Cruising and data?

bplp · 20 July 2016 at 11:29AM

I've never been on a cruise before but in Sept we are cruising around the Greek Islands. What's the deal with using your phone on board. They seem to offer a package, but I'm with THREE and my data and phone use is cheap when I'm in Europe. Has anyone experienced using their phone whilst on a cruise?

pmramsay · 20 July 2016 at 1:10PM

Three doesnt cover Greece, check out Tesco mobile, this summer they are doing a great deal across most of europe. Get a PAYG sim, top up whatever you need data wise and you should be covered for the greek islands.

Only issue you may have is reception out to sea, not sure what the deal is with the boat company but you might be a bit limited with what you can use.

daveyjp · 20 July 2016 at 4:47PM

Some Cruise companies offer expensive wi fi packages.

If the only other option is marine mobile data ensure your phone is turned off.

Best option is to limit use to free wi fi in ports. Crew will know where the hotspots are.

Neil49 · 20 July 2016 at 6:16PM

On board wifi can be unbelievably expensive and slow as it uses satellite communication to establish a link to the internet.

If you are close to land then it is possible to pick up a signal but you are best off waiting until you get ashore and use free wifi as suggested by daveyjp.

eDicky · 20 July 2016 at 8:00PM

pmramsay wrote: »

Three doesnt cover Greece,

Three does 'cover' or roam in Greece, but it's not one of their 'Feel at Home' countries where the same tariffs as when in the UK at available. However Three's normal roaming tariffs are controlled by EU legislation and are probably quite reasonable for occasional use, including for data, you can check. You should have a mobile signal when you are not too far from land.

PeacefulWaters · 20 July 2016 at 8:11PM

Get away from it all.

Leave the phone at home!

PompeyPete · 20 July 2016 at 8:16PM

PeacefulWaters wrote: »

Get away from it all.

Leave the phone at home!

I leave the emergency contact number with our daughter, and that's it, bye bye mobile and social media for a couple of weeks.

stephb34 · 20 July 2016 at 9:03PM

pmramsay wrote: »

Three doesnt cover Greece, check out Tesco mobile, this summer they are doing a great deal across most of europe. Get a PAYG sim, top up whatever you need data wise and you should be covered for the greek islands.

Only issue you may have is reception out to sea, not sure what the deal is with the boat company but you might be a bit limited with what you can use.

Tesco deal ends sept 4th.

Katiehound · 20 July 2016 at 10:20PM

Generally speaking follow the crew! They always know where the free or cheap wifi is based in port!
Calls from the ship are dear if you can not get a signal on your mobile as you use the ship's communication system- avoid!!

bazzyb · 20 July 2016 at 10:41PM

Main thing if you are using mobile data whilst at sea, ALWAYS check you are connected to a land based (ie Greek) network, and not a sea bed (International Maritime Roaming) network. Data for the latter costs £6 per MB on the 3 network!

EmmyLou30 · 21 July 2016 at 2:00PM

You won't get a signal on board on your phone, the on board wi-fi charges by the minute and is very slow so don't bother with that either. Wait till you're off the ship. You'll notice the entire ship flocks to the nearest McDonalds or Tourist Information building that has free wi-fi. It's quite a sight to see hundreds of passengers all huddled round a building waving their phones around trying to get signal! Or alternatively the red bus tours in a lot of cruise destinations (the hop on hop off things) have wi-fi on board.