eSIM Setup & Activation
Which Phones Support eSIM for Cruise
Cruise ship WiFi can run you $16 to $30 a day per device, often for a connection too slow to load Instagram without buffering. Meanwhile, your phone's normal roaming charges at sea can spike into the hundreds of dollars if you're not careful. An eSIM offers a cheaper middle ground: cheap, reliable data the moment you step off the ship in port, without touching your home carrier's roaming rates.
The good news is that most phones from 2020 onward, including recent iPhones, Samsung Galaxy, and Google Pixel models, support eSIM out of the box. But before you count on it for your trip, there are a couple of checks that matter more than your phone's release year, starting with whether your device is actually unlocked.
Which Phones Support eSIM for Cruise? Short Answer
Most phones released in 2020 or later support eSIM, including iPhone XS and newer, Samsung Galaxy S20 and newer, and Google Pixel 3a and newer. The two things that actually determine whether you can use it on a cruise are:
your phone supports eSIM, and
it's carrier-unlocked.
A supported phone that's still locked to your home carrier won't accept an eSIM profile.
How eSIM Actually Works on a Cruise
A cruise eSIM works much like a regular travel eSIM, but it can connect to supported maritime networks while you're at sea. Once installed on your phone and activated, it automatically connects to available supported networks as your ship travels. If the plan also includes land coverage, the same eSIM can keep you connected when the ship arrives in port, without changing SIM cards or buying a new plan for each destination.
Read more: How to Stay Connected on Your Cruise with a Cruise eSIM
What Does "eSIM Compatible" Mean?
An eSIM-compatible phone has built-in technology that allows you to install a mobile data plan digitally.
eSIM compatible phones let you skip physical SIM cards entirely. Instead of inserting a physical SIM card, you can download and activate an eSIM directly on your phone, usually by scanning a QR code or following your provider's installation instructions.
Cruise eSIMs use the same eSIM technology as regular travel eSIMs. The main difference is the coverage. A standard travel eSIM typically connects to local mobile networks on land, while a cruise eSIM can include access to supported maritime networks at sea, as well as mobile networks in supported ports and destinations.
Keep in mind that having an eSIM-compatible phone doesn't automatically mean every eSIM will work with it. Your device may also need to be carrier-unlocked and compatible with the networks used by your cruise eSIM provider.
List of eSIM Compatible Phones
As a general rule of thumb, iPhone XS and later, Samsung Galaxy S20 and later, and Google Pixel 3a and later all support eSIM. Most recent Android flagships support it too.
Checking only takes a moment. On iPhone, go to Settings → Cellular → Add eSIM — if the option appears, you're good to go. On Android, check Settings → Network & Internet (or Connections) → SIMs → Add eSIM.
There's one more step that's just as important as the model check: confirming your phone isn't carrier-locked.
On iPhone, go to Settings → General → About and look for "Carrier Lock" or "No SIM restrictions." On Android, check the SIM manager under your network settings. A supported phone that's still locked to your carrier won't let you add an eSIM, so this is worth checking well before you set sail.
Which iPhones Are eSIM Compatible?
Apple introduced eSIM support with the iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, and iPhone XR in 2018. Most newer iPhones released since then support eSIM, making them compatible with cruise eSIMs as long as the device is unlocked and meets the provider's requirements.
eSIM-compatible iPhones include:
iPhone XR, XS, and XS Max
iPhone 11 series: iPhone 11, 11 Pro, and 11 Pro Max
iPhone SE: 2nd generation and newer
iPhone 12 series: iPhone 12, 12 mini, 12 Pro, and 12 Pro Max
iPhone 13 series: iPhone 13, 13 mini, 13 Pro, and 13 Pro Max
iPhone 14 series
iPhone 15 series
iPhone 16 series
iPhone 17 series
However, eSIM support can vary depending on where your iPhone was purchased. Some models sold in certain countries or regions may have different SIM configurations or may not support eSIM at all.
Samsung Phones That Support eSIM
Common Samsung phones with eSIM support include:
Galaxy S series: many newer flagship models, including selected Galaxy S20 and later generations.
Galaxy Z Fold series: most newer Galaxy Z Fold models support eSIM alongside a physical SIM.
Galaxy Z Flip series: many recent Z Flip generations include eSIM support.
Galaxy Note series: selected Galaxy Note20 and Note20 Ultra versions support eSIM.
Galaxy A series: eSIM is available on selected newer Galaxy A models, although support is less consistent than on Samsung's flagship devices.
