cruisingcasual Posted February 26, 2019 #1 Share Posted February 26, 2019 I've done a bit of research, and found that the Cellular at Sea for my carrier (Ting) would be 12 cents for each outgoing text. I'm thinking to turn off my talk minutes and data and only leave the text on. This would allow us to communicate with 2 teenagers without the Voom package which I don't think I need or want. Has anyone done this to communicate while on-board? Hoping to avoid any pitfalls.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Biker19 Posted February 26, 2019 #2 Share Posted February 26, 2019 I would triple check that price- most carriers who support it charge 50 cents. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clarea Posted February 26, 2019 #3 Share Posted February 26, 2019 5 minutes ago, cruisingcasual said: I've done a bit of research, and found that the Cellular at Sea for my carrier (Ting) would be 12 cents for each outgoing text. I'm thinking to turn off my talk minutes and data and only leave the text on. This would allow us to communicate with 2 teenagers without the Voom package which I don't think I need or want. Has anyone done this to communicate while on-board? Hoping to avoid any pitfalls.... Texting via Cellular at Sea has worked fine for us. However, it would scare the heck out of me to have two teenagers on a "pay by the text" plan. I would also verify that their is no charge for receiving texts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruisingcasual Posted February 26, 2019 Author #4 Share Posted February 26, 2019 Yes, I did check that. Legit price there. Now, the minutes and data rates I'd rather not mention... Good call on the teenagers! Luckily, I only pay the bills on one, my daughters friend is the other. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare GetToLivin Posted February 26, 2019 #5 Share Posted February 26, 2019 We just purchase voom and text through apps like FB or IG -- no worries about extra charges that way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nectarologist Posted February 26, 2019 #6 Share Posted February 26, 2019 Do you have iPhones? I was able to use iMessage for free to anyone (on ship or land) who had an iPhone with iMessage enabled. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kerryincork Posted February 26, 2019 #7 Share Posted February 26, 2019 Just make sure the teena know NO phone call to friends and no data. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruisingcasual Posted February 26, 2019 Author #8 Share Posted February 26, 2019 (edited) We are on Independence, does the iMessage trick work there? With Ting I have the ability to shut off individual features, so I will be shutting down voice and data for all of us as we sail away. Edited February 26, 2019 by cruisingcasual Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Biker19 Posted February 26, 2019 #9 Share Posted February 26, 2019 Just now, cruisingcasual said: We are on Independence, does the iMessage trick work there? No. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kitiara Posted February 26, 2019 #10 Share Posted February 26, 2019 14 minutes ago, Nectarologist said: Do you have iPhones? I was able to use iMessage for free to anyone (on ship or land) who had an iPhone with iMessage enabled. Will that work on Adventure? That would be awsome! What setting do you need in order to receive iMessages without incuring roaming charges? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clarea Posted February 26, 2019 #11 Share Posted February 26, 2019 Just now, kitiara said: Will that work on Adventure? That would be awsome! What setting do you need in order to receive iMessages without incuring roaming charges? Nope. Only Harmony and Quantum class ships at the moment. I would expect the Harmony hole to be plugged at any time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Biker19 Posted February 26, 2019 #12 Share Posted February 26, 2019 Just now, kitiara said: Will that work on Adventure? No, Quantum class and Harmony only. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SRF Posted February 26, 2019 #13 Share Posted February 26, 2019 2 hours ago, GetToLivin said: We just purchase voom and text through apps like FB or IG -- no worries about extra charges that way. Why not enable WiFi calling, and you can call and text directly for no extra fee? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SRF Posted February 26, 2019 #14 Share Posted February 26, 2019 17 hours ago, cruisingcasual said: Yes, I did check that. Legit price there. Now, the minutes and data rates I'd rather not mention... Good call on the teenagers! Luckily, I only pay the bills on one, my daughters friend is the other. Still, if they are texting friends at home, you could find yourself paying for many hundreds, if not thousands of texts. Cheaper to buy Voom wifi and enable WiFi calling. That way they can video chat with their friends at home also. