Color Line Ferries: How to Stay Connected From Boarding to Arrival

You've booked your Color Line crossing and sorted the logistics. The last question is connectivity, how to handle it without overpaying or dealing with dead zones.

‍

There are three ways to do this: a ferry eSIM that works both at sea and on land, the onboard Wi-Fi that Color Line sells, or your regular mobile plan's roaming. All of them work. They just work differently depending on what you need.

‍

The Option That Covers Everything

A ferry eSIM gives you your own data connection that works throughout your entire journey.

Not just on the ship. On deck, in port, docked at Kiel or Larvik or Kristiansand, and across 40+ European countries once you step off. One plan, one installation, seamless transition from ferry to land.

‍

GigSky is the eSIM that works on Color Line ferries, specifically on Color Fantasy, Color Magic, Superspeed I, and Superspeed II. It's personal bandwidth, not shared with hundreds of other passengers.

‍

Your device automatically connects to the strongest available network, whether that's the offshore system while sailing or local networks when you're close to shore.

The data plans are straightforward:

All plans are valid for 15 days after activation.

‍

The pricing stays exactly what you see in the GigSky app. No roaming charges. No surprise fees when you cross between Norway, Denmark, Sweden, or any other European country. 

‍

If you're running low on data, the app notifies you at 80% so you can top up with a tap.

‍

This matters on routes like Kiel-Oslo or Hirtshals-Kristiansand because you're moving between countries and potentially using data both at sea and on land. 

‍

The eSIM handles that transition without you needing to do anything.

What the Onboard Wi-Fi Does

Color Line sells Wi-Fi packages onboard. It runs through a satellite connection that everyone shares.

‍

On the Kiel-Oslo route, Wi-Fi is free if you're in Color Class cabins or Color Suites. Conference guests also get included access. 

‍

Everyone else pays per time block: 70 NOK ($7) for 3 hours, up to 250 NOK ($25) for 42 hours. If you book 24 hours in advance, you get 10% off.

‍

On Hirtshals-Kristiansand and Hirtshals-Larvik, it's 50 NOK ($5) for an hour or 80 NOK ($8) for four hours. Business Class gets it free for the crossing.

‍

The Wi-Fi works. It's available. But it's shared bandwidth over a satellite link that also handles the ship's systems. 

‍

When a few hundred people log on during peak times, speeds drop. Streaming becomes unreliable. Video calls struggle.

‍

For checking messages or light browsing during a short crossing, it's fine. For anything requiring consistent speeds or if you need connectivity beyond the ferry itself, it has limitations.

If You're Using Your Regular Roaming

Your mobile carrier might offer roaming that covers Norway and Denmark. This can work near shore, but most ferries sail far enough from land that you lose signal.

‍

The onboard network is provided by Telenor Maritime, which uses satellite. When your phone connects to that, you're technically roaming on a maritime network.

‍

Your carrier treats this differently than standard European roaming, often with much higher rates.

‍

Some people don't realize they've switched to the ship's network until they see their bill. 

‍

If you're planning to rely on roaming, check what your carrier charges for maritime connections. 

‍

It's rarely the same as your standard roaming rate.

Why the eSIM Works the Way It Does

Here's what makes the ferry eSIM different from the other options.

‍

It's not dependent on shared bandwidth. You're not competing with everyone else onboard for speed. You have your own connection using offshore mobile networks that cover the ferry route.

‍

It doesn't stop working when you dock. The connection transitions smoothly as you move from offshore coverage to land networks. 

‍

You step off the ferry with the same data plan already active in Denmark, Norway, Sweden, or wherever you're headed next.

‍

It's already installed before you board. You're not scrambling to buy and set up Wi-Fi once you're on the ship. You don't need the ferry's Wi-Fi to activate anything because you've handled this beforehand.

‍

Weather doesn't affect it. Distance from shore doesn't affect it. You're using the same offshore mobile infrastructure that cruise ships use, adapted for ferry routes.

Choosing the Right Amount of Data

Most people overestimate how much data they'll use during a crossing.

‍

If you're mainly using WhatsApp, checking emails, occasionally browsing, 500 MB handles a full day. That's messaging, light social media, map checks when you arrive.

‍

If you scroll more actively, watch some videos, or need to join a work call, you're looking at 1-3 GB for 24 hours.

