Cruise App Guide

Major cruise line apps

• Royal Caribbean App — best app overall. Boarding pass, dining, shows, deck plans.
• Carnival HUB — same idea. Free chat between family on board ($5/cruise).
• Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) — itinerary, dining, shows.
• Princess MedallionClass — wear a "medallion" — door unlocks, drinks delivered to wherever you are.
• Holland America Navigator — itinerary, shows.
• Celebrity Cruises — same features as Royal Caribbean (same parent company).

Why download BEFORE you sail

• Onboard wifi is slow and expensive — downloads take forever.
• You need the app for boarding pass at port (most lines).
• Pre-book dining and shows — best slots fill before sailing.
• Some lines fine you $5-25 if you don't complete app check-in.

Free chat between family

Most cruise apps include chat that works on the ship's wifi WITHOUT needing internet package:

• Royal Caribbean — free in app.
• Carnival — $5/person/cruise.
• NCL — free in app.
• Princess — free with Medallion.

Saves $100+ on internet packages just to text family. Connect via app on day 1.

Phone settings before boarding

1. Turn ON Airplane Mode.
2. Turn wifi BACK ON (still works on ship).
3. This avoids cellular roaming charges (often $10/MB at sea).
4. Use ship wifi (or Starlink, increasingly common) for messaging.
5. OR buy ship internet package ($10-25/day for streaming).

Tips for first-time cruisers (60+)

• Pre-book 2 specialty restaurants on day 1 — best windows fill fast.
• Download deck plans before sailing — confusing ships are confusing.
• Get medallion / cruise card at port — keys to room, ID, charge card.
• Bring power strip (most rooms have 1-2 outlets).
• Keep printed copy of passport in safe.
• Buy travel insurance for cruises (see /tools/travel-insurance-reality).