@@CruiseSavvy , it was easy to set up. Downloaded the app and purchased the plan / eSIM the day before flying to Europe. Once I got to Rome, switch over to the Cruise+ eSIM. Used about 1.5 GB over 7 days in Italy, Greece and Turkey plus sea days. I'm not a big data user. It worked well on land - mainly used Google maps in Greece to navigate. Highly recommend.
You can switch off your main sim card {eg Verizon) so trust you won't incur roaming charges. The only SIM that you turn on is the one with the cruise plan
The rep from the eSIM company said doing that would risk disconnecting your phone number from Verizon. But to switch on the toggle allow cellular or mobile switching to off. Makes me nervous 😬
When on a ship at sea the connectivity to land based services, be it phone or data, has to be handled through ship based satellite links. These links need to service thousands of on board devices and satellite time and bandwidth can be expensive. Before satellites everything was radio based and handled manually by a crew member. I suspect the provider has bundle contracts with the cruise lines to take advantage of excess capacity and idle time on the network connections in exchange for reduced rates. In the US many lower cost carriers piggyback their services on the ATT or Verizon networks. Downside could be you are not prioritized on the network and will get put behind higher paying customers if there is a usage queue. With Voice Over Internet services an actual phone connection may not be best for the on ship experience. The main draw is the land based component but I find major carries like Verizon offer bundled international phone service at low daily rates and offer data packages that work well. Bottom line is cruise lines use over priced connectivity at sea as a revenue stream. But as you point out you need to assess your individual needs and select a plan that fits your budget.
Great points and yes, there are many other options. If you’re looking for just international access while in port that are less expensive. Trying to find something that is a little lower, without being limited in bandwidth while you’re on the ship is more difficult It seems. Most ships are now getting Starlink which is actually pretty good but just very expensive. Especially for people who do need to work while they’re on a ship, I know it’s supposed to be a vacation. 😉 Glad to have you here at the channel!
There are 2 ways to prevent getting hit with those huge roaming charges while using this cruise+land esim. One is to physically remove the SIM card from the phone - not the easiest and convenient way. The other way is much simpler: temporarily disable your main SIM card by selecting Settings>Cellular>Cellular Plans>Primary and turn off the "Turn on this line" setting. Do this after downloading your cruise+land plan and just before activating it or immediately afterwards. When your cruise is finished just go back and turn this setting back on.
@@CruiseSavvy In that case, if your phone supports two active eSIMs at the same time, then the same process applies - deactivate the Turn on this line setting. If for some reason your phone only allows one active eSIM then the big roaming charges will never happen because the main eSIM will be deactivated anyways. I will be on my next cruise next month and I will be trying this cruise+land eSIM for the first time. I'm looking forward to it!
@@CruiseSavvy I just got off the Ruby Princess a few days ago, and I used the plan during the cruise. Overall it worked great: I was able to do WhatsApp video calls, use FB, youtube, emails, etc. However there were a few very annoying things about activating and using the plan. But since I only paid $60 for the entire 16 day cruise, it was really worth it. Much much cheaper than the $20 per day charged by Princess.
@@kennylee2437 This is great! I love that you saved so much money. Appreciate you coming back and letting all of us know that it worked, minus the annoying parts. Did you find it hard to set up or just a lot of steps?
Let me know if you have heard otherwise but I haven’t seen where they cover ship to shore. You still need to connect to your ships wifi or satellites to call while at seas. It appears Google fi is covering land based local and international calls only. I will keep an eye out on this. Thank you 😊
Your right 3 GB isn’t that much especially if you’re watching videos or playing games. But doesn’t include talk or sms. So you need to use FaceTime or Skype instead of calling like you do at home. You can still use your apps or for social media, email, WhatsApp etc..
Ppl usually get an international phone plan with their mobile company? It will cost… I only pd for the time that I was away when I was away! I do mean away!! I had gone to the Philippines 🇵🇭!!! My bill was fine!! I was constantly using my cell in the Philippines 🇵🇭 😂
I used this on my Med cruise with Royal Caribbean in June. It worked fantastic.
Fantastic!! Did you have any problem setting it up or was it pretty easy and straightforward?
@@CruiseSavvy , it was easy to set up. Downloaded the app and purchased the plan / eSIM the day before flying to Europe. Once I got to Rome, switch over to the Cruise+ eSIM. Used about 1.5 GB over 7 days in Italy, Greece and Turkey plus sea days. I'm not a big data user. It worked well on land - mainly used Google maps in Greece to navigate. Highly recommend.
