Calling Home from a Disney Cruise

[scrappinginontario]

Do any Canadians have experience calling Canada from a Disney Cruise Ship?

I know some will say 'just turn it off' but that is not an option for us this cruise due to personal reasons.

We have Telus cell phones. Has anyone added a plan that allows them to call home from a Disney Cruise Ship? Do you know what it cost to add that plan? Use that plan?

Is it an option to call or receive calls from our stateroom? Any idea of the costs associated with this?

Thanks!

 

[lizabu]

I haven't done it but I have read about it in the cruise board. They say to do it at port. Once your out to sea it gets really expensive. If you absolutely must call from out at sea there are plans that cover it. I don't know the price for the plan but I think an American said calls are $2.50 per min. With our Canadian carriers it could be more. I got a US plan for around $40 per month. If you got something that includes Bahamas or wherever you will be docking and you phone once you're docked it should be cheaper.

 

[Gigi22]

Not what you asked for, but years ago I called my mother from our cabin and talked for about 5 min. I think it cost about $75.

 

[dsneygirl]

We just got back and had added the US plan for the WDW portion (we are with Rogers) but my DH said there was a Caribbean plan option as well. I can't remember if DH added it or not in the end. Last WDW trip we had to call our DSs Dr from a MK payphone in an emergency and it cost like $30.

 

[Maddysdaddy]

You should post this on the Cruise Forum, but my understanding (and I could be wrong) is that it makes no difference which cellular company you are with, as all cell calls while on the water are routed through a company called 'Cellular at Sea'. I seem to recall that it is an outrageous sum ($5+ per minute).

 

[vacation_junkie]

Do any Canadians have experience calling Canada from a Disney Cruise Ship?

I know some will say 'just turn it off' but that is not an option for us this cruise due to personal reasons.

We have Telus cell phones. Has anyone added a plan that allows them to call home from a Disney Cruise Ship? Do you know what it cost to add that plan? Use that plan?

Is it an option to call or receive calls from our stateroom? Any idea of the costs associated with this?

Thanks!

With Roaming our 1 min 6 sec call to check our voicemail on my bell mobility while in port in Jamacia or Bahamas..can't remember which one was $7.94.
Buy an International calling card before you leave home. You will be able to use that in Port at a pay phone.

Shore-to-ship rates are around $9.50 a minute.

I am with Bell. When I travel to the U.S. I add the in $20 U.S. 100 min plan.
Or for $30 you get 100 minutes (including long distance to Canada/U.S.)
1000 sent text messages
Unlimited incoming text messages

 

[minnie56]

Don't do it!!
You are using the ships satellite to call and $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

 

[MedicGoofy]

Do any Canadians have experience calling Canada from a Disney Cruise Ship?

I know some will say 'just turn it off' but that is not an option for us this cruise due to personal reasons.

We have Telus cell phones. Has anyone added a plan that allows them to call home from a Disney Cruise Ship? Do you know what it cost to add that plan? Use that plan?

Is it an option to call or receive calls from our stateroom? Any idea of the costs associated with this?

Thanks!

I have called Canada from the ship, several times, on my past cruise. I had a medical issue and needed to call home (didn't know if I would be flying back the day planned). When you have to call, you have to call.

First off, the reception was AMAZING!! Out in the middle of the ocean, on the first deck, in the middle of the ship, and was crystal clear. I wouldn't worry about that aspect.

I have looked at that before, and I don't believe there is a plan that covers 'at sea'. There are lots of different plans for being on land though. Which, if anything, would be your best bet at having your calls covered when in port, OR just pulling out or in to port. There are Caribbean plans, but make sure that the one you choose, covers your ports (if that is the route you go).

IF you were to find a plan that would cover that, I would assume that it would be much more expensive than just a US travel on pack. As the phone calls from the ship are much more expensive than just roaming and LD fees.

You can, I believe, make and receive phone calls from the stateroom. I think receiving phone calls is just for emergency though. In your cruise docs, it gives a number to get in touch with you.

For both of these questions, I would call Telus, and DCL as well. As they are the ones that can give you definite answers.

 

[tinkerone]

you didn't say where your cruise would be going to but I thought I would give you a few options we used. they may or may not be good for you.

I face timed using my ipod any time we were in port, every bit as good as phoning don't you think? course that would depend on the other person having an apple product as well. or Skype?
also, we stopped at costa maya and we went to the tropicante. they allowed us to use their phone to call home and they didn't care how long we used it. I, myself, made three calls. others were using it as well. the owner is on some plan that is unlimited and he gives it to his clients.
anyways, the other options we used before facetime or Skype was, as a p.p. mentioned, a calling card for other countries. you can pretty much pick them up at any corner store or a target or a walmart. $10/$20.
good luck.

 

[scrappinginontario]

Thanks everyone! Your answers have been very helpful!

I'm going to call DCL and see if they can tell me their ship-to-shore rates for calling from our stateroom. I'd rather just give my MIL the cost and let her make the choices that are best for her.

I contacted Telus and can get a Caribbean package for $40.00 for 50 minutes. I didn't think to ask if it covered our specific ports though so that's a good recommendation MedicGoofy!

The challenge is going to be on our sea days. We have 3 of them and if she chooses to call then it will be at ship-to-shore rates as the person she's calling is her elderly mother who has no access or experience with electronics. Grandma still goes to a teller to get money from her account so facetime and skype are out of the question!

Thanks again!