Costly mistake cruise passengers make with their phones onboard

Cruise passengers are being warned to check their phones before heading off on holiday, or risk facing potentially nasty surprises when they receive their next bill.

Anyone who's been on a cruise ship will know that once you're at sea, phone signal is practically non-existent, or intermittent at the very best. In fact, most holidaymakers will also check their data roaming settings when they arrive at a port of call, so they don't face the network charges that often come with being abroad.

However, one travel expert is warning that there's a common mistake passengers make when it comes to data roaming; they don't check if it's turned off while at sea. You may not be getting any signal and may be unable to connect to the internet unless you opt for a cruise line's Wi-Fi package, but that doesn't mean you're safe from charges.

Most people incorrectly assume that they won't get any charges while in the middle of the ocean, but your phone can actually intermittently connect to maritime networks and satellites while you're at sea. This means that66 you could get hit with roaming charges without even realising it.

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According to travel expert Audrey Sheridan, who works at eSIM provider Sim Local, you need to check those settings before you even step foot on a ship. Audrey explained: "Many cruise passengers don’t realise they’ve left normal mobile coverage behind once the ship sets sail. Most assume their regular roaming plan still applies, but satellite data is separate and can be shockingly expensive. Onboard, your phone may jump between maritime networks with poor signal and high costs.

"Most cruise ships offer Wi-Fi packages, which can be a safer way to stay online at sea, though some can be surprisingly expensive depending on the cruise line and package.

"A smart alternative is to use a Global eSIM plan that covers all of your cruise holiday destinations. Simply activate it before your trip, make sure mobile data and data roaming are turned on, and data switching is turned off."

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If you decide that the cruise ship's Wi-Fi package isn't for you, then Audrey warned that you'll want to turn off data roaming as soon as you leave the port, to stop your phone from connecting to satellites when you're at sea. Another simple trick is to turn on airplane mode too. "This stops your phone from quietly using mobile data in the background," Audrey added. "Especially overnight when apps and updates often run automatically while you are not using your device."

If you're unsure about the roaming charges that come with your contract, get in touch with your network direct, as they will be able to advise you of their daily charges and any other fees you could potentially incur while you're abroad.

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