Wifi calling with all included wifi service?

[NutsAboutGolf]

2 minutes ago, 2Long2NxtCrz said:

This is a great topic. We generally don't want internet when we cruise. The point of a vacation is so that work cannot access either of us. But, with the passing of one of our two dogs so that our pup (at nearly 9) is an only pup for the first time, I wanted to make sure we were accessible to our dog sitter and family. My oldest will be helping my youngest move out of the dorm while we're gone and, again, unusual circumstances so I wanted to be available. I had just assumed I would attach my phone to the wi-fi and use WhatsApp, but that doesn't sound like it's as foolproof as it should be. And we're on the Eclipse which hasn't been Edgified.

 

We have five nights at sea so one of us might have to upgrade.

 

For myself personally, if I can receive and reply to work emails say an hour a day I can then cruise twice as often.  Many people can still work remotely, I do understand many who sail X are retired.

[BillHana]

3 hours ago, wrk2cruise said:

 

Any chance you are in a suite or have the Elevate or Indulge package?   These all upgrade the WiFi to stream.

Just a simple balcony. 

 

[sbcs5390]

5 hours ago, NutsAboutGolf said:

iPhone user here, since the restart have been on the Edge, 'Nox, Millie and the Reflection.  I always start with Surf/Basic and upgrade mid sailing to Stream/Premium, always the same:

 

Surf/Basic:  CAN send/receive iMessages

Surf/Basic:  CANNOT send/receive texts that are NOT iMessages, make outgoing or receive incoming phone calls, use cruisecritic

 

Stream/Premium:  CAN send/receive all messages, can make and receive calls, use cruisecritic

This was my experience on Silhouette and Millennium in Feb and March also. I was able to do audio calling via Microsoft Teams before making the upgrading to stream, but not native wifi calls via the Phone app on my iPhone. 

[T^2]

We did not try whatsapp in Dec, only native cell provider wifi calling.  Have stream on upcoming cruise, so don't expect any issues.

[Luvcrusn]

12 hours ago, BillHana said:

We are currently on Equinox and find the Always Included internet works for anything we try. WiFi calling works flawlessly for both calling and receiving. Posting on CC works fine. Text with picture attachments works fine. Not using any streaming video but the annoying video advertisements all come through. Streaming audio works fine. No complaints. 

I'm curious, are you iPhone or Android users?

[BillHana]

We are android on Verizon users.

 

[Luvcrusn]

6 hours ago, BillHana said:

We are android on Verizon users.

 

Great news...we are also! I thought we might need to upgrade to stream after our complimentary Captains Club minutes are gone. Maybe now we can use our OBC for something more fun!

[the penguins]

On 3/28/2022 at 3:21 AM, blackshirt said:

WiFi calling has worked for me using the free Elite minutes which is the basic service.

The free Elite minutes are streaming rate not the basic. The basic is only suitable for basic text messages.

 

[the penguins]

On 3/28/2022 at 6:15 PM, blackshirt said:

My guess is you will have separate accounts for the all included benefit and the elite minutes, so your choice when you use the elite minutes.

When you login on the ship you get to tick the boxes. On Silhouette last year I am sure the only option for your Elite minutes was to use them first - we never bothered as basic for us is fine. However we only used one package so if we were desperate for the faster speed in an emergency we would have logged in with our second account and used them.