Handheld GPS on ship and ports - The DIS Discussion Forums

cgolf · 01-01-2013, 09:09 PM

Just curious if anyone has taken theirs along and marked some waypoints along the way. Got a new gps for christmas for fishing and thought it may be cool to mark a waypoint or two and seehow far from home we get. Also would be cool to see how fast the boat is going, direction, etc.

Would the GPS cause any issues with the ships electronics? I know probably a geek thing, but want to try out the new toy.

cgolf

GrumpyGoat · 01-01-2013, 10:17 PM

A GPS receiver is not going to present a problem with the ships electronics as it's not putting out a signal of its own. I took my hand held GPS on a Wonder repo cruise in 2011 and left it running the entire trip. I had to leave it close to the stateroom window as that was the only place I could reliably get a signal.

However, if you have a radio that will transmit, such as an FRS or ham radio, it's best to check with the crew before using it on the ship. In fact, the FCC rules for the amateur radio service require that the operator have permission from the ship's master before using a radio on the ship.

The ship provides track, position, and speed information on one of the channels on the in-room television, so in 2012, I left the GPS at home...

pnwsurfer · 01-02-2013, 12:08 AM

And if you are going to Castaway Cay, you can use it to find the Geocache on the island!
http://www.geocaching.com/seek/cache...d-6226154cc0f8

yjjohnston · 02-01-2013, 12:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pnwsurfer

And if you are going to Castaway Cay, you can use it to find the Geocache on the island!
http://www.geocaching.com/seek/cache...d-6226154cc0f8

We went to Castaway Key on a Disney cruise in April 2012, but I accidentaly left my gps at home

This time it is on my packing list, along with some extra batteries. Finally gonna find this geocache!

Also have one near Atlantis marked that I want to find (Nassau, Bahamas).

Yvette (yjjohnston)

MedicGoofy · 02-01-2013, 08:45 AM

While we were sailing from Port Canaveral to Key West, we were close enough to the FL coastline to see buildings.

There were a couple of people out on deck who had GPS....they thought we were at a specific point but knowing FL as well as I do, I thought they were way off. We were no where close to where they thought we might have been.

kalc12345 · 02-01-2013, 09:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pnwsurfer

And if you are going to Castaway Cay, you can use it to find the Geocache on the island!
http://www.geocaching.com/seek/cache...d-6226154cc0f8

We LOVE geocaching. Did not know there was one on Castaway. Will have to find it on our upcoming cruise. Thanks

ALSBC91 · 02-01-2013, 10:43 AM

If you Geocache, you can also check for caches at ports too, not just Castaway Cay!!

NurseDave · 02-01-2013, 10:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pnwsurfer

And if you are going to Castaway Cay, you can use it to find the Geocache on the island!
http://www.geocaching.com/seek/cache...d-6226154cc0f8

When I went in '06 there were two on the island. One was covered in red ants. NOT fun to get!

kuhltiffany · 02-01-2013, 04:51 PM

We did lots of Geo-caching on our last cruise, using a handheld GPS and an iPhone.

Lots on San Juan, some on St. Thomas too. The one on CC is quite a far walk and best done with a bike rental

DizJohn · 02-01-2013, 05:13 PM

I love to cache while in ports and I try to waypoint while at sea an where the boat is parked just in case

01-01-2013, 09:09 PM	#1
cgolf Mouseketeer Join Date: May 2012 Location: Near Madison Wi Posts: 156	Handheld GPS on ship and ports Just curious if anyone has taken theirs along and marked some waypoints along the way. Got a new gps for christmas for fishing and thought it may be cool to mark a waypoint or two and seehow far from home we get. Also would be cool to see how fast the boat is going, direction, etc. Would the GPS cause any issues with the ships electronics? I know probably a geek thing, but want to try out the new toy. cgolf __________________

01-02-2013, 12:08 AM	#3
pnwsurfer Earning My Ears Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: WA State Posts: 34	And if you are going to Castaway Cay, you can use it to find the Geocache on the island! http://www.geocaching.com/seek/cache...d-6226154cc0f8 __________________ Marci Michael Jack

02-01-2013, 08:45 AM	#5
MedicGoofy DIS Veteran Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Niagara Falls, Canada Posts: 737	While we were sailing from Port Canaveral to Key West, we were close enough to the FL coastline to see buildings. There were a couple of people out on deck who had GPS....they thought we were at a specific point but knowing FL as well as I do, I thought they were way off. We were no where close to where they thought we might have been. __________________

02-01-2013, 10:43 AM	#7
ALSBC91 Mouseketeer Join Date: Oct 2010 Posts: 226	If you Geocache, you can also check for caches at ports too, not just Castaway Cay!! __________________

02-01-2013, 04:51 PM	#9
kuhltiffany Mouseketeer Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Ontario Posts: 281	We did lots of Geo-caching on our last cruise, using a handheld GPS and an iPhone. Lots on San Juan, some on St. Thomas too. The one on CC is quite a far walk and best done with a bike rental __________________ Dream May 2012, Fantasy November 2012, Currently Waiting for 2014...Booked to leave on the Fantasy again, March 8, 2014!

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01-01-2013, 10:17 PM	#2
GrumpyGoat "Grumpy is as Grumpy does..." (Suggested by my wife...) Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: In the land of Governor Moonbeam... Posts: 271	A GPS receiver is not going to present a problem with the ships electronics as it's not putting out a signal of its own. I took my hand held GPS on a Wonder repo cruise in 2011 and left it running the entire trip. I had to leave it close to the stateroom window as that was the only place I could reliably get a signal. However, if you have a radio that will transmit, such as an FRS or ham radio, it's best to check with the crew before using it on the ship. In fact, the FCC rules for the amateur radio service require that the operator have permission from the ship's master before using a radio on the ship. The ship provides track, position, and speed information on one of the channels on the in-room television, so in 2012, I left the GPS at home...

02-01-2013, 05:13 PM	#10
DizJohn Mouseketeer Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Clinton, CT Posts: 172	I love to cache while in ports and I try to waypoint while at sea an where the boat is parked just in case __________________ WDW 94 96 98 00 03 06 07 09 10 11 12~DLR 1997 (Engaged IFO Castle) 2004 2008~ 99 Carnival Inspiration (S. Caribbean) ~ 04 Holland American Oosterdam (Alaska)~ 07 Disney Magic (E. Caribbean) ~ 08 Royal Caribbean Vision (Mex. Riviera) ~ 09 Carnival Legend (W. Caribbean) ~ 11 Carnival Pride (Baltimore-Bahamas) ~ Feb 13 Disney Fantasy (W.Caribbean)~ Aug 13 Carnival Glory (Canada) Me DW DS (9) DD (6)

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