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

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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.