Do cell phones work on a cruise ship?


Do cell phones work on a cruise ship? Cruise ships have cellular service that you can connect to. However, it's usually considered international roaming and means you'll be charged high rates to access. You likely know that instead of using a cell signal, you can hook your phone up to wi-fi and use the Internet to make calls, send texts, and surf the web.


What do you have to do before going on a cruise?

11 Things to Do the Week Before You Cruise
  1. Pack for Your Cruise. ...
  2. Check In Online and Double Check Your Documentation. ...
  3. Get COVID Tests (If Applicable) ...
  4. Get Your House in Order. ...
  5. Money Matters. ...
  6. Plan Your Ports of Call. ...
  7. Make On-Board Reservations — And Don't Forget Celebrations. ...
  8. Post on Cruise Critic.


How do I avoid phone 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.


Do you have to pay for Wi-Fi on a cruise?

Most cruise lines these days have options for onboard internet, but you'll need to pay for access, and not all types of internet service are equal. When you book a cruise, you'll generally be given the opportunity to purchase Wi-Fi before boarding.


What do you put your phone on when you go on a cruise?

Set Your Phone To avoid unwanted charges, your safest bet onboard your cruise ship is to switch to airplane mode, reactivate your wireless feature and log in to the ship's Wi-Fi network. (Note: Switching to airplane mode will turn off wireless until you manually reactivate it.)


How do you pass time on a cruise?

Since cruise lines don't want you to be bored any more than you do, they fill up days at sea with a variety of activities from trivia sessions and lectures to arts and crafts and dance lessons. The more you participate, the faster your days pass. But don't forget to mix it up a bit.


How can I get wi-fi on a cruise ship without paying?

Use onboard credit to pay for a Wi-Fi package You can use your credit to pay for onboard internet access, thereby getting Wi-Fi on your cruise for free! On most cruise lines, you'll need a minimum of $100 in onboard credit per device for a week's worth of free basic Wi-Fi.


Can I watch Netflix on a cruise?

In general, you can expect streaming to be allowed if you purchase the top-tier wi-fi package. But even though Netflix is largely allowed, it's no guarantee that it will work well. While the technology has advanced, Internet on a cruise can still be spotty.


Do you have to turn off your phone on a cruise ship?

Of course, that doesn't mean you have to keep your cell phone off the entire time. If you choose to use your cell phone while on a cruise ship, it is important that you keep it on airplane mode, regardless of whether or not you're purchasing an internet package.


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 happens if you don t put your phone on airplane mode while flying?

Your phone is not necessarily going to cause the plane to crash. But you will annoy the pilots and air traffic controllers. And that annoyance could be enough to distract them. On the ground, cell phones operate at a fairly low power.