American Cruise Lines Chooses Starlink Wi-Fi

American Cruise Lines is rolling out Starlink Wi-Fi across its fleet of river and coastal ships, bringing the superfast satellite-based Internet system operated by SpaceX one step closer to becoming the dominant player in the cruise industry.

According to ACL, “the new Starlink satellite service is a major upgrade, ensuring seamless connectivity and faster upload speeds nearly everywhere the company’s small ships are cruising throughout the country – from Glacier Bay, Alaska to the sunny Florida Keys…”

ACL beta-tested the Starlink service in 2022 and cruise guests who experienced the service responded with rave reviews, the cruise line said.

Consistent with American Cruise Lines’ all-inclusive ethos, the new high-speed Starlink Wi-Fi is complimentary on all 2023 cruises.

Starlink is powered by a constellation of lower earth (LEO) satellites that provide a stable connection to cruise ships, which are constantly on the go. Other cruise lines using Starlink include Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises, Silversea Cruises, Hurtigruten, and SeaDream Yacht Club. Starlink dishes have also been observed on some Norwegian Cruise Line ships, though the line has not announced a full partnership.