Iphone on Bliss

[QuickieGlenn]

I tried a search but could not get to the answer

Do you get cell phone service on the Bliss?

What should you turn off as not to get overcharged?

Am going to use the NCL app just to check on my account and booking reservations, no on board texts

 

Thanks

[NeurosurgeryNP]

Always have your phone in airplane mode to avoid exorbitant charges by Cellular at sea. You can still use the ships Intranet and on board app and purchase internet minutes if you desire.  

[esm54687]

While you say "no on board texts"... are you expecting texts or phone calls from home etc? 

 

If yes, then putting your phone in airplane mode will prevent those from coming through. Airplane mode is not always the right answer. You should turn off "mobile data roaming" as this will prevent internet, email, app updates from downloading and causing those charges.  Contact your wireless carrier to find out if they have a roaming agreement with Cellular at Sea and the cost associated. Many carriers have a tool on their website that you can find this out.

[ttechnology]

Yes, there is cellular on the Bliss.  Whether it's expensive or not depends on your cell phone provider and what you choose to do.

 

You can go to airplane mode.  That shuts off everything.  You can then turn wifi back on so that you can use the Norwegian app.  Then when you go ashore, you can visit locations that have WiFi and touch base there.

 

You can also discuss the situation with your cellular provider.  For example, AT&T has 2 Cruise plans - 1 that is $100 for a month, which includes unlimited phone calls and text messages with pictures.  One is $50 includes 50 min of calls, unlimited texts and no data.  Calls are $3 per minute without a plan.  https://www.att.com/offers/international-plans/cruise-packages.html  Both include calling in several countries and Caribbean islands. 

 

Data is a piece of the problem, too.  Apps on your phone do stuff in the background that can be expensive.  Turning off mobile data roaming should keep data from being a problem.  Data is part of the more expensive Cruise plan, too, but it's a nominal amount (200mb) in the $100 plan and it may be better to take the NCL plan for internet should you choose.    (There is a cruise faq sheet at ATT.COM that may be of help.)

 

AT&T also has International calling plans.  For $10 per 24hours, you can use your plan in hundreds of countries around the world.  Need to sign up in advance, though.  Free to sign up and only charged for the day when you use a cell tower on shore.

 

I'm sure other cellular providers have similar programs.

 

This is just what I know about.  Good luck!

[AtlantaAlly]

How do the internet minutes work with apps like Tapatalk? If I have the app open and I’m working on uploading something, does that count towards the minutes?

Also, if I have the “free” internet minutes, how much can I reduce from the unlimited daily package?

[ttechnology]

Per the fine print, internet minutes are at the device level.  Only one device can be logged in at a time.

 

As I understand it, you connect to wifi and log in to access the internet.  The clock starts.  Do whatever you want.  Log out.  Clock stops.  You can do that up to whatever number of minutes you have.

 

I've not gotten a good answer about upgrades from the "free" internet minutes.  From what I understand, you don't get much.  The package I received was "valued" at $105 for my upcoming 15 day cruise.  Upgrades are reportedly handled at the internet desk on the ship per the NCL person I talked to - which, I understand from forums, has a long line.  But that's all rumor and I can't say I've dealt with it before as I always tried to unplug completely.

 

This upcoming trip, I am not going to be unplugged due to the number of sea days, etc.  I kept the "free" internet and added an unlimited premium package for my wife using the NCL.com online purchase discount.  That way we can both use the internet when we want.  It's pricey but it is supposed to have very good response time (for a satellite based system) on the Bliss.  Claims are that you can stream video, etc.  Maybe I'm a sucker but we'll see in a week. 

[BirdTravels]

1 hour ago, AtlantaAlly said:

How do the internet minutes work with apps like Tapatalk? If I have the app open and I’m working on uploading something, does that count towards the minutes?

Also, if I have the “free” internet minutes, how much can I reduce from the unlimited daily package?

Internet minutes work by you logging on to the Wi-Fi and logging off. When you are logged on, you are clicking down your minutes. 

 

Free at Sea promotion have a cash value equivalent to the retail price of the minutes/ package. Other minutes may or may not have value (e.g. casino Wi-Fi minutes have no value). Latitude minutes technically do not have value, but some internet managers will give you something for it. 

Edited March 24, 2019 by BirdTravels