Cheapest Wi-Fi For Cruises: Affordable Data & eSIMSwith GigSky
It’s more commonplace than not these days for people to be connected through Wi-Fi when traveling. Though the idea of being “unplugged” appeals to some, for others, the mere thought is a nightmare. Work emails mound, you can’t stay up to date on the news, and social media scrolling falls to the wayside. Although the appeal of being disconnected sounds nice, in reality, it’s practically better to stay in the loop than to be out of it.
When it feels like cruise lines price-gauge with their Wi-Fi plans beyond texting for free onboard, we’re here to inform you about an alternative solution that allows you to stay connected at sea for less money than what the cruise lines charge. It’s called GigSky and it's the cheapest cruise Wi-Fi around.
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What is GigSky?
GigSky offers an international data plan solution. While it's the cheapest cruise Wi-Fi on ships and is available on land as well, for purposes of this article, we’re going to focus on using it during cruises, including in ports.
More specifically, GigSky offers global mobile data services without the fuss of changing SIM cards or carrying a hotspot. Everything is digital within your mobile phone. You download the GigSky app, purchase a data plan, install the eSIM, and use the service.
There are pros and cons to be aware of, as well as some lessons we’ve learned after our first failed attempt at utilizing it, followed by a successful trip using it. We review all that info here, along with the GigSky features, how the data plans work, how you know if you’ll be able to access their coverage during your trip, and what to do if you need to troubleshoot.
GigSky Features
The key features of GigSky are simple. And why overcomplicate things when you simply want to connect and enjoy vacation?
GigSky includes:
- Global Coverage
- eSIM (embedded SIM), which means you don’t have to swap a physical SIM card
- Data plans that cover land + sea, which means you’ll be covered on the cruise ship (more on which cruise ships later), in port, and while touring during your excursions
Global Coverage
GigSky’s coverage spans 190 countries, including all major European countries, Caribbean destinations, Asia and beyond. We have yet to discover a country that GigSky does not cover.
This means that whether you’re hopping between popular tourist destinations or venturing off on your own, chances are GigSky supports your journey. Much like how a hotspot functions, their partnerships with local carriers mean users get consistent coverage that can rival traditional roaming plans, with better affordability.
GigSky Data Speed
GigSky offers 4G LTE speeds in most service areas, which is great for web browsing, social media, and video calls. 5G is not currently supported but for most travelers, 4G is perfectly adequate.
Ease of Use
The service is fairly easy to use, provided that everything goes smoothly. The first time we tried to use it, it wasn’t working that well on the cruise ship, which caused technical difficulties. The second time was much smoother, which streamlined the process.
The GigSky app is designed with simplicity in mind, featuring an intuitive layout that makes purchasing and activating plans straightforward. Users can select countries, data amounts, and purchase passes with minimal steps.
Setting up GigSky is generally hassle-free. Once the app is installed and the eSIM is purchased, activation typically occurs within minutes. The process avoids the usual pitfalls of SIM swaps (including opening your phone to mess with its parts, which never seemed like a good idea to us) and requires little technical knowledge, making it accessible even for those not tech-savvy.
Our advice is to focus on the steps as you do them and avoid distractions. That will speed up the installation process, which should only take around 10 minutes.
Cruise Ships Where GigSky will Work
We often focus on cruising on small ships, and the truth is, GigSky doesn’t work on a lot of those ships. However, many small ship cruises, such as river cruises, include Wi-Fi. Yet there are some that do not have Wi-Fi onboard at all, like Uncruise. Unfortunately, GigSky won’t work on an Uncruise ship for a vital reason: Uncruise doesn’t have Cellular at Sea onboard.
That’s all to say that if a cruise ship has Cellular at Sea, GigSky should work. This includes all major cruise lines, like Princess Cruises, MSC Cruises, Holland America Line, Disney Cruise Line, Celebrity Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line, Carnival Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises, Royal Caribbean International, and Virgin Voyages. It even works on some mid-size ships, like Seabourn Cruises and Silversea Cruises. And on smaller ships too, like Windstar!
