CellAtSea, I'm confused!!

[Mom2jocevan]

I am on the website and I am reading through the info but I don't feel like I'm getting it?

We are on the Jewel soon and I just want to be on the pool deck, at sea, playing my games, facebook, text, email, listen to pandora, etc. Is this even possible out in the middle of the pacific ocean?

I 'get' we are on a cruise to get away from the inter-web but that is just not me...no judging...lol!!!

If someone has any info that I can understand that would be great :)

[triptolemus]

You don't want Cellular At Sea. That is expensive, and does not work for data anyway.

 

You wan to investigate the various internet plans that are available. You will connect your phone to the ship's wifi network rather than the cellular tower.

 

Start here:

 

https://www.ncl.com/onboard-packages/internet-packages

 

Also, familiarize yourself with NCL's iConcierge app.

 

https://www.ncl.com/apps

 

How to use the Norwegian iConcierge app - Norwegian Cruise Line

[pieshops]

not going to be a cheap week for you

[mamasylvia]

Just a caution about the games. On my only other cruise, I was completely unable to connect to Second Life via the ship wifi. No idea whether it was forbidden (why would it be?) or a bandwidth issue or something else. I know SL is very graphics-intensive so bandwidth could well have been the problem. Gonna try on the Pearl to play Township, not quite as much of a graphics hog, but still don't know until May whether I'll be able to.

[Mom2jocevan]

You don't want Cellular At Sea. That is expensive, and does not work for data anyway.

 

You wan to investigate the various internet plans that are available. You will connect your phone to the ship's wifi network rather than the cellular tower.

 

Start here:

 

https://www.ncl.com/onboard-packages/internet-packages

 

Also, familiarize yourself with NCL's iConcierge app.

 

https://www.ncl.com/apps

 

How to use the Norwegian iConcierge app - Norwegian Cruise Line

 

Ok, will do.

So the app is free and our devices that dl the app can text to one another with no charges?

[NCLfamily]

Ok, will do.

 

So the app is free and our devices that dl the app can text to one another with no charges?

 

 

The app is free, but if you want to text and call eachother on board there is a fee, approx $10 per device.

 

 

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[pcakes122]

Also, important to note that NCL is now actually blocking some sites that contain ANY streaming video.

 

I have been cruising with NCL for years and always buy the unlimited internet package. I've had pretty good luck with streaming video (YouTube, Hulu and other video-intensive sites.) That said, on my Gem cruise this past month, I received a "Site Blocked" message on one of the news websites (maybe CNN?) just because they have optional streaming videos on that page! I then encountered the same on other (mostly non-video) sites and when I called the internet manager I was advised that this is a new practice which is within the package terms and agreements. (BTW, YouTube was not blocked which made no sense in terms of the sites NCL was blocking.)

 

So, before purchasing internet packages, make sure the sites you want to access are not blocked by speaking to the internet manager. I was given a "one-time" $50 courtesy credit on my $300 package even though the policy is "no refunds." (It wasn't an easy credit to get - I think the fact that I was a suite guest & casino VIP is the only reason I was lucky enough to get a break.)

[Turtles06]

Ok, will do.

So the app is free and our devices that dl the app can text to one another with no charges?

 

Use of NCL's iConcierge app is not free when used to communicate between devices. For that's, there's a one-time charge per device, not sure what it is now. It's free to check activities, your account, dining reservations, etc.

[Mom2jocevan]

not going to be a cheap week for you

 

That's not good :(

[Mom2jocevan]

Just a caution about the games. On my only other cruise, I was completely unable to connect to Second Life via the ship wifi. No idea whether it was forbidden (why would it be?) or a bandwidth issue or something else. I know SL is very graphics-intensive so bandwidth could well have been the problem. Gonna try on the Pearl to play Township, not quite as much of a graphics hog, but still don't know until May whether I'll be able to.

Thank you

[Mom2jocevan]

The app is free, but if you want to text and call eachother on board there is a fee, approx $10 per device.

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Is that 10 per device a DAY or the duration?

Also, if I have 3 devices going and they are all on my ATT account. Can we text one another, while in the middle of the ocean, if we turn on airplane mode?

[triptolemus]

Is that 10 per device a DAY or the duration?

