Internet for Seafarers: Realistic Ways to Get Online While Working at Sea
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When I first joined life at sea, I didn’t think much about internet access. I assumed there’d be something – maybe slow, maybe limited, but there. Eventually.
That assumption didn’t hold up for long.
The reality is, internet for seafarers is a strange thing. You can be floating just off the coast of a city, yet totally offline. You can spend weeks without a single notification. And when you do finally get a signal, it might cost more than your whole month’s salary to check a few emails (ahem, slight exaggeration).
I’ve spent most of my career working on cruise ships, and over the years, I’ve tested nearly every way of staying online. Some methods work, some don’t, and most depend on the ship you’re on and how often you get to land.
This isn’t a guide for boat owners with satellite dishes or yachties with unlimited budgets. It’s for crew members, seafarers, and anyone working at sea who needs practical ways to get online.
If you’re wondering how to get internet at sea without going broke or buying hardware you’ll never use, this post is for you.
What to Expect from Internet at Sea
What do we actually mean when we say internet at sea? For seafarers, it rarely looks like what you’re used to on land.
Most of the time, it means trying to send a WhatsApp message without it failing. Or downloading a voice note while standing in the crew stairwell because someone said the signal’s better there.
If you’re joining a ship for the first time, it’s worth knowing this: connectivity at sea isn’t guaranteed. Even in 2025, being offshore still often means being offline.
Some ships offer crew wifi, usually through internet vouchers, daily plans, or data packages. It’s often slow, expensive, and limited. Some ships don’t offer it at all. Others might give you free access but block everything that makes the internet feel like the internet – YouTube, social media, video calls.
Since my contracts have been on cruise ships, my experience may not fully reflect what cargo crew or offshore workers go through – but hopefully, some of the same principles apply.
Realistic Ways to Stay Connected
1. Use the ship’s crew wifi
Most modern ships provide some form of internet for seafarers – though the quality, price, and availability still vary a lot depending on the ship, department, and even the day of the week.
From my own experience working on cruise ships, we typically have access to internet in two ways:
Free access: messaging-only internet
Paid access: data or time-based plans
Messaging services like WhatsApp and Messenger are usually free 24/7 these days, which makes a huge difference when you just want to say hi to family or send a meme.
Full but slower internet access (to browse or stream) is sometimes available during specific windows, like overnight hours or port days.
Wifi plans for crew are usually capped. You buy a certain amount of data – for example, 500 MB or 1 GB – and when it’s gone, it’s gone.
Some ships sell wifi by the minute in daily, weekly or monthly packages, but in my opinion, buying a weekly or monthly package is almost always more cost-effective than topping up daily.
The speed is still limited, but manageable if you plan ahead.
If your ship allows it, using a VPN can help protect your data or access region-blocked services. (That said, many companies either block VPNs entirely or slow them down – so it’s best to check first.)
Another tip: schedule your software update during off-peak hours, like late at night. It helps avoid the digital traffic jam when everyone’s trying to call home at once.
It’s also worth noting that wifi access varies across ship types. Cruise ships generally have better infrastructure for crew internet, although it’s still far from perfect. Cargo ships or smaller vessels may have very limited or no connectivity at all, unless provided by satellite or during port stays.
2. Get a local SIM card
This one technically isn’t internet at sea, but it’s still a core part of how many of us stay connected.
In my early contracts, buying local SIM cards became a bit of a ritual. Some ports were a dream – cheap, fast data, and kiosks right by the terminal. Others were expensive or full of confusing activation steps that made you miss free port Wi-Fi even more.
Local SIM cards make the most sense when:
Your ship docks frequently in a particular country
You have long port stays there
You’re on a longer contract and need reliable access beyond what ship wifi can offer
Some crew buy unlimited plans just for the country with the longest port times. Others swap SIMs constantly, depending on where we are that week.
A few things to keep in mind:
Compatibility: You’ll need an unlocked phone. Dual SIM phones are even better if you want to keep your home number active.
Finding deals: Ask crew who’ve done the same itinerary before. They’ll know which providers work and which to avoid.
Language or activation issues: Not every store has English-speaking staff. Some SIMs need local IDs or passport copies, or you’ll have to activate them online using local-language instructions.
When you find a good setup, though, it’s worth it. You’ll be the one streaming YouTube videos in the crew deck while everyone else is waiting for wifi to load.
3. Try a prepaid international SIM
I’ve only tried this once – I bought two prepaid SIM cards from home that came with regional data plans and a one-month expiry. They were data-only, worked across a few countries, and seemed like a decent backup. I figured I’d try them out and see how far they'd take me.
This isn’t quite the same as getting a local SIM in each port. It’s more like a middle ground between roaming and going local. You buy the SIM before you leave, activate it once you’re overseas, and use it for mobile data as you go.
