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If you’re planning a leisurely cruise around The Caribbean or even closer to home, such as The Mediterranean, then be careful when using your smartphone or tablet on board to access the internet, use Google maps or other applications that are useful on your trip.  Cruise liners now actively promote their own data and Wi-Fi services on board for using mobile data, but they come at a hefty premium – as much as £10.00pMB for mobile data.

The easiest way to avoid these extortionate charges is to make sure that you don’t locate the cruise ship network when using your device. If the cruise ship network is located then it’s as if you were roaming in a different country and the price for mobile data will be a lot more than you usually pay. Your smartphone or tablet may find the network automatically, if you are at out at sea, but you can manually de-select it or simply switch off.

The best option is to adopt an international data SIM card or a country specific data SIM card, then make sure you use it when the ship is in dock, or when you disembark, so that you obtain a local network signal with reasonable rates. These data SIM cards can be used directly in devices or in a mifi so that you can share your connection. This way you can roam more cost effectively and still stay connected. With an international data SIM card rates start at just £0.05pMB in many EU countries. However, it’s when you travel further afield to places like Antigua – normally data rates when roaming or on board ship can be £7.00-10.00pMB but with the international data SIM you’ll pay just £0.27pMB.