Texting using iPhone's iMessage

[golfmaven]

I must have read almost every post related to iPhone texting on the forum and I must admit that I am more confused than when I started. Can any of the experts on this board please help me?

 

My family and I are cruising on Allure in a few weeks. We want to use our iPhones while on board to communicate with each other. Specifically, we only want to use the iPhone to text each other while at sea ("Kids: We're at the pool," "Dad: I'm at the casino," "Mom: Dinner in 10 minutes" etc.).

 

We will not need to make any local or international telephone calls. We will not need to check any email. We will not need to surf the web. We do not intend to text anyone else other than each other (i.e., we only want to use the iMessage functionality that communicates iPhone to iPhone). And we only need to text on at-sea days. On shore, we're all together at the same place.

 

I really don't want to pay for an RCI internet package and I don't want to sign up for a "cruise plan" package from my provider (Verizon) because other than texting using iMessage, I don't want to pay for services that we won't use.

 

Central Question: Will I be able to use RCI's Cellular at Sea system for free just to text in the manner that I described above?

 

I've heard that I might be able to "piggy back" on the Cellular at Sea network for free as long as I don't need to access the Internet.

[paulh84]

Without either the cruise package from Verizon on each device, or the ship's Wifi package, you will not have any service to do anything with your phones.

 

I've seen a few apps mentioned that basically hack into the ship's Wifi but the reviews on those apps are pretty poor.

[tahqa]

iMessage requires a data connection to Apple's servers in order to do the push notifications to the receiving system. So, no, you won't be able to use the Cellular at Sea service as you are describing.

[Beachcampin]

If you do decide to purchase the internet package, we found that iMessage doesn't work so we. We've downloaded aol instant messenger which seems to work better with the variable quality the ship's wifi.

[RosieRoo]

iMessage requires a data connection to Apple's servers in order to do the push notifications to the receiving system. So, no, you won't be able to use the Cellular at Sea service as you are describing.

 

As tahqa stated, iMessage requires a data connection and you don't want to pay charges for using international data from your provider, they're pretty high. I have ATT so I can't comment on Verizon but ATT charges 50 cents per text message sent and 0 for messages received while abroad. Also make sure to shut off your phones data or you can be charged roaming charges from your carrier if you receive any type of updates on your iPhone.

[PudgiPoo]

Allure of the Seas has phones to rent. They cost a bit, but much less than using your own phones. We used them on our trip, they have a GPS locator. You can see where your family member with the phone is at any time. Plus you can call, dont know about text. Big think for kids is they cant make calls off the ship. Just get your phones as soon as you board. They are limited.

[reallyitsmema]

Allure of the Seas has phones to rent. They cost a bit, but much less than using your own phones. We used them on our trip, they have a GPS locator. You can see where your family member with the phone is at any time. Plus you can call, dont know about text. Big think for kids is they cant make calls off the ship. Just get your phones as soon as you board. They are limited.

 

Those phones, while helpful, also will cost you $1,000 if lost, stolen or damaged.

[trvlexprt]

Sorry I'm confused also. I though iMessage was via wifi (free)between iphones and SMS text used data(cost)?

is this not correct?

thanks!

[setsail]

Sorry I'm confused also. I though iMessage was via wifi (free)between iphones and SMS text used data(cost)?

is this not correct?

thanks!

 

Cellular at sea is not the standard network and does not offer free WiFi/data, now free WiFi in port is another thing

Edited March 20, 2015 by setsail

[Havingfun2010]

iMessage is texting over a data connection. It can be either cellular data or WiFi. If you are in a free WiFi area, then it is free. Since WiFi is not free on the ship, iMessage will not be free.

 

On the iPhone, it will try to text first as data, than if it fails to send, it will revert to regular text.

 

Any way you look at it, it will cost you to text. However, the old school method of communication works. Tell your kids where they need to be and at what time, and if they don't show up, ground them. It has worked for generations!!!!

[skidrow1950]

In a related matter, we would like to use the cameras on our iPhones only! AT&T has instructed to simply put our iPhones in airplane mode and there would be no data used or possible data charges and also no roaming fees. Can anyone confirm this?

 

Thanks

[skylight]

In a related matter, we would like to use the cameras on our iPhones only! AT&T has instructed to simply put our iPhones in airplane mode and there would be no data used or possible data charges and also no roaming fees. Can anyone confirm this?

 

Thanks

 

Just turn off Data Roaming:)

[paulh84]

Sorry I'm confused also. I though iMessage was via wifi (free)between iphones and SMS text used data(cost)?

is this not correct?

thanks!

 

Sort of.

 

If you have access to a Wifi network, the iMessage just uses data. SMS Text does not use data, but you will have a message limit (i.e. 100 texts included on the Verizon cruise plan.

 

In a related matter, we would like to use the cameras on our iPhones only! AT&T has instructed to simply put our iPhones in airplane mode and there would be no data used or possible data charges and also no roaming fees. Can anyone confirm this?

 

Thanks

 

In airplane mode you can only access wifi if you wanted, cellular data is disabled. You'll be just fine.

[trvlexprt]

Cellular at sea is not the standard network and does not offer free WiFi/data, now free WiFi in port is another thing

 

Ok so if I want to send 5 texts a day to my husband at home, who also has an iphone , what would be the better way to go? With Verizon I would pay .50 to send a text and .05 to receive a text I think. I only want to text no calls.

If I purchase an internet package can I text using that then?

 

Thanks!

[setsail]

Ok so if I want to send 5 texts a day to my husband at home, who also has an iphone , what would be the better way to go? With Verizon I would pay .50 to send a text and .05 to receive a text I think. I only want to text no calls.

If I purchase an internet package can I text using that then?

 

Thanks!

 

You do not need a package to text or call, you just text like you do at home, as long as you have a signal, do not use apps which requires data. We have Verizon and just pay the .50 & .05 for texting plus we make a couple of calls. In a 7 day cruise our bill has 15 to 25$ in extra charges. Calls in port are much cheaper than on the ship. You can send and receive a lot of text for 20$. Make sure your phone has international calling, put on by Verizon, no charge

 

Turn data roaming off.

Edited March 20, 2015 by setsail

[trvlexprt]

You do not need a package to text or call, you just text like you do at home, as long as you have a signal, do not use apps which requires data. We have Verizon and just pay the .50 & .05 for texting plus we make a couple of calls. In a 7 day cruise our bill has 15 to 25$ in extra charges. Calls in port are much cheaper than on the ship. You can send and receive a lot of text for 20$. Make sure your phone has international calling, put on by Verizon, no charge

 

Turn data roaming off.

 

Very helpful. thank you !!

[TheTruthCanHurt]

In a related matter, we would like to use the cameras on our iPhones only! AT&T has instructed to simply put our iPhones in airplane mode and there would be no data used or possible data charges and also no roaming fees. Can anyone confirm this?

 

Thanks

yes. that is true you can put it in airplane mode. but.... I prefer just to turn off data in roaming as the other poster mentioned. that way if someone needs to call me I can actually pick it up if I want to