Using a Cell Phone on a Cruise

Key Moments
Editorial Summary
The creator provides guidance on managing mobile phone usage while traveling on a cruise ship to avoid excessive costs. A primary recommendation is to keep devices in airplane mode to prevent roaming charges, which can reach twenty dollars per megabyte. The video explains that even when connected to ship Wi-Fi, users might still incur charges for calls and texts. As a workaround, the creator suggests using iMessage to send texts via Wi-Fi. When visiting ports, the creator notes that US residents may use their standard domestic plans in locations like the US Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico. To save money, travelers are encouraged to look for free Wi-Fi in terminals or follow crew members to find reliable internet connections. While major wireless carriers offer specific cruise plans, the creator notes these are still more expensive than land-based rates. Finally, the video highlights the Shipmate app as a tool that works across all cruise lines. This app allows users to access deck plans, dining information, and port details offline without consuming data.
Written by TripBacon from this video's transcript.
Source: Our analysis of the creator's lived experience, based on what they said in this video.
Creator's Key Takeaways
can I use my cell phone on the ship yes but make sure your phone is in airplane mode
data charges when roaming can be as high as $20 per megabyte
a nice workaround is Apple's iMessage service iMessage uses your phone's internet connection
shipmate has direct messaging roll calls Excursion booking and thousands of user photos and tips
Creator's Tips & Advice
🆕New to Cruising? This Creator Addresses:
Questions This Creator Answers
Topics Covered
Port Highlights
Scale: 0–5 strips in half-step increments. 0 = “meh”, 5 = “bacon bliss”. Aggregated from creator-review sentiment, weighted by channel expertise.
About our Bacon Score methodologyVideo content sourced from the creator's original upload. Watch on YouTube