What to Expect on a Cruise: Staying in Touch on a Cruise

Table Of Content

• Tips for Maximizing Wi-Fi Usage
• AT&T Cruise Ship Packages
• Worth It? Complete Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) Drink Package Guide
• apps to travel to Japan
• Can I access cruise-specific phone plans and costs?

Carnival also offers internet access plans that you can purchase onboard. But, once you’re within 12 miles of a port, the roaming rates for that country apply. Verizon Pay as You Go is only available on specific cruise lines. The charge is $2.99/minute for talk and $0.50 for texts sent or received. Verizon does not offer cellular data service on cruise ships while at sea. Rates for roaming on ships are determined by your home carrier.

Tips for Maximizing Wi-Fi Usage

You should receive a text from your provider if you are connected to the Maritime Network, outlining the costs of making phone calls and sending and receiving texts. Do you have any tips on how to best use your smartphone at sea? Leave us a comment to share your experiences of how you stay connected while on a cruise ship. Don’t waste time and money downloading apps, games or software you need for your trip from your stateroom — do that before leaving. You may also want to use the ShipMate app so you can see who else is traveling aboard your vessel.

AT&T Cruise Ship Packages

Consider bringing a travel power strip (one without surge protection) if your cabin's electronic devices will all need to be charged overnight at the same time. Power brick chargers are essential for topping up power anywhere else on the ship or exploring a port. But remember, your cellphone won't be useful to you if you run out of battery life. Double-check that you have packed the right chargers and outlet plugs, especially for accessories like Bluetooth earphones. You may experience lag time on calls or slow connection speeds.

Worth It? Complete Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) Drink Package Guide

T-Mobile’s Magenta and Magenta Max plans come with talk, text and data in 210 countries and onboard some cruise ships. Verify your plan’s coverage before leaving home.AT&T offers a $50 talk and text cruise plan and a $100 plan that includes some data.. When you are in port your mobile will operate from the carrier of the country that you are visiting, so you may not be able to access this depending on your mobile plan.

apps to travel to Japan

Some apps like WhatsApp also let you make calls, chat, and even chat via video. 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. Cell providers offer packages you help cruisers better budget. For example, AT&T offers a couple of cruise ship packages, starting at $50 for a package of minutes and texting. For the vast majority of plans, these services are considered international roaming plans by your cell phone company, and you will be charged accordingly for use.

Costly Mistakes to Avoid When Using Your Phone on a Cruise – (Beginners Guide)

Unless it's absolutely necessary, we recommend never accessing private accounts, such as bank accounts or credit cards, while connected to these networks. Nothing would be worse than having your personal data or identity snatched while you are trying to access the Web. And even if you're in a friendly-looking cafe, there are still steps you should take to stay safe when using an open Wi-Fi network. With online access, there are a number of phones and apps — such as WhatsApp — that allow you to send texts and even make calls through your wi-fi connection.

Can I access cruise-specific phone plans and costs?

Major wireless providers have a cruise ship plan with lower rates than regular roaming rates. Contact your provider to sign up for the plan before you depart. AT&T, for example, supports all lines except MSC Cruises, while Verizon and Sprint support all of the major cruise lines. Visit your carrier’s website for pricing information, and to make sure your phone is compatible. The Norwegian app is available fleetwide as of July, 2019, and it’s free to download.

Check out Your Options for Staying in Touch

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Some cruisers bring walkie-talkies onboard, particularly families with kids old enough to spend time on their own. The walkie-talkies help, but there will be spots on mega-ships where the range will not be sufficient. Royal Caribbean is actively developing group chat and one-to-one chat features. They are currently available on a limited basis on select ships. Check out this post for more information about the cruise line’s current plans in this area. Discounts available when you purchase for the length of cruise may vary.

MSC Cruises Wifi

When you are on a cruise and trying to figure out cell service, you will have other considerations besides your geographic location in the world. You have to determine whether your carrier offers coverage with your cruise line and specifically with your individual ship. Firstly, passengers should inquire about the ship's onboard communication system.

One thing to note, however, is that even if the map above shows service, it could still be spotty. For example, we personally use Mint Mobile, which is a discount carrier that’s part of the T-Mobile network. During a recent cruise our phone did not have coverage in some ports. However, we noticed that passengers with major carriers seemed able to connect. Just as we've seen landside, cruise ships have begun to use QR codes to replace physical bar and restaurant menus. However, depending on the plan you choose, you will be able to text, voice call, video call, check email, and stream music and video.

