Cruise ship travellers warned of one 'hidden cost' that could catch you out

Cruise holidays are a popular way for people to explore multiple cities in one holiday - but there are also some hidden costs travellers may not be aware of.

From all inclusive food to drinks packages and excursions available onboard, there is so much you can get out of a cruise holiday, however experts have urged people to be mindful when using their phones while away as it can trigger some pretty hefty charges. Your phone could be quietly racking up a huge bill without you knowing.

Many people may need their phones for looking up destinations, sending holiday snaps to friends or family or even needed for directions while at a destination. But unlike land-based travel where roaming charges are mostly clear-cut, maritime phone usage has some rather unique challenges.

Arif Reza, CEO and founder of leading eSIM provider, WorldSIM, warned: “Cruises are a great way to travel and see different parts of the world at once. It can be a real adventure. But using your phone can trigger eye-watering costs.

"This is mainly because you’re often too far from terrestrial mobile towers and your phone will automatically connect to the ship’s own satellite network, which operates at significantly higher rates than your usual holiday roaming."

The expert said this applies to your calls, texts and data usage, and advised people to not presume their networks roaming package will cover the costs. Brief moments of data usage can trigger a connection to the ship’s satellite - this includes a quick forecast check, sending an email or any apps that are using background data.

Reza explained that these satellite connections are operated by maritime telecom providers and are designed to offer coverage in open waters - far beyond the reach of standard mobile networks and added: "At sea, mobile usage is reliant on networks that connect to satellites orbiting earth, instead of land-based terrestrial towers. Which is why there is such a stark difference in the cost of connections.

“You need to make sure your phone doesn’t automatically switch over to the satellite connection when you set sail, as the costs can add up straight away without you realising. Some data rates can reach up to £6 per MB used."

For example, receiving a picture on Whatsapp can use up to 2MB depending on the quality of the image and very few UK network providers offer a maritime package, those that do often cost upwards of £15 per day.

So for those unsure of their package, Reza advised to just use airplane mode when on the ship. “Putting your phone in airplane mode will prevent any incidental connections, and I’d always advise turning background data off, so no apps are using the internet without you knowing.

“Buying a wifi package from the ship can help you stay connected while onboard. And if you’re docking in different countries, consider an eSIM that allows you to connect to different networks on a pre-paid plan. An eSIM allows you to connect easily and is an affordable option when traveling overseas.”