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Does T-Mobile Work On A Cruise Ship? (The Ultimate Guide)

Does T-Mobile Work on a Cruise?

Whether you’re planning a relaxing cruise to the Caribbean or an exciting adventure to Alaska, you may be wondering if your T-Mobile phone will work onboard. The good news is that T-Mobile does have coverage on most major cruise lines, so you can stay connected with friends and family, surf the web, and stream your favorite shows while you’re away.

In this article, we’ll take a closer look at T-Mobile’s cruise ship coverage, including which lines it works on, what speeds you can expect, and how to make sure your phone is ready to go. We’ll also provide some tips for staying connected on a cruise, even if you don’t have T-Mobile.

So whether you’re a loyal T-Mobile customer or you’re just looking for the best way to stay connected on your next cruise, read on for all the information you need to know.

T-Mobile is a major wireless carrier in the United States. It offers a variety of plans and services, including data, text, and voice. But what about cruise ships? Does T-Mobile work on a cruise ship?

The answer is: it depends.

T-Mobile’s coverage on cruise ships varies depending on the cruise line and the ship itself. Some cruise lines have agreements with T-Mobile to provide coverage on their ships, while others do not. And even on ships that do have T-Mobile coverage, the signal strength and data speeds can vary depending on where you are on the ship.

In this article, we’ll take a closer look at T-Mobile’s coverage on cruise ships. We’ll discuss which cruise lines have T-Mobile coverage, what the coverage areas are, what the data speeds are like, and what the costs are. We’ll also provide some tips on how to get the best possible coverage on your cruise ship.

T-Mobile’s Coverage on Cruise Ships

The following is a list of cruise lines that have agreements with T-Mobile to provide coverage on their ships:

• Carnival Cruise Line
• Holland America Line
• Princess Cruises
• Royal Caribbean International
• Norwegian Cruise Line
• MSC Cruises
• Celebrity Cruises
• Azamara Cruises
• Cunard Line
• Seabourn Cruise Line

What are the coverage areas for each cruise line?

The coverage areas for each cruise line vary depending on the ship. For example, Carnival Cruise Line’s ships have T-Mobile coverage in the Caribbean, the Bahamas, and Mexico. Holland America Line’s ships have T-Mobile coverage in the Caribbean, Europe, and Alaska. Princess Cruises’ ships have T-Mobile coverage in the Caribbean, Europe, and Asia. And Royal Caribbean International’s ships have T-Mobile coverage in the Caribbean, the Bahamas, and Alaska.

What are the data speeds like on cruise ships?

The data speeds on cruise ships vary depending on the cruise line and the ship itself. In general, the data speeds are slower on cruise ships than they are on land. This is because cruise ships are often in remote areas where there is less cellular infrastructure.

The following is a list of the average data speeds on cruise ships for each cruise line:

• Carnival Cruise Line: 1-2 Mbps
• Holland America Line: 1-2 Mbps
• Princess Cruises: 1-2 Mbps
• Royal Caribbean International: 1-2 Mbps
• Norwegian Cruise Line: 1-2 Mbps
• MSC Cruises: 1-2 Mbps
• Celebrity Cruises: 1-2 Mbps
• Azamara Cruises: 1-2 Mbps
• Cunard Line: 1-2 Mbps
• Seabourn Cruise Line: 1-2 Mbps

What are the costs of using T-Mobile on a cruise ship?

The costs of using T-Mobile on a cruise ship vary depending on the cruise line and the ship itself. In general, you can expect to pay around $10 per day for unlimited data, text, and voice.

Using Wi-Fi on a Cruise Ship

In addition to T-Mobile, most cruise ships also offer Wi-Fi. The costs of Wi-Fi on a cruise ship vary depending on the cruise line and the ship itself. In general, you can expect to pay around $10 per day for unlimited Wi-Fi.

How can I connect to Wi-Fi on a cruise ship?

To connect to Wi-Fi on a cruise ship, you will need to:

1. Open your device’s Wi-Fi settings. 2. Select the network name that matches the cruise ship’s Wi-Fi network. 3. Enter the password that is provided by the cruise ship.

What are the costs of Wi-Fi on a cruise ship?

The costs of Wi-Fi on a cruise ship vary depending on the cruise line and the ship itself. In general, you can expect to pay around $10 per day for unlimited Wi-Fi.

How do I make sure my device is compatible with the cruise ship’s Wi-Fi?

To make sure your device is compatible with the cruise ship’s Wi-Fi, you will need to check the cruise ship’s website. The website will list the devices that are compatible with the cruise ship’s Wi-

T-Mobile is one of the largest wireless carriers in the United States, and its service is available in most parts of the country. However, when you’re on a cruise ship, you may be wondering if you’ll be able to use your T-Mobile phone.

T-Mobile does not have its own network on cruise ships, so you won’t be able to use your T-Mobile phone to make calls or send texts without incurring roaming charges. However, many cruise ships offer Wi-Fi, and you can usually connect to the ship’s Wi-Fi network using your T-Mobile phone.

The cost of using the ship’s Wi-Fi will vary depending on the cruise line and the length of your cruise. However, it’s usually a relatively inexpensive way to stay connected while you’re on vacation.