If you are curious which ships, in particular, are on the GigSky list, click “cruises” on this page, and type in your ship;s name to see if it's listed.
Cruise Ship Connectivity
Technically, GigSky runs on Cellular at Sea, which is “supposed to be good everywhere,” as we were told by the GigSky team. It should function as well in staterooms as it does in public spaces. Also, Cellular at Sea is supposed to be better than Wi-Fi. If it’s not working properly on the ship, it could mean there is a problem with the antenna or Cellular at Sea systems onboard, not necessarily that you’re in a poorly serviced area of the ship.
Is GigSky Better Than a Cruise Ship’s Wi-Fi Plan?
Why use GigSky if the cruise ship has its own plans for Cellular at Sea? Two reasons:
- GigSky will be the most affordable way to go if price is a concern. It costs a lot less than the cruise ship’s options.
- You will be able to use your phone on land in addition to while at sea if you use GigSky, when you’re off the ship in a port, whereas you won’t be able to do that with the ship’s Wi-Fi plan.
GigSky Troubleshooting and Customer Support
The number one lesson we learned during our first unsuccessful time trying GigSky is that if you find yourself dissatisfied with the service, reach out to their Customer Support team via email or chat through the app to report the issues.
While it’s not necessarily common for issues to arise, technology relies on the Cellular at Sea strength of a cruise ship, which is related to the onboard hardware. Things can happen with it as with any tech.
GigSky provides customer service through in-app chat, email, and FAQs. Phone support is not available 24/7. Response times can vary, which might be frustrating for users facing urgent issues abroad.
Many questions can be answered through their FAQs. The only issue with that is if you’re on a cruise ship and you cannot contact their support team or load the website because you’re not online. This is a bit of a Catch-22. That’s why we advise connecting while you’re on land and connected to free Wi-Fi at the cruise port or the airport, for example.
GigSky Device Compatibility
Supported Devices
GigSky supports physical SIM cards and eSIMs. Many modern smartphones, tablets, and laptops with eSIM capability can utilize GigSky’s service without requiring a separate physical SIM, thereby enhancing convenience and device flexibility. We have an iPhone 15 and iPhone 16 Pro and were able to utilize GigSky with our eSIMs. Though our cellular carrier isn’t important to know—because when you turn on GigSky’s eSIM you are turning off your native cellular eSIM—if you’re curious, we have Verizon.
GigSky with Older Phones that Don’t Have eSIM Capabilities
For older phones or devices without eSIMs, GigSky still offers traditional SIM cards, though the availability and shipping to certain countries may cause delays in the swiftness with which you want to connect. While not as seamless as eSIM, it is nice to have this alternative option that ensures a variety of devices aren’t left out.
GigSky for Tablets & Laptops
We have not used GigSky on our laptops or tablets. We have only used it on our mobile phones. While initially smartphone-focused, GigSky supports data usage on devices like tablets and some laptops, especially those with eSIM capabilities. This adds versatility but may require manual configuration or tethering.
While normally we’d use over favorite hotspot for these devices on land, or even on river cruises that always have a close proximity to land, that’s impossible on a mega-cruise many miles from shore, in the ocean.
This is definitely something to consider as an advantage of using GigSky, which connects to Cellular at Sea on large ships.
How to Install GigSky (Or the Sequence of Events to Get it Activated, According to our Cruise Experience)
Firstly, we recommend downloading the GigSky app on your phone. It will show the cheapest cruise Wi-Fi plans.
Secondly, purchase the data plan of your choice via the mobile app.
Thirdly, are the sequence of steps to get GigSky working on your cellular device after you purchase a plan through the app:
- Install the eSIM (the app will prompt you to do so). You want to make sure that you shut off your cellular carrier (like Verizon or AT&T) during this step because otherwise, if you leave your cellular eSIM activated, your phone can go in roaming mode and charge you.
- Activate the GigSky eSIM while you’re still in your port of embarkation by deactivating your primary cellular eSIM (in our case, it was our Verizon eSIM we were deactivating)
- When you activate your GigSky eSIM yet you're still docked at the port of embarkation, you may wonder why your phone is not working as usual and you can’t text or call people as you could when your cellular eSIM was enabled. Don’t be alarmed. This is normal. You may also experience a momentary loss of service when the ship sails away while the tech switches from land to sea.
