Royal Caribbean Begins Portable Router Ban on Cruises

Connectivity on the high seas is apparently getting a little tougher, thanks to a portable router ban on cruises by Royal Caribbean. Some travelers have used these devices to piggyback off the ship’s Wi-Fi, creating a new network that can be used without paying for an internet plan. This techie hack may be going away, however. 

According to industry site Cruise Hive, Royal Caribbean has added these devices to its list of banned items. The quiet change has apparently happened in the past two weeks, according to experts. Part of the list currently includes:

• Cybersecurity and deliberate electronic crime: Satellite dishes, routers, and other networking equipment
• Electrical Extension Cords, including power strips/surge protected strips and multi-plug outlets.
• HAM Radios or other transmitting devices are strictly prohibited due to potential interference with the ship’s onboard communication systems.
• Baby monitors are not allowed to be used onboard as their radio signal could interfere with ship communication and/or navigation systems.
• Guests are allowed to have two-way radios, for onboard personal communications. Basic specifications are as follows: up to 10-mile coverage range, up to 5 watts power, internal voice, operated transmission, no external mounting antenna.

It’s not clear how the devices would be confiscated, whether through luggage scans or being reported by room stewards who notice the technology.

In launching a portable router ban on cruises, Royal Caribbean clearly would rather have guests purchase the line’s VOOM Surf + Stream Internet package, which the line claims to offer the fastest internet at sea.

“VOOM is 6x faster than any other internet at sea! For the first time you will be able to stream music and movies, upload pictures, video chat with family and friends using FaceTime or Skype, check your email, look at your stock prices, surf the web and stay connected with work,” says Royal Caribbean’s website. “Royal Caribbean is the only cruise line with high speed internet at sea. Whether you have your phone, tablet, or laptop, VOOM allows guests to stay connected. VOOM is available onboard all ships fleetwide. Each one of our VOOM ships gets its signal directly from a satellite beam dedicated to our ships that orbits close to the Earth, allowing us to offer fast and reliable service.”

This article originally appeared in TravelPulse.

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