Internet usage through cell phone on ships

[lelalenore]

So, if I have unlimited data plan, how does that work on the ship?

 

I am assuming that 'roaming' charges apply = bad idea

 

but just checking for those that know for sure (I have AT&T)

[gadan1]

It can get very expensive very quickly. AT&T charges for data outside of the US at a per kilobyte rate. Check out: http://www.wireless.att.com/learn/international/roaming/iphone-travel-tips.jsp. In a typical month, I probably use 50MB+ on my iPhone which would cost $975 at sea under AT&T's rate of .0195 per kilobyte. The unlimited rate only applies in AT&T's US network

[lelalenore]

Thanks! That's what I figured!

 

Won't really 'have' to have the net anyway but thought I'd ask in case it happened to be super cheap by some strange stroke of luck! lol

[firefly333]

Someone posted they got home to a $3700 bill from onboard phone calls. They were VERY surprised.

[DqALEX]

Suprised would be an understatement if it were me

[nbsjcruiser]

Very, very expensive. We used our cell a number of years ago in Mexico. We didn't use it long but I remember being shocked at the bill when I finally got it.

 

Not only would it be prohibitively expensive but SLOW AS DEATH. The internet on the ship is slow enough (dial up modem speeds from what I've experienced) so on your cell it would be worse.

 

Turn your phone off, put it in your safe and buy an internet plan on the ship that will allow you to send a few emails back home, check the news and sports scores and that's about it.

[firefly333]

Id still use the internet sparingly onboard. And when you are in port, if you have a hour after your lunch and excursion, spend a hour emailing them at home, or talk to them on skype when its cheap if they are home during the day to talk to.