Provider review
GigSky review
GigSky is one of very few travel eSIMs that works at sea. Its cruise plans bundle ship-based satellite-backed connectivity with port coverage in a single purchase, which is why it is our recommendation for anyone sailing rather than flying.
Updated August 2026
- Trustpilot score
- ~4.1 / 5
- Real cruise coverage
- At sea
- Countries and territories
- 190+
Trustpilot score
Real cruise coverage
Countries and territories
The bottom line
Our verdict in short
Verdict
Summary
Pros and cons
Pros
- Genuine at-sea coverage on cruise plans
- Ship and port bundled in one plan
- Top-tier partner networks on land
- 190+ countries and territories
- Long operating track record
Cons
- Land plans are not price leaders
- At-sea speeds suit messaging, not streaming
- Maritime data is consumed quickly by background apps
- App is functional rather than polished
Background
Who is behind GigSky?
GigSky is a US-based mobile data provider that has been in the travel connectivity business far longer than most of the eSIM startups, with device-maker partnerships behind it.
That longevity is why it has agreements in place — including maritime — that newer entrants have not managed to sign.
Cruise
How at-sea coverage actually works
Cruise plans connect through maritime networks while the ship is at sea, then hand over to local carriers when you are in port. It is one purchase covering both states.
It is not fast broadband. Expect messaging, email, maps and light browsing to work well, and video streaming to be unreliable — but it is dramatically cheaper than shipboard Wi-Fi packages.
Performance
Land coverage and network tier
On land, GigSky rides top-tier partner networks across 190+ countries at 4G or 5G. Quality is good; the catalogue and pricing are simply less aggressive than the newer brands.
Installation is a standard QR or in-app flow, with plans available in both small trip sizes and longer regional buckets.
Reputation
Support and user sentiment
Trustpilot hovers around 4.1. Cruise customers rate it highly; land-only customers are more mixed, mostly on price.
The most common complaint is that maritime data allowances disappear faster than expected — background app refresh at sea is the usual culprit.
Pricing
Real plan pricing
| Destination | 1GB | 3GB | 5GB | 10GB |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Europe (regional) | $6 | $14 | $20 | $35 |
| United States | $6 | $14 | $20 | $35 |
| Caribbean | $8 | $18 | $27 | $45 |
| Japan | $7 | $15 | $22 | $38 |
| Cruise (at sea + ports) | $25 | $50 | $70 | — |
| Global | $10 | $25 | $38 | $65 |
Figures come from our own tracked pricing and move over time — treat them as a guide to the price band rather than a quote. Always confirm the current price on the provider's own checkout page before buying.
