Ad. This Episode we go through more affordable and Flexible alternatives to Cruise Ship Wifi.
Ships Wi-fi is now so expensive and restrictive, we discuss the new internet offering from tech company Gigsky.
You can find their webpage here:
https://www.gigsky.com/data-cruises
Promo mentioned in this video: enter the following for a 20% discount:
RITZY20
What Gigsky are offering:
Rather than buy a ship Wi-Fi package, you purchase their e-SIM. This is a form of DATA package, similar to what you have on land. Except this is designed for cruise ships, and works on Sea AND on Land.
This 2 in 1 Combo was what first appealed. Once you activate the Gigsky e-SIM prior to departure, you get signal on the ship, at sea, also when ashore, for port and shore visits, internationally. This is a huge evolution from cruise ship WiFi that only works within the confines of the ship. The Gigsky e-SIM works onboard AND on land.
Just like your normal everyday sim card, you elect how much data you wish to pre-pay for This is right up to 10gb. This can be topped up during your vacation, should you need more.
You then select the region you are going to.
Your e-SIM will have a validity of up to 30 days. (Dependiong on which you choose.) So if you are going on back to back cruises, you can keep using it from one ship to the other, until expiry.
Check your intended cruise line and ship is on their list. The vast majority are supported, but do check. Notable exceptions who have not opted into the Cellular at Sea program include: Cunard, Crystal, Marella and P&O. They may opt in at a future stage.
To our mind, a huge distinguishing factor between the Gigsky system ad regular ships Wi-Fi is the ability to Tether or whats known as ‘Hotspot.’ The vast majority of ships Wi-Fi do not permit you to share their WiFi package with family or friends. It’s access for 1 person, 1 device. Furthermore, most ships block you from sharing it between your phone, laptop, or computer. Meaning Ships WiFi is tightly controlled and cannot be shared. The Gigsky system DOES permit unlimited sharing/hotspot between your own devices, family and friends. Far more flexible and cost effective.
Once you download the Gigsky app, it guides you through the process of activating the E-SIM, and also the settings in your phone to permit use. It involves toggling the switch from your usual data internet provider to Gigsky.
Notes on who the Gigsky Package might suit:
1. Most importantly: It’s targeted at Light to Medium users. You have chosen a data allowance, or cap. For example 3gb or 10gb. Make sure you stick to that, or top up. If you are a heavy user of Netflix, or other streaming services you risk burning through that data quickly! Its not designed for huge consumers of streaming services. If you are someone who typically likes to read the news, correspond on email, check your social media, upload some photos, short videos etc, then you should be fine. You would be within the target audience. But not heavy streamers!
2. If you are a technophobe, and get really worried about going into phone settings… then perhaps this is not for you! It’s actually reasonably straight forward using e-Sims, but if you worry about it, then perhaps this isn’t for you! Most users should be fine.
3. Gigsky uses the Cellular at Sea system. There is a brief limitation on service for a short period as you leave port. When the ships sails off, the system temporarily disables internet access until the ship has reached a distance of 12 miles from port. That’s approximately 1 hour. So plenty of internet every day onshore, plenty at sea, but for that 1 hour period, as you are leaving port, there will be no signal. If you are fine with that, you are good to go.
4. Your phone MUST be unlocked. If you’re phone company does not permit you to connect to other carriers, it will not work. Please check
In summary, we cannot guarantee you will like the Gigsky product, but personally we have found it to be flexible, and useful. For us the biggest features are: it’s a 2-1 product that can be used on ship and land, when we visit foreign countries.
No, the Gigsky pack is not unlimited, like cruise WiFi, but we’re happy to forego that for the greater flexibility it offers. We just need to buy 1 plan for both of us, rather than needing to buy multiple WiFi packs for each person and each device.
I hope this video has been of help. Please do drop any thought or comments, we always love to hear from people.
Mentioned in this video:
Cheap cruise wifi, Cruise internet, wifi pack, wifi package, Gigsky, e-SIM, Cellular at sea, best wifi package for cruise, cheap wifi package for cruise
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