If you’re on an Alaskan cruise, we’d actually suggest using the wi-fi on the ship to keep in touch. Use your phone as an alarm clock to make sure you're up at the right time for excursions, pool parties and dinner reservations. Prices are not set in stone, but vary between around $15-25 a day.

Even if you're not actively using your phone, your smartphone is constantly utilizing data in the background, racking up charges you're not even aware of. Yes, you may be able to get internet data from your mobile carrier depending on certain cruise plans instead so it is worth contacting your mobile provider to see what's available. Mobile providers offer different packages for customers going on a cruise, including set allowances and Maritime plans.

For that reason, we suggest turning your phone into airplane mode while you are aboard the ship (wi-fi will still work when the phone is in airplane mode). When you are on shore in Alaskan ports, then you can use your phone as normal without having to worry about overages. Unless you have international plan or a provider who allows you to call in Canada at no additional charge (many do), then you are going to be charged for international roaming.

Cruise ships have adapted to our digital needs by offering Wi-Fi and internet packages that allow passengers to stay connected even in the middle of the ocean. Passengers should explore Wi-Fi packages before boarding, as purchasing these plans in advance often leads to significant savings compared to onboard rates. Use of the WMS services requires compatible wireless phone and qualified wireless service with a home carrier provider that has a roaming agreement with WMS. Your home network will determine the international roaming rates you pay for usage. Days in port mean time to explore, and for most of us, we need our phones.

Can I Use My Phone? Guide to Cell Phone Access on an Alaskan Cruise

Table Of Content

• Seattle Cruise Hotels In Easy Walking Distance of the Port
• Further Cruising Information
• Cruise Ship Wifi & Internet Access
• Make sure you have an international plan
• How can I learn more about staying in touch from and on a cruise ship?
• Can I make calls from my mobile phone on a cruise?

Check with you cellular provider to see if they have a cruise plan and what the cost will be. Once your ship is at least 12 nautical miles out to sea (or at least2 nautical miles in EU countries), the WMS network turns on and you will automatically connect to it. Our service will stay on for the duration of the time that the ship is sailing at sea. Once your ship approaches land again and is within 12 nautical miles from shore (or 2 nautical miles in the EU), our service is turned off and your phone will pick up local service.

Seattle Cruise Hotels In Easy Walking Distance of the Port

Within the port cities themselves, you should be fine on coverage, even getting high-speed data in many areas. Traveling outside of the ports will likely cause you to drop signal quickly, especially if taking an excursion to the wilderness. Here’s more information about us cell phone on an Alaskan cruise. Note the difference between SMS (text only, up to 160 characters long) and MMS (a message that contains media including photos, videos and audio files). This includes doing things like making calls from within communication apps like WhatsApp, iMessage, texting, and surfing the web.

Further Cruising Information

When embarking on a cruise, one of the first questions many travelers have is about staying connected. Cell phone coverage on cruise ships isn't as straightforward as on land. It's essential to know that while at sea, traditional cell tower connections don't apply. Instead, ships utilize satellite technology to enable communication. If you want to prevent your device from becoming useless during your cruise or costing you an obscene amount in roaming fees, follow these tips for using cell phones on cruise ships.

Cruise Ship Wifi & Internet Access

Cellular Service on ShipsFor traditional cell service, today’s modern cruise ships use providers such as “Cellular at Sea” or “Wireless Maritime Services”. Some eSIM service providers may offer satellite-based plans usable in inaccessible areas, like in the middle of the ocean. It is important to investigate alternatives and potential costs before committing to one of these plans because they tend to be pricey and may have limited data allowances. However, the overall benefits outweigh the regular SIM cards and even on-board plans. There has been a rise in the use of eSIMs (embedded SIM cards) to replace physical SIM cards. Users can switch carriers without having to swap out conventional SIM cards thanks to eSIMs, which are built into compatible smartphones.

Tips on how not to use your phone on a ship

The cruise industry has made great efforts to provide onboard internet access, realizing the value of this amenity for today’s vacationers. When on a cruise, you can connect to the web in one of three primary ways. The methods by which you can be reached on a cruise ship by someone on land vary by cruise line. In most cases, including on Royal Caribbean International, Princess Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line and Silversea, you can give people back home an emergency number for them to call.

