Google Fi on a Cruise Ship: Why I Switched

Thinking of switching to Google Fi? I’ve been using it for 5+ years and traveled to 50+ countries with it. Here’s why I switched and would do it again.

A few years ago I was sitting on a train in China, I was trying to meet up with my friend that was living in Beijing but I had missed my connecting train and was going to be late. I had no cell phone service but somehow the girl I was traveling with did.

This was one of the first times that I really realized that I was behind. My cell phone provider was no longer cutting it. I travel internationally extensively while working and living on a cruise ship. This is why I switched to Google Fi and whether or not Google Fi on a cruise ship makes sense.

Google Fi On a Cruise Ship: Why I Switched

When I first started working on cruise ships and traveling more extensively it was 2011. At this point in time WhatsApp wasn’t around, Facebook Messenger was not much of a thing, and if you wanted to video chat someone you used Skype – most likely through a laptop.

Never mind all those apps on your phone – my first couple contracts I had a flip phone – apps were not a thing.

Plus, my first contracts were in Alaska and Hawaii so there weren’t overly long stretches when I didn’t have cell phone service. I just accepted that out of the US I wouldn’t have cell service and that was alright.

Then, I started noticing that so many of my friends were able to use their cell phones in port – in places like Japan, China, Mexico, and all over the world. I checked with my provider and the best option they had for me was to pay $10 for a day pass to use my phone. It would include data, texting, and phone calls.

Ten dollars a day wouldn’t be so bad if you traveled out of country for a week a year. When you are out of country for nearly half of the year though? Simply not an option.

Most of my friends had T-Mobile. T-Mobile offers plans with international texting and data for nearly every country in the world.

I was planning to switch T-Mobile when two things happened: I had some friends visit me in my home state of Vermont with T-Mobile and their service was atrocious and after doing a bit of research, T-Mobile wouldn’t let me bring my phone number with me. I’ve had this same phone number since I was 17, it may simply be a number but I have grown attached.

Then I Found Google Fi for my International Cell Phone Service Needs

While trying to figure out what to do I found out about Google Fi.

When I first signed up Google Fi went between a few different carrier networks. Now they are just with T-Mobile (which luckily has increased their service in Vermont significantly).

Switching to Google Fi meant that I would have service in the places we go on the ship, but when we are in Scotland (where my husband is from) I will have service!

✅ Click here to get $60 off your first bill when you switch to Google Fi!

How To Best Use Google Fi On a Cruise Ship

Google Fi is a great cell phone plan if you are planning on going on a cruise, travel a lot, or work on a cruise ship.

Having service in port is incredibly helpful and with Google Fi you will have cell phone service in port most places around the world, plus any coastal cruising you’re doing.

While on the ship and outside of normal cell phone range you would want to turn the phone to airplane mode to make sure that it is not charging you the fees through the ships “Cellular At Sea”.

Many cruise lines now include data plans that can be used on your cell phones, other lines have options you can pay for.

Google Fi has the option for Wi-Fi calling though, so if you have purchased a basic internet plan on your ship you will most likely be able to make normal phone calls.

When I first got Google Fi I didn’t realize that Wi-Fi calling wasn’t compatible with all phones. Double check compatibility with your phone before making the switch.

There are many great ways to be able to use Google Fi on a cruise ship and I absolutely recommend this if you are planning on traveling a lot, working on a cruise ship, or are just looking for a more flexible plan.

My Initial Challenges with Google Fi

There were some growing pains with this. I didn’t do enough fine print reading and tried using this service on my old iPhone. With the iPhone at the time it did not include WiFi-Calling (one of the most important features for me), and would not bounce between networks. I believe this has gotten better with time though.

This resulted in a lot of headaches. I wanted to switch back to AT&T. A few days with no service at all and I was frustrated beyond belief. I tried but couldn’t move my phone number back to AT&T for 60 days. I was stuck with this damn phone service that worked great in Mexico but couldn’t send a text message from my house in Vermont.

Frustrated, I did some research. Other people had my problems and when they switched to a Google phone it worked a lot better – even in more remote areas like Vermont that don’t typically have the best cell phone service.

Call it a good plan on Google’s part to make money, but it worked. It was an expensive day for me, but it sort of worked out as my mom dropped her phone in a bucket that same week so she ended up with my old iPhone.

All of my initial frustrations were dealt with by switching to a Google Pixel phone – the phone that was designed to work with this service.

Would I Still Recommend Google Fi on a cruise ship and for international travel?

It’s going well. I’m a bit over 5 years into having Google Fi and overall have loved the service.

It’s nice to be ashore and be able to send a message home. It’s nice to be ashore and be able to WhatsApp, or look up directions to that restaurant, go on social media. To be able to check your email, pay a credit card bill, or an electric bill.

So far the only places Google Fi has not worked that I’ve traveled to is the Cook Islands in the South Pacific and the Falkland Islands off of South America.

Here’s a quick list of countries I have personally used Google Fi:

USA, Canada, Mexico, Nicaragua, Guatemala, Chile, Peru, Panama, French Polynesia, Tonga, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Scotland, England, the Philippines, South Korea, France, the Netherlands, Argentina, Chile, Uruguay, lots of islands in the Caribbean, Italy, Greece, Egypt (not great service in Egypt though), Morocco, Tangiers, Malta, Croatia, Turkey, Spain, Norway, Denmark, Israel, and Portugal.

Google Fi Doesn’t Have Stores

And, while it is going well and I would recommend it for those that travel extensively, there are no brick and mortar stores for it. You order it online, you communicate with their support service either by phone, email, or chat. There’s no person to go to.

Would I Recommend Google Fi for International Cell Phone Service?

Short Answer: Yes, absolutely.

If you travel a lot I would recommend getting a provider that offers some amount of international coverage. For me, with still wanting cell service in Vermont and to keep my Vermont phone number, Google Fi was by far the best option. It is affordable and has multiple plans available.

Additionally, you don’t have to commit to a plan and you are not bound by a contract. You can opt for either an unlimited plan that is $70 a month or a pay-per-gig plan that starts at $20. You can adjust between these on a month to month basis and I have found making those switches based on usage quite easy. The coverage on both plans includes international texting, data, & Wi-Fi Calling. This makes it overall a great choice for me.

My biggest comparison thus far has been with T-Mobile and Three – the UK company that my husband uses. With T-Mobile internationally it is pretty comparable in terms of countries. Google Fi offers unlimited 4G (when available) whereas T-Mobile has unlimited 2G.

Switching is easy and they will send out your new SIM card (and phone if you so choose).

✅ Click here to get $60 off your first bill when you switch to Google Fi!