Do You Need Airplane Mode On A Cruise?

When boarding a cruise ship, it is crucial to put your phone in airplane mode and leave it there for the duration of the sailing to avoid unwanted data charges. This will prevent you from connecting to the Maritime Network and running up an unintentional bill. By pressing the Wi-Fi Airplane mode button, you can switch off your phone transmitters for cell signal (calls and text messages) and data (browsing the web and using apps), ensuring you are not privy to unwanted charges.

If you don’t need an internet connection or cell service at sea, one of the smartest ways to save money and avoid international roaming charges is to switch to airplane mode on a cruise ship. This disables cellular, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth connections to prevent roaming charges and allows you to use non-network functions. It is best to treat your phone as a camera, allowing your battery to last all day and avoiding surprises.

For most people, the best piece of advice is to put your phone on airplane mode before the ship sets sail out of port to avoid expensive roaming charges. Cellular rates at sea can sneak up on you, and you don’t need to out your phone in airplane mode unless you want to go off-grid completely. Remember not to accept calls you don’t want in airplane mode.

Yes, you can use your cellphone on a cruise ship, but always put your smartphone into airplane mode. You don’t even have to turn it back on as soon as you re-board. Cellular at Sea is not on while the ship is in port, so you can still use Wi-Fi while your phone is in airplane mode.

What happens if I don’t put my phone in airplane mode on a cruise?

Make sure to put your phone on airplane mode to avoid expensive roaming charges. Cellular rates at sea can sneak up on you, and you can easily rack up a $500 roaming bill.

Even if you’re not actively on your phone, most are still using data, so make sure to put yours on airplane mode to avoid roaming charges.

Really, just turn your phone off unless you’re using it to take photos or access the ship’s WiFi.

I often see passengers eat all three meals at the buffet every day. I know some people just really love the self-serve option, but it surprises me how many guests have no idea what’s included with their trip.

How to avoid international phone charges on a cruise?

If you don’t need an internet connection or cell service at sea, one of the smartest things you can do to save money and avoid international roaming charges, is to put your phone on airplane mode as soon as you board your cruise ship. To do this, go to your cell phone’s Settings app and select airplane mode. Make sure your teens do the same.

You will still be able to use your phone’s other functions, such as the camera, connect to Wi-Fi, and your cruise line’s app, including the Celebrity Cruises app, when your phone is switched to Airplane Mode.

Yes, you can use data services while cruising. You have two options. You could either use your own data package by purchasing an international data package from your network carrier that includes usage at sea, or purchase a data package from your cruise line.

Can you text on a cruise ship without Wi-Fi?

Stay Connected While At Sea On Your Cruise! WMS offers an advanced roaming network onboard cruise ships allowing you to use your phone just like you do at home. Service for voice calls, texting (SMS) and data is available onboard while the ship is at sea.

Carnival Cruise Line, through agreement with Wireless Maritime Services, offers an advanced roaming network on board Carnival Cruise Lineships, allowing you to make and receive calls while at sea using your own mobile phone and telephone number. International roaming charges will be conveniently billed to you by your home mobile carrier. Please contact your mobile carrier for specific rate information.

WMS offers an advanced roaming network onboard cruise ships allowing you to use your phone just like you do at home. Service for voice calls, texting (SMS) and data is available onboard while the ship is at sea. Once the WMS network is switched on, while roaming on our cruise ships, you will see a distinct display on your handset that differs from your home carrier. Depending on the make and model of your phone, the handset will read Nor 18, cellular@sea or 901 18.

As a reminder, international roaming charges apply and will be billed by your home carrier and not by WMS.

Is it worth getting Wi-Fi on a cruise?

Getting WiFi on a cruise can be worth it if you need to stay connected. It lets you communicate, access information, and share moments with family and friends. However, it can be expensive and might not be as fast or reliable as on land. Consider your needs and the cost before deciding.

Can you use WhatsApp on a cruise?

Can You Use WhatsApp on a Cruise?. Yes, but bear in mind video calling services such as Skype or messaging services like WhatsApp will use your onboard data if you’re connected to the cruise ship’s Wi-Fi.

Will I Get Phone Signal on a Cruise?. Phone signal on a cruise is intermittent. When available, it’s provided by the cruise company’s at-sea provider and incurs roaming charges. In port, your phone connects to the local carrier, with costs varying by country and provider. Check with your provider for specific charges before your trip. Most ships use Wireless Maritime Services or Cellular at Sea to offer mobile signal onboard.

Can I Make Calls from My Mobile Phone on a Cruise?. You can make calls if you have a signal, but roaming charges apply. Rates can be high. In port, your phone uses the local carrier. Currently, there are no charges within the EU, but Brexit may change this. Check with your provider for call rates.

Is WhatsApp free on a cruise ship?

Can You Use WhatsApp on a Cruise?. Yes, but bear in mind video calling services such as Skype or messaging services like WhatsApp will use your onboard data if you’re connected to the cruise ship’s Wi-Fi.

