Brittany ChruscielIt’s nice to “get away from it all” once in a while, and cruises are a perfect option for that. But sometimes it’s necessary to keep in touch with people back home, even while on vacation. This can prove tricky when cell service ceases to be an (affordable) option while out at sea.
So how can you communicate with friends and family in the middle of the ocean? And more importantly, how can you call and text on a cruise ship for free?
This article breaks down what you need to do to enable text functionality on your phone without it costing a fortune, from built-in smartphone messaging to free cruise line apps that allow you to keep in touch with your travel companions. It’s easier than you think!
Key Takeaways
- You can text for free on a cruise by utilizing the ship’s internet; your phone should be on airplane mode while at sea.
- Common apps you can use to text on a cruise include iMessage, Facebook’s Messenger, and WhatsApp.
- Unless it’s an emergency, you should never make a regular phone call at sea on a cruise. Instead, utilize wifi calling through your favorite internet-based messaging apps.
- Some cruise lines’ apps include free or nominal-fee chat functions that allow you to communicate with other guests on your ship.
- To message others for free on a cruise, you can look for ways to get free internet access on board such as using onboard credit, sailing with a line that has free internet, or looking for free internet promotions when booking.
Can I text on a cruise ship for free?
Yes and no. Typically, texting on any mobile device is only available if you are connected to a ship’s wireless internet. And connecting to Wi-Fi comes with a fee on many cruise lines. The most important thing to remember in any situation is to make sure your data roaming is turned off and that you set your phone to airplane mode or a similar setting once you have departed port and are out at sea.
However, if you are sailing with included Wi-Fi (most river cruise and luxury lines offer this), then by default your texting capabilities are also included. Another loophole to free texting on a cruise is if your cruise line offers messaging capabilities through an app specially designed to use onboard.
Note that when we refer to texting being available through the ship’s wifi, we’re referring to internet-based messaging (blue-bubble messaging on Apple’s iMessage, for example). If you want to use basic SMS texting (green-bubble texting), you must enable wifi calling (and therefore texting) to send and receive traditional SMS texts.
Otherwise, SMS texting costs a pretty penny because it uses the ship’s Cellular at Sea satellite connection, which is different than its satellite internet connection. Cellular at Sea is why you need to turn airplane mode on every time you leave port, because if you don’t your phone will automatically connect to it and start charging you for any activity it does — even in the background — on the network. Further down, we’re going over which apps you can message using a ship’s wifi network.
How do I make phone calls on a cruise ship?
Wi-Fi is not required to make a phone call, but there is no reason — except in the event of an emergency — that you would want to pay to use the ship’s satellite phone lines or pay data and roaming charges through your mobile service provider.
The easiest way to make a call while at sea is VoIP, which means “voice over internet protocol.” It’s a fancy way of saying disconnect from your phone service (airplane mode is safest); connect to your onboard Wi-Fi; and then use a service like Apple’s FaceTime or WhatsApp to make a call. While sometimes a strong enough signal can allow for video calling, it’s a better bet to select audio only.
How can I text while cruising?
Sure, there might still be a few holdouts with flip phones, but most travelers these days use a smartphone, or a mobile phone that’s internet enabled. Of these, the two main types are Apple’s ubiquitous iPhone and Google/Android phones. There are slight differences to each device.
Texting at sea with an iPhone, iPad, or other Apple device
Apple products have a built-in suite of features that make it easy to call or text over Wi-Fi, as well as share images across devices or with other iPhone users in your travel party. Once connected to Wi-Fi, Apple devices can utilize iMessage, or relatively reliable texting over the internet, to other Apple users. As for calls, the aforementioned FaceTime caters to both video as well as audio calls using Wi-Fi and not cell service to work.
The AirDrop feature on iPhones and MacBooks is super helpful to share images, which can be difficult to text using a limited Wi-Fi signal. Using BlueTooth, your Apple phone or laptop can send images back and forth between devices. You can also use AirDrop from your iPhone to another nearby iPhone or device, which makes it easy to keep up with sharing selfies with each other.
Texting at sea with an Android phone
If you’re using a Google phone or another Android device, the idea of calling and texting over Wi-Fi is very similar to that on an iPhone. Calls and SMS/MMS messaging (texts and multimedia) are possible when connected to a ship’s Wi-Fi network, but speed does rely on signal.
What are the best apps to use for texting on a cruise ship?
Services like FaceTime and iMessage are integrated into a smartphone, but there are a number of free apps available to download on any smartphone that make texting and calling over Wi-Fi very easy.
- WhatsApp: Owned by Meta, this free communication app is popular worldwide for its messaging capabilities, which include text chats, video/audio calls, voice messages, multimedia messages, and the ability to group chat. End-to-end encryption of messages adds an extra layer of security to your conversations.
- Messenger: You don’t need a Facebook account to use Facebook’s Messenger app. This chat function is similar to WhatsApp but if you do use Facebook, you have the ability to message anyone else who might also be on Messenger, without needing their phone number. Use stickers, gifs, emojis, and more to keep in touch with friends and loved ones over Wi-Fi while you are sailing.
- Cruise line messaging apps: If you haven’t done so already, check to see if your cruise line has its own app prior to embarking on your ship. Some apps are quite comprehensive and well-advertised, while others are a bit bare bones and buggy. But they are all worth downloading prior to your sailing. All apps listed below are available in the Apple App Store or on Google Play.
Download the app on land while you have service prior to your cruise. This will allow you to make reservations, book appointments, see your daily onboard program, and more, depending on each app’s features. Many cruise line apps even have onboard messaging capabilities, but these only extend to the ship and not to home.
Of note, some apps have limited functionality on the ship’s network without the need to purchase a Wi-Fi package.
