Internet and Cell phones on Magnifica

[Enot]

A couple of Americans would really appreciate any information regarding internet and cell phone reception on MSC ships in general and Magnifica in particular. Please forgive my naive question: will my Verizon cell (has international roaming) work while not in port? What about internet?

 

We are ready for the bad food and lack of service but will really suffer without internet connection :D

[Travalot]

Please check carefully with your provider... International Roaming DOES NOT mean that you won't be paying $5+ per minute to use your phone while at sea using the ship's satellite.

 

I used an Internet package very judiciously (60 minutes for about $30) on a MSC cruise (working mostly offline, copying and pasting) and made it work.

 

I've read posts of people that have racked up $4000 in phone charges because they didn't understand the terms and conditions of their International plan.

 

Good luck!

 

Have to add: the food is not really bad. From our experience, on a 10 day in Europe, they have a weakness in their entree meats. The weird area that they excelled was on the Lido at the second station of complex salads (seafood, roasted veggie, etc.) Absolutely delicious. We also had no problem with the service.

[Enot]

Thanks for the tip, Travalot! Very helpful.

 

I'm kidding, of course... :)

[tc80tc80]

Just came off the Magnifica.

 

Internet is 4 Euro for the first ten minutes then 30 Euro cents per minute thereafter. The internet is slower than dialup usually, hangs frequently and outright fails so you have to eject your cabin card and reinsert. The accounting desk is not interested in redeeming you for lost time due to hangs. They will blame you for not knowing what you are doing.

 

The phone in your cabin can call another cabin for free, but make a long distance call and its 5 Euro PER MINUTE!

 

While you are in port, your mobile will work, but 15 minutes after leaving port, your mobile will show a signal but you won't get through.

 

If you turn on your mobile while at sea, your mobile might connect to the MSC ships mobile service. It is 5 Euro PER MINUTE!

[airboss]

Easiest and cheapest way is when you go to a port, stop by an internet cafe.

It is usually $2-3 for 30 minutes.

When you are on the ship enjoy it, and forget the world!

It is also cheaper to get a local country sim card and use it with an unlocked cellphone, but most Americans do not have an unlocked cell, or it is past their comfort zone.

[Enot]

Thanks to everybody for such helpful answers!!