- When the ship is 12km from shore, Cellular at Sea kicks in, and you should be connected.
GigSky Limitations
It’s important to know that GigSky does not support voice calls or text messaging, which limits its use cases to data-only needs. If you require full phone capabilities while traveling, you may need to supplement GigSky with other services or local SIM cards.
You may wonder if you can text via iMessage or WhatsApp when connected to GigSky eSIM data. From our experience, iMessage did not work properly with GigSky. However, we were able to text in WhatsApp while connected to a network through data, because it wasn’t functioning like iMessage or regular text messaging does. Our iMessages did a weird thing where it defaulted to our iCloud email addresses to text, and the messages turned green (not blue) even between two iPhone users.
When we deleted GigSky after our cruise and returned to land and our usual lives, our phones were not properly reconnecting to iMessage, even though our cellular eSIM had been activated again. We had to figure out how to get our phones back to “normal,” which took a while. If this happens to you, you can get things back to normal and figure out the fixes in your settings without the need to call your cellular carrier’s customer support team.
We mention these things so you can purchase the most affordable cruise Wi-Fi with confidence and avoid disappointment with its limitations. You'll be happier with the service when you know what to expect, as you already understand its capabilities and limitations.
How to Set Up Your iPhone’s eSIM Again When Your Cruise is Over
When you get back to land and shut off GigSky, you need to go to Apps > Messages on an iPhone to choose your phone number again for where your messages should go/come from, so they are blue if you use iMessage.
Data Security and Privacy
GigSky implements standard data encryption and secure protocols to protect users during data transmission. The service doesn’t include a VPN.
We purchase an annual plan for Nord VPN that we use on our devices. Apple iPhones now have “Private Relay” as an added layer of data encryption security. If you have a recent phone model and the latest iOS software installed, you’ll often notice this now. But, truthfully, many cruise ships’ cellular networks will not function properly if a VPN is installed, much like how devices sometimes don’t work because of a firewall. (We’re not techy people, but doesn’t saying “firewall” seem so 10 years ago? Maybe it is.)
As is smart when you travel anywhere, or use an open network like the Wi-Fi at Starbucks, be aware of the work or browsing you’re doing online, just as you watch your wallet when you’re walking through crowded tourist areas. Hackers are invisible and everywhere, which has nothing to do with GigSky.
We want to remind you that you're not protected by a VPN with GigSky. So be cautious when logging into bank accounts and other sensitive services while traveling and using the service, especially if you don’t have a separate VPN.
GigSky Pricing and Plans
Plans Offered
GigSky offers a variety of data bundles that can be purchased for specific durations, including daily, weekly, and monthly passes. They even have plans for 90 or 180 days. This flexible approach lets you tailor data to your exact anticipated needs rather than paying for unused capacity.
It is important to note that you cannot use voice or text service the way you usually do with your phone carrier because, although an eSIM is installed, your native carrier (whether Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, etc.) is shut off when you use GigSky’s eSIM or SIM card.
Plan costs vary based on the length of the plan and the location you want to use it, such as the Americas and Caribbean versus Asia. However, expect prices to range from $7.99 for 1GB of data or 7 days (more on this later) to $14.99 for 3GB of data or 15 days to $200 for a 180-day plan.
GigSky Plan Expiration
Your GigSky plan expires according to the first event: either you consume all the data included with your plan, thus the plan is over, or the plan expires after x-days (7, for example, if you purchased a plan of that length).
If you have a GigSky plan that is advertised as 1GB or 7 days, but you use all of the 1GB of data before the 7 days is up, then the plan will end as soon as you use the data even if that’s day 5.
Similarly, if you still have data left after those 7 days but the 7-day mark is reached, your plan will expire regardless of data still left on the plan.