Pros:
No need to find a shop or deal with activation on arrival
Works in multiple countries if your itinerary is regional
Easy to set up from home
Cons:
Usually more expensive than local SIMs
Fixed plans (e.g., one month only, no extensions)
Limited flexibility if your ports change or you stay longer somewhere
Still, for short itineraries or if you’re transiting through several countries, it can be a convenient option. If you just want a bit of data without the SIM card scavenger hunt, this might work. But if you're staying longer in one region, a local SIM could stretch your budget further.
4. Use a roaming plan from your home country
I’ve personally never tried this, but I’ve sailed with a few crew members who rely entirely on roaming. They use mobile plans from home that offer decent international rates, and their phones just connect automatically whenever we dock somewhere covered by their provider.
It sounds simple – and it is. You keep your number, everything works the moment you land, and there’s no need to swap SIMs or figure out foreign mobile plans on the fly.
Why it works:
No setup or SIM swapping needed
Great for short contracts or limited port calls
Keeps your home number active
Why it might not:
Roaming is often expensive (per MB or daily rate)
Some providers limit your roaming days or throttle your speed
Accidental background data can burn through credit quickly
If you go this route, make sure to turn off automatic updates and restrict background data. It’s not the cheapest option, but for convenience and peace of mind, it might be worth it – especially if you don’t plan to be online much.
5. Use free wifi in ports
It’s the oldest trick in the crew playbook – find free wifi as soon as you get off the gangway. Cruise terminals sometimes have free access. Other times, it’s a short walk to a mall, fast food chain, or café.
Back when I didn’t want to spend on mobile data, I’d download everything I needed while sipping something cheap or just hanging around quietly in a corner. It’s not glamorous, but it worked.
Port wifi can be surprisingly fast, especially in more developed cities. I’ve had better speeds at some terminals than onboard, which says a lot. That said, not every place offers it – my home country doesn’t, and some terminals are just too crowded or unreliable.
If you’re planning to rely on free Wi-Fi, here are a few quick tips:
Use a VPN to keep your data safe
Download things in batches (videos, updates, maps) instead of browsing in real-time
Don’t expect privacy or long hours – you usually only have a short time ashore anyway
It’s not the most reliable option, but when it works, it’s a welcome break from data caps and slow crew internet.
6. Use a pocket wifi if you’re sharing internet or stopping in port often
I’ve never used pocket wifi myself, but I saw a few crew members rely on it during my first year onboard. I think it worked for them because our ship stayed close to shore almost every day, which meant they could connect to mobile networks consistently.
A pocket wifi is basically a portable router. You insert a local SIM card, and it lets you connect multiple devices – phones, laptops, tablets – at once. It’s a useful option if you’re travelling with someone and want to share the cost of mobile data.
Just keep in mind you’ll need to keep it charged, buy compatible SIM cards, and handle the setup yourself. For crew who have frequent port stops and don’t want to tether their phone, it might be a good alternative.
7. Get an eSIM for mobile data
I use eSIMs now, and honestly, I don’t think I’ll go back. They’re not always the cheapest, but the convenience makes up for it. I usually just need a few GB to stay connected, and I stretch that over the month by managing my usage carefully.
After the pandemic, I found it harder to buy local SIM cards in many countries. Some require passport registration, local ID, or a complicated activation process – and not every port gives you the time or language support to figure all that out.
With an eSIM, I skip all that. I personally use Airalo – they’ve been reliable for me across multiple countries. You can install everything through their app, and it’s way less stressful than hunting for SIM cards during short port stops.
If you just need steady data for maps, messages, or keeping in touch between ports, eSIMs are probably the easiest solution out there right now.
More: How eSIMs Keep Seafarers Connected in Every Port
Quick Data-Saving Tips for Seafarers
Whether you’re using crew wifi, roaming, or an eSIM, data adds up fast. Here’s how to make every MB count:
Turn on low data mode in apps like Instagram, WhatsApp, and Spotify.
Disable auto-sync for Google Drive, iCloud, and email.
Use Lite apps or browsers like Opera Mini when available.
Turn off autoplay for videos in app settings (especially Facebook and Instagram).
Track usage in your phone settings and turn off background data.
Internet for seafarers isn’t perfect – and probably never will be. You’ll need both online and offline strategies to stay sane and connected.
Personally, I rely on ship wifi, eSIMs, and free port wifi depending on where I am and what I need. Some days that means downloading Netflix, other times just sending messages later.
There’s no one-size-fits-all method for staying connected at sea. You’ll have to test a few options and see what works for your ship, contract, and budget.
If you’ve got your own hacks or tips, drop them in the comments. And don’t forget to bookmark this for your next contract – or share it with a crewmate who’s still offline.
If you want to dive deeper into life onboard and managing challenges at sea, you might like:
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