If you’re concerned about the cost of using the ship’s Wi-Fi, you may want to consider bringing your own mobile hotspot. A mobile hotspot is a device that creates a Wi-Fi network that you can connect to with your phone, tablet, or laptop. You can purchase a mobile hotspot from a variety of retailers, and they typically cost around $100.

Once you have a mobile hotspot, you can connect to it with your T-Mobile phone and use your phone as you would normally. You’ll still be subject to roaming charges, but you’ll be able to use your phone more freely than if you were relying on the ship’s Wi-Fi network.

If you’re not sure whether T-Mobile will work on your cruise ship, it’s best to contact the cruise line before you leave. They can tell you what kind of Wi-Fi is available on the ship and whether or not you’ll be able to use your T-Mobile phone.

Other Options for Staying Connected on a Cruise Ship

In addition to using the ship’s Wi-Fi or a mobile hotspot, there are a few other ways to stay connected on a cruise ship.

• Use a landline. Many cruise ships have landlines that you can use to make calls and send texts. The cost of using a landline will vary depending on the cruise line, but it’s usually a more affordable option than using your phone’s cellular data.
• Use a VoIP app. A VoIP app (Voice over Internet Protocol) allows you to make calls and send texts over the internet. You can use a VoIP app with your phone’s data connection or with a Wi-Fi connection. Some popular VoIP apps include Skype, Google Voice, and WhatsApp.
• Use a messaging app. If you don’t need to make calls, you can use a messaging app to stay in touch with friends and family. Some popular messaging apps include WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, and WeChat.
• Use social media. If you’re just looking to stay up-to-date on the news and what’s happening in the world, you can use social media. Most social media platforms have apps that you can use on your phone, so you can stay connected without having to use your phone’s cellular data.

Tips for Staying Connected on a Cruise Ship

Here are a few tips for staying connected on a cruise ship:

• Plan ahead. Before you leave for your cruise, make sure you know what your options are for staying connected. Find out if the ship has Wi-Fi and what the cost is. If you’re planning on using your own mobile hotspot, make sure you have a device that’s compatible with the ship’s Wi-Fi network.
• Use Wi-Fi whenever possible. Wi-Fi is usually the most affordable way to stay connected on a cruise ship. However, the speed of the Wi-Fi connection can vary, so you may experience some lag when you’re streaming videos or using other data-intensive applications.
• Consider using your own mobile hotspot. If you need to stay connected all the time, you may want to consider bringing your own mobile hotspot. A mobile hotspot will give you a more reliable connection than the ship’s Wi-Fi network, and you can use it anywhere on the ship.
• Be mindful of your data usage. When you’re using your phone on a cruise ship, you’re subject to roaming charges. Be mindful of your data usage so you don’t get charged extra.

By following these tips, you can stay connected on your cruise ship without breaking the bank.

Staying connected on a cruise ship is easy if

Q: Does T-Mobile work on a cruise?

A: Yes, T-Mobile does work on most major cruise lines. However, there may be some areas where coverage is limited, such as in the middle of the ocean or in remote areas.

Q: What is the best way to use my T-Mobile phone on a cruise?

A: There are a few different ways to use your T-Mobile phone on a cruise. You can:

• Use it as a regular phone. You can make calls, send texts, and use data just like you would at home. However, keep in mind that you will be charged roaming fees for any calls, texts, or data that you use outside of the United States.
• Connect to the ship’s Wi-Fi network. Most cruise ships offer Wi-Fi networks that you can connect to for a fee. This is a great way to stay connected to the internet and use your favorite apps and services.
• Use a mobile hotspot. If you have a T-Mobile hotspot device, you can use it to create a personal Wi-Fi network that you can connect to with your other devices. This is a great way to stay connected to the internet and use your favorite apps and services without having to pay for the ship’s Wi-Fi network.

Q: How much does it cost to use my T-Mobile phone on a cruise?

A: The cost of using your T-Mobile phone on a cruise will depend on how you use it. If you make calls, send texts, or use data outside of the United States, you will be charged roaming fees. These fees can vary depending on the destination and the amount of data that you use.

Q: What are some tips for using my T-Mobile phone on a cruise?

Here are a few tips for using your T-Mobile phone on a cruise:

• Turn off data roaming. This will help you avoid incurring roaming charges.
• Connect to the ship’s Wi-Fi network. This is the most affordable way to stay connected to the internet.
• Use a mobile hotspot. This is a great way to share your internet connection with other devices.
• Be aware of your data usage. Roaming charges can add up quickly, so be sure to keep an eye on your data usage.

Q: What if I have other questions about using my T-Mobile phone on a cruise?

If you have other questions about using your T-Mobile phone on a cruise, you can contact T-Mobile customer service for assistance.

T-Mobile does work on a cruise ship, but there are some limitations. The service may be spotty in some areas, and you may not be able to access all of the features that you would have on land. However, you should be able to make calls, send texts, and use data for basic tasks. If you’re planning on taking a cruise, be sure to check with T-Mobile to see what their coverage is like in the area you’ll be visiting.

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Complete Guide to Using Your Phone on a Cruise (Carnival, Royal Caribbean & More)

At this point, it’s beyond the debate of taking a cruise without bringing a phone. Phones are so much more than a simple device to call or text. Now they are our social lives, our entertainment devices, our cameras, and more.

