Do you have to pay for phone service on a cruise?


Do you have to pay for phone service on a cruise? 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”.


Do you have to pay to use your phone on a cruise?

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.


Do you have to pay to text on a cruise?

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.


Is WhatsApp free on a cruise ship?

Is WhatsApp free on a cruise ship? By default, WhatsApp is not free on a cruise ship. You need to be online, and most cruise lines charge for internet access, unless you have a special fare that includes WiFi access.


Is it expensive to call from a cruise ship?

Ship-to-Shore Communication The rate is $1.99 per minute, and charges are billed to the guest's on board Sail and Sign Card. Since all communication is via satellite, the charges apply to all calls including calling cards, credit cards, 800 toll-free numbers and collect calls.


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.


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 I need roaming on a cruise ship?

Data use onboard a cruise ship is ridiculously expensive, especially because it tends to add up quickly. Always remember to put your phone in airplane mode or turn off data roaming before you head out to sea and don't want to be smacked with a hefty bill upon returning home. Even in port, the rates get pretty high.


Can you use your phone to text 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 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”.


Is texting free on 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.


Is there free texting on Royal Caribbean?

The chat feature in the Royal Caribbean app allows you to chat with other passengers onboard your sailing for FREE. Chat is only available while onboard your ship and only while you are connected to the ship's Wi-Fi network.


Is FaceTime free 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.


Do cruise ships check your bags?

When you arrive at the Port Authority Security in the cruise terminal, you will pass a security checkpoint where all carry-on luggage goes through X-rays and other baggage is checked in. All checked bags on cruise ships are scanned.


Do you pay anything on a cruise ship?

There are fees for accessing some areas of the ship, including limited-access sundecks and some spa pools. Services like laundry and dry cleaning, baby-sitting, baby care items ordered in advance, and some fitness classes may also show up on your bill as extras.