Cruise ship Wi-Fi can be expensive, leaving many travelers seeking alternatives. Enter GigSky, an eSIM provider offering connectivity solutions for land, sea, and air travel. We recently tested the GigSky Cruise + Land eSIM plan. We’re home from vacation and sharing the results with you.
The cost of cruise lines Wi-Fi has always irked me. On my recent 8-day cruise, my cruise line wanted over USD 220 for service for one device. Since we’re Canadian, our Wi-Fi would cost over CAD 630 if we both purchased it. A service we often go without.
However, since GigSky utilizes Cellular at Sea service operated by Wireless Maritime Services (WMS), cruise guests can purchase Wi-Fi for a fraction of the cost.
Before trying GigSky’s cruise eSIM, I read some reviews. Most were written by people who hadn’t tried it. We purchased one of their plans in Asia and for our Mexico cruise itinerary to test if it lived up to the hype.
In this review, we share the pros and cons, connection speed, and ease of use so you can decide if it’s a good alternative for your cruise vacation.
GigSky Cruise and Land eSIM Overview
GigSky “Cruise + Land” eSIM data plans cater to cruise ship passengers who want to stay connected during their voyage and at port destinations. We liked that it worked on land AND at sea.
Their Cruise + Americas/Caribbean package works in 49 countries, the Cruise + Asia in 27 countries, and the Cruise + Europe in 45 countries. They recently added a Cruise + Middle East for 10 countries, and their Cruise + World option works in 135 countries.
Having an eSIM work in multiple countries is a bonus. It meant my Asia one worked on my Japan and South Korea cruise. On my recent trip to the Mexican Riviera, I had coverage in Canada, the United States, and Mexico, and onboard.
The eSIM format eliminates the need for physical SIM cards. For those concerned about ease of use, we found the GigSky eSIM activation and installation straightforward.
While I’ve successfully installed more complicated eSIMs, this one was much easier, making it an excellent choice for those who aren’t good with technology.
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Buy your plan nowCompatibility And Device Requirements
GigSky eSIMs are compatible with many modern smartphones and tablets. iPhones from the XR/XS/11 series and newer support eSIMs. Many recent Samsung, Google, and other Android flagships are also compatible.
Most iPads since 2018 work with eSIMs. Check your device on GigSky’s website before purchasing, as older models may need a physical SIM.
We recommend verifying your device’s eSIM capabilities in its settings menu. Look for an “Add Cellular Plan” or similar option to confirm eSIM support.
Checking that the Cruise + Land eSIM is offered on your particular vessel is vital. I was surprised it is available on all major cruise line brands and others I’ve never heard of.
Purchasing And Activating Your eSIM
Getting started with GigSky’s cruise and land eSIM is simple. Just follow the directions below to get started.
Download the GigSky app at home if you plan to try a GigSky eSIM. It’s available on both iOS and Android platforms. Once installed, you can browse various plans tailored to different travel needs.
GigSky offers local, regional, and global eSIM plans. If you prefer to test before you buy, here’s a link to try their eSIM for free.
For cruises, they have specific plans designed for at-sea connectivity. We can choose based on our trip duration and data requirements. Not surprisingly, eSIMs that work at sea cost significantly more than ones that work on land. But they are cheaper than cruise line plans.
I liked the app and found it simple to use. Once I purchased my data plan, a button at the bottom of the app showed me how much data I had and used. This screenshot was saved during my cruise.
Activation Procedure
Activating a GigSky eSIM is quick and effortless. After purchasing a plan, I received an eSIM profile to download and followed the activation directions. Once activated, I could switch between my primary SIM and GigSky eSIM.
However, do not activate your eSIM until close to the day you need it. I purchased mine and activated it two days before my cruise. The app started counting down the days before I began to use it.
Installation Process
Setting up a GigSky eSIM is straightforward and may be the best part of purchasing this brand. The process typically involves scanning a QR code or manually entering details provided by GigSky.
After installation, select the GigSky plan as your active cellular data connection when needed. The eSIM can be easily switched on and off, allowing you to toggle between local and GigSky services as you travel. Go into settings, and select connections and sim manager. Here’s mine below. I’ve blacked out my number for privacy.
We have tried other eSIMs, and our go-to land option is Airalo. However, Airalo was much more complicated to set up the first time, with needing to change the APN details.
Data Plans And Pricing
GigSky offers a range of plans tailored for both cruise and land travel. Their pricing structure varies based on data allowance and duration of use. GigSky’s land packages are comparable to other providers such as Airalo, Saily, and FlexiRoam.
For cruises, GigSky’s minimum plan is 512 MB for one day. For a one-week cruise, their plans start at 1 GB for 7 days of use. If you stream video, you’ll need a higher plan. I found their plans best for guests wanting to post on social media, check email, and not spend much time online.
It’s best to compare data usage. The unlimited Wi-Fi plans that the cruise lines offer may be preferred by guests who always want to be connected and use lots of data.
Since I was traveling for over a week, I opted for the 3 GB plan, which lasted 15 days. It was sufficient for what I do online.
