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But you're still on vacation to see interesting new places, meet new people and have some fun and relaxation. Endless scrolling on your smartphone is not the way to spend your vacation. Free messaging is particularly helpful on Mega ships that carry five or six thousand passengers. You are unlikely to ever just “bump into” other members of your cruise party once onboard. You will not be able to send or receive messages, connect to the internet or run up a large phone bill.

Do cell phones work on cruises?
Wi-Fi on cruise ships: What you need to know about internet use on board - The Points Guy
Wi-Fi on cruise ships: What you need to know about internet use on board.
Posted: Fri, 02 Feb 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]
Suddenly, you may encounter issues with using your cell phone to call and text, and also with accessing wifi on a cruise – whether by phone, tablet or computer. Particularly if you want to stay in touch without breaking the bank, wasting large amounts of time, or tearing your hair out. The Cruise Critic forums are teeming with threads and discussions among people trying to get the most mileage out of their cell phones on cruise ships. There are valuable ways to use your cell phone on board that don’t cost extra thanks to Princess MedallionClass® – the newest technology at sea.
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The only way to keep in contact with my large family group was to ring the cabin phone and hope they were in there. If your phone is in airplane mode, it can not connect to Wi-Fi or Mobile Data to run up a large phone bill whilst you are at sea. You would be sensible to download the cruise ship’s App before boarding if they have one. Luckily, there is a cheaper way to use your cell phone on the ship — wi-fi. On AT&T’s $60 plan, it includes only 100 minutes of phone calls, and a $1 per minute overage cost. Below, we’ve outlined what you need to know about using your phone to call, text, and browse the web.
Do cell phones work on Royal Caribbean cruise ships?
If you have AT&T you can get 200 international texts for $30 and 300 megs of data for $60. Along with data and text you can get reduced voice plans as well. Depending on your provider you can expect to pay at least .99 per minute.
Challenges of Cell Phone Coverage on Cruise Ships
International plans and service for travel and cruises Featured News Story - Verizon
International plans and service for travel and cruises Featured News Story.
Posted: Tue, 16 Sep 2014 07:00:00 GMT [source]
Only AT&T cruise packages will cover usage aboard cruise ships. You can find a current list of included cruise ships at att.com/cruisehips. In theory, AT&T, Verizon, Sprint and T-Mobile all offer cruise ship coverage.
Without the pass, pay-per-use data rates for both carriers costs more than $2.00/MB on land. We’d recommend accessing the ship’s wi-fi with your phone to use it as you would back home. This gives you the ability to access the internet, send messages, use apps, and even make calls with some plans/cruise lines. Keep a watchful eye on your "airplane mode" setting, ensuring it's always on when you're on board your cruise ship.
In addition, we’ve added some specifics for certain cruise lines. Note the difference between SMS (text only, up to 160 characters long) and MMS (a message that contains media including photos, videos and audio files). Cruise Radio prioritizes well-balanced cruise news coverage and accurate reporting, paired with ship reviews and tips. Choose the best option for you and stay connected while on the road! In this post we show you the top recommended destinations, plans and events.
Verizon Pay as You Go is only available on specific cruise lines. The charge is $2.99/minute for talk and $0.50 for texts sent or received. Verizon does not offer cellular data service on cruise ships while at sea. Guests are free to utilize their cellular data or connect to our onboard Wi-Fi on any ship. But, please be aware that cellular data used on the ship or in certain ports of call will result in charges from your cell phone provider.
How can I chat or text friends and family onboard?
With online access, there are a number of phones and apps — such as WhatsApp — that allow you to send texts and even make calls through your wi-fi connection. Some cell providers also have cruise packages that are designed to work on the ship. By paying a set amount ahead of time, you can get service on the ship without worrying about your bill. When out of range of land-based cell towers, you can still use your phone if needed, but it will be through service provided on the cruise ship. One thing to note, however, is that even if the map above shows service, it could still be spotty.
Most of the major cruise lines now have some type of app that can facilitate digital communication. The cruise line app can keep you apprised of what’s going on aboard the ship at any given moment. It can facilitate registering for the cruise and making reservations for dinner or show. For more explanation of the difference between cellular access and wifi access, check out this explanation from PC Mag. For time in port, Verizon offers TravelPass and your normal plan will be extended for $10 per day per line and works in most Caribbean destinations.
A package purchased for a 12 day cruise would typically be $99.99 for Social, $149.99 for Surf, and $199.99 for Premium. Only turn back on when on shore and if you have a suitable plan. If you do procure a cruise package, your usage on shore may also be included.

We also offer several internet packages with varying price points, so any guest can access Wi-Fi if they need it. This means you can catch up on world news while enjoying a breakfast parfait in the International Café or download audiobooks while lounging poolside. By following these tips, you can stay connected, manage costs, and make the most of your cell phone usage on a cruise ship. Remember to strike a balance between staying connected and enjoying your vacation fully.
Some cruise lines, like Princess Cruises, offer an internet café (remember those?) where you can jump online too. Or check out third-party apps for communicating with friends and family. Video calling services like Skype, VoIP apps like Viber and text messengers like WhatsApp can connect via Wi-Fi without incurring roaming charges (provided you remain in airplane mode).
As you sail into international waters, these expenses can add up, so we recommend that guests turn off their cellular data and connect to the ship’s Wi-Fi instead. Here’s everything to know about using your cell phone on a cruise. The first one is a $15.99 per day per device plan that provides high-speed internet connection to connect online and check your email. The other plan costs $19.99 per day per device that includes all the services from the previous plan plus social media, video calls, movies and more!
Kick back with your laptop and beverage of choice in the privacy of your balcony or any other cozy spot you desire. The exact rates will depend on your carrier and the cell phone plan you have, so you will have to check with your carrier before the cruise. The bottom line is, using your cell phone on a Royal Caribbean ship while roaming can get very expensive, very quickly. You should receive a text from your provider if you are connected to the Maritime Network, outlining the costs of making phone calls and sending and receiving texts. Using your phone to take pictures won't incur any charges, but they won't be backed up to the cloud unless you're connected to Wi-Fi on your ship or in port.
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