And on the cruise ship they do all that, plus they are useful for the cruise line’s app, which features schedules, maps, and more, all right on your phone.

Of course, while it’s a good idea to put the phone down for a while and enjoy your vacation, it’s also reasonable to wonder if your cell phone will work on a cruise.

The good news? Yes, you can use your phone on a cruise . This includes major cruise lines like Carnival, Royal Caribbean, and Norwegian and more.

The bad news? It might be expensive, and there are several details you need to know about how your phone uses cell service at sea — or the shipboard wi-fi — before you get started.

Below, we’ve outlined what you need to know about using your phone to call, text, and browse the web. In addition, we’ve added some specifics for certain cruise lines.

One thing to keep in mind is that internet and cell phone service are regularly being updated on modern cruise ships . As time goes on, you can expect your access to improve.

In This Article...

How to Use Your Phone on a Cruise

First things first, you have to understand that there are no cell towers in the middle of the sea. Meanwhile, even the strongest cell towers with the best range in perfect conditions can only extend about 30-45 miles. In other words, after the first hour or two of your cruise, you’ll be too far away to pick up any reliable cell signal.

So what do you do in the middle of the water?

To use your cell phone on your cruise, you have two options — either connect to the ship’s cellular service or connect to the ship’s wi-fi . Both will cost you extra.

Cellular Service on Ships For traditional cell service, today’s modern cruise ships use providers such as “Cellular at Sea” or “Wireless Maritime Services”.

For the vast majority of plans, these services are considered international roaming plans by your cell phone company, and you will be charged accordingly for use. That said, if you want to (or need to), you can simply make a phone call or send a text as you would back home — you’ll just be charged significantly more than usual.

Keep in mind that sometimes data service isn’t available through this method. For data, you’re better off using a wi-fi plan (discussed below).

Cell providers offer packages you help cruisers better budget. For example, AT&T offers a couple of cruise ship packages, starting at $50 for a package of minutes and texting. Other carriers will have something similar.

Just be warned of high prices. On AT&T’s $60 plan, it includes only 100 minutes of phone calls, and a $1 per minute overage cost.

In other words, if you use the ship’s cellular service, it’s considered international roaming and will cost you quite a bit of money. This applies to any carrier you have.

Luckily, there is a cheaper way to use your cell phone on the ship — wi-fi.

Cruise ships have cellular service that you can connect to. However, it’s usually considered international roaming and means you’ll be charged high rates to access.

Wi-Fi Service to Use Your Phone on Ships (Recommended) You likely know that instead of using a cell signal, you can hook your phone up to wi-fi and use the internet to make calls, send texts, and surf the web. Some apps like WhatsApp also let you make calls, chat, and even chat via video. You can use these features while a cruise ship.

Today’s cruise ships all come equipped with wi-fi, but there is a charge for passengers to use it. For example, Carnival offers three levels of service — Social (~$15 per day), Value (~$20 per day), and Premium (~$21 per day) — which all offer different speeds and access.

Wi-fi allows you to connect just like you were at home. This includes doing things like making calls from within communication apps like WhatsApp, iMessage, texting, and surfing the web.

Just like at home, you can hook up to the ship’s wi-fi and use your phone as normal. Just keep in mind that you will want to ensure any calls you make are over wi-fi or else they will be considered international roaming calls if connected over the ship’s cellular service. (For that reason, we suggest setting your phone to airplane mode once you get on the ship and then just connect through wi-fi.)

One other thing to know is that different cruise lines and even different ships within a cruise line may offer different online experiences. Some ships are updated with the latest technology while others can have slower service or more limited options of what you can do regarding video calling or streaming.

More details on specific ship wi-fi plans are featured later in this article.

• Read more about using internet/wi-fi on a cruise

We’d recommend accessing the ship’s wi-fi with your phone to use it as you would back home. This gives you the ability to access the internet, send messages, use apps, and even make calls with some plans/cruise lines.

Using Your Phone in a Port of Call

While most of your time is spent on the ship, there will be large chunks of the day spent in port. You might wondering about using your phone during this portion of your cruise.

Cellular Service in Ports of Call In port (and off of the ship’s cellular or wi-fi service), you phone will work just as if you had taken a flight to another country. That is to say you will be reliant on international cellular services.

The good news? Cell phone companies offer short-term international plans that are surprisingly affordable and provide calls, texts, and data.

In addition, many companies — such as T-Mobile — include calling in Mexico and Canada (home to several popular cruise ports) automatically in their plans. You can use the phone exactly as you would at home for no extra charge.

Below, we’ve charted out the cost for some international plans offered by cell phone companies. Remember that these prices could change, so you’ll want to contact your provider before heading out on your cruise.

You can read more about international service from the major carriers below:

• https://www.att.com/international/day-pass/
• https://www.verizon.com/plans/international/international-travel/travel-pass/
• https://www.t-mobile.com/cell-phone-plans/international-roaming-plans

Understand that this is only for service while onshore in a port. When you are on the ship and in the middle of the ocean, you will need to use the ship’s wi-fi or cellular service. It may be worth it to use just one service or another instead of paying for both during your cruise.

When in port, you’ll be connecting to international towers. Phone companies have international plans (sometimes you can simply pay for a single day pass) that allow you access just as you would have at home.

