Cindyscruising Posted October 23, 2017 #1 Share Posted October 23, 2017 I am considering getting an internet package through NCL to use on my iphone and ipad while on board the ship. I am afraid I will be charged an exorbitant roaming fee from my carrier which is Verizon, even though I would be on the ships wi-fi. Can anyone clarify for me how this works or share their experience? Is the internet package only to be used on the PC's in the internet cafe area? Thanks in advance! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
goin-away Posted October 23, 2017 #2 Share Posted October 23, 2017 If you turn off the phone's data and just use WiFi then you won't be charged by your phone company. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moby0215 Posted October 23, 2017 #3 Share Posted October 23, 2017 You will put your phone on airplane mode then you will turn on the WiFi. No connection to Verizon whatsoever. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PelicanBill Posted October 23, 2017 #4 Share Posted October 23, 2017 You put your phone in airplane mode, which cuts it off from voice and carrier data. Then turn on Wi=Fi only. Now you use the ship wi-fi only and verizon does not charge you at all. No text messaging, but imessage works and if you use Facebook messenger that works great. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cindyscruising Posted October 23, 2017 Author #5 Share Posted October 23, 2017 Thanks so much for the speedy replies, they are extremely helpful and I will follow the great advice! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
17cruisesnsl Posted October 23, 2017 #6 Share Posted October 23, 2017 I have Verizon and purchase the unlimited wifi when onboard - what the respondents said is correct - no charges from Verizon. Enjoy your cruise Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare BirdTravels Posted October 23, 2017 #7 Share Posted October 23, 2017 Set your phone to cellular Data Roaming OFF. That will prevent any accidental roaming. And set your phone to airplane mode ON to prevent any cellular service. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garycarla Posted October 23, 2017 #8 Share Posted October 23, 2017 Set your phone to cellular Data Roaming OFF. That will prevent any accidental roaming. And set your phone to airplane mode ON to prevent any cellular service. EVERYONE should turn DATA ROAMING OFF - even if you want to leave the phone turned on for phone calls. But, for wifi.internet from the ship. As said above, turn to AIRPLANE MODE,then turn WIFI on. You have to log into the wifi each time you use it, and log out if on a per minute plan. Covered. This applies to Verizon, ATT, Tmobile, etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruisinmeme Posted October 23, 2017 #9 Share Posted October 23, 2017 I don't know how it worked and if it is still an option because I remember reading recently about how NCL has blocked something but my daughter would call me on iMessage and we talked. We cruise again in just over a month and I was going to get the info on what we did since I will have plenty of Internet time. I do remember if I wasn't down at Internet cafe I had to stand very near our door to get a reception. I would usually type my message then sign into wifi to send it. Saved my mins. That way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ktmac1 Posted October 24, 2017 #10 Share Posted October 24, 2017 I have a follow up to this - I have 100 minutes free or something like that. Does that mean I don't want to connect to the ships wifi until i'm ready to use my minutes? So maybe plan 15 minutes at the end of each day to get messages, emails etc? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garycarla Posted October 24, 2017 #11 Share Posted October 24, 2017 I have a follow up to this - I have 100 minutes free or something like that. Does that mean I don't want to connect to the ships wifi until i'm ready to use my minutes? So maybe plan 15 minutes at the end of each day to get messages, emails etc? The track your minutes that you were logged on. So, plan your time. Maybe 3 minutes, maybe 8... whatever it takes. Once you connect, it starts tracking minutes. It does a very good job of SHOWING how may you have used, and what is left. Not sure if you read all your mail online, or you download it to your phone and then read it. If you get LOTS of mail, you can download, then logoff, read and reply. then log back on.Reading online takes longer, sometimes way too long. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeBTN Posted October 26, 2017 #12 Share Posted October 26, 2017 Verizon has a Messages+ app - download it and you can send/receive texts and make/receive phone calls to anyone for free (as per your plan, anyway). Just turn your phone on Airplane mode and then turn on Wifi. The ships wifi is slower than 4G, so phone call quality won't be amazing, but it'll get you by in a pinch. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garycarla Posted October 26, 2017 #13 Share Posted October 26, 2017 Verizon has a Messages+ app - download it and you can send/receive texts and make/receive phone calls to anyone for free (as per your plan, anyway). Just turn your phone on Airplane mode and then turn on Wifi. The ships wifi is slower than 4G, so phone call quality won't be amazing, but it'll get you by in a pinch. To use any app like this, you have to log into the ships wifi, right? And ships wifi is on a per minute, per MB, or unlimited plan depending on what you buy. (unless this is some new deal they have that now includes shipboard wifi) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bgccsownsck Posted October 26, 2017 #14 Share Posted October 26, 2017 I have a similar question. I have Verizon and we are sailing to Alaska. If I turn off roaming I shouldn’t get any charges right? Because we aren’t leaving the US or Canada...? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sanger727 Posted October 26, 2017 #15 Share Posted October 26, 2017 You need to address this with VZ. Not really - wifi internet and data are two completely different and unrelated things. No need to contact Verizon; they have nothing to do with the ship's wifi. All OP would need to contact Verizon over is cellular service, if they plan to use it. I have a similar question. I have Verizon and we are sailing to Alaska. If I turn off roaming I shouldn’t get any charges right? Because we aren’t leaving the US or Canada...? I've not used Verizon in Alaska or Canada so don't know how the coverage works. But yes, if you turn your cellular roaming (both data and voice) off, you shouldn't get any additional charges. The phone simply won't work if you aren't in network. I did this in San Juan and calls went through but data wouldn't. So the calling network was in network but the data network wasn't. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roger001 Posted October 26, 2017 #16 Share Posted October 26, 2017 I have a similar question. I have Verizon and we are sailing to Alaska. If I turn off roaming I shouldn’t get any charges right? Because we aren’t leaving the US or Canada...? While in port in Alaska, Verizon is domestic, no different than in lower 48. However, while the ship is at sea or in a Canadian port, yes, turn data off or "data off while roaming". During that time if you wish you can leave "voice on while roaming" if you want to use the Verizon texting plan. That is .05c for each received and .50c for each sent. Texting works through voice. However, don't answer any calls or listen to voice mail or it will be $2.50 a minute if you do. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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