rukkian Posted January 29, 2017 #26 Share Posted January 29, 2017 This would not work ship wide, but I wonder if you could bring a small wifi router, have both connect to it, and then use some local wifi messenger to connect between phones that does not go out to internet. There are blue tooth messengers as well, but the range on that would be even smaller. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clarea Posted January 29, 2017 #27 Share Posted January 29, 2017 This would not work ship wide, but I wonder if you could bring a small wifi router, have both connect to it, and then use some local wifi messenger to connect between phones that does not go out to internet. ... I doubt this would work between decks or more than 50' away from the router. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rgruenhaus Posted January 30, 2017 #28 Share Posted January 30, 2017 I doubt this would work between decks or more than 50' away from the router. The WiFi seemed to connect good in most areas of the Epic. Even in my studio room so they may have repeaters throughout the ship. Rob G. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Biker19 Posted January 30, 2017 #29 Share Posted January 30, 2017 The WiFi seemed to connect good in most areas of the Epic. Even in my studio room so they may have repeaters throughout the ship. It probably takes hundreds of repeaters to provide coverage on a typical ship. All that metal is a WiFi signal killer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clarea Posted January 30, 2017 #30 Share Posted January 30, 2017 It probably takes hundreds of repeaters to provide coverage on a typical ship. All that metal is a WiFi signal killer. Technically, hundreds of access points wired back to switches. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Rogueperson Posted January 30, 2017 #31 Share Posted January 30, 2017 (edited) May I ask what ship? We are sailing on Grandeur of the Seas in July and RCCL doesn't offer low cost text only options on their older ships. I'm wondering if this will work. I just need to be able to text to others in the party. Sent from my iPhone using Forums We're on the same cruise as you are. I doubt this will work well. I highly suspect that you will need data for this to work. RC's plan is 12.99/day for the surf and stream. No option for the lower surf plan. That's only for 1 device though. Though, if you had access to data, you could use a much less complicated method to stay in touch. You would need to have multiple devices connected and if you did, you could text one another through that data plan. What might work for you is for you to have 2 or 3 devices and just not split up in more than 3 groups. You can than text one another (if you have an iphone, imessage will work through the wi-fi), or use google talk, or FB messenger to text. My friend and I kept in touch with one another on the Anthem using FB messenger because we both had a data package. Edited January 30, 2017 by Rogueperson Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sunny AZ Girl Posted January 30, 2017 #32 Share Posted January 30, 2017 We use Whatsapp. It does need wifi, but since we buy package and so do our friends it works for us. (We share a 5 device package between friends). We can also use that app for calls home. With special needs family members we find that to be very helpful. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CruisingRavyn Posted January 30, 2017 #33 Share Posted January 30, 2017 We're on the same cruise as you are. I doubt this will work well. I highly suspect that you will need data for this to work. RC's plan is 12.99/day for the surf and stream. No option for the lower surf plan. That's only for 1 device though. Though, if you had access to data, you could use a much less complicated method to stay in touch. You would need to have multiple devices connected and if you did, you could text one another through that data plan. What might work for you is for you to have 2 or 3 devices and just not split up in more than 3 groups. You can than text one another (if you have an iphone, imessage will work through the wi-fi), or use google talk, or FB messenger to text. My friend and I kept in touch with one another on the Anthem using FB messenger because we both had a data package. Thank you for the info! I have a teen, a pre-teen, and an elderly in the beginning stages of cognitive memory/Alzheimers. The teen and Pre teen we can manage with message boards on doors etc. the Elderly tends to get turned around on the ships and while not a danger just gets very frustrated and scared when she gets turned around. We thought she was in the casino on a prior cruise and she was really wander up and down halls trying every door with her card for 2 hours. We typically cruise Carnival that has a $25 per cruise per device for social media access that works well. I'm just disappointed that RCL doesn't have something similar so we can stay in touch and not spend more in wifi charges than we did for the cruise! (Ok a bit of an over exaggeration but it feels like it). [emoji6] Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Biker19 Posted January 30, 2017 #34 Share Posted January 30, 2017 We thought she was in the casino on a prior cruise and she was really wander up and down halls trying every door with her card for 2 hours. She doesn't need a messaging app for that - she simply needs to be taught to ask for help. