For many individuals, setting off on a cruise used to imply taking time away from each the hustle-and-bustle of life and disconnecting from emails, social media, and all the different (good and dangerous) methods the web brings us collectively. Nevertheless, the cruise paradigm has shifted lately. Now, cruise strains count on that lots of their friends will buy web packages, or on the very least have their smartphones in hand to take photographs all through the journey and, sure, use the cruise apps that the strains themselves have developed.
And although the concept of disconnecting remains to be a pretty one, there are numerous advantages that cruise apps can carry. Gone are the times of needing to move right down to the maître d’ or choose up the telephone to make a eating reservation. Now, you’ve gotten that potential proper in your pocket. You don’t want to take a look at a paper each day e-newsletter to view the occasions and actions which might be in retailer, both — that’s on the app. Many cruise strains even provide the flexibility to speak with visitor providers on the app too, irrespective of the place you might be on board.
And the perfect half? You don’t want an web package deal to totally make the most of cruise apps — the strains present them as an included a part of the voyage. Right here’s our information to the perfect cruise apps in 2025, each from cruise strains and different firms.
Your Cruise Line’s App
Earlier than setting sail, the obvious cruise app to obtain is the app your particular cruise line makes. Right here’s a rundown on the options of various cruise strains’ apps.
Carnival HUB app
Carnival Cruise Line’s HUB app is a plethora of knowledge, permitting you to view deck plans, restaurant menus, account info, and port particulars. Within the each day schedule, it can save you occasions and actions you’re considering — then the app sends a notification reminder quarter-hour forward of time so that you don’t miss out. The HUB app additionally means that you can make eating reservations and e-book issues like spa therapies and shore excursions. Need some pizza by the pool? Order some by the app. For those who’re not buying web, you’ll be able to nonetheless purchase entry to a chat operate on the app for $5 per particular person. This characteristic means that you can speak with others on the crusing without having an web package deal.
Superstar Cruises app
The Superstar Cruises app is a useful device earlier than you actually have a cruise scheduled, as you’ll be able to browse itineraries and e-book a crusing proper inside the app. After that, you’ll be able to e-book issues like drink and web packages. You too can verify in on the app for sooner boarding when you arrive to the port. View the each day planner every day and favourite occasions you’re considering so you’ll be able to create your personal personalised schedule. The app additionally means that you can browse restaurant menus, make reservations, view and buy cruise photographs, and go over port info. Bonus: the app has a free chat operate to speak with fellow passengers, and also you don’t want an web package deal to make use of it.
Disney Cruise Line Navigator app
Disney Cruise Line’s Navigator app is likely one of the finest within the enterprise. Previous to setting sail, you need to use the app to make funds in your cruise, change your stateroom, and examine deck plans. You may even start reserving issues like eating, spa therapies, and shore excursions earlier than ever stepping foot on the ship. On the port, check-in is a breeze with the assistance of the app, and it even means that you can register your youngsters to the Oceaneer Membership previous to boarding.
As soon as on board, the app has capabilities together with viewing eating info and restaurant menus, finding character appearances, and viewing the each day schedule. If it’s worthwhile to chat with a crew member, you are able to do so proper by the Navigator app too — whether or not it’s visitor providers, the eating workers, or the shore excursions staff.
Holland America Line Navigator app
An essential companion on your subsequent Holland America cruise, the Navigator app means that you can create a cellular boarding move for embarkation day. You too can use the app to view restaurant menus and make eating reservations, browse and e-book shore excursions, and examine deck plans. When scrolling by the day’s schedule of occasions and actions, you’re capable of favourite any actions you’re considering to create your personal schedule. Plus, the app means that you can chat with fellow passengers on board without having an web package deal. Want a day caffeine increase? You may order espresso proper on the app. Snacks reminiscent of pizza or sandwiches are additionally accessible for cellular ordering — simply head to the deli or pizzeria to select up your meals.
MSC for Me app
Earlier than your MSC cruise even begins, you need to use the MSC for Me app to e-book actions, eating, and providers upfront. Then, verify in on your cruise and use the cellular boarding move to get to all the onboard enjoyable sooner. The app options interactive deck plans for locating your means round, in addition to entry to account info, restaurant menus, the each day schedule, and port info. To maintain up along with your family and friends on board, use the app’s free chat characteristic (no web package deal required!).
