GigSky vs Cruise Ship Wi-Fi: Which Should You Choose?

Internet at sea has improved enormously in the past few years.

As someone who regularly works while cruising, reliable internet isn't really optional for me. I need to access cloud-based software, Microsoft 365, email and occasionally my office computer remotely.

For the most part, cruise ship WiFi now handles that surprisingly well.

But after experiencing an internet outage during a transpacific cruise, I also discovered the value of having a completely separate backup connection.

That's where GigSky comes in.

I've now used both Carnival's onboard WiFi and GigSky's Cruise + Land eSIM service at sea, including during an actual ship internet outage. More recently, I've also run speed tests on both connections using the same phone.

So, could GigSky replace cruise ship WiFi completely?

For some people, possibly.

For me? No.

But that's not really why I use it.

Cruise Ship Wi-Fi Has Come a Long Way

If your last experience with cruise ship internet was several years ago, things have changed considerably.

Many cruise lines now use satellite services such as Starlink, and I've been genuinely impressed with how well Carnival's WiFi handles my normal work.

I've been able to use Microsoft 365, cloud-based accounting software, browse the web, send and receive emails and access my office computer remotely.

I wouldn't expect it to behave exactly like my internet connection at home. You're still on a moving ship in the middle of the ocean, after all.

But for my purposes, it's generally more than adequate.

The catch?

It still relies on the ship's internet system working.

Why I Always Have a Backup

Because I work while travelling, I've always been a little uncomfortable relying on one internet connection.

Normally that's easily solved.

At home I have my regular internet connection and mobile data. In a hotel I can use its WiFi or my phone. If one stops working, I switch to the other.

In the middle of the Pacific Ocean, your options are somewhat more limited.

That became very obvious during one of our transpacific cruises.

The Day the Ship Lost Internet

During our 2025 Carnival Luminosa transpacific cruise, the ship experienced a significant internet outage.

And it wasn't simply passengers being unable to scroll Facebook for a while.

The outage affected onboard systems as well.

Carnival's app-based Any Time Dining system wasn't working properly, which meant staff had to fall back on manual processes. It was a good reminder of just how much modern cruise ships rely on connectivity behind the scenes.

For me, there was another problem.

I had work to do.

Normally I'd simply connect to Carnival's WiFi and get on with it, but suddenly my primary internet connection wasn't available.

Thankfully, I had GigSky.

Putting GigSky to the Test

GigSky offers eSIM plans designed to provide mobile data in a range of destinations, including Cruise + Land plans that can provide connectivity while you're at sea and when you're ashore in supported countries.

I'd set it up as a backup rather than expecting it to replace my Carnival WiFi package.

When the ship's internet went down, I turned GigSky on.

And it worked.

I could browse the internet, access email and messages and complete the basic online tasks I needed to do.

Most importantly, I was even able to connect to my office computer using AnyDesk.

It wasn't as quick or responsive as using Carnival's WiFi. There was noticeable lag when remotely controlling my computer, but it was usable.

At the time, I didn't have numbers to explain the difference.

Now I do.

Carnival WiFi vs GigSky: My Speed Test Results

On a more recent Carnival cruise, I had another opportunity to compare the two connections and this time I ran speed tests on both using the same iPhone.

The results confirmed what I'd already noticed while actually using them.

Carnival's WiFi was considerably faster.

These speed tests were performed onboard using the same iPhone. They're a snapshot of my own experience rather than speeds you should expect on every cruise. Performance can vary depending on the ship's location, network demand, satellite coverage and other conditions.

What Do Those Numbers Actually Mean?

The easiest number to understand is download speed.

Carnival achieved 38.5 Mbps, compared with 10.1 Mbps on GigSky. In this particular test, Carnival's connection was almost four times faster.

The difference in upload speed was even greater, with 12.7 Mbps on Carnival compared with 1.19 Mbps using GigSky.

But the number that probably best explains the difference I'd noticed while using AnyDesk is the ping.

Carnival recorded 50 ms, while GigSky recorded 629 ms.

Ping measures the delay between your device sending data and receiving a response. The lower the number, the more responsive the connection generally feels.

If you're sending a message, checking email or loading a webpage, that delay may not be particularly bothersome.

If you're remotely controlling another computer and waiting for the screen to react every time you click something?

You notice it. 😂

Based on my testing, there's no question which connection I'd choose when speed and responsiveness matter.

Carnival WiFi wins comfortably.

But speed isn't the whole reason I carry GigSky.

Can GigSky Replace Cruise Ship Wi-Fi?

This really depends on what you want to do online.

If you're a relatively light internet user and mainly want to check messages, browse the web, keep in touch with family or occasionally check social media, a GigSky cruise plan may be enough for you.

It could potentially save you from purchasing a full cruise WiFi package, depending on the length of your cruise, the amount of data you need and current pricing.

If you're planning to work remotely, regularly upload files, stream content or spend significant amounts of time online, I'd choose the ship's WiFi.

That's particularly true after seeing the difference in my own speed tests.

For me, GigSky works much better as a backup than as my primary internet connection.

One Feature I Really Like

One of the things I particularly like about GigSky is that some plans cover both time at sea and supported destinations ashore.

That can make things much simpler on an international cruise.

Instead of needing one solution for internet onboard and then organising separate eSIMs or roaming for each destination, an eligible Cruise + Land plan can continue providing data when you head ashore.

Depending on your itinerary, that could be particularly useful on a cruise visiting several countries.

As always, I'd check the current GigSky plan details and coverage for your particular itinerary before buying. Plans, inclusions and supported destinations can change.

One Important Limitation

GigSky isn't simply another version of the ship's WiFi.

At sea, maritime mobile connectivity operates differently and coverage isn't necessarily available everywhere.

In particular, maritime cellular services generally aren't available when the ship is close to shore, where terrestrial mobile networks take over.

That means you shouldn't assume you'll have continuous GigSky maritime coverage from the moment you leave one port until the moment you arrive at the next.

If you're using a Cruise + Land plan and the destination is included, your phone may be able to connect to a local network once you're ashore.

Again, coverage is something I'd check for your specific cruise rather than assuming it'll work everywhere.

So, Which Would I Choose?

If I had to choose one connection for working onboard, I'd choose Carnival's WiFi.

My own speed testing reinforces what I'd already experienced in practice. Carnival's connection was considerably faster and more responsive than GigSky.

If I were travelling purely for a holiday and only wanted occasional internet access, I'd be much more inclined to compare the cost of a GigSky plan with the ship's WiFi packages and work out whether GigSky alone would meet my needs.

But personally?

I use both.

Carnival WiFi handles my everyday internet needs.

GigSky quietly sits in the background as insurance.

And that's really the point of GigSky for me.

It doesn't need to be faster than Carnival WiFi.

It just needs to work when Carnival WiFi doesn't.

After experiencing an onboard internet outage firsthand, I'm quite happy travelling with Plan B.

Thinking About Trying GigSky?

If GigSky sounds useful for your next cruise, check the current Cruise + Land plans available for your itinerary before you travel.

Affiliate Disclosure

This article contains an affiliate referral for GigSky. If you decide it's right for you, you can receive 25% off your first plan using my referral code KATE397. Using the referral doesn't cost you anything extra and helps support Voyage Ready, allowing me to continue creating free travel guides and practical travel advice.

Working From a Cruise Ship?

Internet is only one part of my onboard work setup.

I also travel with a portable triple-screen setup that turns the cabin desk into a surprisingly functional little office when I need to get some proper work done.

Voyage Ready Read 👉 My Portable Triple-Screen Cruise Ship Office Setup.