Walkie Talkies?

[CrazyTownVA]

So there's a discussion amongst the group that I am going with about getting walkie talkies to keep in touch. Is this helpful?

 

There's a bunch of people gong....us...our kids...my parents/wifes parents...brothers etc etc....

We're on Allure in December...

 

I think RCC offers something that you can use for the week (iphone like device?) but I think it's $20 and for that you can just buy a walkie talkie....

 

Also, with something like 4,000 people on the boat and only 22 channels on the average walkie talkie I could see how there could be interference if others chose to get them....

 

?

 

Thanks

Edited November 2, 2014 by CrazyTownVA

[Clarea]

We've tried walkie-talkies and did not have good luck. Once you get a couple of decks between the devices, they don't communicate very well, or at all.

 

Leaving messages on stateroom phones works for us.

Edited November 2, 2014 by clarea

[loubetti]

Agreed, forget walkie talkies.

[villager70]

Hi fellow cruiser. We have used them 4 or 5 times but a few years ago.Guess the units are better now than two cans and a string. We had the 22 channel models but also had numerous SUB channels on each which gave many more selections. Our also had a call tone alert so you didn't have to monitor as close. Only suggestion I might make is if your party uses them keep the volume down as low as possible, as like with cell phone everyone else do not want to hear them. Also could use numerous ships phones and leave cabin messages or checkin at pre arranged times.

 

Bob & Nancy The Villages Florida

[Lionesss]

Nope never tried them, and the people that had them around us had more trouble than there worth.

 

We decided on a check-in system where we leave messages on the cabin phone or write with erasable markers on the bathroom mirror, everyone must check in every couple hours and leave a message.

 

System for us works well, but we usually have our plans figured out and we kinda know where people are if needed.

It is only if something unusual comes up.

 

Also, we make the DD go to the meet and mingle to meet other famillies and we have a picture of her in our cabin to remember what she looks like during the day:eek:. We always have dinner together and when she comes in to sleep she is out for the count.

 

This way our daughter has free reign and we do not have to "stalk" her.

We respect her and she knows what she can and cannot do.

 

Sea Ya

[HiCSailor]

I used them when traveling with my 12 and 10 year old, to give us all freedom to roam while still being reachable. I think they were helpful, along with prearranged meeting plans-which my kids seemed to often overlook, keeping a highlighted cruise compass to show where I'd be, and using the stateroom phone. We didn't use stateroom notes, but that is another helpful idea.

 

We probably used them as much off the ship as onboard. I do recommend getting those with the "sub channel" squelch and encoding to minimize the number of other families you have to listen to though.

 

I'll be going on quantum shortly, which advertises an application that allows onboard communications between mobile phones, which is exciting, but I'll still be lugging along the radios for at least one more trip-just in case. [emoji1]

[Kycruisefan]

Use them every time we cruise and they work like a charm for us! We have the ones with channels and multiple sub-channels.

[cb at sea]

We've never felt the need....we do make tentative plans for the day, so that everyone knows where to look for others! We generally have times where we'll meet up, if desired....lunch, or at some bar before dinner.....

 

And quite frankly, the public areas are not THAT big! The majority of ship is taken up by cabins...you won't need to be searching every deck and hallway to find your party!

 

Hubby know I'll be at the pool most of the time. I know to look in the casino for him....it's not as hard as you might think!

[Trekker954]

walkie talkies work very well for us, even on Oasis size ship.

[MCC retired]

I see that it has been not been stated yet so I"ll be the first ;

 

They will annoy your fellow passengers .

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums mobile app

[CrazyTownVA]

I see that it has been not been stated yet so I"ll be the first ;

 

They will annoy your fellow passengers .

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums mobile app

 

I think we're going to give them a try.....being our first cruise we need a way to keep in touch....and being amateurs it will be tough for us to come up with a plan before we board

 

I promise we we will do everything we can to not disturb others...

[LMaxwell]

Cheapo ones don't work very well through the ships steel structure. If you want to try, go right ahead, but don't be too disappointed if they don't work great.

[CrazyTownVA]

Cheapo ones don't work very well through the ships steel structure. If you want to try, go right ahead, but don't be too disappointed if they don't work great.

 

I've read some reviews on Amazon for a pair of Motorola Walkie Talkies- $44 for 2. I've seen a few 5 star reviews specifically from people that bought them to go on a cruise. I get that there is still risk involved....

[Freedom2014]

They do not work at all...Just become a bit of a annoyance.

[setsail]

I think we're going to give them a try.....being our first cruise we need a way to keep in touch....and being amateurs it will be tough for us to come up with a plan before we board

 

I promise we we will do everything we can to not disturb others...

 

Keeping in touch has never been a problem. There are fixed phones all over the ship you can use to call any cabin(a message can be left) or other phones, sticky notes on cabin doors with a note, or a pre appointed meet up time once or twice a day or go back to the cabin and check for a message

Edited November 2, 2014 by setsail

[crilski]

The beeps, squeals, fuzzy chatter are annoying as %*#$

 

Do something else!

[rtazz17]

We've tried walkie-talkies and did not have good luck. Once you get a couple of decks between the devices, they don't communicate very well, or at all.

 

Leaving messages on stateroom phones works for us.

 

Nope.Wrong.You just have to get good walkie talkies.We talk through floors across the ship...

[rtazz17]

So there's a discussion amongst the group that I am going with about getting walkie talkies to keep in touch. Is this helpful?

 

There's a bunch of people gong....us...our kids...my parents/wifes parents...brothers etc etc....

We're on Allure in December...

 

I think RCC offers something that you can use for the week (iphone like device?) but I think it's $20 and for that you can just buy a walkie talkie....

 

Also, with something like 4,000 people on the boat and only 22 channels on the average walkie talkie I could see how there could be interference if others chose to get them....

 

?

 

Thanks

Most answers you get on this forum are only going to be against walkie talkies.Believe me once you get onboard you will see they are the minority.If you spend a decent amount on a good set they work fantastic.We talk through floors and across the ship.They work great and I highly recommend them. Some people on these forums believe they own the ship and any noise is going to bother them.You are on vacation too.Do as you please.

[rtazz17]

They do not work at all...Just become a bit of a annoyance.

See?

Case in point OP!lol

[rtazz17]

I see that it has been not been stated yet so I"ll be the first ;

 

They will annoy your fellow passengers .

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums mobile app

Who cares?

Lots of things annoy me about fellow passengers..Do they care? Nope.

[davekathy]

the beeps, squeals, fuzzy chatter are annoying as %*#$

 

do something else!

 

10-4

[cindivan]

Nope.Wrong.You just have to get good walkie talkies.We talk through floors across the ship...

 

 

Can you specify more about what type will work? We have tried several and have never had good reliability. And the kids prefer the phones to text so they are not embarrassed when the walking talkie makes noise.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Cruise Critic Forums mobile app

[packman1029]

Look for a ham radio that also uses GMRS freq. You get to use 5 watts and will get much better reception :)

[zeridan]

Look for a ham radio that also uses GMRS freq. You get to use 5 watts and will get much better reception :)

 

GMRS is the way to go, and they are up to 5 watts of power and should work great. HAM radios however are on the prohibited articles list so I couldn't recommend those, not to mention they cost a LOT more.

[Oville]

We got off the Explorer yesterday and we used our 6 or 7 year old Cobra units and they worked great. We used channel 6.