While cruises can be an affordable way to travel, you don't want to make costly mistakes that could put you over budget. Several common pitfalls can quickly add up, from hidden fees to overlooked expenses.
It's usually easy to budget for certain extras, such as specialty dining, shore excursions, Wi-Fi, and alcoholic beverages. However, one Royal Caribbean cruiser was hit with an unexpected bill after they forgot to put their phone on airplane mode while on a cruise.
While it may seem like a small detail, especially if you purchased an internet package, not switching to airplane mode leads to surprisingly large charges from cellular carriers.
In this case, the unidentified guest racked up $1,300 in roaming charges during their Royal Caribbean cruise.
As expected, they were furious and called Royal Caribbean; however, the cruise line said that per their policies, it's the passenger's responsibility to enable Airplane Mode on their device.
Royal Caribbean has just one Wi-Fi package: Voom Surf & Stream. The price varies depending on your ship and sail date. On average, however, you can expect to pay around $20 per day for the service.
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The cruise line's Starlink Wi-Fi lets you surf the internet, video chat with friends and family at home, post on social media, and stay connected via iMessage and other web-based messaging services like WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger.
It is important to remember that Royal Caribbean's Wi-Fi only covers internet usage, not cellular service. If you don't place your phone in airplane mode, it may automatically connect to satellite or off-ship cellular networks and trigger expensive roaming charges that you'll be responsible for paying.
The best way to avoid a large bill at the end of your cruise is to enable airplane mode once you're onboard. Don't wait until the sail away festivities begin because you could be distracted by all the fun and forget this important step.
This story was shared by Jayson Judson, a social media influencer who shares tips, tricks, and news with other cruisers.
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Pre-purchase Royal Caribbean Wi-Fi
Whether you need to check in with a pet sitter or be online for work, staying disconnected for even 3 nights is difficult for many. Thankfully, Royal Caribbean's fleet is equipped with Starlink by SpaceX, so you can stay connected no matter where your cruise takes you.
One of the best ways to save money on your upcoming Royal Caribbean cruise is to purchase add-ons in advance through the Cruise Planner. This is where you can browse everything from drink packages to shore excursions, specialty restaurants, onboard activities, and Wi-Fi.
Royal Caribbean will have sales in the months and weeks leading up to your departure date, allowing you to save money on many extras. In fact, it's not uncommon to see discounts on the internet package up to 20% or 30% off.
Another way to save money on Wi-Fi is to bundle devices. Instead of purchasing separate packages for each cruiser, purchase a multi-device package for one. Alternatively, Royal Caribbean lets guests share packages, so you can split the cost of one package among multiple people in your group.
Even if you're disconnecting while at sea, make sure your phone is in airplane mode before your ship departs. You'd be surprised how fast roaming charges can add up after just a few hours.
Read more: Frequent cruiser shares go-to tips for saving time and money while traveling
Should you purchase a cruise phone plan?
Some carriers including AT&T have cruise phone plans. The inclusions vary but they generally offer options that allow you to use your phone at sea without being billed for roaming.
AT&T's basic plan, for example, includes unlimited text, 100 minutes of talk, and 100 MB of data, and has a one-time cost of $60, regardless of whether your cruise is 3 or 7 nights. They have another plan that includes unlimited talk, text, and 1GB of data for $100.
Assuming Royal Caribbean's unlimited Wi-Fi plan costs $20 for your sailing, you're better off paying for internet through the cruise line. That amounts to $60 for a 3-night cruise or $140 for a weeklong voyage.
Either way, even if Royal's plan costs more, you won't be restricted to a limited amount of data. You also have the option to share the package between cruisers, making it a better deal for families or groups traveling together.
Elizabeth Wright
Elizabeth graduated from New York University's Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute with her M.A. in Journalism in May 2023. Growing up, she had the privilege of traveling frequently with her family and fell in love with cruising after sailing on the Oasis of the Seas her freshman year of high school. She wanted to pursue a career that highlighted her passion for travel and strengths as a writer.
