Googlefi: Stay connected!
One of the biggest challenges of being a crew member on a cruise ship or yacht is staying connected. While onboard, you may have access to free wifi plans, but once you step ashore, the reality changes. Many crew members find themselves relying on hotspots in restaurants and cafés or purchasing local SIM cards, which can be costly and only work in specific regions or countries.
But what if you didn’t have to constantly switch SIM cards for every country your ship visits? And what if you could avoid spending a significant portion of your salary on the expensive onboard network packages?
If your homeport is based in the United States, you can stay connected with your family and friends worldwide by using GoogleFi: a flexible, international mobile service designed to keep you online no matter where your travels take you.
What is Google Fi?
Google Fi Wireless (or just GoogleFi) is one of the latest and most innovative services from tech giant Google. It’s a global SIM card that works in over 200 countries, including remote locations in the Caribbean (Bahamas, we are talking about you!), where most traditional mobile services fail. GoogleFi has different plans with some more affordable than others, but on this article we will only talk about the Unlimited Plus, which has international features.
Tell me about the price:
At first glance, you might think the price isn’t the most budget-friendly option. But by the end of this article, you’ll understand why so many crew members rely on it.
For $65 per month, you get unlimited calls and texts plus 50GB of high-speed data which is enough to stay connected with family, friends, and social media wherever your ship takes you, but not only limited to chat and video: One of the best features of having GoogleFi is the option to download streaming files to keep up to date with current movies and series, and you’re also able to hotspot internet to other another devices that can be yours like a tablet or laptop, or to share internet with friends.
Does it really work everywhere?
Absolutely! Tested and approved for data use, GoogleFi works across all Caribbean islands (say goodbye to the usual coffee shops!), as well as in Mexico, Honduras, Guatemala, Panama, Brazil, Colombia, Chile, Argentina, Uruguay, and virtually everywhere in the Americas.
But it doesn’t stop there, GoogleFi is fully functional across Europe, Asia, Africa, and Oceania. No matter where your ship takes you, you’ll always be able to stay connected to social media, family, and friends.
Well… except when you’re at sea. Because let’s be real: on sea days you’re working so hard that by the time you’re done, you’re passing out in bed instead of checking your phone.
What are the limitations?
While we’ve covered key points like pricing and the fact that GoogleFi doesn’t work at sea, there’s another fine-print restriction worth mentioning: You must connect to a network in the mainland U.S. at least once every three months to keep your service active.
This is because GoogleFi is designed for U.S. travelers, and just like you need to be on land to activate it, you also need to periodically reconnect in the U.S. to maintain your account.
Workarounds to extend your service: If your ship is heading to dry dock in Europe or you’re planning a long vacation, you can pause your GoogleFi plan for up to three months, effectively extending your service for six months before receiving termination warnings. This trick helps crew members avoid losing their number while still enjoying GoogleFi’s global connectivity.
Is there a discount?
While there are no discounts for the individual Googlefi service, you can in fact pay less than 50$ dollars per month (including tax) by creating or joining a group with trusted friends. Up to six people can be part of a group plan and one person might as well be indicated as group administrator, facilitating payments.
Also, if you click on our provided link below, you will get 60$ as credit!
OK, seems fair. How do I sign up?
Want to stay connected anywhere in the world while supporting us? Use our referral link below and receive $60 credit towards your Google Fi account!
How to get started:
1. Click the link above and follow the instructions.
2. Order your SIM card to any U.S. address. This can be your company headquarters or even a local coffee shop that accepts mail for crew members.
3. A small $3 transaction will be charged to your credit card for identity verification. Don’t worry as this amount will be refunded once the SIM is activated! (If you don’t have a valid credit card, we recommend creating an account with Wise)
4. Download the GoogleFi app from the app store you use:
If you have issues buying the simcard activation kit from the website, you may also order it from Amazon.com and the referral link credit bonus will still work.
What's in the box?
You will receive your Google Fi SIM card together with a SIM ejector tool (for easy installation) and step by step instructions (especially useful for iPhone users). If your phone only supports e-Sims, just follow the instructions that are also provided.
Activation is even simpler: Just download the GoogleFi app on your smartphone and follow the prompts. If you’re keeping your current phone number, have your previous mobile service account details handy. Otherwise, just pick a new number.
If your ship doesn’t sail out of the United States, Google Fi may not be the best fit for you. In that case, you might want to explore other global SIM card providers that offer similar coverage or contact travel plans from your home country that provide worldwide data or affordable roaming options. It’s always a good idea to compare plans and choose the one that best suits your travel and connectivity needs!