Cell phone/email access on Bahamas cruises

[Miumiu4me]

Because of my job I need constant access to my email and I need the ability to make calls from my phone. I went on a Disney cruise in 2014 and I was fine with sporadic cell services/email service then, but I couldn’t do that now. If you pay for cell service on the boat, how well does it work? I’m not really worried about the cost, I just need reliable email/phone service.

 

[Andasibe]

The cell service at sea has been historically HORRIBLE. It is very expensive, does not work all the time and has bad quality when it is available. With that being said, the internet access is good (but can get very costly) so I would disable any apps that may pull data that you don't need to check frequently. I also would download an app that is a texting over wifi solution and share that number for people who need to reach you (I personally like TextFree). There is a small (very small) free data package that is available on the first day of your cruise so I would sign up for that ASAP when you board. Depending on your service provider, you may have service on Nassau. I have Verizon, with pay as you travel service and it is $10 for a 24 hour period.

 

[Shanti]

Because of my job I need constant access to my email and I need the ability to make calls from my phone. I went on a Disney cruise in 2014 and I was fine with sporadic cell services/email service then, but I couldn’t do that now. If you pay for cell service on the boat, how well does it work? I’m not really worried about the cost, I just need reliable email/phone service.

Bummer that you're never able to take a complete vacation from your job. What line of work are you in?

 

[aliceinvunderland]

I have an international plan for my Verizon cell phone, and found that I had service from shore during the majority of my Bahamas cruise last year. There were a few hours that first evening that I didn’t have service while we were steaming toward Nassau, but I had service in Nassau the next morning, at Castaway cay the following day, and even from Freeport for most of our day at sea. I never felt disconnected.

 

[Mousequake]

If you use an iPhone, see if your carrier supports voice calls over wifi. If they do, no need to pay for cell phone service-- you can just purchase the onboard wifi (which works well, but is fairly slow) and make voice calls using that. Worked like a charm for us on our last cruise when we needed to stay in regular contact with an older parent who was in the hospital.

 

[Miumiu4me]

If you use an iPhone, see if your carrier supports voice calls over wifi. If they do, no need to pay for cell phone service-- you can just purchase the onboard wifi (which works well, but is fairly slow) and make voice calls using that. Worked like a charm for us on our last cruise when we needed to stay in regular contact with an older parent who was in the hospital.

I already have an app for client calls. Good idea, thanks!

 

[Jestocost]

Just be aware that both the cell service and WiFi Internet are satellite based and there will be periods of time where the ship is out of position relative to those satellites and nothing will be available. Downloads will be OK on the WiFi, uploads not so much, and latency is inherently awful.