Free Wi-Fi and free specialty dining are the two perks most often bundled with drinks. Both are valuable to the right traveler, and both come with limits that are easy to miss.
Free Wi-Fi: Read the Tier
Internet at sea has improved enormously with satellite services, and many lines now offer fast connections. A free Wi-Fi perk, though, may be a basic tier, a set number of minutes, or a single device per cabin. Norwegian’s Free at Sea page, for instance, lists 150 minutes of Wi-Fi for the guests in a stateroom, with unlimited streaming Wi-Fi in its Plus upgrade. Virgin Voyages, by contrast, says WiFi is included on every sailing (Virgin Voyages’ what’s-included page).
Ask: how many minutes or days, how many devices, can it stream video, and can I upgrade one person only? If you must work on board, a paid premium tier may matter more than a free basic one.
Free Specialty Dining: Count the Meals
Free specialty dining perks give you a fixed number of meals in extra-charge restaurants, usually depending on the length of the cruise. Norwegian, for example, says its offer includes three specialty dining experiences on a 7-day cruise, with more on longer sailings. Things to check:
- Which restaurants are included; the most popular ones may be excluded or need a supplement.
- Whether a cover charge or gratuity still applies per meal.
- Whether every guest in the cabin is covered, including teens.
- How early you can reserve; popular times fill quickly on sea days.
On lines where all restaurants are included in the fare — Virgin Voyages says all its eateries are — this perk does not apply at all, which is worth remembering when you compare lines.
Choosing Between Perks
When a line lets you pick a set number of perks, choose the ones you would otherwise pay for. A heavy internet user should take Wi-Fi; a couple who love restaurants should take dining; light drinkers should probably skip drinks. Then compare the perk fare with the basic fare on the same cabin. Our cruise advisors at Mister Cruise can price both, and our perk or lower fare page explains the comparison.
One practical tip: if two people share a cabin but only one needs to stay connected, ask whether the Wi-Fi perk can be assigned to that person and the other perk slot used for something else. Rules differ by line and promotion, but it is a question worth asking before you book rather than at the guest services desk on day one.
Wi-Fi and Dining Perk Questions
Do cruise ships have free Wi-Fi?
Some lines include Wi-Fi in every fare (Virgin Voyages says WiFi is included on every sailing), others include it in certain fare types or promotions, and many sell it as a package. Free versions may be limited by minutes, speed or devices.
What is specialty dining on a cruise?
Restaurants on board that charge extra, such as steakhouses, sushi bars or chef’s tables, as opposed to the main dining room and buffet that are included in the fare. Free specialty dining perks give you a set number of these meals.
Which Perks Suit Your Cruise?
Tell us how you like to cruise. Our cruise advisors at Mister Cruise will recommend the perks worth taking and price them for you.
Ask an Advisor