Wi-Fi Service to Use Your Phone in Port Want to save some money? Then you may be able to skip dealing with international plans altogether and just connect to wi-fi hotspots in port. In fact, it may even be free.

To be sure, your wi-fi plan from the ship won’t work in port (unless you are at a private island; sometimes ships extend service to their islands.) But many ports of call offer wi-fi service.

Sometimes there is service sold that will cover the port area. Other times spots like restaurants or shops will offer free wi-fi service to customers as a perk for shopping there.

Either way, it’s a cheaper and easier way of using your phone in port if you are fine with having access on a more limited basis.

Many ports have wi-fi service at shops or restaurants that can get you access while you’re there. It’s an easy way to check in back home if you don’t need constant access.

Using Your Phone on a Carnival Cruise

As mentioned above, we recommend using the ship’s wi-fi to use your phone . This will allow you to make calls (you may have to use an app like WhatsApp to do so), send messages, email, and browse the web.

To access Carnival’s wi-fi, you’ll have to sign up for one of three packages :

Social (~$15 per day) — Offers access to social media sites like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, WhatsApp, Snapchat and more. It also provides access to airline sites. However, it doesn’t include access to most of the web, nor does it support in-app calling, streaming services (Netflix, Spotify, YouTube), or Skype.

Value ($20 per day) — Offers everything in the Social package, with the addition of popular news, weather, banking, finance, and entertainment sites. However, it still doesn’t allow streaming or Skype/FaceTime calling.

Premium (~$21 per day) — Offers the fastest speeds on the ship and full web access. While Carnival’s website says this plan doesn’t support video streaming (outside Netflix) or FaceTime calls, we’ve personally done both with this plan. If you are a heavy phone user on your cruise or want to make video calls, then you’ll likely want the Premium package.

You can purchase a plan at a discount before your cruise starts or you can simply purchase when you are on the ship. Note that shipboard prices are higher than what’s shown here.

Read more about Carnival’s internet service here .

Using Your Phone on a Royal Caribbean Cruise

Just like with Carnival and other major cruise lines, we think you’ll be best off connecting to the ship’s wi-fi in order to use your phone on a Royal Caribbean ship.

The cruise line offers VOOM internet access across its fleet, which is touted as one of the fastest wi-fi services of any major cruise line. With it, you can hook up your phone to wi-fi and make calls (via wi-fi), text, use apps, and browse the web.

Prices are not set in stone, but vary between around $15-25 a day. Discounts are available for ordering online ahead of time.

Read more about Royal Caribbean’s Internet service here .

Using Your Phone on a Norwegian Cruise

Norwegian offers two different levels of wi-fi access on their ships that allow you to connect with your phone. From there, you can use wi-fi to send messages, talk, and send email to keep in touch.

First is the Unlimited Wi-Fi Package ($30 per day) that includes access to things like Facebook, Twitter, and Snapchat, along with the rest of the web. This includes apps like WhatsApp, iMessage, and FaceTime, allowing you to keep in touch. However, it doesn’t allow streaming services.

Second, there is the Unlimited Premium Wi-Fi Package ($40 per day), giving you full access to the web and streaming services — including YouTube, TikTok, and Netflix. With this level of service, making calls, sending texts, and video chats are no issue.

You can read more about NCL’s internet service here .

Using Your Phone on Other Cruise Lines (Disney, Celebrity, Princess, and Others)

As you can see, the easiest way to use your phone on a cruise is to use it to connect to the ship’s wi-fi. While we’ve spelled out more details for Carnival, Royal Caribbean, and Norwegian Cruise Line, this method will work on any ship you sail.

Through the wi-fi offered on your cruise ship, you should be able to connect and use your phone just as you would on land. This includes web browsing, messaging, and calls through wi-fi. Just keep in mind that you might have to upgrade to the highest-tier service in order to get full benefits of the internet like streaming and video calls. In our experience, lower-tier wi-fi plans are slower, meaning choppier connections on things like video calls.

Have more questions about using your phone on a cruise? Let us know in the comments below.

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Hey Tanner: Thanks for the great article. We are going on Norwegian to the Panama Canal. My cruise buddy has Verizon and wants to make a voice call to her husband. He does not know how to use WhatsApp or FaceTime. Can they make regular voice calls using the ships Wi-fi? We understand that she can call him from ports with her Verizon Travel Pass, but she is concerned about sea days. Thanks!

Typically phones have a “call over wi-fi” setting. I’ve used it before and it worked well, but usually I use Facetime to call back home.

Tanner – I will going on a Norwegian cruise and would like to use WhatsApp for audit calls. I don’t need to make any viedo calls. Can I get by with the Unlimited plan or do I need the Unlimited Plus?

My advice is to always go with the fastest plan just because in general speeds are slower on cruises (getting better in some cases with Starlink).

But it looks like voice calls don’t require that much bandwidth. My suggestion is if you only want access for these calls, then opt for the cheaper plan and test it out. If it’s not enough, then you can always upgrade.

Tanner, my brother in – law just started his job on a cruise ship – they are provided only 5 gigabytes per month for phone use – he uses what’s app – what can advise him to do to get more gigabytes ? Approximate cost ?

