included.

Ultimate WiFi gives you a faster connection and allows you to use voice and video calling, and stream music and video in addition to browsing the internet, sending emails and using social media and WhatsApp.

I’ve had a bad experience with the Ultimate WiFi before. I bought it on my late-2022 cruise on Arvia and it was so slow that it was virtually unusable. It wouldn’t allow me to upload videos to social media so I couldn’t update my Instagram stories.

On Christmas Day, the WiFididn’t work at all (I expect that was because of the increased number of guests wanting to use it).

But – and it’s an important but – the WiFi has been upgraded to Starlink since then, which is the speedy satellite WiFi that’s becoming standard across the fleet. So it should be much more reliable.

When’s best to buy the WiFi?

If you intend to buy a P&O Cruises WiFi package for your whole cruise, then you can buy before your cruise or once on board. 24-hour plans can only be purchased on board.

Before you cruise

To buy a WiFi package before your cruise, you’ll need to log in to the P&O Cruises Planner. Alternatively, you can call P&O Cruises’ contact centre on 0344 338 8003 (local call charges apply).

Buying onboard

Once you’re onboard your P&O Cruises ship, it’s easy to buy a WiFi package. Just open the My Holiday planner and navigate to WiFi.

Alternatively, you can connect to the free guest WiFi, go to internet.pocruises.com and follow the on-screen instructions.

You’ll see all of the WiFi options along with prices. Just tap the one you want and it will be billed to your onboard account.

Sharing a WiFi package

One important thing to know about the P&O WiFi is that you can use it on multiple devices, so long as you don’t connect both devices at the same time. So if there are two of you, you can just purchase one package and take it in turns to use it.

This does, however, mean that you can’t use the WiFi to message each other while you’re on the ship. But, it can save you quite a lot of money.

If you try to log in when the other person is already logged in, you can tap a button to kick them off the WiFi so you can use it.

There is a 10% discount for multiple devices, but this is only if two devices are registered to the same guest.

WiFi for medical devices

If you need internet access for medical reasons such as a continuous glucose monitoring device for diabetes, you can get this free of charge on P&O Cruises. Just ask at the reception desk on board for a free internet voucher.

No smartphone?

Most P&O Cruises ships have a library with public computers that you can use to access the internet if you don’t have a working smartphone or tablet. These are open 24 hours per day. However, the newer ships, Arvia and Iona do not have public computers.

Should you need to print anything off, you can do so in the library for 30p per sheet. A scanning service is also available at Guest Services.

Is the WiFi worth it?

WiFi at sea is never as fast as the WiFi that you’re used to at home, even with the Starlink upgrades. The speed that you’ll get depends on where you are on the ship and how many other people are using the WiFi at the same time.

There are always blackspots on cruise ships, so head to a public lounge for your best chance of getting a good signal.

But it won’t be as problematic now that Starlink is installed. You shouldn’t struggle to get online at all, especially if you pay for the Ultimate WiFi package – there might just be one or two spots where it’s a struggle.

Personally, I don’t think that buying WiFi for your whole cruise is worth it. There are lots more fun things to be doing on a cruise ship rather than looking at your phone!

But, if you really need to stay in touch on sea days, then buying a P&O Cruises’ WiFi package in 24-hour blocks is a good option.

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• What’s Included in a P&O Cruise?
• P&O Drinks Package: Is It Worth It?
• 10 Handy Tips for Cruising With a Baby or Toddler on P&O Cruises