Staying connected during a cruise has long been a challenge. Traditional onboard Wi-Fi is often expensive and inconsistent, while roaming charges at sea can quickly spiral out of control.
Red Bull MOBILE offers two dedicated cruise data packages through two maritime network operators: Telenor Maritime and Wireless Maritime Services.
Here is what’s important: you can’t simply choose whichever maritime operator you prefer. Each cruise ship has a dedicated operator. Red Bull MOBILE’s website provides a vessel list showing which operator is available on each supported ship. Click on your cruise line, select your exact ship and then purchase the corresponding Red Bull MOBILE package.
Red Bull MOBILE cruise roaming at a glance
The cruise service is delivered through the ship’s maritime mobile network. The ship has a connection to a satellite internet provider, while a 4G network onboard connects the passenger’s phone to the service through the Red Bull MOBILE eSIM. It is therefore not the same thing as connecting to the ship’s Wi-Fi.
Telenor Maritime vs. Wireless Maritime Services
The biggest difference is not necessarily the underlying technology but which ships each operator serves and which packages are available.
Two maritime operators, one Red Bull MOBILE service
For cruise-only, packages include:
- Telenor Maritime: 250 MB for €5 or 1 GB for €15, valid for 30 days.
- Wireless Maritime Services: 1 GB for €22, valid for 30 days.
For both onboard and during supported land-based cruise destinations, packages include:
- Telenor Maritime Cruise & Land: 250 MB for €6 or 1 GB for €18.
- Wireless Maritime Services Cruise & Land: 1 GB for €25.
You never again have to worry about running out of data for your internet connection wherever you might travel, when you need it the most or about unexpected fees and invoices.
In order to ensure proper functionality, you should purchase and install the eSIM before you start your trip or board your cruise ship.
You will need a steady internet connection to set up your data plan, therefore it would be advisable to have your plan set up where you have a strong internet signal.
How to choose the right Red Bull MOBILE cruise package
The easiest way to choose your package is to follow these steps:
1. Get the name of your cruise ship.
Visit Red Bull MOBILE, select the tab “Cruises”, scroll down to the vessel list and search for the exact vessel name.
2. Check the maritime operator listed next to the vessel’s name.
The list identifies the operator available on the ship as either Telenor Maritime or Wireless Maritime Services.
3. Select the matching package.
If your ship is listed under Telenor Maritime, purchase a Telenor Maritime package.
If your ship is listed under Wireless Maritime Services, buy a Wireless Maritime Services package.
This is important because the operator is determined by the vessel. You should not choose Telenor Maritime simply because its package might be cheaper.
Example
If you are sailing on AIDAnova, the network maritime operator is Telenor Maritime. The appropriate options are therefore the Telenor Maritime packages.
If you are sailing on Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas, the network maritime operator is Wireless Maritime Services. The appropriate options are therefore the Wireless Maritime Services.
Cruise only vs. Cruise & Land
Cruise only
This option is designed exclusively for use at sea, connecting your device to the onboard network.
- Works when your ship is in open waters
- Available only from approximately 12 nautical miles off the coast and beyond
- Ideal for onboard communication, messaging, and browsing
- Typically the more affordable option
This is best suited for travelers who mainly want connectivity while sailing and don’t need mobile data once they reach land.
If your existing mobile plan already covers your destinations, a cruise-only eSIM may be a more economical option.
Cruise & Land
This option extends coverage beyond the ship, making it significantly more versatile.
- Works both at sea and on land
- No 12 nautical mile limitation – can also be used near the coast and onshore
- Covers cruise routes as well as destinations and ports
- Comes at a different (higher) price point due to broader coverage
This is the more flexible choice for travelers who want a single data solution for their entire trip, without switching eSIMs or relying on separate roaming plans when they disembark.
How It Works
- Install the Red Bull MOBILE Data app
- Download and activate your eSIM
- Choose your vessel’s network operator and select the Cruise only or Cruise & land package
- Purchase and activate your preferred package before going onboard to avoid connectivity issues
Once onboard, your device connects automatically to the maritime network when the ship is sufficiently far from shore. If you’ve selected the Cruise & Land option, it will also work seamlessly when you are near the coast, in ports, and inland.
You should switch off data roaming for your primary SIM card to avoid roaming charges. Since streaming movies, videos and TV shows use a lot of data, it is advisable to download these ahead of time to minimize data usage.