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CruisingRavyn Posted January 30, 2017 #35 Share Posted January 30, 2017 She doesn't need a messaging app for that - she simply needs to be taught to ask for help. Thanks for the snarkyness I needed some in my life today. You have apparently never dealt with Alzheimer's. She didn't realized she was doing it. That's why it's important that we have a line of communication to her. Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Biker19 Posted January 30, 2017 #36 Share Posted January 30, 2017 That's why it's important that we have a line of communication to her. If it's that important, I would not rely on RCI's WiFi for a line of communication. Heck, I would not subject her to a cruise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CruisingRavyn Posted January 30, 2017 #37 Share Posted January 30, 2017 She's not that bad off. Last cruise she did just fine. We just like to have the safety precautions in place because on rare occasions she can get disoriented. I hope your kids don't drop you like a hot rock as you're indicating if you ever experience memory issues. Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clarea Posted January 30, 2017 #38 Share Posted January 30, 2017 If it's that important, I would not rely on RCI's WiFi for a line of communication. Heck, I would not subject her to a cruise. Unless someone is designated to be with her all the time. Which is how we handled our mother who was in the same mental situation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
packercruising Posted January 30, 2017 #39 Share Posted January 30, 2017 That is a good possible solution, Bob! There are 4 in the family plus the elderly person. My mom had dementia the last 5 years of her life and CruisinRayvin has a legitimate concern. Biker19 is also right, using RCI communications should not be relied upon. Since there are 4, how about setting up a schedule where someone gets to always be there to spend time with her. Give up a little time, gain a lot of time with someone who might not have a lot left. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
troykahack Posted January 30, 2017 #40 Share Posted January 30, 2017 (edited) On Allure. Doesn't seem to work for me without VOOM. Works fine only if you know IP of all devices you wish to msg. So, from my view, a Wifi connection is required. Edited January 30, 2017 by troykahack Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clarea Posted January 30, 2017 #41 Share Posted January 30, 2017 On Allure. Doesn't seem to work for me without VOOM. Works fine only if you know IP of all devices you wish to msg. So, from my view, a Wifi connection is required. If you stay connected to the ship's WiFi all the time, and don't log in to any VOOM account, don't your IP addressess stay the same? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
troykahack Posted January 30, 2017 #42 Share Posted January 30, 2017 (edited) If you stay connected to the ship's WiFi all the time, and don't log in to any VOOM account, don't your IP addressess stay the same? Ok, next project. I guess since my NEWS channel is not on Royal TV, I will see. Royal should have never gave me VOOM for FREE. Edited January 30, 2017 by troykahack Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CruisingRavyn Posted January 31, 2017 #43 Share Posted January 31, 2017 On Allure. Doesn't seem to work for me without VOOM. Works fine only if you know IP of all devices you wish to msg. So, from my view, a Wifi connection is required. So just curious, you can communicate with other devices without the VOOM if you know their IP? Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clarea Posted January 31, 2017 #44 Share Posted January 31, 2017 So just curious, you can communicate with other devices without the VOOM if you know their IP? That is supposedly how the ShipMate app works, but it's totally dependent on how the IT folks on the ship configure the wireless. One box ticked on the wireless config, and there would be no direct communication between wireless devices. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CruisingRavyn Posted January 31, 2017 #45 Share Posted January 31, 2017 That is supposedly how the ShipMate app works, but it's totally dependent on how the IT folks on the ship configure the wireless. One box ticked on the wireless config, and there would be no direct communication between wireless devices. Thank you Clarea. That is the answer I've been looking for. Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Biker19 Posted February 1, 2017 #46 Share Posted February 1, 2017 Royal should have never gave me VOOM for FREE. There's a complaint you don't see very often. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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