Do cell phones work on cruise ships?

Table Of Content

• What Cruise Passengers Need To Know About Data & Internet Access
• Can I Use My Phone? Guide to Cell Phone Access on an Alaskan Cruise
• Seattle Cruise Hotels In Easy Walking Distance of the Port
• Wi-Fi Onboard
• Cellphone Use Onboard a Royal Caribbean cruise
• Cruise-specific phone plans
• And hard-learned lessons about what not to do when connecting at sea
• Can I Make Calls From My Cell Phone on a Cruise?

MSC Cruises, for instance, do not allow you to switch back and forth. If you have a cell phone and tablet you want to have access to, you will need a plan that covers two devices. Some staterooms, most often suites, include an internet plan, so make sure to review what benefits come with the cabin you have booked. Cell phones work by sending radio signals to a cell phone tower, which then sends them along to the recipient of the call or text.

What Cruise Passengers Need To Know About Data & Internet Access

You can purchase different buckets of megabytes, or you can use a pay as you go plan. If you buy a package, you cannot get a refund for unused minutes. 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. Why would you want or need internet access while on your cruise vacation? Or, perhaps you want to stay in contact with family and friends back home.

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

5 things Disney Cruise Line is doing wrong - Cruise Blog

5 things Disney Cruise Line is doing wrong.

Posted: Tue, 27 Feb 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]

The simplest approach is to buy a Voom internet package that can support enough devices at once to be able to text or chat via your preferred app. When your cruise begins, your ship will travel far enough away from land to prevent your phone from being able to access your carrier's network. The cruise ship’s free Wi-Fi enables you to use the App only – not send messages, surf the internet or do anything else.

Seattle Cruise Hotels In Easy Walking Distance of the Port

Most cruise lines that offer a proprietary app will include some type of messaging service within the app itself. You cannot, however, text with people who are not on your cruise. Holland America offers a 3-tiered package system that is priced per day with discounts if purchased for the length of the cruise. Typically, cellular data access covers a wider range (which can be measured in miles), but can be slow.

Wi-Fi Onboard

A lot of us use our phones for cameras and videos on our cruise. While there is nothing wrong with carrying your phone around on your cruise – be smart – don’t get caught with enormous data charges. 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. 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.

Cellphone Use Onboard a Royal Caribbean cruise

Cruise ship package rates apply only when you are more than 12 miles from port. Once within the 12 mile zone, standard roaming rates for that country apply. If you sail on a non-qualifying ship, any cellular use will be billed at pay-per-use rates. Make sure you understand the details of your roaming plan (roaming data, voice and text messaging) to avoid any unpleasant surprises in port.

If you are considering taking a cruise you may be wondering if you can stay in touch with family and friends back home by using your phone in the normal way. While not always the most secure or reliable, it can be helpful for a quick post on Instagram or to check in with family and friends before getting back onboard. 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.

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. In addition, your coverage is going to depend on your cell service provider. According to their coverage maps, each major company offers service in the Alaskan ports. You can see, however, that coverage definitely varies, with AT&T seeming to offer the widest service.

Can I Make Calls From My Cell Phone on a Cruise?

Use your phone on a cruise with no issues with on-board internet or an eSIM for the coastal area and live the best experience at sea. Using WhatsApp as an example, you can send regular narrative messages, text photos and videos, and to some extent, you may be able to have a video call. For more insights into MSC cruise wifi, check out our review of MSC Seaside.

The problem is that there really aren’t very many cell towers at sea, meaning that service is spotty and unreliable, if not completely unavailable most of the time. Nearly all major cruise lines sailing today have ship-wide Wi-Fi available. Unfortunately, we have heard horror stories of people being surprised by high bills on their cell plans after cruising. Phone usage during a cruise is one of the most common questions that people have when they are ready to board the ship. These days our phones are so much more than just a way to call back home.

