Alaska cruising with Verizon

[thinkoflaura]

Sorry if this is a silly question... but will our Verizon cell phones work ON BOARD THE SHIP while we're sailing in/around Alaska? I'm mostly interested in being able to text and read & send email w/o incurring roaming charges.

I've only sailed on DCL internationally, so I always wondered what happens when sailing domestically.

thanks!

 

[anricat]

I can't see the areas between ports having loads of cell coverage. I haven't sailed, though, so I can't say from experience. You could probably check the cell coverage map for Alaska for your carrier and see if it shows coverage in the inside passage.

I have AT&T and I checked the coverage map, and it looks like there's some but it's pretty spotty in areas.

 

[anricat]

I searched and found a thread from January about cell coverage in Alaska that may help you: http://www.disboards.com/threads/phone-service-in-alaska.3372771/

 

[xlxo]

Getting a DCL internet package is your best option. There's a 50mb bonus for the first day.

ATT worked well around the AK ports on my trip. Telus coverage was available around the inside passage and Prince Rupert.... but that will be roaming on your Verizon.

 

[cruisehopeful]

I searched and found a thread from January about cell coverage in Alaska that may help you: http://www.disboards.com/threads/phone-service-in-alaska.3372771/

Thanks for that link. I remember my ATT phone working in the ports, but my next Alaska cruise will be with Tmobile. After looking at the link, I'll probably get a pay as you go phone with ATT for that trip.

 

[sharksfinatic17]

We have Verizon, and my phone worked okay in the towns. I can't help while on the boat as I had my phone in airplane mode.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Sorry if this is a silly question... but will our Verizon cell phones work ON BOARD THE SHIP while we're sailing in/around Alaska? I'm mostly interested in being able to text and read & send email w/o incurring roaming charges.

I've only sailed on DCL internationally, so I always wondered what happens when sailing domestically.

thanks!

Onboard the ship your signal will go through Cellular at Sea (costly). While in port, off ship, in the US ports, Verizon works just as in the contiguous states (as long as you have a plan that covers all US).

When in Canada, you will incur roaming charges (also costly).

 

[sdjen]

My Verizon phone worked well in ports.

Also, for $15-25 you can add coverage in Canada. We were there precruise for a few days and it was great to not have to worry about roaming charges. The $25 package was unlimited texts and 500 minutes for calling with 1 mb of data IIRC. It was great to be able to use data for maps and researching etc...

 

[IBelieveInTheMagic]

I have AT&T and used mine in 2013 and worked perfectly fine. Since you asked about using on the ship in/near Alaska I can say I remember coming into Ketchikan bay and a decent distance from where we docked but because we were near land I had strong AT&T coverage and LTE at that. I wouldn't recommend taking off airplane mode but once you are so close to land in theory you should be fine. I'm assuming I took mine off airplane mode to check (had data roaming still off) and had no issues at all. Make sure your phone clearly shows your AT&T or Verizon signal and not another one like the Cellular at Sea or Canadian roaming if you didn't add that to your package, etc. To me it's in theory like sailing away from Port Canaveral - the phone still picks up AT&T coverage for a distance out to sea although I've never tested how far

Heather

 

[cedricandsophie]

We were in Alaska on the Wonder three years ago. New used verizon on land just fine. On the ship, we used wifi to call with Skype. Worked great for only pennies a call.

 

[thinkoflaura]

thanks all for the info. exactly the kinds of stuff i wanted to know!

 

[Ofinn]

I've never had a problem getting cell service in any domestic port such St Thomas, San Juan, Hawaiian Islands. I would assume Alaskan ports would be no different.

 

[xlxo]

I've never had a problem getting cell service in any domestic port such St Thomas, San Juan, Hawaiian Islands. I would assume Alaskan ports would be no different.

Until a few years ago.... ATT was the only carrier to invested in good coverage in Alaska ports. Tracy Arm will not have coverage.