Ship WiFi packages cost a fortune, and even when you pay, the connection still drops right when you need it. There are eSIMs everywhere now, but not all of them work well at sea — I found ones that do, they’re cheaper than the ship’s packages, and they double up as your regular SIM in port too, so there’s no swapping cards every stop. This site is everything I’ve learned along the way.
Where to start
Not sure how mobile phones work at sea?
Start with the basics — why your normal plan doesn’t just work once you leave port, and why leaving your phone on could land you with a shock roaming bill.
Want to compare the two leading cruise eSIMs?
GigSky and Maya Mobile both offer eSIMs built specifically for use at sea — not every travel eSIM works once you’re on a ship. Here’s the proper head-to-head on plans, coverage, and price.
Have a browse around the site
Cruise Lines →
What to expect line by line: P&O, Royal Caribbean, MSC
eSIM Providers →
GigSky, Maya, and how they actually compare
Blog →
All my guides and explainers
Which Cruise eSIM? →
Answer a few questions, get the right plan for your ship
What’s coming up soon
This started as research for myself, and it’s turned into something I really enjoy doing — and I’ve found plenty of other people who want to understand this too. I’d like it to grow past just my own trips eventually: other people’s ships, other people’s experiences. There’s a newsletter now too, if you’d like the new guides and test results as they land. For now, it’s me, doing the legwork so you don’t have to.
— Sarah
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Quick disclosure: I get a small commission if you buy through the GigSky and Maya Mobile links on this site — it costs you nothing extra, and it’s the reason this site exists. More on how that works →