Also, if I have 3 devices going and they are all on my ATT account. Can we text one another, while in the middle of the ocean, if we turn on airplane mode?

 

Per device, for the duration of the voyage.

 

Remember that your 3 devices will not be connecting to the ATT network. You can text one another, through the iConcierge app mentioned above.

 

Read the pdf link above for "How do I use the iConcierge app" for information on connectivity.

 

You can also share a internet package amongst different devices. But only one device will be allowed to connect at a time. Logging on with a new device will bump off the previously connected one.

[sandyh85]

Is that 10 per device a DAY or the duration?

Also, if I have 3 devices going and they are all on my ATT account. Can we text one another, while in the middle of the ocean, if we turn on airplane mode?

No. Text is typically unavailable and if your carrier does have signal, it will be outrageously expensive.

 

If you would like to message between 3 devices onboard, it will cost ~$9 per device for the week for iConcierge. Ensure you keep the app running in the background to make sure messages come in.

 

I would look at Internet packages, as others have suggested. Apps like WhatsApp or Skype (voice only) can be used to "telephone" others with the app like a phone call. Unless you prearranged with AT&T for foreign country rates, I highly suggest leaving the phone in airplane mode with only the wifi turned on.

 

This comes from a Canadian who until recently didn't have a good USA plan/rate.

 

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[BirdTravels]

I am on the website and I am reading through the info but I don't feel like I'm getting it?

We are on the Jewel soon and I just want to be on the pool deck, at sea, playing my games, facebook, text, email, listen to pandora, etc. Is this even possible out in the middle of the pacific ocean?

I 'get' we are on a cruise to get away from the inter-web but that is just not me...no judging...lol!!!

If someone has any info that I can understand that would be great :)

 

Cell at Sea works like your cell service at home. Make calls. Access data. It is a international roaming charge by YOUR carrier (not the ship). If your carrier has a NCL cruise ship package, it may include some data. My carrier (att) does not so data costs $8.19 per MB. There are 1000 MB in one GB. You do the math.

 

You can buy an unlimited internet package on the Jewel. The service is pretty good after the upgrades last summer. We sailed on the Jewel in August and will be back on in a few weeks. We used both FaceTime voice and skype voice reliably.

 

It is satellite internet with the latency of sending data 23k miles to and back from the satellite. And you are sharing that connection with everyone on board.

[Mom2jocevan]

I am on the website and I am reading through the info but I don't feel like I'm getting it?

We are on the Jewel soon and I just want to be on the pool deck, at sea, playing my games, facebook, text, email, listen to pandora, etc. Is this even possible out in the middle of the pacific ocean?

I 'get' we are on a cruise to get away from the inter-web but that is just not me...no judging...lol!!!

If someone has any info that I can understand that would be great :)

 

Ok, so, clearly I'm not going to be able to be connected the whole time. I see that now.

So with our 250min internet plan we have already purchased how does that work for 3 devices? Can we all be logged in at the same time and send and receive texts to one another?

[Mom2jocevan]

Cell at Sea works like your cell service at home. Make calls. Access data. It is a international roaming charge by YOUR carrier (not the ship). If your carrier has a NCL cruise ship package, it may include some data. My carrier (att) does not so data costs $8.19 per MB. There are 1000 MB in one GB. You do the math.

 

 

You can buy an unlimited internet package on the Jewel. The service is pretty good after the upgrades last summer. We sailed on the Jewel in August and will be back on in a few weeks. We used both FaceTime voice and skype voice reliably.

 

It is satellite internet with the latency of sending data 23k miles to and back from the satellite. And you are sharing that connection with everyone on board.

 

Thank you, that helps a bit for understanding.

 

How about with the unlimited or the 250min package we got. Is that PER customer/device? Or can the 3 of us use the 250 and/or unlimited package?

I'm guessing to be able to regulate it's PER customer or ONE device logged in at a time?

[triptolemus]

Thank you, that helps a bit for understanding.

 

How about with the unlimited or the 250min package we got. Is that PER customer/device? Or can the 3 of us use the 250 and/or unlimited package?

I'm guessing to be able to regulate it's PER customer or ONE device logged in at a time?

