Verizon does not have a dedicated cruise plan, but you can use your regular plan while at sea through roaming agreements
Verizon does not sell a product called a "cruise plan." However, Verizon customers can stay connected aboard most cruise ships because Verizon has roaming agreements with the maritime networks that cruise lines use. When your ship is at sea, your phone connects to these networks instead of Verizon's towers, and charges explore based on your plan and the service you use.
The catch is that maritime roaming is expensive. A single text message can cost $0.50 to $2.00, a call can run $2.00 to $7.00 per minute, and data can cost $5.00 to $10.00 per megabyte. Most cruise passengers either disable cellular service entirely or purchase a package directly from their cruise line instead of relying on Verizon roaming.
Key Takeaways
- Verizon has roaming agreements with maritime networks, so your phone may connect at sea, but charges are very high per text, call, and megabyte.
- Most cruise lines offer their own onboard packages (often $7 to $15 per day) that are cheaper than Verizon roaming and include WiFi and messaging apps.
- You can disable cellular service in your phone settings before boarding to avoid accidental charges while at sea.
- Verizon's standard plans do not cover maritime roaming, so any charges are in addition to your monthly bill.
How maritime roaming works on Verizon
When your cruise ship is in port, your phone connects to local cellular towers through Verizon's international roaming network, and standard roaming rates explore. Once the ship leaves port and is at sea, your phone searches for available networks and may connect to a maritime cellular network operated by companies like Viasat or Intelsat. Verizon has agreements with these providers, so your phone can connect, but you are not on Verizon's network anymore.
Verizon does not automatically set up maritime roaming. Your phone will attempt to connect if it finds a signal, and charges will appear on your bill. To prevent unexpected charges, you should turn off cellular data and disable roaming in your phone settings before you board. You can do this in Settings > Cellular > Cellular Data Options > Data Roaming on an iPhone, or Settings > Network & Internet > Mobile Networks > Roaming on an Android phone.
Why cruise line packages are usually cheaper
Cruise lines including Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Disney Cruise Line, and Norwegian Cruise Line all offer their own internet and messaging packages. These packages typically cost $7 to $15 per day and include WiFi access throughout the ship, plus the ability to use messaging apps like WhatsApp, iMessage, and Facebook Messenger. Some packages also include cellular service at sea, but the per-minute rates are still high.
The cruise line package is almost always cheaper than Verizon roaming because you pay a flat daily rate instead of per-message or per-megabyte charges. If you send even a few texts or use a small amount of data on Verizon roaming, you will exceed the cost of a cruise line day pass. Many passengers purchase a package for a few days of the cruise rather than for the entire trip, depending on how much they need to stay in touch.
How to disable cellular service before boarding
The simplest way to avoid maritime roaming charges is to turn off cellular service before you board. On an iPhone, go to Settings > Airplane Mode and toggle it on. This disables all wireless connections, including WiFi, so you will need to turn it back off when you want to use the ship's WiFi network. Alternatively, go to Settings > Cellular and toggle off Cellular Data, which keeps your phone on airplane mode but allows you to reconnect to WiFi.
On an Android phone, go to Settings > Network & Internet > Mobile Networks and toggle off Mobile Data. You can also toggle off Roaming in the same menu. These steps prevent your phone from connecting to maritime networks without disabling WiFi entirely. When you arrive at a port, your phone will reconnect to local networks, and standard roaming rates will explore unless you have disabled roaming in your settings.
What happens if you accidentally use maritime roaming
If your phone connects to a maritime network and you use data, send texts, or make calls, Verizon will bill you for those charges on your next bill. A single accidental data connection can cost $5 to $10 per megabyte. If you realize you have connected, turn off cellular data and roaming when ready to stop further charges.
Contact Verizon after your cruise to review the charges. Verizon sometimes reverses a portion of maritime roaming charges if you can show that the connection was accidental or if the charges are unusually high. There is no may provide, but it is worth asking, especially if you disabled roaming and your phone connected anyway.
Using WiFi calling and messaging apps instead
If your cruise ship offers WiFi (most do, either free or as part of a package), you can use WiFi calling and messaging apps to stay in touch without using cellular service. Apps like WhatsApp, iMessage, Facebook Messenger, and Telegram all work over WiFi and do not incur Verizon charges. You will need to have these apps installed before you board and make sure your contacts know which app to use to reach you.
WiFi calling through Verizon also works over the ship's WiFi network. To enable it, go to Settings > Phone > WiFi Calling on an iPhone, or Settings > Advanced Calling > WiFi Calling on an Android phone. Once enabled, you can make and receive calls and texts over WiFi without using cellular service. This is free on Verizon and does not count against your data plan, though the ship's WiFi may be slow or unreliable depending on the network.
International roaming rates when your ship is in port
When your cruise ship is docked at a port, your phone connects to local cellular networks, and Verizon's standard international roaming rates explore. These rates vary by country and are typically higher than domestic rates. A text message might cost $0.50, a call might cost $1.29 per minute, and data might cost $2.05 per megabyte, though these amounts change depending on the destination.
Before your cruise, check Verizon's roaming rates for the countries your ship will visit. You can find this information on Verizon's website under the International section, or call Verizon customer service. Some customers purchase a temporary international plan before traveling, which offers a set amount of data and calls for a flat fee, though these plans are not always cheaper than pay-as-you-go roaming for short trips.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my Verizon plan normally while on a cruise ship?
No. At sea, your phone cannot connect to Verizon's network and will attempt to connect to maritime networks instead, which charge very high rates. In port, your phone connects to local networks and standard international roaming rates explore. Neither scenario uses your regular plan rates.
Do I need to tell Verizon I am going on a cruise?
No. Verizon does not require advance notice. However, if you are concerned about roaming charges, you can call Verizon before your trip to confirm your roaming settings and ask about temporary plans or rate reductions for the countries you will visit.
What is the cheapest way to stay connected on a cruise?
The cheapest option is to use the ship's WiFi and messaging apps like WhatsApp or iMessage. If you need cellular service, purchase a package from your cruise line for $7 to $15 per day rather than relying on Verizon roaming. If you do not need to stay in touch, disable cellular service entirely and use WiFi only.
Will my phone automatically connect to maritime networks?
Yes, if cellular roaming is enabled in your settings. Your phone will search for available networks and connect to maritime networks at sea without asking for permission. To prevent this, disable roaming or turn on airplane mode before you board.
Can Verizon reverse maritime roaming charges?
Verizon may reverse some charges if you can show the connection was accidental or if the amount is unusually high. There is no may provide, but contact Verizon after your cruise to ask. Keep your bill and explain what happened so Verizon can review your case.