How to Stay Connected on P and O Cruises: Simple Setup Guide

You've booked your P and O cruise, and now you're staring at the one detail that quietly shapes the whole trip: how you'll stay connected.

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You want messages to send, maps to load in port, and email access without paying for things you won't use.

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Here's what trips people up: cruise connectivity isn't one-size-fits-all. This guide walks you through what works, what doesn't, and how to avoid the common mistakes before you make them. At sea. Really.

What "Staying Connected" Means on P&O

Before you pick an option, think about what you'll do with connectivity.

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Most people fall into light-to-moderate use. You're texting family on WhatsApp. Posting some photos to Instagram. Checking email a few times a day. Pulling up Google Maps when you're exploring a new city. Maybe scrolling the news.

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Some people are heavy users. Streaming shows in the cabin. Video calls with family back home. Uploading travel videos. Working remotely with bandwidth-heavy stuff.

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Your usage pattern determines which connectivity option makes sense.

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The other thing that matters: how much time you'll spend off the ship. If you're planning to really explore ports, walking around cities, finding restaurants, using rideshare apps, you need connectivity that works away from the ship.

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If you're more of a "stay on the ship and maybe walk around the port area a bit" cruiser, that changes the calculation.

Option #1: GigSky Cruise eSIM (Best for Most Travelers)

This is the default option for most people cruising on P and O cruises.

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GigSky is an eSIM that works both on the ship and when you're off exploring ports. It's the only eSIM provider that figured out how to make connectivity work at sea, not just on land.

Who It's For

The GigSky eSIM makes sense if you:

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• Mostly use messaging apps and social media
• Need maps and navigation when exploring ports
• Want connectivity away from the ship
• Can share a hotspot with whoever you're traveling with
• Don't need to stream video constantly

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It handles all the practical stuff travelers do. WhatsApp messages. Instagram posts. Google Maps. Email. Uber or Bolt when you need a ride.

How It Works: Sea Days and Port Days

While the ship's moving through international waters, you're connected through maritime networks. GigSky covers 300 cruise ships, including the following P&O cruise ships: Arcadia, Arvia, Aurora, Azura, Britannia, Iona, and Ventura.

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When you pull into port, the eSIM automatically switches over to local cell towers. You step off the ship in Barcelona and you've still got data. No reconnecting, no buying a separate plan, no hunting for WiFi.

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That's the key difference. You're covered continuously from when the ship leaves until you get home.

Pricing

GigSky works on a data package model. You buy data instead of days.

Cruise + Land Plans (Europe & America/Caribbean):

Europe & America/Caribbean data plans share the same prices.

• 512 MB / 1 day: $19.99
• 1 GB / 7 days: $34.99
• 3 GB / 15 days: $69.99
• 5 GB / 30 days: $98.99
• 10 GB / 30 days: $153.99

World Plan (128 countries):

• 512 MB / 1 day: $26.99
• 1 GB / 7 days: $44.99
• 3 GB / 15 days: $71.99
• 5 GB / 30 days: $118.79
• 10 GB / 30 days: $175.99
• 20 GB / 120 days: $239.99

For a week-long cruise with light-to-moderate use, you'll probably spend $35-$99. That's less than onboard WiFi packages for P and O cruises.

Setup Steps

Setup takes about 5 minutes:

1. Download the GigSky app
2. Pick your plan (Cruise + Land for your region)
3. Install the eSIM profile on your phone
4. Turn it on close to when your ship leaves port

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That last part trips people up constantly.

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Don't install the eSIM two weeks before your cruise. GigSky's cruise plans usually cover multiple countries, which might include wherever you live.

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If you install it early while you're sitting at home, it might auto-activate right then. By the time you board your cruise, half your validity period is gone.

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Install it the day before or a couple hours before departure.

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If you absolutely need to buy it early to catch a sale, turn off mobile data for that eSIM in your phone settings until you're ready to use it.

Best Practices

Activation timing: The eSIM takes about an hour to activate after the ship leaves port. Give it an hour before you start posting boarding photos.

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Battery management: Turn off automatic app updates and background refresh for apps you don't need running constantly. Cruise connectivity uses more power than regular cell service.

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Data settings: Check which apps are using data in your phone settings. Sometimes apps you forgot about are downloading stuff in the background.

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Hotspot sharing: GigSky lets you share your connection. If you're traveling with someone who doesn't have an eSIM-compatible phone, turn on your hotspot and they can connect. Couples use this all the time.

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Signal in cabins: Ships are giant floating metal boxes. Metal blocks signals. You might get spotty connection in interior cabins.

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This happens with any connectivity option. It's the ship construction, not the service. You'll get better signal in outdoor areas and common spaces.

Device Requirements

You need an eSIM-compatible phone that's unlocked from your carrier. Most recent iPhones and Android phones are compatible. If your phone is from the last few years and it's not tied to a specific carrier plan, you're fine.

Option #2: P&O Onboard WiFi

P&O sells WiFi packages you can buy before your P and O cruise or once you're onboard.

When It Makes Sense

P&O WiFi works if you:

• Need to connect your laptop, tablet, and phone all at once
• Watch Netflix or YouTube regularly
• Do video calls frequently
• Don't have a phone that supports eSIM
• Don't want to track data usage

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The daily pricing makes sense if you're mostly staying on the ship anyway and you need multiple devices connected.