Here is an in-depth look at what you need to know about using your cell phone while on a Royal Caribbean ship. No matter how much you like to unwind when on vacation, odds are that you'll be bringing your smartphone with you on your next cruise. With that in mind, we've put together some tips when using your smartphone at sea — and a few things you should avoid doing at all costs. For most people, the days of going on an entirely “unconnected cruise” are pretty much over. Now we can go on vacation without being completely detached from our families, friends and the world. P&O’s Arvia and Iona are similar-sized ships but don’t have this messaging feature.

For some passengers in high-class suites, there may be free packages or complementary internet access. Cruise lines have begun selling internet packages through satellite for passengers who need a more reliable and constant connection to the web. These plans often offer more speed and data but come at a premium price. You should definitely contact your cruise line to find out if they have any such packages and if they are suitable for your vacation plans. First-time cruisers might benefit from knowing more about the proper use of cell phones on a cruise journey.

If you are able to pick up local service in the port areas you will be charged a different rate by your carrier then the Cruise Ship Roaming rate. Some carriers offer international roaming plans, or even cell phone plans that are designed to be used on cruise ships. It's possible to send and receive text messages at sea on a cellular signal, as long as you have a signal through your ship's roaming network. (Just make sure you turn on data roaming in your settings.) Texting costs a lot less than a voice call -- usually in line with standard, international "pay as you go" rates. Most major carriers charge $0.50 to send a message or deduct messages from your monthly allotment.

Check with you cellular provider to see if they have a cruise plan and what the cost will be. 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. For most cruises — like those that go to the Caribbean — the answer is pretty simple. Whether you want to stay connected with loved ones or access important information, these insights and tips will help you navigate cell phone usage on your next cruise adventure. And, assuming that you have a carrier that offers coverage for your specific cruise, you will need a special plan for the charges. Otherwise, the default would be very high rates akin to international roaming charges.

If it is critical to have access to a site during your cruise, you may want to contact tech support to see if there is another way to get the secondary authorization, such as email. Additionally, Royal Caribbean's VIP "The Key" program includes VOOM® Surf & Stream on one device, along with other perks like an exclusive embarkation day lunch in the Main Dining Room. There are plenty of ways to use your phone on board without incurring unwanted charges and fees. If you’re on an Alaskan cruise, we’d actually suggest using the wi-fi on the ship to keep in touch.

How Do Cell Phones Work On Cruise Ships

Table Of Content

• Don't forget to put your phone in airplane mode
• Speak to a travel consultant
• Can I access cruise-specific phone plans and costs?

But you'll also want to take advantage of some of the mistakes we've made and others have made over the years. So here are some additional tips about how not to use your smartphone on a cruise. Follow the tips below to make sure you make the most of your time at sea without racking up high bills on your smartphone.

Don't forget to put your phone in airplane mode

If you forget, you won't be charged for incoming calls you don't accept, but some service providers will charge for unread text messages that arrive while your phone is roaming. There are valuable ways to use your cell phone on board that don’t cost extra thanks to Princess MedallionClass™ – the newest technology at sea. When you sail on a MedallionClass ship, you get a complimentary Medallion®. Each quarter-sized device has built-in geo-location technology. When paired with your mobile device, have drinks – or pizza and extra sunscreen – delivered straight to your pool chair. Take part in PlayOcean™ games, set out on location-based scavenger hunts on board or participate in Games Under the Stars.

Speak to a travel consultant

Whenever you are accessing wifi through relatively public facilities, be cautious about transmitting any personal information. Even though your cruise may last less than 30 days, no proration is available. Our goal has been to provide our readers with expansive coverage of all aspects of the Royal Caribbean experience. Matt started Royal Caribbean Blog in 2010 as a place to share his passion for all things Royal Caribbean with readers. He oversees all the writers at Royal Caribbean Blog, and writes a great deal of content on a daily basis.

Can I access cruise-specific phone plans and costs?

You must have service with one of the nearly 400 carriers worldwide that have a roaming agreement with WMS. Some prepaid phone plans by some carriers are not currently supported. Please check with your mobile telephone service provider for details. All Disney Cruise ships offer internet access through Connect@Sea.

