Travel

[jackthebear]

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@patbz wrote:

Go to your carrier and ask them this question.  I have Verizon and the simple answer is I can't use my phone outside USA.  But with most countries Im fine to email or surf (I use Frontier or Google) but not so in China (you can't reach any Google sites).  When cruising be aware that most ships have really bad (slow) internet and if you have to pay that can get expensive. There are tricks, ask your fellow passengers how they handle this or ask any crew member where the internet cafes they use when they go ashore (or use any Mc Donalds anywhere).  There is a cruise ship phone number you can give those who need to contact you in an emergency (but remember these are ship to shore calls=$$$$$).

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you can use your phone outside the US you need to set it up before you leave,  my daughter did this while in the UK 

 there are also messaging apps that work internationally.  

However from the rest of the thread sounds as though none of those work on a cruise ship unless you want to pay,  

[JeanLouiseFinch]

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@jackthebear wrote:

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@patbz wrote:

Go to your carrier and ask them this question.  I have Verizon and the simple answer is I can't use my phone outside USA.  But with most countries Im fine to email or surf (I use Frontier or Google) but not so in China (you can't reach any Google sites).  When cruising be aware that most ships have really bad (slow) internet and if you have to pay that can get expensive. There are tricks, ask your fellow passengers how they handle this or ask any crew member where the internet cafes they use when they go ashore (or use any Mc Donalds anywhere).  There is a cruise ship phone number you can give those who need to contact you in an emergency (but remember these are ship to shore calls=$$$$$).

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you can use your phone outside the US you need to set it up before you leave,  my daughter did this while in the UK 

 there are also messaging apps that work internationally.  

However from the rest of the thread sounds as though none of those work on a cruise ship unless you want to pay,  

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@jackthebearAnd even if price was no object some cruise ships, like the one I'm going on, can't get the Internet at all in order to use those aps.

[Lipstickdiva]

When my DH and I went on our cruise, we did not subscribe to an international plan.  Besides that fact, as soon as we got out into the open waters, we had no cell phone service at all to make a call.  We also didn't get the data package through the cruise line.  My thought was that I'm on vacation.  I have no desire to be glued to my phone.  We were advised to put our phones on airplane mode so we wouldn't incur any crazy charges.

When we got to Cozumel, Dh called Verizon and asked about setting something up for the day and we were only charged $5.00 per phone for 24 hours of usage in Mexico.  That way I was able to check on my dog, touch base with my sister and text a few photos. 

As an aside, we often visit some local Lake Erie islands over the summer with our boat.  Sometimes our phone switches to international depending on where we are. That happened last summer when I made a call home and didn't realize it.  For that one call, our international plan kicked in and I was charged that same $5.00 fee.  Obviously it's not a staggering amount but the call was literally under 1 minute.       

[Peaches McPhee]

It is not just cruises, it is anyplace outside the US (assuming you live in the US).  Check with your carrier.  When I last left US on vacation, I was able to activate this temporarily, ahead of time.  Not sure what it costs, but it could not have been much, if I don't remember.

[debcakes]

I just got back from the Mediterranean. We had free wifi on the ship. I tried to remember to keep it on airplane mode, but didn't always . We could text each other, there were 4 of us. I did not actually make phone calls or use data. I did do a couple of things that might have used data, but not much. My daughter from the UK could use her phone as usual, so we were covered. I was pleasantly surprised to see that my AT&T bill was only 12$ more than usual. I can live with that. When I go to visit my daughter, I change out the SIM card and just have a British number. It is very easy to do and very inexpensive. 

If you just keep it on airplane mode and use the internet when wifi is available you should be fine. Have a good trip.

[gacat123]

@JeanLouiseFinch  

DH went on Danube River Cruise for 2weeks to escort his Mom.  

He put his Cell phone on Airplane Mode at the Atlanta airport just before getting on plane. He kept his cell phone on Airplane Mode until he landed back at the Atlanta airport.  He did not get any extra excessive charges.   (WE HAVE VERIZON)  

He was able to call me using Face Time  on his I-PAD.  He says both folks need to have an IPAD or I-PHONR  with Face Time  on it.  We just used the voice/audio feature that worked like a phone via his I-PAD to my I-Phone back at the house. 

Sometimes he would call with the IPAD/ Face Time and the call would not go thru or I would hear his voice and he could not hear me.  This varied with the WiFi signals.  

EMAIL worked too so we were able to keep in basic contact communications.  <G> 

DH would check in with me once or twice a day/eve either with a call or email.  The WI-FI signal varied greatly on the river cruise ship. His W-FI fee was included in the cost.  

Good Luck and Do let us know how this all works out on your cruise!   

Keep Calm and Travel On, 

CAT

[JeanLouiseFinch]

I wasn't completely satisfied with the information I was given by the Verizon rep the other day.  I spoke with a different rep today who discussed the Travel Pass with me.  While data/Internet is NOT accessible while on the ship AT ALL, I can use a Travel Pass ($10/day) if we get off the ship and find an Internet cafe or other location with free WI-FI.  I've decided to leave the iPad at home and just use my iPhone for everything.  Once I get to a location in port where I can use my phone for Internet, the $10 will be charged at the time.  I can leave the Travel Pass service on my phone and it will just kick in whenever it's accessed internationally from a location where the service works.  That's better than nothing.

[Happiness Is Inside JOB]

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@carlycat wrote:

I just came home from a week cruise on royal Caribbean, where I paid 12.99 a day for unlimited internet access, including texting. It was well worth it,

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I agree with Carlycat.  I also budget in internet on cruises ESPECIALLY if I'm floating for a few days.  I don't gamble and it can get boring.  I don't go to the spas as to "ME" they just cost to much with the tax/fees.  Two massages can almost be the internet for a 7 day cruise.

I watch movies, play games, go on pintrest, and my husband has even shopped online while on the cruise.

If you are not a big pool person, gambler, bingo, spa lady, it is REALLY WORTH the cost. I talk my kindles.