In this regard, if you temporarily shut off the GigSky eSIM while it’s still active to “conserve” data, the time still runs, regardless of whether you temporarily deactivate it or not. Enabling “airplane mode” on your phone with a GigSky plan active pauses the data, but the timeline continues to run. The same applies if you shut off your phone.
Bottom Line with GigSky Plan Pricing
GigSky successfully balances flexibility with cost, offering easy-to-understand plans that cater to a wide range of trip lengths and needs. The premium pricing compared to local SIMs comes with the advantage of convenience, eliminating the need for cumbersome searches for local SIMs abroad. If you value seamless, on-demand data without commitment with a brand that you can consistently use no matter where you travel, the very slight markup is a worthy trade-off.
However, if you’re a data-heavy user and plan to stay in one country for the long term, alternative options may offer better financial sense, such as a physical hotspot or a local data plan. If you’ll only be traveling a short time, however, then GigSky’s transparent billing is a highlight that builds trust and removes anxiety around hidden fees and stress in terms of finding (and trusting) a local carrier.
FAQs for GigSky
Is GigSky available worldwide?
GigSky offers data plans in over 190 countries and regions, covering most major travel destinations. While its coverage is extensive, service quality and speeds may vary depending on local network partners, so it’s worth checking specific countries before travel.
Can I use GigSky on multiple devices?
GigSky primarily supports individual devices with eSIM or physical SIM compatibility. While you can use tethering to share data across devices, simultaneous use across multiple devices under one plan is generally not supported.
How do I install GigSky’s eSIM?
After purchasing a data plan via the GigSky app, you’ll receive an eSIM activation QR code or profile download link. You can follow the device-specific instructions to install the eSIM, usually going through settings under “Cellular” or “Mobile Data.”
Does GigSky offer voice calls or SMS?
No, GigSky provides data-only plans. Users needing voice or text services will need to use alternative apps (like WhatsApp or Skype) over the data connection or use a local SIM card alongside GigSky.
How secure is the GigSky data connection?
GigSky employs standard encryption and security protocols consistent with industry norms. For sensitive activities like banking or business communication abroad, it is advisable to use a VPN as an extra security layer.
Can I upgrade or add time or data to my existing data plan?
Yes, the GigSky app allows users to add more data or extend their plans before expiration, providing flexibility for changing travel needs.
Do I need to unlock my phone to use GigSky?
For physical SIM use, your phone must be unlocked to avoid carrier restrictions. For eSIM compatibility, device and OS support are the main factors, but unlocking is generally not required.
How fast is the internet on GigSky?
GigSky primarily delivers 4G LTE speeds, which are sufficient for streaming, browsing, and most online activities. However, user experiences can vary based on location and network conditions, and 5G speeds are currently not supported.
Are there any long-term contracts with GigSky?
No, GigSky operates on a prepaid basis with no contracts or commitments. Users purchase data passes as needed, making it convenient for short-term or occasional use.
Is GigSky suitable for business needs while traveling?
Yes, GigSky’s flexible and broad coverage makes it a practical choice for business travelers if you need reliable data without the complications of roaming or local SIM purchases. However, keep in mind if you need voice capabilities, GigSky will be limiting.
Does GigSky Discount their Plans?
The company regularly runs promotions. For example, they have run Visa credit card promotions in the past, discounts, and the like.
Does GigSky work better on newer cruise ships?
Not necessarily. Reliability doesn’t necessarily correlate with whether a cruise ship is new or old. Rather, it has to do with how well the Cellular at Sea is working on that particular cruise ship.
GigSky Review Final Word: Do We Recommend It?
We recommend GigSky for cruisers seeking a solution to stay connected while at sea and in ports beyond texting. If you need access to the internet this is a good solution for that. Furthermore, if you want the cheapest Wi-Fi solution at sea, knowing that the affordable plan functions off the same network cruisers who purchase the cruise line's data is using, then this could be the answer to your prayers.
This is especially true if you're going on a cruise for many days because costs start to add up with a one-week cruise or longer when you access Wi-Fi daily.
The key here is that GigSky will provide connectivity on the cruise ship and in ports, with one eSIM. And that is what GigSky provides that's truly magical.
