Ferries and cruises: distinguish shore and onboard networks
A stop on shore and time aboard a ship are different connectivity situations. Before the sea leg of your route, clarify onboard connection terms separately. A coastal country's name in the order does not justify promising the package works throughout the crossing.
Key points
- Check onboard services separately from the country package.
- Save essential information and arrangements before boarding.
Ask the organiser about services
Read the transport provider's information on onboard internet and its terms of use. Also check the restrictions of your own package and home carrier. Do not enable an unfamiliar service expecting the usual rules for connections on shore. Onboard mobile service and Wi-Fi are separate services; a connection being available on the ship does not by itself mean it is included in your package.
Prepare offline materials
Save the ticket, timetable from the confirmed booking and arrival instructions. Agree on when you can send a message after the crossing. If planning to use onboard Wi-Fi, ask a responsible staff member for its name and connection procedure.
Check lines after returning to shore
Before using mobile data, check which line is selected and whether the new stop is included in the package. Check order status and roaming requirements. If the connection does not appear, save the symptoms and contact support instead of deleting the profile.
Plan the sea leg separately. Confirmed terms from the transport provider and your order are more useful than assuming uninterrupted shore connectivity.
Sources and further reading
- Use eSIM while traveling internationally with your iPhone · Apple Support
