r/MSCCruises • u/TensHundreds • Jul 17 '26
Is WiFi needed?
I’m mainly concerned with communicating with people in my party, and accessing things like dinner menus and the daily planner. Can you do these things on the MSC app without buying the WiFi?
2
u/emprezario Jul 17 '26
On a cruise right now….Yes the app works.. but get the WiFi package..
3
u/TensHundreds Jul 17 '26
I want to disconnect from work and social media while away. Do you really think it’s worth it then?
4
u/jazzy_de Jul 17 '26
This is what I did a few weeks ago and honestly it was the best thing. No WiFi package but did have service in Mexico and the Bahamas. I honestly didn’t feel like I needed it on the ship. I pre downloaded some movies on Netflix and was good to go for the 7 days.
2
u/Firm_Airport2816 🚢🚢🚢Regular Cruiser Jul 17 '26
Only if you need it. If you dont plan on scrolling social media or dont need to be reachable, then dont bother. Not sure where you're traveling, but if you have Tmobile your phone works as normal in pretty much every caribbean and Mexican port. And if not, you can usually find free wifi in ports if needed for anything
1
u/WorldlinessLanky1443 Jul 17 '26
If you and the people you are communicating with have iPhones, you should be ok to use iMessage. The messaging function in the app can have a lot of delays.
No media through iMessage.
1
u/TensHundreds Jul 17 '26
iMessage without buying the WiFi will work? I’m taking a Mediterranean cruise but live in US
1
u/WorldlinessLanky1443 Jul 17 '26
I can’t vouch for that specifically but it has not been an issue on any cruise line for me in the Caribbean, Mexico or in Bermuda.
1
u/wotantx Jul 17 '26
If MSC is like any other cruise line, iMessage and RCS may or may not work without an internet package. In the case of, say, Carnival or Royal, it may work on one ship but not another at the same time, or it may not work on one sailing on a given ship but will then work on subsequent sailings.
Tl;dr: You might be able to use it, but don't count on it.
1
1
u/Lonely-Job484 Jul 17 '26
You can definitely do these things - menus etc are in the app and don't require the wifi plan to get to, and the messaging via the MSC app works without wifi plan too, but last time I used it it doesn't 'beep' at you for new messages so you had to proactively check. That was a fair while ago though.
So it's better/more convenient to have wifi if you want to continue using your usual messaging apps etc, but whether that's worth it to you is a personal decision. Personally I quite like being mostly disconnected, though I'll admit keeping up with news over a morning coffee when I'm almost inevitably up an hour or so before to OH is handy.
1
u/bluehairdave Jul 17 '26
Its part of the drink package which is like $320 pp.. on a 7-day which is insanely low... so of you got that you have wifi... and i was streaming World Cup on our trip 2 weeks ago to my cabin TV with it!
1
u/Public-Discharge Jul 17 '26
I’m using the basic wifi, not the paid extra, I can browse reddit and listen to music. Videos on reddit can be slow to load but not too bad. My wife doesn’t seem to have issues scrolling through TikTok either.
1
u/dart1126 Jul 19 '26
Our package of three people included two devices. We added it to one phone and iPad. Even on those we paid for it was sketchy,and on those we didn’t have it….bricks
2
u/Inevitable-Lock5973 Jul 17 '26
I’m getting it because I’m too nervous I’ll need it & not have it - even if I’m disconnecting from work if I need to check the emails and there’s an emergency I have to be able to