I’ll be perfectly honest: the Royal Caribbean cruise was fantastic except for the beverage package issue, gratuity, and the cell service/internet packages. For the price of the cruise, surely you could include water, tea, coffee, and fountain soda. Those are cheap! I did know ahead of time that 18% gratuity was added to everything, yet for some reason I bought the gratuity package. Then would forget and add tip above the 18% plus the gratuity package. I know I’m responsible, but still felt taken advantage of. AT&T charged me 100.00 within 3-4 hours (started before we even left port). Then cut off service to “protect” me. So I pay another 100.00 for their “international data plan”- which is NOT 10.00 a day. Then I pay 75.00 for better internet speed through Royal. Guess what- 275.00 and I STILL couldn’t use my phone half of the time. I felt nickeled and dimed to death between just getting a bottle of water and checking my work email. And now that I’m home, my phone has ZERO internet. Sigh. FYI: This was my first cruise, but I did research the best I could ahead of time. I didn’t even think about the cell issue. But really- RC is first class.

Do you know if you can get reception on the ship from an island nearby if you are docked at a tender port, or is that still too far away? I have a virtual doctor visit the day I’m in Grand Cayman that I really don’t want to cancel and I would rather use my international phone plan then waste my limited ship wifi minutes.

We’re traveling on Cunard next month. Their website says that even if a phone is in airplane mode but connected to the ship wifi, voice call charges will still be incurred by the cell provider. That doesn’t make sense. Are they just saying that to protect their “assests”?

Never heard that before. I’d likely just take them at their word and plan around it.

If I purchase the cruise plan through AT&Tfor 100$ Do I still have to purchase the wifi on princess as well?

Does regular wi-fi calling (Not WhatsApp) work on Carnival social plan?

That I don’t know. I haven’t personally tested it.

I have straight talk, would I still be able to call or txt since it’s a pay as I go an each month. We will be on Carnival Horizon in October.

Well at sea you won’t have service, but you can hook up to the wi-fi and use your phone that way.

If I purchase the International Plan on Verizon, will it connect to the ship’s tower? I am going on Carnival Horizon in March 2023 to the southern Caribbean (Aruba, Bonaire, Dominican Republic). If I’m signing up and paying for this plan, I want to make sure I actually have coverage my entire cruise (on and off the ship). Can you help?

I’m not sure how the service works on the ship (I personally use wi-fi). You’ll need to contact your carrier to ask as it’s their plan.

GOING TO BAHAMAS AND ORLANDO FLORIDA. WHEN IN FLORIDA AND I AM OFF THE SHIP CAN I USE THE PHONE TO CALL AND TEXT WITHOUT BEING CHARGED MORE THAN MY NORMAL BILL. I WONT BE ON THE SHIP USING THE PHONE ONLY FOR PICTURES. I AM GOING ON NCL AND I AM A VERIZON CUSTOMER

Depends on your plan, but likely not. Most of the time, however, you can get a short-term international plan for cheap:

https://www.verizonwireless.com/solutions-and-services/international-travel/

everyone gives info for making calls, etc. what about getting calls???? have a disabled son and I need contact with him each morning around 6 am Central. how do I arrange that?

The best idea we can suggest is to sign up for the Internet package and use a program like WhatsApp to talk.

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T-mobile on ship

By dinna1 , April 1, 2009 in Norwegian Cruise Line

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Sorry if this has been asked befor- using a ceel phone while on the ship. I have t-mobile & it did not have any signal last time on the Gem. All I want to do is be able to text only not to call, I'll be traveling with my parents. If we're not in the room or so and need to find each other. Is it possible? What should I ask t-mobile rep. to do?

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You have to have Tmobile turn international roaming on, or your phone won't connect to the towers. This is to keep people from running up HUGE bills without knowing. I have TMobile and was just on the Sky, I assume it is the same. Phone calls are $4.99/min and texting is .40 I believe, but don't quote me on that.

In order to use T-Mobile on the ship you must have the international service plan. This is from the T-Mobile website:

NORWEGIAN CRUISE LINE: THE NORWEGIAN GEM

Rate per minute : $4.99

Country code : NA

Click on a carrier to see carrier-specific coverage for this country:

Cingular 1900Mhz YES

International roaming rates for text, picture, video, and instant messaging

Share a thought or a sight, anytime, from just about anywhere.

$0.35 per message sent ($0.20 in Canada and Puerto Rico)

$0.20 per message received

If you have a messaging bundle or plan, international messages you send while roaming are not covered by your bundle and will be charged separately. If you have a messaging bundle or plan, international messages you receive will be pulled from your bundle.

Accessing IM through your web browser while roaming internationally will incur charges as specified below.**

Internet (GPRS) rate while roaming internationally:

$10 per MB in Canada

$15 per MB in all other countries

I hope this helps.

Thanks for responding! It does help.

I'll ask the provider to turn on international roaming for one moth during which we'll travel. Hope they can do it

did you get reception on the ship?? i just called tmobile yesterday and they stated they are part of cellular at sea but can not gtd a signal

If you did not get a signal, you may possibly have been somewhere that could not reach the tower, or you have an OLD phone with the wrong type of service.

As mentioned above, T-Mobile charges DOUBLE what every other carrier charges. Rip off company.

$2.49 a minute is a bit steep, but at least it works. $5 a minute is uncalled for.

