tmarquez Posted April 20, 2012 #1 Share Posted April 20, 2012 Does anyone know what packages/rates AT&T has for onboard the ship? We already have unlimited text messaging on our account, if that makes a difference. We won't make or receive any calls or use data, but want to use texting on a limited basis to keep track of DD when she is away from us. Thanks for any help! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Julienatul Posted April 20, 2012 #2 Share Posted April 20, 2012 I believe it's 50 cents a text sending and receiving. At least on my plan that is what it is. Much cheaper than roaming charges Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruisenanny Posted April 20, 2012 #3 Share Posted April 20, 2012 I believe it's 50 cents a text sending and receiving. At least on my plan that is what it is. Much cheaper than roaming charges This is what I remember it was also. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keishashadow Posted April 20, 2012 #4 Share Posted April 20, 2012 I just checked this;)The $.50 per text is correct, video/images closer to $1.50. ATT currently charges currently $2.49 minute onboard for cell phone calls. Told you need to have interational roaming and phone capablility. I have heard horror stories of those with iphones who were charge data for auto updates. I'm taking a throwaway dumb phone with quad band coverage jik. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jdpc3 Posted April 20, 2012 #5 Share Posted April 20, 2012 I used AT&T texting on a previous cruise and just checked in with my kids (teens) once a day. Cost me around 5 or 6 bucks...that was it! :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spleenstomper Posted April 20, 2012 #6 Share Posted April 20, 2012 Do I need international for texting? Also, if we do person on ship to persoon ship, that is 50 cents a text. What if my son does person on ship to person in Louisiana? Will that even go through? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gadan1 Posted April 20, 2012 #7 Share Posted April 20, 2012 .50 to send a text message; 1.30 to send a picture/video message. If you have a plan, texts received count as regular texts under the plan. For unlimited, it means you can receive for free; for someone with a 200 text plan, for example, received texts just count against that limit. See http://www.wireless.att.com/learn/international/roaming/international-roaming.jsp Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keishashadow Posted April 20, 2012 #8 Share Posted April 20, 2012 (edited) .50 to send a text message; 1.30 to send a picture/video message. If you have a plan, texts received count as regular texts under the plan. For unlimited, it means you can receive for free; for someone with a 200 text plan, for example, received texts just count against that limit. See http://www.wireless.att.com/learn/international/roaming/international-roaming.jsp we have international roaming and unlimited texting plan & it'd be great not to run up any extra charges for received texts, just outgoing. ATT told me i'd have to pay the above rates for all texts onboard but not when in port-off the ship's tower:confused: guess i better call back Edited April 20, 2012 by keishashadow Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
klmorg Posted April 20, 2012 #9 Share Posted April 20, 2012 .50 to send a text message; 1.30 to send a picture/video message. If you have a plan, texts received count as regular texts under the plan. For unlimited, it means you can receive for free; for someone with a 200 text plan, for example, received texts just count against that limit. See http://www.wireless.att.com/learn/international/roaming/international-roaming.jsp I can confirm this is correct! Texting is the easiest/cheapest way to go. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OnTheBrink Posted April 20, 2012 #10 Share Posted April 20, 2012 So, if you are available to receive a text, how do you not get roaming charges? We have iPhones with unlimited texts. Is there a way to have it not check email, etc, but still get texts? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gadan1 Posted April 20, 2012 #11 Share Posted April 20, 2012 (edited) Disable international data roaming on your iPhone (should be off by default); this prevents things like checking email or apps that require data and incurring massive charges. Texting is not considered a data plan service. International data roaming is under settings/general/network. Edited April 20, 2012 by gadan1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jks336 Posted April 20, 2012 #12 Share Posted April 20, 2012 So, if you are available to receive a text, how do you not get roaming charges? We have iPhones with unlimited texts. Is there a way to have it not check email, etc, but still get texts? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk i'd call your provider to make sure, but from what i've read you need to turn off all features, data, etc so it won't constantly look for updates and charge you data fees Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruisenanny Posted April 20, 2012 #13 Share Posted April 20, 2012 I can confirm this is correct! Texting is the easiest/cheapest way to go. Yes! Now I remember telling my kids to text me as often as they wanted because it was still free. Spent about $7 - $8 sending texts back, definitely the cheapest way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tmarquez Posted April 20, 2012 Author #14 Share Posted April 20, 2012 Thanks everyone, very helpful! So do I need to call AT&T and set up some kind of international plan to do just the texts? Or will it work automatically with my regular messaging plan? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Julienatul Posted April 20, 2012 #15 Share Posted April 20, 2012 Mine worked off regular plan. I just make sure to disable my email so it doesnt "fetch" the new data. I learned my lesson one cruise when I forgot and ended up with 25-$30 in charges from email that I never even checked. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
happy cruzin Posted April 20, 2012 #16 Share Posted April 20, 2012 I just checked this;)The $.50 per text is correct, video/images closer to $1.50. ATT currently charges currently $2.49 minute onboard for cell phone calls. Told you need to have interational roaming and phone capablility. I have heard horror stories of those with iphones who were charge data for auto updates. I'm taking a throwaway dumb phone with quad band coverage jik. We both have iPhones - and follow the directions provided by AT&T and have NEVER been charged for any data beyond what's included in our plan. Here's the link: http://www.wireless.att.com/learn/en_US/pdf/Travel-Tips.pdf Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
