iConcierge App

[MerDub]

I've been reading about this iConcierge app, can anyone tell me exactly what it does, how much it is to use on board, and if it's worth it if it's just two friends sailing together and sharing a room?

[BirdTravels]

I've been reading about this iConcierge app, can anyone tell me exactly what it does, how much it is to use on board, and if it's worth it if it's just two friends sailing together and sharing a room?

 

On refurbished ships, it gives you access to the schedule of activities (daily program), lets you book dinner, show, and shore excursions. Let's you see our room bill. All for free.

 

Again, on refurbished ships, it also allows you to make mobile-to-mobile calls and messages using the application (for a flat fee). My DW and I have never found a need for the communications aspects of the app.

[RCmommy]

I'm assuming it would be cheaper than using the wifi onboard? We used Skype to text with our kids when needed on our last cruise.

[Demonyte]

On refurbished ships, it gives you access to the schedule of activities (daily program), lets you book dinner, show, and shore excursions. Let's you see our room bill. All for free.

 

 

 

Again, on refurbished ships, it also allows you to make mobile-to-mobile calls and messages using the application (for a flat fee). My DW and I have never found a need for the communications aspects of the app.

 

 

This is not entirely true, ie. contains incorrect generalizations.

 

App is available on all megaships (Epic and newer - only Epic is over five years old so it's the only megaship even having been refurbished yet, just few months ago) and also on some older ships that have been refurbished in last two years or so.

 

App or not, one can book entertainment only on new megaships. Older ships do not have bookable entertainment options (with maybe the exception of special, for-fee events, like Wine Lovers Musical that includes wine tasting and lunch).

 

While the communications part of the app is good in general (it's like having a cordless phone like we've used to with most suites), we have found that the app's connection to ship's network is really unreliable and when we sailed on Getaway two weeks ago with three cabins, we didn't bother to pay for it.

[Demonyte]

I'm assuming it would be cheaper than using the wifi onboard? We used Skype to text with our kids when needed on our last cruise.

 

 

The app uses onboard WiFi but does not give you internet access. The price to activate the voice/text functionality in the app is $7.95/device/cruise.

[MerDub]

This is not entirely true, ie. contains incorrect generalizations.

 

App is available on all megaships (Epic and newer - only Epic is over five years old so it's the only megaship even having been refurbished yet, just few months ago) and also on some older ships that have been refurbished in last two years or so.

 

App or not, one can book entertainment only on new megaships. Older ships do not have bookable entertainment options (with maybe the exception of special, for-fee events, like Wine Lovers Musical that includes wine tasting and lunch).

 

While the communications part of the app is good in general (it's like having a cordless phone like we've used to with most suites), we have found that the app's connection to ship's network is really unreliable and when we sailed on Getaway two weeks ago with three cabins, we didn't bother to pay for it.

 

Since we're suffering from a terrible exchange rate from Canadian to US dollars, chances are we'll be skipping any specialty dining and while I wouldn't mind attending the shows I don't think my friend is as interested. Last year, however, we had a bit of a tiff of our last day (a sea day) when I was hungover and she wanted to go out and do things, so she left the room without telling me where to find her, so when I got up about an hour later, it took me nearly 2 hours of wandering around 14 passenger decks to find her (and funny enough, she was looking for me as well and saw me over the railing) - but anyways, being able to message each other would be convenient.

 

What is the cost?

[MerDub]

The app uses onboard WiFi but does not give you internet access. The price to activate the voice/text functionality in the app is $7.95/device/cruise.

 

Perfect thanks! Will have to discuss with my friend if it's worth it or not. I wish they would advertise it better as it would be nice to be able to message new friends on the ship but I reckon not everyone will know about it.

[Valen9]

Perfect thanks! Will have to discuss with my friend if it's worth it or not. I wish they would advertise it better as it would be nice to be able to message new friends on the ship but I reckon not everyone will know about it.

 

It's worth downloading even if you don't pay for it. I found it useful because I could often see daily schedule info, and do many of the things you can do from your in-cabin TV... but on my phone from wherever I was. It was nice to be able to check menus and how full the restaurants were while sitting by the pool trying to decide where to eat dinner.

Edited January 27, 2016 by Valen9

[bbryan5]

The messaging feature worked like crap on the Breakaway last year

[shadowmeboy]

I love the app for tracking where my bill is while onboard. our upcoming cruise in June will lend it to really using all the features of the app.

[tpnebraska]

We were on the Star 1/3/16 and my family of 7 loved it. We could always find each other. As far as calling home, you may check with your wireless company and see if they have and "International/Cruise" plan. I am with Verizon and was able to add this for $40 for the month (only cruising 7 days but had to go with the month). I actually didn't use it, but it was there if I needed it, or if my house sitter needed to get me. The NCL app is 7.95 per device that wants to use it, so for the 7 of us, 4 of us got it, as only one individual in a couple needed it. Came in handy that one night when a couple of us were "left" in the casino.....