A new way to stay connected on DFDS Ferries

When you're on a ferry crossing that runs four hours or more, being without a signal on your phone can make the trip feel a lot longer. 

Most DFDS routes give you a few ways to stay connected. You can use the ferry's onboard WiFi, or you can rely on your regular mobile plan with roaming turned on. 

If you're crossing between countries, though, roaming fees can add up depending on where the ship is sailing through.

Now there's a third option. A ferry eSIM is a prepaid mobile data plan built for sea crossings, and GigSky's Ferry eSIM starts at $8.99. 

You install it once on your phone before you board, and it keeps you connected both while you're at sea and when you step off at the port. Here's a closer look at how it works on DFDS routes.

How the GigSky Ferry eSIM Works

An eSIM is a digital SIM card that you install directly on your phone through an app. There's no physical SIM card involved. 

On a DFDS route, the eSIM connects through offshore mobile networks and switches automatically to the strongest available signal as the ship moves. You don't need to adjust settings or monitor your signal manually. You turn it on, and it handles the rest.

Installation takes a few minutes and requires a small amount of internet, so the right time to do it is while you're still at the port. After that, the eSIM is ready for every DFDS trip going forward. You install it once and reuse it.

Which DFDS Ships Are Covered

The Ferry eSIM works across the DFDS Seaways fleet, covering all major routes between the UK, France, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Scandinavia. 

Ships covered include: Côte D'Opale, Côte Des Dunes, Côte Des Flandres, Delft Seaways, Dover Seaways, Dunkerque Seaways, King Seaways, Luna Seaways, Optima Seaways, Princess Seaways, Regina Seaways, and Victoria Seaways.

Whether you're on a short two-hour crossing over the Dover Strait or an overnight route between Newcastle and Amsterdam, the Ferry eSIM covers the full DFDS network.

What You Can Use It For

The Ferry eSIM works well for the kinds of tasks most ferry travelers actually need: messaging friends or family, checking emails, looking up maps, making video calls, or keeping kids entertained with a show during a longer crossing.

You can also hotspot your laptop or tablet from your phone, which a lot of remote workers find useful on overnight routes. 

If you're planning something data-heavy like long video calls or streaming during an extended journey, a higher-GB plan will give you the best experience.

The connection doesn't throttle automatically. The app alerts you when you've used 80 percent of your data so you're never caught off guard, and you choose whether to top up. Nothing charges in the background.

Private Connectivity on a Shared Route

One thing travelers appreciate about a mobile eSIM is that it's a private connection. You're not sharing bandwidth with other passengers, and the connection is encrypted in the same way your regular mobile plan is on land. 

That makes it a practical choice if you need to check sensitive accounts, handle work documents, or just prefer not to use public networks for anything important.

Travelers who've used GigSky on ocean cruises mention this as one of the reasons they switched. 

GigSky already covers connectivity on large cruise ships with far higher passenger counts, so keeping a solid signal on a ferry is well within what the technology handles.

Coverage That Continues on Land

One of the more useful things about the Ferry + Europe plan is that the coverage doesn't stop when you step off the ship. 

GigSky is the only eSIM provider offering coverage both at sea and on land, so the same eSIM that keeps you connected during your crossing carries you straight through to your destination.

The Ferry + Europe plan covers 41 European countries, meaning one purchase takes care of the crossing and the rest of your trip. No switching providers, no buying a separate plan for land.

Ferry eSIM Plans and Pricing

The Ferry eSIM is prepaid. You pay upfront, you see exactly how much data you have, and nothing continues after your plan ends. 

All plans are valid for 15 days from activation, which gives you room for round trips or extended travel.

Ferry Only Plans (works on DFDS ships)

Ferry + Europe Plans (works on ships and across 41 European countries)

If you're only crossing once without needing data on land, the Ferry Only plan is straightforward. If you want coverage throughout your European trip, the Ferry + Europe option adds full land coverage for just a dollar more on most plans.

Recap: Your Own Data Connection on DFDS Ferries

• The GigSky Ferry eSIM gives you a personal, prepaid mobile data connection for DFDS crossings.
• You install it once through the GigSky app and reuse it for future trips.
• The eSIM connects through offshore mobile networks and switches automatically to the strongest available signal.
• It works well for messaging, video calls, streaming, and hotspotting a laptop.
• You pay upfront, receive an 80% data usage alert, and choose when to top up.
• The connection is encrypted and private, similar to using your regular mobile plan.
• Ferry + Europe plans cover 41 European countries, keeping you connected from ship to shore.
• Coverage spans the full DFDS Seaways fleet, from short crossings to overnight routes.
• All plans are valid for 15 days from activation.

Ready for your next DFDS crossing? Download the GigSky app, tap Ferries, and you'll be set up before you board.