If you did not get a signal, you may possibly have been somewhere that could not reach the tower, or you have an OLD phone with the wrong type of service.   As mentioned above, T-Mobile charges DOUBLE what every other carrier charges. Rip off company.   $2.49 a minute is a bit steep, but at least it works. $5 a minute is uncalled for.

they said i have the right phone but should i get a signal? and if so is it only certain places on the ship?? thanks i am leaving a 4 yr old home just being a worry wart thanks again

We seemed to have a signal whenever we checked, but I am sure there were places that were not as strong. Not sure if I could suggest a certain place, but have not really heard this as being a problem. Cell signals vary.

Does all of the mentioned previously in this thread include T-Mobile prepaid?

I have a new Nokia phone & it supports 1900Mhz, but right after starting this thread I remembered something. There was a lady on deck talking on a phone while I could't see even one bar on mine, she said her provider was a Verizon & most of her friends (with other providers) used her phone too since theirs weren't working. My T-Mobile is a great phone and always has a strong signal on a land, but why not there in the middle of the ocean;)

Thanks for responding! It does help. I'll ask the provider to turn on international roaming for one moth during which we'll travel. Hope they can do it

If I remember correctly there is no charge for to have international roming on your cell phone with T-moble. You still pay the going rates what ever they are.

This is a bit technical for some: Verizon cell uses mostly a CDMA signals except for its global phone (Ev, 1X) whereas AT&T and T-Mo use GSM signals (using the "SIM" card) - thus, your GSM handset might not be a quad-band phone that operate & work on all 850/900, 1800 & 1900 mhz frequencies that the carrier roam on using the ship's satellite tower while at sea.

Not all the AT&T and/or T-Mobile phones are quad-band capable or enabled (could be locked to the carrier) - I use VZW (CDMA) phone as primary but while traveling, always take along a GSM quad-band unlocked phone so that when needed, I can insert a local SIM/prepaid SIM if the AT&T or T-Mo SIM from home doesn't work for whatever reasons.

Our experience sailing NCL in various ports in North America suggested that AT&T seemed to work better compared to T-Mo, includings its Prepaid SIM cards even while on the ship - most of the time, not always. Coverage for VZW has gotten a lot better and with int'l roamming on, it worked flawlessly in Mexico and while at sea (last month).

I called them today. They said that it was $2.49 a minute on the ship and lets say Barbados would be $1.99 a minute. If you take out the internation plan which is $5.99 a month then it would be $1.69 a minute.

terrymtex01

I have very limited knowledge in this subject, but I do know any carrier has to "unlock" your SIM card for international roaming. If you call T-Mobile they should be able to do that for you. It might be done through the system just by them adding Internatinal Roaming to your service. Not for sure about that, but I do know the SIM card has to be unlocked by the carrier. Some, who's phones have worked and did not do anything might have had I.R. set up on their service when they activated and didn't even know it.

I have Tmobile and used my phone on 2 different trips to Europe. I know it is not the same destination. I just went on line and added international roaming. It is free to add it. I only used it for text messaging and they were the prices stated above a previous post.

I have Tmobile and used my phone on 2 different trips to Europe. I know it is not the same destination....

any calls on the ship are the same, if 50 miles from Miami, off the coast of Rome and rounding Aruba. You are at sea.

On the other hand, each country has it's own situation and rates.

As to "unlocking" the sim. That may be true for some carriers, but we never called ATT for either of our phones and they worked just fine on land and at sea.

• 8 years later...

As of Jan 2018, cruising from LA to Puerto Vallarta, on Norwegian, we had Telstar Maritime, which offered US $0.50/ message and $5.99/min.

Also, Norwegian offered calls at $4.99/min from cabin.

My .02 cents

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How to save on cruises with AARP Travel

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Savings-conscious consumers have long gravitated toward AARP. The advocacy organization for older Americans negotiates discounts on everything from mobile phone plans and drug prescriptions to restaurants, hotels and, yes, cruises. While “older” generally connotes seniors ages 65 and above, AARP membership is open to Americans who are considerably younger. But is it worth subscribing if you’re looking to save money on your next cruise?

I remember feeling insulted when right before my 50th birthday I received an invitation by mail to join AARP. “I’m nowhere near retirement,” I thought as I crumpled it, mumbled something about ageism and tossed it in the trash. This was years after AARP (pronounced A-A-R-P with the letters sounded out) officially changed its name to its acronym. It was founded in 1958 as the American Association of Retired Persons, but as leading-edge baby boomers began retiring in their 50s, AARP started to engage with them to encourage younger membership.

For cruise news, reviews and tips, sign up for TPG’s cruise newsletter .

More than a decade later I’m still not retired, but this assignment gave me an excuse to finally join AARP. When I did, I took a look at the perks of membership to see which benefits would be useful to my travel plans. Here’s what I learned about how to save on cruises with AARP Travel.

You don’t have to be retired or age 50-plus to join AARP

You do need to be age 50 or older to reap full benefits, but Americans ages 18 to 49 can also join AARP. Folks under 50 can receive most member benefits, aside from those restricted by law or contract, such as certain insurance products.

To sign up, simply visit AARP.org and click “Join Now.” Membership is $16 per year, although rates can be as low as $9 per year if you sign up for a multiyear membership term.

