Preparing your phone for a cruise is critical! Especially, if you do not plan on buying the cruise WiFi plan. We’ve been on several cruises, but this will be our kids second cruise ever. Last time my kids complained that nothing on their phones worked, and they had nothing to do. This has been thinking about the apps that will or won’t work while we cruise. I’ve discovered a few that I love, and a few new ones that I’m definitely going to try next week on our 8-night Caribbean cruise. Be sure to subscribe to our emails to get my up-to-date thoughts on the newest WiFi-free apps!
Sign Up for our Emails!
When you’re on a cruise ship and don’t have access to reliable Wi-Fi, it’s helpful to have apps that can function without an internet connection.
Apps that Work without the Cruise WiFi
Maps.me
This offline map app provides detailed maps that can be accessed without an internet connection, allowing you to navigate ports of call and explore new destinations without the need for the internet or cell signal. The app boasts a 4.7 star rating on Apple’s App Store with over 50,000 reviews.
Google Translate
Google Translate is the #1 translation app in the Apple App Store with a 4.4-star rating and over 72,000 reviews. The app works with 133 languages and not only allows you to translate spoken words and text but offers “Instant Camera” translation – just by pointed your camera at text!
Download language packs in advance, and you can use Google Translate to communicate with locals even without Wi-Fi. This can be super helpful if traveling abroad.
Spotify
The Apple App Store’s most popular streaming app allows for offline listening. If you have a Premium subscription you can download your favorite playlists, albums, and podcasts for listening on the go, making it a fantastic entertainment app while onboard.
Your Favorite Streaming Service (Netflix, Hulu, Paramount, Disney+, etc)
Cruise ship TV leaves a lot to be desired. Your favorite streaming service likely offers the option to download movies and TV shows to your device, so you can enjoy them offline during your cruise. Download shows for your kids for nap time or bed time or just to keep them occupied.
Grab a compatible HDMI cable to connect your phone or iPad or other tablet to the in-room TV for an even better viewing experience.
- HDMI-to-Lightning Cable (iPhone to TV connection) – $18.99 (Currently offering a 5% off coupon!)
- Or get an adapter that plugs into the lightning port and then allows you to connect any HDMI cable you already own. Find it on Amazon for $19.99 (Currently offering 10% off coupon)
- HDMI-to-USB-C (newer iPad or Andriod phone to TV connection) – $12.09
- HDMI-to-HDMI (some laptops to TV connection) – $6.68
Duolingo
Learning a new language is always fun. At least for me. I’m not here to pitch you on DuoLingo, but the app does make it easy with bite-size lessons and natural language learning structure. Use some of the relaxing time onboard the ship to brush up on your Spanish, or French, or Klingon.
Duolingo allows you to download language courses, so you can continue your lessons even if offline. Just make sure you do your lessons or else you’ll get those passive-aggressive notifications from the Duolingo Owl!
Amazon Kindle
If you’re a bookworm like my wife, the Kindle app lets you download and read e-books on your device without needing an internet connection. Kelsi loves sitting by the pool or finding a quite corner to relax and do some reading. She will download a handful of complete books, or just several book “samples” to start reading. Then when we get to a spot with WiFi, if she’s liking the free sample, she’ll purchase the entire book.
Heads Up!
This fun and interactive party game is perfect for group activities on the ship. We have played this while waiting in lines, but you never know when it may come in handy. Some of the categories can be challenging but the app does allow you to create custom categories with your own answers. At Disney one year we spent time before our trip creating several Disney-related categories related to our kids favorite shows and movies. They had so much more fun when they could beat records!
Camera+
Enhance your photography skills with Camera+, an excellent camera app that provides advanced editing features. Capture beautiful moments then edit your photos offline.
Or if you’re an Adobe user, check out Lightroom Mobile and Photoshop Express. These are two of Kelsi’s favorites for editing her photos and both allow you to work offline. Note: You will have to download some of the presets or functionality (especially in Photoshop Express) while on WiFi or over cellular connection beforehand.
Offline Games
Many popular games offer offline modes, Check the app store for offline-compatible games that suit your preferences there are a lot of options out there.
Bonus: Bridgefy
While doing some research for this article I came across an app called Bridgefy – a messaging app that uses bluetooth technology to transmit messages. It only works in limited distances but I think would be great for use to communicate with others on the ship. If you need to text someone that is more than 100 m. / 330 ft. away, your message hops on other Bridgefy users’ phones until it reaches its destination! I plan to have my teens download the app before we board and test it out! I will be sure to report back on how we like it!
Sign up for our emails and get my final review of the Bridgefy App right in your inbox!
Looking for Other Great Cruise Tips?
- Should I Buy the Cruise Drink Package? Maybe. Maybe Not.
- Are Cruise Ships All-inclusive?
- Stop Doing these 8 Things on Cruises
Need more app ideas? Check out our list of must-have apps for Walt Disney World.
