Cell phone on cruise?

SASSYMI2 · January 30, 2014

What is the best way to use your cell phone on a Caribbean cruise without breaking the bank? Only turn it on on the islands. Ask others to text you instead of calling? Make calls only on the Islands? ETC,ETC.

Doesn't Princess charge a large useage fee if you make or receive calls while onboard?

Colo Cruiser · January 30, 2014

What is the best way to use your cell phone on a Caribbean cruise without breaking the bank? Only turn it on on the islands. Ask others to text you instead of calling? Make calls only on the Islands? ETC,ETC.
Doesn't Princess charge a large useage fee if you make or receive calls while onboard?

When cruising I turn my cell data off on my iphone.

I only turn it on in a port where I can connect to my carrier AT&T (St Thomas/San Juan/Ft Lauderdale etc)

When the ship is at sea they provide a connection through the ships cell service.

This is where you can rack up charges, for me text are .50 each and calls are $2.49 per minute.

Good for emergencies.

I still send and receive texts when the cell data is off.

Incoming text are free for me.

When you are in foreign ports you will most likely be roaming so the charges can be steep there too.

Edited January 30, 2014 by Colo Cruiser

paul929207 · January 30, 2014

We turn our phone off when we board.

FritzG · January 30, 2014

It's not necessary to turn the phone off, but you want to turn off data, or it will cost big bucks.

We use our phone for photos, a clock, the timer etc., but I only enabled data when I was actually making calls home.

SdKT · January 30, 2014

When cruising I turn my cell data off on my iphone.
This is where you can rack up charges, for me text are .50 each and calls are $2.49 per minute.

I still send and receive texts when the cell data is off.

Incoming text are free for me.

hi im sorry can i ask a qs.

if when cell data is off, you said you can still send and receive, but its 50c each? - i guess for send only, since receive was free, on your carrier.. ?

i've never tried the cell data off.

bulldog on water · January 30, 2014

Contact your carrier...and get info in writing!

Colo Cruiser · January 30, 2014

hi im sorry can i ask a qs.
if when cell data is off, you said you can still send and receive, but its 50c each? - i guess for send only, since receive was free, on your carrier.. ?

i've never tried the cell data off.

Yes I can still send/recieve text with the data off.

Only .50 when you send through the ships cell service.

Free to recieve regardless.

oskidunker · January 30, 2014

To shut off data? Have I Phone 5c. only a few weeks....

Sellstar · January 30, 2014

All smartphones regularly ping the wireless network for information, so turning data off is a must. Ships turn their on board cell systems off when in local waters (12 mi) of ports. Turn back on in Intl waters. You can normally turn "roaming data" off in settings so you are not surprised on your next bill.

Text messages are delivered through voice networks normally, hence the reason you can still receive/send when data is turned off.

Hope this helps.

Vexorg · January 30, 2014

If you have a CDMA phone (Sprint of Verizon) it will generally only work when in US territories that have coverage from US carriers, although it does look like some islands do have CDMA service these days. Phones on GSM carriers (AT&T or T-Mobile) should be able to at least roam in the various islands, but expect significant roaming fees.

If you have an unlocked GSM phone I suppse you could do something like use prepaid service from one of the local GSM carriers that services the islands (Digicel seems to have the widest coverage in the Caribbean) but I don't know how much that costs.

ssbeagle · January 30, 2014

When I go on a cruise my cell phone gets turned off and put in the safe just before the ship sails and doesn't come out again until the night before disembarkation so I can charge it up for when we are back in port. I always leave an emergency number (Princess has them) for someone to reach me if necessary. After all I am on vacation and want to be away from phones?

SASSYMI2 · January 30, 2014

I have a tmobile android smart phone. Does anyone know how i turn the data off?

it's not necessary to turn the phone off, but you want to turn off data, or it will cost big bucks.
We use our phone for photos, a clock, the timer etc., but i only enabled data when i was actually making calls home.

Hawaii Anniversary · January 30, 2014

I have an Iphone and an Ipad that I planned on taking with me on a cruise from LA to Hawaii. I have a wireless data plan with AT&T so I do not need the ship's wireless. So I am confused, would I still encur some fee from Princess if I used my internet on the ship since I pay for my own data plan?

Wehwalt · January 30, 2014

T-mobile has an international plan that is free if you have certain of their plans. I've used it successfully on a European cruise, on my Caribbean cruise on the Ruby, and I'm using it on my balcony on the Pacific Princess as we depart Lima. Look into it.

bhopal21 · January 30, 2014

, would I still encur some fee from Princess if I used my internet on the ship since I pay for my own data plan?

Yes since you have to access the ship's Wifi in order to connect.

I think the rate is around $.75 per minute.

Mike:)

beg3yrs · January 31, 2014

I have an Iphone and an Ipad that I planned on taking with me on a cruise from LA to Hawaii. I have a wireless data plan with AT&T so I do not need the ship's wireless. So I am confused, would I still encur some fee from Princess if I used my internet on the ship since I pay for my own data plan?

Your wireless data plan with AT&T covers your usage through AT&T cell towers only. While you are at sea, there are no AT&T towers available, only the "tower" provided by the ship through MCP (Maritime Communications Partners). If you use cell-phone data to access the Internet on-board the ship you would be roaming and that's expensive data.

Another poster said you could also use the ship's wifi which is correct. However you must establish an account and use wifi minutes. Unless you have some free minutes by being Platinum or Elite in the Captain's Circle they are expensive as well.

When you get to Hawaii, your AT&T plan will be good as AT&T covers the islands very well. Just be sure your phone says you're connected to AT&T and it's just like you're on the mainland.

Edited January 31, 2014 by beg3yrs

rabbitoh_777 · January 31, 2014

.

Yes since you have to access the ship's Wifi in order to connect.

I think the rate is around $.75 per minute.

Mike:)

.

Yikes!

You would have to pay me a buck a minute to use that... :D

:cool:

donaldsc · January 31, 2014

What is the best way to use your cell phone on a Caribbean cruise without breaking the bank?

Turn it off, put it in the safe, and leave it there.

DON

cruiser415 · January 31, 2014

Here's the data plans directly from Princess

Internet Access

Perfect for those who like to stay in touch or need to manage their affairs on a daily basis in order to put their minds at ease. Help a passenger relax and fully enjoy their Princess vacation by giving them Internet access for news, information and web-based email.

120 minutes

Item #6038 – $72.95

(Includes $69.00 for internet time plan + $3.95. One time activation fee)

(Includes 20 bonus minutes for