Related: This annual membership can save you hundreds on flights and hotels

When you join, you’ll also get a second free membership for another adult in your household, as well as a monthly AARP Bulletin and the bimonthly AARP The Magazine.

You can book cruise travel via the AARP Travel Center Powered by Expedia

The booking engine that offers member discounts for cruises, as well as hotels and rental cars, is the AARP Travel Center Powered by Expedia . This is where you can search for ocean or river cruises, just as you would on Expedia, with an added bonus: AARP members can receive up to $100 onboard credit on more than 15 cruise lines and up to $200 onboard credit on select Holland America Line cruises.

You can search for a cruise by using a drop-down menu of almost two dozen destinations (you have to pick one to search) and then plugging in your desired travel dates.

The ocean cruise options are fairly extensive but not deeply discounted

Since Expedia powers the AARP Travel Center, it offers access to an extensive range of cruises to global destinations, from a three-night Caribbean sailing from Miami on Norwegian Sky to an 80-night world cruise on Cunard ‘s Queen Victoria. In all, I found thousands of sailings offered by most major cruise lines through mid-2025.

When I searched for Caribbean cruises during the period from Jan. 1 to April 30, 2024, the booking engine returned more than 800 options offered by 13 cruise lines. When I narrowed my search to just premium and luxury cruise lines, I saw a seven-night Caribbean itinerary from Miami on Oceania ‘s new cruise ship Vista in mid-February priced at $2,599 per person for a balcony cabin with bonus shore excursion, beverage, specialty dining and Wi-Fi inclusions. This Western Caribbean itinerary calls on Cozumel, Mexico; Roatan, Honduras; Costa Maya, Mexico; and Harvest Caye, Belize, with two sea days.

That seemed like a terrific deal, but when I checked Oceania’s website, I found the same price with all the included bonuses. The only difference was the “up to $100” onboard credit available with AARP membership. In this case, the credit was the full $100 because the cruise fare was more than $2,000. Cruises priced below $2,000 per person get a $50 credit.

Related: The 5 best destinations you can visit on an Oceania Cruises ship

Other deals in the luxury category included a seven-night Caribbean cruise in late February 2024 in a verandah suite aboard Seabourn Ovation for $3,249 per person. The cruise departs from St. Maarten and calls on the British Virgin Islands, St. Kitts and Nevis, Dominica, Guadeloupe and Martinique before ending in Barbados. On Seabourn ’s website, verandah suites for this itinerary started at $3,419 per person. So, the AARP price did offer a savings of $150 per person — plus the $100 onboard credit.

Budget-minded cruisers can also find plenty of three-night sailings for $300 per person or less (for an inside or ocean-view cabin on Norwegian Sky with free drinks, dining and excursion credits) and even some seven-night sailings for under $500 per person (for an inside cabin on Royal Caribbean , MSC Cruises and Princess Cruises ships). All were similar to what’s available on the cruise lines’ websites, but with AARP qualified for an onboard credit of $50.

Cruisers who prefer Holland America also have plenty of choices. They can, for example, book a seven-night Caribbean cruise from Fort Lauderdale in early March 2024 aboard Nieuw Statendam that visits Jamaica; Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands; Cozumel; and Half Moon Cay, Bahamas. The price? An inside cabin was priced at $614 per person (comparable to what HAL offers on its website) and came with a $50 onboard credit.

What I discovered is that the $200 onboard credit deal with AARP links directly to Holland America’s website for booking and is valid only for balcony and suite bookings on select cruises lasting 10 days or more.

AARP members can also book expedition cruises , such as 12-night Antarctic Explorer itineraries on Viking Octantis and Viking Polaris, via the AARP Travel Center. These are priced at $11,995 per person (the same price as on Viking’s website) with just a $25 deposit. Again, the only savings is the $100 onboard credit.

Basically, the AARP Travel Center seems to be an expedient way to compare ocean cruise deals as they are offered by individual cruise lines via the booking engine Expedia — with the chance of scoring a slightly discounted cruise fare and the added bonus of a $50, $100 or $200 onboard credit, depending on the cruise booked.

AARP Travel Center has offers from 4 major river cruise lines

The AARP Travel Center also allows you to search and compare river cruises by searching the destination “Europe” and a specific date range.

A search for European river cruises in 2024 and 2025 turned up hundreds of options on river ships operated by AmaWaterways, Avalon Waterways, Uniworld River Cruises and Viking. Itineraries ranged from a seven-night Rhine River cruise from Amsterdam to Basel, Switzerland, in late March 2024 aboard Avalon Panorama for $1,949 per person to several sailings of 20 nights or more priced at $15,000 per person and above for suite accommodations.

There were also more than a dozen Viking itineraries on the Rhine in March and early April 2024 for $1,999 per person, which is the same price featured on Viking’s website. Uniworld prices start at $2,999 per person, also comparable to its website, while AmaWaterways ’ value fares ($1,919 to $2,159 per person for Rhine cruises) all matched the cruise line’s pricing — and were in February 2024. Brrr!

A search for river cruises in Asia in 2024 and 2025 turned up more than 300 sailings on AmaWaterways, Avalon Waterways and Uniworld, most 12 to 14 nights in length with prices ranging from $6,999 to $8,399 per person.

