Quick Tips for Using Your Phone on a Cruise Ship

Table Of Content

• Complete Guide to Using Your Phone on a Cruise (Carnival, Royal Caribbean & More)
• Internet
• Carrier Specific Information
• Using Your Cell Phone on a Cruise
• Smarter Option: Using the Ship’s Wi-Fi to Use Your Phone
• Royal Caribbean Blog is your ultimate source for Royal Caribbean coverage.
• What about an international phone plan?
• Customize your Verizon Unlimited Plan

Here’s everything to know about using your cell phone on a cruise. Some cruise lines also offer international phone plans for their passengers. These plans are designed to help travelers stay connected while traveling abroad, including while on a cruise ship. For example, Verizon offers a $20 per month international plan for use on select cruise ships and airlines. If service is available on your cruise, you will receive an automated pop-up explaining the details of the plan.

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Complete Guide to Using Your Phone on a Cruise (Carnival, Royal Caribbean & More)

But don't start Googling with abandon as soon as you step off the ship, as international roaming charges cost a pretty penny. Each carrier offers specific plans for using cell phones on a cruise ship. Here is some carrier-specific information to help you decide which plan is right for you. Overall, it is possible to stay connected while on a cruise ship, but it is important to be aware of the potential costs and limitations.

Internet

When the ship is sailing on international waters, you will be able to use the WMS network for incoming and outgoing calls, SMS, and Data services (email and web surfing). Once in port, you can connect to local roaming networks as permitted by your home carrier. Using your phone to take pictures won't incur any charges, but they won't be backed up to the cloud unless you're connected to Wi-Fi on your ship or in port.

Carrier Specific Information

Verizon also offers a cruise package that includes 250 minutes of talk, 1000 text messages, and 100MB of data for $30. AT&T offers an International Day Pass for $10 per day per device. AT&T also offers a cruise package that includes 50 minutes of talk, 100 text messages, and 200MB of data for $50. In conclusion, cruise ships do have cell service and onboard Wi-Fi, but it can be expensive. It is recommended to turn off cellular data and roaming and connect to the onboard Wi-Fi to avoid any unexpected charges.

For example, Carnival offers three levels of service — Social (~$15 per day), Value (~$20 per day), and Premium (~$21 per day) — which all offer different speeds and access. In other words, if you use the ship’s cellular service, it’s considered international roaming and will cost you quite a bit of money. One big change that’s come to cruising in the past decade is the proliferation of wi-fi. What used to be a novelty on cruise ships is now a near necessity. Every major cruise line and ship will offer wi-fi service, usually costing about $15-25 per day. One thing to note, however, is that even if the map above shows service, it could still be spotty.

Smarter Option: Using the Ship’s Wi-Fi to Use Your Phone

Guests are free to utilize their cellular data or connect to the onboard Wi-Fi on any ship. However, it is essential to keep in mind that using your cell phone on a cruise can be expensive. Most cruise lines charge a premium for using their cellular service, and the cost can add up quickly. Alternatively, turn off your cellular data and use your phone's Wi-Fi capability to send and receive text messages (such as iMessages on an iPhone). You can also use messaging apps like WhatsApp, which will also function over your ship's Wi-Fi network.

Additionally, another option for staying connected without utilizing your celluar data, is connecting to VOOM, the fastest internet at sea. VOOM allows guests to stay connected via wifi, with a variety of packages to choose from. The Cruise Critic forums are teeming with threads and discussions among people trying to get the most mileage out of their cell phones on cruise ships.

For cellular plan options, simply contact your provider to choose the plan that's right for you before you embark on your vacation. Overall, while most major cruise lines offer cellular service on their ships, passengers should be prepared for high costs and should consider other options before relying solely on this service. It's worth noting that while texting on a cruise ship is possible, it can be expensive. Guests should check with their cell phone provider to see what international roaming packages are available to help reduce costs.

These systems allow the ship to use both satellite and land-based cellular networks, depending on the location of the ship. This means that passengers can enjoy better coverage and faster speeds while at sea. Overall, while internet and Wi-Fi services on cruise ships may not be perfect, they have come a long way in recent years and can be a valuable tool for staying connected while at sea. Cruise ships have come a long way in terms of internet and Wi-Fi availability in recent years. Most major cruise lines now offer internet and Wi-Fi services onboard their ships, although the quality and cost of these services can vary widely. To avoid any unexpected charges, it is recommended to turn off cellular data and roaming before embarking on your cruise.

Be sure to weigh your onboard and roaming data needs against your budget. (That Instagram account isn't going to update itself.) Are you planning a working trip? You'll have to account for email and file exchanges along with possible calls. Your best option might be to hold off until you find an Internet cafe or a bar with Wi-Fi in port. Cruise ships have Wi-Fi, but with the exception of luxury cruise lines and Virgin Voyages, Wi-Fi costs extra and can be costly and unreliable. WMS currently does not support any US prepaid cell phones with our service.

40,000 people receive my best cruise tips, insights and guides every week. I create cruise content across YouTube, this website and my social accounts, all with the aim of helping you to find, and take your perfect cruise. I took my first cruise when I was 11 and I’ve been hooked ever since. They have the peace of mind of knowing they won’t end up with a big phone bill after the cruise. When you get to the port, you may be able to use your phone’s Mobile Data as you would at home.

The good news is that most cruise ships now offer Wi-Fi, which means you can stream your favorite shows and movies from the comfort of your cabin. However, it is important to note that the internet speeds on cruise ships are often slower than what you are used to on land. This means that streaming may be slower and may not be available in all areas of the ship. It's worth noting that the cost of using cellular service on a cruise ship can be significantly higher than using the same service on land. Passengers should be aware of this and consider other options, such as using the ship's Wi-Fi or purchasing an international calling plan from their carrier before embarking on their cruise. However, it's important to note that internet and Wi-Fi services on cruise ships can be slower and less reliable than what passengers are used to on land.