‍

Heavy users who stream video, run hotspots for other devices, or work remotely the entire crossing should start with 5 GB.

‍

The advantage is you can start conservative. If you hit 80% of your data, you get a notification and can add more instantly through the app. You're not locked into buying more than you need upfront.

The Installation Takes 5 Minutes

If you've never used an eSIM before, the idea probably sounds more complicated than it is.

‍

You're not opening your phone or handling physical SIM cards. Everything happens through the app. If you decide you don't like it later, you just delete the eSIM profile and your phone returns to normal.

‍

1. Check that your phone supports eSIMs. Most phones from the last few years do. You can verify at gigsky.com/device-compatibility 
2. Make sure your phone is unlocked. On iPhone: Settings > General > About > "Carrier Lock." If it says "No SIM restrictions," you're set. On Android: Settings > Connections > SIM manager. If you see "Add eSIM," you're good.

‍

Once that's confirmed, the actual setup is quick: Download the GigSky app, search for Color Line, select your ferry and data plan, install the eSIM.

‍

Do this before you board. To install the eSIM, you need internet. If you wait until you're on the ferry, you'll need the ship's Wi-Fi to download and install the eSIM, which defeats the purpose.

‍

Install it a few minutes before boarding and you're connected the moment you step onboard.

‍

One other thing worth knowing: you install the GigSky eSIM once and reuse it for future trips. 

‍

Different ferry line, different country, different cruise, doesn't matter. You just buy a new data plan through the app for wherever you're going next. The installation step happens once.

If You're Traveling with Others

The eSIM works on one device at a time, your phone or tablet.

‍

You can share your connection through hotspot to your laptop or other devices. Just know that hotspot drains your phone battery faster, so keep a charger handy.

‍

If your travel companions need their own data, you can buy plans for them directly through your GigSky account. You choose their device during checkout, they receive a QR code to scan, and the eSIM installs on their phone. You'll get notified when they've used 80% of their data if you want to top them up.

‍

This is simpler than having everyone create separate accounts, especially if you're managing connectivity for family or a group.

What Happens on Your Crossing

You board. Your device connects automatically.

‍

No settings to adjust. No networks to manually select. The eSIM finds the strongest available connection and uses that.

‍

While you're sailing offshore, you're on the offshore mobile network that covers the route. When the ferry approaches port or sails near shore, your device switches to land networks. You don't notice the transition.

‍

Once you disembark and continue your trip through Europe, the same plan keeps working. 40+ countries, same eSIM, same data allowance. You're not buying new connectivity in each country or dealing with border roaming issues.

‍

This matters particularly for routes like Kiel-Oslo where you're crossing between Germany and Norway. Or Hirtshals-Kristiansand between Denmark and Norway. The eSIM treats the entire journey as one continuous connection.

When Each Option Makes Sense

The ferry eSIM works if you want consistent connectivity throughout your trip, both at sea and on land. If you need reliable speeds for work, video calls, or just want to use your devices normally without thinking about dead zones. If you're continuing through Europe after your ferry and don't want to handle connectivity separately for each country.

‍

The onboard Wi-Fi works if you're making a short crossing, only need basic browsing or messaging, and don't need connectivity once you're off the ferry. If you're in a cabin class that includes free Wi-Fi and your usage is light enough that shared bandwidth doesn't matter.

‍

Regular roaming works if your carrier includes maritime coverage at reasonable rates, you've confirmed those rates beforehand, and you're fine with no signal while sailing offshore. This is the least common scenario that actually works out well cost-wise.

The Setup Order That Makes This Easy

Before you leave home: Check if your phone supports eSIM and is unlocked. This takes 30 seconds in your settings.

‍

A few minutes before boarding: Download the GigSky app, search "Color Line," choose your ferry and data plan, install the eSIM.

‍

When you board: Your connection is already active.

‍

During the crossing: Use your phone normally. The eSIM handles the technical switching between networks.

‍

After you disembark: Your data continues working across Europe. Same plan, no additional setup.

‍

That's it. The installation happens once, the connection works continuously, and you're not thinking about Wi-Fi passwords or roaming charges during your trip.

‍

If you want to set this up before your next Color Line crossing, download the GigSky app and search for your ferry line. 

‍

The data plans are there, the pricing is what you see, and the installation takes less time than finding a decent coffee shop near the port.