Pricing

P&O keeps it simple with per-day rates for P and O Cruise packages:

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• Essential WiFi: £14 per day (£20 if you buy onboard without pre-booking)
  
  • Web browsing, email, social media, messaging
• Ultimate WiFi: £20 per day (£30 without pre-booking)
  
  • Everything in Essential plus video streaming and video calls

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For a week-long cruise booked ahead: £98-£140 (roughly $131-$187 USD). Wait until you're onboard and those prices jump to £140-£200.

How It Works

Connect to the network, log in through their portal, and you're set. Works with any WiFi-enabled device.

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P&O's WiFi runs off satellite systems across P and O cruise ships. Works when you're onboard, on deck, in restaurants, hopefully in your cabin. But once you walk off the ship to explore ports, you're out of range. Unless you're standing right next to the boat, you've lost connection.

Setup

You can add WiFi packages right in P&O's booking system. Grab one up to four days before your cruise and save 10%, or buy it once you're onboard through their My Holiday app.

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Each person needs their own WiFi package if they want connectivity.

Option #3: Combination Approach

Some experienced cruisers run both: GigSky for port days and staying connected during shore excursions, P&O WiFi for streaming and video calls on the ship.

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Get both if you:

• Work remotely and need reliable everything
• Want a backup plan
• Have heavy bandwidth needs onboard but also explore ports extensively

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It gives you redundancy too if one network's acting up.

Decision Guide

Pick GigSky if:

• You explore ports extensively
• You mostly message and browse
• You want port connectivity
• You can share via hotspot
• Light-to-moderate data use

Pick P&O WiFi if:

• You need multiple devices connected
• You stream video regularly
• You make video calls often
• Your phone doesn't support eSIM
• You prefer unlimited packages

Pick Both if:

• You work remotely
• You want backup options
• Heavy onboard + port use
• You need reliability
• Budget allows both

Port Days vs Sea Days Playbook

Before Sailing

If using GigSky:

• Download the app
• Buy your plan (pick Cruise + Land for your region)
• Install eSIM 1 day before departure
• Turn off mobile data for the eSIM until you're ready to activate
• Check that your primary SIM's roaming is disabled (unless you want roaming charges)

If using P&O WiFi on P and O Cruises:

• Add package to booking (up to 4 days before = 10% savings)
• Note your login details

During Sea Days

With GigSky:

• Connection works through maritime networks
• Signal varies by cabin location (better in outdoor areas)
• Check data usage in the app if you're getting close to your limit

With P&O WiFi:

• Connect through their portal
• Signal varies by where you are on the ship
• Unlimited use for your chosen package level

When Docking in Ports

With GigSky:

• eSIM automatically switches to local cell towers
• Full coverage as soon as you step off the ship
• Use Google Maps, messaging, rideshare apps normally
• No reconnecting needed

With P&O WiFi:

• Connection lost once you're away from the ship
• Would need separate solution for port connectivity

FAQs

Do I need to buy connectivity before I board?

You can buy the GigSky eSIM anytime before departure. P&O WiFi can be added up to 4 days before sailing (with a discount) or purchased once onboard. Buying ahead usually saves money.

Can I share my connection with family?

GigSky allows hotspot sharing. You can connect other devices to your phone. P&O requires each person to buy their own package.

What if I run out of data mid-cruise?

With GigSky, you can top up through the app. With P&O, you're on an unlimited daily package, so this isn't an issue.

Will this work in my cabin?

Signal quality in cabins varies regardless of which option you use. Ships are metal, which blocks signals. You'll likely get better connection in outdoor areas and main common spaces. This applies to both GigSky and P&O WiFi equally.

How do I know if my phone supports eSIM?

Most recent iPhones (XR and newer) and recent Android phones support eSIM. Check your phone settings under "Cellular" or "Mobile Network." If you see an option for "Add eSIM" or "Add Cellular Plan," you're compatible.

What happens to my regular phone plan?

Nothing. Your regular SIM stays in your phone. The eSIM works alongside it. Just make sure to turn off roaming on your primary SIM so you don't get roaming charges.

Can I use GigSky for video calls?

You can, but it uses data quickly. If you're planning frequent video calls, either get a larger data package or consider P&O's Ultimate WiFi which is unlimited.

Does GigSky work on all P&O ships?

GigSky covers the following P&O cruise ships: Arcadia, Arvia, Aurora, Azura, Britannia, Iona, and Ventura.

What if I'm only doing a 3-day cruise?

GigSky's 1-day plan (512 MB for $19.99) or 7-day plan (1 GB for $34.99) both work. Pick based on how much you'll use it. Light use fits in 512 MB easily.

Is there a way to test connectivity before committing?

With GigSky, start with the 1 GB / 7-day plan for $34.99. Low risk. You can always add a P&O package once you're onboard if you realize you need more bandwidth than mobile data provides.

Your Move

Both options work. Which one fits depends on what you actually do with your phone and how much time you'll spend exploring ports.

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For most cruise travelers on P and O cruises doing light-to-moderate use and planning to get off the ship at ports, GigSky Cruise eSIM covers you completely for less money than P&O's packages.

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You stay connected at sea and in every port without reconnecting or buying multiple plans.

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Install it close to departure, give it an hour to activate after the ship leaves, and you're set.

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Check out GigSky's cruise eSIM plans designed for travelers on P and O cruises who don't want to lose connection when they step off the ship.