Cruises are all about disconnecting—from work, notifications, and the daily grind. But let’s be honest: staying totally offline isn’t always ideal. Whether it’s checking in with family, uploading a few holiday snaps, or Googling “what does this cruise horn mean?”, having data at sea can be incredibly useful.
On my recent cruise, I tested out the Red Bull MOBILE eSIM for maritime connectivity—and it worked brilliantly. Here’s everything you need to know about using it at sea, plus some lessons I learned along the way.
🚢 Why I Chose the Red Bull eSIM
Cruise Wi-Fi is often expensive and unreliable. Some lines start internet packages at £20+/day, and you’re sometimes required to purchase them for the entire cruise. Even then, streaming is restricted and connection speeds can be patchy.
The Red Bull MOBILE Data eSIM with the Telenor Maritime package is a smarter option. It offers fixed-price, prepaid data:
250 MB for €5
1 GB for €15
No contracts, no roaming shocks—just affordable, pay-as-you-go data you control through the Red Bull MOBILE Data app (available on iOS and Android).
📲 Setup: Quick and Fully Digital
1. Choose Your Network
Inside the app, I selected “Telenor Maritime”, which is the network used by most cruise ships and ferries once offshore.
2. Pick a Data Plan
I chose the 1GB bundle for €15, which was enough for my trip. There’s also a smaller 250 MB plan for quick stays.
3. Install & Activate
The eSIM installs digitally via the Red Bull app—no QR codes or SIM cards needed. Within minutes, it was live and ready to go.
👉 Tip: Install the eSIM before your trip begins while you’ve got a strong land connection. Packages are valid for 30 days after activation, so setting up a few days early won’t waste your data.
🛰️ When Does It Start Working?
The maritime network only switches on when your ship is more than 5 nautical miles from shore. Until then, your phone connects to local 4G.
As soon as I noticed my regular SIM signal fading, I turned off my primary SIM and switched on the Red Bull eSIM. My phone instantly latched onto Telenor Maritime, and within seconds I was online—seamless and stress-free.
🌍 Using Data in Port vs. at Sea
While at sea, the Red Bull eSIM was essential. But on port days, I simply switched back to my regular phone plan and used local 4G networks included in my bundle. This way, I saved my maritime data allowance for when I really needed it—while sailing beyond land-based coverage.
🛥️ Which Cruise Lines Support It?
The Telenor Maritime package works across a massive fleet of cruise liners and ferries worldwide. Some of the big names include:
AIDA Cruises (11 ships including AIDAnova, AIDAperla, AIDAcosma)
Carnival Cruise Line (Carnival Firenze, Carnival Venezia)
Costa Cruises (Costa Smeralda, Costa Toscana, Costa Deliziosa)
Cunard Line (Queen Mary 2, Queen Elizabeth, Queen Victoria)
MSC Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL), P&O Cruises, Royal Caribbean, TUI Cruises (Mein Schiff)
Marella Cruises (TUI UK) (Marella Discovery, Marella Voyager)
- P&O Cruises (Arcadia, Arvia, Aurora, Azura, Britannia ,Iona, Ventura)
Viking Ocean Cruises, Silversea, Swan Hellenic
It also covers many European ferry operators such as Stena Line, DFDS, Brittany Ferries, Irish Ferries, Corsica Ferries, Color Line, and Superfast Ferries.
Red Bull keeps a full searchable vessel list in the app and on their website—worth checking before you sail.
Check Here
📉 Tracking Usage Onboard
The Red Bull MOBILE app makes it easy to track usage in real time. It even sends alerts at 80% and 100% so you won’t be caught short.
On my trip, Facebook was the biggest data guzzler due to auto-play videos. I also spotted my App Store trying to update apps in the background—something I quickly disabled to conserve data.
🔧 Data-Saving Tips
Here’s what helped me stretch my 1GB further:
Turn off roaming on your main SIM to avoid unwanted charges
Restrict background data for heavy apps (especially Facebook and Instagram)
Disable auto-updates in your app store
Pause photo backups (iCloud/Google Photos) until you’re back on land
Download maps, shows, and playlists before sailing
Use port days or café Wi-Fi for bigger uploads
💳 Topping Up Mid-Cruise
When I reached about 90% of my allowance, I simply topped up another 250mb and/or 1GB in the app. The extra data was added instantly—no reinstall required.
❓ FAQ: Red Bull eSIM at Sea
When should I buy the package?
Install the eSIM and purchase before your cruise starts. Packages are valid for 30 days, and you can top up anytime. Just make sure you have connectivity (best done while still on land).
How is the service delivered?
Your ship connects to a satellite provider, and onboard you’ll see a 4G Telenor Maritime signal. The Red Bull eSIM hooks directly into that. It’s not Wi-Fi—it’s proper mobile data.
Why use Red Bull MOBILE at sea?
It’s simple, prepaid, and affordable. No bill shock and no need to commit to pricey ship-wide Wi-Fi plans.
Anything to watch out for?
Yes: switch off data roaming on your primary SIM, then set Red Bull MOBILE as your data line. Otherwise, your phone may try to use your main SIM and rack up roaming fees.
⚓ Final Thoughts
The Red Bull eSIM was a game-changer on my cruise. It gave me reliable, affordable connectivity with no surprises. For checking maps, messaging family, browsing, and sharing holiday moments, it was perfect—and I didn’t touch the ship’s Wi-Fi at all.
It’s not for Netflix binges or video calls, but if you want peace of mind without spending a fortune, it’s an excellent option.
🌍 Quick Recap
✅ Fixed-price: 250 MB (€5) or 1 GB (€15)
📲 Buy/install via the Red Bull MOBILE Data app
🛥️ Works once you’re 5 nautical miles offshore
🚢 Supported by major cruise lines & ferries worldwide
⚠️ Turn off roaming on your main SIM
🔔 Usage alerts at 80% & 100%
💡 Easy top-ups mid-cruise
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