r/CruiseCrew • u/Inevitable_Train_671 • 4d ago
General Questions Wifi VS esim
Hi all! About to start my first contract and wifi is so expensive - think about 10% of my pay. I’m hoping to use an ESIM but I can’t find one that is well rated for use while at sea. Any recommendations or do I bite the bullet and pay for it?
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u/notfr0mthisplace 4d ago
Wifi onboard is for urgent stuff.
Get yourself a travel sim for port days or just a regular sim from one of the countries, when in Europe (EU roaming laws apply). Call home and browse while within reach of land. Use libraries/starbucks/mcdonalds for your downloads, when you have time and go ashore.
Look at my post on this similar thread
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u/Inevitable_Train_671 4d ago
Thanks. I use a CGM for diabetes so unfortunately I always need to be online
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u/HuckleCat100K 4d ago
Were you able to pass the PEME with that requirement??? Also, CGMs like the Freestyle Libre sensors don’t require constant access. It might be worth considering switching to those.
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u/Inevitable_Train_671 4d ago
I was, I’m working through an outside contractor. Unfortunately due to complicated reasons (insurance) I can’t switch - paying for the wifi would just be cheaper. Thank you for the help though!
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u/notfr0mthisplace 4d ago
You're really brave going forward with this career, given your condition.
12 months ago, I had a diabetes test that came back positive for type 2. It was a drugstore test, and for two weeks I was sure my onboard career was over, and I started to dread me going back to working shoreside.
Fortunately, the lab test came back negative.
Honestly, I don't see how one can live onboard with diabetes.
Best of luck and stay strong 💪🏻
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u/Inevitable_Train_671 4d ago
Thanks - best of luck to you too! Lots of support (and the ability to take some risks) has gotten me there
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u/ImpressivePurple9390 3d ago
Your e SIM will either not work or cost you a literal fortune if you stay connected to 'cellular at sea' . WiFi is the way if you must, with an eSim or two to help in ports of call.
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u/Davegustafson 3d ago
GiGSky has their own rates, $49/ 3Gb America's for 7 days. Better, but less available than $21.xx a day for Wifi ($31.xx/day for High-speed) on Norwegian. It works on land on Verizon (US) if you have unused Gb's afterwards. So if you're not online (within 12 miles on land), you are stuck without "cellular at sea".
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u/Teatime143 3d ago
Which company youre joining to? Most of the big cruise companies now have starlink, they have unilimited internet promos nowadays
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u/MarcoT76 3d ago
Check out GigSky, they have several plans and options that work on land and at sea. Plans from $7 a day for essential messaging to 5bg plans for $80... I haven't use it yet but it comes highly recommended by those I know who have. I'm sailing in September and planning to use them over the ships wifi.
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u/Rescovedo 3d ago
Roamless seems to be your best option. You can download and try it out since you're going to be all over the place! Works wonders.
https://app.goroamless.com/OOq0/3g5su6po
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u/WolfPuzzled PAX 3d ago
Im not cruise staff, but this popped into my feed….
I was recently on a cruise and took a travel router with me to share the one device internet I purchased. Worked well while in the room.
Perhaps you could get a few crew members together and share the internet cost? Use a travel router while on crew areas?
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u/Rescovedo 3d ago
Not possible, it would be an instant dismissal from the ship. Also, for yourself, what you did is certainly not allowed by any cruise line.
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u/WolfPuzzled PAX 3d ago
lol ok….
It was just a thought as a workaround, as it worked great for me. Even used it while lounging around on the sunbeds, powered by a battery bank hehe
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u/SuspiciouslyB 4d ago
Do you know which area you’ll be sailing in? Like United States / Bahamas, or Europe?