Need help with iPhone and what to disable/enable before cruising

[basketlacey]

I would love if someone can give me some specific instructions on what settings to change on our iPhones before we leave Port Canaveral. Here is what I would love to accomplish using the smallest amount of data:

1) Me + kids - ability to see Navigators and use the messaging feature for each other
2) DH - ability to check in with work via email plus use the navigator and messaging feature; all calls roll to voicemail

I seem to remember that on the last cruise, we could put our phones in airplane mode and still use the app for navigators. Do I remember that correctly and does it still work that way for the messaging?

For DH, last cruise was only 3 days and he just left his phone at port in the trunk. He is a business owner and he needed any customers that called to roll to voicemail (which instructed them about what to do if they needed assistance). This cruise is longer but we still have the same need for calls to go to voicemail. Is it possible for this to happen while his phone is on and being used for other things? Will it charge international calling rates if someone calls? I was hoping he could use email to stay in touch with his employees but I'm not sure what settings to use to make sure that we aren't using data from other apps and that we are only using what is needed to push and pull email.

I appreciate any help you can give!

 

[over50visits]

You should put your iPhone in airplane mode.
Turn on wifi, and connect to DCL-Guest. That is how you use their onboard app, which is an EXCELLENT app. You will find everything there, and once you get used to it (in short order) it is very easy to use.

If you never log on to the wifi service they sell for internet access (see below), that's all you need to to. Enjoy your cruise!

But if you do intend to use internet (such as for checking emails), you need to:

In settings, go to iCloud then photos and turn off automatic photo uploads of photo stream.
In settings, go to iTunes & app store and turn off all automatic downloads
Cancel all apps you may have running, since many access the internet in the background.
Go to setting, location services and turn off.

When you want to access the internet, it is easy. Start safari, and a purchase screen will appear. You should do this the first day and get the free 50MB package. You can't get that after the first day.

Now, every time you want to use the internet, start safari, and log on to your account. You'll see a great meter that shows you how much of your data plan you've used.
Then do your emails and whatever surfing you need to do.
Then go right back to safari and log off of your account. That ensures there's no way you'll be downloading anything and incurring charges.
If you run out of data, the great meter will let you know, and you'll be able to purchase more data access.

There is an onboard internet rep who seems quite friendly and willing to help. Take him your iPhones and make sure you did everything right. Better to make sure upfront you do it all right rather than see all your data plan gone and wonder why!

If your cruise includes San Juan, that is (of course) US cellular service, so you can connect to AT&T, Verizon, or whatever you have there just like traveling anywhere else in the U.S.

 

[phillmolly]

Great questions and info!

 

[perditax]

I'm about to leave so you may want to google if this doesn't make sense, but try not to leave your Wifi on your phone turned on WHILE THE PHONE IS PLUGGED IN AND CHARGING.

The combination of power source + WiFi = the iPhone or iPad WILL download background iOS updates (if Apple pushes any during your trip), NO MATTER WHAT YOU DISABLE. Power+Wifi is all it cares about for this particular kind of update.

(I didn't believe this the first time I read it, but I googled it extensively and it's true.)

 

[LSUfan4444]

You should put your iPhone in airplane mode.
Turn on wifi, and connect to DCL-Guest. That is how you use their onboard app, which is an EXCELLENT app. You will find everything there, and once you get used to it (in short order) it is very easy to use.

If you never log on to the wifi service they sell for internet access (see below), that's all you need to to. Enjoy your cruise!

But if you do intend to use internet (such as for checking emails), you need to:

In settings, go to iCloud then photos and turn off automatic photo uploads of photo stream.
In settings, go to iTunes & app store and turn off all automatic downloads
Cancel all apps you may have running, since many access the internet in the background.
Go to setting, location services and turn off.

When you want to access the internet, it is easy. Start safari, and a purchase screen will appear. You should do this the first day and get the free 50MB package. You can't get that after the first day.

Now, every time you want to use the internet, start safari, and log on to your account. You'll see a great meter that shows you how much of your data plan you've used.
Then do your emails and whatever surfing you need to do.
Then go right back to safari and log off of your account. That ensures there's no way you'll be downloading anything and incurring charges.
If you run out of data, the great meter will let you know, and you'll be able to purchase more data access.

There is an onboard internet rep who seems quite friendly and willing to help. Take him your iPhones and make sure you did everything right. Better to make sure upfront you do it all right rather than see all your data plan gone and wonder why!

If your cruise includes San Juan, that is (of course) US cellular service, so you can connect to AT&T, Verizon, or whatever you have there just like traveling anywhere else in the U.S.

When you say "Cancel all apps you may have running, since many access the internet in the background." do you mean just "swiping" the app closed?

 

[jstewartgt]

I'm about to leave so you may want to google if this doesn't make sense, but try not to leave your Wifi on your phone turned on WHILE THE PHONE IS PLUGGED IN AND CHARGING.

The combination of power source + WiFi = the iPhone or iPad WILL download background iOS updates (if Apple pushes any during your trip), NO MATTER WHAT YOU DISABLE. Power+Wifi is all it cares about for this particular kind of update.

This is true. Disabling the App updates is unfortunately not the same as disabling the OS updates. I was burned by this last year

 

[SillyInventor]

Yes. And settings --> General --> refresh apps in the background --> switch of all (just use the master switch).
And double check you are logged out of the paid WiFi account before plugging in.

 

[basketlacey]

Great information everyone! Thank you so very much!

What about phone calls? If the phone is in airplane mode, calls will go to voicemail. Am I right that it won't use any international calling minutes? When we log into the wifi for checking email, can I disable the phone service so no calls can come through?

 

[over50visits]

You're right, there will be no charge for incoming calls if you are in airplane mode. Just keep it in airplane mode and when you log into wifi you still won't get any calls.

 

[jstewartgt]

Correct about the calls. Also note that you can be charged if the phone is not in airplane mode, the phone rings, and you let it go to VM.