Norwegian Cruise Line app
Norwegian Cruise Line just lately debuted a brand new app that changed the previous Cruise Norwegian app. The brand new, redesigned app means that you can view itinerary and port info, in addition to make eating, leisure, and tour reservations. Questioning what’s developing tomorrow? View itinerary info and the each day schedule proper within the palm of your hand. You too can view account info together with purchases and credit, deck plans, restaurant menus. This cruise app is certainly extra user-friendly than its predecessor.
Princess Cruises app
In 2024, Princess Cruises ditched its previous MedallionClass app for the brand new, extra streamlined Princess Cruises app. The brand new app means that you can enter journey documentation and verify in earlier than ever arriving to port, and do issues nicely forward of the cruise like make eating reservations, buy packages, and e-book shore excursions or spa therapies.
As soon as on board, a complete new suite of options unlocks as quickly as you join (free of charge!) to the ship’s wifi community. You may order meals and drinks to wherever you might be on the ship proper from the app, in addition to discover family and friends on board and get navigational directions to their location. The Princess Cruises app additionally contains the each day schedule of occasions and actions, restaurant menus, deck plans, and itinerary and port info. Want to speak with visitor providers? You may chat with them irrespective of the place you might be or the time of day with the CrewCall chat characteristic.
Royal Caribbean app
Earlier than you even start your trip, the Royal Caribbean app is a useful gizmo for each planning and having fun with your crusing. Browse and e-book shore excursions forward of time, and make the most of decrease costs for issues like specialty eating, drink packages, and web plans. When it’s nearly time to set sail, fill out pre-boarding particulars proper on the app and verify in previous to arriving on the terminal — making the precise course of on the terminal a breeze.
As soon as on board, Royal Caribbean’s app has a plethora of options to make the most of together with the each day schedule, restaurant menus, deck plans, and the flexibility to view and buy cruise photographs. You too can view the itinerary and port info, observe your onboard spending in actual time, and examine your loyalty standing tier and membership advantages. This app offers the flexibility to speak with different passengers free of charge as nicely.
Seabourn Supply app
Luxurious cruise line Seabourn’s app is stuffed with options to make use of each earlier than and through your cruise. Get able to board with ease along with your digital boarding move, which it can save you to your telephone’s pockets by the app. As soon as on board, you need to use the app to assessment the each day schedule, peruse restaurant menus and mealtimes, and e-book shore excursions. The app can be your hub for reviewing your shipboard folio and different account info, connecting to the ship’s web, and monitoring when the ship will arrive into and depart from ports.
Viking Voyager app
Whether or not you’re on a Viking ocean, expedition, or river cruise, the Viking Voyager app is a superb device to have all through your journey. The free app means that you can view each day schedules and port info, view restaurant menus and make reservations, e-book shore excursions, and make spa appointments. You may even view port maps and climate forecasts or watch stay TV proper from the app. For those who’re inquisitive about any of the artwork aboard your ship, the app additionally features a self-guided audio tour of the art work assortment on board.
Virgin Voyages app
For those who’re taking a Virgin Voyages cruise, the Virgin Voyages app is a must have. Full check-in in your telephone earlier than you even arrive on the cruise port, then begin reserving eating reservations and shore excursions proper by the app. You too can discover issues just like the each day schedule, deck plans, and account info on the app.
For those who’re feeling hungry, order snacks or meals on to your cabin by the app’s Ship Eats operate, or Shake for Champagne to get a bottle of Moët & Chandon Impérial delivered to wherever you might be on the ship (for a payment!). The Virgin Voyages app additionally has a visitor providers chat operate, which means it’s fast and simple to ask questions and make requests irrespective of the place you might be on board.
Different Helpful Cruise Apps
Moreover, when planning and setting off on a cruise trip, these are another non-cruise line apps which might be certain to turn out to be useful.
ShipMate
Apart out of your cruise line’s personal smartphone app, Shipmate will be the most helpful cruise app to have in your arsenal. This all-in-one device is useful each step of the best way, from viewing ship critiques from previous cruisers and discovering cruise offers to looking ahead to worth drops, exploring deck plans, and getting port info. You may even entry deck digicam feeds, observe ships in (nearly) actual time, be a part of a roll name on your particular crusing, and get excited on your subsequent voyage with a cruise countdown. For those who’re a giant cruise fan, Shipmate positively deserves a spot in your smartphone.
