Cruise Passenger Sets Up Personal Starlink, Raising Concerns

Staying connected on cruise ships has long been a challenge due to slow and expensive internet options. However, Elon Musk’s Starlink has transformed maritime connectivity, providing high-speed internet access for passengers and crew alike.

Despite these advancements, one passenger decided to take matters into their own hands. In a widely shared social media post, a guest aboard Disney Wish was seen setting up a personal Starlink antenna on their cabin’s balcony, using a chair and other improvised supports to keep it in place. While this may seem like a clever workaround to avoid high onboard Wi-Fi costs, it raises serious safety and regulatory concerns.

Cruise lines strictly prohibit passengers from bringing personal satellite dishes onboard, as ships have dedicated internet infrastructure to manage connectivity.

Beyond being a policy breach, placing a chair and satellite dish on the balcony railing poses a major safety risk. The open sea is unpredictable, and strong winds or sudden ship movements could easily dislodge the setup, sending debris overboard—or worse, onto lower decks, endangering passengers and crew. Cruise operators enforce strict policies against placing unsecured objects on balconies to prevent such hazards.

The passenger even claimed in the social media comments that that “some of the ship employees commented how awesome” their setup was. However, while crew members may have expressed curiosity, such modifications remain strictly against cruise line policies.

While bringing a personal Starlink device may seem like a way to bypass high Wi-Fi costs, it violates cruise regulations and presents safety concerns. Cruise lines invest heavily in providing stable internet access, and passengers must adhere to onboard policies to ensure the safety and well-being of everyone on board.