Summer cruise season is in full swing, and thousands of British holidaymakers are sailing across Europe and beyond. But while many are focused on relaxing and sightseeing, there’s a hidden cost that could ruin their cruise holiday budget before they even notice.
As ships pull away from UK shores and into open waters, mobile phone data may silently switch to maritime or satellite networks. These networks can charge more than £6 for a single megabyte of data. That means even something as simple as receiving notifications, syncing emails, or letting apps update in the background could cost you hundreds—if not thousands—without warning.
Audrey Sheridan, a travel expert at international eSIM provider Sim Local, shared a vital piece of advice for those keen to avoid any extra charges.
She said: “Many cruise passengers don’t realise they’ve left normal mobile coverage behind once the ship sets sail.
“Most assume their regular roaming plan still applies, but satellite data is separate and can be shockingly expensive.”
Satellite networks can charge over £6 per megabyte of data, so potentially using up 167MB can land you with a bill north of £1,000.
Even worse, your device may be silently switching between unstable maritime signals, all while clocking up charges in the background.
“Onboard, your phone may jump between maritime networks with poor signal and high costs,” Audrey added.
To avoid this, the expert recommends two important steps:
1. Turn on airplane mode the moment you leave port: This stops your phone from using any data, even passively, and is especially important overnight when updates or background activity could occur without your knowledge.
2. Turn off data roaming: This provides a second layer of protection, ensuring your phone won’t automatically latch onto a satellite signal and start incurring steep fees.
These two steps should be enough to avoid incurring any extra fees, but it’s always best to check with your phone provider beforehand if you’re particularly concerned about unexpected charges.