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.

In 2026, the cost of texting on a cruise depends on the app you use. Most major lines (like Royal Caribbean, Carnival, and Norwegian) now offer a free basic tier in their official ship app that allows you to message other passengers on the same ship for no charge. However, if you want to text people "back home" via iMessage, WhatsApp, or standard SMS, you generally have to pay for a Wi-Fi package. These packages usually range from $15 to $25 per day. A few luxury lines (like Virgin Voyages or Viking) include basic "texting-speed" Wi-Fi for free. Be warned: if you use your phone's "cellular roaming" to text without a Wi-Fi plan, you may be hit with "Cellular at Sea" charges, which can cost $0.50 per text or more. The "2026 Pro-Tip" is to put your phone in Airplane Mode the moment you leave port and rely solely on the ship's Wi-Fi to avoid a surprise bill.