Tech & Wi-Fi
Onboard Wi-Fi: What Is Seafy and Why It’s a Game-Changer for Today’s Travelers 🛰️
The travel world is undergoing a quiet revolution: having Wi-Fi on board ferries and ships is no longer a luxury—it’s an expectation. Not long ago, stepping onto a ferry meant enduring hours (sometimes days) of digital silence, as mobile coverage would disappear just a few miles off the coast. Today, that’s no longer the case. Thanks to innovative solutions like Seafy, staying connected at sea is not only possible—it’s changing how we experience travel. In this article, we’ll explain what Seafy is, why Wi-Fi at sea matters more than ever, and what the future holds—with updated data for 2024–2025, real-life examples, and a look at maritime 5G and next-gen satellite networks.
05 June 2025
🚢 Wi-Fi as a Strategic Competitive Advantage
For ferry operators and tourism companies, offering reliable onboard Wi-Fi has become a strategic differentiator, not just a nice-to-have.
Modern travelers expect to be connected everywhere—even while sailing. According to a 2024 survey presented at Seatrade Cruise Global, 63% of cruise passengers use the internet for several hours daily, and 80% rely on it for both entertainment and work needs.
Post-pandemic travel recovery has intensified this demand. Passengers and crew alike now view onboard connectivity as essential, not optional. Source
In fact, connectivity quality can now influence a traveler’s choice of carrier. Younger generations especially don’t want to disconnect. Some cruise lines are even offering unlimited free Wi-Fi on new ships to attract Millennial and Gen Z passengers. Source
Many lines already offer free Wi-Fi access—though often with data or time limits—and user satisfaction is increasingly tied to digital access.
For operators, it’s more than guest satisfaction:
It enables extra revenue through Wi-Fi package sales
Strengthens digital brand positioning
Supports long-term customer loyalty and reviews
In short, connectivity has become part of the travel product, influencing online reviews, brand perception, and even customer return rates.
🌐 What Is Seafy?
In this landscape, Seafy emerged as an Italian-developed solution (by IES Italia) to provide high-speed maritime Wi-Fi on ferries and cruise ships.
The idea is simple: bring affordable, reliable, flexible internet access to passengers and crew alike.
Seafy initially launched with Corsica and Sardinia Ferries, then expanded to Grimaldi Lines and GNV (Grandi Navi Veloci).
As of June 2025, Seafy is now also available aboard GNV Allegra and GNV Spirit, operating key routes between Spain, Sardinia, Sicily, and Tunisia. Read more
Passengers on these routes across the Mediterranean—whether heading to Corsica, the Balearics, Sicily, or North Africa—can now access reliable onboard Wi-Fi powered by Seafy.
📲 How Seafy Works
Connecting is easy:
Search for the onboard network “Seafy”
Choose your Wi-Fi package through the web portal
Connect and enjoy—from boarding to docking
Plans are flexible, starting from around €4.99, far lower than the once sky-high cost of satellite connectivity at sea.
You can select:
Chat & Social-only plans
Full Internet packages (for streaming, video calls, cloud tools)
Behind the scenes, Seafy uses a combination of satellite connections, edge caching, and network optimization to ensure the most stable experience possible.
It supports:
Streaming
Remote work
Cloud collaboration
Social media usage
It’s all about creating a “smart onboard environment”—affordable internet that matches modern digital lifestyles.
Plus, Seafy isn’t just about Wi-Fi. Through its portal and app, users can access:
News updates
Travel guides
Podcasts and entertainment
A dedicated onboard web radio
Seafy is developing a full digital ecosystem at sea, integrating internet access with entertainment, information, and convenience.
👨💻 Real-Life Use Cases
So what’s the actual impact of onboard connectivity?
Take Giulio, a digital nomad who recently worked aboard a Livorno–Bastia ferry. With only a laptop, coffee, and curiosity, he used Seafy’s Full Access plan and was blown away:
“The connection was fast and stable the whole time. I managed to do video calls, upload articles, and stay productive—all with an ocean view.”
In just 6 hours, Giulio:
Delivered client work
Attended meetings
Cleared his inbox
Watched the sunrise from the deck after finishing his tasks
Smart working at sea becomes not just viable—but desirable.
👨👩👧 Families, Groups & Entertainment
For families or groups, Seafy means:
Cartoons and games for kids
Online chatting with grandparents
Streaming for everyone on board
It turns long ferry trips from stressful to enjoyable.
And practically speaking, connectivity allows:
Pre-arrival restaurant bookings
Transfer or taxi reservations
Checking maps and museum times
The travel experience begins before you even arrive.
🧑✈️ Connectivity for Crew Members
Even the crew benefits immensely.
Fabio D’Amato, manager at Corsica Ferries, shares:
“Before, we felt isolated during navigation. Now, with Seafy, we can message our families anytime. It’s improved morale and motivation.”
Happy, connected crews mean better service for passengers too.
🚀 What’s Next? Maritime 5G and Satellite Internet
The future is even more exciting. New technologies like LEO satellites (e.g., Starlink) and maritime 5G corridors are reshaping sea connectivity.
By late 2023, over 20,000 vessels were using Starlink Maritime worldwide. Tesmanian
Royal Caribbean has installed Starlink fleetwide to upgrade their guest Wi-Fi drastically.
Even ferry lines are testing LEO satellite connectivity, providing better coverage far from shore. Valour Consultancy
Other providers, like Inmarsat, are deploying hybrid systems combining:
LEO (OneWeb)
GEO Ka-band satellites
4G/5G terrestrial networks near shore Valour Consultancy
Meanwhile, ports like Livorno (Italy) are testing private 5G networks installed directly on vessels for port maneuvering and docking. Shipping Italy
Soon, we may see coastal 5G corridors offering ultra-fast bandwidth even near land-based routes.
🌍 Final Thoughts: Connectivity as Part of the Journey
Ferry and cruise travelers will increasingly enjoy seamless internet access, whether via satellite or 5G. This enables:
Cloud productivity
HD streaming
Real-time navigation tools
Full entertainment ecosystems
In the near future, internet at sea will no longer be a compromise—but an expected part of travel.
Solutions like Seafy show that smart, affordable onboard connectivity is already here. And it’s transforming the way we travel—one crossing at a time.
📚 Sources
Valour Consultancy – Maritime Connectivity Stats 2024
Tesmanian – Royal Caribbean & Starlink
Business Insider – Free WiFi for Gen Z