A seafarer needs three things from a SIM: data when the ship is alongside, a number the agent can call, and a line that still works in the next port. Code eSIM’s Orange plans give you all three: a French mobile number, minutes and SMS, and data in 111 countries for 30 days, from $22.49 for 20 GB on 26 October 2026. If you trade only in Europe, 37 countries with unlimited calls between them start at $15.49.
Buying a local SIM in every port costs time you rarely have ashore, and most travel eSIMs are data only, so the agent, the crewing office or a taxi has no number to call. These plans are Orange France prepaid lines. Two limits come first: like any mobile line they need a land network, so well out at sea you are back on the ship’s Wi-Fi, and they cannot be topped up.
The plans, and what you get on the number
| Plan | Where the data works | Calls and texts on the French number | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20 GB, 30 days | 111 countries | 15 minutes of calls, 50 SMS | $22.49 |
| 50 GB, 30 days | 111 countries | 30 minutes of international calls, 50 SMS | $42.99 |
| 100 GB, 30 days | 111 countries | 60 minutes of international calls, 50 SMS | $56.99 |
| 20 GB, 30 days | 37 European countries | Unlimited calls within the 37, plus 30 international minutes and 200 SMS | $15.49 |
| 200 GB, 30 days | 37 European countries | Unlimited calls within the 37, plus 120 international minutes and 1,000 SMS | $59.99 |
| 500 GB, 90 days | 37 European countries | Unlimited calls within the 37, plus 360 international minutes and 3,000 SMS | $129.99 |
Data on all six exits in France, so websites see a French IP address. Every plan lists hotspot as supported, so you can share with a laptop in your cabin while you are in range.
Ports on the global plan
The global plans cover 111 countries, including the main shipping and crew-change countries: Singapore, China, Hong Kong, South Korea, Japan, Taiwan, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, the Philippines, India, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Egypt, Turkey, Greece, Italy, Spain, the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, the UK, Norway, the USA, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Chile, Peru, South Africa, Morocco and Australia.
Panama, Nigeria, Sri Lanka, Oman and Kenya are not among the 111. The 20 GB plan’s page says the eSIM still works outside the list with less data: 15 GB in 8 more destinations such as Kenya, Oman and Sri Lanka, 10 GB in 16 such as Nigeria, 5 GB in 12 such as Panama, 1 GB in 30 more, and 50 MB anywhere else. The 50 GB and 100 GB plan pages list only the 111 countries, so for regular calls at those ports the 20 GB plan is the one that covers them.
Short-sea and European rotations
If the ship stays in European waters, the Europe plans are cheaper and calls between the 37 countries are unlimited, which helps when you are phoning the agent in the next port from this one. The 37 include the UK, Norway, Iceland and Switzerland. They do not include Turkey, Ukraine or the Balkan countries outside the EU; for Black Sea or Turkish calls, use a global plan.
For a long rotation in Europe, 500 GB for 90 days costs $129.99. To keep it working after day 30, you complete Orange’s identity check through a link it sends to the eSIM by SMS, so do it while you are in port with signal.
Contracts longer than a month
Most contracts run several months; these plans run 30 days, or 90 days for the Europe 500 GB plan. When one ends you buy another, and each plan is a new eSIM with a new French number. In practice:
- Buy the next plan before the current one ends, and install it on Wi-Fi so it is ready in the next port.
- Give the agent and your family the new number when you switch.
- Keep your home SIM in the phone if your messaging apps are tied to your home number; use this eSIM for data and local calls.
- Remaining data is not shown on our site for these plans; your phone’s mobile data counter shows what you have used.
Before you sign on
- Check your phone supports eSIM and is not locked to your carrier: our compatibility list shows the models.
- Install the eSIM at home or on a ship with Wi-Fi, using the QR code or the one-tap install link in the order email. Install and start it within 60 days of purchase.
- When you arrive in range of a covered country, choose the eSIM for mobile data and turn on data roaming for it, or it will not connect. On Android, set the APN to Orange if data does not start.
- The 30 days start from the first data connection in a covered country, not from the day you buy.
All six plans, with live prices, are on our global eSIM with a phone number page. If you only need a European number for a holiday, our guide to Europe eSIMs with a phone number compares those plans.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best SIM for seafarers?
One that covers the countries your ship calls at, gives you a number, and installs before you join. Code eSIM’s Orange global plans cover 111 countries with a French number, minutes and SMS, from $22.49 for 20 GB over 30 days on 26 October 2026; in Europe, 37 countries with unlimited calls cost from $15.49.
Does a travel eSIM work at sea?
Only within range of a land mobile network, near the coast or in port. Out at sea you need the ship’s satellite Wi-Fi.
Does the eSIM come with a phone number?
Yes. Each Orange plan is a French mobile line with its own number. The global 20 GB plan includes 15 minutes of calls and 50 SMS; the Europe plans include unlimited calls between the 37 countries.
Can I keep the same number for my whole contract?
Not across plans. Each plan lasts 30 days, or 90 for Europe 500 GB, cannot be topped up, and a new plan is a new eSIM with a new number.
Does it work in Panama?
Panama is not one of the 111 countries. The 20 GB global plan’s page says it still gives you 5 GB there; the 50 GB and 100 GB plan pages do not list Panama.
Which plan is best for a Europe-only rotation?
A Europe 37 plan: 20 GB for 30 days cost $15.49, and 500 GB for 90 days $129.99, both with unlimited calls between the 37 countries.
Plan terms, countries, minutes, SMS and prices are from our plan pages on 26 October 2026; plan pages are authoritative. We have not tested coverage at sea or in individual ports. Orange is a trademark of Orange SA; Code eSIM is an independent reseller.