eSims for Cruise

pdyson21

We are heading on a cruise to Norway from Southampton next month and have opted against the Wi-Fi cruise packages that were on offer but looking into eSims. Some reviews say not to use them when at sea, some say do. Found some companies that do them but all seem to be priced in $. Any advice?

TadleyBaggie

The marine mobile networks always used to be very expensive and it was easy to be connected to them without realising. I think this have may changed recently but I wouldn't want to be reliant on them when at sea.

MyRealNameToo

Ships often use the likes of telenor to provide a satellite backed mobile signal and roaming charges are exceptionally high as a consequence.

I'd say to be careful with esim providers, some can use potentially misleading statements, one advertising on esim for cruises for example says "Stay connected with the best eSIM for cruises. Get instant data with us in every port of call." The more careful reader will see they only talk of coverage when in port not when on the open ocean. Speaking to the chat support of that particular brand they confirm they dont cover the maritime network.

GigSky is the main one that does actually cover a wide range that I can find, Red Bull Mobile does too but only if the ship is using Telenor and not one of the other providers. GigSky price does vary depending on which network is being used but they ask for the cruiseline and boat before telling you the price so are probably determining the network via that. 5GB is about £75

Where are you going? Are you going to be at sea long enough to miss the internet between ports? Typically masts go up to 15-20 miles but naturally typically are placed right on the cliff edge. Have more than once had my phone connect to a french network when in Dover as a consequence.

pdyson21

Thank you both for your replies.

Heading to the Norwegian Fjords

MyRealNameToo

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82095506#Comment_82095506

You should get ok signal from Norway for a decent amount of the time, though you will go into shadows at time where reception drops out and thats where you could risk connecting to the ships (if they have one)

If you had a balcony you could potentially even look to a StarLink, they have a 30 day trial and indeed a growing number of ships are using it instead of mobile solutions to offer wifi

flaneurs_lobster

If you had a balcony you could potentially even look to a StarLink, they have a 30 day trial and indeed a growing number of ships are using it instead of mobile solutions to offer wifi

How practical would that be? Apart from the "dish" being more or less portable (~300mm square and a Kg) how likely is it that you could 'see' a satellite (or rather satellites) for anything like a reasonable time on a moving ship?

I know one person who has the mobile kit set up on his motorhome, not heard of anyone travelling with them.

MyRealNameToo

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82095570#Comment_82095570

Given that the ships themselves are increasingly using them… high I would assume. Remember that StarLink uses thousands of low orbit fast moving satellites, its not a geostrationary orbit to one or two like SkyTV so is designed for everything to be moving rather than carefully pointing the dish at it.

As to size, not that different from Mrs 13" iPad, it is much heavier but was talking about having it setup somewhere not walking around with it.

If you believe the marketing adverts then people are using them everywhere but they are probably more regularly in use in countries bigger than the postage stamp that is the UK when you are rarely outside of some form of mobile signal.

I've used one once, an overseas family member, it worked well.