7 Phone Settings to Change Before a Cruise
Switch off data roaming and automatic network selection, and download what you need offline, before you board a cruise. These settings stop your phone from joining the ship's paid mobile network by accident. Add Wi-Fi calling and a travel eSIM for port days so you stay reachable without a surprise bill.
Updated 27 October 2026
This list is for anyone boarding a cruise who wants to stay reachable without a nasty roaming bill when the trip ends. Do the first step at home on reliable Wi-Fi, then work down the list in order, finishing the day you board.
1. Download offline maps and documents
Once the ship leaves port, you can't count on a connection to pull up boarding passes, port maps or your cruise line's app content. Having them saved on your phone means you aren't paying for data just to find the shuttle stop.
How: On Wi-Fi at home, download the area map for each port in Google Maps or Apple Maps, then save your boarding documents, excursion bookings and cruise line app content to your phone. Open each one once while offline to confirm it loads.
Tip: Screenshot your emergency contacts and excursion meeting points as a backup.
2. Stop automatic updates over cellular
Apps and the operating system love to update in the background, and on a ship's mobile network that can quietly use data you are billed for. Turning this off protects you even if you forget about it mid-trip.
How: On iPhone, open Settings, then General, then Background App Refresh, and set it to Wi-Fi or off. On Android, open Play Store settings, find Auto-update apps, and choose Over Wi-Fi only.
Tip: Let any pending updates finish at home first, so nothing is waiting to start at sea.
3. Set up Wi-Fi calling
Wi-Fi calling lets your normal number ring and send texts over a Wi-Fi connection instead of the mobile network. On a ship, that means you can stay reachable through the onboard Wi-Fi or free Wi-Fi in port, without touching the ship's cellular network.
How: On iPhone, go to Settings, then Phone, then Wi-Fi Calling, and switch it on. On Android, look in Settings under Network and internet, or in the Phone app's settings, for Wi-Fi calling.
Tip: Not every carrier supports it, so check with yours before you leave. Also remember the ship's Wi-Fi may be a paid package.
4. Install a travel eSIM before boarding
A travel eSIM gives you local data in ports, so you can use maps, rideshare and messaging on shore days without relying on your home plan's roaming. Installing needs an internet connection, so it is far easier at home than on a ship.
How: Fresim creator stores sell travel eSIMs, delivered by email with one-tap install buttons: Install on iPhone (iOS 17.4+) or Install on Android (Android 10+). Open the email on your phone, tap the button, and label the new line something like Cruise Ports.
Tip: A QR code is also in the email, handy for installing from another screen. Plans cover destinations, so check that your ports are included.
5. Turn off roaming on your home line
Your home SIM is the one most likely to run up charges, because it can use roaming data the moment it finds a network. Switching roaming off removes that risk, while the travel eSIM handles data in port.
How: On iPhone, open Settings, then Cellular, then your home line, and turn off Data Roaming. On Android, open Settings, then Network and internet, then SIMs, choose your home SIM and switch off Roaming. Set the travel eSIM as your mobile data line for port days.
Tip: Keep the eSIM line switched off while at sea and switch it on once you are docked.
6. Turn off automatic network selection
At sea, phones can latch onto the ship's own mobile network without you noticing, and that network is often billed as international roaming. Choosing networks manually stops your phone from joining one by accident.
How: On iPhone, go to Settings, then Cellular, then Network Selection, and turn off Automatic. On Android, go to Settings, then Network and internet, then SIMs, choose your SIM and turn off Automatically select network.
Tip: If you ever need to pick a network on shore, choose a local one and avoid anything named after the ship or a maritime service.
7. Use Airplane Mode, then Wi-Fi
Airplane Mode is the simplest safeguard: it cuts every cellular connection, so nothing can connect to the ship's network. You can still turn Wi-Fi back on for messages, calls and browsing over the ship's Wi-Fi.
How: Switch on Airplane Mode as you board or before the ship leaves port, then tap the Wi-Fi icon in Control Center or Quick Settings to turn Wi-Fi back on. Only turn Airplane Mode off in port when you want your travel eSIM data.
Tip: Check the Airplane Mode icon again after any restart, since some phones reconnect to cellular on startup.
Staying connected
For data in ports, install your travel eSIM from the delivery email by tapping Install on iPhone (iOS 17.4+) or Install on Android (Android 10+), which takes only a moment on Wi-Fi at home. The QR code in the same email is a second option, useful for sharing the eSIM or installing it from another screen. Turn the eSIM line on once you are docked, and switch it off again when the ship sails.
Checklist
- Download offline maps and documents
- Block cellular auto-updates
- Install your travel eSIM
- Turn off roaming and auto network selection
- Airplane Mode on, Wi-Fi back on
Frequently asked questions
Can my phone connect to the ship's network automatically?
Yes. At sea, phones can join the ship's mobile network on their own, and carriers often bill it as international roaming. Turning off data roaming, switching off automatic network selection, or using Airplane Mode prevents it.
Does Airplane Mode stop cruise roaming charges?
Airplane Mode cuts all cellular connections, so it stops your phone using the ship's mobile network. You can turn Wi-Fi back on afterwards to use messaging apps and Wi-Fi calling over the ship's Wi-Fi.
Will a travel eSIM work at sea on a cruise?
Travel eSIM plans are built for destinations on land, so they are best for your port days rather than for open water. Check that your ports are covered, and keep the eSIM line off while the ship is at sea.
How can people reach me on a cruise without roaming?
Turn on Wi-Fi calling if your carrier supports it, and use messaging apps over Wi-Fi. Tell family which Wi-Fi option you plan to use, since onboard Wi-Fi may be a paid package.
Should I install my travel eSIM before boarding?
Yes. Installing needs an internet connection, so do it at home on Wi-Fi. Fresim creator stores deliver travel eSIMs by email with Install on iPhone (iOS 17.4+) and Install on Android (Android 10+) buttons, so installation is one tap.
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Sources
- Apple Support — iPhone User Guide: Cellular settings, Data Roaming and Airplane Mode
- Google Android Help — Android Help: Manage mobile network, roaming and Wi-Fi calling settings
- Major cruise line guest help pages — Guest guidance on onboard Wi-Fi and cellular at sea
- Mobile carrier support pages — Guidance on international roaming and ship mobile networks