Do I have to put my phone on 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 set yours on airplane mode to avoid roaming charges.

Should I put my phone on airplane mode on a cruise ship?

Set Your Phone

To avoid unwanted charges, your safest bet onboard your cruise ship is to switch to airplane mode, reactivate your wireless feature and log in to the ship's Wi-Fi network. (Note: Switching to airplane mode will turn off wireless until you manually reactivate it.)

What does airplane mode do on a cruise ship?

Before your ship sets sail, you should turn your phone on to 'airplane mode'. This function will disable your phone's antenna, preventing it from using any mobile signal.

Can I use my cell phone on a cruise ship?

Do cell phones work on cruise ships? It's a common question with varying answers. Guests are free to utilize their cellular data or connect to our onboard Wi-Fi on any ship. 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.

Can you text while on a cruise ship?

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.

Cruise Tips - Put Your Phone In Airplane Mode

Is it worth getting Wi-Fi on a cruise?

Wifi can be extremely expensive onboard cruise ships and it is notoriously slow. We found rates as hight as $0.95 per minute and the least expensive package was $9.95 for 15 minutes of wifi. Eek! Wifi prices and speeds are improving into 2020, but they're still a very costly add-on to any cruise vacation.

Do you get Wi-Fi on a cruise?

Yes, cruise ships are equipped with Satellite Internet and most have Wi-Fi (wireless), however there is a cost to access it. Almost all cruise lines offer internet packages allowing users a certain number of minutes or megabytes per day or week for a set fee, however it can be quite expensive.

Can you text for free on a cruise ship?

If you want to text while on a cruise ship, you have the option of either connecting to the ship's Wi-Fi network or its cellular service so you send an SMS over the Internet for free. Most modern ships are built with “Wireless Maritime Services” or 'Cellular at Sea” services to provide cell signal for those aboard.

What is the best floor to stay on a cruise ship?

In general, the most popular spot to be on a cruise ship is midship on a higher deck because these rooms are centrally located. Moreover, cabins towards the middle of the ship have the reputation of providing a smoother ride when the ocean is rough.

How does Wi-Fi work on a cruise ship?

Cruise ship internet access works by sending a signal 22,000 miles to a satellite, then 22,000 miles again back to earth. This limits what applications can be used. Generally, high-data applications, such as video and VOIP services do not work.

Can you FaceTime on cruise?

Consult with the cruise line. If the ship provides free wifi and internet, then iMessage and FaceTime would be free. Those services are always free from Apple, and you only pay something if you are charged for the internet connection you are using.

Can I use iMessage on a cruise ship?

If you have purchased a cruise ship internet package, you can also use the WhatsApp app, Facebook messenger, or iMessage to communicate via “text” as all of these use data and not cellular coverage. Cruise line apps often include a messaging feature as well (sometimes for free or sometimes for a small charge).

Does Bluetooth work on a cruise ship?

Cruise lines do allow guests to bring Bluetooth speakers on cruises. The majority of cruise lines only allow Bluetooth speakers to be used in personal staterooms and it is usually best to bring the Bluetooth speaker onboard by placing it in your hand luggage.

Can you FaceTime on Carnival Cruise?

Value Plan: Gives email access, what's included in the social plan, as well as broad access to the rest of the web — all at faster speeds than the Social plan. However, Carnival says it still doesn't support streaming, FaceTime, or wi-fi calling.

Does cellular at sea cost money?

There are no additional charges or billing from Cellular at Sea or the cruise lines.

Where should you not stay on a cruise?

Cabins anywhere close to the bow

Anchor noise issues aside, the big reason you might want to steer clear of the front of a ship is that you'll likely feel the motion of the waves more distinctly. The front of a ship can be the most uncomfortable place to be in big waves.

What deck is best to be on a cruise ship?

The best deck on a cruise ship to avoid seasickness is the lowest passenger deck. This is because the top of a ship sways from side to side much more than the bottom. To avoid motion sickness, choose a cabin close to the waterline.

Is it better to be on the left or right side of a cruise ship?

Which side of a cruise ship is better? There's nothing inherently better about either the port side or the starboard side of a cruise ship. But if you're sailing in a balcony or veranda stateroom, you might want to choose to stay on a specific side of the ship based on the direction of your itinerary.

Can I use my debit card on a cruise ship?

Cruise ships now are entirely cashless. This means that while they are eager to get you to book a massage at the spa, or purchase a fancy bottle of wine with dinner, they never accept cash for any of these purchases. In fact, they don't even take credit cards or debit cards in the traditional sense.

Is WhatsApp free on cruise ships?

Using messaging apps to text for free on a cruise ship

If you use text messaging apps like Facebook Messenger, WeChat, or WhatsApp, you can use them on a cruise ship whenever you have a WiFi connection.

How can I communicate on a cruise ship without Wi-Fi?

You can turn off your personal cell phone and carry the Wave Phone with you instead. From the Wave Phone you can communicate with any shipboard or stateroom phone or another Wave Phone. If you need more than the two Wave Phones provided, additional phones are available for a fee.

Do cruise ships dump poop in the ocean?

Yes. Cruise ships pollute the ocean. Cruise ships not only dump sewage and food waste, but they also dump harmful fuel waste into the oceans as well. Cruise ships often use cheap, dirty, heavy fuel to power their engines.

Do cruises have jails?

There's a special place, however, for those who commit serious crimes at sea — the ship's jail, or “brig” in nautical terms. These steel rooms are located on one of the bottom decks of the vessel, usually near the security office. And if you end up down there, you won't be staying there for the duration of the cruise.

How expensive is Wi-Fi on a cruise?

Most major cruise operators supply Wi-Fi on a pay-as-you-browse basis, generally costing $0.65 to $0.75 (39p44p) per minute. Prepaid bundles of online time usually work out better value. Prices are broadly similar.

Can you watch Netflix on Carnival Cruise?

Yes, you can stream movies on Carnival Cruise Line's “Netflix-enabled” ships. Carnival's website states that none of its internet plans support video or music streaming. However, some ships such as Carnival Vista, Carnival Horizon, and Carnival Sunshine are “Netflix-enabled.”