Can you use your phone on a cruise without Wi-Fi?


Can you use your phone on a cruise without Wi-Fi? Do cell phones work on cruise ships? It's a common question with varying answers. Guests are free to utilize their cellular data or connect to our onboard Wi-Fi on any ship. But, please be aware that cellular data used on the ship or in certain ports of call will result in charges from your cell phone provider.


Can you access the Internet while on a cruise?

Staying connected while at sea is essential for many people, and fortunately, internet access on cruise ships has become more widely available. Passengers can choose from a variety of options to access the internet while on board, including cellular at sea and ship Wi-Fi.


Does Wi-Fi work well on a cruise?

Cruise lines have been hard at work improving their Wi-Fi offerings. This is great news, as options in the past were both slow and spotty. Depending on who you're sailing with, you can now find speeds that'll support streaming, video calls and more. It's not all good news, though.


Should I turn off roaming when on a cruise?

Traveling on cruise ships and ferries One tip to avoid higher charges: We recommend that you turn off roaming while the ship is docked in a U.S. port. Otherwise, your phone may pick up the ship's network and you'll be charged cruise ship roaming charges for any usage.


Does WhatsApp work on a cruise without Wi-Fi?

Can you use WhatsApp on a cruise? You can use WhatsApp on a cruise ship, but only when you are online – so either when you're connected to a WiFi package, or when you're close enough to land to have a mobile data signal.


Does it cost money to FaceTime on a cruise?

If the ship provides free wifi and internet, then iMessage and FaceTime would be free. Those services are always free from Apple, and you only pay something if you are charged for the internet connection you are using.


Can you talk on your cell phone on a cruise ship?

Stay Connected While At Sea On Your Cruise! Service for voice calls, texting (SMS) and data is available onboard while the ship is at sea. Once the WMS network is switched on, while roaming on our cruise ships, you will see a distinct display on your handset that differs from your home carrier.


Can you text on a cruise?

Out at sea, there are no cell towers. That's why cruise ships utilize at-sea providers like Wireless Maritime Services or Cellular at Sea. Guests can use their mobile devices and ship-to-shore services. However, sending and receiving texts and using your phone can be very expensive using these services.


Should I pay for Internet on a cruise ship?

If you're not able to wait for ports of call (or don't have international data on your phone), it might be worthwhile to pay for a Wi-Fi package. Although prices have decreased over the years, it can still be pretty costly to purchase Wi-Fi for your cruise.


Should I get a SIM card for a cruise?

Consider buying a prepaid International SIM card When travelling on a cruise ship, taking full advantage of this highly cost-effective alternative can save a lot of money on roaming, especially high international rates.


Will I get charged for using my phone on a cruise ship?

Typically charges will appear on the next monthly bill, but depending on your carrier it may occasionally take up to 60 days for charges to appear on your phone bill. Please note that most cell phone carriers do not allow their unlimited rate plans to apply to cellular calls, texts or data used while onboard ships.


Do you turn on airplane mode on a cruise?

Using your cell on the ship For most people, the best piece of advice is to put your phone on airplane mode before your ship sets sail out of port. This prevents your cell from trying to stay connected, thereby eliminating roaming charges.


How do I avoid roaming charges on a cruise?

How to prevent roaming charges while at sea
  1. Turn off your phone. The easiest, but by no means the nicest, is to turn off your phone. ...
  2. Use airplane mode. Many of us can't go more than a few hours without our phones, so it's more likely you will opt for these other options such as using airplane mode. ...
  3. Use the ship's wifi.


How much does it cost to have Wi-Fi on a cruise?

The price of Wi-Fi on a cruise ship can range from $15 to $30 and more per device per day. On luxury cruise lines or even some premium lines there is free Wi-Fi included in the cost of the cruise fare.


Can I use my phone on a cruise without Wi-Fi?

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. Both will cost you extra. For traditional cell service, today's modern cruise ships use providers such as “Cellular at Sea” or “Wireless Maritime Services”.


Can you text for free on a cruise?

Can You Still Text for Free in the Cruise Line's App if you Bring Your own HotSpot? Yes, of course! As long as you have the app downloaded on your phone and you're on their free wifi, you can use the app to text on a cruise ship for free.


What is free on cruise?

Free Activities on Cruises: Trivia, pool games, big-screen movies, dance classes and sports deck activities (basketball, rock climbing, mini-golf, shuffleboard and more) are all normally free on a cruise ship. Ships that offer enrichment classes do not typically charge extra for them.