On the road
Internet on a cruise: why your data plan is no use on the open sea
On board there are no masts belonging to any country: there is satellite, and it is billed separately. What works in port, what doesn't at sea and how to avoid the bill.
Claudia Ferrán 6 min Photo by Fernando Jorge on Unsplash It is the most expensive surprise bill in all of telephony, and the least understood when it arrives: somebody takes a Mediterranean cruise, with their plan covering every country on the itinerary, and comes home to a three-figure charge. The explanation is simple and worth knowing before boarding.
On the open sea there is no country's network
The ships carry their own antenna, which connects by satellite. That network belongs to no country at all: it belongs to a maritime operator, and that is why it falls outside EU roaming and outside almost every data plan, eSIM plans included.
Your phone connects to it with no more warning than a welcome message that almost nobody reads, and from then on every megabyte is billed at satellite prices.
What works and what doesn't
| Where you are | What happens |
|---|---|
| In port or close to the coast | The country's network: your tariff or your plan work |
| On the open sea | The ship's satellite network: billed separately and expensive |
| Wi-fi on board | Sold by the cruise line, with its own packages and price |
| On a shore excursion | The network of that port's country |
What to do when boarding
- Turn data roaming off on EVERY line on the phone, the travel eSIM included.
- If you want to be completely sure: aeroplane mode with wi-fi on, to use the ship's if you buy it.
- Check that backups and updates are set to wi-fi only.
- Tell whoever is travelling with you, especially if there are teenagers with a phone in hand.
In port your plan does work
When the ship docks, the phone sees the port country's network again. There your tariff or your data plan work normally, and that is the moment to upload photos and call home.
Watch one detail: close to the coast, before docking, the phone can switch between the ship's network and the country's. If you want no surprises, do not turn it on until you are ashore.
And the wi-fi on board
Cruise lines sell internet packages by the day, usually per device and at limited speeds. It is expensive compared with what you pay ashore, and it is the only way to be connected during the crossing. If you buy it, check whether it allows several devices and whether it includes calls over apps, because many block them.
Frequently asked questions
Does my eSIM work on a cruise?
In port and close to the coast yes, because the phone sees the country's network. On the open sea no: there is only the ship's satellite network, which is billed separately.
Why do I get an enormous bill after a cruise?
Because the phone connected to the ship's satellite network, which belongs to no country and falls outside EU roaming and outside data plans.
How do I avoid it?
By turning data roaming off on every line when boarding, or simply using aeroplane mode with wi-fi on.
And the ship's wi-fi?
The cruise line sells it by the day and per device, at limited speed. It is expensive compared with ashore and many packages block calls over apps.
Can I use my phone in port?
Yes, ashore the phone sees the country's network and your plan works normally. Close to the coast it can switch between the two networks, so it is better to wait until you are ashore.
