What to Expect on a Cruise: Using a Cell Phone

Table Of Content

• Can I Use My Apps on a Cruise Without Being Charged Extra?
• Royal Caribbean Blog is your ultimate source for Royal Caribbean coverage.
• List of Carnival Cruise Ships Newest to Oldest
• Explore AllCRUISES FROM FLORIDA
• Know Your Phone
• Verizon
• Shipboard Health and Safety
• Convenient Port Canaveral “Park & Cruise” Hotels

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. However you decide to stay connected while at sea, make sure you know exactly what you are being charged so you don’t rack up a huge cell phone bill. These cruise package plans will be activated once your cruise ship is away from shore and will display as “Cellular at Sea, wmsatsea, , or NOR-18” once you are connected. Below is the basic breakdown comparison for using these cell phone providers on board a cruise ship. Make sure you understand the details of your roaming plan (roaming data, voice and text messaging) to avoid any unpleasant surprises in port.

Can I Use My Apps on a Cruise Without Being Charged Extra?

San Francisco's self-driving car wars intensify after Cruise meltdown - San Francisco Chronicle

San Francisco's self-driving car wars intensify after Cruise meltdown.

Posted: Mon, 14 Aug 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]

It may be that for a one-time monthly fee of only $5-10, you are able to use your phone in a Canadian port when you visit. Service in CanadaIn addition, pretty much every cruise from Seattle to Alaska makes at least one stop in Canada. If you are in a Canadian port such as Vancouver or Victoria, then you will be connecting to Canadian cell towers and should have plenty of coverage as these are major cities. Royal Caribbean offers a WiFi internet access on its ships, known as Voom, which allows you to browse the internet. Airplane mode disables the phone's ability to communicate with cell phone towers and will ensure you can use your phone without incurring charges.

Royal Caribbean Blog is your ultimate source for Royal Caribbean coverage.

Traveling outside of the ports will likely cause you to drop signal quickly, especially if taking an excursion to the wilderness. Even the Essentials plan has unlimited data and texting with data speeds up to 128kbps in Mexico and Canada. Calls, texts, and data are transmitted over satellite from ship to land.

List of Carnival Cruise Ships Newest to Oldest

There are two simple ways to avoid the roaming costs that your cell phone provider may levy on you for using your phone while onboard. Cruise lines are becoming more responsive to passengers' demand to keep in touch with travel companions and loved ones at home. Many cruise lines are offering messaging apps and services to allow for easy communication with fellow passengers on a cruise. For a more detailed look at options for data access on a cruise ship, read our article on onboard Internet plans. A - Onboard cellular services are available only in international waters (12 nautical miles or more away from shore). The service will automatically shut down when entering a port or getting close to shore.

Explore AllCRUISES FROM FLORIDA

Royal Caribbean's app currently only offers a free guest-to-guest chat feature on Harmony of the Seas and Allure of the Seas. The plan is to roll this feature out to the rest of the fleet soon, but there is no schedule for that yet. Alternatively, if you would prefer to keep use of your phone in an offline mode, put the phone into "airplane mode". Q - Will closing my internet browser or device end my internet session? A - No, you will always have to ensure that the LOG OUT button is clicked, or that you visit loginnow.com in the browser's address bar to end your internet session. If you are using your laptop, please ensure that your pop-up blocker is disabled to allow the "Logout/Time Remaining" window to appear and log out from there.

Know Your Phone

Passengers should weigh the costs and value of staying connected and make an informed decision based on their individual needs and priorities. Some cruise lines offer discounts or perks to frequent cruisers or members of loyalty programs. These may include discounts on cell service or free minutes or data usage. Overall, it is possible to stay connected while on a cruise ship, but it is important to be aware of the potential costs and limitations. By taking the time to research your options and plan ahead, you can stay connected without breaking the bank.

Verizon

As your cruise traverses between oceans and ports, the ship's antennae have to reestablish their connections with the transmission satellites. Ships in mountainous or remote locales might experience weaker or blocked satellite signals. You'll also be sharing the ship's network with other cruisers, so anticipate some congestion during peak hours and on sea days when everyone is on the ship. Make a point to log in during off hours or on port days when the network is less busy; you'll get a faster connection.

