Trip Bacon — The secret ingredient to the perfect getaway logo

Using a Cell Phone on a Cruise

Cruiseline.com - Videos
Cruiseline.com - Videos
🥈Expert
👁️ 72K views📅 9 years ago⏱️ 2:43

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.

What This Creator Said
Creator RecommendsTips & Advice🥈Expert Creator

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

Make sure your phone is in airplane mode to avoid roaming charges
Use iMessage over ship's Wi-Fi to text other iPhones without roaming charges
Check for free Wi-Fi in port terminals or near the ship
Follow crew members in port to find good internet spots
Download the Shipmate app for offline cruise planning and information

🆕New to Cruising? This Creator Addresses:

Roaming charges for cell phone usagePut phone in airplane mode and use ship's Wi-Fi with iMessage to avoid charges
High data costs while roamingUse free port Wi-Fi or download offline apps like Shipmate

Questions This Creator Answers

QCan I use my cell phone on a cruise?
QCan I use my phone in port?
QShould I get a phone plan?
QAre there apps I can use on my cruise?

Topics Covered

Wifi Connectivity1 Happy BaconPort Destination2 Happy Bacon

Port Highlights

St John2 Happy Bacon
St Thomas2 Happy Bacon
Puerto Rico2 Happy Bacon
How to read the Trip Bacon Score
Happy Bacon — creators loved this aspect
Sad Bacon — creators took issue with this
Meh — no strong opinion either way

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 methodology

Video content sourced from the creator's original upload. Watch on YouTube