Texting on a cruise (sprint)

[NKsDogWalker]

I have a sprint blackberry curve. My friend and I were discussing texting each other on the cruise instead of trying to "connect" in certain places like we did last year. I called Sprint and they told me that each text sent is 50 cents each and each recieved is 5 cents. First they tried to sell me on an international texting plan then they found out I was going to BE in the Bahamas (and international water) and I am not CALLING the Bahamas. My friend and I both have Blackberries and we use BBM everyday... I am wondering if that will work. Can you text to another US number in international waters and not have to pay? Last time I asked Sprint this question I had to call 3 times to get the correct answer (and this was just dealing with calls to CANADA). Did I just confuse you all? LOL

[stepha06]

We went on a cruise to the Bahamas a couple months ago, I had my phone with me and received several text messages. I did not open them or even read them and received charges for them. I want to say it was like 50 cents a text or something. They billed it international or some crap. Lol. I do have sprint also.

[DebBrown]

I am with Verizon but on my last trip I was charged $.50 per outgoing text ande $.05 per incoming text. Doesn't sound like much but it adds up quickly!

[JenniLynn]

There really is no "free" way to keep connected via your personal mobile device. One good way to keep in touch is to use the service phones that are all over the ship. Simply call your empty cabin and leave yourselves a message. That way if anything changes in your meet up plan you simply have to retrieve the messages an the last one should hold the clue about where to meet your friend. It's not perfect, but it's better than running to the cabin to leave a note any time plans change. My husband and I do this and we also pick 2 spots, one on the Lido or outer deck and another inside (usually the atrium or near the casino depending on the ship) that are our designated "meet me zones." If we do get separated or choose to do different activities at some point we both know exactly where the other will be when we're done. Again, not a perfect system, but we've tried walkie talkies and those were a bigger pain, for us at least!

[NKsDogWalker]

Thanks everyone... I am going to enable international texting and just pay per text. I will have to keep a rein on it (counting each one like it is money right out of my pocket... because it will be when my bill comes). My friend is the one that is hard to find... she can just text me where she is...and I will find her. LOL

[spaceystacie2006]

Thanks everyone... I am going to enable international texting and just pay per text. I will have to keep a rein on it (counting each one like it is money right out of my pocket... because it will be when my bill comes). My friend is the one that is hard to find... she can just text me where she is...and I will find her. LOL

 

Has anyone tried walkie talkies???

[stepha06]

Has anyone tried walkie talkies???

 

Yes, they suck. IMO

[kimmi5207]

Make sure your data roaming is off so you don't have emails pushed to your phone and arrive home to a large bill. You can still text with the data roaming turned off.

[TriciaEMTB]

I have Sprint. It was 50 cents out 5 cents in...

 

Funny thing, the first day of my cruise was the last day of my billing cycle, so when I only had an extra like $20 on my first bill after the cruise I was like "Wow! That wasn't bad!"

 

And then the next one came with over $100 extra... Oh boy.

 

Next cruise, no texting, no calling!

[nogard13]

Thanks everyone... I am going to enable international texting and just pay per text. I will have to keep a rein on it (counting each one like it is money right out of my pocket... because it will be when my bill comes). My friend is the one that is hard to find... she can just text me where she is...and I will find her. LOL

Get yourself a good pair of extended-range Walkie Talkies (the 35+ mile ones). You will need them to be the extended-range ones in order for them to work on the ship (all the metal and all). I've found that you can even use them ship to shore if one of you stays on the boat.