Should I turn off cellular data on cruise?

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. As you sail into international waters, these expenses can add up, so we recommend that guests turn off their cellular data and connect to the ship's Wi-Fi instead.



Yes, you should absolutely turn off cellular data and roaming the moment your cruise ship leaves port. Once a ship is at sea, it connects to a specialized "Cellular at Sea" satellite network that is notoriously expensive and is not covered by standard international roaming plans. In 2026, even a few minutes of background data syncing—such as your phone downloading email attachments or updating apps—can result in "bill shock" with charges reaching hundreds of dollars. The safest practice is to switch your phone to Airplane Mode and then manually turn on Wi-Fi to connect to the ship's network. This allows you to use the cruise app for free or access the internet if you've purchased a package. If you forget to do this, your phone may "ping" the ship's tower even while in your pocket, triggering daily "cruise roaming" fees from your carrier that are significantly higher than land-based rates. Only turn your data back on once you have clearly docked at a port and confirmed that your phone is connected to a local land-based provider or your carrier's specific international "Travel Pass" network.

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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. As you sail into international waters, these expenses can add up, so we recommend that guests turn off their cellular data and connect to the ship's Wi-Fi instead.

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Better to keep cellular service off. Airplane 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. But don't worry: Your smartphone won't be completely useless for the trip.

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Using your cell on the ship For most people, the best piece of advice is to put your phone on airplane mode before your ship sets sail out of port. This prevents your cell from trying to stay connected, thereby eliminating roaming charges.

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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.


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Royal Caribbean's VOOM internet is the gold standard when it comes to cruise ship Wi-Fi, with the fastest speeds out there. Some Cruise Critic forum members report speeds of up to 24Mbps, which, believe us, is fast! With Voom, there's not much you can't do. Need to upload pictures to Facebook or Instagram?

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If you're not able to wait for ports of call (or don't have international data on your phone), it might be worthwhile to pay for a Wi-Fi package. Although prices have decreased over the years, it can still be pretty costly to purchase Wi-Fi for your cruise.

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At sea, mainstream cruise lines usually do not include Wi-Fi in their cruise fares, but premium and luxury lines almost always do. Cruise lines that include free Wi-Fi for all passengers are luxury lines like Seabourn, Silversea and Regent Seven Seas Cruises, along with upscale cruise lines Oceania Cruises and Viking.

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If you use WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, or WeChat, you may be able to use them whenever you have a Wi-Fi connection. Other suggestions are dependent on the cruise line you are traveling. Guests can use the following apps for texting: Shipmate (available in Apple and Google Play Stores)

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Wi-Fi on cruise ships is expensive because of the unique challenges associated with providing internet access in a maritime environment. Cruise ships are constantly moving, which means that they must rely on satellite technology to provide Wi-Fi service.

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No, you do not need an internet package to use the app onboard. Simply connect to your ship's guest Wi-Fi to use the app for free without an internet package. The easiest way is to connect to the ship Wi-Fi, is via your phone Settings once onboard. Every ship's Wi-Fi follows the same format: Guest-(ship name)-Wi-Fi.

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The price of Wi-Fi on a cruise ship can range from $15 to $30 and more per device per day. On luxury cruise lines or even some premium lines there is free Wi-Fi included in the cost of the cruise fare.

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Today, the to-and-fro of signals from satellites brings internet connectivity to the ship, which routes the service to WiFi access points across the ship. Customers connect to the internet by connecting their devices with WiFi routers installed at every access point, enabling internet service across metallic walls.

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Food and drinking are usually complimentary on the cruises. You are also allowed to bring your own snack on the cruise so that you can have what you love. A certain time is fixed for every meal - breakfast, lunch, and dinner. You can either have it with everybody in the dining room or bring it to your room.

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