Top 5 Tips How to Use Your iPhone on a Cruise Ship
Have you ever gone on a cruise and wondered why your iPhone is not working the same way it does at home? Here I am going to tell you my top 5 tips on how to use your iPhone on a cruise ship.
(This post was updated in January 2023)
I get asked a lot of iPhone questions on board and at home. I am not an IT expert, but I know how to use my iPhone. Probably because I cannot put it down!
Back to how to use your iPhone. Why doesn’t your iPhone work the same way on board as it does at home? This is mainly because when you are travelling on a cruise ship you are not going to be connected to the internet 24 hours a day.
(We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases).
How to Use Your iPhone on a Cruise Ship
Once you have left shore the 4G will only stay connected when you are near land or if there is a satellite above you. There is Wi-Fi on board, but on most cruise lines this is a paid extra or you have a package of minutes or MBs included in your ticket.
When you are on land, 4G and your home Wi-Fi is always connected to your phone. So, you have no idea which apps require the internet to function.
We really do not realise how much we rely on our phones these days, so I am going to tell you my top 5 questions and hopefully give you some answers.
Time
The time changes on board when arriving in different countries. Sometimes it is a few hours difference so you may be changing the time over a few days at sea and your phone will not set automatically to ship time.
How do you change the time?
Go to Settings App
Press General
Press Date and Time
Switch off, set automatically
Change time zone to the city you are going to be in or just change the time manually
Fitbit/Fitness Tracker Watch
If you have a Fitbit or another fitness tracking device and you would like to sync your, daily steps you will need to do the following:
Change the time if there has been a time change
Make sure your Bluetooth is on and your phone is connected to your Fitbit
Log on to the ship internet
Go to the Fitbit app
Pull down the home screen of the Fitbit app to sync
Wait for the sync to finish
Log off the internet
How to Use Your iPhone on a Cruise Ship
Airplane Mode
While on board and sailing put your phone on airplane mode to save the battery and stop receiving calls or use your data when you are close to shore. This way you will not receive phone calls in the early hours that you may not want to answer. As your hometown may be in a completely different time zone.
To put on airplane mode on, go to:
Settings
First option airplane mode
Switch on
Background App Refresh
Switch off background app refresh as if you are using the ship Wi-Fi, this will eat a lot of your data plan. You can update your apps when you return home.
How to switch off background app refresh:
Go to Settings
Press General
Press Background App Refresh
Switch off background app refresh
Saving the Battery Power
Phone batteries do not last like they use to, due to using the camera app, the internet, playing games, etc.
There are a few ways to save your battery power while ashore and on board:
Switch off the location services (just switch it back on when you would like to use maps or set your location for your Facebook photos).
Go to Settings
Press Privacy
Press Location Services
Switch off location services
Put the battery on low power mode
Go to settings
Press Battery
Switch on Low Power Mode
If not using 4G, switch it off
Go to settings
Press Mobile Data
Switch off Mobile Data
If not using your phone for phone calls or data while ashore, put on airplane mode.
To put on airplane mode on, go to:
Settings
First option airplane mode
Switch on
Cruise Essentials
Here are some cruising products from Amazon you may find useful on your next cruise. To see more, have look at my Amazon shop page click here.
I hope these tips have helped you. Do you have any top tips for using your iPhone whilst on a cruise ship? I would love to hear them, just comment below.
If you enjoyed reading about these iPhone tips, please share on Facebook and Pinterest so your friends and family can read too. Sharing is caring!
Where was this last time I went on a cruise?! I don’t think I’ve ever had the service on while on a cruise except once when my mom and I were on a weeklong Mediterranean cruise and called home just for a few minutes.
Unless you have a roaming in your contract your phone will not work out of your home country. While onboard and at sea your phone will only have the option to connect to the ship network if you have roaming. Hope this helps you in the future.
I have never been on a cruise and didnt even know that these were issues! These are great tips I need to remember! Even just when traveling out of the country!
Thank you Ilana! I have been asked so many questions onboard and handed iphones I knew I needed to share the info to fellow cruisers!
Deborah Fortin
March 5, 2019 / 3:12 am
Thank you Lisa! All your tips are super helpful as I plan on sailing my very first cruise vacation within the year. I’m super excited and now feel very armed with tech info that will make the trip so much smoother. Cheers, Deborah 🙂
We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
That’s good to know, 3 years ago, we went to a cruise, we did not have signal for the 5 days. Now, thanks to you, I am prepared for the next time.
Author
Thank You! So pleased I have helped you.
I never realized how complicated it could be when you are off land. I don’t plan on going on a cruise soon but these tips are a must for when I do go.
Author
Yes, it can be! Glad I could help.
This information is so useful! Thank you for all the ideas and tips. I will defiantly be using this.
Author
Your welcome
Smart ideas! I never used my phone on a cruise because I had no idea what to do with it!
Author
Thank you! Now you know!
Where was this last time I went on a cruise?! I don’t think I’ve ever had the service on while on a cruise except once when my mom and I were on a weeklong Mediterranean cruise and called home just for a few minutes.
Author
Unless you have a roaming in your contract your phone will not work out of your home country. While onboard and at sea your phone will only have the option to connect to the ship network if you have roaming. Hope this helps you in the future.
These are all such great tips! You’re an iPhone master!
April
Author
Thank you so much April!
I have never been on a cruise and didnt even know that these were issues! These are great tips I need to remember! Even just when traveling out of the country!
Author
Glad I have help you!
I didn’t think of putting things in airplane mode. But that does make such a lot of sense as far as power drains.
Author
Airplane mode saves so much of the battery life!
Really good tips! I love how specific you were with your suggestions and instructions. I’ve pinned it on my Cruise Tips board :-)!
Author
Thank you Ilana! I have been asked so many questions onboard and handed iphones I knew I needed to share the info to fellow cruisers!
Thank you Lisa! All your tips are super helpful as I plan on sailing my very first cruise vacation within the year. I’m super excited and now feel very armed with tech info that will make the trip so much smoother.
Cheers,
Deborah 🙂
Author
Hi Deborah, I’m so pleased my cruise tips have helped you! If you need any more cruise help, please reach out. Happy cruising 🛳 Take care Lucy