happy cruzin Posted April 20, 2012 #17 Share Posted April 20, 2012 Thanks everyone, very helpful! So do I need to call AT&T and set up some kind of international plan to do just the texts? Or will it work automatically with my regular messaging plan? No - you will want to call them and put the "AT&T World Traveller" plan on your account. It's $5.99/month and you can put in on right before you leave and take it off once you get back and all of the charges post to your account. We usually take it off about 3 week to a month after we get back - just to be safe. The international services department at AT&T has always been very helpful. They look up where we going, give us the options and answer all of my questions. Even though we have iPhones - we don't use data while on the cruise - so the World Traveller that lets us make and receive calls and texts is what we always go with. Texts are the least expensive - .50 sent or received. So it allows us to check in on things at home without paying 2.49/minute. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
happy cruzin Posted April 20, 2012 #18 Share Posted April 20, 2012 Yes! Now I remember telling my kids to text me as often as they wanted because it was still free. Spent about $7 - $8 sending texts back, definitely the cheapest way. Yeah - alot of people assume that their home plan applies. That's what gets them in to trouble....NOTHING is included when you are on the Cellular at Sea network or in the ports (expect St. Thomas and San Juan) - it's ALL international roaming and chaged that way. I see all the time people annoyed when they get their bill - "but its free to talk/text to them at home" NOT the case when cruising. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
klmorg Posted April 20, 2012 #19 Share Posted April 20, 2012 (edited) No - you will want to call them and put the "AT&T World Traveller" plan on your account. It's $5.99/month and you can put in on right before you leave and take it off once you get back and all of the charges post to your account. We usually take it off about 3 week to a month after we get back - just to be safe. The international services department at AT&T has always been very helpful. They look up where we going, give us the options and answer all of my questions. Even though we have iPhones - we don't use data while on the cruise - so the World Traveller that lets us make and receive calls and texts is what we always go with. Texts are the least expensive - .50 sent or received. So it allows us to check in on things at home without paying 2.49/minute. This is not true. You don't need that international plan thing at $5.99/month just to send/receive texts, as the poster was asking. AT&T charges 50 cents to send and whatever your plan charges to receive; if unlimited texting, nothing to receive. You don't need any special plan for this. Done it many, many times. Edited April 20, 2012 by klmorg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
happy cruzin Posted April 20, 2012 #20 Share Posted April 20, 2012 This is not true. You don't need that international plan thing at $5.99/month just to send/receive texts, as the poster was asking. AT&T charges 50 cents to send and whatever your plan charges to receive; if unlimited texting, nothing to receive. You don't need any special plan for this. Done it many, many times. Ok...the texts are .50/each for any sent - even without the plan, while using the Cellular at Sea network on the ship. Not sure that is the case in any of the ports. OP - FYI.....here is the link to the Celluar at Sea information - choosing AT&T and Carnival Cruise Lines: http://www.wireless.att.com/travelguide/coverage/coverage_details.jsp?CIDL=1578&MNC=CING At the very bottom of the page it explains the cost for texts and calls - while on board. I still think a call to AT&T's international department is the best way to go. That way they can talk to you about charges specific to your plan. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cruisin4Life76 Posted January 20, 2015 #21 Share Posted January 20, 2015 So if all I want to do is text, do I need to pay for the ship internet package or anything? I have a samsung Note 4 and just want to be able to text back to check on dogs :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kelkel2 Posted January 20, 2015 #22 Share Posted January 20, 2015 If you want to communicate back home and you do not have wifi texting is by far the cheapest way to go. We have always checked back it at home via text and its a few extra $ tagged onto out bill. But my whole family has unlimited texting and we are very very careful to turn data roaming off. One of my friends who travels internationally gave me a tip back when iMessage was new (not so new now) but if you can find a bar or coffee shop that offers free wifi you can always sign into their wifi if you have an iPhone or iPad and i message with other apple product users for free. I love that feature and it's something to keep in mind. We stopped for coffee in Grand Cayman and got free wifi with a coffee purchase, the code was on the receipt. It was well worth it for us to check back in at home for a few minutes. Plus FaceTime calls are inlucded in that as well if you really want to talk!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cruisin4Life76 Posted January 20, 2015 #23 Share Posted January 20, 2015 IM not sure if I have wifi texting or not; I just have the family plan with unlimited texting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
near the beach Posted January 20, 2015 #24 Share Posted January 20, 2015 We tried our iphones for one day at sea. No calls just text. It was about $32 for each of us. To send photos we used data and roaming. We just wait until we get home to use our phones. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fitz923 Posted June 21, 2015 #25 Share Posted June 21, 2015 I used AT&T texting on a previous cruise and just checked in with my kids (teens) once a day. Cost me around 5 or 6 bucks...that was it! :) Did you purchase a plan from AT&T in order to use texting on the ship? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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