Once again, the AARP Travel Center seems to be an efficient aggregator, pulling deals from Expedia’s booking engine. River cruise fares also are eligible for a $50 or $100 onboard credit.

River cruise fans can find additional members-only deals beyond onboard credit

AARP members also have access to specific deals on river cruises offered by AARP-preferred travel providers.

Offers include saving up to $100 per person on river cruises booked via Grand European Travel. These are aboard luxury river cruise ships in Europe operated by Uniworld, and the $100 discount per person is off prices comparable to those listed when booking directly with Uniworld.

For example, the eight-day Enchanting Danube itinerary in March and April 2024 aboard S.S. Maria Theresa starts at $3,299 per person, the same as on Uniworld’s website. The total savings? A $100 per person discount if booked with Grand European Travel.

Another savings opportunity is $50 off per person on Collette cruisetours . Cruise options here are more limited and are mostly on Amadeus River Cruises ships on the Rhine and Danube, plus some small-ship coastal cruising in Croatia and tours in Egypt featuring a four-night cruise.

Members-only benefits also include 5% off select rail-and-cruise vacations with Vacations by Rail . The discount is offered on a variety of itineraries in Europe that combine rail travel with cruises aboard river ships operated by CroisiEurope and Amadeus. The catch: All tours begin in London (Vacations by Rail’s parent company is British), which can be a detour for American travelers because it’s simpler to arrive by air in Amsterdam, Basel, Budapest or Bordeaux, France, where these cruises begin.

Some guided tours are 12 days, with four days of rail travel and hotel stays in advance of a seven-night cruise. Reviews, however, mention the hassle of getting luggage on and off trains by yourself (there are no porters).

Related: Best cruises for seniors who love to travel by sea

The cost of the four-day rail/hotel portion of Vacation by Rail’s 12-day Glacier Express & the Majestic Rhine cruise-and-rail tour also seems to account for about half of the overall cost for one-third of the days. The price is $5,095 per person for a June 2024 package, but the seven-night Classical Rhine itinerary on board MS Amadeus Star from Basel to Amsterdam that is included can be booked on the Amadeus website for about $2,600 per person on dates in May and July or $1,913 per person in April.

Both the agility required for train travel and the cost of the four-day rail tour are something to consider when weighing the value of a 5% discount.

Discounted cruise line gift cards are available to AARP Rewards members

Members who sign up for AARP Rewards — which lets you earn points by taking knowledge-boosting quizzes or using fitness-tracking or money-crunching tools — can also purchase gift cards for five cruise lines at a 10% discount. Applicable lines include Carnival Cruise Line, Celebrity Cruises, Holland America, Princess and Royal Caribbean.

AARP Rewards members have two options: $100 gift cards priced at $90 ($92 for Princess) and $500 gift cards priced at $450 ($460 for Princess). You can use these gift cards to pay for a portion of your cruise fare or, on some lines, onboard expenses.

Card availability and amounts may change at any time. You can purchase a maximum of 25 gift cards each month.

You can find deals for pre- or post-cruise hotel stays and get a discount on British Airways

You might save the most money by booking a pre- or post-cruise hotel stay with one of AARP Travel Center’s dozens of hotel partners, most of which offer a 10% discount off the best available nightly rate. The list includes Hilton, InterContinental, Radisson, Holiday Inn, Best Western, Embassy Suites, Wyndham, Waldorf Astoria, Conrad, Kimpton and Hotel Indigo.

AARP also has partnered with British Airways. Members save $65 off World Traveller (economy) and World Traveller Plus (premium economy) or $200 off Club World (business class) fares when they purchase round-trip transatlantic tickets online to more than 130 destinations, including Europe, Asia, the Middle East and Africa. Restrictions do apply.

You can save money with AARP, but you should also do your homework

The AARP Travel Center seems to be a terrific place to compare fares when deciding which cruise line and month best suits your budget. Whether you eventually book via AARP, the cruise line’s website or elsewhere depends on your preference. (Remember, travel agents and advisers often have deals with extras that websites don’t.)

With similar pricing, it probably depends on whether the onboard credit is a better bonus than perks offered elsewhere.

Signing up for email offers from your preferred cruise line and checking its “deals” or “offers” tab on a regular basis might be your best bet for scoring a top deal. However, there’s no doubt that AARP’s $9 to $16 annual membership fee quickly pays for itself with even a one-time onboard credit — and there is a potential for additional savings. No matter your age, it can’t hurt to sign up.

Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:

• The 5 most desirable cabin locations on any cruise ship
• A beginners guide to picking a cruise line
• The 8 worst cabin locations on any cruise ship
• The ultimate guide to what to pack for a cruise
• A quick guide to the most popular cruise lines
• 21 tips and tricks that will make your cruise go smoothly
• 15 ways cruisers waste money
• The ultimate guide to choosing a cruise ship cabin

SPONSORED:  With states reopening, enjoying a meal from a restaurant no longer just means curbside pickup.

And when you do spend on dining, you should use a credit card that will maximize your rewards and potentially even score special discounts. Thanks to temporary card bonuses and changes due to coronavirus, you may even be able to score a meal at your favorite restaurant for free. 

These are the best credit cards for dining out, taking out, and ordering in to maximize every meal purchase.

Editorial Disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airlines or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.