hi ive just returned from med cruise and i found cheapest way to keep in touch is when you go on land buy a european phone card cost 4 euro,s and use pay phone dial 0044 followed by your number omitting first 0.silple easy and cost low.you can buy these cards from all kiosks in the street that sell sweets newspapers etc

T Mobile charges .38p for calls to uk from the western med and .40p for texts - OR Sim4travel currently has a promotional offer though various websites for the first 10,000 customers. Through this you can either get a £10 credit Sim for £8.49 (usually £15.99) and £20 credit for £15.99 (usually £25.99). Well worth ordering online - in fact , thanks for the question, I will get one myself now as they last 9 months !! Ps. You will be in port all days bar one on the cruise so you do not need to use the ships phones unless there is an emergency.

Try texting. It's cheap and keeps you in touch. Happy cruising.

According to the OV website, mobile phones do not work with their network which means you won't incour the horrendous prices that are normally charged on cruise ships that have this facility. Your phone will work in port of course or most likely when your sailing near the coast.