How reliable is the at-sea phone service on NCL?

[WashyWashyHappyHappy95]

I'm looking at an upcoming 14-day cruise, but I'd have to work remotely for a portion of it.

 

I know that the Internet, even in port, is slow-to-decent, but what's the reliability of the phone service? Especially on sea days? I'd have to call into some conference calls, be able to receive calls on my usual cell number, etc.

 

Btw this would be on the Breakaway. Any experience/feedback appreciated.

[Fido Chuckwagon]

I'm looking at an upcoming 14-day cruise, but I'd have to work remotely for a portion of it.

 

I know that the Internet, even in port, is slow-to-decent, but what's the reliability of the phone service? Especially on sea days? I'd have to call into some conference calls, be able to receive calls on my usual cell number, etc.

 

Btw this would be on the Breakaway. Any experience/feedback appreciated.

 

If you're talking about cell phone service using your own device, it was, in my experience, terrible. I was on the breakaway with my wife in October. My wife's grandfather was very ill and we almost cancelled the trip, but instead we decided to go and she would call him every day. The phone calls were impossible. The reception was terrible, the calls dropped constantly or wouldn't connect at all after numerous tries, and it was completely unworkable. She tried making the calls from all over the ship with no better results, our room, our balcony, the haven courtyard, the top deck, etc. This was using Verizon with an Iphone 6. The actual phone in the room was better, but at $6 a minute, we could only use it sparingly.

[WashyWashyHappyHappy95]

If you're talking about cell phone service using your own device, it was, in my experience, terrible. I was on the breakaway with my wife in October. My wife's grandfather was very ill and we almost cancelled the trip, but instead we decided to go and she would call him every day. The phone calls were impossible. The reception was terrible, the calls dropped constantly or wouldn't connect at all after numerous tries, and it was completely unworkable. She tried making the calls from all over the ship with no better results, our room, our balcony, the haven courtyard, the top deck, etc. This was using Verizon with an Iphone 6. The actual phone in the room was better, but at $6 a minute, we could only use it sparingly.

 

Ugh that's not encouraging.

[AdGuyMG]

There's a current NCL promo for select NY sailings on the Gem and Breakaway that has unlimited ship to shore telephone calling. This only from your cabin telephone. Not your personal cellphone

[WashyWashyHappyHappy95]

There's a current NCL promo for select NY sailings on the Gem and Breakaway that has unlimited ship to shore telephone calling. This only from your cabin telephone. Not your personal cellphone

 

Unless that's available for the Jan. 2 13 day sailing on the BA coming up, doesn't help me much. Is it?

[AdGuyMG]

I'm looking at an upcoming 14-day cruise, but I'd have to work remotely for a portion of it.

 

Unless that's available for the Jan. 2 13 day sailing on the BA coming up, doesn't help me much. Is it?

 

Nope.

 

I mistook your 1st post as you were "looking to book" a future 14 day cruise that you would have to do some work on. You didn't say you were already booked on the 1/2/17 BA 13 day. Sorry for the misunderstanding.

 

There was a great promo offer that ran from 12/9 -12/22 for 2016 -2017 NYC departures called Free VIP Amenity Package:

 

* Free Unlimited In-Cabin Phone Calls * 250 Minutes Free Internet * 10 Free 6X8 or 8x10 photos * $50 Casino Credit

 

In your case for the 1/2 BA you're ship out luck. It would have been a good value for you.

 

I've personally had both pretty good and pretty spotty Cellular at Sea service. It just depends on the satellite availability at any given time.