Useful for speaking with household and pals on a cruise it doesn’t matter what telephone (iPhone or Android) they’ve or nation they stay in, WhatsApp is a superb communication device to have. Working primarily as an web texting app, you’ll be able to ship messages, photographs, voice notes, and even voice or video name somebody on WhatsApp with out incurring textual content messaging or mobile charges. You should use it to remain in contact with these again house, or maintain observe of your touring companions on the ship or whereas in port. Bonus: you can also make group conversations in WhatsApp, which is nice for bigger teams of household or pals which may be touring collectively.
For those who make new pals on the cruise from different international locations and need to message them, it’s simple — chances are high they have already got WhatsApp downloaded because it’s highly regarded all over the world. Simply take into account that to apply it to the ship, you’ll need to make use of the ship’s wifi (which, relying on the cruise line, prices additional). For those who’re in overseas port, you’ll have to be on a cellular phone plan that permits for mobile knowledge utilization whereas in that nation.
TripIt
TripIt is a useful device not provided that you’re an avid cruiser, but additionally in the event you’re a traveler normally. This free app means that you can set up your whole journey plans and reservations into one place, creating an ordered, visible itinerary that may embody all the pieces from flights, cruises, automotive leases, and accommodations, to eating reservations, exhibits, and actions. And it doesn’t solely present these issues, it permits you to save particulars like affirmation, flight, prepare, and seat numbers, resort info, addresses, and extra. You may even view neighborhood security scores for all of the locations you’ll be through the journey, sync plans along with your most popular digital calendar, and share your itinerary with others.
For much more options, you’ll be able to improve to TripIt Professional for $49 per yr. The Professional model provides instruments like real-time flight alerts, check-in reminders, country-specific journey info, fare refund monitoring, rewards program monitoring, and passport renewal reminders.
CruiseMapper
CruiseMapper means that you can observe cruise ships all over the world, not solely on the oceans and seas but additionally on rivers and lakes. Questioning the place your favourite ship is at any given time? Simply verify CruiseMapper. At present on a cruise and questioning what that ship passing you far off within the distance is? Pull up CruiseMapper to search out out. It’s neat to open CruiseMapper and see a present map of vessels all over the world. This free app additionally contains ship stats, itinerary schedules, and deck plans.
Maps
Whereas it’s not a cruise app, Google Maps, Apple Maps, or one other favourite maps app can nonetheless be invaluable throughout a cruise trip. Whether or not you want strolling instructions to an amazing restaurant simply off the cruise pier or are renting a automotive to go discover a port vacation spot for the day, it’s essential to have a wayfinder in an unfamiliar place. Simply be sure that in the event you’re in a overseas port, you’ve gotten a cellular phone plan that features worldwide knowledge protection.
Honorable Point out: The Cruise Globe
Whereas The Cruise Globe isn’t an app (but!), we couldn’t full this text with out together with it. This brand-new web site (launched in February 2025) was co-founded by Emma La Teace, a well-liked cruise blogger and YouTuber also referred to as Emma Cruises. Free to make use of, the location means that you can enter your whole previous cruises to create a world map — with actual itinerary routes — of all the cruises you’ve taken. For those who’re acquainted with the aviation app Flighty, which lets you maintain observe of previous and future flights you’ve taken, The Cruise Globe’s visible depiction of previous cruises may be very related.
The Cruise Globe additionally presents stats in your cruise journey, like what number of cruises you’ve taken, what number of strains and ships you’ve sailed, and what number of whole nights you’ve spent at sea. The staff has stated that it’s going to additionally offer a Cruise Globe app sooner or later, so be looking out for it!
Whereas The Cruise Globe is the most recent enterprise, The Cruise Maps offers customized cruise maps, cruise albums, and extra. For those who’d like a memento of your cruise trip, displaying the precise route of your precise cruise, take a look on the web site. You may even use code EATSLEEPCRUISE at checkout for a ten% low cost in your whole order.
Feedback
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