Verizon Cell Service Onboard

[majimikate]

My DH and I leave 2 weeks from Sunday for the 4 day Wonder. We both have Verizon cell phones with free long distance in the US. Has anyone used this phone/plan while in the Bahamas? We are leaving our 4 kids back in NY and would like to be able to call home and not pay ship to shore rates. I called Verizon and no one seems to know what a call would cost. I was also wondering if a phone card might work in conjuction with the cell phone, so we could call from the ship using the cell phone. Any info or experiences would be great. Thanks....

Chris

[FOJMO]

I am pretty sure that there is NO cell phone service of any kind on board or in the ports. There would have to be towers somewhere for reception and I don't think that's the case. :)

[natt]

We will be in the same situation in March. Our two kids will be with my 75 yr. mom (thank goodness for school!)
Our plan is to look into the $40 for unlimited internet access on board. This way we can be in touch daily to stay close, but if there is a "non-life-threatening" problem, they can email us to ask for help. DH will also use it to keep in touch with work, so hopefully he can claim it as a business expense!

[FOJMO]

Isn't the unlimited internet access more than $40? I thought it was something like $85. Of course, that may be for a 7-day cruise. Maybe you're going on a shorter cruise.

[natt]

Yes, we are on a four-day. The 3 or 4 day package is $39.99, at least the last time I checked - Hopefully there won't be an increase until then. :( natt

[DISNEYGATOR]

It will depend on your phone first, it will probably have to be analog... since I doubt the Bahamas have a lot of digital service. But most inexpensive phones are analog...

I know a lot of providers have cell phone cards you can purchase to use for international calls.

Now, if the ship is at sea, you won't get any service.. You might be able to get service in Nassau, just depends... but, I wouldn't count on it though. Maybe get a pre-paid phone card and call from a payphone in Nassau?


Might want to consider using internet cafe... would be a lot cheaper and you could keep in touch via email on a regular basis you could communicate more frequently, and it is probably the most dependable method, for days at sea, and while at port.

[ExecuMom]

I've been on both the Eastern and Western cruises and got intermittent reception with my analog/digital cellphone.

It worked both times on Castaway Key - if I went out on the verandah.

It also worked in St. Thomas on the Eastern and in Key West on the Western. Definately not on the sea days or in Cozumel or St. Maarten.

The cell charges were included as part of my roaming. so I wasn't charged extra. Recommend prepaid phone cards for use in Port, to save money.

There is a telephone number to the ship that I've given to family at home. They can get a hold of you quickly if need be.

Hope this helps.

Michele

[ExecuMom]

I've been on both the Eastern and Western cruises and got intermittent reception with my analog/digital cellphone with Verizon.

It worked both times on Castaway Key - if I went out on the verandah.

It also worked in St. Thomas on the Eastern and in Key West on the Western. Definately not on the sea days or in Cozumel or St. Maarten.

The cell charges were included as part of my free roaming. so I wasn't charged extra. Recommend prepaid phone cards for use in Port, to save money.

There is a telephone number to the ship that I've given to family at home. They can get a hold of you quickly if need be.

Hope this helps.

Michele:smooth:

[Goin2CtheMouse]

I have this service and called for information. St Thomas is covered under the Nationwide plan while you are docked at no additionsl cost or roaming charge... but you lose the server/ base ... once out to sea.