Best international phone plans in 2024 — what travelers need to know - Tom's Guide

Best international phone plans in 2024 — what travelers need to know.

Posted: Mon, 01 Apr 2024 07:00:00 GMT [source]

The other option is to use Wi-Fi to make calls and send messages while you're on board. You can still use Wi-Fi and Bluetooth while your cell is in airplane mode, so make sure they're switched on. Wi-Fi packages are available on cruise ships, but they tend to be expensive. The cheapest Wi-Fi package from Carnival Cruises costs $12.75 per person per day, which can add up. Unfortunately, on top of being expensive, Wi-Fi on cruise ships tends to be unreliable and slow.

Internet Options

Every major cruise line and ship will offer wi-fi service, usually costing about $15-25 per day. Since you are traveling within the United States, that means your cell phone plan likely offers some service while in port. Unfortunately, it’s not as simple as using your phone as you would at home.

Cruises

Now they are our social lives, our entertainment devices, our cameras, and more. Cruise ships have made great strides in their proprietary mobile apps, and they have become an integral part of the cruising experience. Depending on the cruise line, it can be cheaper to bundle Wi-Fi with a drink package or purchase multiple plans at once, like if you are sailing onboard MSC Cruises. Once a cruise is booked, internet/wi-fi plans will become available for purchase.

WMS has no involvement at all with retail charges applied to your monthly bill by your cell phone provider. While the app will require access to cruise wifi, usually you are not charged for wifi for using the cruise line app. Meaning if all of you are using cruise wifi for is to access the cruise line app, you do not need a package to do so. However, some of these proprietary messaging services have a charge. Also, the official cruise line app and/or the messaging service itself may only be available on certain ships.

It's up to you to make sure your phone settings are adjusted to keep you from roaming at sea. You may experience lag time on calls or slow connection speeds. Depending on where your ship is in the world and whether anything (like a mountain range) is blocking the connection to the satellite, your phone may not work temporarily for calls or Wi-Fi access. 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).

Wi-Fi Service to Use Your Phone in PortWant to save some money? Then you may be able to skip dealing with international plans altogether and just connect to wi-fi hotspots in port. While most of your time is spent on the ship, there will be large chunks of the day spent in port. You might wondering about using your phone during this portion of your cruise. This includes doing things like making calls from within communication apps like WhatsApp, iMessage, texting, and surfing the web.

International SIM cards offer the benefit of choice and variety, with an open market of plans that fit your budget and usage needs. You'll be using a different phone number with that new SIM card, but you'll still be able to access your web-based apps, email, and internet messaging like WhatsApp and Apple's iMessage. Once you're in port, double-check whether your phone is connecting via the ship or the local land-based cell tower. Depending on the port, there might not be land-based reception. Cruise versus land-based roaming charges differ, with land-based reception often the less-expensive option.

Service in CanadaIn addition, pretty much every cruise from Seattle to Alaska makes at least one stop in Canada. If you are in a Canadian port such as Vancouver or Victoria, then you will be connecting to Canadian cell towers and should have plenty of coverage as these are major cities. Given that you will be traveling through international waters, rugged territory, and out of range of land-based towers, when and what service you have will be constantly changing. When it comes to roaming services, you can use your phone with your home operator with all the regular services included. Remember that the final bill depends mostly on your operator and their rates. You do not need to do anything special to connect to the service.

But when compared to how things were in the past, improvements are marked and stunning. Now, on cruises, you should be able to access wifi anywhere on the cruise ship, including your cabin. You no longer have to seek out the computer lab and fight other passengers for access.

Royal Caribbean offers a WiFi internet access on its ships, known as Voom, which allows you to browse the internet. Airplane mode disables the phone's ability to communicate with cell phone towers and will ensure you can use your phone without incurring charges. Nothing is worse than traveling with your smartphone device and realizing that you don’t have all your accessories. So, make sure you pack all necessary power cords, extra battery/power back-up and charging stations.