Not sure if anyone here needs this information, but I put it together for myself and thought I might as well post it.
Caution: It is long!
http://www.wireless.att.com/learn/international/roaming/international-roaming.jsp
Remember to check your phone's GSM frequency capability to ensure that it will work when you want it to work. GSM bands needed are listed below.
Rates are in USD per minute and DO NOT include taxes and fees.
TO AVOID INCREMENTAL TOLL CHARGES WHILE ON A CRUISE SHIP, PLEASE ENSURE THAT YOU HAVE AN INTERNATIONAL ROAMING FEATURE ACTIVATED ON YOUR ACCOUNT.
AT&T has two international plans: World Traveler (WT) $5.99 per month and World Connect (WC) at $3.99 per month. The difference between the two plans is the per minute charge in some countries. Remember to activate the international service before leaving home and disconnect it upon arrival in the States. As far as I can tell there is no activation or disconnect fee. On all the destinations, including the Magic, they give a caution that you may not be able to place calls to international destinations other than the United States while roaming in the country. Calls can be completed within the visited country and back to the US.
Phone Calls placed on the Magic while in international waters (that come up AT&T at Sea or Cingular at Sea on your phone display) will be charged at the rate of $2.49 per min, regardless of international plan used. To send Text: 50 cents or Picture video message: 1.30 per message. According to the site, receiving text, picture or video messages is according to your home pay per use or pkg rates when roaming internationally. It then says to visit
www.att.com for details. Data usage: all GPRS pay per use rates are $.0195/KB. GSM bands used: 1900.
Aruba: World Connect: $1.99 per min, World Traveler: $1.69, GSM 900/1900
Panama: World Connect: $2.29, World Traveler: $1.99, GSM : 850
Mexico: World Connect: $0.99, World Traveler: $0.59, GSM: 1900
There is only a $2 difference between the two plans. The breakeven point between the two seems to be using the phone onshore for 5 minutes in Mexico or less than 7 minutes elsewhere in the foreign ports.
Q. Will I be charged long distance in addition to the per-minute roaming rate?
A. No. All calls you make or receive while roaming internationally are charged at the per minute voice roaming rate—with no additional long distance charges. While roaming internationally, calls deposited to your voicemail (when phone is "active" and if busy/no answer) will incur
TWICE the per minute charge.
For those interested in Blackberry and laptop roaming information:
http://www.wireless.att.com/learn/international/roaming/affordable-world-packages.jsp#3
I don’t know anything about these things as I don’t even have a cell phone that can take pictures and have never sent a text message! It was confusing whether the package prices listed would be the only charges or if you would have to pay both the cruise ship price and the package price.
HTH,
-- Kathy