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nectarologist Posted February 26, 2019 #15 Share Posted February 26, 2019 (edited) 3 hours ago, kitiara said: Will that work on Adventure? That would be awsome! What setting do you need in order to receive iMessages without incuring roaming charges? Hi. You just need to be logged in to the ships wifi. I was on Anthem and that ship has you log onto their wifi network (for free) so you can use their on-board app. Since you're on the wifi network, iMessage will work b/c it communicates via wifi (not a traditional cellular signal). You follow the steps to use the app that includes turning off data usage (Royal provides this info). I don't remember exactly but you basically go into airplane mode and then turn wifi back on. After that you are all set. It will work with ipod touches too or an old iPhone that you don't have hooked up to a phone plan (even an ipad & watch) (any apple device that connects to wifi). I sent family back home pictures via iMessage, it was great. I didn't try wifi calling but I suppose you could do that too. Of course the recipient needs to have iMessage too so you coun't text people that have a driod phone. I see that it doesn't work on Adventure 😞 but just an fyi for others wondering how this works. Edited February 26, 2019 by Nectarologist Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruisingcasual Posted February 26, 2019 Author #16 Share Posted February 26, 2019 She understands, there won't be 100's of texts. The person she wants to hang out with most is coming with us, conveniently enough. Worst case, she runs up a bill, she pays. She has a job, but I can tell you that's not how she wants to spend her money. She wants a car and thinks twice before spending her hard earned coin. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hallux Posted February 26, 2019 #17 Share Posted February 26, 2019 2 hours ago, Nectarologist said: Hi. You just need to be logged in to the ships wifi. I was on Anthem and that ship has you log onto their wifi network (for free) so you can use their on-board app. Since you're on the wifi network, iMessage will work b/c it communicates via wifi (not a traditional cellular signal). As others before you said, this does not work on all ships. It only works on Quantum-class ships and Harmony of the Seas. Basically, if the ship uses the RoyalIQ app, this works... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpecialNeedsFam Posted February 26, 2019 #18 Share Posted February 26, 2019 WiFi and WhatsApp is great for texting aboard the ship! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnnaNicole Posted February 26, 2019 #19 Share Posted February 26, 2019 I called my carrier, T-Mobile. They said I could call or text from the ship for free if I use the ship's wifi. They said to turn off cellular data and to use the phone in airplane mode to assure no charges. I inquired about iPhone to iPhone. I get free calling and texting in all of North America. Ports aren't an issue. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clarea Posted February 26, 2019 #20 Share Posted February 26, 2019 2 minutes ago, AnnaNicole said: ... They said to turn off cellular data and to use the phone in airplane mode to assure no charges. ... Just a reminder that once you put the phone in Airplane Mode, you have to turn WiFI back on. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cel_cruise Posted February 27, 2019 #21 Share Posted February 27, 2019 I called my carrier, T-Mobile. They said I could call or text from the ship for free if I use the ship's wifi. They said to turn off cellular data and to use the phone in airplane mode to assure no charges. I inquired about iPhone to iPhone. I get free calling and texting in all of North America. Ports aren't an issue. Yes - but Royal charges $11-$17 each day to use the ships WiFi. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnnaNicole Posted February 27, 2019 #22 Share Posted February 27, 2019 (edited) 54 minutes ago, Cel_cruise said: Yes - but Royal charges $11-$17 each day to use the ships WiFi. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Download the app prior to departure for free wifi https://www.royalcaribbean.com/faq/questions/what-is-the-new-royal-caribbean-app Edited February 27, 2019 by AnnaNicole Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hallux Posted February 27, 2019 #23 Share Posted February 27, 2019 17 minutes ago, AnnaNicole said: Download the app prior to departure for free wifi https://www.royalcaribbean.com/faq/questions/what-is-the-new-royal-caribbean-app Again, does not work on all ships. The Royal app may work, but not all ships have the "hole" (ok, bad word to use on a ship) that allows some services through. Also, it's not wide open "free WiFi", only certain things work, on ships where it works. The ship you were on, Anthem, is one where that is open. In fact - it only works on ships still using the RoyalIQ app... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Biker19 Posted February 27, 2019 #24 Share Posted February 27, 2019 12 hours ago, hallux said: In fact - it only works on ships still using the RoyalIQ app... Except Harmony which switched to the RCI app but apparently still has the hole. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShillyShally Posted February 27, 2019 #25 Share Posted February 27, 2019 18 hours ago, Host Clarea said: Just a reminder that once you put the phone in Airplane Mode, you have to turn WiFI back on. This, I always forget this and wonder why it's not working 🙂 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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