Comparing Costs
The savings become apparent when comparing GigSky’s pricing to a typical cruise ship’s Wi-Fi. My cruise line wanted USD 28 per day; however, other lines like Holland America charges over USD 35 per day. I paid around USD 5 daily, which I considered a bargain.
The Cruise + Americas/Caribbean offers the lowest prices as follows. Naturally, the world cruise otion has the highest prices but covers 135 countries. Most world cruises have Wi-Fi included.
| Data | Cost in USD |
|---|---|
| 512 MB – 1 Day | S19.99 |
| 1 GB – 7 Days | $34.99 |
| 3 GB – 15 Days | $63.99 |
| 5 GB 30 Days | $89.99 |
| 10 GB – 30 Days | $139.99 |
Granted, I only needed an 8-day plan and had to purchase a 15-day one. However, over 15 days, my plan worked out at USD 2.99 a day since I bought it at a sale rate of USD 44.79.
Coverage And Connectivity
I had read some reviews that there was a dead zone between leaving a port and being far enough away from land to connect to Wireless Maritime Services. I can confirm this as accurate.
It usually takes an hour to switch between land and sea services. I had no coverage when anchored in the Bay of Cabo San Lucas because I was in that dead zone. Sometimes, if a cruise port was far from a city, I would only get coverage in port if I sat on the side next to the dock.
However, once on land, the eSIM worked great with no coverage issues.
Cruise Ship Coverage
I was most interested in the coverage at sea. Once, my smartphone connected to cellular at sea, I had great coverage. I could even use my phone in an interior stateroom without connection problems.
Since the cruise data plans aren’t unlimited, I found it best to turn off my GigSky eSIM when not in use to conserve data used by apps.
I did a speed test at sea, and the results are below. While the service wasn’t fast, it was great for what I wanted. I even gave my husband a Wi-Fi hotspot at sea so he could check work emails.
He purchased a land-based eSIM, and we shared coverage when needed. The speed test result is from the Carnival Panorama, if that makes a difference.
My husband also watched videos on my eSIM, which proved challenging and slow. We were surprised at how quickly data was used with video streaming.
Managing My eSIM And Data Usage
GigSky’s mobile app offers real-time data usage tracking. I liked that I could quickly check my remaining balance and monitor data usage.
I also liked that I could top up my plan if I ran low.
Topping Up Data
When your data is running low, the app makes it simple to add more with just a few taps. Enjoy quick and secure top-ups at your convenience.
Unlike land-based eSIMs, the options for topping up a cruise plan are for the amount of data and time. If you want an extra 500 MB and want it to last two days, you’ll need to purchase 1GB for one week.
Payment is processed instantly, and the new data is added to our account immediately. This provides seamless coverage when at sea. GigSky accepts multiple payment methods, including credit cards and PayPal.
Comparisons With Other eSIM Providers
When it comes to cruising, no other eSIMs work at sea. It may be a matter of time before competitors pop up. So, if you’re looking for better value than purchasing directly from cruise lines, there’s now another option.
For off-ship connectivity, competitors like Airalo and Saily focus primarily on land-based coverage. For land-based coverage, GigSky’s rates are slightly higher in some regions.
Common Issues
Connectivity problems are the most frequent concern. Before purchasing an eSIM, we knew about the loss of coverage between port and sea. Since we bought two different eSIMs, when one wasn’t working, the other was.
We weren’t concerned about the loss of coverage between the sea and land because it was temporary. When I lost coverage at sea, it signaled that we were nearing land.
Pros and Cons of GigSky Cruise And Land eSIM
Here are the key advantages and drawbacks. It will help you decide if it’s right for your travel needs.
Pros:
- Cost-effective alternative to expensive cruise Wi-Fi packages.
- Connectivity on ships and land.
- Ease of installation and activation for non-tech-savvy individuals.
- The ability to use on most major cruise lines and some obscure ones.
Cons:
- Data usage can diminish quickly if not monitored.
- It may not work on all cruise ships or anchored in a harbor.
- Pricing is higher than some local eSIM options on land.
- Often slower speeds compared to ship Wi-Fi, which offers different plans.
We liked that GigSky’s solution bridges the gap between sea and land connectivity. One plan prevents the need for switching between multiple plans on and off the ship.
Previously, we never bought cruise lines’ data plans due to cost. We preferred to save the money to put towards other cruise adventures.
Final Thoughts And Recommendations
Now, we’ve found a more affordable option to stay connected at sea; it’s a service we intend to use repeatedly. Instead of the USD 448 Carnival Cruises wanted for Wi-Fi, we paid under USD 70 for two plans.
We like that it offers 5% credit each time we purchase that we can use for future purchases. Credits are shown on the top right side of the app.
If you’re looking for more cost-effective cellular coverage at sea, look no further than GigSky. They have made it possible to connect at sea without breaking the bank.
While we haven’t tried GigSky in all areas of the world, we’ve experienced good results in the places we purchased. We intend to try it again in Alaska since northern destinations away from satellites tend to have spotty coverage. We’ll keep you updated after our voyage.
Karen Hosier, a military brat, grew up traveling the world. She lived in many countries in Europe, Asia, and North America. Later in life, she discovered cruising and shares her love of being on the ocean and exploring faraway lands. Follow her on Pinterest, Facebook, and Instagram.