For an additional fee, you can access a calling and messaging service through the app. This service allows unlimited messaging with other passengers who have the app and group chats. You can also place international calls through the app (to supported countries) for a flat rate of $0.79 per minute. You can also call staterooms and a variety of onship extensions. Suddenly, you may encounter issues with using your cell phone to call and text, and also with accessing wifi on a cruise – whether by phone, tablet or computer.

Please check with your mobile telephone service provider for details. Alaskan cruises stop in ports like Juneau, Ketchikan, and Skagway. Since these are U.S. ports, your cell phone will work just as it would anywhere else in the United States — and have the same charges for data, texts, and calls. Keep a watchful eye on your "airplane mode" setting, ensuring it's always on when you're on board your cruise ship.

The simplest and easiest method is to turn your phone completely off before the ship leaves port. Solo travelers looking to book European cruises have a range of options when it comes to cabin accommodations. Carnival Cruise New Orleans is a popular cruise line that offers a wide range of exciting and fun-filled activities... Balancing her writing career and family life with effortless grace, Judith is happily married, mother to two wonderful children, and a doting grandmother to three grandkids. Much like Judith, her family shares her enthusiasm for the sea, often accompanying her on cruise adventures and enriching her articles with their unique perspectives.

Can I make calls from my mobile phone on a cruise?

Establishments with a password-protected network will likely be more secure and less congested than open networks. It's common for hackers to set up bogus hotspots at popular attractions so they can access the personal information of people who connect. Verify which free network is being offered by your restaurant, attraction or airport before connecting. You might have to manually adjust roaming settings for voice, text messages and data to prevent any surprise charges. Apps that sync in the background can stealthily eat up your data balance; switch your syncing and background data settings to Wi-Fi-only, or disable them completely to avoid this headache.

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A package of 100 MB costs $19, 300 MB costs $39 and for $89, you can purchase 1000 MB. Guests sailing in Concierge class have access to some amount of free internet. The difference becomes more important, however, when you are cruising around the ocean on an actual cruise ship. Depending on your cell phone carrier, you may not be able to access cellular data at all. And, for those carriers that permit it, the costs can be substantial.

We know that you can definitely use your phone at home, at your friend’s house, and even on the other side of the world, but can you use it on a cruise ship? It’s hardly surprising that in today’s globally interconnected world, many vacationers consider maintaining their online presence a top concern, even while at sea. Q - Can I check-in for my post cruise flight and print my boarding passes prior to leaving the ship? A - Yes, you can check-in online and print your boarding passes in the Internet Café.

If you are using your laptop, please ensure that your pop-up blocker is disabled to allow the "Logout/Time Remaining" window to appear and log out from there. For other lines, notably Carnival Cruise Line, the person trying to contact you must call the line's regular call center and leave a message that will be relayed to you. Check your cruise documentation or ask your travel agent or cruise sales representative for the emergency number. Celebrity allows you to chat free of charge with other guests on ships that feature the Celebrity App. This feature is currently known to be available on the new Celebrity Edge, and also on Constellation, Equinox, Millennium, Reflection and Summit. If you want to communicate with your travel companions, this is a great convenient way to do so, provided they all have wifi access.

That said, if you want to (or need to), you can simply make a phone call or send a text as you would back home — you’ll just be charged significantly more than usual. To use your cell phone on your cruise, you have two options — either connect to the ship’s cellular service or connect to the ship’s wi-fi. You may worry about whether you will have cell phone service when at sea.

Since many of these networks are public, you should be cautious about which sites you visit while connected. Setting sail on the high seas allows you to disconnect from everyday life and relax completely. However, travelers rarely want to be disconnected completely for days or weeks on end, and the thought of waving goodbye to regular cell service can be anxiety-inducing for many people. The good news is that nowadays, you can use your phone on a cruise ship and in the ports that you visit so you can stay connected with family and friends. Prices are high, but can be a little less than what your cellphone company will charge you.

You also can use your phone as an alarm clock, but you'll have to manually set the time if the time onboard changes. On the flip side, you have no control over incoming text messages, so if you receive any while you are using your phone via the ship's signal, you will be charged. Your smartphone will likely go everywhere you go on board a cruise ship, so plan ahead to make sure any and all fees are managed and expected. Through the wi-fi offered on your cruise ship, you should be able to connect and use your phone just as you would on land.