Having a Galaxy S, Z, Note, or A phone doesn't automatically mean it supports eSIM.
The same Samsung model can have different eSIM capabilities in different markets or through different carriers.
Google Pixel Phones That Support eSIM
Google has supported eSIM technology since the Pixel 2 generation, although early models had some regional and carrier restrictions.
Most newer Google Pixel phones, including recent standard, Pro, and Fold models, support eSIM and can generally be used with a cruise eSIM when the device is unlocked.
Other Phones That Support eSIM
eSIM support isn't limited to Apple, Samsung, and Google.
A growing number of smartphones from Motorola, Xiaomi, Huawei, Honor, Oppo, and Sony also support eSIM. However, compatibility varies significantly between individual models, regional versions, and carriers.
If you're using one of these brands, it's especially important to check your exact phone model before purchasing a cruise eSIM rather than assuming the entire product range supports eSIM.
Setting Up eSIM Before a Cruise
Buy your cruise eSIM online ahead of time, and you'll receive a QR code by email or in the provider's app. Install it at home over a stable WiFi connection, then set it as your secondary data line, keeping your home SIM as the default for calls.
eSIM activation and installing before you leave matters more than it seems. Ship WiFi is slow and often unreliable exactly when you'd need it to download a QR code, and port WiFi isn't guaranteed either. Sort it out from your couch, and by the time you board, your phone is already ready to pick up a local signal the moment you step off in port.
Read more: How to Buy an eSIM for Cruise (2026)
Do Tablets Support Cruise eSIMs?
Some tablets support eSIM technology, but eSIM support alone doesn't guarantee compatibility with a cruise eSIM.
Tablets with cruise eSIM support include selected models from:
Apple iPad: Selected cellular versions of the iPad, iPad Air, iPad mini, and iPad Pro.
Samsung Galaxy Tab: Selected cellular models support eSIM.
Other brands: Selected tablets from OnePlus, Xiaomi, Honor, Google, and other manufacturers may support eSIM, depending on the specific model and region.
Before purchasing a cruise eSIM for a tablet, check your exact device model and confirm that your eSIM provider supports it.
How to Check Your Phone Before Buying an eSIM for Cruise
Before buying a cruise eSIM, you can quickly check whether your device is compatible using our device compatibility checker.
Simply:
Select your device type: phone or tablet.
Choose the brand.
Select your exact model.
Check whether your device appears on the list of eSIM-compatible devices.
If your model is listed, it supports eSIM technology.
Keep in mind that your device should also be carrier-unlocked, and eSIM availability can sometimes vary depending on the country or region where the device was purchased.
See the eSIM compatibility checker on our website.
What If My Phone Doesn't Support eSIM?
If your phone doesn't support eSIM, you won't be able to install a cruise eSIM directly on that device. However, you still have several ways to get online during your cruise:
Cruise ship Wi-Fi: Most cruise lines offer onboard Wi-Fi packages that work throughout the ship. Prices, speeds, and data limits vary by cruise line and package.
International or maritime roaming: Your regular SIM may connect to local networks in port and maritime cellular networks at sea. Be careful with maritime roaming, as charges can be significantly higher than normal international roaming.
Portable hotspot: A compatible portable hotspot can provide an alternative connection and may allow you to share data with several devices. However, it needs a compatible network connection and won't automatically work at sea.
Wi-Fi in port: When the ship docks, you can use Wi-Fi at hotels, cafés, restaurants, cruise terminals, and other public locations.
Buying a physical travel SIM is another option for staying connected on land, but it generally won't solve the problem of internet access at sea.
Can I Use My Regular SIM and Cruise eSIM at the Same Time?
Yes. Most modern eSIM-compatible phones support Dual SIM, allowing you to keep your regular SIM and cruise eSIM active on the same phone. This means you can keep your usual phone number available for calls and texts while using the cruise eSIM for mobile data.
Your phone's SIM settings usually let you choose which line handles cellular data, calls, and messages. For example, you can select the cruise eSIM as your cellular data line while leaving your regular SIM active for receiving calls or SMS, including verification codes.
However, be careful with your regular SIM while at sea. If it connects to a maritime cellular network, your home carrier may charge expensive roaming fees. To avoid unexpected charges, turn off data roaming for your regular SIM and make sure cellular data switching is disabled so your phone doesn't automatically switch back to your primary SIM for data.
Your cruise eSIM may require data roaming to be turned on, so check the setup instructions for your specific eSIM before sailing.
Featured photo by thiago japyassu from Pexels