 

See post #12.

[sanger727]

I am on the website and I am reading through the info but I don't feel like I'm getting it?

We are on the Jewel soon and I just want to be on the pool deck, at sea, playing my games, facebook, text, email, listen to pandora, etc. Is this even possible out in the middle of the pacific ocean?

I 'get' we are on a cruise to get away from the inter-web but that is just not me...no judging...lol!!!

If someone has any info that I can understand that would be great :)

 

As others said, this is not realistic using cellular at sea unless you plan on paying 2-3 times the cost of the cruise just for data. Your best route will be to get NCL's unlimited internet package. You said there are 3 of you. The two choices are:

 

1. get 3 unlimited internet packages and you'll be able to text each other, call via wifi calling, and surf the internet

 

2. get 1 unlimited internet package and share it. Only one person can then be logged on at a time so it won't work for texting each other, and obviously will have to take turns surfing. Then get the iconcierge app and pay the $10 pp fee to be able to text each other during the cruise

[Mom2jocevan]

As others said, this is not realistic using cellular at sea unless you plan on paying 2-3 times the cost of the cruise just for data. Your best route will be to get NCL's unlimited internet package. You said there are 3 of you. The two choices are:

 

1. get 3 unlimited internet packages and you'll be able to text each other, call via wifi calling, and surf the internet

 

2. get 1 unlimited internet package and share it. Only one person can then be logged on at a time so it won't work for texting each other, and obviously will have to take turns surfing. Then get the iconcierge app and pay the $10 pp fee to be able to text each other during the cruise

 

Got it, thanks!

[elesay]

I'm in a similar situation and also confused. Let me see if I understand y'all.

 

So, in order for 3 of us to text one another or use an app like Skype to see where each other is on the ship, we'll need 3 internet packages and get with our carrier for international rates and compatibility (We are Verizon)?

[sandyh85]

I'm in a similar situation and also confused. Let me see if I understand y'all.

 

So, in order for 3 of us to text one another or use an app like Skype to see where each other is on the ship, we'll need 3 internet packages and get with our carrier for international rates and compatibility (We are Verizon)?

 

Yes and no.

 

Text - Done through your carrier. Extremely expensive at sea.

 

Skype (Facetime/WhatsApp/etc) - Done through an Internet connection or data. Each device will require an Internet connection through the ship.

 

iConcierge - A Norwegian special app that will allow a device, for a one time fee of ~$9, to message any other device that has also downloaded and paid for the app.

 

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[Turtles06]

iConcierge - A Norwegian special app that will allow a device, for a one time fee of ~$9, to message any other device that has also downloaded and paid for the app.

 

Sent from my SGH-I337M using Tapatalk

 

The app is FREE. You do not pay for the app. You only pay for the messaging feature if you want to activate that. Otherwise, use of the app (e.g., to check activities, your account, reservations, etc.) is FREE.

[sandyh85]

The app is FREE. You do not pay for the app. You only pay for the messaging feature if you want to activate that. Otherwise, use of the app (e.g., to check activities, your account, reservations, etc.) is FREE.

Thank you for clarifying my point. Yes, the app is free, and you can and should download before you get to the ship. The messaging function is for paying customers only.

 

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[uneamie]

Thank you for clarifying my point. Yes, the app is free, and you can and should download before you get to the ship. The messaging function is for paying customers only.

 

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Hmm....so, does one have to have bought "internet minutes" to use that app to text between 2 phones on board? I do have 250 free minutes but that is only me who has that.....not my brother who I'd want text onboard. Also, do I have to have an Iphone? I have an LG tracfone and my brother has the Iphone.

[sanger727]

Hmm....so, does one have to have bought "internet minutes" to use that app to text between 2 phones on board? I do have 250 free minutes but that is only me who has that.....not my brother who I'd want text onboard. Also, do I have to have an Iphone? I have an LG tracfone and my brother has the Iphone.

 

 

No. You can download the app to 2 phones, pay the $10ish pp to activate the messaging feature; and that's it. No internet minutes are used and you can text each other all cruise for free. You both have to be able to download the iconcierge app but it doesn't matter what phone/carrier it is. Just check and see if it's in your App Store.

 

 

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