For seafarers, Saily is a port and shore-leave eSIM: its regular plans use land networks, so they work in port and near the coast. The Global plan covers 121 countries, and its larger sizes last up to 365 days.
The catch: regular Saily plans don’t work in open water, and its Cruise plans only cover selected cruise lines.
Crew life means a new country every few days and little time ashore. A travel eSIM saves you the hunt for a SIM shop at every port, as long as you know where it works and where it doesn’t.
Where Saily works for crew
- In port and on shore leave: yes, on local mobile networks in Saily’s destinations.
- Near the coast: where a land signal reaches the ship.
- In open water: not on a regular plan. Land networks are out of range at sea.
Saily also sells Cruise plans that use maritime networks, but they work only on selected cruise lines. If you work on a cruise ship, check the Cruise section in the Saily app to see if your line is listed. Our cruise ship eSIM guide explains how those plans connect.
The Global plan for long contracts
A port-hopping schedule fits the Global plan, which covers 121 destinations with one eSIM. Its bigger sizes have long validity, so unused data isn’t lost between ports.
| Data | Valid for | Price |
|---|---|---|
| 1 GB | 7 days | $8.99 |
| 2 GB | 15 days | $16.49 |
| 5 GB | 60 days | $33.99 |
| 10 GB | 180 days | $56.99 |
| 20 GB Best value | 365 days | $66.99 |
| 50 GB | 365 days | $129.99 |
Data is one total for the whole validity period, not a daily amount. Whatever is left when the period ends expires. If your route stays in one region, a regional plan can cost less: Europe covers 35 countries and Asia and Oceania covers 22, both from $4.99.
Keep one eSIM, add data per voyage
You don’t need a new eSIM for every port. Add data to the eSIM you already have from the app, or turn on auto top-up so a new plan starts when you run out. You get a push notification each time an auto top-up succeeds or fails. You can also buy a plan up to 180 days before you need it. See how to recharge a Saily eSIM and Saily auto top-up explained.
Calling home from port
WhatsApp works on Saily data, since it only needs your number for the first verification. For real calls and texts, Saily sells an optional US phone number. Paired with a Global plan, it lets you call from any supported country, but it covers local calls only, not international ones.
Settings to check before you sign on
- Install the Saily eSIM on Wi-Fi before you join the ship.
- Turn on data roaming for the Saily line.
- Switch off your home SIM’s data and mobile data switching so it can’t roam at sea.
Check the Saily eSIM is switched on and set for mobile data. On Android, if the APN is missing, open the Saily app and keep it open for up to 5 minutes.
- Works in ports across 121 countries on one plan
- Up to 365-day validity
- Top up from the app at any port
- 24/7 chat in the app
- No coverage in open water on regular plans
- Cruise plans only for selected cruise lines
FAQ
Does Saily work at sea?
Regular plans don’t. They use land networks, so they work in port and near the coast. Saily’s Cruise plans work at sea, but only on selected cruise lines.
Which Saily plan is best for a long contract?
The Global plan’s 20 GB (365 days, $66.99) or 50 GB (365 days, $129.99) sizes last the longest, checked on saily.com on 24 Oct 2026.
Can I top up while I’m away?
Yes, from the Saily app whenever you have a connection, or set up auto top-up before you leave.
Global plan from $8.99 for 1 GB, checked on saily.com on 24 Oct 2026.