Your German number, in every port and on board.
Calls over any data connection, texts to your number in the app, including banking codes (TANs), and a contract that fits your time at sea.
Cruise Connect You knew Cruise Connect?
Cruise Connect is now part of Phonestar. What you used there (German number, app, texts) you now use here – same number, same access, sign-in in the customer portal.
What goes wrong on board
- Satellite Wi-Fi is scarce
- The ship's network has little data, and it is rarely enough for private calls.
- Maritime roaming is expensive
- Calling on board with your normal SIM card puts you on the ship's network, and that costs a lot.
- The bank TAN does not arrive at sea
- Verification texts from your German bank cannot reach a SIM card without signal, and online banking stays locked.
- Hunting for Wi-Fi in port
- Instead of calling home during your break, you look for the next crew Wi-Fi. And at home nobody dares to call, because nobody knows what it costs.
How it works with Phonestar
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Order
Choose your plan, ideally before you go on board, and, if you like, add a data pack for the next port or your home leave. You bring your existing number along later in the portal.
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QR code arrives
We set up your access; the welcome email brings the QR code.
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Call and browse
Scan the QR code with Phonestar Connect, and your number sails with you. You install the eSIM in the app with one tap.
What crew need in particular
- Any data connection will do
- Ship Wi-Fi, port Wi-Fi or mobile data by eSIM when you dock: the app rings on your German number as soon as it is online. How good a call sounds depends on that connection.
- Home calls you at domestic rates
- Your family dials your German number and pays for a domestic call, whichever ocean you are on.
- Cancel monthly
- A contract without a long term fits changing assignments and leave.
- Mobile data in port
- For the country you dock in, book a data eSIM in the same app instead of hunting for a SIM card in port.
What you get
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Calls in the app
Over ship Wi-Fi, port Wi-Fi or data, on your German number.
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Texts and TANs at sea
Bank codes arrive in the app as soon as you are online.
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Mailbox for your shift
Whoever calls while you work leaves a message in the app.
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Mobile data in port
An eSIM for the country where you dock, bought in minutes.
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Add mobile data
For the next port or home leave: buy eSIM data packages individually in the shop or conveniently in the app when you need them. When you dock you are online without looking for Wi-Fi.
What it costs
Start
€19.90
Introductory price €19.90 instead of €24.90, for orders until 30 November 2026. The introductory price applies for 12 months from your order, then €24.90.
One number, one user, reachable worldwide.
- 1 user with the app, up to 3 at the Start price
- 1 German mobile number, new or ported
- SMS and TAN reception in the app
- Voicemail with message and transcript
- Call forwarding and number porting
Start is enough for most crew members: one user, one German mobile number, text and TAN reception and the flat rate to all German networks. The current price and the introductory price are on the price list.
All services and prices in detailFrequently asked questions
Yes, as soon as your phone has a data connection, such as the ship's Wi-Fi. Without a data connection there is no call, and how good it sounds depends on the connection.
Yes. Your Phonestar number is a real German mobile number, not a landline or special-rate number. Texts to that number land in the app wherever you are: codes from banks, payment services, government portals and online accounts, as well as personal messages. Whether a particular service sends texts to your number is up to that service.
Yes, mobile and landline numbers, with no porting fee. For mobile numbers we file one application per number; ideally start the transfer while you are still ashore.
Phonestar can be cancelled monthly: you pay one month in advance and cancel at the end of the current calendar month. Your number belongs to your contract — if you want to keep it, keep the contract running.
An ordinary call to a German mobile number. Where you happen to be makes no difference to the caller.
No. The app calls over any data connection, including ship and port Wi-Fi. The eSIM is convenient if you want to be online as soon as you dock, without looking for Wi-Fi.
Your number sails with you
Order your plan, ideally before your next assignment. The welcome email brings the QR code and your access details.
Formerly Cruise Connect, now Phonestar: same number, sign-in in the customer portal.