Most economical way to keep in touch while onboard

hi

What would be the cheapest way to keep in touch with family onboard if we go off and do our own thing.

hi

 

What would be the cheapest way to keep in touch with family onboard if we go off and do our own thing.

The cheapest way would be to leave messages on the stateroom phone or on a white board on the stateroom door.

If you are wanting to know the least expensive way to keep in touch using a phone, then how many texts per day do you anticipate needing to send?

I am going with my Dad and he'll probably spend most of his time in the casino so I'd feel more comfortable if he could reach me whenever he needed

I am going with my Dad and he'll probably spend most of his time in the casino so I'd feel more comfortable if he could reach me whenever he needed

Does this mean you want to use phones and you will be texting? Or will you be making voice calls?

Texting primarily voice calls if emergency

Texting primarily voice calls if emergency

If you are on Verizon or AT&T, you can use the ship's cell tower and be charged by your cell carrier. Texting would be $0.50 per text sent. Voice calls would be $2.49 per minute.

If you are on Verizon or AT&T, you can use the ship's cell tower and be charged by your cell carrier. Texting would be $0.50 per text sent. Voice calls would be $2.49 per minute.

Thank You

Whiteboards and notes in the room is another idea.

hi

 

What would be the cheapest way to keep in touch with family onboard if we go off and do our own thing.

If you are on Verizon or AT&T, you can use the ship's cell tower and be charged by your cell carrier. Texting would be $0.50 per text sent. Voice calls would be $2.49 per minute.

We have Verizon. If I text my hubby, using the ship's cell tower, who charges the 50-cent text? Do I have to buy any kind of package deal?

We have Verizon. If I text my hubby, using the ship's cell tower, who charges the 50-cent text? Do I have to buy any kind of package deal?

Verizon charges you, no ship or cell provider package needed.

We have Verizon. If I text my hubby, using the ship's cell tower, who charges the 50-cent text? Do I have to buy any kind of package deal?

You would each by charged by Verizon, 50 cents to send and 5 cents to receive. Verizon does not have packages that include cruise ships anymore. They also do not have any data access on cruise ships anymore. It costs $2.99/min to make a call with Verizon while on a cruise ship.

Hi - what about the Royal iQ? It costs 7.95 for each person per cruise. How have people found this to work? http://www.royalcaribbean.com/royaliq

Hi - what about the Royal iQ? It costs 7.95 for each person per cruise. How have people found this to work? http://www.royalcaribbean.com/royaliq

Only works on Quantum class ships and Harmony. People report texting works OK, however I seem to recall some sort of notification issue.

Talking to the others in your party works just great! Simply tell each other your plans...and you don't need to "touch base" every few minutes! If you are going ashore, tell them at dinner the night prior...and do your thing! They can do theirs..and you'll meet up at dinner the next night!

walkie talkies?

walkie talkies?

We've not had good luck with walkie talkies on a ship. Once we are separated by a few decks, communuication is difficult if not impossible.

Verizon charges you, no ship or cell provider package needed.

In my settings, do I just turn off the wifi and cell data and keep the iMessage on? Sorry, not real savvy with this. I don't want to set the phone wrong and get a huge bill from RCCL or Verizon. Just sounds too good to be true.

Thanks Bob for being so helpful.

:D

In my settings, do I just turn off the wifi and cell data and keep the iMessage on? Sorry, not real savvy with this. I don't want to set the phone wrong and get a huge bill from RCCL or Verizon. Just sounds too good to be true.

 

Thanks Bob for being so helpful.

 

:D

Yes, turn off WiFi and cell data. Also, iMessage will not work without data, so you will be sending and receiving regular SMS (simple text, no photos, no video, no group) messages. You won't get a bill from RC.

Yes, turn off WiFi and cell data. Also, iMessage will not work without data, so you will be sending and receiving regular SMS (simple text, no photos, no video, no group) messages. You won't get a bill from RC.

Thank you so much! We don't plan on texting all the time. Only if we get separated and can't find each other after agreeing to meet somewhere.

Have a good evening.

Thank you so much! We don't plan on texting all the time. Only if we get separated and can't find each other after agreeing to meet somewhere.

 

Have a good evening.

You're welcome and good evening to you too.:)

Wow, I had no idea there was cell service on ships. Sounds dangerous with those extremely high fees. Does it at least tell you you're roaming?

I have T-Mobile anyways (free text and data internationally) so it doesn't affect me, but that would suck to get a surprise bill!

Wow, I had no idea there was cell service on ships. Sounds dangerous with those extremely high fees. Does it at least tell you you're roaming?

 

I have T-Mobile anyways (free text and data internationally) so it doesn't affect me, but that would suck to get a surprise bill!

I have AT&T and I get a text message when I connect to the ship's cell tower explaining the charges.

I would be surprised if your T-Mobile international data works while at sea.

If/when we all have internet, we use Facebook messenger to communicate. That way we can all stay in "airplane mode" and not worry about getting blindsided by a huge phone bill. Without internet, magnetic white boards work well. I've also picked up a notepad at the dollar store that was shaped like a "do not disturb" sign and hangs on the door.

Wow, I had no idea there was cell service on ships. Sounds dangerous with those extremely high fees. Does it at least tell you you're roaming?

 

I have T-Mobile anyways (free text and data internationally) so it doesn't affect me, but that would suck to get a surprise bill!

Not familiar with T-Mobile, but free text and data "internationally" does not necessarily cover satellite connections on cruise ships.