Today’s cruise ships all come equipped with wi-fi, but there is a charge for passengers to use it. For example, Carnival offers three levels of service — Social (~$15 per day), Value (~$20 per day), and Premium (~$21 per day) — which all offer different speeds and access. For example, AT&T offers a couple of cruise ship packages, starting at $50 for a package of minutes and texting. Not to mention unforgettable opportunities to soak up the sunshine and unwind, like a sprawling freshwater lagoon, a beach dedicated just to relaxation, and the first Floating Cabanas in The Bahamas.

Convenient Port Canaveral “Park & Cruise” Hotels

Start browsing itineraries departing from all the major Florida cruise ports and pick an adventure that will satisfy your wanderlust. No matter which port you choose to sail from and what destinations you visit, get ready to make plenty of incredible memories on your next Florida cruise. Bon bini (that means “welcome”) to Aruba, where Dutch heritage meshes seamlessly with laid-back Caribbean vibes. Though this tiny island measures only 20 miles in length, it’s full of amazing sights and experiences for every kind of vacationer. If you’re someone who loves outdoor adventure, make sure you choose a Florida cruise that stops in Aruba — there are plenty that sail from Florida cruise ports including Miami, Tampa and Fort Lauderdale. Getting around is easy too — just look for the free trolleys that chug along from the port to the downtown area and back.

If you forget, you won't be charged for incoming calls you don't accept, but some service providers will charge for unread text messages that arrive while your phone is roaming. This pass includes unlimited talk and text and the data plan that you have at home. If you do not have an unlimited data plan, you will be charged $10 per GB of data used. Verizon also offers a cruise package that includes 250 minutes of talk, 1000 text messages, and 100MB of data for $30. AT&T offers an International Day Pass for $10 per day per device. AT&T also offers a cruise package that includes 50 minutes of talk, 100 text messages, and 200MB of data for $50.

The WMSatSea mobile network is accessible by most mobile phones, supporting both GSM and CDMA technologies. You must have service with one of the nearly 400 carriers worldwide that have a roaming agreement with WMS. Some prepaid phone plans by some carriers are not currently supported. Please check with your mobile telephone service provider for details. International roaming charges will be conveniently billed to you by your home mobile carrier. Please contact your mobile carrier for specific rate information.

Most carriers offer special cruise packages you can use while sailing. The charges incurred will appear on your regular cellular bill you receive at home. For more information on exact pricing contact your carrier or visit their webpage. Most cruise lines offer cell phone service, but it can be pricey. Passengers should check with their carrier to see if they offer an international cell phone plan that includes coverage on the cruise ship.

You won't pay extra for using any app that does not require data or is not connected to the internet. Apps such as games, food diaries and music or video players that have content already downloaded onto the phone can be used while your phone is in airplane mode without racking up any charges. You also can use your phone as an alarm clock, but you'll have to manually set the time if the time onboard changes.

Embrace a fun-filled escape in Orlando while you savor a variety of culinary delights among a collection of waterside cafes, world-class restaurants and quick-service counters. Experience Great Stirrup Cay, our idyllic private island in the Bahamas, when you cruise from Florida with Norwegian. Unwind on white-sand beaches and enjoy the many ways to explore paradise. Snorkel with sea turtles, kayak along a peaceful coastline, or soar high into the sky on a zipline. Relax and recharge at our various dining venues and bars, including Abaco Taco and Patron Bar.

Most cruise ships offer Wi-Fi access, which means you can stay connected with your loved ones on Facebook, Instagram, and other social media platforms. However, it is important to note that the cost of Wi-Fi can be quite high on some ships, so it is important to check the pricing before you log on. Norwegian Cruise Line offers cellular service through its provider, Wireless Maritime Services. Passengers can use their cell phones to make calls, send texts, and access data while at sea. The cost of using this service is typically quite high, and passengers should check with their carrier to see if international roaming is included in their plan.

Cruise ships have come a long way in terms of internet and Wi-Fi availability in recent years. Most major cruise lines now offer internet and Wi-Fi services onboard their ships, although the quality and cost of these services can vary widely. Data use onboard a cruise ship is ridiculously expensive, especially because it tends to add up quickly. Always remember to put your phone in airplane mode or turn off data roaming before you head out to sea and don't want to be smacked with a hefty bill upon returning home. The cruise line offers VOOM internet access across its fleet, which is touted as one of the fastest wi-fi services of any major cruise line. With it, you can hook up your phone to wi-fi and make calls (via wi-fi), text, use apps, and browse the web.