Cellular at Sea: The Phone Network on the Ocean
For most of us, a cruise means a break from work, routines, and—yes—our phones. But for those who can’t entirely disconnect, there’s one important option to consider: Cellular at Sea. This service connects your phone to the ship’s communications array once it reaches international waters, enabling calls, texts, and data access. But this convenience often comes at a high price. Roaming charges from Cellular at Sea are not included in most phone plans, leading to potentially hefty bills. In this article, we’ll break down how Cellular at Sea works and how to avoid costly charges.
What is Cellular at Sea and How Does It Work?
Cellular at Sea enables mobile connectivity for passengers aboard cruise ships, but it does so using the ship’s communication array, not the typical cell towers you’re used to on land. Once the ship enters international waters, your phone automatically connects to this network. However, unlike land-based mobile networks, the service isn’t included in most standard phone plans.
When you connect to Cellular at Sea, you may incur charges even without making a call. Your phone will automatically access the network for incoming calls, voicemail retrieval, text messages, and background app updates. Any data used will be charged to your phone bill as a Cruise Ship Roaming Rate. Cellular at Sea asserts that they have no control over these retail charges and your carrier is unlikely to waive the fees, even if you didn’t intentionally connect. So, knowing how to avoid these charges is crucial.
How to Avoid Unwanted Roaming Charges on Your Cruise
The simplest and most effective way to avoid these surprise charges is to enable airplane mode as soon as you board the ship. This action immediately disables all cellular, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth connections, effectively preventing your phone from connecting to Cellular at Sea.
For both iPhone and Android users, toggling airplane mode is easy: swipe down from the top of your screen to access Quick Settings, then tap the airplane icon. Alternatively, you can navigate to your phone’s settings and manually toggle airplane mode under “Network & Internet.”
Taking this step ensures that your phone won’t connect to any network, even inadvertently, saving you from costly roaming charges. If you want to stay connected, you can turn Wi-Fi back on once you’re on board, and use ship-based Wi-Fi to connect for a more predictable cost.
Ways to Stay Connected Without Paying High Fees
While most people recommend staying in airplane mode, it’s also possible to stay connected intentionally without going overboard on costs. The key here is to monitor your data usage by disabling any automatic background updates, like app downloads, location tracking, and email syncing.
To adjust these settings, go into your phone’s settings and turn off features that might automatically consume data. You can still check messages and send occasional texts, but with a little planning, you can minimize your data usage.
If you’re determined to stay connected for more than just checking in, you may want to explore special mobile plans and services designed for cruise-goers. AT&T and Verizon, for example, offer cruise-specific packages that provide a set amount of data, minutes, and texts on Cellular at Sea’s network, which can be more economical than the standard roaming charges.
Introducing GigSky and the new Cruise+ Plan
For those who want more control over their cruise connectivity, GigSky offers a promising alternative through their Cruise+ plan, available via an eSIM (embedded SIM). Unlike traditional roaming, GigSky lets you buy a data-only plan before your cruise, providing data through the Cellular at Sea network for a pre-determined cost.
To use GigSky, you’ll need an unlocked phone that supports eSIMs. Many newer phones support this technology. If you’re unsure, check your phone’s compatibility with eSIM before you leave.
GigSky plans start at $20 for a single day and can include up to 10GB data. You can use this data to access messaging apps like WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, and iMessage. However, because GigSky plans do not come with a phone number, traditional SMS and voice calls are unavailable on this plan. GigSky also allows for tethering, so you can share your data with other devices like tablets or laptops.
