Rcac

2 hours ago, Badfinger said:

Sometimes kids need a vacation from their parents too!

Thanks for the input, but I know my 1 and 2 year old will miss hearing their mommy.

Verizon has a Travel Pass add on for international travel which you can use in port. Basically, for a $10/24 hour fee (or only $5 in Mexico), your service is activated under your existing Verizon plan. https://www.verizonwireless.com/solutions-and-services/international-travel/. You sign up for the program on-line. It is only activated when/if you turn off airplane mode in port.

 

We have used it in Bermuda and Mexico. I received unlimited text and talk, and the data was subtracted from my monthly allowance. I was able to use gps maps and data to navigate a boat we rented in Bermuda. I turned on my Hotspot, and the whole family was able to use their phones to check in with social media.

 

The Travel Pass service is not available on the ship, but you can save longer phone calls for port days.

This sounds like my best bet! Thank you for the info. I am a version customer

If you have the internet package you can make free calls using the google hangout dialer app.

 

Also, some phones have wifi calling built in. You can call people using wifi calling and you wont be charged roaming fees. Just make sure your phone is in airplane mode before making the call.

I have read that the cruise ships don't support wifi calling? I take it this isn't always true?

I am looking for the best alternative to cell phone service. We will be cruising with Carnival this December. My kiddos will be left back home with grandparents. I want to still have contact with them back home. It doesn't HAVE to be video chatting, but I would at least like to be able to either call them or do some sort of voice chat. I have looked into the WiFi packages, but 14 something a day seems very high. I don't need access to anything else other than some way to voice chat with my kids...We have Verizon, but they have informed me that Carnival and them have a "deal" where we won't get cell service on the ship, even if we did some form of international plan or rate...