Will I Get Phone Signal on a Cruise?. Phone signal on a cruise is intermittent. When available, it’s provided by the cruise company’s at-sea provider and incurs roaming charges. In port, your phone connects to the local carrier, with costs varying by country and provider. Check with your provider for specific charges before your trip. Most ships use Wireless Maritime Services or Cellular at Sea to offer mobile signal onboard.

Can I Make Calls from My Mobile Phone on a Cruise?. You can make calls if you have a signal, but roaming charges apply. Rates can be high. In port, your phone uses the local carrier. Currently, there are no charges within the EU, but Brexit may change this. Check with your provider for call rates.

How do you communicate on a cruise without Wi-Fi?

Before ships provided Wi-Fi and apps, cruisers connected the old-school way — with walkie-talkies, whiteboards and sticky notes. These techniques are the best ways to communicate on a cruise ship in case the Wi-Fi is spotty or you leave your phone in your stateroom. Plus, older kids will have a blast using a walkie-talkie to keep you aware of their whereabouts when they’re at the arcade and you’re by the pool.

Fortunately, the days of being completely disconnected while you’re cruising — and having to leave physical notes for your cabin mates on the stateroom door to let them know where you are — are blissfully over. In the last decade, technology has radically changed Wi-Fi access for cruisers, making it cheaper, faster, and more accessible to everyone.

If you’re traveling with a large group spanning several cabins or with older children who may be responsible enough to be at the kids club while you’re at the spa, make a plan in advance for how to communicate on your cruise. Will you all be signing up for the ship’s Wi-Fi package and using the ship’s app to message each other? Will you be staying on airport mode in ports and be mostly unreachable during shore excursions? If you plan to split up during the day and then meet up for dinner at the same time every night — or breakfast each morning — to connect and share stories, make sure everyone knows where to be and when. Whatever plan you decide on, do decide one in advance to set expectations and simplify communication during your trip. This way, you can just focus on enjoying your cruise and each other.

Can you text in airplane mode on a cruise ship?

Most cruisers tell their family that regular text will not work at sea and will use airplane mode. They can use a messaging app if they need to contact you. Cruise lines usually have a designated phone number to be used in emergencies. They will require the name of the cruise ship and the guest’s full name to send a message.

Read Also: Cruise Planning Tips for Beginners – 10 Pro Tips.

For business, you may want to let people know that you won’t be able to receive or respond to their messages. Furthermore, sometimes messages never come through – even after you get home. Therefore, when it comes to business, email works best.

Does Netflix work on cruise Wi-Fi?

Royal Caribbean offers high-speed internet fleetwide, as well as on its private Bahamian island, Perfect Day at CocoCay. The service, called Voom, is very speedy and can be used for streaming movies and music, and video chatting via services such as Netflix, FaceTime and Spotify. Ships also have computers available for passenger use in their iCafe internet cafes.

The Voom Surf + Stream Voyage package is available by the day or for the duration of the voyage. Family-friendly packages for up to four devices are available. Book packages pre-cruise for discounts of up to 20 percent off. With a few exceptions on specific ships, Voom Wi-Fi is complementary to Sky and Star Suite guests.

Is There a Royal Caribbean App for Connecting Onboard?

When to turn on airplane mode on a cruise?

If you don’t need an internet connection or cell service at sea, one of the smartest things you can do to save money and avoid international roaming charges, is to put your phone on airplane mode as soon as you board your cruise ship. To do this, go to your cell phone’s Settings app and select airplane mode. Make sure your teens do the same.

You will still be able to use your phone’s other functions, such as the camera, connect to Wi-Fi, and your cruise line’s app, including the Celebrity Cruises app, when your phone is switched to Airplane Mode.

Yes, you can use data services while cruising. You have two options. You could either use your own data package by purchasing an international data package from your network carrier that includes usage at sea, or purchase a data package from your cruise line.

When should you turn on airplane mode on a cruise?

As the name implies, it was designed for use while on an airplane but works just as well on a cruise ship.

Your best bet is to get on the ship and before sail away, use your phone to let anyone know what’s going on and then turn on airplane mode. Keep it in airplane mode until you return home.

By keeping your phone in airplane mode, your phone cannot join any cellular networks and will not get you a giant bill later.

Don’t worry, you can still use Wi-Fi while your phone is in airplane mode, which means you can connect to the ship’s Wi-Fi or use a Wi-Fi hotspot in one of the ports of call you visit. This includesiMessage.

Is there a way to get free Wi-Fi on a cruise?

There aren’t any cruises that’ll give you unlimited Wi-Fi for free, but some do provide limited complimentary services.

Because cruise lines are already operating Wi-Fi networks, it can make sense to create in-house systems to allow guests to communicate with each other. Disney Cruise Line has done so with its app, which provides complimentary messaging to other guests on the ship.

The service also provides showtimes, daily activities, menus and the ability to book paid activities without needing to go to the front desk.

So, let’s say you’re interested in staying connected while aboard ship. 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.