The working world has changed. Where you were once confined to a desk, you now have the option to stash your laptop in a backpack and work from the places you’ve always wanted to see.
Travelling by ship has become a top pick among digital nomads who want convenience and easy access to multiple locations, but staying connected at sea is notoriously tricky.
It’s not that there aren’t options, but naturally, you want the most reliable one.
Cruise Ship Wi-Fi: The First Choice
These days, when you book a cruise, you can be sure there will be Wi-Fi. However, there are a few things to keep in mind before you decide to rely on it completely to meet your work deadlines.
Ship Wi-Fi relies on satellite internet, so even though it may be available fleetwide, the speed and coverage will vary, especially during peak usage times.
Some cruise lines also price their Wi-Fi per device, per day, or based on data usage, so the costs can really start to rack up. And, if you’re someone who needs to dial into video calls, it’s going to eat away at your budget pretty quickly.
To put it into perspective, most ships charge anywhere from $15 – $40 per device per day to stay connected, with data-usage costs being even higher.
Holafly eSIM: The Alternative
The other option is a digital SIM card from Holafly. Simply install it on your phone (no physical SIM swap necessary) and work whenever you dock at your next stop or when you’re close enough to a local network.
It can also be used to connect in open water, but your package will need to include maritime coverage.
Unlike some cruise ship internet packages, Holafly’s flat-rate data packages are an affordable way to stay connected while traveling in a way that works for your budget.
While the plans differ depending on your location and requirements, the average 7-day plan amounts to around $4.27 per day, with monthly plans coming in at around $65. So, comparing that to the cost of Wi-Fi, you can see how an eSIM can be more affordable.
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Staying Connected: The Best of Both Worlds
As a digital nomad, it’s reassuring to know you have the option of both Wi-Fi and an eSIM, and you don’t necessarily have to choose between them.
Each option has benefits and limitations, but if you use them strategically, you can create a reliable and cost-effective connectivity plan.
Your cruise ship’s Wi-Fi might not always have blazing speeds, but it’s perfectly adequate for checking your emails or putting a quick report together while at sea. If the cruise line charges based on data, you can easily keep costs low by sticking to the bare minimum.
Reaching your destination is when your Holafly eSIM will really shine, so you can save it for the more internet-heavy tasks like video calls. This is unless you’ve purchased a maritime package.
Overall, the smartest approach is to combine the two. This way, you’re never offline for extended periods and you only need to spend what you want to. Just pack your phone, laptop, and chargers and you’re good to go.
Another thing to help you save on costs is using offline-friendly tools like Google Docs’ offline mode. You get to keep working and can simply sync what you need to when you arrive at your next stop.
The Final Takeaway
If you’re planning to work remotely while cruising, a Holafly eSIM offers excellent cost savings and better performance, particularly once you’ve docked.
However, if you don’t go with a maritime package, it’s incredibly helpful to know that Wi-Fi is available on the ship and that you only need to spend as much as you need to.
In the end, if you want to work remotely and travel by cruise ship, you don’t need to worry about missing calls and deadlines while at sea or at your next Airbnb.
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