AT&T Cruise Talk, Text & Data ($100) offers unlimited talk, text and 200MB of data with $2/MB overage fees. AT&T Cruise Talk & Text ($50) includes 50 minutes, overage at $2 per minute. Be careful, because 50MB will go quickly on a modern smartphone and overage fees start at $20 for 50MB.ĪT&T: AT&T's two cruise packages are both one-time charges that don't recur. If you're on one of the 400 ships that host Verizon ( check the list here), Verizon will send you a text message alert offering you a $20 monthly plan with 50MB of data. Data rates are $2.05/MB, 25 cents for a sent SMS, 5 cents for a received SMS and 25 cents for a sent or received MMS, available on most cruises. Verizon: Verizon's "Pay As You Go" cruise rates are $0.99-$2.99 per minute for voice calls, depending on your destination and the country you're calling. Note the difference between SMS (text only, up to 160 characters long) and MMS (a message that contains media including photos, videos and audio files). These are the major US carrier's cruise plans. Cruise versus land-based roaming charges differ, with land-based reception often the less-expensive option. Depending on the port, there might not be land-based reception. Once you're in port, double-check whether your phone is connecting via the ship or the local land-based cell tower. These plans charge a premium for use through the ship's satellite connection. If you plan on using your phone at sea, some service providers have cruise-specific plans available for when you're at sea. Related: 15 ways that cruising newbies waste money on ships Can I access cruise-specific phone plans and costs? If something seems off, contact the service provider's customer service. Use the ship's Wi-Fi to monitor usage on your service provider's app. 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. Keep a watchful eye on your "airplane mode" setting, ensuring it's always on when you're on board your cruise ship. Expect an alert via SMS text that you're headed into roaming territory, but beyond that, service providers won't necessarily notify you of overages and fees - you'll just be surprised with a large charge on your next bill. It's up to you to make sure your phone settings are adjusted to keep you from roaming at sea. Related: 7 extra-charge items on cruise ships that are worth the cost (and 7 that aren't) What if I accidentally use roaming services while on board? Toggle on the Wi-Fi and Bluetooth features and make use of your phone in other ways. But don't worry: Your smartphone won't be completely useless for the trip. Better to keep cellular service off.Īirplane mode will switch off your phone's transmitters for cell signal (calls and text messages) and data (browsing the web, using apps) ensuring you will not be privy to unwanted charges. Even if you're not actively using your phone, your smartphone is constantly utilizing data in the background, racking up charges you're not even aware of. If you want to avoid extra charges from your mobile phone service provider, put your smartphone on "airplane mode" sometime between boarding and when the ship sets sail. How can I avoid cellphone charges on a cruise?īy signing up, you will receive newsletters and promotional content and agree to our Terms of Use and acknowledge the data practices in our Privacy Policy. 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.Īny part of your phone that does not require a network (downloads, photo apps, alarm clocks) will function as normal on board. You may experience lag time on calls or slow connection speeds. At sea, you can either make calls via a satellite connection or pay for the ship's Wi-Fi (also via satellite) and make Wi-Fi calls, text or video chat via the internet.īandwidth and connection speed can be an issue at sea. ![]() In port, you can connect to local roaming networks. Yes, you can make calls, text, and even video chat from a cruise ship. Here's your guide to using cellphones on cruise ships and avoiding high fees while you sail the high seas.įor cruise news, reviews and tips, sign up for TPG's cruise newsletter. What's the smartest way to use your smartphone at sea without racking up a bill that costs more than your inside cabin? Will a cellphone even get reception in the middle of the ocean? Simply put, you can't use a cellphone on a cruise the way you can on land without incurring outrageous roaming charges. But if your vacation plans involve a cruise, you will need to consider rethink your phone use. Most travelers depend on their cellphones for directions, photos, recommendations, wake-up alarms and ride hailing, not to mention calls and texts.
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