Yes, you can make phone calls on a cruise, but the cost and method depend on your ship and plan
Most cruise lines offer phone service through satellite or cellular networks, but calling from a ship costs significantly more than calling from land. You have three main options: buying a package plan before you board, using pay-as-you-go rates (which are expensive), or relying on free Wi-Fi calling apps like WhatsApp or Skype if the ship offers internet. The best choice depends on how often you need to call and whether you want to reach people who don't use messaging apps.
Cruise lines do not automatically include phone service in your ticket price. You must either purchase a plan or accept per-minute charges that typically range from $5 to $15 per minute for standard calls, depending on your cruise line and whether you are in port or at sea. Some ships charge by the minute; others charge by the day or offer monthly packages.
Key Takeaways
- Phone calls on a cruise cost between $5 and $15 per minute unless you buy a plan in advance, making a five-minute call potentially $25 to $75.
- Most cruise lines sell daily or weekly calling plans that cost $15 to $50 per day, which is cheaper than pay-as-you-go if you plan to make multiple calls.
- Free Wi-Fi calling through apps like WhatsApp, Skype, or FaceTime works on most ships if you purchase the ship's internet package separately.
- Calls made while the ship is docked in port may use local cellular networks and cost less than calls made at sea, depending on your plan.
- Text messaging and data-based apps are almost always cheaper than voice calls and work on the ship's Wi-Fi without a separate phone plan.
Understanding cruise line phone plans and pricing
Each cruise line sets its own phone rates and plan options. Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Disney Cruise Line, and Norwegian Cruise Line all offer different packages. Most lines sell plans by the day, week, or for the entire cruise. A daily plan typically costs $15 to $30 per day and includes unlimited calling to the United States and some international destinations. Weekly plans run $50 to $100 and are better if you are cruising for seven days or longer.
Pay-as-you-go calling is available on every ship but is the most expensive option. You are charged per minute the moment you make a call, and rates start at $5 per minute for calls to the United States and climb higher for international numbers. A ten-minute call can easily cost $50 to $150. If you think you might make even two or three calls during your cruise, a daily plan saves money.
Some cruise lines offer free calling to other passengers on the same ship through the ship's phone system or a dedicated app. This does not require a plan and is a useful way to coordinate with your travel group without paying anything.
How to buy a phone plan before you board
The easiest time to purchase a calling plan is when you book your cruise or log into your cruise line account online a few weeks before departure. Most cruise lines let you add a phone package to your reservation the same way you would add a beverage package or specialty dining. Buying in advance often gives you a small discount compared to purchasing onboard.
If you did not buy a plan before boarding, you can purchase one at the guest services desk on the first day of your cruise. Staff can set up a plan when ready, and it will take effect within a few minutes. Onboard rates are sometimes slightly higher than pre-purchase rates, so buying ahead saves money if you know you will need calling service.
When you set up a plan, the cruise line will either use your existing mobile phone number or assign you a temporary shipboard number. You will receive instructions on how to make calls and which numbers to dial for international calls. Keep these instructions handy because dialing format sometimes differs from what you use on land.
Using Wi-Fi calling apps instead of a phone plan
If you do not want to buy a phone plan, you can use free calling apps like WhatsApp, Skype, Viber, or FaceTime over the ship's Wi-Fi network. This works only if the person you are calling also has the app installed on their phone. The advantage is that you pay nothing for calls—only for the ship's internet package, which costs $15 to $30 per day depending on the cruise line.
Most cruise ships offer Wi-Fi in cabins and common areas, though the connection can be slow during peak hours. Video calling through these apps uses more data and may buffer or disconnect if the connection weakens. Voice-only calls and text-based messaging work more reliably than video.
This option works best if you are calling family members or friends who already use these apps regularly. If the people you need to reach do not have the app, they cannot receive your call, and you would need to use a traditional phone plan or send a text message instead.
