Top 3 seafarer SIM cards (and how to top them up)

Being a seafarer can be lonely. Life on a ship might seem alluring. From time to time it definitely is. After all, you do get to travel for your work. Lots of seafarers love their job. But life on the high seas can be monotonous and boring. Being away from family and friends for months on end doesn’t help.

One great way to deal with the boredom is a mobile phone. But getting reception in the middle of an ocean can be tricky. And roaming costs can be ridiculously high.

There are a couple of options for you if you’re a seafarer looking for the right SIM to choose.

How to choose the right seafarer SIM

Like always, choosing the right SIM for you depends on what you want to use it for.

As a seafarer you see the same faces for months, or maybe even years. You don’t just want to talk to friends and family, you’ll want to see them too. Some ships have Wi-Fi. But for those who don’t, a SIM card with internet access is a necessity. That way you can video chat with friends and family and feel a little closer to them.

Companies offer all sorts of different deals. Depending on where and when you need internet and mobile coverage. Finding the perfect one for you often depends on what it is you’re looking for exactly.

There are thwo main ways you can go about buying SIMs as a seafarer. You can buy a new SIM card at each port, or get a single prepaid SIM card that you can use relatively cheaply anywhere you go.

Simply put, buying a new SIM card every time you dock is cheaper, but more of a hassle. Getting a dedicated international SIM is far more convenient. But no SIM card is without roaming costs, so this option can be more expensive.

Buying a new SIM at every dock

One very straightforward option is to buy a new prepaid SIM card every time you come to a new port. You can then use your SIM card to call home until you sail off for your next destination. And in the meantime, if your ship has Wi-Fi you can still use a lot of the functions of your smartphone.

The downside is that international roaming is often extremely expensive. So if you do want to call friends and family with your SIM card outside the country where you bought it, you’ll burn through your call credit in no time. And if your ship doesn’t have Wi-Fi it becomes very hard and expensive to use your phone at all.

Besides, buying a new prepaid SIM means you change phone numbers every time you come to a new port. That can be very inconvenient.

Easy top up for many SIMs worldwide

If buying a new SIM card at every port is still your preferred option, at least we have some good news for you! You no longer need to buy physical cards to top up your prepaid SIM card. If you have a prepaid SIM card you can top it up wherever you are via Recharge.com. That way you’ll always stay connected.

If you have a smartphone it becomes even easier. Download the Recharge.com app (available for iOS and Android) and top up your prepaid SIM in a matter of seconds.

The 3 best SIMs for Seafarers

Maybe you don’t want the hassle of buying a new prepaid SIM card every time you come to a new port. Maybe your ship doesn’t have Wi-Fi. There are more than enough reasons to get a dedicated SIM card.

You have a couple of options to choose from. So let’s run through the 3 SIM cards we think are best for seafarers like you.

• Three UK SIM card

Three is one of the largest providers in the UK and Ireland. But that’s not why it makes this list. Three offers mobile & internet coverage in approximately 71 countries without incurring additional roaming charges. So you can travel between any of these 71 countries and use your phone just as you’re used to.

You can also use your Three prepaid SIM card outside of those countries. But in that case you do have to pay additional roaming charges.

How do you top up your Three prepaid SIM card? That’s simple. Just visit our Three call credit page. Select the amount you need and pay with your preferred payment method. Your call credit and data will be sent automatically to your phone.

• iVitta SIM card

iVitta is a SIM card especially developed for seafarers. You can easily buy an iVitta SIM on their website or in a large number of seafarer centers in ports around the world.

With an iVitta SIM card you can call, text and use the internet from over hundreds of countries. So you’ll easily evade expensive roaming charges.

Topping up your iVitta SIM is easy too and can be done from anywhere through their app.

• One SIM card

One SIM card is an international SIM card. Similar to iVitta it’s made especially for those who travel across the world. It offers services in more than 190 countries without roaming charges.
Incoming calls are free in over 150 countries. Messaging is even free across the globe. You can order your One SIM card online and top it up from their website as well.