You can switch off your main sim card {eg Verizon) so trust you won't incur roaming charges. The only SIM that you turn on is the one with the cruise plan
The rep from the eSIM company said doing that would risk disconnecting your phone number from Verizon. But to switch on the toggle allow cellular or mobile switching to off. Makes me nervous 😬
When on a ship at sea the connectivity to land based services, be it phone or data, has to be handled through ship based satellite links. These links need to service thousands of on board devices and satellite time and bandwidth can be expensive. Before satellites everything was radio based and handled manually by a crew member. I suspect the provider has bundle contracts with the cruise lines to take advantage of excess capacity and idle time on the network connections in exchange for reduced rates. In the US many lower cost carriers piggyback their services on the ATT or Verizon networks. Downside could be you are not prioritized on the network and will get put behind higher paying customers if there is a usage queue. With Voice Over Internet services an actual phone connection may not be best for the on ship experience. The main draw is the land based component but I find major carries like Verizon offer bundled international phone service at low daily rates and offer data packages that work well. Bottom line is cruise lines use over priced connectivity at sea as a revenue stream. But as you point out you need to assess your individual needs and select a plan that fits your budget.
Great points and yes, there are many other options. If you’re looking for just international access while in port that are less expensive. Trying to find something that is a little lower, without being limited in bandwidth while you’re on the ship is more difficult It seems. Most ships are now getting Starlink which is actually pretty good but just very expensive. Especially for people who do need to work while they’re on a ship, I know it’s supposed to be a vacation. 😉 Glad to have you here at the channel!
Very interesting
So are you going to volunteer? 🤣
This option has potential!! 🏖
Agree!
There are 2 ways to prevent getting hit with those huge roaming charges while using this cruise+land esim. One is to physically remove the SIM card from the phone - not the easiest and convenient way. The other way is much simpler: temporarily disable your main SIM card by selecting Settings>Cellular>Cellular Plans>Primary and turn off the "Turn on this line" setting. Do this after downloading your cruise+land plan and just before activating it or immediately afterwards. When your cruise is finished just go back and turn this setting back on.
Thanks for your information. Most newer phones do not have a physical eSIM card to remove though. But if so, that’s a great idea 👍
@@CruiseSavvy In that case, if your phone supports two active eSIMs at the same time, then the same process applies - deactivate the Turn on this line setting. If for some reason your phone only allows one active eSIM then the big roaming charges will never happen because the main eSIM will be deactivated anyways. I will be on my next cruise next month and I will be trying this cruise+land eSIM for the first time. I'm looking forward to it!
@@writetopdrawer Please share with us how it worked out for you. Thank you for your comments.
@@CruiseSavvy I just got off the Ruby Princess a few days ago, and I used the plan during the cruise. Overall it worked great: I was able to do WhatsApp video calls, use FB, youtube, emails, etc. However there were a few very annoying things about activating and using the plan. But since I only paid $60 for the entire 16 day cruise, it was really worth it. Much much cheaper than the $20 per day charged by Princess.
@@kennylee2437 This is great! I love that you saved so much money. Appreciate you coming back and letting all of us know that it worked, minus the annoying parts. Did you find it hard to set up or just a lot of steps?
Did you say which eSim you are using for the Cruise + do you have a link or a name of the company
Here you go-
www.gigsky.com/data-cruises
Was it working? Hace you tried it on a cruise since the video?
I have not had a chance to try it yet. I have someone on a cruise this week who is supposed to give it a try. Have you tried it?
@@CruiseSavvy hope to try it on my next cruise in 2025
What about google fi. Seems easier and cheaper
Let me know if you have heard otherwise but I haven’t seen where they cover ship to shore. You still need to connect to your ships wifi or satellites to call while at seas. It appears Google fi is covering land based local and international calls only. I will keep an eye out on this. Thank you 😊
What website are you getting the e sim from
If you DM me I will give you the company name if you were not able to find it based on google search.
Whats the name of that esim company ?
GigSky
Just wondering because 3GB is hardly anything in today's world. If this is strictly for talk and text, maybe okay?
Your right 3 GB isn’t that much especially if you’re watching videos or playing games. But doesn’t include talk or sms. So you need to use FaceTime or Skype instead of calling like you do at home. You can still use your apps or for social media, email, WhatsApp etc..
Ppl usually get an international phone plan with their mobile company? It will cost… I only pd for the time that I was away when I was away! I do mean away!! I had gone to the Philippines 🇵🇭!!! My bill was fine!! I was constantly using my cell in the Philippines 🇵🇭 😂
An international plan is great when you’re in another country, but it will not work from a cruise ship..
@@CruiseSavvy Gotch ya