How to text on a cruise ship for free with cruise line apps
Carnival Cruise Line
Carnival cruisers can use the Carnival Hub app before and during their cruise to streamline their onboard experience. A chat function is available to be in communication with your travel party without having to pay for a full internet package. While it isn’t free, it is very inexpensive at $5 per person — a one-time fee good for the duration of the cruise. Additionally, you can complete online check-in, share your cruise countdown and make dining reservations before boarding. Once onboard, use this Hub app to manage your account, make spa reservations, or even order food for delivery to your lounger by the pool.
Celebrity Cruises
The self-titled Celebrity Cruises app provides a complimentary in-app chat function for anyone who is also cruising with you. This makes it easier to organize meet-up times for activities and excursions. The Celebrity app also has the ability to make reservations, including excursions, review safety and check-in information and even control the lighting, thermostat, TV, and window shades in your stateroom on Edge-class ships.
Disney Cruise Line
Disney’s Navigator app gives families the much-needed ability to stay in touch onboard with its free chat feature (Disney-themed emojis included, of course). DCL’s onboard app also allows you to check out the daily schedule, book special activities, receive digital receipts, view deck plans, and more.
Holland America Line
Not to be confused with the Disney app, Holland America Line’s app is also called the Navigator app. In addition to a free chat function, the app allows you to view the day’s schedule, explore restaurant menus, book shore excursion and spa treatments, view deck plans, and — on select ships — utilize mobile ordering at select dining venues.
MSC Cruises
MSC Cruises’ MSC for Me app is available on most ships in the MSC Cruises fleet. Messaging is available directly through the app without an internet package. Other functions include the ability to view deck plans, view the daily schedule, reserve dining and activities, and keep track of your onboard spending.
Norwegian Cruise Line
The NCL app is Norwegian’s handy fleetwide tool to plan and organize your freestyle cruise vacation. While the new app doesn’t have a chat function (the NCL app replaced the line’s old Cruise Norwegian app), Norwegian does sell a chat-only internet package for around $3-$6 per day (prices may vary depending on the ship/itinerary). Called the CruiseChat Pass, this option includes the ability to use text-based apps like iMessage, WhatsApp, and other messaging platforms. Audio sharing/calling isn’t supported.
Features that are included in the NCL app include the ability to access e-docs, track onboard purchases, book shore excursions and make reservations, view the itinerary and daily schedule, and more.
Princess Cruises
The Princess Cruises app is available fleetwide on Princess Cruises. This app pairs with a wearable technology called an Ocean Medallion that is similar to a cruise keycard. The digital capabilities of the app extend beyond bookmarking activities and viewing your itinerary to being able to locate — and message — your shipmates and order food and drinks to your exact location.
Royal Caribbean
The Royal Caribbean app offers a free chat function for friends and family onboard, in addition to expedited check-in, tracking expenses, booking dining reservations and shore excursions, viewing restaurant menus, making an onboard schedule, and more.
Viking Cruises
While there is no chat function in the Viking Voyager app, Wi-Fi is part of the cruise fare across all of Viking’s ocean and river ships. This means that guests are able to text and call each other for free over Wi-Fi as well as anyone they wish who is off the ship. Features of the app include a personalized calendar, access to the daily program, reservation reminders, port and ship maps, and more.
Virgin Voyages
Virgin’s “Sailors” should download the Virgin Voyages app prior to boarding. In addition to a chat function, unique features of the app include the ability to shake your phone for champagne delivery service (for a fee, of course) and order snacks to your cabin through Ship Eats. Basic wifi is included in the Virgin Voyages fare, which means passengers can also use their favorite messaging apps to chat with each other and loved ones who aren’t on board, too.
Other ways you can text for free on a cruise
While some cruise lines include internet in the fare, most charge extra for the privilege of connectivity. If you’re sailing with a line that charges for wifi but you want to text others for free that aren’t on your cruise, you’ll need to find ways to get internet access for free.
One way you can do that is by using any onboard credits you might have. Passengers can gain this free “cruise money” in a variety of ways, such as booking during a promotion that includes it, receiving it as a perk for using a travel agent, having stock with the cruise company, or receiving it through the cruise line’s loyalty program. In some cases, a cruise line’s loyalty program itself will include free or discounted internet access as one of the higher tier perks.
You can also look for free internet promotions when you book your cruise. Some cruise lines throw in added perks like wifi for those who book a cruise really far out, shortly after that series of sailings open for booking. Other times free wifi might be included in a holiday sale or other special promotion.
Lastly, many premium experiences on cruises come with wifi included in the fare, even if that line’s standard fare doesn’t include it. For example, if you book into the Sanctuary collection on Princess, it includes the Princess Premier package, which includes wifi. MSC Cruises’ luxury ship-within-a-ship complex, the MSC Yacht Club, also includes a wifi package in the fare.
Can I text on a cruise through my cell phone carrier?
Your existing cell phone carrier may offer a cruise package that you can add on for the time frame you need it while you’re out at sea. There are two major U.S. carriers that offer cruise passes:
Verizon’s Cruise Daily Pass
For example, Verizon offers a Cruise Daily Pass for $20 per line, per day, and you’re only charged for the days that you use your phone service at sea. It includes unlimited data, unlimited minutes to the United States, and unlimited text. To use the data feature, you must turn wifi off on your device.
AT&T’s International Day Pass
AT&T offers a similar package as Verizon does for the same price: $20 per day, only for the days you use it. The International Day Pass includes unlimited talk and text, plus 500 mb of the best available speed data per day.
Comments
Do you have any other tips and tricks for how to text on a cruise ship for free? What are your preferred methods for staying in contact while out to sea? Drop us an anchor below to share whether or not you like to stay connected while on a cruise.