Calling costs when your ship is in port
When your cruise ship docks in a port, your phone may automatically connect to local cellular networks instead of the ship's system. This can happen without warning and may trigger expensive roaming charges if you do not have an international plan with your home phone carrier. To avoid surprise charges, turn off data and cellular service before the ship docks, or switch your phone to airplane mode.
If you want to make calls while in port using local networks, contact your phone carrier before your cruise to add an international plan. Rates vary widely by destination and carrier. Some carriers offer daily passes for $10 to $15 that cover unlimited calls and texts in a specific country; others charge per-minute rates similar to cruise ship rates.
Many passengers find it cheaper to wait until the ship docks, find a local SIM card or prepaid phone card at a shop in port, and use that for calls while ashore. This works if you have an unlocked phone and do not mind swapping SIM cards. When you board the ship again, switch back to your cruise line's system or Wi-Fi calling.
Texting and messaging on a cruise
Text messaging through your regular phone plan is usually cheaper than voice calls on a cruise. If you have an international texting plan with your home carrier, texting from the ship may work at no extra cost or at a lower per-message rate than calling. Check with your carrier before you board to confirm whether texting is included in your plan.
Messaging apps like WhatsApp, iMessage, Telegram, and Signal send messages over Wi-Fi and do not use your phone plan at all. These are almost always the cheapest way to stay in touch while cruising because you only pay for the ship's internet package once, and then all messages are free. These apps also work in port if you have Wi-Fi access at a café or hotel.
Many passengers use messaging apps for daily check-ins with family and reserve voice calls for emergencies or important conversations. This approach keeps costs low while still allowing real-time communication.
What to do in an emergency
If you need to reach someone urgently and do not have a phone plan, tell a crew member when ready. The ship has communication systems and can relay messages to your family or contact emergency services if needed. Crew members can also help you use the ship's phone system to make an emergency call, sometimes at reduced rates or for free depending on the situation.
Before your cruise, give a trusted family member the ship's phone number and your cabin number. This way, they can call you directly if an emergency arises at home. The ship's operator can connect the call to your cabin or find you on the ship. This is faster and more reliable than trying to reach the ship through the cruise line's main office.
If someone at home needs to reach you and does not have the ship's number, they can contact the cruise line's main office with your name, booking number, and cabin number, and the cruise line will relay the message to you. This takes longer than a direct call but works when no other option is available.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my regular cell phone plan to call from the ship?
Only if your carrier offers an international roaming plan that includes the ship's location. Most ships operate in international waters where standard plans do not work. Contact your carrier before boarding to confirm coverage. Many carriers charge roaming rates of $5 to $15 per minute in international waters, which is similar to cruise line rates.
Will my phone automatically connect to the ship's network?
Your phone may show a signal and attempt to connect to the ship's network automatically, but you will not be able to make calls until you have purchased a plan or activated pay-as-you-go service. If you do not want unexpected charges, turn off cellular data and airplane mode when you board, and use only Wi-Fi calling apps.
Is internet on a cruise ship the same as a phone plan?
No. Internet and phone plans are separate purchases. You can buy internet without a phone plan and use Wi-Fi calling apps, or you can buy a phone plan without internet. Some cruise lines offer bundled packages that include both at a discount, so ask at guest services what combinations are available.
Can I receive calls on a cruise ship?
Yes, if you have a phone plan or if someone calls your regular cell phone number and your carrier supports international roaming. Incoming calls are usually charged at the same rate as outgoing calls. If you do not want to receive calls, turn off cellular service or ask the cruise line to disable incoming calls on your shipboard number.
What happens to my phone bill if I accidentally use data at sea?
If your phone connects to the ship's network without a plan, you will be charged pay-as-you-go rates for any data or calls used. To prevent this, enable airplane mode before boarding or turn off cellular data entirely. You can still use Wi-Fi calling apps and messaging over the ship's Wi-Fi without triggering these charges.