Sprint/Nextel phone charges

[jenseib]

We have Nextel, through Sprint. I am just wondering about roaming charges onboard. I know my DH will have to use his phone a few times at least. I am just curious to see how much these calls will cost. Ithink we get charged $2.99 a minute on ship, correct? But it's been years since either of us had a plan with any roaming, and we haven't been out of the country either.

 

[toescat]

I also have a Nextel thru Sprint phone for work and a Sprint phone for home. On the last few cruises once we left port and were about 30 minutes into our cruise I no longer had service. I had service while I was in Cabo, but since my employer pays for international service, we did not get an outrageous bill for my call to work. So I don't think you can get cell service while at sea as they are no towers out there. I would not expect Disney to have a cell pacs for each carrier.

 

[Billinaz]

Cellular at sea is an ATT venture, but it will work with CDMA phones, not Nextel phones.

2. Why can’t I get connected?

a. Our goal is to serve as many guests as possible, but not everyone can use this service yet. The following networks and services are not yet supported:
– TDMA service (an older USA technology not compatible)
– Nextel

b. If you are a CDMA (Verizon Wireless/Sprint/Alltel) customer you phone must be set to “Roam”. Please check your phone settings.


http://www.cellularatsea.com/technology.htm

 

[jenseib]

I thought that nextel now was sprint though? Like our phone service is sprint, but our 2way is nextel? I guess I could be wrong. I know I have read that Sprint can get service. So I guess we'll find iut, if not, DH can make calls in the Bahamas then. When I look on the Sprint site, it gives basically no info on Nextel being different. Actually no Nextel info at all except for which phones you can buy. We don't care about using the 2 way option onboard. But if I know my DH, he will want to call home at least once a day to check on things.

 

[jenseib]

One other thing. I am sure my phone is a CDMA phone (motorola i1)

 

[Billinaz]

Yes, sprint and nextel are two separate networks.

Sprint utilizes Code Division Multiple Access as their primary technology, same as Verizon Wireless.

NEXTEL utilizes iDEN Technology. The iDEN Technology was created by NEXTEL and Motorola, Hence why 99% of NEXTEL phones are manufactured by Motorola.

Same company just 2 Different Technologies.

I just checked and ATT will let me get incoming text messages at no cost (which is good because I get many text messages) and if I use the phone to call the US then its at $2.35/min.

I dont have to worry about any of the cellular at sea charges or international charges.

 

[Hygiene99]

Call sprint add international package, Free... can then make call.

However there is no international Data!

 

[jenseib]

Thanks. I think we wil lbe OK. As long as he can call when we are at the bahamas, we should be OK. Anyone know about CC? Is that the Celluar at Sea too? If so, no big deal, as it wil lbe only basically 1 day he won't be able to call home. And actually it wil lbe nice not to hear his brother panicing about stupid stuff, like he does everytime we go away.

 

[shanesgirl]

So if I have Verizon and set it to roam I will have service on the ship? I have unlimited and don't pay for roaming so would they not charge me for it right?

 

[shanesgirl]

Oh yeah do cells work at port?

 

[jenseib]

So if I have Verizon and set it to roam I will have service on the ship? I have unlimited and don't pay for roaming so would they not charge me for it right?

I beleive it will roam and have charges because it is international. Most likely you will roam if you go out of the country. I have never had verizon though, so I don't know the details. I used to have Alltel (which is now Verizon) and I would roam any time I set foot out of my area, but thats been YEARS ago.

 

[Raenstoirm]

So if I have Verizon and set it to roam I will have service on the ship? I have unlimited and don't pay for roaming so would they not charge me for it right?

You will get hit with NASTY fees with your plan. Roaming is only US so when in ports in florida there will be no charge. If you try to use it in Castaway Cay it will cost you.

 

[shanesgirl]

You will get hit with NASTY fees with your plan. Roaming is only US so when in ports in florida there will be no charge. If you try to use it in Castaway Cay it will cost you.

Thanks that is good to know.

 

[liemge]

Called verizon yesterday, you have to add the international package or you can't make calls while outside the US, and on ship calls are over $2 per minute.

 

[shanesgirl]

Called verizon yesterday, you have to add the international package or you can't make calls while outside the US, and on ship calls are over $2 per minute.

I won't be calling on the ship! You don't dare answer your phone if anyone calls you too. How about texting?

 

[jenseib]

I won't be calling on the ship! You don't dare answer your phone if anyone calls you too. How about texting?

You'll still get roaming fees if you text

 

[agirlinflorida]

We have Sprint. On one cruise my daughter did not turn off her phone after we left port and called a friend of hers that was also on the ship. The phone call was for 1 minute. We were charged the $2.99 cellular at Sea charge and a $2 Sprint charge for a total of $5 for 1 minute. So glad her friend had turned off her phone already!!

 

[shanesgirl]

Yeah I think I will be turning my phone off. I will call my family from Florida and let them know I got there ok before I get on the ship.

Thanks for all the answers I was wondering how it all works.

 

[Billinaz]

You'll still get roaming fees if you text

No roaming fees on ATT when you send a text message, though each one will cost a flat .50. At least incoming is free.....

 

[rcraw45425]

Sprint: 2.99/min to call, .50 outgoing text .05 each incoming text . I was told that if you set your smartphone to airplane mode you can still use all other functions like music player, calendar, etc with no charges. I'm terrified that my teenagers will forget, DH says he wants them to leave their phones in the car!