Do cell phones work at any ports?

[KimberlyB]

We may have an important phone call to make while on our Disney Cruise aboard the Magic?
Can you tell me if a cell phone might work, while we are docked near the ports of call?
Or would it be easier to use a phone card and make the call, off of the ship, on one of the islands from a pay phone?
We know that ship to shore rates are expensive on board and this call will last 1 hour. Help. Thank you for all of the info that I have found on these boards. They are really helpful, as our 1st cruise approaches.
Just can't wait!!

 

[gometros]

For a call that long, I would use a phone card and make the call off of the ship. I was able to use my Sprint PCS phone in St. Thomas, but at 75 cents a minute that will run you up quite a bill.

 

[LVTravel]

I have used my Verizon national rate one plan in the US Virgin Islands and Nassau without any additional charges.

Don't know if yours will work because there are so many different carriers and plans. To check I would contact your cell phone carrier and attempt to ask them. They should know what types of charges would be associated with their particular roaming rates in the islands. They may also be able to set up something for short term use while in a particular island. I see that you are on the Magic which is the 7 day cruise. Cozumel, Grand Cayman & Key West or the alternate itineary?

An alternative - Could you use the internet for emailing the information you need? The rates on the ship are not that bad if you buy the package they have.

An hour of phone call from any of the pay phones will aslo be fairly expensive in the islands to the US.

Sorry I couldn't be more help

I'm doing the Magic Jan 3, 2004 cruise.

 

[BabySam99]

I used my cell (Cingular) in Nassau with no problem...didn't try it at any other port. Hope this helps a little.

 

[MommaluvsDis]

If you don't mind me asking, what sort of fees, charges did you incur with your Cingular plan? I am on the "No roam, no long distance Nationwide" plan.

 

[jel0511]

I can answer the cingular queston. We also used out Cingular National cell in Nassau and incurred no additional charges. Just use up minutes.

 

[AprilN]

We used our Sprint PCS phone while onboard the Magic in port at St. Thomas (I'm sure it worked out on the island as well). We have free long distance as one of our options, and there were no additional charges. It was great to be able to touch base with family back home from the comfort of our room.

We tried to make a call from the ship when we were within sight of Puerto Rico (just for fun), but we kept losing the connection. Other cell phones might be more successful.

April

 

[jlp651]

Anyone know if Nextel two-way radios will work? They are building their 2 way network to become nation wide...boyfriend won't leave home with out his...says if we get seperated in the parks or on the ship we will be able to find each other....

 

[Judge Doom]

I used my Cell Phone (Cingular) In Grand Cayman, Cozumel and Castaway Cay with no trouble at all, If your taking that route. We also had a weak signal when we were off the coast of Cuba but I wouldn't trust it to use it then.

 

[CBAGGS]

Does any one know about T-Mobile phones at the ports? sometimes I don't get very good reception but i may just need to use it in Key West.

Kari

 

[WorknFires]

I too, used my cingular "free long distance, no roaming charges" in nassau & freeport. The signal was strong and there were no hidden charges on my bill later. I seriously doubt that Nextel's radios will work there. They just finished setting it up where New Orleans can talk to Mobile and there are sooo many places my husband's Nextel doesn't even get a signal. Since Nextel doesn't share towers, I'd be very surprised if it worked. JMHO, but good luck.

 

[KenP]

Someone correct me if I am wrong, but it is my impression that the Nextel radios are not "real" two-way radios. They require a Nextel cel tower in order to work.

Nextel won't work on the ship, and won't work on the islands.

 

[WorknFires]

correct Ken. that's why I'm sure they won't work. Nextel doesn't share towers so it would require one of theirs and I'm 99.9% sure they don't have one there. (LOL gotta cover my bases in case they've built one LOL)

cheryl

 

[Flyrfan]

I sell Nextel and know that they will not work outside of the states with the exception of Canada and limited use in Mexico. The Direct Connect (two-way) will only work on the Nextel Network. And no, they are not actually two-way radios. They utilize cellular radio technology. Getting technical, cellular phones are actually radios.

 

[WorknFires]

LOL go straight to the source. Thanks Flyrfan. The "two-way" radio feature is the only feature I'm jealous of (and would be willing to switch for) but unfortunately I travel in too many areas that aren't covered by Nextel towers and I am paranoid about breaking down and not being able to call for help. The fact that I was able to call home from Nassau was just a nice plus. I didn't even need to call home but since I noticed I had coverage... LOL well... I couldn't pass that up could I?

Cheryl

 

[Flyrfan]

As far as the two-way is concerned, Verizon, AT&T and Sprint will be launching their version of Direct Connect within the next 6 months or so. Also, since Cingular and AT&T have "partnered" roaming nationally, I would not be suprised to see them jump onboard as well.